i found out i had cancer around the same time colleen found out she was pregnant, and i remember telling myself "well i'll be fine by christmas" because that was the only way i felt like i could cope. sometimes that works out (i'm in remission! and found out the day colleen released the birth video!) but along the way there were hurdles and every time it felt like treatment would go longer, i crumbled. it's so so difficult. i definitely understand our brains need to believe in something bearable.
Maisy is a popular name in Scotland! There’s a book series called “Maisie comes to Morningside” and it’s about kittens in Edinburgh! It might be a cute book to read to the twins💕
Yesss! I grew up on that series, I’d love to see Colleen read it with the twins 🥺 Especially as Edinburgh is so special to Colleen with her performing in the fringe
I can tell Erik had the worst moments of his life that day. He was split into 3 parts and had to choose. So so happy that everyone is “okay” now. Erik was a rockstar for Colleen. I’m so glad she has him.
You can see on his face that he also has a lot of healing to do, after going through that trauma. I hope they both get the help they need to move past the trauma once the babies are home safe and sound.
can we please thank Erik, although his life is quite private, he always helps to shoot for Colleen even in the most personal moments and capable to openly share such serious and traumatic topics for a large amount of people!
Ask for an itemized receipt for your NICU stay/hospital bills. They may charge you $60 for a freaking band aid. It’s ridiculous. Get the itemized receipt, call the hospital, and be like “uhh okay.. so I understand that I have to pay this, but I think it’s ridiculous that (item) costs so much. Is there any way that this bill could be lowered so I can pay it all?” And they’ll likely come back with a more reasonable price. Also, if the bills are like $10k and you could pay them like $7k up front, offer them that and they may just take it for the full amount. There’s ways to negotiate these hospital bills at least a little. I hope this helps someone
Honestly reading this stuff makes me feel sick, my heart really goes out to everyone who's in the states and has to PAY to BRING HUMANS INTO THE WORLD and make sure they BREATHE!
@@poplillyp yeah I can not imagine going through the stress of having one baby in the NICU, let alone two, and also having to negotiate with the hospital about ridiculous bills. I'm sorry but the USA is messed up
It's great to hear Erik's experience. Far too often we don't hear the father's side. It must be tough to just walk in, at the last minute, and go into support mode. You are both an amazing couple.
I give Eric so much credit for not crying while telling his perspective. I cried for him and the both of you. So glad your beautiful twins are doing well 💖 you're all rockstars!
Im glad I'm not the only one. His perspective made me emotional for sure! I had a csection in March and I can relate to a lot of their story. I also had twins 6 years ago, also an emergency csection and it was so scary. Hearing him describe everything had me in tears 😢😭🥺🥺
You guys were talking about how they encourage you to read, sing, talk to the babies. You should have Flynn record a song or your families reading a story! So they can get to know everyone!😊
This is a wonderful idea. They will know his voice from her being pregnant too so it would be really cool to record him talking to them or reading stories, talking about trucks and bugs, truck of the day 🖤🖤
We went thru this, 23 years ago next month, with my oldest. Dylan was not breathing at birth. He is now taller than me and even though it’s been literally more than two decades, I still teared up listening to Erik. Hear my heart in this when I tell you that you may have a really rough go getting over this stuff. From the speed of the entire situation and the fear of the unknown, and the visuals Erik was exposed to - just please be gentle with yourselves and watch for signs of PTSD. This is big, difficult stuff to process. Keep talking to each other. My Daren is so much like Erik and we are still together & going strong. Sending so much love to you both. 🥰
The fact that they’re having to pay for potentially the most traumatic time in your life is heartbreaking. I’m from England and it never crossed my mind before!
@@erinmalloy9297 lmao yes Erik is going to leave his wife whom he so desperately loves and his three kids for this lovely Susan Miller on the internet 💀
This is a wonderful way to time capsule the babies birth story! Having their mommy and daddy tell it .. wow!! Thank you for sharing such a Raw and vulnerable story with us. I feel so honored to be able to hear such a private personal story in your life.. love you guys! 💕💕
As someone who has never had to think about the cost of medical procedures… I can’t even imagine the stress about that. I gave birth to my daughter, we stayed in the hospital for two days and walked out. No thoughts about the hospital stay again. America needs to sort their shit out.
They really need to! I’m from South Africa, had to stay a month in the hospital and I was so scared about leaving my baby everyday. There was actually a dedicated area with beds, a small living room and bathrooms for all nicu moms so you wouldn’t have to leave your baby. Got to share some amazing experiences “living” with people going through the same thing as I was. Walked out 4 weeks later with only a R150 bill(equivalent to 9 US dollars)
A very Canadian experience and I wish that was the case for all of you. I'm sad that you have to be thinking about costs, debt and money while caring for your beautiful babies. Love from Kim in Canada 🇨🇦
This was the best 'Relax' podcast yet. It has a more serious and emotional tone which I think suits it incredibly well. I hope they discuss more serious and emotional material in the future. I just loved this!
Listening to Erik's in-depth description of the birth story and getting to the part about Maisy, I realized that I had started crying. I know Maisy is doing well, I know that these people don't even know who I am, yet I just cried out of empathy and caring for that little baby and their precious family. 💕Brandi
It must've been so hard for Erik to share his side of the story, it must be so scary reliving all that experience.. I'm sure it can help other dads who didn't get to share their experience, we don't hear their side often enough I feel! Hopefully he gets to be more comfortable sharing more in a few months when everyone is home and life is going as it should!
