My son, my miracle

I will never forget the morning of January 27, 2006. I was almost 31 weeks pregnant, uncomfortable, and just tired. I had woken up a few times throughout the night just unable to get comfortable. It was 6am. I had gone into the bathroom and had realized something wasn't right. I felt like I had started to pee my pants when I in fact did not need to use the bathroom.

I called the on call doctor and explained the situation. He said to come into the office at 8:30 when they opened. So I sat and waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, I got to see a doctor. During the exam he told me I was leaking amniotic fluid and needed to go to the hospital to be monitored, should be nothing to worry about. At the hospital, our roller coaster started.

It was about 10:30 at the hospital when another doctor came in to check me. I felt a cramp and a woosh! My water broke!!!! All the thoughts running through my mind were unbearable! I had earned a trip to a specialty hospital and into the ambulance I went.

After what seemed like forever, we arrived. The doctors did all they could to stop my labor, but my little man was bound and determined to meet me. A 6:45am, January 28, 2006, my son arrived at a mere 2lbs 8oz. He was 15 inches long. Not much bigger than a Barbie doll.

I will admit, I was scared. Scared for him. Scared that the doctors would tell me to give up. I was with my son everyday during his almost 9 weeks of NICU residency. I read to him. Bathed him. Fed him. Loved him with more passion and strength than I ever thought I could. March 28, 2006, my little man came home.

We had a rough transition. Monitors, medications, colic, etc but he was home. He was where he belonged, in my arms.

In just a few short days, that tiny baby, who fought everyday in that NICU will be 7 years old! He is my miracle from God! He's so smart, funny, and compassionate. He's my drive to keep my head up. He saved me.

I tell you this for a specific reason. Wen you think that things are hard or you think you just can't do it anymore, remember my little fighter. The boy that defeated his odds. He's in the gifted program at school, shows no residual signs of being a premature baby, and teaches me every day to value life and to love God with all my soul!

God Bless and keep smilin!

Stephanie