Parent Stories

Katelyn - Arizona

My name is Katelyn Marie I was born November 6th, 2003. I have a big brother named Michael and became a big sister in December 2012; my baby brother’s name is James! On July 9th 2014 my daddy adopted my big brother and I! I love my family and our gaggle of pets! I love Mickey Mouse, sports, water, and spending time outside when the weather is cool.

Danny - Missouri

On the day my first son celebrated his first birthday, I learned that he was also going to be a big brother. My husband and I were elated, and once we discovered that we were having another boy, the idea of brothers blossomed in my heart and mind. I was in love with the idea of two little boys racing around and wrestling and filling our home with laughter for years to come. 

Bailey - Alaska

There are pregnancies that begin with happiness, eager anticipation and delight….this was one of them. My husband and I were ready and this being our first child we learned all we could, went to every doctor’s appointment and were on top of what we needed to know in order to welcome this child into the world. We chose the best, most respected doctor in Anchorage and felt like we were experts by the end of the 9 months.

Dekker - California

Three years ago my husband and I decided that we wanted another baby to add to my 10 year old daughter and our 2 year old son.  It only took one month and we were overjoyed when we found out we were expecting. Sadly it was short lived and a few weeks later we lost the baby. Luckily a couple months later we became pregnant again and were so excited when we made it past 12 weeks. We happily went to our 13 week ultrasound to look at our baby and hopefully find out if it was a boy or a girl. 

Lily - Texas

My sweet Lily Belle came into this world at 2:49 PM, on September 6th, 2011, weighing just under five pounds. Upon her arrival, the nurses frantically took her away. Noticing that she was struggling to breathe, they called the NICU team and readied her for transport. I couldn't hold her, so instead, I held her tiny hand. Not even five minutes later, she was rushed into the NICU and, soon enough, I would be told of a virus that would change my whole world.

Tyler - Louisiana

In the summer of 1995 of I was thrilled to find out that I was going to become a mom. My life was about to change in so many ways, not only was I expecting a child but I was about to graduate college and embark upon my career. I was nervous and excited anxiously awaiting my new life. On February 19, 1996, my life changed forever. As I was undergoing a routine non stress test and ultrasound, my obstetrician discovered that the baby was microcephalic and that I had a growth on my ovary that had taken over the whole left side of my pelvic/abdominal area. He stated that my baby had some abnormalities and could be born anencephalic and that he would be transferring me to another hospital that was more equipped to handle high risk deliveries. 

Reese - North Carolina

I started feeling sick about 10 or 11 weeks into my pregnancy. Everything could have been brushed off as typical symptoms of pregnancy (exhaustion, mild nausea, etc.), however I also had high fevers. I told my OB/GYN about the fevers, who then talked to a maternal fetal medicine specialist regarding what needed to be done, if anything. I am extremely thankful that conversation took place, and I'm absolutely convinced that it saved my daughter's life.

Cameron - Arizona

I knew my second pregnancy would be difficult.  I went into preterm labor with my first son and sure enough, I also went into preterm labor with my second. I was put on strict bed rest at 25 weeks. I spent a lot of time on the internet researching problems associated with preterm babies born at 25 weeks, which included mental retardation, blindness, deafness, and cerebral palsy, to name a few.