HISTORY: Isabella was adopted into the Smith family July 18, 2008. She had been born 2-months prematurely, and was 2 months old when we got her. One week later, she suddenly had a breathing crisis and was rushed to the hospital following a traumatic resuscitatation.

This was the begginning of a (now) seven month odyssey. Isabella suffers from Bronchial Displasia, related to premature lungs at birth. Whenever she gets a cold or flu bug, within hours it can become life-threatening.

Between medical incidents, Bella (or "Bellaboo" as Marc calls her) is strong, fat, healthy, robust, smart, active, alert. She is an EASY baby, happy, sleeps well, eats well. However, over 40% of her little life since birth has been spent in the Intensive Care Unit -- with either her Mommy or her Daddy at her side.
INTRODUCTION: We created this “blog” to efficiently update friends on the health of little Isabella, so they may continue to uphold her and us in prayer.

As of this intro (August 9) Isabella remains in ICU in critical condition, recovering from a deadly lung virus. Phil and Corenne continue to stay with her around the clock.

Isabella was adopted into the Smith family on July 18, 2008, after a seven year wait to adopt a baby girl. She was two months old and in good health, but had been born 2 months prematurely, and at 6 lbs was still the size of a brand new infant. Isabella had been with us only one week when she stopped breathing and was rushed to the ICU.

In this blog, I have copied and pasted a number of e-mailed updates sent out to friends at different points during this month-long odyssey.