- Justin Nelson and Kristi Warriner wed in Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth
- The couple's premature son was ring bearer
- Baby JJ was delivered 25 weeks early on September 2; his twin died in utero
- "We still grieve but keep strong for JJ," Kristi Warriner says
(CNN) -- A Texas couple married Tuesday in the neonatal intensive-care unit with their prematurely born son serving as ring bearer.
Justin Nelson and Kristi Warriner wed Tuesday in the NICU of Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, where baby JJ has been since September. He was born 25 weeks early on September 2; his twin, Colt Austin, died in utero.
Dressed in a tuxedo onesie, JJ slept through most of the ceremony. He's being monitored for chronic lung disease.
"He has been struggling but has made great improvements," Warriner told CNN. "We still grieve but keep strong for JJ."
The couple postponed their wedding plans when Warriner became a high risk pregnancy because of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a rare condition that occurs in identical twins who share a placenta. Warriner went to the emergency room on August 31 and discovered baby Colt had passed away. She started having contractions on September 1, and JJ, which stands for Justin Jr., arrived the next day.
With the help of Cook Children's staff, the couple wed in JJ's room, surrounded by family and their 8-year-old daughter, and invited local media to witness the event.
"Our mission behind sharing our story was to let those that have been there, are there or unfortunately could one day be there [know] that they are not alone."
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Susan Schrock was on hand to capture the ceremony. The bride's "something blue" was her NICU visitor's wristband.
The bride-to-be's daughter helps mom put on her wedding shoes at @CookChildrens. #nicuwedding http://ift.tt/1xs1qU7
— susanschrock (@susanschrock) November 11, 2014
The wedding begins at @CookChildrens NICU http://ift.tt/14c2j9L
— susanschrock (@susanschrock) November 11, 2014 WFAA reporter Jason Wheeler also live-tweeted the #nicuwedding.
It's official. Mom and dad are man and wife (with child) #NICUwedding http://ift.tt/14c2kue
— Jason Wheeler (@jasonwheelertv) November 11, 2014
Lil preemie ring bearer had to wake up for wedding photos. Isn't his tux onesie awesome? #NICUwedding http://ift.tt/14c2kum
— Jason Wheeler (@jasonwheelertv) November 11, 2014 Photos imagine bright futures for preemies
The picture of a lifetime: Photographing infant loss
No comments:
Post a Comment