Dear Family, Friends and Prayer Warriors,
Greetings! Happy Thanksgiving! To embrace this season of thankfulness and the blessing of life and love, I have documented a list of things I am thankful for to share with you. Inspired by my eventful seventy-five days of life, I present to you my list of reasons I have a thankful heart today!
1. The ONE true God and Great Physician is watching over and carrying me through this time in my life.
2. I am thankful for my TWO parents who love me with all their hearts.
3. I have THREE uncles I love- though I still have yet to meet my Uncle Jon in person.
4. I am blessed to have FOUR grandparents who love to pray for me, hold me, and cuddle me close.
5. Following my birth I spent FIVE weeks in the NICU at Rockford Memorial Hospital.
6. Tomorrow 11/29, marks SIX weeks at home as a family.
7. Twenty-four hours, SEVEN days a week, someone is caring for me.
8. Out of the 805.5 hours I was in the NICU, only EIGHT hours were spent without family at my bedside (I was blessed to have at least one family member with me around the clock!).
9. Aunt Deb has come to visit me NINE times.
10. Uncle Matt and Aunt Faye spent TEN nights with me in the NICU.
11. I was able to get dressed in clothes for the first time when I was ELEVEN days old.
12. When I was TWELVE days old, I met Kendra & Renee, my Physical Therapists, who teach Dad & Mom exercises that help keep my muscles loose.
13. I went THIRTEEN minutes without a heartbeat before the Swedish American Hospital NICU & OR Staff got my heart started, how amazing.
14. I got my first “Daddicure” on day FOURTEEN, because daddy is gentle enough to trim my little fingernails to keep me from scratching myself.
15. I received FIFTEEN “Accessories” & crib “bling” from Aunt Faye, 9 Hair bows and many decorative signs for my NICU crib.
16. September SIXTEENTH, I met my Great Grandma, Nannie, for the first time.
17. I am thankful for Tasha who worked with Mom so that I can be nourished with Momma’s milk.
18. I am thankful for my EIGHTEEN great aunts & uncles.
19. I was born @ 7:35 PM or NINETEEN hundred thirty-five for you 24-hour clock folks.
20. I am thankful for Jamie & Christi my Speech Therapists who work with me to learn how to suck & swallow.
21. I am thankful for my 4-legged big sister Maggie, our dog, who is attentive, calm, gentle, and has only licked me once!
22. I am thankful for Meg, my Occupational Therapist, who taught Dad & Mom many massage techniques to help relax my muscles, keep those back rubs coming Daddy!!
23. Grandma and I had TWENTY-THREE sleepovers in the NICU.
24. TWENTY-FOUR hours people around the world prayed for me on September 18, 2013.
25. I am thankful for Barb, my Developmental Therapist, for believing in me and visiting me weekly at home even though her schedule was already full.
26. I am thankful for the desk lamp Grandma made so Daddy doesn’t turn on the big bright light when he changes my diaper @ 2am.
27. My mom had been off work TWENTY-SEVEN hours before I decided to make my appearance.
28. When I was TWENTY-EIGHT days old and I had a sleepover with my nurse Darci, the only time I wasn’t with family overnight while in the NICU.
29. I started to find my voice on day TWENTY-NINE and share little coos & sighs with Dad & Mom.
30. I met Aunt Rachel & Cousin Joshua when I was THIRTY days old. They flew half-way around the world to meet me!
31. On day THIRTY-ONE I took off my nasal cannula, showing everyone I could breathe on my own without extra oxygen support.
32. I received my feeding tube on day THIRTY-TWO with no complications. Thanks to Dr. Deutsch I never miss a meal. Now with no nasal cannula and a feeding tube, this means I have no more tubes or tape placed on my face.
33. I am thankful for my “little” big sister Tiger, our cat, who has tested out my crib (but only if I’m not in it) to make sure it is up to her sleeping standards.
34. I spent THIRTY-FOUR days in the NICU. At 34 days old, I said goodbye and headed home.
35. My cousin Colton’s wish was to hold Princess Addie on his lap. At THIRTY-FIVE days old, his wish came true!
36. I am thankful for Melissa who makes sure I have all the supplies and equipment needed at home.
37. THIRTY-SEVEN different nurses cared for me from birth to home.
38. I am thankful for Dr. Geddes, my Pediatrician, who coordinates my care across multiple specialties.
39. On day THIRTY-NINE, I took my first trip to Edwards Apple Orchard. Oh, the wonderful smell of Apple Cider Donuts!
40. The elders from our church came to pray for me on day FOURTY and anointed me with oil as James 5:14 in the Bible instructs one to do.
