Frankie Baker enjoys a cuddle with her mum, Michelle. Picture Darren McNamara Source: Herald Sun
MUM Michelle Baker’s daughter, Frankie, 4, starts Prep at Wedge Park Primary School, Melton West, today.
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I’M excited for Frankie, because she’s so excited, but it will be a very emotional day.
“My husband, Matt, and I were told Frankie wouldn’t survive birth, so to reach this milestone is very special.
“I didn’t know I was pregnant until I was 18 weeks. Five weeks later, I was in hospital. She was coming out. The doctors told us they could not do anything to help because (her) life wasn’t ‘viable’.
“She was just too small, and so we had to prepare ourselves for the fact that she wouldn’t survive. Or, if she did, she would be extremely disabled. I didn’t think I would be coming home with a baby.
“Frankie was born at 23 weeks and five days, weighing just 640g. Everyone was shocked when she came out breathing and crying.
“Frankie was in hospital for four months. She needed a little help with her breathing. And she had a hole in her heart, which repaired itself. But, really, other than being a miniature baby doll, she was perfect – and she has been ever since. We were prepared for all kinds of problems, but she’s been powerful. She’s as healthy as any other child.
“That doesn’t mean I won’t worry about Frankie today, because she’s still my sweet little baby.
“She’s not very tough, socially. She’s very sweet and wants to be friends with everyone. But developmentally she’s ready to go. She’s been waking up every day for weeks asking ‘Is it today, Mum? Is it today?’
“I feel even more lucky to have Frankie because I didn’t have a mother: she died of a brain haemorrhage when I was a few months old.
“I’m so lucky to have the chance to adore her.”
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Tags: breathing, child, melton-west, milestone, namara-source, prep-at-wedge, primary-school, source, wedge-park