Look at her pretty face!!! Peyton is free of oxygen tubes and I couldn’t be more proud. It has been a long road to get to this day. Being born more than 17 weeks early, Peyton’s lungs were extremely underdeveloped. She spent nearly two months intubated, followed by a CPAP and eventually some simple oxygen to help her breath. Over the months, we got used to the tubes, even forgetting they were on her face. But, boy doesn’t she look different now?!? I spent several hours yesterday, just staring at her beautiful face (and took hundreds of pictures!).
We had her monthly Nicu check up yesterday and I had been crossing my fingers that we would be done with the oxygen. We have spent 3 months at home, wheeling around a massive tank and constantly checking Peyton to make sure she was handling her oxygen. You can tell that P didn’t like her tubes by the many scratches she had on her face! Peyton screamed as the stickers were pulled from her face, not realizing the major milestone she reached. I don’t think it really sank in for me until I posted a picture on my Facebook page. Thousands of people instantly “liked” it and I started pouring through the comments before I even left the Nicu. As I drove away from the hospital, tears began to flood my eyes. My baby jumped over another hurdle. The tears kept flowing for hours, as I realized how important this day was. Every time Peyton reaches a new milestone, I am brought back to the day she was born.
From the early days of not knowing whether she would survive, to the later months spent learning to eat and breath in the Nicu…this princess is quite the fighter! Everyday, I’m amazed at how far she has come and it is something I don’t think I will ever get over. By most medical standards, this petite little girl shouldn’t be here. Yet, somehow she has overcome everything in her path and I know she will continue to thrive as she grows up. She truly is the definition of a miracle!
Now back her latest health update. As many of you have commented, Peyton is definitely filling out. She’s 3 months adjusted age and still barely on the graph for height and weight. She is close to 9 1/2 lbs, but doctors have us giving her extra calories to beef her up! As for what’s next–mainly a whole lot of monitoring. She still needs to grow and develop, which she is behind in, due to her prematurity. While the tubes are off of her face, we are still keeping an eye on her oxygen levels. We have her hooked up to a monitor at night to make sure she is doing well breathing on her own. Our hope is that she is completely done with the tubes, but we have the oxygen tanks handy just in case she needs it. Peyton works with therapists every week and still has several check ups with various doctors. But, she is well on her way! And on a side note, I donated a huge bag of clothes to the Nicu. So many people sent Peyton clothes and I know how much it meant to us while we were in the Nicu. It’s hard to find preemie clothes, especially when you’re spending all of your time at the hospital, caring for your child. So we decided to give back to other little babies in the Nicu. We kept a few of Peyton’s first outfits (and tutus and headbands!). I think Miss P will have fun using those for her dolls someday. The others, we donated. I’m sure many of you who sent us clothes will be happy to know that other children will be making use of the adorable outfits. It brought my family so much joy, I know it will do the same for others!
No blog post is complete without Peyton’s faces. I had fun snapping some pictures without her tubes. You would think she would be all smiles without the extra equipment, but NO…she just wanted to show her “lip” and diva personality!
And one final note–What is going on with her hair??? It’s SO dark and long on top! It’s even long enough for hair clips, though I think we will stick to the headbands for now. Meanwhile, the WAND news crew is coming by tonight to tape a hello from my family to yours. Look for it on the news (or on the web), probably on Monday. We can’t wait to show off Peyton’s clean face on tv! And with her progress, it means I should be getting back to work soon. Thanks for all of the well wishes!
You can get daily updates on my Facebook page, just click the link and “like” the page. Stacey’s Facebook Page
Awesome news!!Love the pics.
How exciting.That`s so nice of you to donate the clothes so other babies can enjoy
HUGS
jane
I am so happy about your wonderful news. Peyton looks wonderful which means Mom, and Dad have done a marvelous job of taking care of this little miracle girl. Thank you for the update. You made my day.
Yeah Peyton! You look absolutely beautiful in your new pictures! May God continue to Bless you and protect you!
such a phenomenal update! Thanks so much for taking the time to share her story with us!! I LOVE the pic of you holding your tube free baby in the hospital hallway (?)….You are GLOWING. I’m sure you just want to spin and dance with her!!!! Congrats Lehl family! Continued prayers for Peyton’s awesome development!!!
Thanks Jen! I was definitely teary eyed in that picture! So happy.
She was beautiful before but my goodness she is absolutely gorgeous now!!! Way to go Peyton!!!
Oh Stacey this post just makes me so happy. We are praying for you guys and look forward to watching more milestones to come! Sweet sweet Peyton is such a fighter- she gets that from you and Ryan (: also the Nicu clothes donation was such a great gesture- thank you so much for these updates!! Hugs from Idaho!
Wow Peyton! You were gorgeous before but now… watch out world. There is NOTHING stopping this little force of nature.
Great news! So happy for all of you. Love seeing all the pictures! Thank you for sharing!!