41. I am thankful for Dr. Morales, my neonatologist, for always believing in me. He encouraged Dad and Mom when they didn’t know if I would ever be able to come home.
42. FOURTY-TWO days old and Daddy took me to my first Lowe’s open house & I got to meet many of his co-workers.
43. I went to church for the first time when I was FOURTY-THREE days old.
44. I am thankful Daddy was able to be off work for the first FOURTY-FOUR days of my life. Today he went back to work.
45. I am thankful for the joys of girl time with mommy… SHOPPING!!!
46. I am thankful for the countless Prayer Warriors who have lifted me and my family up in prayer.
47. I am thankful for the blessing of Mom’s 11 years of employment at Swedish American Hospital.
48. I am thankful for snuggle time with Daddy while he watches his favorite driver win his 6th Sprint Cup Championship.
49. I am thankful for the 27 meals that have been given to help Dad & Mom take care of themselves too.
50. I celebrated being FIFTY days old with a walk outside on a beautiful fall day.
51. Day FIFTY-ONE I met Barb & Monica who developed a therapy treatment plan for me.
52. I am thankful for the care, compassion and love from Heather, Nicky, Laura, Laurie and Darci, my core NICU nursing team.
53. I am thankful for Nanna & Grandpa McNeill’s music that soothed me while resting in the NICU.
54. I am thankful for sharing a birthday with Aunt Melody, what a birthday present I am!
55. It’s small but at FIFTY-FIVE days old I gave Mom’s finger a little suck, a huge step in the right direction.
56. I am thankful for a comfortable home that Dad & Mom worked on the past 6 years as a place for me to live.
57. She got lost and even rear ended, but nothing will stop Aunt Noelle from coming to visit. Thank you!
58. When I was FIFTY-EIGHT days old, daddy celebrated 7 years of employment at Lowe’s. What a blessing his job has been during this time.
59. I am proud to be a Red Head just like my cousin Ericka.
60. I showed Mom my gag reflex for the first time on day SIXTY, the beginning signs I can protect my airway.
61. Back in 2003, Dad & Mom met and spent SIXTY-ONE days together on a Royal Servants missions trip, what an amazing 10 years it’s been.
62. On day SIXTY-TWO, I had my first photo shoot, a gift from the photographer and my NICU nurses.
63. What a miracle, my initial PH of 6.75 is rarely compatible with life.
64. We have received SIXTY-FOUR cards and letters from family and friends.
65. To Jadon & Brendan, the cousins whose room is now pink & green; its ok, no Barbie’s yet, just pink Lego’s.
66. I am thankful for Mommy’s cousin Carrie who went above and beyond coordinating my arrival and care while in the NICU.
67. I met Dr. Z my neurologist when I was SIXTY-SEVEN days old.
68. I am thankful for Insurance, what a blessing it is at a time like this.
69. I am thankful for medicines and shots that keep me healthy and help prevent other illness.
70. I am thankful for my constant companion, Mr. Pulse Ox, yes you like to beep at 2am, but we are so grateful for the security you provide by giving Dad and Mom warning when my oxygen levels decline.
71. I am thankful for my writing, editing and publishing team of Dad, Mom, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Faye; without you I would not be able to update my Family, Friends and Prayer Warriors.
72. I was cooled for SEVENTY-TWO hours to help protect my brain after I was born.
73. On day SEVENTY-THREE tests showed my blood platelet count improved significantly. This means I can remain on the seizure medication that my neurologist prefers.
74. I am thankful for snuggling with Granddad during “Addie time”. Unfortunately this list only goes to 75; I look forward to 100% satisfaction rating on 100 days of life on 12/23.
75. Today I celebrate being SEVENTY-FIVE days old!
This collection just begins to tell of the things I have to be thankful for. My hope is that no matter where you are or who you’re with today, you will feel the love of Christ. Remember that whatever circumstance you find yourself in, Jesus loves you. Jesus will walk and, if necessary, carry you through the challenging times in your life. As it says in the Bible, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Love,
Adalynn
Greetings! Happy Thanksgiving! To embrace this season of thankfulness and the blessing of life and love, I have documented a list of things I am thankful for to share with you. Inspired by my eventful seventy-five days of life, I present to you my list of reasons I have a thankful heart today!
