In 2007, he came early at 25 weeks

Weighing only 1lb 15 oz.

A handsome boy

A Gamecock fan…although, this Tiger didn’t hold that against him.

He remained in the NICU for 100 days.

Just one day in a hospital is too much, imagine being there for 100!

He had his appendix removed but other than that, a real trooper.

I could tell he’s a Momma’s boy.

Age 4, loving football.

Charming Darrell, and his beautiful mom, Renee.

Micro preemies are so tiny and benefit much from the items we are aiming to purchase for the NICU through our Rescued by Love Portrait Charity event.

For instance, the IV finder is crucial to the care of these tiniest babies. It’s a flashlight of sorts, that illuminates the skin so doctors and nurses can see veins more clearly. Go here to watch a little video of one, http://www.accuvein.com/

We would like to provide one for the NICU at a cost of $4500.00. If you’d like to give toward this item, or sponsor Darrell’s Wall of Hope portrait you may give using the form below. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

She was exposed to drugs and alcohol during gestation.

She has the most beautiful bright brown eyes.

She’s full of energy and full of love.

Born at 27 weeks, and now a little over one year old.

Some early births can be explained.

Some cannot.

The important thing is that there are facilities to give each child an opportunity for a normal life.

This is what the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Greenville Hospital System is about….saving babies, saving lives….in more ways than one.

If you’d like to sponsor this sweet girl’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

Horrible contractions

Infection

Fluid loss

Would this Mommy make it?

Would her baby make it?

We were in tears as we talked about Isaiah’s birth.

11-02, his birthday.

If you read Isaiah 11:2 you’ll find: “And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”

No joke, the entire time his mom and I were talking he was raising his hands and singing.

His mommy leads worship.

No doubt, Isaiah will follow close behind.

He’s thankful.

He’s blessed.

I could see it in his face, and hear it in his song.

If you’d like to sponsor Isaiah’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

“sharing out of brokenness, to give healing to a community”

Most of my blog readers have heard our NICU story again and again

This year’s goal, to share with you the lives of others, for the benefit of us all

This family’s mission the same

As members of the family advisory council they council NICU families with situations such as theirs.

Things seem normal here with Katie, but they’ve also endured the loss of two sweet premature babies.

A harsh reality of premature birth, loss.

The beauty of it all…

Their ability to encourage others.

Helping others, helps one to heal, I’m convinced.

What joy Katie has brought to their lives.

Dad confirms that for them, “things have come full circle.”

If you’d like to sponsor Katie’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

Remember portraits in the apple orchard last year? We’ll give it a go again this year, keep watching for the “they’re blooming” announcement in May. I’ll have 3 spots available for reservation, and may open more depending on the bloom and my schedule. First come, first serve.

I see it all the time. Kid turns 2 and pictures cease. I WILL have to say I don’t take quite as many pics of Sadie Mae…but I still make it a priority to do something creative, styled, and fun every now and then.
I passed by this sweet daffodil patch the other day and just happened to know who owned it. Yay! Always important to get permission when shooting on private property, fyi.
I remembered I bought this yellow vintage slip/dress/tutu…who knows what it is…at a local antique shop a year or so ago. I really wanted a hat or headband for her, but just couldn’t find what I liked. Then I meant to grab my pearls….forgot those too! I only had a small window of opportunity, so I decided simple is best and to just go with it. Besides “fru-fru” is so over done.
In love with these……big prints on my wall, yes please!The wind was blowing her hair and skirt…she thought it was funny….her “Marilyn” pose!

I first met this family at a local scrapbook store in 2010, making scrapbook pages for the NICU

I remember Rachel with her ipod that night. She wouldn’t set it down for a minute.

The girl loves music.

If you were a fly on the wall during this session you would have heard her and mom singing “Poker Face” ha!

Rachel was a twin.

Her and Aiden born at the exact same time holding to one another.

Cannot imagine having one in the NICU while saying goodbye to another.

I assume the opportunity to grieve is sorta put on hold, while the task of hoping for the others survival becomes priority.

Rachel and Aiden weighed right under 2lbs at birth, Rhett the youngest made it to 3lb 2oz four years later

Lets just say, mom knows the doctors and NICU nurses well

I imagine it was a welcomed/unwelcomed reunion of sorts when they had to return with Rhett.

Love this family, and mom’s heart for helping other NICU moms.

She’s given me sound advice on many occasions, for which I’m grateful

Their life is crazy with a 5 year old and very active 1.5 year old, plus therapy for Rachel.

Therapy that is making a big difference in Rachel’s quality of life.

The Ramsey’s

Commendable parents that …

- at all cost -

Will do what’s best for their children.

This is my standing ovation. To your family.

Thank you for believing in your children and the possibilities.

Your dedication inspires us all.

If you’d like to sponsor Rachel & Rhett’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

Born at 37 weeks

She’s had heart surgery and a pacemaker implanted for her tiny heart

You’d never guess by her animated smiles

Spoiled by her Aunt

Loved dearly by her Mom

Meet Traviana

a.k.a. giggle box

Her laughter, seriously, contagious.

If you’d like to sponsor Traviana’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

Must have been the face shape

Like Sadie Mae, she was born at 25 weeks

A beauty

Very evident, mommy and daddy’s pride and joy

I watched as daddy sweetly whispered in her ear what a great job she did

Reminding me of my own husband’s relationship with our daughter

That tender love

A love born from gratitude

An unexplainable thankfulness

Birthed from a place we have both been

A place of despair, yet somehow cloaked in hope

A place where faith sustains

Fitting, her name. faith.

A dancing 9 year old.

If you’d like to sponsor Faith’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of 1 sound ear, 1 IV finder, and 5 breast milk warmers for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

Spina Bifida has his lower body paralyzed.

His shy face buried in her shoulder

His bright brown eyes captivating.

3 magic words turned his whole face into a smile.

“don’t you smile”

I must have repeated at least 30 times.

Worked like a charm.

A handsome boy. He is.

Sweet Cade, and a baby sis on the way!

If you’d like to sponsor Cade’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of $10,000 for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.

6 surgeries in his first year of life – now, 7 surgeries at just over a year old.

Suddenly, a late night in the ER with our little girl the night before his session didn’t seem so trivial.

Funny how life can gain perspective so quickly.

Me and Luke’s mom both on our last leg – no makeup, me tired from a night in the hospital – her feeling the blues of a cold.

Both of us determined not to miss this chance.

A celebration of Luke’s life.

Mom, very honest as she described Luke’s birth.

“I was in denial about the chance that Luke may have down-syndrome.”

His chances had been described as 1 in 3.

“I was sure God would do a miracle.”

There was an obvious moment when her mind shifted. It was after the birth of Luke, when the diagnosis seemed devastating.

Patricia, a NICU nurse, shared her story with Luke’s family. “This moment really changed my heart.”

By her voice I could tell her miracle did happen.

The birth of her sweet boy Luke.

His smile lit up the room.

The love of a nurse, shared with a family.

Thanks to Luke’s family for your participation in our project, for the opportunity to meet you and share a small part of your story. You will be an inspiration to so many.

If you’d like to sponsor Luke’s wall portrait, to be displayed on the walls leading to the NICU, below is the link where you can give. Any amount over the cost of printing will be applied to our goal of $10,000 for the Bryan Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Greenville Hospital System. All gifts are tax deductible and you’ll receive a receipt from the Greenville Hospital System.