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Nov 28, 2007 11:34 pm US/Central
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Surviving Sextuplet Baby At Home, Thriving
(WCCO)
Ryan and Brianna Morrison's sextuplets weren't due until October. However, their six babies came sooner than anyone expected and the months that followed brought unbelievable grief. The Morrisons found their dreams shattered, their hearts broken and their faith tested like never before.
Ryan and Brianna were only trying for one baby. After working with a fertility specialist, they ended up pregnant with six. It was more than they wanted and more than they planned for.
They were advised to pick the most promising embryos and let the others go.
"Different doctors talking about about selective reduction," said Brianna. "And just the counsel of the world would tell us that that is the best thing to do."
Their faith made that an impossible option. Instead, the Morrisons prayed and planned for six babies. Their children arrived more than four months early.
"Doctors were amazed all babies came through delivery," said Brianna. "I mean the fact that they all lived even hours after their birth was a miracle."
They remember how Ryan could stick his wedding ring over their babies' hands. The Morrisons were instantly attached to each little life.
They can remember something about every child:
"Lucia the first born, her name means light. She had the most sparkly eyes that would just capture you when you looked at her," recalled Brianna.
"Bennet, our first born boy, he was kind of a Momma's boy."
"Tryg was our all-American boy. The nurse gave him a red, white and blue stocking cap. He passed away on Flag Day. Captain America we called him."
"Lincoln, 'Linky-link'. I always thought he would be a poet, contemplate the things of God, and really know the heart of God."
"And Cadence. We'd always talk about Cadence as the sparkly baby. Every time we had an ultrasound, Cadence was just dancing, all the time. Her name means melody. And her middle name means beautiful. So beautiful melody. She was the smallest baby."
"And Sylas, our man of many words."
The blessings of introductions were followed too soon by the grief of five goodbyes.
"It wasn't what we felt was right, you know," said Ryan.
"Did you ever ask 'Why us?'" asked WCCO-TV's Jeanette Trompeter.
"Yes, we did. We still ask why, sometimes," they both answer.
"I think that's what faith is, it's being able to trust God in the midst of questions," Ryan adds.
"I'm so thankful for Sylas, I think God knew we needed him," Brianna said as she held 8 ½ pound Sylas Christopher Morrison. "He loves to be held. I think we're kind of spoiling him, but he deserves it. He's been through a lot."
Sylas is breathing on his own, and helping his parents breathe easier.
"Without him, I think it would be a lot harder for me to get up every day, and face the world, but YOU, you wake me up, and so we get up," Brianna smiles as she looks at Sylas.
It isn't what they were praying for. It wasn't their plan. But they believe it was God's plan, and they've found peace in that.
"This is just the way that God meant it to be. And we don't understand. But we trust him," said Brianna. "And we know that he's good."
The Morrisons said it was so chaotic for them for so long, that they are just now getting a chance to sit down and take inventory of all the support they had over the last few months.
They say the cards, letters and e-mails from people all over Minnesota, meant the world and gave them strength during their darkest days.
Sylas is still waking up about three times a night but his parents don't seem to mind. They're grateful for every reminder they have that he is home, with them, and doing so well.
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