The Gift of a Child

Our thoughts this time of the year is on a baby that was born over two thousand years ago, a gift that was given to us from the Lord to save us.

               "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12

God gave us the gift of Jesus, in our Dacusville community God gave the Howard  family a gift; a little girl named Daylin.

Daylin Mirica Howard was born on August 21st, 2013 at 27 weeks to Julie and David Howard. Julie had an incompetent cervix and had surgery to fix it at 13 weeks of her pregnancy; everything up to that point was great.  Julie woke up that morning not feeling well.  She called the doctor and they wanted to see her immediately.  Julie made it to the doctor at 9:30 and was already dilated 5 cm, she was rushed to the hospital.

Surrounded by family, they all prayed.

Daylin on C-pap

Julie had to have a C section because Daylin was breached and labor wouldn't stop. Daylin was born at 5:30 weighing 2 lbs. and 8 ozs. Her lungs were underdeveloped and she had to be put on a ventilator.  The families' prayers were already being answered, she was only on the ventilator for 24 hours. The doctors were really surprised to see this happen.  Daylin was then placed on a C-pap for a few days and then on straight oxygen.





Daylin had her first bath 2 days later, she was small enough to fit inside the kidney shaped bowls the hospital uses when you get sick, she fit perfectly. 

Daylin's First Bath

Daylin Howard

Julie was able to hold Daylin for the first time 3 days after she was born in the "Kangaroo Hold".  Daylin had to go back on the C-pap machine because her oxygen level kept dropping. Daylin also needed 3 blood transfusions while she was in the hospital because her little body couldn't keep her blood count up. She was making red blood cells but because she was constantly having blood drawn for testing her body couldn't keep up and in turn her oxygen level kept dropping so she had to stay on oxygen. The family found out later that Daylin was born with a hole in her heart as well, with medicine the hole closed. 

On September 24th, a month later the Howards were able to hold Daylin like a normal full term baby. Daylin was able to regulate her temperature enough on her own that she was put in a newborn crib.  On October 1st Daylin had her first bottle, up until then she had a feeding tube. Julie said that each day got harder and harder to leave  her and they knew that she had to handle all 8 feedings from a bottle before she could come home. They asked the nurses when would Daylin be able to come home and the nurses said around her due date which was November 18th, but that wasn't good enough for them.

They began to pray and ask God to let her make it home by Halloween.

Her doctors and nurses were so amazed at how quickly she was growing and tolerating her feedings. They agreed that she could go home but she would be on oxygen. Julie said that would be okay, as long as she was coming home.

God does a complete work, on October 16th Daylin came completely off her oxygen after her last blood transfusion and on October 25th, she came home from the hospital. 

Julie said it was so wonderful to see what God was doing in her life each day, and is still doing.  Daylin was in the hospital for 65 days total, she has had one breathing episode at home due to reflux but medicine has helped with this.  The hole in her heart is gone, and her lungs are perfect, she has no signs of having developmental issues; she caught up in size by 9 months of age. Julie was told that Daylin would have to wear glasses but remember God does a complete work.  Julie's family and church went to God in prayer and the doctors are yet amazed again that her eyes are fine and there are no signs of problems.

Children are a gift from God, the Howards were given a miracle gift. Daylin "Mirica" Howard meaning miracle is now a happy, healthy one year old all due to the prayers of family, church, and community.

Julie Howard (M0m) with Daylin

Daylin Mirica Howard

David Howard (Dad) with Daylin

"Many people were praying for Daylin that didn't even know us.  I am still overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from everyone and I can't thank them enough for all they did for us during this time!  My family is so blessed to live in our wonderful community of Dacusville."- Julie Howard