On Monday at 9:04 p.m. eastern time, I officially became an aunt!

My sister delivered an almost eight pound little miracle named Nathan James.

He is absolutely perfect with a head full of black hair and the chubbiest cheeks. 

Our families have waited a long time for this special moment. 

In 2012, my sister suffered a miscarriage at 20 weeks. 

It was a devastating time, as the pregnancy had been going so well up until that moment. 

In 2013, she once again delivered early at 19 weeks.

The doctors said she would have problems carrying a child to full-term. 

When she became pregnant again, I was slightly nervous. 

I did not want to see her experience another loss. 

However, she had a great team of doctors in New York who took care of her every step of the way and made it possible for this very special baby to be born. 

I’m so proud of my sister and brother-in-law. 

The two of them have weathered some serious storms together and have remained a strong and loving couple. 

According to the March of Dimes’ website, about 450,000 babies are born prematurely each year. 

March of Dimes helps mothers towards full-term pregnancies and researches problems that endangers the health of babies, the website states. 

There are medical advances being made every day in this field. 

I’m grateful to the medical professionals who contributed their research and knowledge to this important cause.

Without their expertise, we might not now have this wonderful new baby to spoil and love. 

Learn more about March of Dimes at www.marchofdimes.com.