I did have an idea of what happened, from a bit of gossip at the follow up clinic but to see them all in person was amazing. They had a display of NICU equipment and the kids were curious, but not overly so. Most of them had an idea that they were special in some way, tiny babies they were, but then balloons beckoned and off they went. The nurse manning the display was the one that ripped Alex's chart out of my hands many years ago. She was still as pointy headed as ever.
All preemies are skinny.
It was easy to pick the preemie kids out from their siblings, based on body shape alone. Lots of thick glasses too. Subtle reminders of disability, of scars painfully acquired. Quietly in the corner, away from the ruckus of kids running around were several children, profoundly disabled, having their ice cream too. And that's what it was, a wild party, excited kids and parents who didn't really know each other, but did know each other on the deep level that only a preemie parent can.