1. The ONE true God and Great Physician is watching over and carrying me through this time in my life.
2. I am thankful for my TWO parents who love me with all their hearts.
3. I have THREE uncles I love- though I still have yet to meet my Uncle Jon in person.
4. I am blessed to have FOUR grandparents who love to pray for me, hold me, and cuddle me close.
5. Following my birth I spent FIVE weeks in the NICU at Rockford Memorial Hospital.
6. Tomorrow 11/29, marks SIX weeks at home as a family.
7. Twenty-four hours, SEVEN days a week, someone is caring for me.
8. Out of the 805.5 hours I was in the NICU, only EIGHT hours were spent without family at my bedside (I was blessed to have at least one family member with me around the clock!).
9. Aunt Deb has come to visit me NINE times.
10. Uncle Matt and Aunt Faye spent TEN nights with me in the NICU.
11. I was able to get dressed in clothes for the first time when I was ELEVEN days old.
12. When I was TWELVE days old, I met Kendra & Renee, my Physical Therapists, who teach Dad & Mom exercises that help keep my muscles loose.
13. I went THIRTEEN minutes without a heartbeat before the Swedish American Hospital NICU & OR Staff got my heart started, how amazing.
14. I got my first “Daddicure” on day FOURTEEN, because daddy is gentle enough to trim my little fingernails to keep me from scratching myself.
15. I received FIFTEEN “Accessories” & crib “bling” from Aunt Faye, 9 Hair bows and many decorative signs for my NICU crib.
16. September SIXTEENTH, I met my Great Grandma, Nannie, for the first time.
17. I am thankful for Tasha who worked with Mom so that I can be nourished with Momma’s milk.
18. I am thankful for my EIGHTEEN great aunts & uncles.
19. I was born @ 7:35 PM or NINETEEN hundred thirty-five for you 24-hour clock folks.
20. I am thankful for Jamie & Christi my Speech Therapists who work with me to learn how to suck & swallow.
21. I am thankful for my 4-legged big sister Maggie, our dog, who is attentive, calm, gentle, and has only licked me once!
22. I am thankful for Meg, my Occupational Therapist, who taught Dad & Mom many massage techniques to help relax my muscles, keep those back rubs coming Daddy!!
23. Grandma and I had TWENTY-THREE sleepovers in the NICU.
24. TWENTY-FOUR hours people around the world prayed for me on September 18, 2013.
25. I am thankful for Barb, my Developmental Therapist, for believing in me and visiting me weekly at home even though her schedule was already full.
26. I am thankful for the desk lamp Grandma made so Daddy doesn’t turn on the big bright light when he changes my diaper @ 2am.
27. My mom had been off work TWENTY-SEVEN hours before I decided to make my appearance.
28. When I was TWENTY-EIGHT days old and I had a sleepover with my nurse Darci, the only time I wasn’t with family overnight while in the NICU.
29. I started to find my voice on day TWENTY-NINE and share little coos & sighs with Dad & Mom.
30. I met Aunt Rachel & Cousin Joshua when I was THIRTY days old. They flew half-way around the world to meet me!
31. On day THIRTY-ONE I took off my nasal cannula, showing everyone I could breathe on my own without extra oxygen support.
32. I received my feeding tube on day THIRTY-TWO with no complications. Thanks to Dr. Deutsch I never miss a meal. Now with no nasal cannula and a feeding tube, this means I have no more tubes or tape placed on my face.
33. I am thankful for my “little” big sister Tiger, our cat, who has tested out my crib (but only if I’m not in it) to make sure it is up to her sleeping standards.
34. I spent THIRTY-FOUR days in the NICU. At 34 days old, I said goodbye and headed home.
35. My cousin Colton’s wish was to hold Princess Addie on his lap. At THIRTY-FIVE days old, his wish came true!
36. I am thankful for Melissa who makes sure I have all the supplies and equipment needed at home.
37. THIRTY-SEVEN different nurses cared for me from birth to home.
38. I am thankful for Dr. Geddes, my Pediatrician, who coordinates my care across multiple specialties.
39. On day THIRTY-NINE, I took my first trip to Edwards Apple Orchard. Oh, the wonderful smell of Apple Cider Donuts!
40. The elders from our church came to pray for me on day FOURTY and anointed me with oil as James 5:14 in the Bible instructs one to do.
