Miracle Girl Gabriella - Rest Peacefully, Sweet Angel.

August 21, 2008

My ever changing hair styles.

The nurses love keeping my hair stylish!

August 18, 2008

A beautiful dress.

Nurse Linda brought Gabbie several new dresses yesterday-much appreciated!

Gabbie looked beautiful in this pink floral cotton dress and pony tails today. She watched Baby Einstein and Mickey Mouse today on video in addition to her physical therapy and is at her maximum feeds at 40 mls per hour.

She also made it through her "shots" without any fever or issues yesterday too-hooray for Gabbie!

Physical Therapy Day.

Today was Physical Therapy Day. Nurses say Gabbie enjoyed sitting in her chair and playing with the therapists, but they "pooped" her out! Grandma's visit = sleepy time, not even a peek today!

August 17, 2008

Baby Winnie Pooh.

A new white baby Winnie Pooh. Another addition to the "animals" watching over Gabbie.

More comforting Kisses before the Shots begin.

Kisses from Daddy before "Shots".

Croc-style shoes.

The nurses love the new Croc-style shoes!

Today is shots day.

Nurse Linda preparing Gabbie for scheduled "shots" today. Relaxing before getting "stuck". :(

Nurse Linda gave Gabbie this beautiful pink floral dress today. Matches perfectly with her pink shoes. Thankyou, Nurse Linda.

Practicing Kisses.

Still practicing to perfect kisses. (s-m-a-c-k) See Mommy in the foreground and Nurse Michele in the background at the Nurse's station.

A better grip on Hello Kitty!

Holding Hello Kitty!

Another "big eyes" pic.

Nurse Michele, Grandma and Me.

It's good to see Nurse Michele. She works part time now, so I don't see her as much. She's still one of my favorite "Angels".

Grandma massages my arm.

I really love for grandma (or anyone!) to massage my arm.

Mommy had to have a pic of my Nike shoes.

Another view!

Awake with two new bottom teeth.....

Showing off two new bottom teeth!

Sleeping with two new bottom teeth...

August 15, 2008

Sneaking a peak at Grandma's camera.

Although I am sleepy today, I always know when family is near. I am trying to open my eyes, but can't quite make it!

Today - Sunday - Gabbie's Final Blog.

Today's entry marks the final blog for Gabriella's website, except for her final Professional Picture in her pink dress that will be added upon it's arrival from the photographer at Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. It is my hope that everyone who visited this site or who continues to look back at this site, caught a glimpse of my beautiful Angel of a granddaughter, Gabriella Christina Mayo. It has been a grandmother's point of view of her very precious, loving and giving grandbaby who touched the hearts of so many people while laying in her crib for the past nine months. Even though she couldn't go to them-daily visitors came to her, being drawn, I am certain, and in return, Gabbie reached out to them with her message of unconditional love. If you were one of those visitors, it was no accident. It was ordained that you be there. That you know Gabbie, and that Gabbie know you. There was something truly special about this fragile, little girl. It was amazing to me. It was God. My love to you all. God bless you greatly for loving my granddaughter. Jean Mayo

The Future of This BlogSite

Family & Friends - even friends that we have not yet met,
Even with the sad passing of our lovely Gabbie, who is now (we believe) the brightest, little star in the heavens, this blogsite with continue with her last few days of life pics, along with any touching letters, comments or thoughts that have been shared with us concerning Gabbie. In addition, the "celebration of her life" pics and last professional "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" pics will also be added. After that, this blogsite will be attached to the upcoming foundation in her memory to help fund research for future diaphram & nerve transplants - something that was not available at present for Gabbie, in order to save her life. The blogsite, in total with all entries will be available for understanding Gabbie's plight & getting to know this angel. Her father, her uncle and her grandmother are committed to starting the foundation in her memory, so please look for information concerning it and how you can help in mid-January/2009 - what would have been Gabbie's first year birthday. As far as is known, the foundation will carry the name Gabriella's Miracle Foundation, however, this may be subject to name change. This foundation not only plans to fundraise for her cause, but to also provide charity events in her memory. We already have many, many volunteers on board, ready and waiting to help. We thank God for this. The number one focus will be to honor God with the memory of our lovely Gabriella. Thank you and God Bless. The Mayo family.

MANY THANKS.

Gabriella loves...

family & friends
napping in the hospital rooftop courtyard!
the wind in her hair!
the sunshine on her face!
her "pull toy" rattles
lots of comforting
Sunshine, the Elephant
splashing water in her bath tub
holding things in her hand.
daily visitors.
her Angels.
music, music, music!
her hand free from the "sock"
Hello Kitty!
her new rattles!
her Papasan chair -but not the vibration!
pointing!
trying to reach for things
her handmade Hello Kitty quilt from New Mexico
watching movies!
watching her bugs mobile
listening to her new CD player
smiling!
poking herself in the eye!
watching the camera!
sticking out her tongue
her cool sister (and can she sing!)
visits from family members-please come!
kisses from family
smiling when mommy speaks Spanish
lots of attention from bedside!
her bathtime-especially the back massages
to take naps
her "angel" nurses
her Great Grandma's specially made bright colored quilt
to look at herself in her mirror
to put her fist in her mouth!

Milestones

preparing for "angel wings" - 9 months
roadtrip outdoors for the first time - 9 months
loss in some motor skills & eye focusing
breakthrough seizures periodically
brain fluid swelling due to fever/seizure activity - 8 months
seizure activity as a result of high fever - 8 months
high fever due to unknown origin - up to 108F - 8 months
first bath in baby bath tub - enjoys water!
shaking rattles
lots of active kicking
reaching hand/foot for visitors
second surgery-removal of gortex patch on wound
following visitors with eyes & head
turning head back & forth w/traech
holding rattles/toys in hand
7 month birthday
weaning from some medications.
two new bottom teeth!
feeding tube back in at 6 months.
6 month birthday
finds comfort in nurses/caretakers - 5.5 months
reaching for family & toys - 5.5 months
weaning off of some medications - 5.5 months
began watching movies & listening to lullabies - 5.5 months
reaching for things & family - 5.5 months
birthday celebration at 5 months
met Great Grandparents - 5 months.
blood infection cleared-5 months.
discovered her face-5 months.
sticking out tongue - 5 months
blood infection at the Central Line - 5 months
lots of smiles since recovering from surgery - present
moving head back/forth w/traech at 4.5 months
discovered her hand at 4.5 months
recovering from surgery-critical but good at 4 months
emergency surgery at 3 months
birthday: Jan 13, 2008

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are grateful for 9 months with our little Gabbie who was never supposed to live on several occasions, but due to her little warrior spirit-she surprised everyone-even the doctors. Even at the end, she was determined for 8 hours to fight and show the world that she could breathe on her own. She will always be our Miracle Girl. Please look for information concerning Gabriella's Miracle Foundation coming in January/2009. (name subject to change) Thanks so much to everyone for all your continued support. We stand through this because of your prayers and God's continued hand of strength upon us.