We're The Thompsons: Dezmond, Ja'Rivian, and Beau! My due date for our first child, Beau, was May 5, 2023. However, during a routine appointment on March 15, he measured small, and there was concern about a potential blockage. At my follow-up appointment on April 17, the doctors informed me that I would be induced that weekend or no later than the following week. On April 22, 2023, I delivered Beau at 4:35 PM. Unfortunately, hospital staff immediately took my baby to the NICU before I even had the chance to hold him. Only two hours later, Beau went into surgery to address the blockage. Before his procedure, they wheeled me to the NICU, where I prayed a powerful prayer over him. I felt that prayer resonate throughout the NICU that night, and I know it continued to sustain us in the coming months. Beau had a blockage that required repair, leaving him with an ostomy bag. We were hopeful that he would soon undergo surgery to remove the bag in a month, but just a week later, our baby boy had to undergo another surgery for malrotation of the intestines. This complication extended our stay in the NICU to three months. During this time, Beau struggled to gain weight and was on minimal milk feeding, but by July 25, he had his final surgery, which was successful. He was discharged and came home on August 6, 2023. Those three months in the NICU were incredibly long, stressful, and emotional for our family, but we made it through with the support of our amazing surgeon, Dr. Faith Hansbrough, and the incredible team of nurses and doctors at Woman's Hospital. Dezmond and I learned about March of Dimes and the benefits of kangaroo care while in the NICU, and we won the Kangaroo Care Contest. It was great being able to do skin-to-skin but making it a game brought a light, fun feeling as both Dezmond and I are competitive. The nurses joked about the number of kangaroos around Beau's room window. The time we spent in the NICU was never what we had envisioned when we first learned we were expecting, but that experience transformed us into grateful and appreciative parents. Beau will turn two this year and is the healthiest and happiest baby. God's grace and healing power have been evident in every step of this journey, and we are forever thankful. Ja'Rivian and Dezmond Thompson