I just returned from finally seeing, in person, my one and only grandchild, the miracle Baby Romee, aka Braveheart, now 3 months old. She has a strong spirit that will serve her well, considering what she will be facing as she outgrows her reconstructed coronary vessels.
I felt like I was meeting an “old soul.” I couldn’t stop staring at Baby Romee. Her facial expressions constantly changed from moment to moment—from expressions of curiosity, wonderment, and smiles of delight, to screaming related to either hunger, diaper content, or need for a nap. The nursing appeared to be approximately every two hours, except at night when she went for longer stretches without waking up and nursing. She sleeps about 15 hours a day.
Barrett and Danni are wonderful parents, loving and attentive. They share in the many tasks of parenting which works out well.
Who would ever guess that this baby girl had open heart surgery shortly after birth, just three months ago?
Danni pumps her breasts to get extra breast milk which she freezes so that later it can be put in a bottle for Barrett to feed her. I loved participating in the feeding.
Strolling along the Truckee River that starts at Lake Tahoe and runs down along the town of Truckee, right below Barrett and Danni’s home.
Spending the day near Lake Tahoe, one of the most pristine non alpine lakes in our country.
“You’re just too good to be true. Can’t take my eyes off of you!” One of the many songs I sang to the miracle baby.
Loving Father…
Romee is fascinated by the images that Danni places in front of her to look at.
OMG! The world looks so different sitting up! What a wonder to behold.
Taking a stroll along Donner Lake, near Donner Pass, a beautiful place with a grisly history from the distant past that you probably have heard about.
I adore holding Romee in my arms.
All set to go on a date with the outside world.
Thank you again and again for all of your prayers, thoughts, and loving kindness. They made a big difference!
With much gratitude,
Erica/Gramma Rikki
Hello Erica, I just got around to reading the story of your miraculous granddaughter. Such a wonderful outcome so far! I hope that Romee continues to be a healthy happy baby. With such parents and a grandmother like you she should flourish! What does her name signify?
Sending love and prayers for you, Barrett, Danni, and Romee!
How wonderful to find your message, Mary Ray. Danni chose the word Romee. It has no meaning as far as I know. Thank you for your prayers. She is not out of the woods yet. I will be posting Part IV in a day or two where I talk about what lies ahead. I am so very grateful for everyone’s love and prayers.Thank you so much. Love, Erica
How wonderful Erica to see these beautiful photos of you with your adorable granddaughter, Romee, and Barrett and Danni. Such a beautiful, loving, family! I’m so happy you got to be with your granddaughter! You too look like you have a wonderful connection; and she looks healthy and vibrant. I will hold dear Romee in my prayers and visualize her staying strong, healthy, and well! Much love, Linda Frisone
Thank you for those beautiful words, dear Linda! I am grateful for your prayers and visualizations. Love and hugs, Erica
Such a beautiful healthy miracle baby, dear Romee. Pure joy, love and inspiration, Romee and her family. The lives you all touch are blessed and the world is a better place.
A bounty of gratitude and love to you all
Sara
Pure joy and inspiration, Romee and her family. The lives you all touch are blessed and the world is a better place.
A bounty of gratitude and love,
Sara
Thank you so much, dear Sara!
My Dear Erica,
I can clearly see your hearts joy while holding baby Romee. The family looks like they are enjoying every moment. It was nice to see some pictures of you as well – you look good as always. I can’t believe it’s been 12 years since we have seen each other. Far too long!
So glad Braveheart has you on her team to guide her on the path ahead. Take care of yourself and all of them.
Miss you and love to you all.
Perri Jackson
What a treat to hear from you, Perri! I thinking of you often, especially when I’m in the garden and hear the wind chime you gave me many years ago. I often wonder how you are doing. You are another miracle person–thriving against all odds. You are, in your own way, another Braveheart.Sending you much love always, Erica
Erica,
Finally you got to hold her and find the fulfilment of being a Grandmother.
So happy for you and the good outcome.
