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Introducing our daughter...

Olivia Bain, our little Livi.


We fall more in love with our little girl everyday. She has quite a big personality for someone so small. All the nurses comment on how opinionated she is for a baby born just shy of 24 weeks. We love our feisty fighter. The doctors and nurses continue to tell us how well Olivia is doing. Her weight is hovering around 1 lb, 5 oz (her birthweight). She is stable, tolerating feeds that are "priming her gut", and is regulating her blood pressure well without meds. Everyday she continues to thrive is a huge milestone. Her eyes are still fused, but she is trying really hard to open them. I'm thinking this week, week 26, will be the week. We can't wait to see her pretty eyes! 

Friday, her two week birthday, was the first time she really responded to our touch. She held and squeezed our fingers for a long time. Not being able to hold her has been really hard, but Friday I felt like we finally made a connection with our daughter. Here are a few pictures that show just how small she is.


Mommy taking her temperature.



 She loves to keep her hands by her little face.


Livi holding daddy's finger.

Olivia, 
Being your parents is such a gift and makes us so proud. We have so many hopes and dreams for our life with you. We can't wait until you're keeping us up all night long. Daddy says someday we might not be so happy about it, but mommy disagrees. You have stolen our hearts, sweet girl. We love you fiercely.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
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Comments

  1. Kay DanielsApril 22, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    Oh, Mare and Reid......what a precious and beautiful baby girl little Olivia is (of course I can hardly see her through my tears!!). Thank you so much for sharing her with us. What a brave little fighter she is.......and what a brave mommy and daddy she has! Continuing to lift her up to her loving Heavenly Father....love you all.....Kay-Kay

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  2. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    she is perfect.

    nothing more to say! except that i want to cover her with kisses...

    congratulations on the birth of olivia...
    and thank you so much for sharing her photo. she really is perfect.

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  3. KellyApril 22, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    She's beautiful! Olivia and your sweet family have been in my thoughts and prayers!

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  4. Lindsay @ Hattan HomeApril 22, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Beautiful Baby Girl! So sweet!

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  5. Jenny and Mark BradleyApril 22, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    She is precious. What a sweet little fighter! Mark and I continue to pray for all of you!

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  6. kateApril 22, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    Oh my goodness; she is absolutely precious and so, so sweet. Thank you so much for sharing pictures of her with us. All of my friends who have been praying so fiercely for you all will be so happy to see her as well. Praying for sweet Olivia to continue to thrive every day and for you to catch a glimpse of those beautiful eyes this week!
    And the service for your other three sounded and looked perfect, and I'm just so thankful it went as well as you had hoped.

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  7. JenniferApril 22, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Soo sweet! We can't wait to hold her! Especially Emerson! XOXO

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  8. UnknownApril 22, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    She is beautiful, saying lots of prayers for you and Livi.

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  9. AllisonApril 22, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    What a precious girl she is, praying for each of you!

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  10. AnonymousApril 22, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    THESE PHOTOS BRING HAPPY TEARS TO MY EYES! She is sooooo beautiful Mare...... thanks so much for sharing.

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  11. Rebecca @ A Beautiful RuckusApril 22, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Wow, she is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your precious photos!

    Continuing to pray for your sweet family.

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  12. LindsApril 22, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    oh Mare! She's beautiful! And that picture of her holding Reid's finger gives me chills. Praying hard for her, and for you and Reid. I love you so much!

    And little Livi-- I love you so much too! I've prayed for you before you were ever conceived-- you are the answer to SO many prayers. When I get to meet you you can bet your bottom dollar that I will spoil you rotten :) Your daddy even said I could get you a pony... hope mommy's up for scooping pony poop in the backyard ;)

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  13. TaraApril 22, 2012 at 10:03 PM

    Mare, I have been following your blog for several weeks now. I havent commented because I know how emotional reading comments can be. I have been praying for your. I am not sure what God's plan is in all this but I am glad your faith has kept you strong for your lil'Olivia. One of my quads was only 1 lb 4 oz at birth. Although she was 29 weeks. Sever growth restriction on 2 of my 4. At one point the doc was willing to sacrifice the two for the good of the others. My body had its own plans. She is doing great now for how little she was. I know how fragile a 1 lb baby looks and its hard to imagine what they will look like with a few lbs on them. Charlotte was and is a fighter. I think being that small and dealing with everything sure made her the baby she is today. One tough little squirt! I know you are missing a huge chunk of your heart right now but put all that extra love in her as I am sure you are already doing. I have cried with you and for you every day. Bless you and your family.

