On April 2, 2010 at 2:57am, Nina Zinn decided to make her appearance in the world. Mom and Dad drove up for a few days of spring break vacation-ing in Vermont, and WHAM-O, next thing you know we've got baby!WE CAN'T GIVE ENOUGH THANKS to the crew over at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington. We got top-of-the-line care from the minute we walked through the door. This birth came as a total surprise, and luckily for us, we just HAPPENED to be minutes away from the region's top hospital for early births.
The labor was 100% natural - primal, more like it. Mama managed the pain with some serious howling, and even a little growling! The nurses said Dawning acted like a pro. Amazingly, Dawning has bounced back fast, and was up and on her feet by the early afternoon. She's feeling good. Now she just needs some sleep!
When she was born, Nina started crying right away, and was able to breathe room air on her own - a great accomplishment for a baby her age. Nina was born after 28 weeks and five days of gestating. She weighed a little more than 2 pounds, which is great, but she's still got a lot of growing to do. Little Nina has spent most of her first day of life resting in the NICU. We took this photo about about 3pm - after just 12 hours of life, Nina was ready to leave her little bed, have her little tubes and monitors pulled away, and just get some skin-to-skin time with mama. They both did beautifully.
Many of you are wondering how long we're going to be here in Burlington. The honest answer is that we don't know. We DO know that Nina will probably need to be in a hospital (here or in NYC) for the next 10 weeks. We're hoping to get home as soon as possible, but it depends on how strong and stable Nina is as she develops, and frankly, whether we can convince our insurance to cover the cost of "non-emergent" transportation!
So, in the meantime, we're here. Given the beautiful weather, and the AMAZING staff at Fletcher Allen, we don't really mind being out of the city. We actually feel quite blessed to be here.
Thanks to all who sent us emails, voice messages, phone calls, and Facebook posts to wish us well!
Stay tuned to this site for more updates!
Welcome to the world, Nina Zinn!
She is so beautiful and such fighter! Just like her mom and dad. No wonder she was in a rush to come out with such a great family waiting with open arms.
ReplyDeleteHow amazingly beautiful. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWe're just minutes from Fletcher Allen, have a car, and a guest room, so please let us know if there's anything we can do that would be of help. -- Nancy and Didier
ReplyDeleteWiping tears away as I read your story. Nothing I can possibly say except that I will be thinking about you and hoping that whatever luck and good spirit exists in the world gets sprinkled on your family. I'm sure it will.
ReplyDeleteAnd one more thing--if insurance screws up and you want to come home, please let me help you pay for it.
Congratulations to both of you! What a lovely Easter/Spring gift. Nina looks beautiful and tough. PS30 staff will be very happy to know that Brian is a daddy! See you soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is so brilliant! This brought tears to my eyes! Dawning and Nina look gorgeous and I'm so happy for you all!
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful to see her sweet little face - Welcome to the world Nina!! So glad you are doing well Dawning. If somebody wants to start a bring Nina & Dawning home fund I would like to contribute! So happy you had a great hospital & staff!!!! Love and Peace, Theresa
ReplyDeleteDawning and Brian, wow after reading this blog it's clear Nina is a miracle. I am so happy for both of you and relieved at how strong a fighter she already is. Would like to contribute in any way, will stay posted, with love, Jo
ReplyDeleteCongrats cousin!! Welcome Nina Zinn (no doubt after Howard? Love it!!) Give my best to Dawning! Hope to see you all real soon.
ReplyDeleteShe's AMAZING!! I'm so glad you all are doing so well!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the birth of your first born! Nina is beautiful. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.
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