A Sigh of Relief

Today represented a significant day - more for peace of mind for Damon and myself as opposed to a milestone for Ani.  She turned six days-old, which was exactly Grant's age when we had to rush him to the pediatric ER for a 103-degree fever.  That ER visit led to his first PICU stay (6-days long) for what was initially diagnosed as viral meningitis.  In hindsight, we know the elevated white blood cell count reading from the lumbar puncture was the first indicator of the brain tumor.  As illogical it is to think that history would precisely repeat itself, it was reassuring to Damon and myself to make it through the day with a healthy little girl.

For as many challenges as we faced with Granty, I think someone was smiling down upon us with Ani...she has been, by far, the easiest of my three kiddos.  Her digestive system had to adapt to a formula switch (the pediatrician put her on higher calorie preemie formula), but aside from that adjustment period, she has been a very low-key newborn.  She's definitely my daughter, as she has adopted a consistent four-hour regimen of feedings and diaper changes.  This routine has helped me to be able to plan my days accordingly, not to mention allowing me to get a decent night's sleep with only one middle of the night feeding.  I'm actually sleeping better now than I was when I was pregnant...go figure :)

There are moments, especially on a pseudo-milestone day like today, that it's impossible not to look at Ani and think about Granty.  However, the pangs of sadness are offset by the joy this little girl is bringing to our family coupled with the knowledge that Granty is watching over all of us.  We couldn't ask for a better guardian angel....

Putting things in perspective.
No, Alstott is not a giant dog...Ani is just that tiny.