Baptist Integis Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Oct. 29, 2003 (sharing this birthdate with her angel brother, Raphael) a beautiful baby girl opened her eyes to see the world for the first time. Aaliyah was diagnosed before birth with hydranencephaly and hydrocephaly. She weighed in at 10 lbs and appeared to be every mommie's dream of a beautiful
baby girl. She had all her fingers and her toes and a gorgeous face. The inside wasn't quite as complete.
Through the first year of Aaliyah's life she also was diagnosed with GERD, Asthma, Bronchio Pulmonary Dysplasia, Reactive Airway Disease, allergic to soy, cow's milk, fish, peanuts and eggs, diabetes insipidus, a seizure disorder and developmentally delayed. She was missing the majority of her brain and also where the brain should be there was spinal fluid. In the back of the NICU this little princess laid receiving just 2 oz of formula every 4 hours. They had "dubbed" her as a feeder baby just waiting
for her to die. She became our 11th daughter through adoption and came home to her very excited siblings at just 2 and a half weeks old. Her sister, Robyn, named her Aaliyah Michelle. Aaliyah's journey through life has not been an easy one but WOW what a testimony of our Father's Love she is. Her first surgery was a Nissen Fundoplication and Mic Key button at
a mere 9 days old. At 2 1/2 months she had her first VP shunt surgery to relieve the fluid in her brain. She has since gone through 5 more shunt revisions, pseudomonis meningitis, respiratory distress and failure numerous times and even to the OR with the gift of life tranplant team as she was taken off the vent and they waited for her to die. As of March 2006 she now has a trach and also a med port and she
is back to smiling and still thankful for the ease of breathing.
Daily she blesses our lives and family with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. Since the trach she isn't "telling us stories" BUT WOW the body language brightens our entire home. Our precious Aaliyah Michelle left our hearts, arms and home for the arms of Jesus on Nov. 10, 2006. Forever in our hearts and always in our memories. Fly with the angels baby girl. We are the blessed ones and have one of God's greatest gifts...our daughter...
Aaliyah Michelle Tolin
It all started when we
received the call,
The call that would change
our lives-one and all.
A birth mother has chosen
us to parent her child,
We need to be in
Oklahoma City
in a very short while.
Plans were made, many
phone calls and flights arranged,
In order to bring you home
forever our lives changed.
Aaliyah Michelle Tolin is
the name your sister picked out,
A more beautiful one I
couldn’t have chosen without a doubt.
You are already loved and
cherished more than you’ll ever know,
Our newest family
addition, our daughter, our care and love to show.
From the love of your
birth mother and there is no greater than that,
We were chosen to do a job
praying for God’s guidance and supplement.
From the hospital and
staff, an attorney and social worker involved,
You became our daughter,
so loved and amazing-not a puzzle to be solved.
Our job is now right here
for all to see,
As we raise you and guide
you into the woman He wants you to be.
We love you and promise to
be here with you through all your days,
Our daughter, Aaliyah
Michelle Tolin-your family forever always.
We love you and cherish
this gift from above,
Given to us from a
mother’s greatest love.
Written for Aaliyah
By kst
11-28-03
"Santa"Baby
"Big" Girl