On December 6th, two days after my dad's passing, my water broke prematurely and I was hospitalized at Women's and Children's hospital of Buffalo. I was only 23 weeks and 4 days pregnant, when viability is right at the edge for unborn babies.   I was put on hospital bedrest, knowing that every day improved the odds for my little Juniper to survive.   I spent the Christmas season apart from my family, including my fiancé and two other children (Mallory 8, Lucas 7), doing all I could to prevent infection and grow my Juni.  I went almost 5 weeks, but on January 8th my placenta started to fully abrupt (tear away), and I had an emergency C-section. The surgery was complicated, and they had to cut  a T into my uterus to get baby out.   Once out, it took a few minutes to get Juniper crying, but alas, I got to hear the most beautufil sound a mama can hear.   She weighed 2 lbs 10 oz and had the sweetest pink little face when they showed me her.   They swept her to the NICU where they struggled getting her oxygen up, but finally stabilized her with a dose of surfactant and an oscillating ventilator. 

Juniper has a long road ahead of her, and it will likely be months before she can come home.  The NICU here in Buffalo is a level three one, and we feel good that she's in the most capable hands.   I was recently discharged and an now staying at the Ronald McDonald house so to be close to Juniper, and keep delivering breast milk and love to her bedside.  In the meantime I'm also torn to be with my other two children, hoping to bring some semblance of normal life back to them.  It will be a tricky balance, and we're taking it one day at a time.  In the meantime there are costs and financial obligations that come along with all of this, and we are humbly asking for any help that can be given our direction.  We are so grateful already for the amount of love and kindness given over the past several weeks.   At a very personal level, it's shown me how love can help and heal and perform miracles.   Thank you all.. for everything.  It will never be forgotten.