Kayla and Gree’s journey to parenthood took an unexpected turn when they learned they were matched with Baby EmJ just five days after her birth in late October. Born prematurely at 36 weeks in Reno, EmJ needed extra care, and her new parents wasted no time. They hopped on a plane from Georgia to meet their little miracle.
While EmJ spent several weeks growing stronger in the NICU at Renown Children’s Hospital, Kayla and Gree stayed at Ronald McDonald House, just 200 steps away from their daughter. After EmJ was discharged, they remained at the House for another week to ensure everything was in place before heading home.
“When we asked if we needed to find a hotel after she was discharged,” Kayla recalls, “Leif told us, ‘Absolutely not. Bring her here until you’re cleared to go home.’”
Though they’d heard of Ronald McDonald House Charities before, Kayla admits, “You don’t think about it until you’re in a situation where you need it — and we’d never needed it before.”
When they needed it, RMHCNN provided more than just a place to stay. It gave them access to a kitchen, a supportive community, and a sense of comfort during a stressful time.
“Of course, we appreciated being so close to her,” Kayla shares, “but the kindness of everyone and having a home away from home was invaluable for our sanity.”
Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, this new family had the support they needed to focus on what mattered most — Baby EmJ.
Physical Proximity Affects Physical Outcomes
Gree firmly believes that being close to EmJ played a critical role in her recovery.
“When we arrived, she was on morphine and oxygen, and she couldn’t feed without a tube,” he explains. “The hospital staff emphasized how important it was for us to be there during all her care times and as much in-between time as possible. Staying at the Ronald McDonald House, so close to the hospital, allowed us to be there 100% of the time.”
Their dedication made a remarkable difference. Gree and Kayla arrived on a Tuesday, and by Friday, EmJ was feeding from a bottle and starting to come off both morphine and oxygen. “I truly believe that being at the Ronald McDonald House enabled us to be there for her in a way that changed everything,” Gree shares.
For Kayla and Gree, EmJ is a miracle in more ways than one. She is their first living child after enduring the heartbreak of three pregnancy losses through IVF. In their fourth pregnancy, Kayla’s sister selflessly served as their gestational carrier, but a medical condition led to the devastating loss of their son at 20 weeks.
Determined to build their family, Kayla and Gree turned to adoption — and were blessed with Baby EmJ. Now, with the support of RMHCNN and their unwavering love, EmJ is thriving and bringing joy to her parents’ lives.
Tyson Fight Brings Families Together
Sometimes, unexpected moments lead to lasting connections. For several families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, watching a Tyson fight together turned out to be the start of lifelong friendships.
“We passed each other every day but didn’t talk much at first,” Kayla recalls. “Then the guys decided to watch the fight together, and that broke the ice.”
What started as a shared evening of entertainment grew into something more. The families began spending time together, cooking meals, and sharing stories.
“It’s comforting to talk to people who truly understand what you’re going through,” Kayla says. “We became really close during that time — now we keep in touch through social media and text all the time.”
EmJ also brought a sense of hope to the other families waiting for their babies to come home. “Having gone through similar challenges and leaving their own babies in the hospital, seeing her progress put smiles on their faces,” Gree shares.
The connections made at the House show how meaningful community and support can be during difficult times.
A Home Away From Home
While hotels can be fun for a weekend getaway, they’re far from ideal for a month-long stay — especially when caring for an infant.
“I can’t imagine handling laundry in a hotel, especially with a baby,” Kayla says. “Between blowouts and other messes, it would have been a nightmare. Plus, having a kitchen where we could easily warm her bottles was a lifesaver.”
The Ronald McDonald House also offered unexpected perks, like the beauty of the changing seasons. Kayla says that the colorful leaves, occasional snow flurries, and crisp air
made it feel like a fall getaway. “Even though our baby was in the NICU, it felt like we were on a little vacation with family,” she says.
One seasonal surprise for the couple was Reno’s colder weather compared to Georgia. One morning, as they commented on the chill while heading out to see EmJ at Renown, they returned to find a thoughtful gift basket waiting for them. Inside were scarves, hats, and a gift card to buy warmer jackets.
The warmth they felt from the Ronald McDonald House, its staff and guests extended far beyond the amenities. “Kay is a rainbow-and-butterflies kind of person, but I’m naturally more pessimistic,” Gree admits, adding that initially he felt uneasy about starting this new chapter with EmJ in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strangers.
But those feelings quickly melted away. “It felt like we were at home, surrounded by people we’d known forever,” Gree says. “This was a life-changing experience, and it all started with her.”
