Two days after our baby shower, Katie was informed that Annie had to enter this world 6 weeks early. On February 2, we welcomed Annie Theresa Cantrell Stores into our family. Shortly after arriving Annie needed urgent care and was transported to the incredible NICU team at Children's National.

Instantly, Annie's care team went to work to get her stable and comfortable, and to tackle the challenges that were in front of us. Annie and her moms spent the first 3.5 months with her NICU family where she quickly stole the hearts of some of the kindest and smartest individuals we have met. 

During that time we learned that Annie was born with two incredibly rare and devastating heart and lung diseases, Scimitar Syndrome and Pulmonary Vein Stenosis. As the severity of these diagnoses came to light, her care needed to be transferred to the Cardiac ICU. 

Annie's reputation of being the fiestiest yet sweetest kiddo preceded her and we added to our Children's family with the incredible nurses, fellows, NP's, and Drs, who bravely oversaw the care of Annie and her moms for the next 3.5 months. During this time Annie underwent a 7-hour life-saving open heart surgery. She survived and became "the star" of the unit.

Annie fought hard and long and with everything her body could handle. We always told her that we and her doctors were listening to her and that we were taking her lead. She told us it was time and as unimaginable as it was...we listened to our fierce and brave little girl. 

We spent the last hours of her life holding her in our arms, telling her how much she was loved and how proud we all were of her.

We invite everyone to come celebrate the incredible legacy she has left with us. Though not many people have met Annie in person, her strength has inspired so many and brought so much love into our lives.

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