Bright eyed girl proves to be pint-sized miracle

ALL birth stories are special in their own way. But the story of how Jordan de Ross came into this world is truly a remarkable tale.

For 16 years her parents Alan and Julie dreamed of the day they would first hold their child and thanks to the wonders of IVF, that day came on November 25, 2011.

A gorgeous, blue-eyed bundle of joy, Jordan is the couple's (almost) walking miracle.

For 11 months they have cherished every moment of being parents and while they say the trials and tribulations brought on by 16 years of trying are now all worth it, it was without a doubt a tough journey.

"We first started trying when I was 25 and that was when we decided on the name of Jordan if we were to ever have a little girl," Julie says.

"After 12 months with no success we sought the help of fertility specialists.

"From countless doctors' appointments, injections, naturopathy, acupuncture, IVF, to looking down the road of surrogacy - we literally tried everything."

Like many couples who struggle to conceive, Alan and Julie had to endure the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, however conception alone was far from their only hurdle.

In 2010, just few months before they were set to begin the surrogacy process, Julie fell extremely ill with an undiagnosed medical condition that doctors could only explain as "something that mimicked a stroke."

Left unable to talk or walk, Alan, a disability support worker at the time, took on the role of his wife's carer and after months of intensive therapy, nursed her back to health.

Six months after Julie's miraculous recovery, the couple decided to have one last try through IVF and it was this one last attempt that gave them their beautiful little girl.

As Alan and Julie reflect on the moment when they first held Jordan, tears begin to well.

"As I was wheeled into my hospital room our eyes met and Alan said, 'Look what I have for you, she's beautiful', "Julie says.

To this day they have to pinch themselves to make sure they aren't simply dreaming.

"Alan often looks at me and says 'I can't believe she's actually here and that this is real'."

The proudest of parents, Alan and Julie have embraced everything that comes with a baby - nappy changes, teething, the lack of sleep - with a smile from ear to ear, for it's a role they have been waiting 16 long years to play.