We got to celebrate her with the most beautiful birthday weekend surrounded by family, laughter, and so much love. Her birthday party was at Nana’s house where we had a petting zoo, built adorable fairy garden homes, and made so many sweet memories together. 

Watching Ailah laugh, play, and simply enjoy being a little girl filled my heart in ways I can’t fully explain. After a year filled with therapies, appointments, recovery, and hard seasons, this birthday felt like such a needed reminder to pause and celebrate just how far she has come. 

And then… life reminded us how quickly things can shift. 😅 

The very next day she started getting sick with what turned into a sinus infection and double ear infection. We started antibiotics, and the very next day she pushed through a five-day NDT intensive where she worked four hours a day. 

Watching her continue to show up and work that hard while not feeling her best reminded me once again just how incredibly strong she is. So much of what people see are the smiles and milestones, but behind every bit of progress is a little girl working harder than most people will ever realize. 

At the same time, I’ve been deep in insurance appeals trying to get approval for our out-of-network orthopedic surgeon to perform the guided hip growth surgery she urgently needs the second week of July. Balancing caregiving, therapies, sickness, medical planning, and fighting insurance approvals can honestly feel like a full-time job some days. 

 

But Ailah is worth every fight!

We are so hopeful this surgery, along with intensive therapy and continued rehabilitation, will help protect her hips, improve her comfort, and support her long-term mobility and quality of life. 

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us, encouraged us, celebrated Ailah, donated toward therapies and treatments, and continued standing beside our family through every season. We truly could not do this journey alone. 

 

Here’s to year six — more healing, more strength, more milestones, and more beautiful moments ahead for our sweet miracle girl. ✨🧚‍♀️💜