Hello World!

Welcome to Gracies World. In this blog series, we share the amazing story of our new and firstborn child; Grace Elizabeth. Grace Elizabeth is the daughter of Tommy & Abby Taylor. 20 weeks into our pregnancy we found out that our baby girl had a rare Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) – called: “Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)”. HLHS is a condition where we have 2 ventricles in the heart that pump blood, a left ventricle, and a right ventricle. However, with HLHS, the left ventricle either never develops, or in the case of Grace Elizabeth, her left ventricle developed but never grew. When this happens, the child is unable to sufficiently pump blood oxygen throughout the body.

Due to the inability to successfully pump blood oxygen throughout the body, children with HLHS are subject to go through 3 scheduled surgeries within the first 2 to 3 years of their lives (the time frame fluctuates pending the growth of your child). The first surgery happens within the first week of babies life. Following that, the 2nd surgery typically takes place 4 to 6 months after that first surgery. Finally, should everything go according to plan, the 3rd and final surgery will take place 2-3 years after the 2nd surgery. Once all surgeries have been completed and assuming they go according to plan, Grace Elizabeth will be able to live a happy healthy active lifestyle. She is free to do what she wants and run and play and just live her best life.

That being said, we are excited to welcome Grace Elizabeth to our lives on March 17th, 2022 @ 3:36 PM. Grace Elizabeth was born at the University of Michigan, Mott Children’s Hospital. This day happens to be St. Patrick’s day. It also happened to be a full-moon day as well. So that is pretty cool. Due to COVID restrictions at the hospital though, Mom and Dad are only allowed to have 1 visitor and it has to be the same visitor and no interchanging the visitor while Grace Elizabeth is admitted to the hospital.

Grace Elizabeth’s first surgery will be taking place shortly, probably in 3 or 4 days.

Mom and Dad are absolutely breathless at the beauty of Grace Elizabeth. As soon as she was delivered (naturally), the nurses and doctors got Grace Elizabeth over the weight and height scale and Grace practically stood up on her own 2 feet. She is very strong. Grace was born at 6lbs 11oz. and is 19″ long. We simply just can’t get over the beauty of Grace. So pretty. Dad instantly started crying, as well as, mom. Grandma Amy was in the room with mom and it was all around a joyous occasion.

It wasn’t until dad held baby for the first time that he truly felt the power and presence of being a dad. What a great feeling to hold your child for the first time. Immediately, we can’t wait to get Grace Elizabeth home with us to her new home and bed. She is such a happy baby.