Happy Birthday Zoe Hope

Today is a very special day for a very precious little girl. Zoe Hope slept in for the first time. Yes you read it right. Both mum, dad and Henry were awaiting Zoe Hope to wake so we could sing to her.
When she finally woke 2 hours after her normal 5.30am start she was beaming smiles of happiness and joy (as always) and very proud to show that she now has two teeth.

We had an early start to the day with a planned picnic at the Riverside Park Olympic Park. It was a very relaxing and happy day spent with family and friends. Butterflies were everywhere (makes a change from the summer flies).

Zoe Hope had a great day enjoying the many familiar faces. A great day was had with the weather being fabulous from start to finish.

After the Picnic we took Zoe Hope home for a proper sleep however she was happy to play. Later in the afternoon we took her back to her first home - The NICU at Westmead Hospital. It was so wonderful to visit the many staff on her special day. They are such a hardworking team of nurses and doctors. We saw lots of staff that worked with Zoe Hope and remembered the many others especially today. Thank you NICU Westmead we will never forget you. During the end of our visit Zoe Hope finally gave in and crashed on mum's shoulder (15minutes). 

We had the special privilege of meeting two families that are currently going through very uncertain times with their newborns also in the NICU. They met Zoe Hope and were very happy to see that miracles do happen and there is hope to hold onto. Please pray for Noah,Colden and all the sick premature babies. Their parents need your strength in prayer also. We wish them all well and hope that they may feel supported and loved during this hard time.

She has had an amazing year thus far and we have all been on this journey of downs and ups. May 2012 be a great year ahead for us all.

God Bless and thank you for being there. We couldn't have travelled this long journey without the love and support of our fantastic families, friends and friends of friends.

We have set up a Hero Page for Zoe Hope's birthday to raise money for Miracle Babies. If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause please follow the link. Or is you would just like to look at the Hero Page enjoy.

http://miraclebabiesfundraising.org.au/amanda_dippenaar

Love Mandi, Jan, Tyler, Henry and ZOE HOPE xxxxx

Where has the past 4 months gone?

Well firstly apologies to those of you who have continuously checked Zoe Hope's blog for the latest news. After a rough winter with the colds etc we just got too bogged down into life at home and focused on the kids and their needs.

Zoe Hope is now 11 months old (birthday in 5 days time). Wow what a year! She now weighs 6.12kgs and has just gone into OO clothing size. She is now sitting up and has been doing so for about 5 weeks now. She got her first tooth last Monday and the second has nearly cut through.  She continues to be on oxygen at night time and this will continue until she has a review with her specialist early February.

Zoe Hope has been diagnosed with a hole in her heart which given some time may close on its own as she continues to grow or may need to be medically closed. We will have to wait and see over the coming months. She will be reviewed by her Cardiologist in April. She regularly attends physiotherapy to help with her motor skills and is doing very well.

She is now on three meals a day and continues to enjoy her milk. Zoe Hope has been going to play group Nurture Time with Miracle babies and this has been a wonderful time for mum and Zoe Hope to meet and mingle with other families of Premature and or sick babies.

She delights in time with all of us here at home especially her Great Grandmother and her grand parents who regularly come to visit. Henry and Tyler continue to enjoy the interaction with Zoe Hope as she giggles and smiles and watches their every move.

Zoe Hope was Dedicated on the 23rd October at  CABC West Ryde and this was a fabulous day for us all. (Photo below).

Zoe Hope has come so far over the past 11 months and we thank you all for your continued prayers and love and friendship as we travel this journey.  We praise God for all our children and the many miracles he blesses us all with.

We all would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and hope that you enjoy time with your loved ones and share in the many special moments together.

Love 'The Dippies'