So heartwarming in these fragile times.
Love,
Susan
Yes, these are definitely fragile times we live in. Braveheart is like a beacon of light. I appreciate your comments, Susan. Love, Erica
It makes me so happy to see Romee and you together!
What a beautiful family!!
She is a very lucky girl to have such wonderful parents and you for her grandmother!!
Sending so much love to all of you.
I’m so grateful for all your loving kindness and support, Grace. With much appreciation, Erica
Yay! Soooooo happy to see you with Braveheart in your arms!
and, what a fashion-plate she it. Who did all the beautiful knitting? You? Danni?
It’s such a wonderful experience for all of us to witness what prayer and love can do. Thank you for including us so personally through this venue. Beautiful, miraculous and simply wonderful. A good dose of something like this goes a long way.
so much love and so very happy for you!
Sidney
Thank you for your lovely message, Sidney. A friend did the knitting. Danni is turning into a fashionista!! Yes, it’s truly miraculous what love and prayer can do. With love and many blessings, Erica
congrats erica!
Thanks, Suzanne!
Happy for you…very sweet baby and family
Thank you, Linda!!
Aloha dear Erica,
Makes me so happy to see the Love and Joy you all share. What a beautiful story of recovery and resilience. May your little Braveheart have a long, healthy, and wonderful life. And may she be grateful for the amazing family she’s part of, especially her Gramma Rikki.
I hope your journey there and back went well. I was you seat mate on the flight from ABQ to PHX and feel very fortunate to have met you. Watching your Tedx talk, finding your website and reading your posts is so inspiring.
Sending Love, Light, and Rainbows! Mahalo – thank you!
Kitt
You’re that amazing lady I sat next to who was so tech savvy and totally charming and full of kindness in helping me figure out things. Thank you so much for all of your kind words. Mahalo. Much love and warm hugs, Erica
Thank you for the heartwarming report of your granddaughter, little Romee! What a beautiful miracle baby! And you look so happy! Congratulation! Love and a warm hug, Traude
Thanks so much, Traude! So nice to hear from you. Much love, Erica
Dear Erica
I feel so privileged to share in the joy that is expressed in these lovely photos of dear little Braveheart and you and your family. She is bringing so many blessings to you all. We share in the great honour of being Grandmothers!
Lots of love
Dear Hermina, I always appreciate your comments. Thank you for those kind words. Love, Erica
Great pictures. (I know you were having trouble getting the pictures posted and apparently the 1st one and the one titled “Loving father” did not come through, at least for me.)
I loved getting a peep into your visit and Romee’s world. However, even in that spectacularly dramatic country, my favorite picture is the one of you holding Romee. I hope you’ve got that one on your wall for virtual baby hugs.
Thank you sharing the joy.
I’m so sorry about the quirks and glitches of WordPress. It seems something goes wrong with every posting. I need to ask my tech guy if he can help me with these problems. Thank you so much for your comments. Much love and hugs, Erica
What a precious baby she is. I love seeing you holding her and all the joy in your smile and
eyes. You have much wonder to look forward to. I love you. Lots of best wishes to you all,
Lorien Judy McClenaghan
Thank you so much!! Sending you love and warm hugs!
Excellent pictures. I like the dog and the toes especially. and the two last pictures.
Thank you so much, Lynn!!
Erik and I both thank you for your update on baby Romee, along with the photos, wow!
I personally resonate mostly, with the visualization of baby Romee, as an adult,
On the other side of all her needed surgeries to come. Reminding us all, to keep this visualization
In our hearts and prayers too….we have all been and are, and always will be, like her extended family.
It’s such a sacred gift, to hold our grandchild for the very first time…such happy memories.
Remember,…..that Dannie and Barrett are Bravehearts, chosen parents, as you are
Her wise and loving grandmother.
All our continued love Erica, Diane and Erik
What a beautiful message, Di and Erik. Yes, you do indeed feel like my extended family. I love very much, Erica
I am happy that you are there, getting to know that precious being!
