My Lovey Kennedy,


   Mommy hasn't done very well keeping this little note writing I wanted to do. You are 5 1/2 years old now. Mommy and Daddy couldn't have known what the last years would look like for you. We couldn't have know you would turn into a kind, compassionate child at such a young age. You have had around 60 blood transfusions. You are brave and you actually like the hospital. The nurses love you and treat our family so well. I think you care about people because you have been cared about, and that is a special thing.

  We lovingly call you the Cheshire cat because your smile is always ear to ear. You LOVE and I do mean LOVE your daddy. You love to dance with him, kiss him, sit with him, hug him....you love love love him. You love me too, but maybe not quite like that!

   You are an artist. You can sit at a table for hours, making incredible drawings and other types of artwork. We love to see what you make! You carry notebooks around, constantly penciling in new things.

    You like little things that can fit in little purses or small bookbags. You love soft blankets and pajamas. You also love when I dry your hair. You eat salad with ranch, and you'll eat ketchup on anything (like me!). You like vanilla cake and prefer it over chocolate. You are a giggler. You laugh until you snort, and you know I think it's super cute.

    You need gentleness to thrive. When I speak to you in a soft tone, you become a cuddle bug, wanting to be right next to me. You want back rubs and foot massages fairly regularly. I'll be glad when we can trade...you do me, I'll do you...

   I'm thank full you're my daughter. And I will try to do better at writing these little notes so that you can know how much I love you!!

You're my baby,

 Mommy

She's Here! She's Home!

        Daddy and I went to the hospital around 8:45pm on Monday, August 12.  Like your sister, you were scheduled to be induced the next morning, but the doctors gave mommy some medicine the night before to get ready. You didn't like the medicine, and the nurses made mommy flip from side to side to try and keep your heart rate up. We made it through the night, although you and I didn't get much sleep.

       

        Dr. Mary, the doctor that delivered you and Paisley, came in and broke mommy's water around 7:45am. Shortly after, mommy asked for an epidural to help with labor pains. The anesthesiologist came a little while later, and mommy was excited to have some relief. However, the epidural didn't work for some reason so mommy was still feeling everything. In the mean time, you were getting ready to come, and mommy's body had gone from 4 to 9.5 cm very quickly. The nurse called the anesthesiologist to come fix the epidural, and this time it worked- thank goodness. A few minutes later, it was time to get ready to push. Dr. Mary came in, asked mommy to push one time and out you came. You were born at 10:27, and you were beautiful. Mommy got to hold you for a few minutes before the nurses and daddy weighed you and measured you. You were 7lbs 8oz and 21 inches long. Then the nurses gave you back to mommy and daddy and we cuddled for a little over an hour, just the three of us. It was perfect. Next, Paisley, Grammie, and Papa came to meet you. Paisley loved you right away, and of course Grammie and Papa couldn't get enough of you. You were the sweetest little thing!

      After all of the introductions, it was time for your bath and a few routine checks in the nursery. While mommy waited for you to come back, they moved me from the delivery room to a nice hospital room. We sat and waited; Paisley and mommy even took a little nap on the hospital bed, waiting for you to join us. A little while later Dr. Drummond, your pediatrician, came in and explained to mommy, daddy, grammy, and Papa that there were a few health problems your tiny body was dealing with, but she wasn't sure why. You were anemic and you had heavy jaundice. The explanation we were given and the details of what was going on in your little body took a long time to discuss with Dr. Drummond, and an ambulance had been called to take you to USA Women's and Children's hospital where you could receive the care you needed. We were all shocked and scared by the news, even though we know that God is always in control. We decided that daddy and granny would follow the ambulance and Grammie and Papa stayed with mommy because I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital quite yet. I was very heartbroken and wanted to be with you so badly. The doctors let daddy and me go into the nursery and hold you while we waited for the ambulance. By then, you were already hooked up to all kind of things, which was upsetting to mommy and daddy. It seemed like just a couple of minutes and the EMTs were there to take you. They sent mommy and daddy back to my hospital room. A little while later, they brought you in on a stretcher in a big transport incubator that would keep you safe and warm for the ride. It was completely awful seeing you in there, and mommy cried, wanting to hold you so badly. Daddy prayed over you for protection and healing. A few minutes later, you were gone, and all we could do is pray.

     After 4 days, we were given your diagnosis. You have something called Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency. We don't know what all that will entail, but baby girl, you are our perfect blessing. We couldn't be more thankful for you and are so thrilled to be home with you. You are so small, but you are SO strong. Mommy and Daddy are PROUD of you.  

     

Unexpected Blessings

It is true that you were a surprise for mommy and daddy, but so was Paisley. We couldn't have imagined how much we love being parents. Mommy is 26 weeks pregnant with you this week. You are quite energetic, kicking all the time. We have this countdown that tells us the number of days until your expected arrival. 99!! That's not very long at all, and we are getting more and more excited each day. Paisley likes to lift up my shirt to see the baby and kiss my belly. She loves you already. We can't wait to meet you, baby girl.

Love,

Mommy