Tale of a tiny baby

This past weekend I got to spend time with both of my adorable nieces. One of my nieces lives in North Dakota, so I don’t get to see her very much. She just turned 7 and boy has she grown.

Abigail was born at 26 weeks, and only weighed 1lb 6ozs. When she was born I was working in the local NICU as a secretary. At the time, I had worked there for 9 years and never had anyone I knew have a baby in our unit. When I got the call that my sister in law was in early labor, I was kinda freaked out. After 9 years of working around preemie babies, I knew all the risks. Jennifer gave birth at a different hospital, but my brother insisted that Abigail be transferred to our unit. I was there when she arrived.

I knew she was in the best hands possible. The NICU in Provo, Utah has the best Drs. and the best nurses…anywhere.

Abigail couldn’t be held at first because she was on a ventilator. But she quickly came off the vent, and went on C-pap. At that point we were all ready to hold her.

This is my brother and his wife holding Abigail at 8 days old.

And this is me.

Jennifer came everyday and held her, skin to skin is the healthiest for these little ones.

Yes, she was that little.

Abigail, like most preemies, stayed until what should have been right around her due date. I held her tiny hands through procedures, rocked her when I had time and mom and dad couldn’t be there, and kept a good eye out for her.

Now she is 7 and healthy, and very cute.

Her and Emma are great buddies. (And Roxy)

She loves horses, and is quite handy with a rope already. She was showing me how she learned to use a lasso.

She is a tomboy through and through, which I personally think is just awesome. My brother restores old cars, and she is right there with him. Apparently she is either barefoot, or wearing her boots that came from “The real Texas” she told me.

Pretending to be a horse, running through the yard together.

Miracles do happen, everyday.