My Oldest Daughter

My oldest daughter was my largest baby at birth, weighing a total of 8 pounds, 7 ounces. I pushed for a total of 2.5 hours, and she only made her way because her clavical bone broke. I had gestational diabetes and was scheduled to be induced, so I prayed that she would come on her own and she did. She was born a couple of weeks early, and she was the most precious baby I’d ever seen!

Between 4-6 months, she began vomiting—projectile vomit. Then it progressed to there being specs of blood in the vomit. I was told by her pediatirican that her stomach valve was not fully developed, and that she had GERD. The GERD medication was not helpful, and the only thing that slightly helped was her being held upright during feedings, which meant after her feedings, she would be put into her carseat because of the upright position. She was very uncomfortable because of the GERD and would cry and be hard to soothe.

My husband and I did the best we could. I remember her being so tiny. She was only 14 pounds at her first birthday. People would comment about how small she was for her age. After some time, her pediatirican switched her to Pediasure. Pediasure stayed down and she did not throw up as much, but it was also very sweet. As if her GERD was not enough, she now had to be put under because of all her cavities that resulted from the GERD and Pediasure. The only way to do that for a toddler was to be put to sleep.

When my daughter was 12, she started getting taller and transitioned into the juniors department. This felt normal until she grew another 3 inches in the timespan of what seemed to be only 6 months! From the age of 12-17, she grew several inches!

She is now 5’9 and thriving—a walking testimony! She is a high school graduate, on her way to her first year in college, healthy, and with no current cavities (I hope). Who would have thought, someone weighing only 14 pounds at her first brithday would grow to be close to 6 ft tall?! I am not very tall, and my husband is about 5’10. But an Asian woman, who is almost 6 ft is rare! My middle daughter is about my height, and I have yet to see how tall my youngest will be.

So, you can imagine that she gets looks everywhere she goes, by people who are amazed by her height. When she goes to Hmong events, people come up and ask to take pictures with her as if she is a celebrity. And at our family gatherings, she is one of the tallest in the bunch. I joke and tell her, “you love looking down on me, don’t you—like literally!” She may be used to people commenting on her height, but when I hear it, I am always filled with joy and gratitude at God’s handiwork. He knew she would grow to be a tall woman, regardless of her troubles in her first year of life. Praise be to God for what He has done and for this testimony of God’s love and grace.

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for my daughter and this amazing testimony. It was not easy, being a first time mother with all the struggles, but You were faithful and came through! We had many road bumps along the way, but You were always there. You knit her in my womb (Psalm 139:13) and did not let her GERD get in the way of her growth. Now she stands almost 6 ft tall! Right now Father, I just lift up all the readers to you in Jesus’ name. For those needing a breakthrough, needing hope, or more faith, I pray this testimony would encourage them and point them back to You. Many times we look at our circumstances and become discouraged, or highlight our problems and make You small. But you are not weak or powerless! May they know You are the God of the impossible (Luke 1:37) and that you care about them (1 Peter 5:6-7). Meet their needs Lord, let them taste You and see that You are indeed good (Psalm 34:8). Bless them and keep them. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam