When we found out we were having twins, we both could not stop laughing - literally!! Travis kept saying “DOUBLE EVERYTHING!”

The pregnancy brought on extreme sickness for me, endured lots of bleeding and “scares,” and lots of appointments, alone.

At 21 weeks baby B, Isaiah Henry was diagnosed with severe IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) while baby A, Bryce William was thriving. We were told to prepare for a stillbirth in the couple weeks following the diagnosis. We didn't want to settle with that so we talked to a dozen doctors, got second and third opinions, but all unfortunately told us there was nothing that could be done. Each week brought a new challenge and more questions. After a couple rounds of steroid shots and making it to 28 weeks the team of doctors decided it was the best time to be admitted for observation and more steroids, so on January 16, 2021 that is just what we did. Several days later, late in the evening on January 19th, Isaiah's heart rate was having too many decels, so I was sent from long term observation to L&D and put on magnesium (this helps protect the babies’ brains and can help mom stabilize). After being on it for about 24 hours and the verge of toxicity. They did several tests, xrays and eventually stopped the mag for a bit. Not too long after, about ten nurses and docs rushed in because Isaiah’s heart rate was dropping quickly. They told us if we wanted to try and save him we had to go for an emergency c-section right then. On January 21, 2021 our boys arrived. Bryce at 2:24am weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces and Isaiah at 2:27am weighing 1 pound 8 ounces. Bryce was taken to the NICU at the delivering hospital and Isaiah was taken to the NICU at the Children's hospital next door. 

My husband, Travis, immediately went to visit the boys. After a little while in recovery, I was taken to my postpartum room around 5:45AM. After about 15 minutes of being there, I whisked over to Isaiah because things weren't good. At the very second I was leaving my room, my mom shows up. (Such an answered prayer!!) We were faced with life threatening diagnosis' right as we were meeting our sweet Isaiah Henry. His team of doctors, nurse practitioners,  nurses and chaplains did everything they could for him. They offered us a family room that we were able to escape to when we needed to have a quick break, discuss decisions, when my nurse came over for my checks and to be able to pump, eat, shower, etc. After 21 hours, we had the honor of bringing Isaiah to this room to love on him, allow his grandparents to hold him, we prayed over him, worshipped and walked him through the gates of heaven. We cherish the first diaper changes, oral care and finger hugs. We wouldn't have had the special experience we did with him if it weren't for our nurse, Katrina advocating for us and Chaplain Anne providing us with the family room. Who we are both, immensely grateful for.

But we didn't forget about Bryce at the hospital next door. When we were able to slip out we would run over and check on him. Thankfully he was doing as expected and that same evening we were making hard decisions, Bryce was intubated for Surfactant (medicine) to be placed into his lungs to help him develop.

The days following were a blur and shock. I slept a lot and when I was awake I would pump and walk my milk to the NICU and sit for a minute with Bryce. 

The first week was very hard to sit in the NICU. How do I bond with him? Should I get even more attached or is he going to die too? Does he even know I'm here? And I couldn't sit in the office like chairs the NICU had very long because of how awful they were paired with my incision. 

I never imagined we would be doing kangaroo care with one baby in the NICU and planning a service for the other at the same time. During our stay our perspective was much different than the other parents. We were grateful to have a baby to visit in the NICU, grateful to be there ... where other parents complained and fussed about being there. 

We had a long road ahead with Bryce. At day 5, I was finally able to hold him and do kangaroo care. And at day 6 Travis was able to hold him. We had days where one of us couldn't hold him because of him not being able to regulate his temp, was having too many brady events, or his stats weren't stable enough.

Most of our nurses were such saints and loved on us so well. 

Towards the end of our stay we were faced with sickness and challenges. He was suspected to have NEC or other infections which brought many x-rays, tests, blood samples, ivs, fluids, meds, etc.and he was NPO during this time. Thankfully, all he needed was a blood transfusion. In that time we discovered he is neutropenic which is essentially a low immune system and was then introduced to a hematologist to be followed. Once we could introduce his feeds again, he was eager to take bottles (rather than his feeding tube) and was then easily transferred from an isolette to an open crib shortly after that. 

After 8 weeks of 12 hours a day in the NICU and staying away from home, the three of us were able to all go home. It was mighty scary but also so joyous. But so bittersweet that we were closing that chapter, without one of our babies.

Since March we have been working with the CHKD Chaplains to redo the family rooms. We didn't notice it at the time, but the room had bare white walls, no decor, a non-friendly c-section chair and bed, no food, water, coffee/fixings, shower items, etc. We felt led to provide these things for the families using these rooms because not all families have the support we did, so we have been providing water bottles, snacks, coffee/fixings, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc. At the time of me asking the Chaplain if we would be able to provide these bags for the families, they loved the idea and also were inspired to redo the whole rooms in honor of our Isaiah Henry. They allowed us to pick the paint colors, decor, c-section friendly chair and more - which is SUCH a huge honor! Thankfully we had my parents there to help us in getting the things we needed, but not everyone does, so we hope this blesses them! 

We are currently loving and eating Bryce up while remembering and honoring Isaiah through Isaiah Henry's Legacy and partnering with families experiencing similar situations and different hospitals!