Love Notes

At their 20-week ultrasound, Miranda and Brent learned their baby had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, where the diaphragm does not close during development and abdominal

In 2017, Becky and Ben arrived in the pediatric intensive care unit eager to hear the condition of their daughter. Earlier that day the family

When their son Nash was born extremely early, Mollie and Randall knew that a long NICU stay was in their future. Mollie’s nurses encouraged her

In 2022 at their 20-week prenatal appointment, Daniel and Madison learned one of their twins had a very serious and severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. “Her

When Meredith developed preeclampsia, the Cedar Falls family knew their baby would need the specialized care of a NICU. At just 30 weeks gestation, baby

When their daughter Zoey was born with a severe heart defect, the Love family knew they were in for a long journey. They traveled from Rock

When their second son, Wyatt, was born 15 weeks early the Kurtz family found themselves unexpectedly in Iowa City. Anticipating a long NICU stay, the Waukee

When Trisha and Scott Waterman’s daughter was born prematurely, they were filled with uncertainty. “Knowing we didn’t live close enough to the hospital to spend

Pregnant with her first child, Rochelle felt unprepared when her water broke 7 weeks early. “I honestly did not have my diaper bag ready. Just

When their infant son was life flighted to Iowa Healthcare Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Kayla and Ben arrived with just the clothes on their backs.

The night that Daniel and I came to the Ronald McDonald House, I didn’t have shoes on my feet. I remember this detail clearly. I

At just 26 weeks pregnant with twins, Kelly DeKeyrel’s water unexpectedly broke. Kelly immediately went on strict bed rest at University of Iowa Hospitals and

It was a Thursday when Davenport couple Jenny and Keenan Hutcheson welcomed their third child into the world, eight weeks ahead of schedule. Baby Remi

My name is Karen, and I came to the Ronald McDonald House in October 2017. My son Toby, who was 15 years old at the

Emmerson was born premature at just 28 weeks and 5 days gestation. Briana and Cameron Hayward were transferred from Allen Hospital in Waterloo to UnityPoint