I've been meaning to write this blog for awhile but I have had a hard time really coming up with the words for how much of a miracle this little girl is. But, let's face it, isn't every child a miracle? How crazy is it that life can be formed inside of us, and come enter the world, and grow and learn and be so adorable. Being at Neema has made me realize so much more how beautiful and precious the gift of life is.
Maybe what I would consider our biggest (little) Miracle is Maxine. Sweet little Maxine. I remember when Bekah (acting director at the time) had me come into the spare room to see our newest baby. She asked if I wanted to hold her. I just stood there in awe. "Really? This is the smallest baby I have EVER seen... is she okay?... I think the blankets are heavier than her..."
Maybe what I would consider our biggest (little) Miracle is Maxine. Sweet little Maxine. I remember when Bekah (acting director at the time) had me come into the spare room to see our newest baby. She asked if I wanted to hold her. I just stood there in awe. "Really? This is the smallest baby I have EVER seen... is she okay?... I think the blankets are heavier than her..."
Baby Maxine. All 2 pounds of her. Wrapped in heavy blankets. The discharge papers say she was born October 1. It's October 10th. Later we learn she was estimated between 2 1/2-3 months premature. Her discharge papers state that the mother "escaped". She probably never expected her little girl to live. Maybe she didn't want her to. I don't know if we'll ever know.
Fast forward 5 days. I'm in with the toddlers when I see Bekah with Maxine and a nanny and a driver rush out to the car and leave. I know something must be wrong. Maxine had stopped eating hours earlier and now was having trouble breathing. Upon arriving at the hospital and being admitted Maxine stopped breathing. Bekah, a trained EMT in the states, was able to resuscitate her while the ER nurses just stood back and watched. Again, no one expected her to live. But Maxine is a fighter.
Maxine spent the next 4 weeks in the NICU. She got a bit bigger and finally started to look like a baby! We got to bring her home, back to Neema, mid november at about 3.5 lbs. She stayed in isolation another month before transition out into the main small babies room. During this time, and even still, she is gaining weight very steadily and developing very well. She's still a little on the small side, at 4.5 months and about 10 lbs. But she is a fighter. And she's determined. And she is beautiful
What a little gift we have. What a miracle to see unfold. What an incredibly story the Lord has ahead of her.
What a little gift we have. What a miracle to see unfold. What an incredibly story the Lord has ahead of her.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for Maxine, and all our other little miracle children.