Mon Sep 11 14:56 2000
Subject: Natalia-our miracle in progress
Hello to you all,
I want to thank you all again for keeping our little Natalia in
your thoughts and prayers. She is doing well. She was two
weeks last
Friday. I couldn't help but think how many times I had
heard that
these babies don't always make it home. In fact,
yesterday, I received a phone call from a nurse who was with
Natalia her first
two days in NICU. She was surprised when she returned to
work and found that Natalia was already home.
I guess I'll back track a bit and take you through last week.
Last
Monday Natalia was Baptized in the Hospital. She also was
Confirmed because of her condition. (With each child I had
wanted the girls name to be Natalia, and Stephen had wanted her
name to be Sophia.) So we finally have our Sophia as Natalia's
Confirmation name. I also consecrated Natalia to our
Blessed Virgin Mother. Because of our earlier miscarriages
I had used some holy water from Lourdes, France on my tummy most
of my pregnancy. I had asked our Blessed Mother Mary to
protect and help my baby to come to term. I truly believe
that she helped with Natalia's health and her strength. It
was a very beautiful and meaningful morning with our family.
At one point I looked back and even noticed the NICU nurse had
tearful eyes. And what was even more perfect is that there was a
prayer "WARRIOR" who was in saying her daily rosary.
It was obvious this nurse not only worked at the hospital but
she prayed daily for all of the patients. It was so nice
she could enjoy our special time with us while she was saying
the rosary. I couldn't have planned it more perfectly,
only God could do this.
My mother had brought me a picture that my sister, Debbie had
found while at the SCRC convention. It is a picture
of the Blessed
Virgin Mother holding a baby with three angels playing musical
instruments. This also couldn't have been more perfect as I had
prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mother hold my baby and keep her
safe while she was at the hospital in NICU. I also asked my
guardian
angel to go be with my baby and keep her safe that first night.
Tuesday came quickly, and school began. It was so nice to
have
Stephen home this week. He has been absolutely terrific.
He has
been more than helpful, and he has bonded beautifully with our
little angel and I love having him help with the feedings. There
have been a few days this past week where he watched her all day
long as I did some last minute errands and took the kids to
parties
and school.
This has been an amazing week. I have met mothers who
share their pregnancy problems, deaths and other abnormalities.
I even met another mother who also is dealing with a cleft
palate problem.
There are so many stories and pains that we all go through.
Thank
you again for being so supportive. I hope that we all are healed
through prayer, maybe that is why Natalia is here. She has
definately sent many of our family and friends into a week of
prayerful thoughts. :)
The kids are doing great. Jacqueline has been a terrific
help. She
loves to hold Natalia and says she is soooo beautiful. I
am glad to
see her reach out and bond with Natalia so quickly. Nicolas and
Jacqueline have been very helpful with running to get things
that are not where they should be. ( I'm still getting organized
with our new little one.) Jacob is as active as ever.
Both boys love kissing her forehead and Jacob is especially
cute, when he comes up and covers Natalia while she is sleeping.
Yesterday I was making pancakes and decided to make a heart.
I made one perfectly and decided to make another one.
At first the second one didn't look as nice, so I added some
more batter around the upper edge. Ooops! too much on one
side, so I added more. Then I ran out of room on the
griddle. I chuckled and said, "Well, we have a
perfect heart and one with a few abnormalities."
Jacqueline came over to check it out. Just as I turned
them over. Of course the
first heart pancake was still perfectly shaped. But to our
surprise, the second pancake was perfectly shaped also, ON THE
INSIDE, it was the out side edges that I was trying to make
perfect that looked so funny. You could see where I added the
batter each time. Jacqueline then said, "Mom, it's
perfect on the inside just like Natalia."
Tomorrow we start our follow-up doctor visits. First we
are off to the Pediatrician. She looks good but I am
concerned that she isn't taking enough milk with the bottle.
I would like to share that the
funny eye twitch and head shake has stopped. I only
noticed it last
Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday. Of course, I am
faithful some
powerful prayer was doing some sort of healing. I'll keep
you
updated as to our eye, ears and brain checks and scans.
We have moments when the reality of Trisomy 13 hits us, but we
gather ourselves up and keep moving. We will enjoy every
moment
with Natalia hoping we have her with us for a long long time. I
love
my faith and know every prayer is heard. A friend said it
so beautifully. She prays that God gives us the
confidence, assurance
and grace we need to get through each day.
Thank you again for all of your e-mails, cards and phone calls.
The
support is truly helping all of us. God has blessed us
with wonderful family and friends. Please know I continue
to thank him for all of you as you pray with us
God Bless You All, ThereseAnn,
Stephen, Jacqueline, Nicolas, Jacob and Natalia..
XOXOXO:) |