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Troy and Caitlin Howell of Sandy Mush were due to have a new baby girl on Christmas Day 2024, but their new baby girl, Belle, decided to arrive two months early and was born October 31.
She is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Atrium Health in Pineville where she is receiving life support medicines to help her continue to grow. Dad Troy said "she is gaining strength very quickly and ate from a bottle today."
Troy and wife Caitlin rotate days at the hospital with Belle and being at home with their son, Wolf, 9, a student at Forrest Hunt Elementary School.
Troy dropped Wolf off at school recently and talked about his wife Caitlin and Belle.
"I believe she'll be home in three weeks," Troy said, although no one has told him that, yet. He is optimistic, hopeful to get the whole family together as soon as possible.
"She is getting breathing treatments to strengthen her lungs and her personality is already wide open," he said.
The family knows there is a long journey ahead of them with Belle's hospital bills, the day to day expenses of having a baby at an out-of-town hospital and not being able to work. Their son has high functioning autism and he requires some special care.
"I was ashamed to ask for help," Troy said as he and his wife recently decided to begin a GoFundMe page for Belle's hospital expenses and the travel expenses.
"My children are my purpose in life. My pride and love for my family is immeasurable, but I know we can't do this alone," he said.
"We need help as we prepare to bring our baby girl home and complete our family. We are asking for donations, prayers, positive vibes, anything helps. Donations will go toward travel expenses, medical bills, and purchasing preemie diapers and clothes. Any bit of support is greatly appreciated."
"We are so thankful for our miracle and cannot wait for the day we can bring her home. We are currently traveling 140 miles six days a week to visit our tiny bundle of hope and strength," he said.
Troy says his son Wolf, "saved me" explaining nine years ago Troy was not in a good place, but the birth of the couple's first child changed his life forever.
"Belle has reminded me that love is the true meaning of life," he said. "Family is everything to me."
Troy moved to Rutherford County from Florida several years ago and later met Caitlin.
He also fell in love with Southern culture and is enjoying everything that goes along with it, including raising chickens and goats.
Troy is an employee of WalMart Distribution Center and owns Howell Hauling and Moving Services, LLC. Caitlin is a stay-at-home-mom.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Howell family may visit http://gofund.me/4b8ffe15
