Our Princess

Words can't describe the emotions Heidi and I have felt today (this is Chris writing). Today was a day no parent should have to go through. We had to say goodbye to our sweet, sweet baby Jersey.

Over the last few days her condition continued to get worse. She was starting to accumulate more and more fluid, her blood pressure would dip dangerously low, and her oxygen levels weren't where they needed to be. Yesterday when our doctor asked us about reviving her or not, if the time comes, we knew her time was limited on this earth. I left the hospital around 10 pm very depressed and not sure what to think. When I arrived home I went straight to bed thinking about the condition of my baby girl. I finally had the courage to tell Heavenly Father that I was ready to accept her going home to live with Him. I couldn't handle seeing her under so much stress.

At 12:48 am I received my answer. Heidi called me and told me it was time. Jersey had maxed out all her drips and ventilator and there was nothing else we could do. I rushed to the hospital so we could be with her for the remaining moments of her life.

When I arrived I walked into a very calm and peaceful environment, just as Jersey would've wanted. We took off all the unnecessary cords and tubes so we could hold her. We still had her hooked up to the ventilator, heart medication and pain medication. We held her, talked to her, sang to her and told her how much we loved her. We called both our parents so they could see her one last time.

At about 5:50 am Jersey's heart rate and blood pressure weren't holding. We told our doctor it was time. We excused our parents and I was able to hold her as they took off all her cords and IV's. Once everything was off the Doctor removed the tube from her mouth. We were finally able to see her precious little face without a tube and tape.

I had the privilege and opportunity to hold her as she passed away. It was a very spiritual and sad thing to experience. We felt her spirit leave and enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Once she had passed we gave her a bath and brought our family in, as well as Tatum and Tucker, to say our goodbyes. Both our kids were able to finally hold their baby sister free of any cords or tubes. Tatum loved every minute. She sang her songs and told her all the things she would teach her to do (twirl, cart-wheel, etc). Tucker held her for a few moments but then wanted his mommy.

Today was an extremely difficult day for us, but necessary for Jersey. She fought a good fight and gave it her all, but Heavenly Father wanted her home. We will miss our precious little baby Jersey, but we know she is in a better place. A place free of IV's, tubes, cords, surgery's, blood pressure cuffs, monitors, etc, etc. She touched our lives in so many ways and Heidi and I feel so honored and blessed that Heavenly Father would send her to our family.

Our hearts ache for our sweet baby and we miss her so much. I can't put into words the love I have for our special Angel. She will always have a special place in my heart and not a second will go by that I don't think of her. Yesterday when Heidi and I took a nap we slept with one of her blankets, it was her favorite blanket and the one she was wrapped in as she passed. It was so nice to have a piece of her home with us snuggled in our bed. We look forward to the day when she welcomes us home. It will be a special day for us all.

Heidi and I have felt an overwhelming amount of support from everyone. Your prayers and thoughts were felt throughout the day. Please keep them coming as we are going to need them over the next few days, weeks, months...

We are holding a funeral service on Friday morning and we will post details at a later date. Everyone who was touched by Jersey is welcome to participate on this special day.