I was born 3 months early at 2 lbs 7 ounces and was in the NICU for 2 months. I’m almost 23 now, thankfully totally healthy, and so so SO incredibly thankful for those amazing doctors that saved my life!!! Sending love ❤️❤️
Yes, all of the security guards, nurses, and doctors at the hospital know you. But coming from a nurse assistant that works in labor and delivery, those same people are going to be ECSTATIC the day they get to see you walk out of that hospital! You and Erik are both doing great, and those babies are so lucky to have such wonderful parents.
I can only imagine! I've never done work like that but I can only imagine the joy of seeing the same people who have been going in and out finally being able to leave with their babies!
So glad Erik got to tell his story. We often forget how traumatizing this is for rent partners too. They feel helpless when all alone and their partner and baby are whisked away for an emergency c section, sitting with the uncertainty and anxiety.
When it comes to the hospital bill, make sure you ask for an itemized bill. I once got charged $70 for a travel size of baby powder and $120 for a crappy hospital toothbrush. After calling and asking about these erroneous charges, my bill went down by $3,000. A lot of hospitals do this. They will sneak charges in for small items hoping you don't notice it, or have the sense to ask for an itemized bill. Also, they gave Erik juice because he was pale and they were trying to prevent him from fainting. The nurses are amazing, and know to keep an eye on the dad...my first husband got the juice while I was pushing, and then he got shoved into a chair immediately afterwards because his knees were starting to give out. They don't want dad to face plant on the floor and get a head Injury. And they know most men won't say a word about not feeling right because they want the focus to be on their significant other in those moments, so the nurses are always monitoring dad when he doesn't even know it.
Coming back to this podcast after the paternal postpartum depression (PPPD) debate generated by Colleen's last vlog. Hearing Erik's perspective about the birth is heartbreaking and it makes sense that he's only now starting to feel the symptoms of PPPD. I know that he's usually more private about his feelings, but I would love for both of them to explain a little bit more (if they're comfortable) about the Postpartum depression they BOTH are going through.
Huge shout out and thanks to Erik for sharing his perspective of the story. I feel like we don’t often hear stories like this from the father and hearing the emotion in his voice and how much it clearly impacted him really touched me.
Erik is such an incredible dad, you can tell how much he loves is family. Yall are literally the parents I wish I had growing up lol. I'm so sorry you both had such a traumatizing experience. I hope you heal from that knowing your babies will be okay. Those babies are so tough 💪
On the statistic Erik said that on average someone in LA pays 5000$ in parking tickets. I think Rachel talked about this recently. How rich people don't see parking tickets as a punishment, but as another parking fee. So maybe the rich and famous in LA makes the average so high since they don't care about the tickets.
I literally had this conversation with someone I worked for. She parked and I said oh I don't think we can park here and she said yes we can it's £60. Crazy!
Erik's rant about the chairs and the food had me dying. He's such a great storyteller, and great at breaking up the tension as well. Great episode everyone 👏
I love watching Colleen’s vlogs, main channel videos, hearing her talk on the podcast etc. But WOW the way Erik told that story made me emotional. When he tunneled vision to you, to be there next to your face I- ugh 🥺🥲 love you both. You’re doing so great!! I know these days are so difficult but wow you guys are so resilient. Especially you Colleen!! Whether you believe it or not. We all see how strong you are ❤️
it is just mindblowing to me, a European, that in the US people have to pay for their medical expenses and there is not a general insurance system in place. The US is really horrible in that respect
@@mads5522 i recognize this is such a warped mentality but as an american, so many people think why should i have to pay for other people to have babies? it was your choice to have a baby, you should pay for it. plus there are some people who abuse welfare systems that help poor people [thought definitely not as many as people think], so people think those systems would be abused and people would have babies and procedures left and right because it's paid for which is dumb but I am curious-- 1. do people abuse these systems that you guys have and how often does it happen? 2. do people who are very healthy versus not healthy have to pay the same amount to the government if these people's salaries are the same?
@@zarahshabs7936 I definitely can understand how some people might feel that way. I feel that way sometimes too, especially for situations that can be preventable. I have never experienced Health Care that is as privatized as it is in the US, I think that's why Canadians struggle to understand American's view on this issue since free public health care is our normal. Personally, I have never had an issue with my tax money funding the public Health Care system (although it is far from perfect). Every person in Canada is entitled to equal access to health care under our Health Care Act. I haven't made much use of our health care system but I am extremely grateful for it to ensure our people are taken care of.
@@zarahshabs7936 To answer your questions 1. It is difficult to abuse the health care system because everyone has "equal" access (by law, I can't actually say this is true) to health care. Some people might take it for granted, meaning they take more risks which can lead to needing medical care. 2. In Canada you are taxed depending on your income, so yes their tax money would be funding our public health care system the same. Which most people are fine with here. I am curious about your views on public vs private health care :) Hope that answers your question
@@zarahshabs7936 i live in Denmark, which have full health Care, School and everything like that. I remember thinking like that then I had to pay my first tax. But studies shows that over all most people are richer, happier and healthier because that. Plus most people(not like 60% but more like 90%+) will pay less in taxes, than they would pay for school, medical bills and so on if we had a system like USA😊 so it is actually cheaper😉 we help each other getting better, because we want the best for everyone. And that it is not allways your fault you end up in bad situations. Right now I am going to college, and I not only going there for free, but I’m getting payed to. So I almost can live without using my saving. That makes it easier to give attention to school and not working 10-20 hours a week. 😉
Mom's go through so much with birth and no one really checks on dad. Erik has really put into perspective that dad can have birth trauma, dads really go through it as well. You can see in his face he was torn between 3 of the most important people and didn't know where to be. Thank you so much for sharing
As a nicu mom to a 26 weeker, I appreciated this episode so much. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable. You are making an immense difference for everyone watching. Keep going, you’ll get to grad day before you know it!!!
