Five Years - where has it gone?

Ava Grace Blackburn was born on July 27, 2003 at 10:57 pm. She came into this world 6 weeks early. After a weekend of trying to stop her, she decided she was ready to meet everyone! At first, she was doing fine. No breathing problems, good weight, maintaining her body temperature...everything was going well. Later that night, she had trouble maintaining her glucose levels, so she had to stay in the NICU. She had several difficult days to follow. Ava missed the critical fetal development stage of coordinating the suck, swallow and breathe pattern. If she fed from a bottle, she forgot to breathe or swallow - each causing problems for her! She became jaundiced. She started having "brady" episodes where she would stop breathing. She was diagnosed with reflux. I had to leave my precious baby girl in the hospital and go home to a house ready for a new baby! I was scared to death and guilt ridden - what had I done to cause this? Why was I at home and my sweet baby so sick? I felt very helpless. Finally, after 15 days in the NICU, we were able to bring her home. We were terrified! The neonatologist sent us home with an apnea monitor - I think more for me than her!

It pained Micky and I to see Ava attached to all the moitors. I was scared of her. I had taken care of lots of babies in my life, but when it came to her, I froze. Micky was far better at caring for her in the NICU than I was- and she was the second infant he had ever held (Mallory was the first, a mere 6 months earlier)! I captured several sweet moments of Micky snuggling with her. Even though she was big compared to the other babies in the NICU, she was still so tiny! Micky went shopping one afternoon by himself to pick out a premie outfit for her to wear home! She already had him wrapped around her tiny little finger!

After 6 months, Ava was off of the apnea machine and doing well. We had finally figured out the right combination of medication and formula to make the reflux bearable. I thank Dr. Scott and Dr. Baker for that! Ava was meeting milestones according to her actual age not her adjusted age!

At one, we got tubes! We had suffered through 3 horrible ear infections and Dr. Scott knew that the infections were probably related to the reflux, so we were referred early to the ENT, Dr. Murray. After tubes, Ava was not sick for a year! She walked at 12 months, and had quite a vocabulary! Momma and quack were her first words!

At two, Ava was speaking in 5+ word sentences and had started to develop quite the personality! This year was marked with potty training, a big girl room and bed and chronic sinus infections, pneumonia and a slight immune deficiency. Her immune system was a little immature. "Melmo" (Elmo) was the local celebrity, and Ava loved to play with her kitchen. Ava became left hand dominate.

At three we started dance with Miss Rhonda. Micky and I discovered that Ava was not afraid of performing....in fact, she puts on quite the show! Our vocabulary was growing daily and she was beginning to read environmental print! At three, her independence began to show! Ava loved jewelry, wearing James Avery to church and special events! Her immune system finally matured, and we haven't had near the trouble with sinus infections since!

At four Ava started playing soccer. We still don't know which is her favorite - dance or soccer, so we will continue both for now. Ava started reading this year! Her ability to think outside of the box matured as well. She definitely has a little of her daddy in her....she is very linear, and tries to reason or make sense of her surroundings. She is quite the dare devil - lots of scrapes and bruises this year! She also insisted on wearing twirly skirts with tights and boots for most of the year! At four, Ava decided to grow her hair long. After the spring soccer season, we were ready to cut it!

At five, we are ready for Kindergarten! I can't believe it! Ava insists on wearing dresses to Kindergarten, and wanted a fancy backpack and matching lunchbox for school! She talks nonstop! She asks tons of questions! Ava is reading level one readers! She is learning to ride her bike without training wheels. Hide and seek is her favorite game. She is healthy and growing taller every day! Ava is a sweet, funny and creative little girl!

My dear sweet Ava Grace, I thank God every day for you....your smile, your laugh, your creativity, your sweet and gentle nature, your questions, our conversations, your hugs and kisses! What a blessing you are!

"What a difference you've made in my life.

What a difference you've made in my life.

You're my sunshine day and night,

Oh, What a difference you've made in my life!" - Ronnie Milsap