It’s always extra fun to have the opportunity to photograph friends. This newborn and family session is extra close to my heart for a few reasons. Kelsey and John are friends of ours, but are also like family. Anyone who is in the law enforcement or fire community know what that family bond is like. Baby Molly was diagnosed with major health issues while Kelsey was pregnant with her. The type of health issues that make your heart sink into your stomach, especially as a friend and fellow mother. The first diagnosis was grim to say the least. At their 20 week sonogram they discovered that Molly had a single umbilical artery and her kidneys were dilated. Kelsey and John then headed to get a high risk ultrasound and amniocenteses done. The doctors told them that Molly had a pelvic right kidney, her kidneys were dilated, left club foot, a large hole in her heart, and the single umbilical artery. Shortly afterward they saw a cardiologist who confirmed that Molly had a large hole in her heart as well as a narrow arch. The cardiologist who told them that she usually sees this in babies with trisomy 18 or 13 and those syndromes are “not compatible with life.”  She did not expect that  Molly would survive more than a few days if she made it through birth at all. John and Kelsey were torn but decided to carry Molly regardless even if it meant only a few days or hours with her.

After all of the heart breaking news some good news finally began to pour in. About two weeks after such a grim diagnosis the geneticist called and told Kelsey and John that it was not trisomy 13, 18, 21 or a sex chromosome issue. They couldn’t confirm the more rare ones but the major and scary ones were ruled out. They saw the high risk doctor and cardiologist weekly through the rest of Kelsey’s pregnancy to monitor Molly. Miraculously, Molly’s kidneys opened up and it looked like they didn’t need surgery anymore!  Molly was regularly measuring in the 2-4% for size which was worrisome. They estimated she’d only be 4-5 lbs at birth. The cardiologist informed Kelsey and John that they would be preparing for open heart surgery once Molly was 3-6 months old. The arch was a big problem. But then a few more weeks went by and the arch opened up! However, Molly still had the large hole and that would definitely need open heart surgery. At about 30 weeks pregnant, Kelsey was diagnosed with polyhydramnios (excessive amount of amniotic fluid). This can cause problems at birth because the cord may prolapse.

Molly was born on 7/15 6lbs 10oz! When they put Molly on Kelsey’s chest, she wasn’t crying, moving, or breathing and her eyes were rolling back in her head. They immediately took Molly from Kelsey and began giving her oxygen. Within a few minutes they had her breathing again but they took her to special care because they were worried about seizures. John later told Kelsey that the cord was over her head when she came out. While in the hospital, it took a few days for her to learn how to even suck from a bottle. She didn’t root or suck well at all and her eyes weren’t focusing. On the 3rd day in the hospital they got her to suck on a bottle and take 10 ml.  She slowly started taking milk from a bottle and they removed the feeding tube and let Molly come stay in their room. They were discharged on the 4th day but she still was barely eating and had lost a lot of weight.

John, Kelsey, and big sister Kori came to visit me in the studio for Molly’s newborn portraits when Molly was about two weeks old. Up to this point I had tracked with each of Kelsey’s facebook posts praying for baby Molly at each new diagnosis and celebrating with them with the good news about Molly’s arch in her heart and healed kidneys. Kelsey handed sweet little Molly to me and I asked about when the heart surgery was scheduled for. Kelsey said, “Jenna, you’re not going to believe this but the hole in Molly’s heart is gone!” At which point I melted into tears and thanked God for answering so many prayers with a miraculous healing in Molly’s body. The girl that wasn’t supposed to live is the sweetest, calmest, little baby.  Kelsey says that she squeaks and coos and is so full of life.  Every day she makes progress and gets a little better.
The prayers have been AMAZING.  People John and Kelsey don’t know personally have been reaching out and praying for them. Kelsey’s mom’s friend made a prayer quilt with friends at her church for Molly. With every knot they tied, they said a prayer for Molly.  Kelsey says that she truly believes that God heard everyone crying out for Molly. We are loved by a Living God, a Loving Father.