Way Back Machine: Hannah, Part 2

One of the things about Hannah that was not easily realized in photos was just how small she was. 

Starting out at 4 pounds 3 ounces she didn't fill out this newborn sleeper. 

Her toes were just above where the leg cuffs started.

This picture was taken when she was about a week old. 

She was like a delicate porcelain doll. 

Being a "failure to thrive" child, she was never interested in eating.

We worked hard for every ounce that she gained.

Here, at 2 months, she actually looked pretty healthy at around 7 pounds.

She was gaining weight at a reasonable rate, although she never was able to come anywhere close to reaching the normal growth ranges.

Little did we know at the time, but Hannah had a rare congenital syndrome called Cockayne's Syndrome. 

Otherwise known as Cachetic Dwarfism.

It is a terminal form of dwarfism. 

If you know me, my family and my husband and his family and had to peg us for a syndrome, dwarfism would be about the last choice you would make. 

We are not a *ahem* small people.

But God packaged this sweet little girl in a tiny package and gave her to us to care for. 

It was a honor to care for her the short 4 1/2 years that she was with us.