A tiny request

Each day, I’m able to wake up with two beautiful, healthy, albeit challenging children. I’m able to have breakfast with them, help them brush their tiny little teeth, and slip their wiggling arms into coats. I have the privilege of carting them to and from school, lessons, activities, and play dates. I am beyond blessed to read them stories, tuck them into bed, and sneak back in to watch them sleep.

Not all moms are so lucky. Not all babies get the opportunity to grow into healthy, rambunctious pre-schoolers. I’m writing this post to give you an opportunity to help more babies and mothers experience what my children and I sometimes take for granted.

Several of you know my friends Robyn and Keith. For those of you whom do not, Robyn is part of my group of friends from childhood. She’s the voice of certainty and realism in our Olney Girls group. All of us have children, and last year Robyn became a mom too.

Shortly after Robyn made her joyful announcement that she and Keith were diving into parenthood, she gave us even bigger news… they were expecting twins! We were all thrilled for them, and some of us even snickered about what they were getting into with twins. Little did we know, they wouldn’t get to enjoy the trials of chasing four little pattering feet through the house, at least not for awhile.

Robyn’s babies were girls and they were identical MoMo twins, which means they were in the same amniotic sac with no membrane to separate them. There was a real danger of them getting tangled in each others umbilical cords. So, the girls made a very early entry into the world at 24 weeks gestation on July 21, 2007. Abigail Joye arrived first, followed by her sister Ameilia Mae. Both girls weighed just over a pound and were the length of a ruler.

The girls were tiny, but what they lacked in size, they more than made up for in spirit. They were active and had a zeal for life from the get go. At only two weeks of age, tiny Abigail had her first surgery to repair her heart. She made it through the operation, only to have a second surgery on her leg resulting from a surgical complication. But fight she did, and Abigail soon rejoined her sister in the NICU.

Just when it seemed Abigail was coming into her own, she developed NEC, a disease to which preemies are very susceptible. Abigail passed away at exactly 6 weeks old. The Olney Girls knew where we had to be and made the trip no one should ever make-- to help a friend say good bye to her daughter. While we were all overcome with grief, the shining spot in our trip was meeting Ameilia.

I can write more about Ameilia, because I was able to meet her. Aside from my own, never have I felt such instant love for a baby. She was so tiny and sweet, but so strong and mighty. I had to keep myself from reaching into her isolette to cradle her. Jennifer coined her “Ameilia the Beautiful,” and that she was. Precious doesn’t even come close to describing her. We were all gonners after one glance. We each took a tiny diaper home as a reminder to pray mightly for Ameilia’s growth and development.

Three short weeks later, we were devastated to hear Ameilia had also developed NEC and the news wasn’t good. Ameilia fought her hardest, but she too passed away.

Keith and Robyn didn’t have enough time with their girls. No one should have to become parents only to have their children sent back to God in such a short amount of time. So, Robyn and Keith have joined with the March of Dimes as Ambassadors for the Woodstock, Georgia Walk on April 26th. They will share their story and help kick off the March for Babies.

Through their walk team, The A Team, in honor of their girls, they hope to raise $4,000 to help fund the prevention of premature birth. It is my hope that you might consider contributing to this wonderful cause in honor of two precious little souls. If you would like to donate, you may follow this link and know you’re helping other babies to grow into the children they are destined to become.

Following are some pictures Keith and Robyn wanted to share.

Abigail with Mommy

Ameilia with Daddy