Baby Brielle

Brielle is a fighter!  Even though she was born one month early, she fought in the NICU at Community Medical Center in Missoula, and was able to join her family at home, after her lungs were strong enough.  She is so loved by her parents, Kaitlynn and Jake Bauer, as well as big brother Leighton.  Everyone was so happy to have Miss Brielle home!  She was nursing well and gaining weight like a pro.  The Bauer family was getting settled and enjoying time as a family of four.  Everything changed during the morning hours of February 12, 2020.

Once Brielle was home she was nursing like a champ and gaining weight.  Everyone was so enjoying her progress and settling into the new normalcy of frequent diaper changes, snuggles, feedings, and naps. It was during one of these morning feedings on February 12th  that Kaitlynn first got a gut feeling that something might be wrong.  Brielle wasn't eating and just didn't seem herself.  Thank goodness Kaitlynn trusted her mother's instinct!  Brielle became so very sick, so very QUICK and after being rushed back to the hospital via ambulance, spent time in the PICU.  Brielle is just one month old.  Doctors in Missoula did what they could for Brielle, but ultimately felt her needs were bigger than what could be handled in Missoula.  The decision was made to airlift Brielle to Seattle Children's Hospital, where doctors are concerned that she may have developed Meningitis.  

This family has been through so much already.  This is a kick in the gut, as they were just beginning to think they were out of the woods since Brielle spent so many weeks in the NICU after birth.  Kaitlynn and Jake are AMAZING parents who would not want to ask for any financial help.  Jake works HARD to support his family as a new groundsman with NorthWestern Energy, but has very little paid leave yet, as he's so new to his job.  Kaitlynn is in Seattle with Brielle, while Jake remains in Missoula working and caring for Leighton.  Please support Kaitlynn, Jake and Brielle, either with prayers, sharing this campaign, or a financial gift.  All proceeds of this campaign will go directly to Jake and Kaitlynn to help defray medical costs associated with Brielle's care.  Let's join together and show the Bauer family how much love and support there is out there for Baby Brielle!