I want to start this post out by saying it’s going to be a long one. I also think it needs to be said that prayers do get answered and the good Lord above is in control of all things. All we have to do is ask.

Early in Bella’s pregnancy at her first anatomy scan little Liam was found to have a very serious congenital heart condition called CCTGA this stands for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. TGA in itself is a very serious condition. Where basically the major plumbing of a baby‘s heart coming to and leaving are switched, in Liam‘s case while his heart was forming it, attempted to congenitally correct itself and swapped the lower half of his heart meaning his left and right ventricles are backwards. This makes him and his heart very, very special her care then switched from North Florida to Shands where he has an entire heart team focused on what is best for him and how to treat surgically. Liam will need several surgeries overtime to make his heart as efficient as possible since these babies are literally one in 1 million they are treated on a very individual basis. This means his heart team had a plan for him, but they also wanted to see how he presented after birth. Both Bella and Dylan spent months educating themselves on what Liam may or may not need. There was a huge chance that he would have to go to surgery immediately after arrival without even letting mom or dad see him. I am so very thankful to say with a room full of people, doctors, nurses, specialist surgeons standing by yesterday. Little Liam entered this world as a true miracle, he was able to lay on his mom‘s chest while his dad cut his cord. He needed zero oxygen, had a beautiful, healthy cry, and even peed and pooped on his mom within the first minute of life. Bella and Dylan got to initiate that bond that their little family needed. From a medical standpoint, I had prepared myself to see the absolute worst but what  I saw was nothing less than God answering prayers! After about 15 minutes of laying on mom‘s chest and holding onto dad‘s finger, he was taken to the NICU to begin a very intense assessment of what he would need. In short, he did very well needing very little medication and very little support, but still needing constant monitoring because of how different his little heart is at this point they will continue testing throughout the weekend to map out how his little heart is working for him. On Monday the congenital heart team will meet to review all the information from the weekend and decide if surgical intervention is needed sooner or later, and when he will be able to go home. Bella was discharged from the hospital yesterday. They are currently needing to stay near the hospital which means hotels bill are quite costly. As Liam has been put on a CPAP in an attempt to keep his lungs as open as possible until his first surgery. Bella is pumping diligently every 2 hours to provide Liam with the liquid gold colostrum that is oh so important for him right now while Dylan has spent numerous trips back and forth to the NICU delivering syringes full to drops to help Liam as much as possible. We are praying for gods hand and his will in this. We’ve created this GoFundMe to help cover hotel expenses, food, and any other unexpected costs that may come up during this difficult period. Every little bit helps — whether it’s $5, $50, or simply sharing this page — it all makes a difference.

Bella and Dylan have always been there for others, offering kindness, support, and a helping hand whenever someone needed it. Now it’s our turn to show that same love and care in return.

Please consider donating if you’re able, and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Your generosity will help ease their burden and remind them that they’re not alone.