Hello, our names are Jerry & Kristina Kappes. We are fundraising to help our new baby grandson Layken, his big brother Liam and their parents, Morgan & Andrew with all the unexpected expenses with Layken's congenital heart defect.

Morgan and Andrew believed Layken to be in perfect health the entire pregnancy. Therefore, they weren't able to prepare mentally or financially for all that has come their way with Layken's stay in the NICU at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Here's their story so far, written by Morgan & Andrew:

"Our little man is one week old today.

A week ago, I started having contractions around 3pm, we arrived at the hospital around 4:30pm, and Mr Layken was born at 8:46pm.

My little baby was taken from me very shortly after he made his arrival. We had no skin to skin, no time to give all the love and kisses, he was just taken away to get the help he needed.

We had no idea this was going to be the case. He was transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital around 4am. That was the hardest goodbye considering I was not discharged yet. I am beyond thankful Andrew was able to go and be with our baby.

We found out that our Layken has an enlarged heart. His tricuspid valve does not function properly, causing back flow of blood which then causes poor oxygenated blood to enter his body. His lungs have some pressure on them due to all of this.

Layken was put on nitric oxide to help with his oxygen levels but yesterday, he was officially able to come off of that. Unfortunately, he had another echo and that came back not the greatest. The right side of his heart was the main cause, but now the left side is having issues as well.

He is being given a medication to replace the function of the nitric oxide and although his numbers look amazing, his heart is telling us otherwise. The doctors are still searching for direct answers on why all of this is happening the way it is, so Andrew and I truly don’t have many answers. The only thing we know is that he will 100% need open heart surgery to fix his tricuspid valve. When that surgery will happen all depends on Layken and how he’s doing.

Overall, we have a strong boy. He is eating very very well and mommy has been able to give him my milk supply which has been a blessing. He’s such a good, calm boy, but knows when it’s time to eat. Big brother Liam adores him, even though he only gets to see him over FaceTime, they already have the best relationship.

Andrew has been the best supporter and daddy ever. Being post partum with big emotions and hormones all over the place, he is my rock. It has been a very difficult situation for us dealing with this. We have very little time together since we alternate nights at the hospital, but his love and care has been out of this world. Our big boy Liam has had some big emotions as well, but he has the absolute best care system we could ask for. Grandma, Grandpa, Mimi and Pappy have been amazing.

Please keep our Layken in your thoughts and prayers. We will try and keep everyone updated the best we can. Thank you SO much to everyone who has supported us in the many ways we have received. We are beyond thankful for how much love has been given our way."