Seven weeks from her first birthday, little Ada Reid Watts is still waiting for the day she can finally leave the hospital and discover what life is like at home.

Born almost 15 weeks premature on October 9, Ada weighed just 1lb 5oz (595g) at birth. So tiny that her parents, Justin and Jordan Watts of Stillwaters, Alabama, lovingly nicknamed her their little “Elf on the Shelf.”

Since then, Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham has been more than a hospital to Ada — it has been her home.

The tiny girl has spent almost her entire life under the care of doctors and nurses as she has faced one challenge after another. Her journey has included repeated infections, breathing difficulties and long periods of intensive medical care.

More recently, Ada received a tracheostomy and had begun making encouraging progress. For the first time, going home was starting to feel like something her parents could truly imagine.

Then another setback arrived.

Ada tested positive for rhinovirus and also developed a urinary tract infection. Her oxygen needs increased significantly, and she became unusually tired as her little body worked hard to recover.

“It has been a really tough time for her,” her parents shared. “We were so excited because things had been moving in such a positive direction, and home was finally starting to feel tangible.”

For Justin and Jordan, every step forward has been precious — and every setback has tested their patience and hope.

“We just want to bring our baby girl home,” they said. “But we trust her doctors completely and know they will tell us when she is truly ready.”

Throughout Ada’s long hospital journey, her parents say the doctors and nurses caring for their daughter have been an incredible source of support.

“They have become such an important part of Ada’s life and ours,” the family said. “We are so grateful for everyone who has cared for her and helped her come this far.”

For now, the family continues to wait patiently in Birmingham, holding onto the same dream they have had since Ada was born: seeing their tiny daughter walk through the doors of the hospital and finally go home.