Our Story

We hope that by sharing our journey, we can bring awareness to PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes), infant loss, premature birth, tracheostomies, G-tubes, and cerebellar hypoplasia — the medical challenges that have shaped our story and so many other families like ours.

Our hope is that our story brings comfort to families walking similar paths — the ones sitting in hospital rooms praying for a miracle, the ones who’ve had to say goodbye too soon, and the ones navigating life after the NICU.

Where It All Began

On July 14th, 2023, while in Whitefish, Montana, my water prematurely broke (PPROM) for Twin A at 19 weeks and 2 days. After hours in the emergency room, I was transferred by ambulance to Logan Hospital in Kalispell to receive specialized care. Codey flew in the next morning, and together we received the devastating news that our twins had only a 1% chance of survival. We were told to terminate the pregnancy — despite both babies having strong heartbeats.

We decided to keep fighting for our babies.

After holding off labor and infection far longer than anyone expected, we were able to fly home to Minnesota on July 18th. The next day, we met with a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist who confirmed both babies were developing well and appeared healthy, though baby girl (Twin A) had little to no amniotic fluid. Our care team supported our decision to move forward with expectant management — meaning we would take things day by day, doing everything possible to stay pregnant as long as we could.

The plan was for me to remain on strict bed rest at home for two weeks until reaching 23 weeks — then be admitted to the hospital for close monitoring until delivery. We held onto hope, praying every day for time and strength.

Nellie Kay

On July 27th, I went into labor and gave birth to our sweet baby girl, Nellie Kay Carlisle. Codey and I were able to hold her, kiss her, and tell her how loved she is. She will forever be our daughter and will always be missed beyond measure.

Miraculously, labor stopped — and our baby boy, Clifford Brett Carlisle, remained in utero. Doctors told us this was extremely rare. I was admitted to The Mother Baby Center at United Hospital, where the team continued to monitor Clifford and me closely for signs of infection or preterm labor. Each day felt fragile, but filled with faith.

Clifford’s Fight

On August 24th, 2023, at 24 weeks gestation, Clifford entered the world weighing just over 1 pound. He was immediately intubated and whisked away to the NICU, beginning a journey that would redefine our understanding of strength and resilience.

Clifford spent 10 months in the NICU, enduring more than most adults do in a lifetime — fighting through lung disease, infections, and multiple surgeries. Early on, he was diagnosed with chronic lung disease and required a tracheostomy and ventilator to help him breathe.

Despite it all, Clifford’s determination never wavered. His nurses often called him “the happiest baby in the NICU.”

Over those months, we learned to become medical parents — managing his trach care, suctioning, and learning every monitor and machine. We celebrated every small victory: the first time he opened his eyes without oxygen support, his first smile, his first time off sedation, and the first time we finally got to hold him skin-to-skin.

On June 10th, 2024, Clifford finally came home — after 302 days in the hospital. Our home became a mini ICU, filled with ventilators, oxygen tanks, and endless supplies. But more than that, it became filled with joy, love, and the sounds of our baby boy finally home where he belonged.

A New Chapter

In the months since, Clifford has continued to amaze everyone around him. He successfully weaned off the ventilator, underwent a major airway reconstruction surgery, and had his trach removed — a milestone we had dreamed of since the very beginning.

He’s now a thriving toddler working hard in therapy to strengthen his muscles, coordination, and communication. Recently, an MRI revealed cerebellar hypoplasia — meaning the left side of his cerebellum is smaller and underdeveloped, likely due to his extreme prematurity. While it presents new challenges for motor skills and speech, it also gives us clarity and helps guide his care moving forward.

Every day, Clifford continues to make progress, proving that miracles don’t happen all at once — they happen slowly, in their own time, through faith, love, and persistence.

In March 2025, we welcomed our second baby boy, Tucker Nelson Carlisle — the sweetest addition to our family and Clifford’s lifelong best friend. Tucker brings calm, light, and laughter to every day, and watching the boys together fills our hearts with more gratitude than words can express.

Why We Share

Our story is one of heartbreak and healing, of miracles and motherhood. We share it in honor of Nellie, to bring awareness to PPROM, premature birth, trachs, G-tubes, cerebellar hypoplasia, and the countless medical conditions that affect so many families quietly fighting behind hospital walls.

We hope that by telling our story — the beautiful and the hard — we can help another parent feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

Our daughter Nellie Kay will forever be our guiding light, and our boys Clifford and Tucker remind us daily of just how precious life is. This is our family’s story — one built on faith, love, and the belief that even in the hardest moments, miracles still happen. 💛