You know you're a preemie parent when...

If this list looks familiar, you might be a parent of a preemie baby! We have to laugh about it to keep our sanity! :)

You know you're a preemie parent when...

You measure everything in cc's

Luxury = sleeping three hours in a row

You can change your baby's diaper with one hand

In the course of the same day, you have wanted to slap and bear hug the same NICU nurse

You feel a secret pull of jealousy when one of your friends delivers full term

You have gotten a rash on your hands from washing with hot water and the NICU soap... eight times in one day

The statement "breastfeeding is simple and natural" makes you laugh -- or cry, depending on the day and the hour.

Your baby has ever outgrown an outfit... while s/he was wearing it.

You cry when you're happy, laugh when you're mad, and throw things across the room when you're sad.

You could drive the route from your house to the hospital in your sleep... and maybe you have.

You can't remember what you talked about before feeding schedules, diapers, and growth charts.

You're more interested in your baby's diaper than the State of the Union

Your idea of a vacation is walking outside to get the mail

When someone offers you their hand to shake, you think twice, envisioning the germs that you might take home from them

The sound of your baby crying is beautiful, not annoying.

While everyone else coos, "He's so tiny!" your six-pound baby looks huge to you.

Your heart almost bursts with love at least once a day

You would climb to the top of Mt. Everest, barefoot, if it would help your baby to grow healthier, bigger, or stronger.

You not only know what "bilirubin" is, you have had several extensive conversations about it.

You never knew how grateful you could feel that your baby has gained an ounce.

You know where all the vending machines are on your floor of the hospital... and which ones have the good snacks.

You literally live your life one hour at a time.

The security guard at the front door of the hospital just waves you in when he sees you.

You are grateful for the smallest things now -- a shower, clean socks, a meal that you didn't have to cook, a friend who has a whole conversation with you without offering you any useless advice.

You had to give up your shower today to make time to read this list.