Faith's Monumental Visit to South Dakota

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When I received my niece, Sydnee's graduation announcement in the mail, I thought it might be the perfect opportunity to visit my brother and his family for the first time at their home in Spearfish. I also thought it would be the perfect opportunity to see Mount Rushmore, which I had never seen before!  My nephew in Nebraska was graduating that same weekend, and my sister Dawn and I tried to put together a plan where we could go to both of their graduation receptions. I knew though, that Faith would feel left out and would want to go, too. I also knew it was going to be difficult to find someone to look after Faith over Memorial Day weekend.  Our finalized plan involved Dawn traveling to South Dakota with me and Faith and then her flying to Nebraska by herself. Faith and I would then drive back to Bismarck by ourselves.  3 adventurous travelers  I must admit, as the trip got closer, I started to get a little anxious about how Faith was going to do with so much drivi...
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Faith's Daddy

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 Due to logistics and other reasons, Rob was not able to witness Faith coming into the world. She was born in Rochester, over 600 miles from home. Rob found out he was a daddy when he stopped in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to make a call to his mother. She told him he was a daddy! He got to Rochester just before midnight on the day of her birth - October 25, 2003.

When Rob first saw Faith's tiny little body - just over 2 lbs., she was covered with tubes and lines all hooked up to different apparatuses. What was supposed to be one of the most joyful events of his life was one of the most frightening. After spending time with a daughter, he couldn't even hold, he came down to the hospital to see me.

I was still pretty out of it, but I do remember coming up with Faith's middle name - Faith Jean Armour. (Faith has both mine and Rob's middle names). We visited her in the NICU as much as we could. She looked so tiny and fragile, but we knew she was a fighter. Finally, one week after she was born, Rob and I got to hold her.

After two weeks in Rochester, Faith was transferred to Bismarck. Rob and I lived at the Ronald McDonald House for the next two months. Faith was discharged from the NICU on her original due date, January 5, 2004. We lived in Watford City at the time and after Faith was diagnosed with CP, we moved to Bismarck so Faith could get the best medical care and pediatric therapy possible.



Since moving, Rob was a stay-at-home dad for four years. He and Faith went through a lot together. In that time, Faith and her dad established an incredible bond with one another. I feel so very blessed that Faith has such a wonderful dad. 

Since she was just a baby, Rob has made it a point to give her three hugs in a row while saying, "Daddy loves you." I don't think he's missed a day. She knows without a doubt how much he loves her. She knows she is safe and protected in his presence. She knows that her daddy prays for her and that some of those prayers have been answered.

Happy Father's Day! 



Comments

  1. Susan FinlayJune 20, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    I remember that day. I was so excited for all of you. When Jean and David came down to my office to tell me, and they said she was tiny. I said that God sent an Angel and she truly is. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for your daughter and I also wish Rob a Happy Father's Day and her Grandad.....Happy Father's Day David.

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