I was just talking to Brianna yesterday (they were on their way home from a multi-generational family camping trip in Wisconsin) and wished Sylas a Happy Belated Birthday! June 10th, 2007 will forever be etched in my memory. Late that night, we got a call from Ryan and Brianna saying that the doctors would be delivering their sextuplets that night. I made a few calls and rushed to the hospital with a couple of friends. We waited and waited. I got to go in and see Brianna and Ryan before the cesarean and I took some precious last minute pictures of her belly. Then we waited some more. It wasn’t long before we saw the carts and medical teams rush past us on their way to the tunnel from Abbott to Children’s Hospital. Then we heard the news we waited so long to hear. Tryg, Lincoln, Bennet, Sylas, Lucia and Cadence were born and were stable. They were born at 22 weeks and 6 days…they made history…the first sextuplets ever to be born in Minnesota. I was so proud to have witnessed such a miracle. I knew the hand of God was on this family, and I was so privileged to witness their courage through it all.
Matt and I visited with Brianna and her family in the recovery room hours later. Relief, uncertainty, joy, awe, wonder…were just a few of the emotions we felt. Brianna was doing amazing and was ready to see her babies!
The next day Matt and I returned to Children’s and met all six of the miracles for the first time. I had never seen anything like it in my life. These perfect little bodies…each weighing around a pound…fighting for their lives. We prayed, whisper sweet nothings, and simply stared in awe. I had the amazing privilege of documenting those precious moments for Ryan and Brianna! I was so honored.
In the weeks that followed we made many trips to the hospital and said sad goodbyes to 5 of those precious babies. In the midst of that grief, we are so grateful to the Lord for Sylas Christopher Morrison - who is alive and well. And now one year old! Every time I see I’m reminded of the miracle I witnessed and miracle his life represents. He is a gift from God!
The Morrison are throwing a party for Sylas on Saturday to celebrate his life! (I have a wedding so I won’t be there but Sylas knows I love him!)
Please continue to pray for this family. They are very special and close to my heart.
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