March 3, 2010

Hazel's memorial is confirmed for this Wednesday, March 3, 2010 . The service will take place at the LDS chapel located at 584 West Street in Ludlow. The family will be receiving condolences from 3:30-5pm followed the Memorial from 5-6 pm. We would love to have you join us in celebrating Hazel's brief but powerful life.

Kirstin has come home and is resting. Everyone can breath a sigh of relief. There are still appointments to be kept and test to be done but she is home. Gidget, Kirstin and Travis' puppy, is so happy to have her parents home and is being a very sweet girl.

Again, your outpouring of love has been so appreciated. We can't thank you enough.

Hazel's Memorial

Tentatively Hazel's memorial is set for this Wednesday. The family will receive condolences from 3:30 pm to 5 pm followed by a 5 o'clock memorial. The Memorial will be held at the LDS chapel located on West Street in Ludow. Again, this all tentative so please check back tomorrow for the official time and date.

Sweet Goodbye

Hazel has said goodbye to her parents. She is now in the loving hands of Sampson's Funeral Home. We are thankful for them and for the hands that will prepare our sweet Hazel. Last night after a long day my mom was greeted by a friend of Kirstin and Travis who had a gift for them. She brought over a perfect little dress for Hazel to wear. Her mother made it and it arrived yesterday. What a blessing for it to arrive yesterday! Our 3lbs. angel will now look even more heavenly. Thanks Laura!

Kirstin's kidney's are still giving her trouble. Tests are being done and blood drawn. We are hoping things will soon return to normal. In the meantime does anyone have the number for Dr. House? We could really use him right now...or maybe his real life counterpart.

Keep Kirstin and Travis in your prayers!

Love to you all.

Our Little Hazel

Angel wings are appropriate for this beautiful girl this morning. Around 6:20am Hazel passed away in the arms of her daddy. She is now comfortably resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father. We are so grateful for the MIRACLE and the BLESSING and the MISSIONARY our little Hazel has been. Some people need a lifetime to touch many lives. Hazel needed 7 days.

***I know it goes without having to be said but Kirstin and Travis will be spending some time reflecting on the past week and will be unable to return calls, e-mails and texts. Thank you for giving them some time.***

L*o*v*e*

Celebrate

Hazel has some experiences to celebrate. Today she has officially lived every day of the week, seen snow and again snuggled with her mommy. She and Kirstin are resting peacefully today. Kirstin, Hazel and Travis are surrounded with love.

Absolute Perfection

Dear Kirs-

Sorry the plasma exchange sucked today. I hope it worked. Good luck with the dialysis tonight. Hope you loose some more water weight...that would be cool. Ma says Hazel is sooo in love with you. Well, who isn't right now? You are my hero. Keep you the good work and get better.

I love you,

Dana

p.s. If you get better sooner (rather than later) I will buy you 10,000 Reeses Pieces Eater eggs. Now there's incentive!

Day 5

Can you believe we are on day 5 of this crazy/amazing/emotional adventure? Me either.

Kirstin:

The plasma exchange didn't work yesterday. Half way through she got a hive in her eye and they had to stop so as I type she is again having a plasma exchange with extra meds to help keep the hives away. Cross your fingers, or whatever you do for good luck, and here's to hoping the plasma exchange goes well.

After we deal with her plasma we are back to dealing with her kidneys. Back to dialysis. This process will most likely continue for quite a while. As long as its helping we are all for it. Besides, last time she had it she took off 10 lbs! Where do I sign up??? Okay, not funny but there's gotta be an up side, right?

Hazel:

She has everybody wrapped around her teeny tiny little fingers. But most of all her parents. She got some more mommy and me time this morning and I honestly think this little girl would live to be 100 if she could just be held by Kirstin forever.

We just love, love, love this baby.

Travis:

Travis is feeling yucky (yes that is the medical term). A sore throat has cropped up so we ask for prayers on his behalf. He has been through the ringer this week. Lets pray for a quick recovery!

Happy Day 5 everyone! Go hug someone you love!

Mother And Daughter

Our prayers have been answered! Kirstin and Hazel were able to snuggle today! When I say snuggle I mean really, really snuggle. This was a first for them.

Hugs were given.

Kisses were shared.

"I love you's" were exchanged.

Hazel LOVED every second of it.

Kirstin LOVED every second of it.

They were mother and daughter just hanging out and loving one another.

*sigh* This just makes me happy.

Thank You

Again, we just wanted to say that we are so thankful for all the messages of love. The phone calls, e-mails, texts and flowers are extremely thoughtful. We wish we could get to you all. We soon will; just please bear with us. Know that we have felt every ounce of love and concern coming from you. We love you.

Love, The Jim Forsberg's and The Tom Reed's

Isn't She Lovely?

That song keeps running through my head. Kirstin and Hazel continue to amaze and we are so proud of both of them. These past few days have been such a blessing. Enjoy these family photos.Mother and Daughter
Hazel Lynnette Reed
3 generations
3 lbs. 11 ozs!

The previously mentioned lovely locks. Look at that beautiful hair!

Grandma and Grandpa Forsberg with grand baby #5

Grandma and Grandpa Reed and Auntie Robin.

Happy little family.

My mom wanted to make sure that everyone knows how grateful she and my dad are for all your thoughts, prayers and help. The food deliveries have been heaven sent and they are grateful you are making it possible for them to stay and help Kirstin and Travis in whatever way they can. Everything is so appreciated! Everything! According to mom Hazel is the perfect little missionary. No surprise there. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Love to you all!

