Baby M's Story
There are children with sweet faces. There are children with spunk. And then there are children who seem to just have it all - plus an attitude to go along with it! Meet Miss Baby M! This little tyke has not had an easy start in life but you wouldn't know it by meeting her. She will make you work for a smile - but then again - why shouldn't you work for it? She has worked so hard to get where she is today and she is ready to show you what she can do!
We fell in love with this little girl the moment we met her! Her deep brown eyes are intense and when she decides to give you a smile it lights up her entire face into a ray of sunshine that is positively contagious. She is pure energy and she keeps her Mommies on their toes.
Baby M is a very lucky little girl. She was adopted by two loving people that knew caring for her would not be easy. They looked past their fears and into Baby M's heart and they work hard every day to ensure she receives the best care possible and the love that is needed to fix all things.
Baby M is a preemie – born likely between 30-32 weeks gestation but the Doctor’s were not very sure as her birth Mom received no pre-natal care. She was diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome, or ABS, a congenital birth defect that occurs when the fetus becomes entangled in fibrous string-like amniotic bands in the womb, restricting blood flow and ultimately impacting her growth and development. Her ABS caused her foot deformity that her parents loving refer to as her special Nemo toe. They use the analogy fromthe Disney to lovingly educate why her precious little toes are different than her young cousins and friends – but equally special and strong. She recently underwent a surgery to remove a band around her arm caused by the ABS and she recovered like the little trooper she is! She also has several fused ribs which may impact her down the road but her parents are focused on today and all the amazing progress she is making. While her list of genetic abnormalities may be long - she also has what is called "benign extra axial fluid" - basically an imbalance of what is being produced and what is being absorbed in her brain and split cord malformation Type II- she is not defined by her medical chart or these often unflattering labels. She is a true individual and at 18 months she has more personality than many adults that I have met!
Her room makeover camejust in time for this sassy baby because she is about to have another very big surgery next month that will require to be spend some time in the ICU post surgery and then a lot more time will resting and recuperating at home in her crib until her body heals. We know she will use her spirit and spunk to pull through just fine!
We have a lot of people to thank for making this room a success! It is the first and only room makeover where I was unable to be present... and I felt bad not being able to help. But our new volunteers did an A+ job assembling the furniture, decorating the walls and making this room come to life! And last but not least, the beautiful bedding and matching lamps were graciously donated by employees at Cooley LLP in La Jolla CA. It was a team effort and we are grateful. We would not be able to help deserving families like Baby M without the support of our community.
Thank you to our generous donors for making Baby M's "Sweet Dreams" makeover come true!
