VIDALIA &045; Perhaps all grandparents think their grandchildren are miracles.

But in the case of Vernon and Kathy Stevens and their first grandchild, Grant Michael Stevens, they may just be right.

Grant Stevens was born in early 2004, seven weeks before his actual due date, as a result had several serious health problems.

Those ranged from intestinal abnormalities to the inability to eat and breathe at the same time.

&uot;We had some pretty scary days&uot; during four weeks Grant remained at Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Kathleen Stevens said Sunday at her Oak Street home, where the Dart landed.

While Grant remained in an incubator, there were many days his family couldn’t even touch him, let alone rock him.

The situation remained serious until the family requested prayers be said for the intercession of Blessed Father Francis Xavier Seelos, Kathleen Stevens said.

Seelos, who born in Germany, served for more than 20 years in the mid-1800s as a Redemptorist priest in parishes from Baltimore to New Orleans. He spent 13 months serving New Orleans’ St. Mary’s Catholic Church before dying in 1867. He was beatified &045; in the Catholic Church, the final step before being named a saint &045; in 2000.

Hearing of miracles attributed to Seelos prayers, the Stevens family asked that prayers be said at Grant’s bedside.

&uot;Later that day,&uot; she said, &uot;he was getting much better.&uot;

On Sunday Grant was being picked up at his grandparents’ home by his father, Michael Stevens of Baton Rouge.

Grant made the weekend visit while his father was training with the National Guard.

On that day, there was no sign the wiggling, wide-eyed 11-month-old that played all weekend with his grandparents was once a preemie.

Meanwhile, the Stevens are in prayer for another close family member &045; their other son, 1st Lt. Brian Stevens, who is with his Louisiana National Guard unit in Iraq.

&uot;We heard from him not this Friday, but the Friday before that, and he sounded good, just tired,&uot; Kathleen Stevens said.

That unit, known as &uot;Hard Rock Charlie,&uot; was also once known as the &uot;Blessed Unit&uot; for its lack of casualties until January, when an explosion killed two unit members.

Brian Stevens has been in Iraq since late September and is remembered with a yellow ribbon tied to a tree in the front yard of his family’s home.

&uot;We’re hoping he’ll get leave in March,&uot; Kathleen Stevens said.