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.

November 2008: Life with Isabella


Isabella has been home two months now, and charms everyone that she sees!

Unfortunately, however, she is a little bit fragile when it comes to cold and flu viruses affecting her lungs, and our otherwise thriving little baby occasionally demonstrates her vulnerability.

In early November, Isabella was hospilized for a week with respritory problems, and remained on oxygen and monitors and home for another week. She is now back to perfect health, smiling, wiggling, and happy. She sleeps through the night, rarely complains, and is a very easy baby.