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  14. LauraApril 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    She is perfect and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing her with us. You all are constantly in my prayers.

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  15. LindaApril 23, 2012 at 12:47 AM

    I have been watching for your post!!! God bless you all.... My daughter is at 24 weks with her quad pregnancy. I have been 'following' other quads since she has been in this journey.....and have been praying for you and yours. I am so thankful you have this precious tiny baby! She will continue to bless you.....all the days of your life.

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  16. Mary Ann LepineApril 23, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Precious. Continuing to pray for God's grace and peace.

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  17. JacqueApril 23, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    She is beautiful! My daughter was born at 26 weeks so our journey was different that yours but you can find micropreemie inspiration at lifewithjackdotcom.

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  18. tanyab88April 23, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    I just heard about your story through Heather Cox. We became friends through Facebook due to having preemies. I had twin sons at thirty weeks. Jaden passed away at fifteen days old due to NEC. My other Ryan also had NEC. But thankfully he pulled through and thrived. He is now two and has no issues due to being born at only 2lbs 11oz. I will pray for your beautiful daughter every night.

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  19. CaraApril 23, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Mare,
    Olivia is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing pictures with us! She is a glimpse of our heavenly Father and His love for us! I pray she continues to thrive each day and that you get to be there when she opens her eyes! You and Reid are amazing parents and she is so blessed. Love you sweet friend and continuing to pray for your healing. Henry sends hugs and kisses to Olivia!

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  20. Chris and JoyApril 23, 2012 at 12:43 PM

    Take care of yourselves as you care for her. Going through the NICU experience was the most emotional and exhausting thing I have ever done and it was such an easy road compared to what you have had to deal with. If I could go back in time and talk to myself at the beginning of my journey I would encourage myself to slow down and take care of myself. This time is so precious and it is so easy to exhaust yourself. Praying for your family
    Joy

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  21. oh little leahApril 23, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Mare, Thanks for sharing Olivia with us. She is so beautiful and a glimpse into the BIG God we serve! Your family is never far from my mind and I will continue to pray for your sweet girl!

    Leah

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  22. kellyoApril 23, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    Beautiful and so glad you shared pictures on your blog!!!

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  23. CarrieApril 23, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    You, Reid, and Olivia have been in our thoughts and prayers everyday. So happy to see these sweet pictures.
    Bradford and Carrie

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  24. MichelleApril 23, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    Aunt Chelle can't wait to spoil that little cutie!

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  25. AnonymousApril 23, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    stumbled upon your blog, but just wanted to tell you your family is in my prayers. Your Olivia is just beautiful! Baby girls are so sweet!

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  26. AnonymousApril 23, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Wow! Little Livi is the cutest with that dark hair! I can only imagine her sweet eyes are equally as beautiful! That will be such a special moment for your family when you finally get to see them! All FOUR of your daughters are precious, unique, and beautiful. Your family has touched so many others, the strength you have shown on this journey encourages others to not break under times of stress but to continue to follow the word of God. I am so happy that Olivia is doing so well and hope that each day she becomes more feisty and strong! Go Livi :)

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  27. AnonymousApril 24, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    May God's comfort and peace be with you and you'r family during this difficult time. Thankyou for sharing her with us. I pray that you'r precious "Livi" will grow and thrive in the Lord's Arm's each day. She is Beautiful and
    her eye's will be a glimpse into the Grace and Power of our Lord and Savior. I'm going to cry, I do know full well what you are going thru, I have lost a child as well a boy named "CHRIS" I
    lost him at 17 and a half week's.hEwas truly my
    Angel. Haven't been able to conceive again, but
    I'm not going to give up. God bless you and your
    family Richly.

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  28. KelliMay 4, 2012 at 2:35 AM

    Hi! I found your blog through Kelly's Korner and was instantly attracted as I'm a NICU nurse in Houston. May the Lord Jesus comfort you through this difficult time. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!

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