NICU Reunion 2014!!! (4-26-14)

Back on April 26th, I know...I'm SO behind on this post, we attended our very first ever NICU Reunion at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.  This was a very sweet reunion for us.  Back on August 5, 2013, when I was 28 weeks pregnant, my doctor told me that Seiden's condition with her cyst was probably going to be a "catastrophic event."  He told us that he was a lot less optimistic about how she would enter this world, meaning we would be doing an EXIT c-section instead of a normal c-section.  And, he told us that we would probably be in the NICU for a minimum of 6 months.  At that appointment, it looked as if the cyst that Seiden was developing on her chin was going to grow so that it would block her esophagus and constrict her trachea.  Therefore, she would not be able to breathe on her own when she entered this world.  The EXIT c-section would be the method for delivery because they would start the c-section just like they would any other c-section.  But, they would first deliver her head, then clamp my uterus so that she was still attached to the umbilical cord and was breathing and thriving off of me.  Then, they would assess her situation and either intubate her or give her a tracheotomy if it was as bad as they thought it was going to be.  However, that was NOT the case.  Our amazing Heavenly Father healed Seiden while she was in my womb, she was still born with the cyst.  But, when she came into this world, it was by a regular c-section, that was actually an emergency c-section because I walked into the hospital dilated to a 10 and ready to push...oops!  I was completely knocked out and Cody couldn't be in the room, but the doctors told us that she came out with a strong, healthy cry and was as healthy as could be.  They went ahead and intubated her, just to make sure that there were no airway constrictions.  And, then the process began to get the cyst remove.  She had MRI's, CAT scans, EKG's, ECHO's, genetic testing, and probably something else I'm forgetting.  Every single test came back showing that the cyst was the only thing that was wrong with her, and it was strictly a cosmetic issue.  It had absolutely nothing to do with any other defect.  Her organs were functioning as they should be, her brain was normal, the genetic testing came back negative.  The only thing that they found, other than the cyst, was what the cardiologist called "speckles" on her heart.  They had no idea what they were and every specialist looked at her tests.  We say that she was just born with glitter on her heart because she's a princess!  Anyways, we went back when she was 2 months old for follow-up tests on her heart and those speckles were gone.  Praise The Lord!

Our Father answered all of our prayers to give us a healthy, perfect, thriving baby girl and to put doctors, nurses, and any other staff in place that would take care of her so that we could take her home and begin our lives with our new little miracle.  We spent 17 days in the NICU.  Days...not months.  And we were surrounded by the most amazing people I've ever met.  Our doctors and nurses have such a special place in our hearts.  They are our family and we love them.  They helped get Seiden, took care of her, watched over her, fed her, bathed her, loved on her, and prayed over her.  They were with us every step of the way encouraging us, giving us the best possible news we could get, holding our hands, laughing with us, crying with us, and just being there for us like no one else could be during those 17 days.  We were so excited to attend the reunion and see all these people's sweet faces again and love on them and let them love on Seiden.  They call her, "Their Girl," and immediately took her from me and showed her off to everyone else that was there.  It was truly one of the most fun days being back their with all of them and being out of the hospital in a fun setting, laughing and talking like old friends.  We love them so much.  And we could never put into words what all they have done for our family and the special place they will always hold in our hearts.

The NICU Reunion's theme this year was, "Homecoming."  So, naturally, we had to go all out with an outfit and stroller decorations!  They have a stroller parade every year, so it had to fit the theme!  I found a cheerleading uniform in Harris's colors, Kelly green, navy, and white.  And I had The Monogrammer, here in Abilene, create a patch in coordinating colors that said, "Harris NICU" and then I had her name embroidered in white on the skirt.  I also got navy bloomers and had her name embroidered in Kelly green on the booty.  I found navy, baby pom poms online and she also had a navy headband with a Kelly green, curly que ribbon.  Also...mom made her a mum which was absolutely adorable and looked so cute!  And for her stroller...I had my 2nd period class help me out with that!  I had 5 girls in that class and they were all cheerleaders.  So...they had GREAT ideas and are very talented at sign making.  They made a sign for her stroller that was adorned in rhinestones, glitter, and sparkles.  And, then I bought balloons and streamers that we attached to the stroller.  We put the mum on the stroller too!  She looked SO cute and her stroller was pretty adorable too.  In fact, she won best dressed out of all the kiddos who attended the NICU Reunion!  That's my girl!!!  We had SO, SO, SO much fun!  It was a fun-filled day with family and sweet friends.  We are already looking forward to next year's reunion!