Our Miracle

Christopher Nathan Perkins, II

January 19, 2011 is a day my husband and I will NEVER forget. At 26 weeks gestation (14 weeks early), Christopher Nathan Perkins II (“Nate”) came into this world. It was the most shocking, scary experience. After going to the hospital on the evening of the 18^th, I was told I was passing a kidney stone. After getting some morphine to ease the terrible pain, I was able to get a little rest…until all the pain came back. On the morning of the 19^th, my husband rushed me back to the doctor’s office and instead of passing a kidney stone, I found out I was in labor. I was already 8cm dilated and 100% effaced when I had arrived. The doctor said, change of plans, we are having a baby now! WOW---What a shocking moment that was!!! They quickly rushed me to the hospital. Soon after getting to the hospital, Nate was born. He weighed 2 pounds 8 ounces at birth and lost down to 1 pound 15 ounces. Surprisingly enough, they said he was large for 26 weeks gestation. Soon after he was born, he was transported to the NICU. It was so difficult being away from him at a different hospital. All I could think about was trying to wake up from the nightmare I was experiencing. The next day I was discharged from the hospital and was able to visit Nate in the NICU for the first time. He looked so incredibly tiny and was struggling to survive. All of the wires and tubes hooked up to him, along with all the sounds of monitors and equipment in the NICU was very overwhelming. After 3 and a half months with Nate in the NICU, it actually felt like our “home away from home” and the nurses and doctors felt like family to us! During the time Nate was in the NICU, we were able to live at the Ronald McDonald house of Mobile. We will forever be thankful for this wonderful organization and the amazing staff that supported us all along our journey. I feel so beyond blessed that God had favor over our family and chose me to be the mom of a miracle. I know that the Lord has special plans for Nate’s life.

The first time daddy and mommy got to hold Nate