In October 2007, my husband, Paul, and I were excited to find out that we were expecting our first child. We immediately shared the good news with our friends and family.

A week later, I started experiencing some bleeding. We went to the doctor immediately. We had three ultrasounds over the following six weeks. All the ultrasounds showed the pregnancy was going normal so we quit worrying.

At our 20 week check-up, we found out the gender and that he was growing and healthy. Then at 31 weeks, we were informed that Parker was behind in growth. The doctor diagnosed him as being IUGR, Intrauterine Growth Restriction. IUGR is where the fetus doesn't grow as rapidly as it should. The following week at 32 weeks, on April 24th, I went in for another routine check-up. My blood pressure was severely high so I was admitted into the hospital for observation. Paul and I were scared because I was barely 7 months pregnant. I was released later that afternoon.

The next three weeks we were going to the doctor twice a week for an ultrasound and a non-stress test. The ultrasound at 34 weeks estimated Parker to weigh 3 pounds 5 ounces. Then the following week we had another ultrasound that estimated Parker to weigh 3 pounds 2 ounces. He had lost 3 ounces in a week. After consulting with the doctor, he made the final decision to send us to Central Baptist Hospital to deliver Parker that afternoon. We met with the specialist in Lexington who would be delivering Parker. He did another ultrasound which confirmed Parker needed to be delivered as soon as possible. The doctor had told us that I had developed preeclampsia and toxemia which is dangerous for both mother and baby. Parker would be arriving 5 weeks premature along with being 5 weeks behind in growth due to being IUGR. I was admitted to Central Baptist for an emergency cesarean (c-section). While I was being prepped for surgery, the doctor was preparing Paul on what to expect. The doctor told Paul that he had an 80 percent chance of losing me and a 60 percent chance of losing Parker. Paul said a prayer in which he said a sense of peace came over him.

At 6:01 p.m. on May 19th, Parker William Wilson entered the world weighing 3 pounds 1 ounce and 15 inches long. We heard Parker's little cry, it sounded like a baby lamb. The neonatologist along with Parker's team of nurses whisked him away to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for assessment. Parker was breathing 98 percent so he didn't require any oxygen. Parker had a feeding tube and an IV in his head. It was extremely hard to leave Parker in the NICU. I made three trips during the week and Paul and I both went up on Saturdays and Sundays. On the two days we didn't go, we would call to check in on him and get updates on his weight and eating progress.

Parker's blood work repeatedly showed as being abnormal. He was losing weight, gaining weight, and then losing weight again. Parker's lowest weight was 2 pounds 14 ounces. The endocrinologist from UK evaluated Parker. Then the neonatologist called us one evening to tell us that Parker has been diagnosed with Congenital Hypothyroidism in which he would start taking Synthroid immediately. Once the medicine got into his system, he started to show vast improvement. After three and half weeks in the NICU, on June 12th, we were able to bring our little miracle baby home, weighing only 3 pounds 14 ounces.

Parker is thriving on so many levels. He is a happy, active, and healthy little boy. He continues to see the endocrinologist at UK every three months to have his thyroid levels checked. We are so grateful for his amazing progress. We give God all the credit for guiding us through this. We want to say a special thank-you to all friends and family who kept us in the prayers. We are reminded daily at how precious life is.