Leah Rose, born the youngest of my twins, is my forth child.

Leah warming-up in her Isolette box in the NICU.

Leah was breach pretty much the whole pregnancy, so her sweet little head spent a great deal of time under my ribs. She was born at 36 weeks at 5 lbs. 5oz. via c-section. She spent 8 days at the Hospital in the Natal Intensive Care Unit. She needed oxygen for the first day or two to help her breath more easily. She fought hard to catch-up to her birth weight. She had a liking for the premie pacifier, which was great because I took a long time to get down to the NICU to breastfeed her in her room. (My Hospital room was across the building from Leah and Claire.) We had to weigh her before and after a feeding and weigh each soiled diaper to monitor her milk intake. She had part-time bottles via feeding tube to help get the calories she needed in her tummy! I pumped a lot during the first few weeks.

Ryan holding Leah for a bottle feeding.

Everyone pitched in to help take care of things before and after Leah and her sister were born. (I had been on partial bed-rest for about a month before I delivered.) Meals came when we needed them the most and loving friends and family took care of my preschoolers when I was unable to attend to them. There were a lot of reasons to be grateful. I can say without a doubt I know what it is like to be ‘held’ by God’s Grace. There was no time to worry, just to hold babies and sigh with joy.

Leah in the baby swing at the "far park" by our townhouse.

As Leah grew she blossomed into a little sweet pea that liked to eat. She loved goldfish crackers, whole milk, apple slices and chicken.  I remember loading the dishwasher, each night, with a “top rack only” load, to keep up the flow of clean bottles and formula pitchers. We bought diapers and formula by the truck load. And we washed clothes and blankets like we ran a laundr-O-mat.

Leah's 1st Birthday Cake Face

Leah turned One!  She watched the “big kids” play outside and identified FUN right away. Leah honed her dare-devil spunk and took to the driveway with her pink motorcycle push-toy. It didn’t stop there. She climbed, pushed or tackled anything that looked adrenaline inducing. Much in her big sister Molly’s footsteps.

Leah, in CJ's coat, at her first Easter Egg Hunt. (Grammy Lu's house)

Her expressive nature became a defining quality.  The coy tilt of her head and the gentle sweep of her lip, took even the toughest adults to their knees. At times, she took on the roll as “youngest” as she used her cries and smiles to try and get all the attention, toys, and cuddles from her siblings.

Leah "sitting" in the fridge at the new house.

Her passion for life is unhidden. Her eyes are as adorable as her spirit is clever. She takes a great deal of effort to steal her Taggie during the day so she can suck her thumb, wrinkle her nose at me and RUN!

I call her Lea-Lu. She calls me Mommy.

Love,

Jess