Not sure if the hospital your babies are in does this, but when my baby was in the NICU I was able to purchase a parking pass for the month. It saved so much money. My baby was in the NICU for 5 months, because she was born 4 months early at 22 weeks, With y’all visiting your babies everyday it is definitely something to look into to save a little bit of money 🙂 btw I’m so happy to hear the babies are doing good, I pray they get to come home sooner than expected, they are absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!! 💜💚 also Colleen, if you see this, look up Micro Preemie clothes and diapers since your babies are to small for preemie clothes.
After having my son via c-section I felt so incredibly grateful to my husband. I honestly don't know how some people do it alone. He was my rock the whole time. He helped me to the bathroom. He helped me get my disposable diapers on and off when I couldn't do it myself. Traumatic experiences make your love for your partner grow and you get stronger as a couple and as people. Every hardship I've gone through with my husband has ended in us growing and becoming better together. You and Erik have got this and each other. No matter how hard it is, or how many times you feel like you can't go on. You have each other and you will make it through with one another. NICUs are hard. It's hard to have to scrub up to your elbows before you can touch your own child. It's hard to leave to go home to take care of yourself. It's hard. But you will find a way. And you will make it through this. One day at a time. One moment at a time if needed.
Pediatric nurse here :) another reason why getting new babies to regulate their body temp is important is because if they get cold, their blood sugars can go down causing hypoglycemia. This is because the baby uses their glucose stores to help warm themselves up, causing glucose to decrease, thus the hypoglycemia. Praying for you both and the babies ❤
This is the most I've seen Erik show emotion & it's absolutely beautiful You can tell he loves the hell out of Colleen. It honestly almost brings me to tears. Seeing him describe his experience with the C-section & everything is just mind blowing. I hope they last forever & their family is blessed with all the happiness in the world❤🙏🏾
Wesley breaking the water a month early is going to be a running joke for the rest of his life and I love it Edit: I realize I said a month early and not 2 months but in my defense it was 2am and I was half asleep when I made this comment
Many people don’t realize that many emergency procedures happen in nicu’s and when your visiting babies and another baby has an emergency it’s scary and sad . Like chest tubes on a little tiny baby wow. Lots of praying for all those tiny humans trying to survive.
Sobbed hearing Erik talk about the medical staff staying strong through the tough stuff! I worked in these exact situations and had to stay strong through countless scenarios just like this one, until I couldn’t be strong anymore. I was diagnosed with PTSD and it’s very freeing to hear that my emotions/pain is being validated by others!
My only complaint about this podcast is that whenever I hear that theme song, it literally gets stuck in my head for DAYS at a time and basically plays in a loop even while I’m sleeping. So thanks for that😂😂
It’s safe to say the traumatic experience brought them closer and I totally relate to that as I had 3-csection. I appreciate you guys for being so open and sharing your beautiful life stories.
Colleen 🥺🥺🥺🥺 never had a child, but your anxieties are literallllyyy how I feel, and it’s influencers like you, who keep it raw, that remind me that we ARE strong enough for whatever the world throws at us no matter how scared our mind makes us. AND THE WAY YOU PARENT FLYNN MY HEART IS WHOLE, coming from harder toned parents, I promise I AM TAKING NOTES🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I WEEPED every time you guys found each other and held each other through the struggle and trauma. Thank you so much for sharing this really difficult story. I think we can see where your children get their strength. ❤
I was doing my makeup while listening and had to stop when you described maizey being born. I’ve experienced an emergency c-section so I felt that so deeply.
I'm currently in college to become a labor and delivery nurse, and hearing you both talk in such admiration for these medical staff makes me so so happy and equally doubtful of my worthiness for the profession. Hearing about these situations and how these doctors and nurses were able to deliver your perfect angels even if it wasn't in the best circumstances is why I chose my career path. I hope I can be the hero in someone's story like these staff were in yours 🥰🥰❤
I’m in school for L&D nursing, too, and I’m totally with you! It’s such an enlightening opportunity to hear them talk about the doctors and nurses, and to hear the perspective of the parents!!
i hope both of yall are still in therapy, it sounds like its been a really hard few months really for both of you and i hope yall are able to take care of yourselves mentally as much as yall can in the midst of the hecticness.
I know it was hard but thank you so much for talking about this. I think it will help a lot of new dads be prepared in the future and be better support for their partner ❤️
I watch your vlogs religiously, but never seen the podcast before. I had to hear erik’s side of the story. I will say it was really lovely to see you two chuckling about how crazy and scary it was looking back. Obviously it was insane trauma and that doesn’t go away, but the small silly chuckles were super sweet. So glad you have each other. Erik is amazing.
