A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Riley,

One month ago I cried on your father's shoulder not knowing what to expect in the coming days and weeks. We had found out that you were almost definitely going to be on a heart lung bypass and there was a chance you would not survive. We had planned for the worst months beforehand, but I'm not sure I will ever be able to describe how hard those last few days before you were born were. "How is it possible to love someone so much that you have never met?" I wondered.

At 9am on Sunday February 20th you came into this world without a sound. The nurses and doctors intubated you and after a quick kiss from me you were rushed up to the NICU with Daddy. I had the most wonderful nurse who made sure she brought me up to see you before you went to Children's, and it was there that we were able to take our first pictures together. We went through some tough days in the first couple weeks but there was no better day than when we were told that we would be taking you home someday. Daddy and I celebrated with the most amazing high-fives and hugs you've ever seen.

 Here we are, a month later and so much has happened in your young life. You underwent surgery to move your organs and patch your diaphragm, you have undergone countless echos and x-rays, you have been suctioned far more times than you will ever want to remember, you have had and beat your first infection, and you have been poked and prodded way too much.

Don't think that hard work and a tough life doesn't come without rewards. In the past month, you have also been extubated, weaned off most of your meds, gotten your A line out, peed larger diapers than your brother, learned that you LOVE your pacifier, eaten 11cc of milk from a bottle, made all sorts of new friends, and most importantly you have amazed your doctors, nurses and parents with your progress.

You are our tiny miracle and we cannot wait for the exciting weeks to come. We are hopefully moving out of the ICU this week and going to the floor to work on eating and weight gain and looking towards taking you home.

Mommy, Daddy and Chase love you big girl. Happy 1 month!