Today Amii would have been just about ready to enter her third trimester and the baby should have been hearing muffled laughter in the womb as brother & sister gave their name suggestions, not hearing beeping of NICU machinery. She should have been holding up onesies marveling that the older kids were ever that tiny, not keeping watch over an isolette. Rubbing her belly and wondering who he’d look like, not wondering if he would survive.
A planned homebirth turned into a terrifying ride to the hospital and rapid birth of a baby under a foot long and weighing less than a bag of powdered sugar. Every instinct and muscle is screaming out to scoop him up and cuddle him, smothering him with kisses. Instead she’s watching him struggle to breathe, knowing touch is painful for him.
A few days ago she made comments about “if” Oliver came home. I truly think she’d been preparing for the worst & was afraid to even think about him coming home. Today she was sharing some ways her parenting style would have to change when Oliver came home and I was overjoyed. Why? One four letter word. She said when. When Oliver comes home, not “if” but when. She is finally allowing herself to imagine bringing him home.
Bringing an immunocompromised preemie home requires a very different approach than a healthy infant and things as simple as being unable to babywear right away (he won’t have the head control of a typical newborn) throw a monkey wrench into instinctive and attachment parenting. At this point the situation is still hour by hour and they don’t know the long term prognosis, but he’s likely to have special needs as well.
As Amii’s life totally changes with the birth of Oliver I can’t help but think how lucky he, River and Luna are to have her as their Mama. I can’t wait until she brings Oliver home.
Read Oliver’s story as well as updates on his journey, and/or contribute to the Fritz family GoFundMe.
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
Thoughts and prayers with this little one and family.
i love this family so hard <3 thanks for the update, I never know if texts are appreciated or an annoyance.
Hoping this little guy stays strong in his fight! You’ve said so many positive things about Amii and the Fritz family in the past. They sound like wonderful loving people. My thoughts are with this little one <3
I am sending positive thoughts their way and praying that little Oliver thrives.
What a great change in outlook. Let’s pray that there are no special needs and the baby’s development is healthy.
Beautifully written, we keep this precious baby and the family in our prayers every day!
Agreed with Caroline; eloquent & touching, Maria.
Good on Amii to keep seeing her baby come home; that’s where miracles lie (:
Amii is an amazing Mother and YOU are an amazing friend.
Agreed with Caroline; eloquent & touching, Maria.
Good on Amii to keep seeing her baby come home
Beautifully written. Praying for all the Fritz’s and Baby Oliver coming home, strong, happy and healthy!