Rachel and Josh Lappe were set to be married on September 17th, 2016. In the winter of 2016 they were thrown a huge surprise when they found out they had a baby girl on the way. Ellarose Marie Lappe was set to arrive in November of 2016. On August 15th, 2016 at 26 weeks and 2 days Rachel went in for a urine sample. That afternoon she was admitted into labor and delivery at Altru in Grand Forks. Rachel and Josh were told that the amniotic sac protecting their little girl was bulging out of the cervix and Rachel was dilated 4 cm. There were no indications that she was laboring and Rachel felt no pain. Rachel’s doctor told them they would do everything they could to keep her inside as long as they could, but realistically she would not be pregnant next week. Rachel was given all necessary medication to prepare Ellarose and herself for preterm delivery. Rachel and Josh held high hopes that medication and gravity would keep Ellarose in for as long as possible. On August 18th Rachel’s water broke and she was given an epidural. Ellarose was born the next morning, August 19th, at 26 weeks and 6 days weighing 2 lbs. 7.2 oz. and 15 inches long. Rachel and Josh were not able to hold their baby girl for several days. Ellarose remained in the NICU and mom and dad got to take her temperature and change her diaper twice a day. It wasn’t until she was 6 days old that they got to hold her for the first time. Mom and dad continued to take her temperature and change her diaper while praying each day her stats were stable enough for one of them to hold her. Ellarose did well in the NICU and made it to 3 lbs. at just about 4 weeks old. Doctors told mom and dad she’d get to go home the beginning of October. She was given two blood transfusions as her body wasn’t keeping up at such a young age, but continued to surpass expectations for a preemie. After a concerning eye exam, Ellarose was diagnosed with ROP, a disease that causes abnormal blood vessels in the retinas of babies born under a certain weight, and Altru chose to airlift her to the Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Ellarose will see the eye specialist in 2 weeks to determine if she will need surgery on the blood vessels in her retinas. Ellarose and her mom will remain in Minneapolis until she is ready to go home which is could be mid-October.  Her dad and big brother, Breken, are staying in Grand Forks for work and school. Rachel will stay with Ellarose, at the Ronald McDonald House, or at a hotel. If you are able, please donate to this young family to help with medical expenses and other expenses while Rachel is on maternity leave staying with Ellarose in Minneapolis.