DH3 Full Story

I'll be 10 this year!

June 16, 2021

Yep, that's me holding a diaper that fit me when I was a newborn. Now- I'm a true video gamer and I love Mindcraft, Just Dance, and making TikTok videos! I also love science and have made great strides with my health. I was able to attend an intensive feeding therapy program at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland that helped me build consumption and acceptance of food. I'm maintaining my weight now! I continue hard work with speech and occupational therapies on feeding skills and one day, I will no longer need a G-tube.

GIFT SUPER HERO TURNS 6 YEARS OLD THIS WEEK!

July 13, 2017

A GiFT Super Hero turns 6 years old this week! This happy, healthy six year old spent 196 day in the NICU after he was born. Thanks for being a part GiFT family!

His mom had this to say: "We'll never ever forget you guys!! Wow how time flies, it seems just like yesterday I bought him home from the NICU!! GiFT has been such a blessing to my family and so many others. We truly appreciate the gift of GiFT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE & CONTINUE TO DO!! I included a few pictures so please share them amongst our gift family!"

I'VE COME A MIGHTY LONG WAY!

September 24, 2014

I'm now 3 years old and have started preschool this year. I still have my G-Tube but am working on my nutrition so one day it can be removed. My mom says she's so proud of me. I've come a mighty long way!! I enjoy singing my ABC's & other children songs. I know all my shapes and colors and even can count backwards!! My Mom said your organization has touched so many lives including ours. We will be forever grateful!! Love you guys.

GUESS WHO'S TWO?

August 28, 2013

This guy!   I know shapes, and colors, and how to count to 10.  I learn new words all the time.  I still have a special tube in my belly to help me grow but I'm learning how to eat new foods every day. 

GROWING UP

June 18, 2013

Hi GiFT, look at me, I've come a mighty long way!  I still have my very own nurse to help with my g-tube but I'm working on eating different foods.  I weigh 17lb.15oz now and Mom says I have to keep putting on the pounds.  I'm walking and talking and keeping Mommy busy.  I got a big boy hair cut, too.

NO MORE OXYGEN (YAY!)

February 24, 2013

October 2012: I just keep on growing!  I'm now 15lbs I still have my g-tube but I am eating a little by mouth. The oxygen is completely gone & I'm crawling all over the place.

MY FIRST BIRTHDAY

February 24, 2013

August 2012: I’m growing up fast, already celebrated my first Birthday.  I weigh 14 pounds and only have to wear oxygen when I sleep!  I’ve grown 2 teeth and am learning how to eat by mouth. Hopefully, I won’t need this tube in my belly any more!

HAPPY BABY

February 24, 2013

May 2, 2012: Well, I still need my oxygen and a special tube in my belly for feedings but I am doing great at home with my Mom!  I’m a happy baby and growing big & strong everyday.

HOME AT LAST

February 24, 2013

January 25, 2012: Look at me now, 8lbs, 5oz & I’ve finally made it home!!  I need a little oxygen and have a special tube for feedings but after 196 days in NICU, it’s GREAT to be home :)

MY FIRST BOTTLE, AT HALLOWEEN

February 24, 2013

October 31, 2011: On my first Halloween, I took my very first bottle and my Mom says I’m doing very well!  I’m growing fast now & weigh 4lbs, 3oz.

TIPPING THE SCALES

February 24, 2013

October 20, 2011: I’m now tipping the scales at 3 pounds & 11 ounces and I’m almost 15 inches long!  I’ve come a long way and hope to be home soon.

GROWING

February 24, 2013

August 31, 2011: I’ve had some ups & downs in the hospital, the doctors & nurses say it’s normal for a baby my size.  I’m getting bigger though and weigh 2lbs, 2oz now!

MEET FAMILY #3

February 24, 2013

August 10, 2011: When I was born, I weighed 1 pound, 7 ounces & I’ve gained almost 3 ounces since then!  I’ve got a lot more growing to do here at Mercy Children’s Hospital before heading home.  I might have to stay until November...I guess that’s a long time.  I have a special machine that’s helping me breath right now.  I also have a tube in my belly that helps me eat.  Hopefully, soon I’ll learn how to do this stuff on my own so I can go home with my Mom.

