Miracles can come in different forms, sizes and locations. Charlee Peskey came at 1 pound, 6.5 ounces and 12.75 inches long. Peskey was born at 24 weeks. The average gestation period is 40 weeks.

“She was able to wear our wedding bands as bracelets and I wear a size 6,” said Melissa Peskey, Charlee’s mother. “Her tongue was the size of a Tic-Tac and her head was the size of a tennis ball.”

Charlee, who is now 4 years old, spent four months and three days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). While there, she was placed in a Giraffe Bed. On average, these beds cost $30,000 to $50,000 each. The Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls has 30 of them. These beds can do everything for the infant: regulate temperature, weigh the baby, take x-rays and more. Through the funds raised by Children’s Miracle Network, the hospital is able to supply state-of-the-art care to ill or premature babies.

“It’s because so many people care,” Peskey said. “If they didn’t care, we would be nowhere near where we are today.”

Charlee still has a feeding tube from when she was first born. Her lung tissue wasn’t fully formed and she couldn’t properly nurse so she would burn all of the calories she consumed just by breathing. CMN also helped the Peskey family buy the formula needed to feed Charlee. The formula is $800 for 24 cans, which last less than two weeks.

Charlee was one of the miracle children at the SDSU State-A-Thon.

“She’s already started asking if we can come back [to State-A-Thon]. She did this last year, too,” Melissa Peskey said.

Now, Charlee is an energetic child. She took the stage at the event many times and danced along with the morale leaders during their dance.

“She has a great spirit,” said Morale Leader Andrew Litz. “They were a great family to work with.”

Abbie Settje was another morale leader for the Peskeys.

“Charlee is a darling girl and she touched everyone’s heart,” she said. “She has gone through so much, but is still able to interact and play like any other 4-year-old.”

Peskey said she and Charlee will be counting down until next year’s event

“I just can’t wrap my head around how great you guys are. I can’t wait for next year,” said Peskey.