The Beautiful Face of Natalie Evelyn

Just 45 minutes after leaving Natalie in the OR they called up to say all went well and she was on her way up. We watched them wheel her back to her room from a distance and impatiently waited to be allowed back to see her face.

Oh, she is beautiful! She did so well in the surgery and does not look at all as though she just underwent a medical procedure. I could cry for hours thinking of her face free of that tube. I was nervous about seeing her with a trach but honestly I had to remind myself to look at it. All I could see was her sweet little mouth.

I know anyone who knew Anneliese as a baby will see the sisterly resemblance. Now that the tape is gone her mouth is much more expressive. She made a little smirk and my mother in law and I looked at each other at the same time and said "that is an Annie face!"

A few nurses have come in to get a glimpse of her and of course everyone agrees she is adorable. Unfortunately she started to get a little agitated and spit up so we had to leave the nurses to their work. After a blood gas and chest film we can return. I want to sit by her all night and stare. My sweet sweet baby girl. I am so very grateful that she can experience life extubated.

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. This was a challenging yet joyous day. As always knowing that Natalie is loved by many helped get us through. My father mentioned today that she has been added to two more prayer groups. I am certain Natters is famous in heaven.

Counting down the days until we can hold her again-this time without the worries of the ET tube. She will be heavily sedated for the next week while the trach is healing and creating a path. After that the ENT folks will do the first trach change and she will be free.