Our beautiful daughter Jessica was born in September 2011 with a severe heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This was diagnosed at her 20 week scan and we were initially told that she was unlikely to be suitable for surgery. However, a pioneering in-utero operation at 28 weeks to enlarge a hole in her atrial septum was carried out and she was able to make it to term and get through her first open-heart surgery at just eight hours old. Jessica underwent five more surgeries during her life. Her final surgery - the Fontan procedure - took place in December 2017. She initially made a good recovery but sadly passed away suddenly on 14th April 2018 at the age of 6. This is the story of a little girl whose half a heart overflowed with love. She was, and will forever be, our little miracle and brought joy to all who knew her.

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Half-birthdays, balls and baby rice


Jessica is six months old today! She is doing well with her weight – now up to 5400g (11lb 14oz) which is fabulous. We started weaning her today and tried giving her a little bit of baby rice which she was very unimpressed about although she has taken well to drinking milk out of a sippy cup.

We were in Southampton over the weekend as it was the 10th anniversary ball for StageSoc – the backstage society which we were founder members of – on Saturday night. Jessica is the first StageSoc baby and got quite a lot of attention and cuddles which she seemed to enjoy.

Sunday afternoon found us back on Ocean Ward briefly as Jessica had a bit of a chesty cough and we were a little concerned about it. Fortunately all was well when she was checked over and her lungs sounded clear so hopefully this will clear up by itself. She is still a bit chesty but generally seems well in herself and happy – apart from when her gums are bothering her as she seems to be teething at the moment.

Jessica seems to be enjoying going to various baby groups and is starting to laugh more now which is just delightful. She continues to be a wonderfully happy baby and a huge blessing to us each and every day.

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