The Beginning

This is our boy, Wolfie. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to share his story with you.

I found out I was pregnant with Wolfie back in September 2024. I was already a momma to 5 boys at the time - and to say I was a little scared, would be an understatement. When you’re surprised with a new baby - theres all the thoughts of what ifs and “Can I do this” running around your mind. I truly believe God was there with me through every bit of fear I was feeling.

Starting in December 2024, we started to have some scary doctors appointments. Ultrasounds were showing that our little boy had some issues with his bladder, or kidneys - at that time they weren’t sure. But they did more testing, genetic testing, all came back clear - and yet still couldn’t figure out yet just how bad it was.

In January, I had my first MRI. (Literally, never had one before) But it was for Wolfie. At this MRI, we found that he had complications in his Heart, Lungs, Intestines, Bladder, Kidneys and an Anorectal Malformation. We left that appointment shattered to pieces. They could not tell us how severe each issue could be. They said there were things they could do to fix each and every one of them - but whether or not he could or would tolerate any of it, was up to Wolfie.

In March of 2025, I went in for another High Risk OB Ultrasound, monitoring his conditions (mainly the kidney and bladder at the time). At this appointment, they found there was zero amniotic fluid. I didn’t have a leak - but our baby boy’s kidney condition caused him to have no fluid at all.

Knowing how chronic his situation was, they admitted me. This was the true beginning to our long extended stay in Hospitals during 2025.

As I mentioned before, I am a mom to many - and being swept into a hospital room at 26.5 weeks pregnant was absolutely traumatizing. I was afraid for my baby, for my bigger kids missing mom, and I missed being home. But I was determined to be strong for Wolfie - and to ask all the questions, and do whatever it took to give him the best chance at survival.

I spent my days finding a routine, watching way too much Food Network, strolling downstairs, doom scrolling, and eventually had my clay in the hospital with me to actually make earrings while I was in the hospital. I think I was pretty entertaining for the girls working the unit - I enjoyed chatting with them about work, the kids, getting to know them as well. The High Risk unit at Riverside is a group of one of a kind women who truly do devote so much of their lives to caring for us and our babies.

I was in the Riverside High Risk unit for 4 weeks exactly. I had an MRI April 2nd, my birthday April 6th, and then April 10th - Wolfie and I were rushed into emergency surgery to deliver him via C-Section.

For context, Wolfie was always a very active baby. I felt him kick me constantly. And most of the time I was being monitored - his heart rate remained where it should, and his movement was appropriate. But April 9th, his heart rate started to dip and I had some contractions. by April 10th, they were concerned enough after me and my angel of a nurse PUSHING for an ultrasound - he scored a ZERO on their Ultrasound test, and immediately booked the OR for C-Section.

All I can truly remember is crying, my clothes being stripped from my body, a gown being put on me, wiping me down with all of these sanitary wipes to prep me for surgery, everyone telling me its going to be okay, and the fear and overpowering voice in my head telling me to breathe, be strong, have faith, Wolfie is going to be okay…

Our house was 50 minutes from the hospital. So by the time they rushed me away, called Zachary - and he had someone meet him to get the kids, he had missed Wolfie being born. He made it just in time to see me being closed up, while our baby boy was being stabilized and rushed to the NICU.

There was so much fear, crying, alone - my OB Doctor held my hand and we played City and Colour on the speaker while he was being born, but I was so afraid of what was happening with Wolfie. Even writing this out, my heart hurts. Because that wasn’t the scariest thing we’d endure together - but it sure felt like it at the time.

Shortly after Zachary arrived, he made sure I was okay firstly, and then I told him to go be with Wolfie and not leave his side. I knew he needed to be taken to Childrens immediately - and I wanted him to go with him no matter what. I would. be okay. And I was, physically. My first and only C-Section, but I felt okay. I thank God for that strength.

Wolfie didn’t have a middle name until he was born. I was sitting in the postpartum unit, and I was thinking of what I could possibly give him as a middle name. I chose Thorne after going over every family name I could think of that we hadn’t already used with our other boys. It’s the maiden name of my great grandmother. And you know what - Every rose has thorns (seems cliche) but in my mind I see - Something that can cause you pain, can also be so beautiful. That right there is Wolfie’s legacy. I didn’t know that at the time.

To be continued …

To My Wolfie - becauase every minute you shared with me, mattered. And you were the strongest boy.