A Letter to Patrick

This past week has been good with Savannah. We have increased the amount of food that she receives at each serving by a small amount and she continues to smile more and more. She has also began to "coo" at us every once in a while. This upcoming Monday will bring another weigh in at the doctor's office and we are looking forward to getting closer to the 8 Lb mark.

April and I were unpacking some boxes over the weekend and we came across a box with Little Patrick's items. In the box was a letter that I had written to him while April was in the hospital before Patrick & Savannah were born. The letter brought tears to my eyes as I read it but we thought that we would share it with you.

The letter was written late at night on November 1, just five days before Patrick and Savannah were born.

Dear Patrick,

Today you are 30 weeks and 2 days old. As I write this, your mom is lying in the hospital and has been for over 9 weeks. This is not because of you, but I want you to know what your pre-birth days have been like.

First off, your mother and I are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished already in your short life. Eight weeks ago, the doctors diagnosed you with a condition called absent end diastolic. This means that you were not getting as much blood and nutrients that you have needed to continue to grow at a proper pace. The doctors wanted to write you off and focus on your sister Savannah but we would not accept that and neither would you. In the past 8 weeks you have stayed so strong and fought so hard. You continue to grow and defy the doctors diagnosis.

Every day you get bigger and every day you get stronger and prepare yourself for the day you are born. Earlier this week, we saw you practicing your breathing and it was awesome. Twice a day, we track your heart beats and every day you do great, just like we know you can.

We are expecting your arrival in the next 2-4 weeks and we can not wait to meet you and shower you with hugs, kisses and love. We are so proud to call you our son and are looking forward to showing you off in the near future. Keep up the great work and keep on fighting like you have been.

We love you,
Mom and Dad