Support for the Carlson Family
My sister and brother in law, Kayla and Max Carlson, found out with joy this summer that the baby they were expecting was actually two... twins! In the flurry of getting ready for their babies, no one expected to encounter the difficulties that occurred this fall.
Due to Kayla's water breaking for one twin in early October, the babies (otherwise healthy) were now at great risk. After avoiding immediate labor, Kayla spent several days in the hospital and was sent home on strict bedrest for as many weeks as possible as everyone hoped for healing and the best possible outcome. Their next goal was to get to 23-24 weeks when additional medical interventions would've been able to help the babies. Unfortunately, they weren't able to reach that date, as labor began when the twins were 21 weeks old in utero.
With very heavy hearts Kayla and Max welcomed their baby boy, and then, baby girl into the world over a long weekend. They knew soon after they were admitted that Baby A - their little boy, would join them at some point, sooner than they had hoped. Whit Kekoa Carlson was born at 10:04 pm on Oct 28, a good 48 hours after the labor process began and they were admitted to the hospital. His name means “a small part or amount,” and his middle name is Hawaiian, and means “the brave one.”
Grief layered on grief when they realized they would not be able to delay their daughter's arrival either. Halia Maxine Carlson was born at 2:56 am on Oct 29. Her name is also Hawaiian, meaning “the remembrance of someone who was loved” and her middle name is obviously inspired by her daddy, also meaning "the greatest.” They both passed within hours after delivery.
Kayla and Max have chosen to remember their children's lives privately and there will not be a public memorial. Please remember with them by celebrating Whit and Halia's short lives with us here in this space.
In the face of these life-altering losses, we are inviting you, the Carlson family's community of friends and family, to surround them with love and care by leaving messages for them, and if you'd like to give practical help, we are opening a fund for them here on GoFundMe to support the needs that have arisen due to their loss: higher medical costs than expected, bereavement expenses, lost wages, and simply, to help ease the unimaginable pain they are going through. If you'd like to help meet those needs, please make a gift through GoFundMe, and the funds will go directly to the Carlsons. Thank you!
