My name is Stephanie and I had my daughter, Charleigh, at 21. Charleigh was born with a congenital heart defect causing her aortic valve to be too narrow. She had an intervention at a month old and is monitored every 5 months to see when she will need another intervention. 1 in 110 babies are born with a heart defect. Despite her rough start, she is the kindest soul. She is funny and often too smart for her own good. I openly admit she saved my life and makes me a better person.
She is 1 in 110
A Little About US
My husband Jack and I were set up by family when Charleigh was still a baby. I had no plans for dating but Jack stepped into our crazy lives as a parent to Charleigh immediately. We’ve been a family ever since. I went back to school when Charleigh was 18 months old and eventually got my Bachelor’s so that I can become an echocardiographer. Although, our fertility journey and the pandemic has put a pause on working. Jack works in the IT world and even helped me make this website! We are happy to share that on June 7, 2022, Jack legally adopted Charleigh as his daughter. It was a beautiful day and she is so happy he is “officially, officially” her daddy.
Since we got married in 2019, we’ve been trying to expand our family. I knew in my heart that it would be a journey, so we saw a fertility doctor for almost 2 years. I had surgery to remove endometriosis and learned there was damage to my fimbriae causing a narrowing in my Fallopian tube. Like 1 in 8 women, they confirmed would have difficulty trying to conceive.
I am 1 in 8
In events unrelated to our fertility struggle, we miscarried our twin boys, Theo and Apollo, on June 11, 2020. I was twelve weeks along when we learned there were twins but they had passed at 9 weeks. That was the first time I heard the dreaded words “There’s no heartbeat.” It is suspected the were conjoined twins, causing several abnormalities.
I am 1 in 4
Each story is unique. You may feel lonely, but you are not alone.
After conceiving through a medicated IUI, our son Calvin was unexpectedly born sleeping a few days before his due date on April 29, 2021. It was a regular check up where we went in to talk about the birth plan. He was moving and kicking the entire night before, but the next morning he was gone. In a rare incident, an amniotic band broke off and wrapped around his umbilical cord. We were still able to have a beautiful birth and celebrate him. Now we honor him through sharing his story. Each story is unique. You may feel lonely, but you are not alone.
I am 1 in 160
Every Calvin Needs a Hobbes
We have always been a family that loves animals. Growing up, I always had pets and was rescuing baby animals I found. Early on we could Charleigh had the same heart for animals, and she always had strong bonds with the pets around her. Calvin’s passing was incredibly emotional for her, even though she was so brave through it all. We had been talking about getting a puppy, and we took the leap to bring a bring a smile back to her face. Calvin was named from Calvin and Hobbes, so naming our pup Hobbes was only fitting. They immediately were inseparable, and he was just what our family needed.
Surprised by a Rainbow
Just a couple months after Calvin’s passing we were surprised to find we are expecting again. Pregnancy after loss was an emotional journey of its own. After giving us a scare and failing his BPP, the doctors delivered Nolan James on March 10, 2022 at 36 weeks. He is a healthy and incredibly happy little boy who has brought a lot of light and joy to our family. I know not every loss family uses the term rainbow, but it fits his bright and colorful soul.