When you started talking about not knowing how big the bill from the hospital will be it reminded me how happy I am that I live in Norway. When you go to the hospital here you pay a very little amount! I am so glad that I never have to worry about not being financially able to receive the help I need.
this is so insane how they kind of remember each others states more. erik "you were just staring at the wall", colleen "yeah they said you were about to faint" true love these two
Coleen you are amazing! I can’t imagine how stressful and scary that must have been not only for you and Erik but your family to! You are so amazing and your so brave to have been able to go through all that, The babies will be out of the NICU in no time, I wish you all the best for the future xxxx
😭 as a preemie mom of 2 babies myself, it felt like you both just told my story. Everything you both said and the emotions you felt and still feel, was and still is how I experienced my children’s birth and NICU stay. It’s so strange and traumatizing still after 4 and 8 years. My first one had to stay 3 months in the NICU and my second one was there for 4 months. Both times I don’t know how I made it through this NICU journey. I guess I was just in shock and numb. I hated driving to the hospital, parking in the parking garage, walking the long hallways up to the NICU, scrubbing hands and arms before entering the NICU, threading bad news…. After a few weeks it turned into this daily routine and it felt like we would never reach the end of the tunnel. That was our life now. And I just kept going, trying to stay in the zone, trying to survive this traumatic experience. I am hurting for you both Colleen and Erik, I’m sending you lots of good vibes and strength! At the very end of your NICU Journey there will be a “Car seat test”. When your babies pass this test you know you made it through and you can finally take your babies home! 💜
Oh wow I couldn't Imagine that long, do u mind me asking if the babies were early or have medical needs otherwise that kept them there. I'm sorry if It's too personal don't feel obligated to answer if it is
OK here's poor simpleton Michelle here just thinking how absolutely amazing it is Hello Fresh kept you two safe from COVID omicron during pregnancy & NICU time. Never considered how big of a deal that is until just now.
This is my favorite episode, and seeing things from Erik's perspective is soooo refreshing and helpful to learn more about how a male spouse would react to a situation like this.
You feel so out of control and out of touch with reality, yet, in my head, you are the STRONGEST parents for going through everything they’ve been going through. You went through an extremely traumatic birth experience and yet the true, authentic smiles you share when you talk to each other melts my heart. You have each other, you have Flynn and an incredible family, who ALL believe in you and love you 🤍 The lil bugs will be home soon and things will feel safe, warm and comfortable in no time 🥺
colleen literally won the jackpot with erik. he set a very high standard for my future husband
Could not agree more😂❤
I third this motion
Same!
I second that
I think abt this so much, i wont marry anyone if they are not like erik
i found out i had cancer around the same time colleen found out she was pregnant, and i remember telling myself "well i'll be fine by christmas" because that was the only way i felt like i could cope. sometimes that works out (i'm in remission! and found out the day colleen released the birth video!) but along the way there were hurdles and every time it felt like treatment would go longer, i crumbled. it's so so difficult. i definitely understand our brains need to believe in something bearable.
So glad you’re here, friend💕🥰
I'm so proud of you!
Congrats on being in remission!!!
Love u, keep being strong ❤
Awww thank you everyone! I’m glad to be here 🥰
Maisy is a popular name in Scotland! There’s a book series called “Maisie comes to Morningside” and it’s about kittens in Edinburgh! It might be a cute book to read to the twins💕
If anyone can find it maybe they can send it to her P.O. box :)
@Angelina L 👇💋 what’s wrong with u 😂
@Angelina L 👇💋 get outta here.
so sweet! she loves cats so imagine that… awesome :)
Yesss! I grew up on that series, I’d love to see Colleen read it with the twins 🥺 Especially as Edinburgh is so special to Colleen with her performing in the fringe
I can tell Erik had the worst moments of his life that day. He was split into 3 parts and had to choose. So so happy that everyone is “okay” now. Erik was a rockstar for Colleen. I’m so glad she has him.
i can just feel how hard it was for erik through the screen. he was holding back bursting into tears. hugs to both of you
You can see on his face that he also has a lot of healing to do, after going through that trauma. I hope they both get the help they need to move past the trauma once the babies are home safe and sound.
❤️
Both of them
can we please thank Erik, although his life is quite private, he always helps to shoot for Colleen even in the most personal moments and capable to openly share such serious and traumatic topics for a large amount of people!
seriously!! thank you for sharing, eric! :)
timestamps:
0:00 intro
1:07 who needs to relax?
10:07 today tix sponsor
12:40 birth stuff from Eriks perspective
27:57 hello fresh sponsor
30:34 more birth stuff
42:43 canva sponsor
45:43 birth, nicu, hospital, babies
56:47 indeed sponsor
59:35 chaos and babies
1:11:48 bye bye
Appreciate this!
THANK YOU!!
Thank you so much
U the mvp
Ю
“The wizard of c-section curtain” omg. Erik is such a good story teller
2:56 "He was literally like, like, trying to like, 'The Shining', "Here's Johnny", get outta there. And he did."
I’m crying of laughter how good was that line
Ask for an itemized receipt for your NICU stay/hospital bills. They may charge you $60 for a freaking band aid. It’s ridiculous. Get the itemized receipt, call the hospital, and be like “uhh okay.. so I understand that I have to pay this, but I think it’s ridiculous that (item) costs so much. Is there any way that this bill could be lowered so I can pay it all?” And they’ll likely come back with a more reasonable price. Also, if the bills are like $10k and you could pay them like $7k up front, offer them that and they may just take it for the full amount. There’s ways to negotiate these hospital bills at least a little. I hope this helps someone
With Erik and Colleen’s conflict avoidance, I think they need to get Rachel to call for them 😅
Honestly reading this stuff makes me feel sick, my heart really goes out to everyone who's in the states and has to PAY to BRING HUMANS INTO THE WORLD and make sure they BREATHE!
@@poplillyp yeah I can not imagine going through the stress of having one baby in the NICU, let alone two, and also having to negotiate with the hospital about ridiculous bills. I'm sorry but the USA is messed up
@@poplillyp The USA's health care system is horrifying.
We dont pay for hosptials in canada
It's great to hear Erik's experience. Far too often we don't hear the father's side. It must be tough to just walk in, at the last minute, and go into support mode. You are both an amazing couple.
The inside/ the soul of Erik seems so beautiful. Like his emotions and everything.... A good human being !!!!