41. I am thankful for Dr. Morales, my neonatologist, for always believing in me. He encouraged Dad and Mom when they didn’t know if I would ever be able to come home.
42. FOURTY-TWO days old and Daddy took me to my first Lowe’s open house & I got to meet many of his co-workers.
43. I went to church for the first time when I was FOURTY-THREE days old.
44. I am thankful Daddy was able to be off work for the first FOURTY-FOUR days of my life. Today he went back to work.
45. I am thankful for the joys of girl time with mommy… SHOPPING!!!
46. I am thankful for the countless Prayer Warriors who have lifted me and my family up in prayer.
47. I am thankful for the blessing of Mom’s 11 years of employment at Swedish American Hospital.
48. I am thankful for snuggle time with Daddy while he watches his favorite driver win his 6th Sprint Cup Championship.
49. I am thankful for the 27 meals that have been given to help Dad & Mom take care of themselves too.
50. I celebrated being FIFTY days old with a walk outside on a beautiful fall day.
51. Day FIFTY-ONE I met Barb & Monica who developed a therapy treatment plan for me.
52. I am thankful for the care, compassion and love from Heather, Nicky, Laura, Laurie and Darci, my core NICU nursing team.
53. I am thankful for Nanna & Grandpa McNeill’s music that soothed me while resting in the NICU.
54. I am thankful for sharing a birthday with Aunt Melody, what a birthday present I am!
55. It’s small but at FIFTY-FIVE days old I gave Mom’s finger a little suck, a huge step in the right direction.
56. I am thankful for a comfortable home that Dad & Mom worked on the past 6 years as a place for me to live.
57. She got lost and even rear ended, but nothing will stop Aunt Noelle from coming to visit. Thank you!
58. When I was FIFTY-EIGHT days old, daddy celebrated 7 years of employment at Lowe’s. What a blessing his job has been during this time.
59. I am proud to be a Red Head just like my cousin Ericka.
60. I showed Mom my gag reflex for the first time on day SIXTY, the beginning signs I can protect my airway.
61. Back in 2003, Dad & Mom met and spent SIXTY-ONE days together on a Royal Servants missions trip, what an amazing 10 years it’s been.
62. On day SIXTY-TWO, I had my first photo shoot, a gift from the photographer and my NICU nurses.
63. What a miracle, my initial PH of 6.75 is rarely compatible with life.
64. We have received SIXTY-FOUR cards and letters from family and friends.
65. To Jadon & Brendan, the cousins whose room is now pink & green; its ok, no Barbie’s yet, just pink Lego’s.
66. I am thankful for Mommy’s cousin Carrie who went above and beyond coordinating my arrival and care while in the NICU.
67. I met Dr. Z my neurologist when I was SIXTY-SEVEN days old.
68. I am thankful for Insurance, what a blessing it is at a time like this.
69. I am thankful for medicines and shots that keep me healthy and help prevent other illness.
70. I am thankful for my constant companion, Mr. Pulse Ox, yes you like to beep at 2am, but we are so grateful for the security you provide by giving Dad and Mom warning when my oxygen levels decline.
71. I am thankful for my writing, editing and publishing team of Dad, Mom, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Faye; without you I would not be able to update my Family, Friends and Prayer Warriors.
72. I was cooled for SEVENTY-TWO hours to help protect my brain after I was born.
73. On day SEVENTY-THREE tests showed my blood platelet count improved significantly. This means I can remain on the seizure medication that my neurologist prefers.
74. I am thankful for snuggling with Granddad during “Addie time”. Unfortunately this list only goes to 75; I look forward to 100% satisfaction rating on 100 days of life on 12/23.
75. Today I celebrate being SEVENTY-FIVE days old!
This collection just begins to tell of the things I have to be thankful for. My hope is that no matter where you are or who you’re with today, you will feel the love of Christ. Remember that whatever circumstance you find yourself in, Jesus loves you. Jesus will walk and, if necessary, carry you through the challenging times in your life. As it says in the Bible, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Love,
Adalynn
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