Help Hillary & Rylee Welcome Baby Rowan Home

Our family got the happiest and scariest news all at once: baby Rowan decided to arrive seven weeks early.

He is here, he is beautiful, and he is a fighter.

He’s currently in the NICU getting the care he needs, and we are incredibly grateful that he’s doing well. But as anyone who’s been through it knows, a NICU stay is both emotionally and financially overwhelming.

I’m Heather, Hillary’s mom, and I’m creating this GoFundMe with Hillary and Rylee’s blessing. If they could get through this without asking for help, they absolutely would. They are both hardworking, fiercely independent people who are much more comfortable giving support than receiving it. But right now, they could really use a village.

Why We’re Asking for Help

This all comes at the worst possible financial moment.

• Rylee serves in the National Guard, and right at the time of the shutdown, his civilian job was eliminated. They’ve been without his regular paycheck.

• Hillary loves her work as an occupational therapist and has a great job, but she now needs to go out on leave much earlier than planned to focus on recovering and being with Rowan.

• With one income suddenly gone and the other reduced, everything has become very tight very quickly.

They are not asking for luxuries—just enough breathing room to get through this intense chapter without going under.

What Your Support Will Help With

Your generosity will go toward:

• NICU-related costs & essentials

Not all expenses are covered, and there are lots of “little” things that add up—parking, gas, meals at the hospital, and unexpected baby needs.

• Dog sitting & pet care

Their sweet dog still needs to be cared for while Hillary and Rylee spend long hours at the hospital.

• Cleaning help at home

A bit of cleaning support would mean they can come home from the NICU to a safe, calm space instead of spending their few precious hours off scrubbing floors.

• Finishing Rowan’s nursery

Because he arrived so early, the nursery isn’t fully ready yet. Helping them complete it—basic furniture, storage, and supplies—means Rowan will have a cozy, safe space to come home to when he’s ready.

• Bridge for lost income

Help covering basic living expenses while they adjust to the loss of Rylee’s income and Hillary’s reduced pay.

About Hillary & Rylee

Hillary and Rylee are the kind of people who quietly show up for others—family, friends, coworkers, neighbors—without expecting anything in return. They didn’t imagine they would ever be in a position where they’d need to ask for help so publicly, and they are honestly a bit embarrassed.

That’s why I’m the one hitting “publish” on this page. As their mom, I can see how much they’re juggling: the joy of Rowan’s arrival, the fear that comes with a NICU stay, and the stress of watching the numbers in their bank account drop while they’re just trying to be there for their baby.

How You Can Help

If you feel called to support them, here are a few meaningful ways:

• Donate, if you’re able—no amount is too small. Truly.

• Share this GoFundMe with others who might want to help a young family during a hard season.

• Send encouragement—kind words matter so much right now.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting Hillary, Rylee, and baby Rowan. One day, when he’s older, I can’t wait to tell Rowan about the many people who helped him come home.

With gratitude,

Heather