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anr0014
03-21-2007, 11:26 PM
Dear Friends and Family,

Thanks again for all of the prayers and well wishes.

The doctors induced Mandy on Wednesday night, she went into labor on Thursday night, and Jake was born on Friday afternoon at 3:21. He was 6.01 pounds and 18.5 inches long. We got a very precious 10 minutes with him, but wish we had longer. It was sad and amazing all at the same time. He opened up his beautiful blue/gray eyes, gripped our fingers and said hello to us. He is so beautiful and we loved every second we had together.

He has many of his father’s features, but thankfully had Mandy’s nose. His head full of dark brown hair even had his father’s hairline. It feels like a lifetime since we’ve seen him, but he’ll forever be engrained in our hearts and in our minds. We are so thankful that our family gathered around to say hello to our beautiful son.

We will have a service to commemorate Jake’s life at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church in St. Pete on Friday at 11 AM. Everyone is invited to the ceremony.

We never provided details about Jake’s condition. He had a rare genetic disorder called short-rib polydactyly syndrome (SRPS). Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles has a research center focused on skeletal dysplasia disorders (http://www.csmc.edu/3805.html (http://www.csmc.edu/3805.html)) such as SRPS. We are very thankful to have had tremendous support from groups like the SRPS family network (http://www.srps.net/ (http://www.srps.net/)), Perinatal Hospice (http://perinatalhospice.org/ (http://perinatalhospice.org/)), and Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/ (http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/)).

People have asked how they can help, so In lieu of flowers, we ask that people contribute to the Cedars Sinai International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry. Checks can be sent in Jake’s name to:
Cedars Sinai Medical Center ISDR
8700 Beverly Blvd. Ste 665
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Once again, we are so touched by the tremendous support we have received. We are honored to have you as our friends and family. Please remember Jake in your thoughts and prayers as we will surely miss him. When we have pictures put together, we will send a link to the web site.

Love,
Chris and Mandy

Lindzy Foster
03-22-2007, 12:03 AM
Chris and Mandy,
I am so sorry for your loss...my heart is breaking for you....im sure the pictures of your precious angel Jake are beautiful and I will be watching for them....my thoughts and prayers are with you, your families, and your sweet little boy Jake......we are all here for you to talk, give support, and listen when you are ready.....
Lindzy

Jordan
03-22-2007, 12:37 AM
Thinking of you. I hope and pray that all of our prayers have wrapped around your family have comforted you and helped you down this path in life that God has given you. Someday God will give each of us answers to why we all have been given this path. I hope Jake has found Jordan and all of the other precious heavenly angels to play with and watch over us. Jake is not alone and you are not alone in the grieving process. I hope NILMDTS has and will continue helping you down this path.
Kim

Jordan
03-22-2007, 12:40 AM
Thinking of you. I hope and pray that all of our prayers have wrapped around your family have comforted you and helped you down this path in life that God has given you. Someday God will give each of us answers to why we all have been given this path. I hope Jake has found Jordan and all of the other precious angels to play with and watch over us. Jake is not alone and you are not alone in the grieving process. I hope NILMDTS has and will continue helping you down this path.
Kim

Jordan
03-22-2007, 12:42 AM
Don't know why that posted twice sorry!

Jordan
03-22-2007, 12:43 AM
Don't know why that posted twice sorry! I am having computer 'issues' tonight.

Kerry
03-22-2007, 02:05 AM
I am so sorry to hear the loss of your child. Sounds like you had a sad ending but very memorable moment to remember Jake by. Grieving about a child has been the hardest thing in my life, I hope you find love and guidance through family and friends that can give you support through this sad time. Thank you for all the information on his genetic disorder I am interested to read up on it, I am not aware of it. I will be thinking of your family on Friday.

anr0014
03-22-2007, 01:04 PM
Thank you to everyone who has sent their well wishes. Our family is staying so close and helping all of us grieve together.

We sure do miss him and know that one day we will see him again. I will post pictures as soon as I have them back from our photographer. We were so happy she was there to capture his life in pictures.

marylouise
03-22-2007, 01:18 PM
Chris and Mandy ,I'm so sorry for your loss. You're in my prayers and thoughts. I know Jake's Mass of the Angels on Friday will be beautiful and a great comfort to you.
Hugs

Mike Dolny
03-24-2007, 12:25 AM
Mandy and Chris, I know just how you're feeling. These are such incredible circumstances we have all been going through. My wife and I have such an empty feeling inside. On these forums, we know people have an understanding of what we are going through. In our lives, it feels like nobody understands. I am very thankful for "strangers" like you. I'll be here for you, and look foward to helping each other through these days, weeks, months......... thank you for letting me be a part of Jake's extended family.

Tammy
03-24-2007, 01:08 AM
Chris & Mandy
Thinking of you during this heartbreaking time~ please know we are here to offer our shoulders, support and whatever else you need when you are ready. *virtual tissues included* Jake must be so proud of his mom and dad. You, Mandy and your son are such an inspiration to all of us, as are all of our parents who share with us the beautiful stories of their precious babies. Thank you for being our support, just as much as we are yours.

sommer perkins
03-24-2007, 08:54 PM
Chris and Mandy
Wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you at this time. I'm so glad that you got the time you did with your Jake. God has such a bigger plan for all of us and I found such comfort in knowing that our Jacob did not have to suffer. We are here if you ever need to talk or vent. Hang on to each other. You were an inspiration to me when I read your story.

mom to heavenly angel Jacob Alexander