Kirk and I (Krysten) met in college in 2012 and were wed in August of 2016. Shortly after our marriage we got pregnant with our now 16 month old son, Baker. When Baker was just 3 months old, Renli’s adventure began. We found out on Labor Day of 2017 that we were expecting with a due date of May 17, 2018. In December, we were so excited (and nervous at the same time) to find out we were having a girl this time around!
My pregnancy with Renli Jo was as healthy as I could ever hope for and we were just counting down the days until she could come home. Then we experienced the absolute worst nightmare imaginable.
Monday, April 30, 2018.
Exactly two weeks until induction day! The day we welcome our sweet Renli Jo into the world.
Waking up, normal day planned. I was having to take Baker to make sure his ear infection is cleared up. Kind of a rough start to the day (I may have gotten peed on and spilled a cup of milk everywhere), rushing to get out the door and to the doctor and what not... ya know, typical day in the life of raising an almost 1 year old.
As we head to the pediatrician, thoughts come into my head that I haven't felt much movement in my stomach from baby. I had those thoughts alot though... just busy, running around, knowing I would feel those kicks later on. As we get through Baker's appointment I'm thinking, "Well, I'm still thinking like I'm not feeling as much as I should. I'll go upstairs to my doctor while I'm here just to get them to check. Surely she's fine, the ice cream I ate last night had her as active as ever before bed. I'm probably over reacting, but I'd rather go home knowing she's still healthy then have a bad thought in my head all week."
Baker and I leave his appointment (thankful that his ears are clear and dry!), head upstairs and get signed in at my doctor. We got called back as quick as they could to check her heart beat with their handheld monitor. Once they realized they were having a rough time finding it, they had me in a room for an ultrasound in less than 1 minute.
With the doctor holding Baker right beside me, the ultra sound tech began scanning my stomach. There she was. Our sweet baby girl. Sweet baby girl who's heart was no longer beating. In utter disbelief and confusion, Kirk receives my phone call around 11:20 am.
I don't remember much of what happened in the hospital before her arrival, except it felt like a nightmare. A nightmare my husband and I were living in. To have the nurse sit down with us and discuss the details of the days to come is a conversation we never fathomed having.
8:59 p.m., we meet our sweet angel. Perfect 6lb 15oz, 21 inch long, sweet angel that is identical (I mean IDENTICAL) to her big brother. Not crying, not turning pink as a newborn baby should, with marks on her tiny body from her umbilical cord wrapping itself around her.
Brought back to us all wrapped up, there she was. Our baby girl.
We had no idea at the time what road we would go down in the grieving process. It has not been easy, but I have become so motivated to share Renli’s story and she has inspired me beyond words. This ignited a passion in me that I never knew I had and I am so honored to organize this Run for Renli with the Star Legacy Foundation so Renli’s name can live on and inspire others just as she has inspired our family.
We know that our sweet Renli Joelle is watching over us and will always be with us every single day for the rest of our lives.