Brantley was born 3 months early at Aultman Hospital, but was transferred to Akron Children’s after 2 weeks when symptoms of NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) began requiring surgery.
Despite a perfect pregnancy, Brittany Morse’s little bundle of joy was born 16 weeks early at just 1 pound and 11 ounces.
It’s been a long road full of surgeries and prayers the last 6 months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but baby Brantley is making big strides and his parents are so thankful for others near them.
With Prematurity Awareness Month approaching, Brittany and Steve wanted to do something for the other struggling parents in the NICU. Steve had the idea to use his woodworking skills to hand make photo frames, while Brittany and his 2 older children (Jacob, 8, and Maddie, 6) could add inspiring phrases on them, such as “Tiny but mighty,” “Fighter,” “Warrior” and “Due dates are dumb.”
With this idea, “Brantley’s Bundles of Joy” was born. The Canton South couple distributed the frames to more than 20 babies’ rooms near Brantley’s from a little red wagon on Prematurity Awareness Day (Nov. 17). All 60 families in the unit received goodies from the Hartville Chocolate Factory, a gift card from Brows By Lauren and a note that said, “We know the tears you are crying and the fight you are fighting.”
“A few of the other moms have texted me,” Brittany shared with a smile. “We just want to put a little happiness in a really hard situation.”
Brittany is dedicated to cuddling with Brantley everyday despite the distance from their home and challenges of caring for older children.
Brantley is 6 months old and now weighs more than 9 pounds, but his medical team is unsure when he’ll be going home, Brittany said. Dr. Scott Boulanger has removed parts of his bowel, and Dr. Nancy Hanna is treating Brantley for stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which gives him a 50% chance of going blind.
“Right now, he’s still recovering from a 3rd stomach surgery from NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis), so there are concerns with feeding… We are being patient. He’s our miracle, rainbow pregnancy,” Brittany added with optimism about her small but mighty warrior.
The door to Brantley’s room features artwork from his siblings–Jacob, 8, and Maddie, 6–and nurses.
Brittany and Steve plan to continue spreading love in the NICU through “Brantley’s Bundles of Joy” as they receive donations from friends and fellow church members at High Mill Church of the Resurrection in Canton.
Big sister Maddie wanted her 6th birthday party at the hospital so Brantley could be there.
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