What an amazing baby. He was born a couple months after Piper and was the surviving twin of a 25 week delivery. For a baby born so early/little, it was amazing that he appeared to just be a baby needing to grow. But even though his anatomy was pretty much perfect, he unfortunately seemed to get the brunt of every infection and bug going around the NICU, causing emergency surgeries and hard core meds.

Mikey, his mother Patty and their incredibly touching story have affected my life forever. Patty has been a huge support to us even after we left the NICU and has consistantly called to check up on me and Piper every few days since I met her last summer. The friendship we have is especially important because of our similar situation. The mothers of long term hospital babies definetely understand eachother and sometimes when we've had conversations, I felt like she could read my mind.

I'm so thankful for the strong friendship and example Patty has given me. I'm so thankful for the 8 month fight Mikey put up. I'm thankful to know that he is with his brother Timmy and can be without tubes, IVs and other annoyances. I'm sad to see my last NICU friend's journey at Columbia end, but am so amazed at her determination and strength.

Piper has certainly brought me to meet people like this and know things I would have never learned of without her. How's that for a life's calling?