I look at her pictures when she was still in the NICU, and I am amazed that something that little could survive.
Our baby daughter, Nyckole Laureen, was born four months premature. Any chances for survival were less than 20 percent at best; doctors didn't hold out much hope for her to ever leaving the hospital alive; if she did, she would, more than likely, be severely handicapped in some way.
When born, our daughter weighed maybe 11 ounces. She ws impossibly tiny; even a can of Coke weighed more than she did and was just only slightly bigger.
We spent more days at her bedside, praying, watching the dedicated NICU staff fight valiantly for her life, and hoping for a miracle. While she had many setbacks in her journey, she, eventually, won out; soon the achievements outnumbered the setbacks; each achievement was cause for celebration.
Nyckole, even during those uncertain months in the hospital, proved to have a fighting spirit (something she inherited from me). She was determined to prove everyone wrong: she wanted to live. She fought hard, like a little tiger; the strength and courage she possessed in that tiny little body was nothing short of extraordinary.
Finally, after weeks and months of uncertainty, fear, and despair, Nyckole Laureen finally left the NICU. She was now six months old. When she came home two months later, she weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce, double the weight and size of when she was born.
We started calling her "Monster Baby". LOL
Nyckole came home wearing oxygen; it was because her lungs were so damaged from being on a ventilator for so long; she was prone to any infection that would come along; the winter months were the worst. Any little sniffle or cough was cause for alarm or a trip to the E.R., to make sure Nyckole wasn't getting sick. It was awful!
Finally, at the age of 1 1/2, Nyckole came off the oxygen for good. She was now breathing on her own, without any help. She was a new baby with a happy, ever-giggling personality.
What is even more amazing about all of this is despite being smaller than average or having to wear glasses, Nyckole is otherwise perfectly healthy. No signs of defect or disability! It has been a miracle from God; we thank God for His goodness upon our lives, for allowing our daughter to live!
Nyckole is now nearly two years old as I write this. It seems hard to believe that the hard times are behind us; we have nothing but the future to look forward to: to watch Nyckole grow into a little person full of adventure and life! She is a beautiful little girl with curling, blonde hair, huge, bright blue eyes that miss nothing, and a chubby-cheeked, dimpled smile that could melt hearts. She is absolutely precious!
Nyckole is a walking, living, breathing testament to the power of the human spirit. It just goes to show you what God can do if one just puts His trust in Him and allow Him to do His work. He did in our baby girl, and now the future is indeed bright for her!
~To be continued.~
