My daughter was born September 8, 2006. She was born at 26 weeks. I went into labor on Labor Day that year. It was my first baby and I had no idea that I was in labor. I went to the hospital because my back hurt.

What a night that was. I was put into the hospital with a very amazing NICU. They gave me steroid shots to mature the lungs as well as medicine to stop the labor.

After five days of fighting labor they decided to let it happen. She was born vaginally and came out already with a will to fight. Soon after, they took her to the NICU and had to put her on a special ventilator to keep her lungs open. She also had to have surgery to close her pda. She was covered with IVs and tubes from head to toe.

With lots of love, caring and prayers she fought her battle to live. Eighty-six days later she was able to come home. She, of course, had to come home with oxygen and a heart monitor.

You would never know this now. She is a healthy, amazing 2-year-old and has no signs of her micro preemie status. She is a small package with a will and a stubbornness to be respected. Her name is Lena. She is truly a miracle.

I am forever grateful to the NICU at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas.

A forever grateful mom and dad