And Baby Makes Three

Just enjoy.

Families are forever.

Dialysis

Dialysis is done for today and Kirstin did really well. She is a real trooper. It took about 3 hours. Tomorrow we will find out if it was enough or if she will have to repeat the process. She was able to have some mac and cheese tonight which is her first real meal since her c-section. Hazel is hanging on. This child is tough as nails. Thank you to everyone for all you are doing. More later!

Kirstin Needs You

We have just found out that Kirstin needs to have dialyses today. This is not entirely unexpected but we were really hoping she would not have to go through this. She is nervous and we are worried. Please keep her in your prayers. Dialyses is today at 1 pm eastern standard time.

Hazel is doing well but she is getting weaker. She is such a strong girl and we love her. She loves to hold hands and she loves her parents and grandparents. Uncle Anders called yesterday via satellite phone from his cutter somewhere in the Atlantic and Hazel got to talk (grunt and coo) to him. Hazel loves her Uncle Anders and he loves her.

Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Kirstin, Hazel and Travis. Thank you!

Meet Hazel

Guess who decided to make her grand entrance into this world on Wednesday, Feb 17th @ 4 am? That's right. Hazel Lynette Reed is here and she is perfect. This is Kirstin's sister Dana and I thought you all would like to meet Kirstin and Travis' little miracle. So without further adieu let me introduce you to Hazel.

Like I just mentioned, Hazel was born almost 2 whole days ago. She was 2 months premature and delivered by emergency c-section. She was immediately given to her mom and dad so they could enjoy their brief time with her. Guess what? She is still with us! This amazing little girl is 3lbs. 11 oz of toughness. She is breathing on her own and is fighting a fight that we thought was impossible. She's a miracle. But that's obvious, isn't it?

This precious little girl was born with a ton of dark curly hair which, for a Forsberg, is an absolute achievement. Let me tell you-to be 2 months premature and have hair that gorgeous is very, very impressive. Travis says she gets her lovely locks from her Grandpa Tom. I am sure he is right. According to Grandma Robin little miss has dainty hands and long slim legs just like her daddy. Hazel has the cutest ears and sings just like a little bird to whomever will listen. This little girl is a professional snuggler and has caused everyone to fall instantly in love with her.

When Hazel gets fussy there is one sure fire option to calm her, you just take her to her mommy and lay her down and let her listen to Kirstin's heartbeat. When she is with Kirstin she is home, she is content and she is happy.

Hazel is such a strong little girl and truly a miracle. She is close to being 48 hours old and defying all odds. We are so grateful for her little spirit.

She has wonderful parents. Travis and Kirstin love Hazel more then words can express. We all do. Right now Kirstin is very, very sick and the doctors are having a difficult time helping her. She is struggling with HELLP syndrome. We need your prayers for Kirstin, Travis and Hazel. These next few days are crucial and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Over the past two days Hazel has been described as a angel, a princess, a gift, a fighter, a trooper, a beauty, our hero and a miracle. Each and every word could not be more accurate.

She is a miracle and that is a fact.

If you would like to keep current on what is going on with Kirstin, Travis and Hazel feel free to check my blog @ http://www.thewidings.blogspot.com/ or if you are on facebook add me as a friend (Dana Forsberg Widing) and just let me know you are a friend of Kirstin's. I am trying to keep everyone current on her condition there.

Don't forget sweet Hazel, Kirstin and Travis in your prayers and thank you in advance!

40 people, 1 question

One of my favorite people, Anna, just completed a video project that I love. I am inspired by her topic. Hopefully this will help her get into USC film school. Travis and I are in the movie and you can get an idea of how swollen I am right now. I don't even recognize that person.

So Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy.

Click here to watch: 40 people, 1 question

Out of the mouth of babes

Brockden, my 3 year-old nephew, caught me rubbing lotion all over my belly the other day. He thought it was a lot of fun to "see Hazel." As he was patting my stomach he said, "Auntie Kirs, how come Hazel doesn't fall out of your hole?" Of course I'm thinking they are teaching a little too much at the preschool level now and got really awkward. As I was trying to formulate how to answer that question in regards to a 3 year-old he asked again, "how come the baby doesn't fall out of your hole," pointing at my belly button. Much better. I still let his Mom handle that one, but at least it wasn't the crisis I had imagined. Out of the mouth of babes....

The latest Hazel update is that we will most likely be induced around the 18th of March. Because her head is developing 3 weeks ahead of her body the Doctors are afraid of head entrapment and all sorts of other complications if they let her go too long. We are aiming for a natural birth, but a C-section is still a strong possibility based on her condition.

We have 5 weeks left with our sweet girl. It breaks our hearts. I remember when sleep felt so good. Now it is the enemy. I cannot lay down without thinking of what that day will be like. Sometimes I dream this is all a mistake and it makes it worse to wake up. Other days I walk myself through the entire day willing myself to face it.

I screamed at Heavenly Father yesterday. Not because I was angry at Him. Maybe because I wanted Him to know how badly I hurt, how I would gladly accept any other challenge if he would spare my daughter. The impressions came so strong that He too "lost" His son and could have spared him, but allowed him to suffer so at this moment someone would know exactly how to succor me. It wasn't total relief, but a feeling of being perfectly understood. With that more complete knowledge, even though I've always known it, I was able to feel some measure of comfort, assurance, and hope.

Please keep praying for us and we will continue to pray for you.