2019 Angel Babies

As I laid in bed last Sunday night (Nov. 3, 2019), I couldn’t quit thinking of Ryleigh and how blessed Landon and I are. 💕For the most part, Ryleigh has had very little complications and is now a growing, healthy baby girl. 🎀👶🏼💕🍼 The PDA (hole in her heart) has been the scariest discovery since birth because it causes her to have "spells" where her heart rate and/or oxygen rate drops. Often when she is resting...sleeping hard, similar to sleep apnea.

However, some parents and families are not as blessed. After spending 9 weeks in the NICU, you not only get attached to the nurses and doctors, but also families with babies around you! ❤️ Last week/weekend, there were many tears shed, prayers said, and unfortunately sick babies in the NICU.

One family had a set of twins in the NICU with us and they were born around the same time as Ryleigh. One of the twins had been in the bed right next to Ryleigh for the majority of our stay. We always speak to one another (the parents and us) and check to see how each other’s babies are doing...such a sweet family. One of the babies became very sick after being in the NICU for a few weeks and it became a day by day case for him. My heart breaks for these parents, however, they are so strong! Earlier last week, their little baby boy went to be with Jesus. He was too sick with to many complications...there was nothing else the doctors were able to do. Please lift up the twin brother (of this angel baby boy👶🏼) and his family in prayer. Pray the parents and family members will find peace and a sense of understanding in the Lord's plan. 🙏🏻 I saw them the day after this little baby passed and I didn't have the words to say to them! Instead of trying to talk or have them explain...I hugged both of the parents and told them that I didn't have the words to say, but that I would be praying for them. I know it has to be hard continuing to visit the NICU to see their other baby, but I know they will continue to be strong for the other twin that is fighting for his life.

Last Sunday, while sitting in the waiting room, I visited with a grandmother that I had met a few weeks ago. She also had twins (granddaughters) in the NICU. These baby girls were born very small at only a little over 1 pound each. Unfortunately, one of the babies passed away (a little over a week ago now) and she was having a tough time! I hugged her neck and reassured her that their sweet baby was healed and in the arms of the Lord. She asked me to pray for her family and the other twin (baby girl) that still remains in the NICU. 👶🏼 That sweet baby needs all the prayers she can get! Please pray for this little baby and her family as well. They are in need of a miracle! 🙏🏻 These parents are young and I know they will need the support of their family during this time as the NICU journey is scary for anyone!

Daily for the past few weeks, I d find myself thinking of little baby Gabriel, here in Hartsville; praying for him and that his family would receive a miracle. I couldn't imagine how his family must feel, but I do know that they relied on their faith. God is in the miracle making business. This little boy was a miracle from the moment he was born and his family will have a beautiful testimony to share. Please lift this family in prayer as well. Baby Gabriel was born with a heart condition and was not a candidate for surgery. 👶🏼🙏🏻 This past Friday (11/8/19), baby boy Gabriel gained his wings. The family was told they would only have minutes to spend with him when he was born. However, those minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days, and days turned to weeks. Although the family is heartbroken, I know that they are thankful and blessed for every minute, hour, day, and week that God allowed them to spend time with him. I pray they find joy in their season of darkness...carrying their lantern of joy to blind the darkest days!

💔 Last month (October 2019), a very dear to my heart, special couple that I love very much, had a miscarriage. My heart breaks for them knowing they had a precious little one growing and they will never know the gender, be able to hear the heartbeat, or hold their precious little one! 🙏🏻 I know the Lord has a plan for this couple and truly believe the Lord will give them a rainbow baby when the time is right...his time, not ours!

In the past 2 months, four different families that I have a relationship with (some many years and some who's paths we have recently crossed) have suffered the loss of a child. My heart truly breaks for these parents. Where they were never able to "meet" their baby, only spend a few days, or weeks...I know they are all suffering and need prayer.

As many know, Landon and I battled infertility for several years before we were blessed with Ryleigh. Every negative pregnancy test, pregnancy announcements (friends/family), baby showers, etc. HURT, HURT, HURT my heart! I wanted so badly to be a Momma and give my husband the one gift he longed for...to become a Daddy. Although we faced several failed IUIs and many negative pregnancy tests, we ARE blessed to have never felt the pain of a miscarriage or loss of a child.

When I went into the hospital on Aug. 30, 2019 and learned I would most likely go into preterm labor in a few days, even though we prayed for weeks, I was scared of what could happen! I had to turn to GOD! There was no other way I knew my baby would be okay! I knew I needed my faith more than ever and I knew the Lord had a plan and heard my prayers. The Lord has been working on me all year (2019) and I knew right then, he wasn't finished with me!

We often take things for granted, including myself!! When we have healthy children, we often don’t realize how blessed we are. Many parents have sick children that will have life long issues. Some parents never get to meet their babies. Some never have the chance to bring them home. Let's pray for all of these families!

Awareness Months: ▫️September: NICU Awareness ▫️October: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness ▫️November: Prematurity Awareness

These 3 awareness months have been SO close to my heart. ♥️ I admit, I never thought I would have a baby in the NICU, born prematurely—not knowing what we would face. I assumed my sweet miracle would be born full term, healthy, and discharged from the hospital with me! Never expected to be discharged, leaving my baby behind and having to visit through a hole in an isolette for weeks! I took it all for granted! However, I know the Lord has a plan for Ryleigh, just as he does all of his children. I am so thankful that the Lord has opened my heart and eyes to draw me closer to him, helping me grow stronger in my Faith, teaching me everything is in his timing and not mine, and continuing to be with me during some of the scariest seasons.

Our world is in need of so many prayers, please join me in prayer for those all around us that are facing or in a tough season. 🙏🏻 I ask for prayers for the the babies in the NICU, sick children in the hospital, all around the world. 🌍 Prayers for families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. Pray for couples that are battling infertility...possibly told they will never be able to have their own biological children. Prayers for those that don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ. May we all stop to count our blessings and not take days or loved ones for granted! ❤️

🔶Landon and I have been so blessed with prayers, food, monetary gifts, calls, and visits over the last 2+ months. I can’t wait to pay it forward! 💕 We can’t thank everyone enough for all the love and prayers we have received for our sweet little miracle (and us)! 🙏🏻🧔🏻👩🏻👶🏼♥️ We can’t wait to have Ryleigh home 🏡 and share her with our friends and family! We love you all! 💗