When I look at life, I think of a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces fit together, making you a complete person, when all are present and accounted for. Relationships play a huge role in the finalized picture for me. My kids take up the biggest parts of my puzzle and I would be nothing without those glorious beings in my life. Gratitude day two revolves around my second daughter, Mikayla.
7 Days of Gratitude: Day 2: Mikayla
From outgoing and sassy to blunt and to the point, Mikayla is opposite me in many ways. She speaks the language of mathematics better than anyone in our family. Her courage always astounds me. Yet, we meet in the middle when it comes to music and baking. Mikayla is strong willed and funny. Any creative thing she picks up is easily mastered. Even though she has reached the torturous teen years, she is a really amazing young lady.
The birth
Mikayla had a rough start. After induction, she came into the world in the usual way. On the evening of August twenty-fifth, all I could do was scream. My little eight pound baby girl was blue and not breathing. She laid in my arms a lifeless being. The nurses grabbed her from me and whisked her away to the neonatal intensive care unit. I stayed in the labor and delivery room while they rushed around helping Mikayla to breathe with her father standing by. Once I was settled and taken care of, they allowed me to visit with her. I was only allowed to reach through the incubator to touch her, not hold her. There was an intravenous catheter in her arm and nasal cannulas hanging out of her nose so she could get oxygen.
The Helicopter
After the short time Mikayla spent in the neonatal intensive care unit, they decide to air lift her to the children’s specialty hospital. I had a fever and ended up having to stay the night where I was. Once the helicopter arrived, I reached through the incubator and touched her little body with my hands as I said goodbye for the evening. I cried the whole night.
Signing the AMA
As the next morning approached, I made the decision to sign the against medical advice form and go to the children’s hospital where my baby girl was. Once I got to where Mikayla was, they gave me a room and let me stay with her the entire week that she was there. After the week ended, Mikayla had recovered and was thriving.
Conclusion
My gratefulness runs strong with respect to Mikayla. I am so thankful for her.