So genuine. Both of them 🖤
I was born 8 weeks early and graduated from the nicu and went home after 4 weeks. Sending positive vibes they grow quickly and can come home soon!💕
Erik's narration for baby girl's birth story left me SOBBING. I'm so so glad both babies and momma are doing well❤ hope she can bring em home soon
😂😂 Not even three minutes in and already Erik's pun game's strong and Colleen teaches us you're never too young to relax.
Also the fact that the joke of "here's Johnny" went right over Colleen's head because she's not a movie buff like he is. Hahaha!
I just snorted😂
I love the picture that is between and behind them: Miranda and Patrick.
Me too. When they almost kissed!
I give Eric so much credit for not crying while telling his perspective. I cried for him and the both of you. So glad your beautiful twins are doing well 💖 you're all rockstars!
Ur mom
Im glad I'm not the only one. His perspective made me emotional for sure! I had a csection in March and I can relate to a lot of their story. I also had twins 6 years ago, also an emergency csection and it was so scary. Hearing him describe everything had me in tears 😢😭🥺🥺
53:04 he gets choked up.
Erik was so incredibly endearing in this episode. Being vulnerable and talking about his experience in an open way was heart-warming.
You guys were talking about how they encourage you to read, sing, talk to the babies. You should have Flynn record a song or your families reading a story! So they can get to know everyone!😊
This is a great idea
This is a wonderful idea. They will know his voice from her being pregnant too so it would be really cool to record him talking to them or reading stories, talking about trucks and bugs, truck of the day 🖤🖤
Oh i hope they see this one!!!
Great idea!!!!
This is SUCH a cute idea, bump y’all!!!
We went thru this, 23 years ago next month, with my oldest. Dylan was not breathing at birth. He is now taller than me and even though it’s been literally more than two decades, I still teared up listening to Erik. Hear my heart in this when I tell you that you may have a really rough go getting over this stuff. From the speed of the entire situation and the fear of the unknown, and the visuals Erik was exposed to - just please be gentle with yourselves and watch for signs of PTSD. This is big, difficult stuff to process. Keep talking to each other. My Daren is so much like Erik and we are still together & going strong. Sending so much love to you both. 🥰
The fact that they’re having to pay for potentially the most traumatic time in your life is heartbreaking. I’m from England and it never crossed my mind before!
When Eric said “there going to have the most common names in high school other kids are going to be named spaceship” I started dying😭
Do you know the time stamp :)
@@sumayyaha4115 56:13
Maisy is the name of the little sister in the movie , Uncle Buck.
You guys are serious relationship goals. Seriously. Both of you rock, and it’s clear how well you vibe together!
it's so grest to hear Erik's side of the story and hear about his feelings. you can really see how much they both appricciate each other its wonderful
I honestly feel honored that Erik stepped out of his comfort zone to open up on the internet. He’s really a gift. You picked a good one Colleen.
I so wanted to give Erik a hug, he looked so like a lost child.
remember he's married
And my age I could be his grandmother
@@erinmalloy9297 Why on earth would wanting to console someone in any way mean you're trying to steal them from their partner?
@@erinmalloy9297 lmao yes Erik is going to leave his wife whom he so desperately loves and his three kids for this lovely Susan Miller on the internet 💀
"Lost child" is not romantic or sexual in any way, good stranger
This is a wonderful way to time capsule the babies birth story! Having their mommy and daddy tell it .. wow!! Thank you for sharing such a Raw and vulnerable story with us. I feel so honored to be able to hear such a private personal story in your life.. love you guys! 💕💕
@Grace Cochran the entire video they tell their birth stories of the twins. 😉
As someone who has never had to think about the cost of medical procedures… I can’t even imagine the stress about that. I gave birth to my daughter, we stayed in the hospital for two days and walked out. No thoughts about the hospital stay again. America needs to sort their shit out.
They really need to! I’m from South Africa, had to stay a month in the hospital and I was so scared about leaving my baby everyday. There was actually a dedicated area with beds, a small living room and bathrooms for all nicu moms so you wouldn’t have to leave your baby. Got to share some amazing experiences “living” with people going through the same thing as I was. Walked out 4 weeks later with only a R150 bill(equivalent to 9 US dollars)
A very Canadian experience and I wish that was the case for all of you. I'm sad that you have to be thinking about costs, debt and money while caring for your beautiful babies. Love from Kim in Canada 🇨🇦
This was the best 'Relax' podcast yet. It has a more serious and emotional tone which I think suits it incredibly well. I hope they discuss more serious and emotional material in the future. I just loved this!
Agreed💕💕
I liked this one the best to
Listening to Erik's in-depth description of the birth story and getting to the part about Maisy, I realized that I had started crying. I know Maisy is doing well, I know that these people don't even know who I am, yet I just cried out of empathy and caring for that little baby and their precious family.
💕Brandi
Love how Erik said "your people on the internet" to Colleen. Oh yes, we are her people and she is ours🖤
It must've been so hard for Erik to share his side of the story, it must be so scary reliving all that experience.. I'm sure it can help other dads who didn't get to share their experience, we don't hear their side often enough I feel! Hopefully he gets to be more comfortable sharing more in a few months when everyone is home and life is going as it should!
I was born 3 months early at 2 lbs 7 ounces and was in the NICU for 2 months. I’m almost 23 now, thankfully totally healthy, and so so SO incredibly thankful for those amazing doctors that saved my life!!! Sending love ❤️❤️
Yes, all of the security guards, nurses, and doctors at the hospital know you. But coming from a nurse assistant that works in labor and delivery, those same people are going to be ECSTATIC the day they get to see you walk out of that hospital! You and Erik are both doing great, and those babies are so lucky to have such wonderful parents.
