"I am the grateful mama to 4 incredible little girls.  2 of which spent a lot of time in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) following their births.  Avery my oldest, then Anna my youngest 6 years later.  It's not an easy beginning of life going from birth to hospital but we were fortunate to have many wonderful services offered to our family to help ease the fears and adjustments. 

One of those services which I think of so fondly and is still impacting us to this day (11 & 5 years later!) is music therapy.  Prior to my oldest daughters hospitalization I was not very familiar with music therapy.  I'll always remember the moment the kind music therapist approached me in the NICU as I was spending time with my daughter, I was feeling so many emotions as I was uncertain of what the future held for my sweet baby girl.  He asked me if I'd like to sing for my daughter and he would record it for her.  I loved this idea and had the perfect songs ready that I had been singing to her in my belly!  This experience was so incredibly special and moving and the music therapist made it all very comfortable.  Once I had the CD he made of songs, peaceful sounds we selected and stories read to her I played it for her often and it provided both of us such comfort.  She's 11 now and still cherishes these songs! 

Fast forward 6 years later and sweet Anna Joy was born.  She spent 72 days in the NICU after being born at 29 weeks.  We were so fortunate to have the same kind hearted music therapist there for us again!  We made a CD for Anna with new songs special to her and just as before the experience is so cherished!  This time we recorded the songs right in Anna's hospital room, I'll never forget it.  It's been almost 5 years since our last hospital stay and I am still so thankful for what music therapy provided for my family!" 

- Dayna, grateful mom