By the time we arrived in the Mother Baby unit at Deaconess, we were a sight for sore eyes. Dad had a lawn mowing accident Saturday, surgery Sunday and discharged Monday. Mom was induced Monday evening, on and off contractions all of Tuesday, and baby finally arrived Wednesday. Dad was on the 5th night in the hospital Mom on the 2nd going on 3rd. We didn’t know at that point that we would have another four nights with a baby needing care for jaundice. Those were long days and longer nights as first-time parents. We had one million questions and concerns and at times didn’t know what we should be asking.

Our first night nurse was Stevie, who cared for us the next 3 nights. We continue to talk about Stevie’s incredible kindness, compassion, patience, and attentiveness. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing. We would press the call button and in would come the caring presence of Stevie. When she entered the room, she was fully present and listened deeply. She took the time to teach us to swaddle, burb, clean, and care for our child. She would demonstrate what to do and allow us to try it for ourselves. Stevie was a model teacher, providing stellar care and pouring her heart out for us and our situation. She helped us laugh through tears and find rest among the bustle. After three nights as our nurse, we were told we would likely have one more night. Stevie kind of initially broke the news to us. Mom cried with exhaustion and Stevie did too as she gave us a hug and we said our farewells at the end of her shift. That depth of empathy, thoroughness of care, and expanse of kindness are why Stevie will make it into our family’s photobook of the first days together.