I can only imagine! I've never done work like that but I can only imagine the joy of seeing the same people who have been going in and out finally being able to leave with their babies!
So glad Erik got to tell his story. We often forget how traumatizing this is for rent partners too. They feel helpless when all alone and their partner and baby are whisked away for an emergency c section, sitting with the uncertainty and anxiety.
The way you described the NICU is so on point. The best place that you absolutely hate.
When it comes to the hospital bill, make sure you ask for an itemized bill. I once got charged $70 for a travel size of baby powder and $120 for a crappy hospital toothbrush. After calling and asking about these erroneous charges, my bill went down by $3,000. A lot of hospitals do this. They will sneak charges in for small items hoping you don't notice it, or have the sense to ask for an itemized bill. Also, they gave Erik juice because he was pale and they were trying to prevent him from fainting. The nurses are amazing, and know to keep an eye on the dad...my first husband got the juice while I was pushing, and then he got shoved into a chair immediately afterwards because his knees were starting to give out. They don't want dad to face plant on the floor and get a head Injury. And they know most men won't say a word about not feeling right because they want the focus to be on their significant other in those moments, so the nurses are always monitoring dad when he doesn't even know it.
Coming back to this podcast after the paternal postpartum depression (PPPD) debate generated by Colleen's last vlog. Hearing Erik's perspective about the birth is heartbreaking and it makes sense that he's only now starting to feel the symptoms of PPPD.
I know that he's usually more private about his feelings, but I would love for both of them to explain a little bit more (if they're comfortable) about the Postpartum depression they BOTH are going through.
Huge shout out and thanks to Erik for sharing his perspective of the story. I feel like we don’t often hear stories like this from the father and hearing the emotion in his voice and how much it clearly impacted him really touched me.
Erik is such an incredible dad, you can tell how much he loves is family. Yall are literally the parents I wish I had growing up lol.
I'm so sorry you both had such a traumatizing experience. I hope you heal from that knowing your babies will be okay. Those babies are so tough 💪
On the statistic Erik said that on average someone in LA pays 5000$ in parking tickets. I think Rachel talked about this recently. How rich people don't see parking tickets as a punishment, but as another parking fee. So maybe the rich and famous in LA makes the average so high since they don't care about the tickets.
I literally had this conversation with someone I worked for. She parked and I said oh I don't think we can park here and she said yes we can it's £60. Crazy!
@@nellafoots2251 Wild!
I am a hopelessly romantic , and this kind of relationship and Erik being incredible just make me feel so wholesome and happy . I want this.❤️
Erik and Colleen’s synchronized “Oh.” at the end was everything I needed
I KNOW RIGHT 1:11:15
Erik's rant about the chairs and the food had me dying. He's such a great storyteller, and great at breaking up the tension as well. Great episode everyone 👏
I love watching Colleen’s vlogs, main channel videos, hearing her talk on the podcast etc. But WOW the way Erik told that story made me emotional. When he tunneled vision to you, to be there next to your face I- ugh 🥺🥲 love you both. You’re doing so great!! I know these days are so difficult but wow you guys are so resilient. Especially you Colleen!! Whether you believe it or not. We all see how strong you are ❤️
it is just mindblowing to me, a European, that in the US people have to pay for their medical expenses and there is not a general insurance system in place. The US is really horrible in that respect
Actually only the middle class/upper middle class get shafted. Poor ppl can get health insurance for free.
@@ratchschleuczynski9821 if you aren't poor enough though you don't qualify which is ridiculous if you can't pay it
As a Canadian I cannot wrap my head around the idea of having to PAY for babies staying in the NICU
me too!! or even having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to have a baby… i
@@mads5522 i recognize this is such a warped mentality but as an american, so many people think why should i have to pay for other people to have babies? it was your choice to have a baby, you should pay for it.
plus there are some people who abuse welfare systems that help poor people [thought definitely not as many as people think], so people think those systems would be abused and people would have babies and procedures left and right because it's paid for
which is dumb
but I am curious--
1. do people abuse these systems that you guys have and how often does it happen?
2. do people who are very healthy versus not healthy have to pay the same amount to the government if these people's salaries are the same?
@@zarahshabs7936 I definitely can understand how some people might feel that way. I feel that way sometimes too, especially for situations that can be preventable. I have never experienced Health Care that is as privatized as it is in the US, I think that's why Canadians struggle to understand American's view on this issue since free public health care is our normal. Personally, I have never had an issue with my tax money funding the public Health Care system (although it is far from perfect). Every person in Canada is entitled to equal access to health care under our Health Care Act. I haven't made much use of our health care system but I am extremely grateful for it to ensure our people are taken care of.
@@zarahshabs7936 To answer your questions
1. It is difficult to abuse the health care system because everyone has "equal" access (by law, I can't actually say this is true) to health care. Some people might take it for granted, meaning they take more risks which can lead to needing medical care.
2. In Canada you are taxed depending on your income, so yes their tax money would be funding our public health care system the same. Which most people are fine with here.
I am curious about your views on public vs private health care :)
Hope that answers your question
@@zarahshabs7936 i live in Denmark, which have full health Care, School and everything like that. I remember thinking like that then I had to pay my first tax. But studies shows that over all most people are richer, happier and healthier because that. Plus most people(not like 60% but more like 90%+) will pay less in taxes, than they would pay for school, medical bills and so on if we had a system like USA😊 so it is actually cheaper😉 we help each other getting better, because we want the best for everyone. And that it is not allways your fault you end up in bad situations.
