Tabitha's Birthday

As you probably know, our little Tabitha Hope was diagnosed with Anencephaly on January 13, 2004. Medically she was given no chance of survival and indeed was not expected to survive in the womb for very long. She was a fighter, though. On April 30th, the doctors decided she must be delivered as Cami had developed a dangerous level of excess amniotic fluid and the concern about uterine rupture was very high. Tabitha kicked and rolled around inside of Cami right up to the moment of her birth.

She was born by c-section at 8:45 a.m. on May 5th. She waved her arms and legs but soon was still though her heart beat for 55 minutes. Kevin held her in the operating room while her eyes were open and friends and family who were there were able to hold her as well. After they brought Cami out of surgery she was able to hold Tabitha. She stayed warm for a long time and we kissed and cuddled her for many hours. We kept her with us until after 9 pm that night. We took many pictures and never tire of looking at them. She weighed 4 lbs 1 oz and was 15 1/2 inches long and had such a beautiful little body. Perfect little feet and hands, and proportionate in every way except her poor little head.

We already miss her so much and are so sorry we will not be able to raise her and enjoy her. We are sorry that Toby will never know his little sister. Someday we will all be reunited in heaven and until then we know she is safe with Jesus. We will never be sorry to have shared in her life. She is so precious.

Cami and Kevin