Oh wow – it must feel so different to Peyton to not have the oxygen tubes stuck to her face. What a relief to her (and you!). She is just too cute. I love her little faces. It really makes me wish I had little babies still. <3
Hey, hey, hey Miss Peyton, good for you!!! Am so happy the tubes are gone and you are growing like a weed (a pretty little weed.) LOL You have such a sweet smile and I have to say I love the pout!! CONGRATS to you and your Mommy and Daddy!!
Thanks for the update! She looks so good without the tubes. Bet she likes it too. so great of you to donate and give back to others struggling. Bless you all.
Praise the lord so happy for peyton and mom and dad she looks amazing
I so happy for you. You make me smile every time I read what you have done. God is good
So, so happy for Peyton as she starts a new journey of life without her tubes and oxygen. God be with her& her entire family.
yay, we were over there yesterday too, but floor below as our little one was being her own diva also. I’m so excited that Peyton is doing so awesome!! 🙂
Peyton you rock the party that rocks the party! You are beautiful. You look like your pretty mama. Good job Mama!
Praise the Lord so glad to hear your little Peyton is doing much better and is able to get off the oxygen.
Way to go, Peyton! Fantastic news, Stacey!
What a great thing, am so happy for you all.
great new and another huge milestone wonderful and makes us all appreciate the little things so congratulations
Stacey, I so remember going through those milestones with my daughter. You will never forget them. I still look at my daughter who is now 40ish and still remember those days when she only weighed 1lb and 12oz and wondered if I would ever get to take her home. You have a Wonderful Baby and she is very very pretty. Good luck with your next step !
Love the picture of Miss P in her daddy’s arms! Haven’t written but have read most of your posts, and have prayed for y’all, and have rejoiced with you. God is good!
Blessing
She is such a beautiful little girl and I have really enjoyed watching her grow! I am so glad she is doing so well and each milestone is such a celebration for all!! Love reading all your blogs!! Thanks for all the positive even in the negative! Your family is my inspiration!!
Love the picture of her with out the tubes and how she is growing she my be off charts for things but she will get their and thanks for all the time you take to post pictures and up dates for all of us. Loved the stack of clothes you donated to help others,very thoughtful and maybe they can pass on as well when they don’t need. God bless you each day and keep the pictures coming look forward to the Monday pictures
Pat
So very happy for the great report and shedding of the tube! I LOVE the ‘raised eyebrow’ and ‘lip’ pictures! I feel so blessed being allowed to share in this journey with you and your family! Looking forward to see what milestone Miss P will clear next! Blessings to you all!
She is adorable and such big big eyes.
I love that nurse 😉
how wonderful to see the changes. God has great plans for all of you. so happy for all of you. God bless.
She gets prettier every day. Just like her Mommy. Glad she is doing so well. God bless you.
What fantastic news!!! Peyton is so adorable and continues her cuteness. I enjoy all the Monday morning cuteness and your blog about Miss Peyton. I enjoy that you and your family is sharing your life. Miss Peyton is truly a miracle and will keep being a miracle. You and Ryan have done a wonderful job taking care of her. I hope that she continues to make milestones and will because of the two precious angels that are watching her and your family.
Can NOT stop smiling after reading this update, Stacey! Peyton looks so strong-holding her head up so well in Ryan’s arms! She is just beautiful- I keep looking at these pics over & over! Sending love to you all:)
What a little blessing she is absolutely adorable!
Love reading your updates! Peyton is absolutely adorable. Miss you and sending hugs!
So many prayers answered. Congratulations to all of you on reaching this milestone. Clearly God has special plans for Peyton and you in the future. May each new day bring many happy and joy-filled moments. Blessings.
Good Morning Peyton, Thank you for letting all of us share in your progress. You bring special meaning to the word miracle. Great plans must be in store for you. A beautiful blessing of love.
Hi Miss Peyton You made my day knowing you are free from the oxygen tubes. Your face is so cute, nice work Mom and Dad. God is watching over you all, as well as Abby and Parker/ Love your updates and all the pictures.
Why to go Peyton, Your a sweet girl and a cutie . keep fighting and with all the prayers and love from God family and friends your going to be fine.
I have been keeping up on every detail on Peyton, saw the article on the news this evening and yes she is beautiful. When you held up her first outfit it is truly hard to believe just how much she has grown. She looks wonderful and am so happy for all of you with her progress and her continued progress the next 15 years to just see what an adorable young lady she gets to be. Then mom and dad hang on you will get a real work out and a run for your money. 😛 Oh well will just be another page to add to her book.
Hi, Peyton and parents! I saw u last week on the news, sweetie. U r such a precious and pretty and cute baby girl, and God has gifted u with the most amazingly loving mama and daddy!! U will always have my prayers and best wishes. God has a plan for ur life, and I’m excited for u. Love u!! ♡♡♡