Support for Baby Wilder

Wilder Knox Griggs was born to Katie and Zach after a complicated delivery on August 12, weighing in at 8 lbs 13 oz and 21.5” long. He’s the most precious little dude any mom could hope for. Unfortunately, he quickly began to show signs of complications with his heart rate and oxygen levels, and was transferred to the NICU. Doctors at Norfolk, Virginia’s Children’s Hospital of Kings Daughters determined that he has a congenital condition called coarctation of the aorta, which means that the arch coming out of his heart is too narrow. He will need surgery to remove the portion that is too narrow and connect the good sides. He also has a bicuspid aortic valve, and the structures on the left side of his heart are noticeably smaller than those on the right; this could cause problems later, and will need to be addressed. Right now he is receiving medicine that keeps his sweet little heart working, but it’s only a temporary fix.

Wilder was transferred a few days later to UVA, where he continued to improve as his mama and daddy loved on him and doctors made more adjustments. One day I opened my phone to find a picture of Wilder with NO TUBES! He stabilized enough to not need supplemental oxygen anymore. Instead of anxious updates and scary news, the UVA doctors now told Katie and Zach that while he’ll need regular care, Wilder is expected to get through surgery without lasting or life-altering complications. If that isn’t a true, real-life miracle, I don’t know what is. Wilder’s surgery was scheduled for Friday, August 21, but was bumped due to a heart becoming available for another little child in need of a transplant. At this time, Katie and Zach are still waiting on a reschedule date. In the meantime, they’re hours away from home, staying in a hotel, incurring all the costs of medical bills for a birth AND a very sick baby plus the expenses associated with travel and care. It’s important to note that the regular care Wilder will need also has the potential to incur significant medical bills.

As all of Wilder’s updates unfolded, the wonderful ladies of Charleston’s Ellifox, the sweetest children’s boutique there ever was, have been following along Wilder’s journey, being cheerleaders he didn’t even know he had. Ellifox’s owner Lauren is a dear friend and one of the kindest, most generous, most compassionate women I’ve ever known, and she—on her own, without me, Katie, or Zach (who she’s never even met)—came up with a plan to help support the Griggs family.

Here’s where you come in! Let’s help Katie and Zach be able to focus solely on Wilder and his care and not worry about expenses. The prize here is epic: a full set of Polly play dresses from The Beaufort Bonnet Company’s spring 2021 line plus dolly outfits to match your little. If you’re a boy mom, don’t fret—you can choose instead to receive a full set of spring ‘21 night nights. There are a total of ten Pollys and dollies and eight night nights! “But we don’t know what Spring ‘21 looks like yet!!” Consider it to be a fashionable surprise for you and your little one to enjoy, and you’ll just have to trust that it’s every bit as fantastic as we’ve come to expect from TBBC. (Besides, when has TBBC ever disappointed?! There’s a reason we all love their lines so much!)

To enter:
FOLLOW @shopellifox and @laurenisafox on Instagram

DONATE! For every $20 donated to this fundraiser, you’ll receive one entry. You may enter as many times as you’d like.

For an extra entry, SHARE to your Instagram stories and tag the above accounts. Winner will be chosen at random on Sunday night!

To wrap up: say a prayer for Katie, Zach, and Wilder, hug your own precious babies and recognize the joy that they bring, and help get the word out to support this true little miracle fighter!