Morgan Kate

Tonight while putting Morgan Kate to bed I couldn't help but chuckle as she started her prayers by thanking God for Santa Claus. It was so random, yet so sweet. And as I listened to her sweet little voice thanking God for her family and friends my mind drifted back to her birth and our NICU days. We've been talking a lot around here lately about Morgan Kate being a tiny, tiny baby and how she lived at the hospital for a long time. Earlier this afternoon we stopped by the NICU to deliver a few Team Morgan Kate t-shirts and MK got to meet some of the special people who took care of her and helped her to grow and thrive. As we drove down to the hospital and even on our way home Travis and I talked about those NICU days and how our chests still get tight when we make that drive. And even tonight as I was getting MK ready for bed she asked (out of the blue) who painted her room and the conversation went a little like this:
MK: Mommy, who painted my room this special color?
Me: Your daddy and your uncles painted it just for you.
MK: Mommy help them?
Me: No, baby, Mommy didn't get to help them. Mommy was in the hospital. 
MK: You were sick?
Me: Nope. I was in the hospital letting you grow bigger and bigger in my tummy. Your daddy and your uncles painted your room for me as a surprise. The very next morning you were born.
MK: Oh. My daddy and my uncles love me?
Me: Oh, yes they do, sweetie. Yes they do.


There aren't many days that go by that I don't think about her early birth or those 16 weeks in the NICU. There aren't many days that go by that I don't thank God from the bottom of my heart that my baby girl is here. There aren't many days that go by that I don't think of all of our NICU friends and how they loved our girl just as much as we did. There are so many, many times that I get a huge lump in my throat just watching her and thinking about how far she has come. I am amazed by all she does and I try to appreciate every single second and every single milestone.


I know that her success is because of so many things. One, the good Lord above was and continues to watch over us. Two, there were and still are so many, many people praying for our sweet girl. Three, we have amazing family and friends who prayed and helped and encouraged us. Four, our NICU and our NICU staff were fabulous - even saying fabulous doesn't seem like enough. And five, the March of Dimes conducted and continues to conduct research that creates medications that save babies lives. My baby. Their research enabled my baby to take her first breaths. And because of the March of Dimes and people just like YOU she continues to breathe. 


The March of Dimes isn't just for premature babies - although their research sure helped mine. It's for all babies! Their goal is for all babies to be born full-term and healthy. 


It's not too late to donate! Just today we surpassed our goal of $1000. My heart is just overflowing!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have prayed, supported, donated, encouraged and loved us!!!