Love from me.
Thank you, dear Margo. Love, Erica
OMG, those eyes. Old soul indeed!! So glad you got to do this, Erica!
Thanks so much, Kenn!
I think grandparents should be at least coequal caregivers for grand children. Grandparents have greater life experience wisdom their lives are settled and calm. Not trying to accomplish goals. Erica it’s great to see you as engaged as you are. Yay.
How nice to hear from you, Karl. I agree totally with what you said. I think when Romee gets older I will be able to get more involved with her life. Love, Erica
Wonderful news Erica and especially happy to see your with Romee. So glad you have had such amazing support!
Thanks so much, Malika!!
So sweet. So glad for you and whole family.
Thanks, Leah. I know you feel the same joy with your grandchildren.
Thanks for expanding from Facebook. These photos are much easier to see, and to truly appreciate. What smiles on grandma’s and Romee’s faces.
Thanks so much, Sue. I always appreciate what you have to say because I know you are 100% sincere. Love, Erica
What a wonderful trip!
She looks amazingly healthy! We used to look for a well-developed round head and a nice head of hair for babies her age, and she has both! You look excellently healthy, too.
I just adore your audiobooks, btw. You tell such good stories. Here’s hoping for another one when you have the time.
Hi Mercy, Thanks very much for your comment. I’m also thrilled that you are enjoying my audiobook. My second memoir will come out in the spring. It’s all set to go. And I’m currently working on my third memoir about my unusual trajectory in medicine. Thank you so much for your feedback. It means a lot to me.
these photos are so beautiful and so healing and appreciate your sending them with a report. She looks so happy surrounded by you anther parents.
Thank you so much for your comment, Marcia. I appreciate it very much. Love, Erica
I love seeing all these beautiful pictures of Barrett, Dani,you and little Romee! What a beautiful thing that she is so well and healthy and happy in this wonderful family. And has the best grandmama.♥️
I’m visualizing this little girl as a wonderful strong adult woman on the other side of her surgeries ,with some great tales to tell. As she’s hiking up mountains with her grandmother!
Much love Christine
I LOVE that image, Christine!! I will hold that in my heart. Love always, Erica
Thank you for keeping us updated with wonderful photos of beautiful Braveheart. So glad you could have this special time with her and in nature’s wonderland. Take good care. Carol
Thanks so much, Carol!! I hope all is well with you these days. Love, Erica
It gladdened my heart to see you with your grandchild and that she is doing so well. Such a beautiful child. God bless all.
Thank you so much, Isobel.
What a beautiful little bundle!! Congratulations to you and your family. Such blessings…
Thank you so much, Kelly!! Hugs, Erica
Romee is like a magnifying glass that focuses our attention on what is important– love and the constant miracle of life. Thank you for sharing your family with your larger family. So moving and reassuring in these awry times. You’ve raised Barrett to be independent and resourceful, just what’s needed in Truckee where Romee will be well-bundled in love. Your strengths will be amplified by ours to support her journey. I feel enriched to share in your fulfillment.
Thank you for being part of Romee’s and my larger family! I’m so grateful for your loving kindness and your beautiful expressions of support. They mean so much to me, Bob. Love, Erica
Thank you, Erica, for sharing these beautiful images of your truly GRANDaughter! She’s a beam of light and hope. And her fashion sense is sublime too:). You look so perfectly happy… it’s a delight to see you with little Braveheart🩷
Thank you, Paddy, for those kind words. Danni has an excellent sense of fashion. All those baby clothes were gifts at a baby shower. I was impressed! My son only had about 3 outfits when he was a baby. Haha!
Once again Erica you and I are on the same wave length. I was going to send you an email later in the day asking about Braveheart. So glad to hear she is doing so well. What a beautiful soul. Loved the photos you sent. Thank you for these. Continued prayers and healing energy going out to Braveheart. Love and light to all.
I’m so grateful for your prayers and loving kindness, Cyndi!!