Kassandra Julie Marie Hicks was our first born. She jumped into the world on November 25th, 2001 at 7:01PM. She was 24 2/7 weeks gestation, weighed 1 pound 3 ounces, and was 31cm or 12" long. The doctors and nurses stabilized her and transferred her to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her Daddy went to see her as soon as Mommy was in recovery. Mommy got to see Kassandra for the first time on November 27th after her sisters and brother were born. She was a beautiful little girl even if she was hooked up to every machine imaginable. Her eyes were still fused shut and she had peach fuzz for hair. Besides all the problems due to her prematurity she also had a Group B Strep infection. However Kassandra was a valiant little fighter and for a while it looked as if she would win. She was baptized on November 30th with her parents, grandparents, and aunt present. On December 1st her right foot; which had decreased circulation; became infected. The infection quickly spread to her body. Mommy and Daddy made the decision to take her off the ventilator. Mommy washed and dressed her. Then the nurse disconnected the ventilator, wrapped her in a blanket and passed her to Mommy. Kassandra died shortly after 3AM on December 2nd. We had her cremated and her ashes were put in an urn with her brother Alexander. Their urn and their sisters' urn are in the same niche right near their uncle and great-grandmother.