Couple receives blessing on Easter

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Easter Sunday had a special meaning for a Palm Coast couple this year.

Carli and Addison Wieda had originally expected baby Sloane Olivia Wieda to arrive on May 5, the same day as their son’s first birthday. However, little Sloane decided to arrive nearly six weeks early on March 27 instead. Born at 34 weeks, baby Sloane weighed in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 18 and a quarter inches long.

Because Sloane was born prematurely, she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

This was not the first NICU experience for the Flagler-Palm Coast High School graduates. Their son, Addison James Wieda, was a patient in the NICU for five days nearly a year ago because of an infection.

The couple was able to hold Sloane for the first time on Easter Sunday, five days after the birth.

“On Easter, we brought our son and the grandparents to see Sloane,” Addison said. “When we were given the good news, that we could hold Sloane finally, it was a very emotional moment. I called Carli, so she could be the first to feed and hold her.”

Carli said it was an excruciating five days, not being able to touch Sloane.

“We were finally able to hold and feed her,” she said. “It was at that moment that I knew she was going to be okay; it was pure bliss,” said Carli.

Sloane went home on April 4 and Carli is feeling good with no complications after the delivery.

“Seeing Sloane with her big brother, Addison, is the most endearing thing we have ever seen,” Carli said. “It truly fills our hearts with joy and love and we cannot wait to watch them grow together.”