DH2 Full Story

GiFT Twins turn 10 years old!

We are in fourth grade this year!! Mom says we need a pause button! We love to swim, roller skate, sing and dance. We are very creative and love art. Lately, we've been helping in the kitchen, whether it be cooking or baking, especially the big holiday meals!!! This has us wanting to grow up and own their own bakery!

GiFT Twins turn 9 years old!

August 2020

GIFT DH TWINS ARE 8 YEARS OLD!!

October 8, 2019

We are growing up to be the most amazing girls ever! We love being cheerleaders…GOOO Irish!!

DESTINATION HOME TWINS TURN 7 YEARS OLD!!

August 6, 2018

We've come a long way from the NICU and are growing up fast. We are reading, learning Spanish, and doing all the things 7 year-old-girls love to do. We start 2nd grade next week!

SIX YEARS AFTER THE NICU!

August 28, 2017

We keep growing and learning! It's awesome when your BFF is also your twin sister :)

GIFT TWINS TURN 5!!

May 16, 2016

We spent the first three months of our lives in the NICU. We're turning 5 soon and we love being part of the GiFT family :)

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

September 3, 2014

Here we are on our first day of school.  We absolutely LOVE going to school because we're very smart :)  We can sing ABC's, count from 1 to 10, and we know all the shapes and colors.  Our Mom says we have definitely come a long way!

WE'RE ALMOST 3!

June 15, 2014

We've come a long way, we each weighed about two pounds when we were born and stayed in the NICU for the first three months of our lives.  It was a difficult time for our family but now, we're stylish and sweet (nearly) 3-year-old girls!  We can't wait to start school in August this year.

WE'RE ABOUT TO TURN 2!

June 18, 2013

Yep, that's right, we're about to turn two years old and we LOVE to play at the park! 

WE ARE GROWING UP!

April 9, 2013

Here are a few highlights from GiFT's exclusive photo shoot with Destination Home Family #2 in February of 2013!  These girls are making lots of progress.

"I learned how to walk!  Mom says I can help my sister learn to walk too, as soon as she gets her leg brace.   I can't wait until we're running around together!"

MOM GIVES THANKS

February 24, 2013

Our Mom said “GiFT was a true blessing. I am now a lifetime supporter of GiFT, and everything they stand for.”

FINALLY HOME

February 24, 2013

August 27, 2011: After spending the first 3 months of our lives in the hospital, we’re finally home!!!!

GROWING STRONG AND BOTTLE FEEDING

February 24, 2013

August 26, 2011: We are doing great, growing big & strong!  We don’t need help from a breathing machine anymore & we’ve both reached the 4 pound mark. Now, we are learning how to eat with a bottle...yum!

MEET THE TWINS

February 24, 2013

August 9, 2011:

Hi! We’re twin sisters and we were born 3 1/2 months early!  We’ve been on 2 ambulance rides together and get to share a room at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.  Since we were born so early, our lungs are not fully developed.  We’ve been breathing on our own some but right now we need a special machine that helps us; the doctors say it’s normal to need help with our breathing at our age; so we are just trying to get bigger.  Even though we each weigh almost 3 pounds, our Mom says we need to grow some more before coming home.

DH5 Full Story

GROWING UP AND MAKING STRIDES

July 5, 2019

I am 7 years old and the most amazing boy! I am keeping up with my peers physically and often surpass kids my age in reading and math. Despite a recent diagnosis of ADHD, I was selected to be evaluated for the gifted education program at school! I love being a big brother, playing outside, and hanging out with my family.

I'M A BIG BROTHER NOW!

August 29, 2016

It's official, I have a clean bill of health :)! My trach was removed in May 2015 and the stoma was closed in April this year. Now, I can go swimming without covering it. I don't need braces for my legs/ankles any more and the physical therapist says I'm performing like my peers. 

I won 2nd place in the pinewood car derby races. I started preschool and am excited to meet new friends there!

And, the most exciting thing in my life is my NEW baby sister, I LOVE being a big brother! 