Right now I am going to college, and I not only going there for free, but I’m getting payed to. So I almost can live without using my saving. That makes it easier to give attention to school and not working 10-20 hours a week. 😉
Mom's go through so much with birth and no one really checks on dad. Erik has really put into perspective that dad can have birth trauma, dads really go through it as well. You can see in his face he was torn between 3 of the most important people and didn't know where to be. Thank you so much for sharing
As a nicu mom to a 26 weeker, I appreciated this episode so much. Thank you for being honest and vulnerable. You are making an immense difference for everyone watching. Keep going, you’ll get to grad day before you know it!!!
Not sure if the hospital your babies are in does this, but when my baby was in the NICU I was able to purchase a parking pass for the month. It saved so much money. My baby was in the NICU for 5 months, because she was born 4 months early at 22 weeks, With y’all visiting your babies everyday it is definitely something to look into to save a little bit of money 🙂 btw I’m so happy to hear the babies are doing good, I pray they get to come home sooner than expected, they are absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!! 💜💚 also Colleen, if you see this, look up Micro Preemie clothes and diapers since your babies are to small for preemie clothes.
After having my son via c-section I felt so incredibly grateful to my husband. I honestly don't know how some people do it alone. He was my rock the whole time. He helped me to the bathroom. He helped me get my disposable diapers on and off when I couldn't do it myself.
Traumatic experiences make your love for your partner grow and you get stronger as a couple and as people. Every hardship I've gone through with my husband has ended in us growing and becoming better together.
You and Erik have got this and each other. No matter how hard it is, or how many times you feel like you can't go on. You have each other and you will make it through with one another.
NICUs are hard. It's hard to have to scrub up to your elbows before you can touch your own child. It's hard to leave to go home to take care of yourself. It's hard. But you will find a way. And you will make it through this. One day at a time. One moment at a time if needed.
Pediatric nurse here :) another reason why getting new babies to regulate their body temp is important is because if they get cold, their blood sugars can go down causing hypoglycemia. This is because the baby uses their glucose stores to help warm themselves up, causing glucose to decrease, thus the hypoglycemia. Praying for you both and the babies ❤
This is the most I've seen Erik show emotion & it's absolutely beautiful
You can tell he loves the hell out of Colleen. It honestly almost brings me to tears. Seeing him describe his experience with the C-section & everything is just mind blowing. I hope they last forever & their family is blessed with all the happiness in the world❤🙏🏾
As a European it blows my mind to see you speaking about how much the NICU costs. I would never think I’d have to walk in a hospital and pay for it.
Wesley breaking the water a month early is going to be a running joke for the rest of his life and I love it
Edit: I realize I said a month early and not 2 months but in my defense it was 2am and I was half asleep when I made this comment
Haha yeah! If he's ever impatient he will hear of it! 😂
8 weeks early
2 months early lol
I totally agree
As an english person the fact you have to pay for healthcare is crazy. Congratulations to both of you awesome humans 🙌
Turkish here and it’s crazy that a government is putting people i debt for giving literal birth to a human.
As a Canadian, I feel the same way about them having to pay for healthcare. We do not have to in Canada.
For a few years if we didn’t have insurance we got a fine for not having it. And only some could get an exemption
@@KB-ys7po that’s crazy
The NICU should have a live feed camera so you can check in when you're at home ♥️
I love the chemistry in this Podcast. They're so cute together. 💞
‘Three grown men…heroes’ oh Erik I started sobbing
Ye
I love how Erik always calls colleen "Love" it is so sweet.
I’m so exited for the twins to come home also happy belated birthday Colleen!!!
So glad they're both here and all is well! We're all soo proud of you both💞💞 congratulations and thank you for your hard work!
Many people don’t realize that many emergency procedures happen in nicu’s and when your visiting babies and another baby has an emergency it’s scary and sad . Like chest tubes on a little tiny baby wow. Lots of praying for all those tiny humans trying to survive.
Erik is so funny!! "he broke the bag early... The shinning, here's Johny get out of there and he did" 😂😂😂
Sobbed hearing Erik talk about the medical staff staying strong through the tough stuff! I worked in these exact situations and had to stay strong through countless scenarios just like this one, until I couldn’t be strong anymore. I was diagnosed with PTSD and it’s very freeing to hear that my emotions/pain is being validated by others!
My only complaint about this podcast is that whenever I hear that theme song, it literally gets stuck in my head for DAYS at a time and basically plays in a loop even while I’m sleeping. So thanks for that😂😂
And when you've finally gotten it out, it's been a week and the next episode is out, haha!
It’s safe to say the traumatic experience brought them closer and I totally relate to that as I had 3-csection. I appreciate you guys for being so open and sharing your beautiful life stories.
Erik telling the babies birth story. I was crying and I just couldn't hold back the tears. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ so much.
Erik’s emotions telling the story of Maisy’s birth story made me tear up so much
I didn’t think you guys would record a podcast episode 😩 But I appreciate it so much. I wrote a law exam today and I think my brain melted.
Good luck!! I hope that the exam went well and that your scores are good!
High five🖑
Colleen 🥺🥺🥺🥺 never had a child, but your anxieties are literallllyyy how I feel, and it’s influencers like you, who keep it raw, that remind me that we ARE strong enough for whatever the world throws at us no matter how scared our mind makes us. AND THE WAY YOU PARENT FLYNN MY HEART IS WHOLE, coming from harder toned parents, I promise I AM TAKING NOTES🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I WEEPED every time you guys found each other and held each other through the struggle and trauma. Thank you so much for sharing this really difficult story. I think we can see where your children get their strength. ❤
I was doing my makeup while listening and had to stop when you described maizey being born. I’ve experienced an emergency c-section so I felt that so deeply.
