Happy 17th Birthday Jessica Joy

it's hard to believe it was 17 years ago we stopped in Shaunavon hospital as we didn't think we'd make our intended destination of Swift Current hospital and we probably wouldn't have, you came quickly. It was a rollercoaster ride from the start when the dr's said you had problems and may not survive the night, off you flew to Saskatoon to the NICU where you spent a few days before you were doing well and eating enough to be released and could go home. We spent that Christmas with Barb and Ruben and the family then drove you home to Frontier. Cornelia De Lange syndrome was not something we had ever heard of until your diagnoses a short while later and all that came with it was hard to hear, heart defect, abnormal growth, cleft pallet, etc but you were so sweet and were content to be held and swing in your swing, you seemed pretty healthy and normal to us. I remember calling the hospital nicu to ask for a replacement soother like the one they gave you while there because you wouldn't take any other one.

We were so thankful for the health and progress you made over the 2 short years you were with us, we had some scares with pnemonia and breathing issues, a couple hospital stays for tests etc but we treasured all those things. Making the decision to go ahead with the heart surgery was not easy but we felt it was best for you, and in the end it was just your time to go i guess, God needed you in heaven with Him. We'll always remember your little smile and your dark hair, and the way you stood stiff on your daddy's hands. Happy Birthday Jessica.