BALENTINE MEMOIRS

Happy 10th birthday dear Simon! In January 2014 while pregnant with our second baby boy, Simon, doctors told us he had a diagnosis called trisomy 13 - a diagnosis the world of medicine calls "incompatible with life." We lived our days waiting to see if Simon would be born breathing and on May 14, 2014 at 9:55pm - he was! Simon breathed and cried, and God was ever-present. Simon lived one full week. Having the answers to our questions about his life was a pure gift. It was hard to wait in the unknown, but yet we danced and even laughed. It was hard to labor not knowing if his heart was still beating. It was hard and yet deeply fulfilling to hold him even knowing his heart would stop beating soon. But it was all - every second - dripping with Joy and Great Hope. May we all face trials knowing beauty abounds. This film feels vulnerable for many obvious reasons but we hope most of all to encourage others facing a similar diagnosis to reach out to us. If you are facing a new

    DONATE HERE Tonight we begin the tenth anniversary celebration of Simon’s life.  On May 14, 2014 at 9:55pm, we welcomed  Simon Adam Balentine into this world. Year after year, my mind travels effortlessly back to the moment Simon was born.  Simon had a diagnosis called Trisomy 13.  Because of his diagnosis, we weren’t sure if he would be alive at birth as we decided to forgo fetal  heart moni toring during labor.  We thought if he died before/during labor, it might be hard for me to continue to labor knowing his soul had been taken to heaven already.  He was alive at birth, eyes wide open, arms and legs squirming.   My OB placed Simon on my chest and all of the prayers from the previous five months had been graciously answered in that moment.  He breathed!  I shouted praises to God thanking Him for his mercy.  It wasn't long after his birth that we finally heard his voice once Adam held Simon for the first time.  It was heavenly (this  video  shares his sweet cries). Simon live