My husband Matt and I (Katrina) were overjoyed to learn in January of 2013 that we were expecting again! At about 7 weeks gestation we saw what appeared to be two tiny heartbeats on an ultrasound. We were shocked since we already have a set of fraternal (boy/girl) twins — what a surprise! At the time, the heartbeats were so close together the doctors were fairly certain the babies were identical. Eventually, it was confirmed the babies were identical as was the fact that the babies were in the same amniotic sac (monoamniotic). That fact alone made the situation with our twins quite dangerous due to the severe risks of cord entanglement which can happen at any stage. At 10 weeks, just prior to Easter 2013, we were devastated to learn that one of our babies had a condition called “anencephaly”. It is unrelated to them being monoamniotic. With anencephaly, a child cannot live outside the womb and will die most often within a matter of minutes or hours, in some cases, days. We found out later that the babies were girls. We have five other young children. On August 26, 2014, Laurencia Rachel and Valencia Katerina were born after I stayed 4 weeks in the hospital to monitor the babies and hopefully save Valencia’s life. Laurencia lived for 15 minutes. Her daddy and I were able to hold her and she died in his arms, while holding Valencia’s hand. Her brother and sisters, aunties, uncles, and grandparents were there to meet her. The blog begins at the point we found out about the girls and documents our journey and Laurencia’s beautiful life, which continues on in her sister, in us and in the organization we started in her name.
We hope to honor our baby girl, Laurencia Rachel, and her short but precious life in the best way possible. Laurencia means “victory” and Rachel means “lamb”. As I note in the first post introducing our girls, our little lamb, Laurencia is victorious, she went straight into the arms of Jesus. Valencia means “healthy and strong” and Katerina means “pure”. We pray that Valencia will continue to be strong and healthy as she grows into her place in our family.
In the Spring of 2014 we created a non-profit, Laurencia’s Victory, dedicated to helping orphaned children and adoptive families. You can find out more about Laurencia’s legacy at http://www.laurenciasvictory.org/.
Our entire family, together.
Victory of the Lamb 
Just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know we are praying for you and your girls. Our second daughter Joelle was also anencephalic and we too were crushed to learn about this prognosis, but we trusted God with the details. We prayed for healing and we prayed for time. She was born 2/3/12 and lived with us until 6/22/13. We were granted time, precious time with Joelle. I want you to know that it is unlikely based on statistics, but it is possible that God can sustain your baby’s life for much longer than doctors let on. One year, four months, and nineteen days were given to us, and we felt blessed for each second of it. Our prayers for her life, regardless of the duration here on this earth.
God bless,
David O
David, thank you for the note. I’m so sorry about your Joelle. What a blessing she was and is to you, how beautiful. Thank you for sharing about her with me and for the encouragement. God bless you and your family and comfort you in your grief. Katrina
Hello-
Just read your story and wanted you to know that I am praying for you and your twin girls. My fourth child, a daughter, Anna, was born with Anencephaly and was with us for 22 minutes after her birth before she died in our arms. Our little saint in Heaven who was baptized before she died and is now watching over us. We were given only a little time with our previous daughter but time we will always cherish knowing she knew we were there with her and giving her all the love we could. We knew at 16 weeks and it was a difficult pregnancy so my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will pray she is given some time with you and cherish every moment as it is a gift from God, along with her. God has His reasons and she will touch your lives forever. My prayers are with you. God bless you and your precious twin girls. Dawn
Dawn, thank you for the note and for sharing about your Anna with me. Your words are a comfort and encouragement. What a beautiful testimony to Anna’s life. Our prayers are with your family as well. Katrina
Love you guys! You have our thoughts and prayers.