Today is a big day at my house. Today is my husband’s 30th birthday.
But what happened one year ago today, is cause for even more celebration today.
A year ago today, I got a phone call from our best friends, who live in Atlanta.
A year ago today, I heard my sweet friend sobbing in the background, and her husband saying to me, “Please, come now. They are taking her now.” Anna tried to talk to me, but all she could get out was that she was so scared, and needed me to come, and then the crying took back over.
I dropped everything. Called a friend to come watch the kids, grabbed my gear, some pajamas, a change of clothes and I hopped in the car and flew down I-20 to get to them. Anna went in for her C-section to get sweet Evie out at 31 weeks, due to complications from a tumor that had been growing on her placenta during the pregnancy. The tumor was taking nutrients and blood from little Evie, and her little body was in distress.
I got to the hospital just as Evie was born.
(***The first picture below was taken by Robert, the dad, in the OR, I watermarked it for safety sake. Robert’s cool with it***)
Anna was able to give 4 lb Evie a kiss before they whisked her off to the NICU. Even now, this picture hurts my heart. To see my sweet friend’s eyes red and puffy with tears and fear.
The first 24-48 hours were rough. Evie needed several blood transfusions and had a very hard time producing her own blood, and keeping the fluid off that had built up around her organ systems.
This is one of those times, when I wish I didn’t grow up with parents who were medical. One of those times when, I wished I didn’t know as much as I do.
Lots of prayers were said, lots of tears fell.
Little tiny Evie finally turned the corner.
I stayed until we were sure Evie was out of the woods. Until our sweet friends, Anna and Robert, had peace in their hearts that she would come home with them, eventually.
Several weeks later, Evie Girl came home, and we did her newborn session!
Today, I am praising God for this little girl’s life: For the joy and fun and happiness that will be celebrated at her first birthday party next weekend.
For the way she has grown and how she shows no sign of any issues from being such a preemie, and for the amazing parents Anna and Robert are to their sweet daughters.
Today, I’m praising God for these chubbier than chubby cheeks, and the raspberries those adorable lips above blow all the time.
Happy First Birthday, Evelyn Virginia! Today, we praise God for you, all that you are right now, and all that we know you will become!
Here’s to an easy rest of your life, since the first part was pretty darn scary!
-Jessica V.
Little Miss Claire slept so well this morning! She didn’t even make a peep!
