Indiana was born on March 4, 2021 at 36 weeks and 2 days. She was diagnosed with trisomy 18 officially at 17 weeks. She had a list of other complications including a large VSD and Coarctation of the Aorta. As soon as we got Indiana’s diagnosis we started looking for fair care. My history as a NICU nurse made me acutely aware that she would not be treated as a typical infant. Our search initially led us to a hospital about an hour and a half away from home where we were pushed to have an abortion. When we refused, they said her life would be futile and they were very negative. We quickly found a new care team in Philadelphia, PA about three hours from home.

At 20 weeks gestation, after a scare from a blood test at 15 weeks that was unconfirmed, we received a diagnosis of full Trisomy 13 for our first baby. We decided to continue with the pregnancy and found out we were having a girl four days later, on my 27th birthday. While we were told for the majority of my pregnancy that babies with T13/18 had “abnormalities”, a family friend used the term “exceptionalities.” Our exceptional daughter, Nora “Bee” Marie was born at 31 weeks exactly, defying so many odds in utero, and then being born alive at 2:15 pm on May 20th, 2021. After immediately opening her left eye, she gazed curiously at us and let out a cry; that was the proudest moment of my life. A nurse placed her iconic yellow, way-too-big hat on her head and we were smitten. 

Evie was born into the world on February 6th, 2021. Her journey began and it changed my life forever. She fought so incredibly hard to be with us every day. She was so spunky and sassy, and loved to give her nurses/doctors a hard time when Mom and Dad weren't around…

Grant Thomas was only on this earth for a small amount of time but the impact he made was large. By the time he entered the world on June 27th, 2021 Grant had already brought many people to the feet of Jesus. As people heard his story they began to pray and turn to God, many that had never done so before. His strength and fighting spirit allowed him to spend 33 love filled hours with his parents earth-side and on June 29th 2021 Grant was eternally healed..

On October 31st 2019, a perfect little Canadian boy came into this world at 2:20pm in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At 32 weeks and 6 days he weighed 2lbs 13.5 ounces and 15.5 inches long. He had the fullest head of curly black hair, big feet like his dad, and the longest limbs, our little string bean. Though he was skinny, he had the juiciest cheeks that were made for snuggling, and the most kissable lips. Our sweet warrior fought for us and gave us an entire golden hour. He let out a little cry, cuddled me, held my finger, worked hard to keep his eyes open and then passed peacefully snuggled up on his Dad’s chest.

After lots of traveling back and forth, we eventually moved to Cincinnati. Luckily, this move was the best decision we ever made. With the most supportive medical team you can imagine, we welcomed our daughter into the world and all the moments of fear that led us to that moment melted away. She was here, and she was beautiful and perfect in every way…