The Ott Family
Ballwin, MO
What is your favorite family tradition?
Baseball. Playing and watching! Nothing like a trip to our little league venue to eat some ballpark treats and watch our kiddos do what they love!!
Tell us about your favorite family story.
Our youngest, Kash, spent 278 days in the NICU. His homecoming was our family's very best day!
What is your family's motto?
Home is wherever you make it and family isn't just blood.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about your family story?
Our lives changed forever on Thanksgiving Day 2018 when Kash made his entrance in to this world. It hasn't been easy, but that's made it even more amazing.
Our children, as well as my husband and I have learned so much from our journey. Without even being able to talk, Kash has taught us about miracles, adversity, and so much more. We have become huge trach advocates and Kash has even helped mom's save their babies.
We've gained an entire family of healthcare workers and other parents to complex kiddos. Sometimes it's hard, but we wouldn't change our story for anything. No one wants to watch their child be in pain, or struggle to breathe, but he's made it and we're all a bit better (and a whole lot stronger!) because of it.
Share Your Parenting Wisdom
What's your number one tip for new parents?
Expect the unexpected. Everything is a learning opportunity. Sometimes things don't work out how we expect them to, and that's OK! Take it and run with it. Parenting is personal. Be you.
What has been the most surprising thing you've learned as a parent?
After 2 "easy" babies (even though my 1st was also a 34 week preemie), I thought I had the parenting down... Then came Kash at 26 weeks! I've never been a medical person. I hate bodily fluids of absolutely any kind.
Once you're child depends on you, you can do ANYTHING! That may mean staying up for 36 hours straight or changing a trach on your living room floor.
Tell us about your funniest parenting story (we all have them!)
A very severe blowout in the NICU. Mid-diaper change, my tiny 2 lb baby shot poop all the way across the room - hitting the wall. Still the funniest, most impressive poop-splosion I've ever seen.
You can find the Ott Family on Instagram at @Trachinpictures.