This is the hardest thing I’ve ever shared or written.  Not because I am sad about it but because I am an extremely private and reserved person.  When I was 26 weeks pregnant I received some life altering unexpected and at the moment very scary news.  I was going through a routine growth ultrasound when the technician became very silent and was not her usual self.  I immediately knew there was something that caught her attention.  It turned into a two hour ultrasound and I just felt my heart becoming tight.  I knew something was coming.  We were joined by a neonatal pediatrics specialist and she explained to me that there were some abnormalities in the back of my sons brain and that they would refer me to Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin.  So far the diagnosis was Dandy Walker Syndrome but not much information was given.  I’m grateful for that technician and the specialist for catching what they did.  They were very thorough and did their job so well.  That was the day I chose my sons name Jonathan (as in Given by God) and Rafael (as in healed by God).  This name is engraved in my heart.  This is truly the day I became a mom.  I was referred to Childrens Hospital in Wisconsin.  Right away they ordered a fetal MRI, an amniocentesis and every possible genetic test they could think of.  Genetic testing didn’t provide us with any answers but at least we could rule out some other particular concerns such as Down syndrome and Genome 13.  During the Fetal MRI they did discover that Jonathan had an underdeveloped eye which turned out to be microphthalmia. They did not know if this was somehow related to his Dandy Walker brain malformation but at the least knowing all this gave me time to mourn, cry, process,  plan and pray.  I had the amazing support of my husband and both our families.  My friends who were always there through the phone during due to the pandemic.  I can say the prognosis was not very good.  The doctors didn’t really know what life Jonathan would have.  If he would be able to breathe or eat on his own.  Every single detail was up in the air.  But God had life plans and Jonathan was born.  He needed a little help breathing but once he did he has been nothing but a sweet loving angel who fills our lives with unconditional love.  I am so proud to be his mother and he is the best gift I could have ever dreamed of.  Life is challenging but beautiful.  Jonathan has infinite specialists appointments.  He is constantly being monitored by his neurosurgeon.  He has Physical therapy, Occupational therapy.  He needs Visual therapy and he is a cute 7 month old with glasses.  He needs eye expanders every six weeks and will need several prosthetic eyes throughout his life.  As you all can imagine you can plan but there are some things that are definitely unexpected.  Each prosthetic eye is about eight thousand dollars.  We have medical insurance but you all know how that goes.  I am asking if you feel it in your heart to help with anything it would be more than appreciated.  I am grateful to anyone donating, reading, sharing, praying or sending love and good thoughts.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.