Pronounced Arr-ee-yuh
This little angel was a dream to photograph.
She had a very rough entry into this beautiful world of ours. She was born at 36 weeks weighing 4 lbs. and 8 oz. She has Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia (TEF/EA). She had to have surgery right away to attach her trachea to her stomach. After a 53 day stay in the NICU and enduring so much, her parents were finally able to bring her home when she was 8 weeks old. At this newborn photo shoot she was actually 11 weeks old.
But this post isn’t just about little Aria. Her young parents were expecting a healthy baby and were thrown into this unexpected heartache. They experienced so much during their long stay in the hospital. There was loss and grief all around them. In some ways it was a crisis of their faith. But they kept their hearts open, were real with their grief and fear, and came out joyful. Today, they focus on what they have instead of what they almost didn’t. I am sure there are concerns and challenges ahead. But they are walking obediently in joy and faith, trusting their Heavenly Father to enable them to meet those challenges.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Today, Aria is now 7 months old and weighs 14 pounds. She is thriving!
