Meet NICU Mom Kayla Albers and Her Son, Ernest
by Magnetic Me Sep 22 2025
NICU and premature birth trigger warnings
Meet Kayla Albers and her son, Ernest, and read her story about Ernest’s months-long stay in the NICU. In honor of Ernest’s first birthday, we are proud to donate magnetic PJs to the Miami Valley NICU through our Heart to Heart program.
Founded in 2021, our Heart to Heart program donates a year’s supply of pajamas to pediatric intensive care units at hospitals around the country, supporting families when they need it most.
Meet Kayla
Our little boy, Ernest was born prematurely at only 26 weeks. He was at Miami Valley NICU for 108 days. All of the staff there were amazing during our stay. One thing they offered were PJs for Ernest to wear. As simple as that sounds, it was so nice to see him in cute little PJs despite all of the cords and tubes he was hooked up to.
Meet Ernest
The son of Kayla and Kreg Labers, Ernest Albers was born on July 5th, 2024, at 26 weeks gestation, weighing 1 pound 14.7 ounces. Immediately after birth he was put on a mechanical ventilator and diagnosed with chronic lung disease and a bilateral brain bleed.
Once he was strong enough, he went to CPAP and then graduated to wall oxygen. Kayla had preeclampsia and developed HELLP syndrome during her pregnancy, putting both her and Ernest's health at risk, resulting in his premature birth. Within a few hours of Kayla's cesarean, she developed pulmonary edema that required her to go on a ventilator as well. Kayla didn't get to meet her sweet boy until he was four days old. Thankfully, over 3+ months, both were recovering and getting stronger each day.
After 108 days, Ernest was discharged from the Miami Valley NICU in October 2024.
Now, Ernest is almost one and has a huge personality! He loves to be the funny one in the room and lights up when people smile and laugh at him. Ernest also loves grilled cheese and chasing his dog, Lola, around the house.
Are you a NICU or CICU parent? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through it alone either. Share your story, ask questions, and connect with parents who truly get it in our Heart to Heart Facebook group HERE
