1) The document is a letter from a mother to her daughter Ella on her first birthday, recounting the story of Ella's birth and their health struggles, as well as memories from Ella's first year. 2) Ella was born weighing 4 lbs 8 oz after a difficult pregnancy and delivery that almost resulted in the mother's death from postpartum hemorrhaging. 3) The mother is grateful that both she and Ella survived and have been able to create happy memories over the past year as a family, which she has documented in photos and videos for Ella's birthday gift.

1. HAPPY1 ST
BIRTHDAY
ELLA!

2. One year ago today…..
Your struggle to survive in the womb ended
when you took your first beautiful breath at 12:36 p.m.,
on Sunday, Jan. 11 th. All the days of wondering if you
were going to make it through the scary pregnancy were
over! I watched the doctor lift you up. You were
gorgeous! Tiny, but gorgeous! I watched as they
cleaned you up and got you ready to meet me! They
weighed you in at a whopping 4 lbs 8 ozs.  You let out
a couple of soft cries. You were here. You were healthy.
Happy tears began to roll down my face. Finally, my
fears of your survival were over!.......
That’s when my struggle for survival began.
Within a few short minutes of your miraculous birth, I
began quickly slipping away. Little did I know, that
was almost the last time I would see your beautiful,
little face.
Almost…. but it wasn’t. Nine days later, we
were reunited at home .

3. I will never forget the first time I held you.
Thinking you were way too little to be my
baby! And the first time I held Aidan, Addi,
and Camden when I got home from the hospital.
It was like holding them for the first time all
over again. And the first time I kissed your
Daddy after coming so close to never kissing
him again … also like the first time ever, except
with more love than I could have ever imagined!
It was like I was a new person….I was a new
person. I also found a new relationship with
our Heavenly Father. One that I never would
have known existed without having gone
through this experience. So, as difficult as it
was to go through, I’m glad we did.

4. By all medical accounts, we are considered miracles!
But, God doesn’t work by medical terms. He works by
His own powerful terms. He placed the right people in
the right place at the right time that day. He carried
through with His plan and knew that it was neither
your nor my time to come home to Him yet.
So….that leads us to today. One year from that
wonderful day!... Which brings me to this video. This
is your birthday gift from me, Ella Faith. It
documents just a few of the wonderful memories of our
first year together and as a family of six! I am
looking forward to many more great memories to be
made in the future!
I love you and your brothers and sister more than you
can ever know.
HAPPY 1 ST BIRTHDAY MIRACLE BABY!!!

5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA FAITH BROUWER
January 11th, 2009
12:36 p.m.
4 lbs. 8 ozs. 17 ½ inches

7. Our first meeting after I came
back from the hospital in the
cities. What a sweet moment it
was!!!
January, 19 th 2009

8. Capturing those first few days at
home with your brothers and
sister! It was so nice to be together
as a family again!

9. You were so itty bitty!!!

10. Your baptism day-
February 22nd, 2009
It was a beautiful service. I
had been planning it for
months while I was on bed
rest. Some highlights that I
will never forget were: my
testimony, Addi reciting
Psalm 23, your brothers and
Addi singing, and all of the
family and friends there to
celebrate with us!
Your beautiful dress was
made by Mommy’s friend
Jewell. It was gorgeous!

11. !
This is the awesome Dr. who
delivered you and helped
save my life!
We had a party at the
hospital to thank all the
wonderful people who helped
us on the day of your birth.
It was awesome to see them all
again! 

12. Addi turned six while Mommy
was on bed rest with you. SO
another highlight of that year,
was finally getting to celebrate
her birthday- even though it was
three months late!
She went bowling and had a
princess theme. We had a blast!

13. My Girls!

14. FRIENDS!!!
They all prayed for
us when we needed
it the most!

15. EASTER 2009

16. Camden’s 4th Birthday!

17. Summer Fun!

18. You, myself, Grandma Mary,
and Auntie Penny went to go
visit your Auntie Amber in
Hamilton, MT when you were six
mo. old! It was so much fun!
(except for the plane ride-you did
great! I, on the other hand… well
that’s a different story)

20. Aidan’s 8th Birthday!
August 14, 2009

21. Our first trip to the zoo as a family of six!
We had such a great day and a very quiet
ride home from the cities!
-August 2009

22. Fall Fun!

23. TRICK OR TREAT?!?

24. GIVE THANKS!!
We spent Thanksgiving together as a family. I made my
first Thanksgiving meal ever It was…uhhh…o.k. Then
we set up the Christmas tree. Fun times!

25. 12-2-09

27. CHRISTMAS
2009

28. Winter Fun!!!

29. Your 1st Birthday Party!

30. LOOK HOW YOU’VE GROWN!!!
12-11-09 (11 Months)
1-22-09 (11 days)

31. So…there you have it Miss Ella Faith. Your first year in pictures. This
year has been so incredible for me as your mom. I’ve been able to enjoy so
many wonderful things with you and Aidan, Addi, and Camden! I feel so
blessed that I was here to experience them, and look forward to making more
memories with you as you grow! Be strong my miracle girl and know that
God will always be there to protect and guide you as He has proven to us
through the journey of your birth! I love you!
“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness
continues through all generations!”
Psalm 100:5