When Jen & Anthony promised to love each other “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health” they didn’t realize those vows would be tested so fast. You see, today is their 11 month-iversary. And at not even married for one year, they are the parents of sweet, beautiful baby Abigail. A 1 lbs 8 oz marvel categorized as “micropreemie” and 16 weeks premature.
No parent expects this. At just 24 weeks into her pregnancy, Jen was doing wonderfully. There really was no reason to suspect any problems, let alone that she would find herself rushed into the OR to have an emergency c-section necessary to save little Abby’s life. At 24 weeks, things like baby showers and maternity photos and decorating the nursery are just coming up on the horizon. Sleepless nights are still a distant dread and often names haven’t even been chosen yet.
Most people I know would have been shaken to their core. Most people I know would have allowed themselves to become overwhelmed with fear and anxiety and “what-ifs”.
Not Jen and Anthony.
Oh I’m sure there have been moments of all those things. And I’m sure there will be many more in the coming weeks and months and maybe even years of this journey. But you can see something else when you look at them. Determination. Strength. Courage. And above all, love. Love for each other, love for their baby girl, love for a Man who provides miracles in the right 1 lb 8oz size. And their clinging to that love with everything they have.
Less than 24 hours after her emergency c-section surgery, Jen was up and walking. When I commented to Jen about that at the hospital, her only response was a calm “I have to be strong for her”. Anthony is no less impressive. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever met a more steady man than him. Every time I’ve been around him (which, actually, has been pretty often in the last year), he’s be calm and steady and solid as a rock. Even in the midst of uncertainty and completely new territory, he has a ready smile and can make Jen laugh. There’s no nervousness from him around his new tiny daughter. Just strength and peace. It radiates out and creates a calm atmosphere wherever he goes.
And this really is new territory for everyone. Jen and Anthony are experiencing a parenthood like no other. The routines are different. The precautions are different. The prognosis and expectations are sky-high but the day to day is unfamiliar and totally new. Most new parents don’t have to scrub in up to the elbows just to touch their new child. Most parents don’t even think about getting good news like finding out there’s no blood pooling in their sweet baby’s brain (which, is EXCELLENT news, by the way…).
But through it all, they just keep walking (literally, in Jen’s case). They aren’t afraid to go step by step.
The amazing thing is that Abigail already has their spirit. She’s a fighter. Despite her tiny size and her early arrival, she managed to get a good breath on her own right after birth and wasn’t even always needing the ventilator. She’s keeping her own oxygen levels at optimum and even seemed to enjoy some of the photo attention a bit. Ok, fine, it was probably just the Mom & Dad attention, but a photographer can dream, right? Abby was even born with a black eye – at testament to her fighting spirit. Of course, since pretty much EVERY SINGLE FAMILY MEMBER is a hockey fan, they also see that as proof that she’s already got hockey in the blood. 
She really is itty-bitty though. At just over 12 inches long, Anthony’s wedding ring could have easily encircled her little write 2 times over.
The palm of her perfect little hand is the same size as Jen’s fingernail.
It’s amazing how big of an impact such a little girl has already made.
Oh Miss Abigail – you are dearly and sweetly loved. See you at your one month birthday. 
Please leave your love, prayers and best wishes for the family in the comments below – I know they’ll appreciate it!
:: b ::
by brienne2
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