GoodNight Nalah...

The first story I ever read to Nalah was very carefully chosen. I selected the book while pregnant, with all the uncertainty her birth would bring. I choose a book that I could read whether she was living, or not, and which conveyed my love to her regardless of what transpired at birth. The last pages of this book, entitled 'I Love You As Much" says the following:

" Now sleep child of mine while the stars shine above, I love you as much as a Mommy can love".

Imagine my joy when I was able to read this passage to Nalah in the NICU when she was a day old, alive, breathing on her own, exceeding everyone's expectations (which were dismal, it seemed I was the only person with any hope). We read this story often, and I highly recommend it. Now that Nalah sleeps with the stars, I still say our little bedtime words, ....sleep child of mine while the stars shine above, I love you as much as a Mommy can love. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to be Nalah's Mom. She has enriched my life in ways that I cannot even express. The photo I have attached was on my desktop so perhaps just a convenient choice, however it shows typical Nalah. Relaxed, comfy, with her 'taking on the world' pose. This photo was taken about two years ago, near Nalah's second Valentines Day. Note the "I love you" pillow at the head of the bed. Love you sweetheart.

Nalah at Birth

Nalah was born September 17, 2008 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her medical team was not very optimistic, and although I was hopeful, we were terrified she would not be born alive. Nalah surprised by being born alive with Apgars of 6 and 8 (if memory serves correct) and breathing well on her own. Nalah was admitted to NICU as we choose medical intervention to give her a fighting chance at life. This photograph was taken in the Saskatoon NICU days after she was born. Nalah weighted about four pounds at birth, but lost significantly in her early weeks due to her complicated heart and early heart failure. Nalah fell into heart failure at about one week of age. We were crushed. We will always be grateful that her heart was surgically corrected in October 2008 at six weeks of age. Nalah was born with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV), a large VSD, ASD and coarctation of the aorta. A PDA Ligation was performed earlier, but did not improve her cardiac function sufficiently. A complete surgical repair was done at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. We flew there by air-ambulance Thanksgiving Day, October 13th. I will never forget the sense of relief when Nalah was in good hands, and had an excellent medical team willing to tackle her complex heart. I will always, always be grateful for her good fortune in that way. There were 'Angels' along the way who helped us arrive safely in Edmonton. We faced many challenges in terms of her care, but thank goodness there were people willing to give her the 'fighting chance' we wanted for our child. Nalah grew to a little toddler, who could share clothes with her older sister, and who almost caught up in size. The two are about 20 months apart in age. This early image is typical Nalah. Regardless of her circumstances, she always found a way to kick her feet up and relax. She had the most beautiful temperament. A lovely child.