I'm currently in college to become a labor and delivery nurse, and hearing you both talk in such admiration for these medical staff makes me so so happy and equally doubtful of my worthiness for the profession. Hearing about these situations and how these doctors and nurses were able to deliver your perfect angels even if it wasn't in the best circumstances is why I chose my career path. I hope I can be the hero in someone's story like these staff were in yours 🥰🥰❤
The fact you doubt your worthiness means you’ll be one of the best, most caring L&D nurses ❤️
I’m in school for L&D nursing, too, and I’m totally with you! It’s such an enlightening opportunity to hear them talk about the doctors and nurses, and to hear the perspective of the parents!!
I love hearing both of you talk about this. This was well done. (Former NICU mom here .)
My mother is a labor and delivery nurse and she works the night shift on top of that and may I say you describe it perfectly
Erik is such a sensitive soul, you could totally tell. He so sweet and he so in love with Colleen. ❤️❤️❤️❤️love you guys!
Such a great day and time to put this out. Got sooo excited and am so thankful! Happy Thanksgiving!
I will say, my mom has been a NICU/PICU nurse for over 30 yrs and those nurses love so much how involved the two of you are with your babies 💜💙
They will need to RELAX...when those babies come home and Flynn leading the pack! Can’t wait to see them grow and their personalities!❤❤
Why do I fall more in love with Erik more and more every episode
i hope both of yall are still in therapy, it sounds like its been a really hard few months really for both of you and i hope yall are able to take care of yourselves mentally as much as yall can in the midst of the hecticness.
Aww Erik anytime you want to chat just pick up that camera!! We would all sit and listen just the same as we do Colleen❤
I know it was hard but thank you so much for talking about this. I think it will help a lot of new dads be prepared in the future and be better support for their partner ❤️
I watch your vlogs religiously, but never seen the podcast before. I had to hear erik’s side of the story. I will say it was really lovely to see you two chuckling about how crazy and scary it was looking back. Obviously it was insane trauma and that doesn’t go away, but the small silly chuckles were super sweet. So glad you have each other. Erik is amazing.
Oh, my heart. Literally bawling during this because my emergency csection was so similar. They are incredibly common but traumatizing.
When you started talking about not knowing how big the bill from the hospital will be it reminded me how happy I am that I live in Norway. When you go to the hospital here you pay a very little amount! I am so glad that I never have to worry about not being financially able to receive the help I need.
Also I’m a second year medical student and this episode makes me want to consider Ob!🥰
Watch the channel Mama Doctor Jones, she is an awesome OB/GYN and does so much educating in every one of her videos.
this is so insane how they kind of remember each others states more. erik "you were just staring at the wall", colleen "yeah they said you were about to faint" true love these two
Coleen you are amazing! I can’t imagine how stressful and scary that must have been not only for you and Erik but your family to! You are so amazing and your so brave to have been able to go through all that, The babies will be out of the NICU in no time, I wish you all the best for the future xxxx
😭 as a preemie mom of 2 babies myself, it felt like you both just told my story. Everything you both said and the emotions you felt and still feel, was and still is how I experienced my children’s birth and NICU stay. It’s so strange and traumatizing still after 4 and 8 years. My first one had to stay 3 months in the NICU and my second one was there for 4 months. Both times I don’t know how I made it through this NICU journey. I guess I was just in shock and numb. I hated driving to the hospital, parking in the parking garage, walking the long hallways up to the NICU, scrubbing hands and arms before entering the NICU, threading bad news…. After a few weeks it turned into this daily routine and it felt like we would never reach the end of the tunnel. That was our life now. And I just kept going, trying to stay in the zone, trying to survive this traumatic experience.
I am hurting for you both Colleen and Erik, I’m sending you lots of good vibes and strength! At the very end of your NICU Journey there will be a “Car seat test”. When your babies pass this test you know you made it through and you can finally take your babies home! 💜
Oh wow I couldn't Imagine that long, do u mind me asking if the babies were early or have medical needs otherwise that kept them there. I'm sorry if It's too personal don't feel obligated to answer if it is
I can’t imagine how emotional this was for you guys to share. Thank you for sharing
OK here's poor simpleton Michelle here just thinking how absolutely amazing it is Hello Fresh kept you two safe from COVID omicron during pregnancy & NICU time. Never considered how big of a deal that is until just now.
Best podcast so far. Best anecdote telling ever. Blessings to y’all. Thanks for the company while I work.
This is my favorite episode, and seeing things from Erik's perspective is soooo refreshing and helpful to learn more about how a male spouse would react to a situation like this.
You feel so out of control and out of touch with reality, yet, in my head, you are the STRONGEST parents for going through everything they’ve been going through. You went through an extremely traumatic birth experience and yet the true, authentic smiles you share when you talk to each other melts my heart. You have each other, you have Flynn and an incredible family, who ALL believe in you and love you 🤍 The lil bugs will be home soon and things will feel safe, warm and comfortable in no time 🥺
😭😭😭😭😭 mens voices/experiences should be heard more often.. this is so pure
I just desperately want to hug and high five the both of you. You two are amazing just keep being the best.
It’s so beautiful to see, from an outside perspective, the wonderful team you two are as partners and parents🧡
“you’re gonna make me cry”
“I’M CRYIN’!”
i laughed out loud you two are the cutest sweetest loves
Immediately crying when he starts explaining when Colleen looked at him and was taken away.