MY FAVORITE PLACE IS OUTSIDE!

June 9, 2014

Mom says I'm growing into a normal ornery two-year-old boy.  I'm still small for may age but that's OK because I'm strong and healthy now. 

The first thing I want to do in the morning is go outside with my dog.  I know lots of words in sign language and am learning to use my voice too.  I can say:  dog, bubble, hi, mama, daddy, and uh-oh.  I also learned how to multitask at bath-time, I can brush my hair and teeth at the same time!

In a few weeks, I'm going back to the hospital for a procedure on my airway.  If everything looks good, the doctors might be able to take out my tach and I'll be able to breath through my nose and mouth.  In the meantime, let's go outside!!

GUESS WHO JUST TURNED 2?

March 17, 2014

This guy!   

TURNING TWO MUST BE THE EASIEST THING YOU'VE HAD TO DO, I JUST BLINKED MY EYES, AND IT HAPPENED TO YOU. SEEMS LIKE THE DAYS JUST GO SPEEDING RIGHT BY, WHY, YOU'LL PROBABLY TURN THREE IN THE WINK OF AN EYE. SO LET'S TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY, AND CHERISH THIS MOMENT BEFORE IT SLIPS FAST AWAY.

-Author Unknown

CHECK OUT MY SPECKS!

January 28, 2014

Do you like my new glasses?  Mom says I'm a fast learner.  Now that I can see things better, I'm going to learn even more.  I can sign 20 words and say uh-oh & mama.  I'll be two in March and keep hitting my major miles stones!  I weigh 25 lbs and am 30 inches tall.  I had surgery last Friday but you can't even tell, I surprised my parents by making a super speedy recovery!  The doctors think maybe they'll take out my trach this year!

VERY STRONG INDEED!

July 1, 2013

I had another surgery a couple of weeks ago and stayed in the hospital for awhile.  Since I'm big and strong now, I'm doing much better with recovery. I'm home with my family healing and getting lots of love.  The doctor said I might be able to have my trach out soon!

DO YOU LIKE MY NEW HAIRCUT?

June 3, 2013

Here I am after my second haircut, hanging out in my crib.  I love hanging out at the park, too.  I'm a happy boy! 

I JUST TURNED ONE!!

March 27, 2013

I'm growing up!  For my First Birthday, my parents asked our friends to make a donation to GiFT instead of getting me presents.   They're the best!

MOM GIVES THANKS

February 25, 2013

My Mom said “It's really nice to know someone is out there thinking of the families like mine who are at a challenged point in life.”

BREATHING EASY

February 25, 2013

December 8, 2012:  The surgeons put a special tube in my neck to help me breathe. I need to have more procedures but I’m happy to be home helping with the Christmas tree!  I’m almost 2 ft tall and weigh over 15 pounds!

BACK IN THE HOSPITAL

February 25, 2013

October, 2012:  I’m growing up and LOVE to eat, gained 12 pounds since I was born!  My Mom’s glad that I’ve gotten so big and strong because I need to have a few more operations on my airway :(  So far, I’ve had one and am back in the hospital.  The doctors & nurses take good care of me here but I want to go home soon!

FINALLY HOME!

February 25, 2013

June 25, 2012:  After almost 4 months in the hospital, I learned how to eat from a bottle and I’m finally home with my family!  I still need a little oxygen but hopefully, not for long.

GROWING STRONG

February 25, 2013

May 4, 2013:  I had surgery on my eyes last week and went back on a breathing machine for awhile, I’m feeling better now but am still fighting an infection.  The good news is that I’m up to 4 pounds now & I’m starting to have my feedings again.  

MEET DESTINATION HOME FAMILY 5

February 25, 2013  

May 4, 2012:  Here I am inside my isolette at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, patiently waiting until the day I’m ready to go home with my family.  When I was born, I had some heart troubles, breathing problems, and  I only weighed 1lb, 8oz.  I’m doing a lot better now & already weigh 3lb 11oz but Mom says I’ve got to grow up some more before I can leave. I’ll be concentrating on getting bigger!