"Happy Birthday Kayleigh"


In this world we live in, experiencing the birth of a child is beyond any emotional understanding. We crave the excitement and milestones that are set from each passing day for nearly ten months until that child graces our presence away from the womb. Envisioning a perfect world with a perfect pregnancy is what many people live for, sharing their love and building a life that will once touch the lives of others. No one is ever prepared for trouble, no one is ever prepared for fear and no one is ever prepared for what God's plan is. We are prepared only to take what God has given to us and make it better through faith, hope and love.

In December 2007, Aimee and Adam Freeman brought a souvenir home from Disney World. Her name was to be Kayleigh Anne Freeman and little did the Freemans know, this precious girl was going to touch the world. Several months in to their pregnancy, a routine check up at CMC's Maternal Fetal Medicine downtown, was given to determine the sex of their baby, but only grim news was given that their precious little one was not going to survive much longer.

Fear of losing Kayleigh was at the tip of everyone's mind. There was zero expectancy of survival as Kayleigh had too long to go and too much to grow before she could grace our presence in this world. The Freemans bought a fetal doppler so they could listen to the heart beat morning, day and night. They wanted to know when her heart had taken it's last beat. Days turned into weeks and into months as Kayleigh kept fighting. Every doctors visit was exciting because they made it to another milestone, but left saddened as the unfortunate diagnosis of severe IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) determined Kayleigh's growth was still falling behind.

Ten weeks later, Aimee was stricken with severe preeclampsia and was rushed to the CMC-Main in Charlotte, NC. Fear of losing Aimee, Kayleigh or both was torture to the family, but keeping faith through it all was strengthening their hearts. Time was not on their side as they feared Kayleigh would not reach a viable weight to live outside the womb. She would have had to grow over 150 grams in the past two weeks to reach that viable weight and she had only grown 300 grams in the past 28 weeks. Kayleigh's survival was looking very doubtful at this point in time because only God could bless Kayleigh with that kind of growth. And you know what? He certainly did. The test showed that Kayleigh had grown an unbelievable 170 grams since the last measurement two weeks prior.

That early morning on June 23rd 2008, Aimee's symptoms began to worsen and at 3:00 AM, she was rushed in to the delivery room where this one pound miracle from God was delivered. Kayleigh weighed an astonishing one pound, one ounce and was only ten and a half inches long. After five of the longest minutes, the neonatal team was able to insert a breathing tube into Kayleigh's lungs to allow her to breath. She was quickly rushed up to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where she would continue to fight the battle to survive for the next ten months.

Kayleigh's fight would soon be heard across the world through the internet, on major news stations and the television daytime show, "The Doctors." Families across the globe would stand fast and pray for this beautiful little girl who faced battle after battle, and would continue to defy the odds of survival to show that anything is possible. Kayleigh faced seven major surgeries and was one of the smallest children to ever undergo open heart surgery at three pounds. Her surgeries included ROP eye surgery, bowel exploratory surgery, open heart surgery for VSD repair, tracheotomy, bilateral hernia repair, nissen fundoplication, and PEG placement.

As Kayleigh endured her final surgery that would soon bring her home to the beautiful pink and brown room her parents prepared for her, she lost functioning of her brain and her health deteriorated soon after causing her to go to Heaven on May 11th, 2009.

Kayleigh will never be forgotten at CMC or in the hearts of all of those who followed her miraculous journey. She was given a purpose to touch many lives through faith, hope and love. Kayleigh's parents are blessed that God gave them ten months with Kayleigh and they know this will not be goodbye forever.

Kayleigh is made new and is healthy in Heaven, waiting for her parents to hold her, kiss her and rejoice in the wonderful life they shared together. Time on earth is but a grain of sand on the largest beach compared to the time the Freemans will spend eternity with Kayleigh in Heaven. All of Kayleigh's family, doctors, nurses and prayer warriors are beyond proud of their one pound miracle and they all pray your life will be touched by her amazing journey.

You can view "Kayleigh's Story" right here on this blog and follow the ups and downs of her miraculous journey and how her strength touched the world. On the right tool bar is the "Archives" and you can follow it all the way back from the beginning. All we ask is that you grab some tissues and get ready to be touched by this "One Pound Blessing from God"
To see 15+ of the most precious Kayleigh photos, click on the link at the top of the page, "Kayleigh's Videos" and enjoy in the beauty of an Angel.
"Happy Birthday Sweet Kayleigh, We ALL Love You So Much!!!"

In His Grip,

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to her. She is missed by so many. Thinking of your family today. Such a sweet post.

Anonymous said...

Still praying for you all. Kayleigh is a beautiful angel. Thank you once again for sharing her incredible story.

Kate's Mommy said...

Happy Birthday to sweet Kayleigh! Missing her with your family today. God Bless.

Devon said...

happy birthday kayleigh! you are one amazing little girl!

Sarah Joy said...

Sweet Kayleigh, I never forget your birthday as we share the same special day. Forever in my heart. My faith grew so much because of your parents sharing you with us.

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday, sweet girl. You are thought of often. You touched my life and we have never met....yet.

Love and prayers for your family on this day and every day.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Kayleigh! We thank God that He is playing with you today as you celebrate your special day. May your family here on Earth feel a special sense of comfort and peace as they celebrate your day here without you.

Nati @ I will praise Him said...

Happy Birthday Kayleigh. We miss you!

Danette said...

Adam $ Amiee
This is the 1st time I really have been able to read the WHOLE story of Kayleigh. I can say she has touched me so deeply. I think of Kayleight each day. Thank you for sharing Kayleigh and your family and please keep sharing. I continue to pray each day for your family. I truly hope, pray, wish that things will work out for your family. Your family has been through so many life changes things and staid so strong something I dont know if I would have been able to handle. HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet Kayleigh. We love you.

Hayley said...

Praying for your family on this special day. She was such an inspiration to me and has made me a better mother. Much Love!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Kayleigh. You are a blessing and your life will continue to touch millions. We all love you so very much.

Katie

KARLA said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET KAYLEIGH!

Michele said...

happy birthday, sweet girl!

Traci Hallmark said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Kayleigh!!! Enjoy your birthday in Heaven...can't wait to get there to meet you sweet girl. Send Daddy, Mommy, Allyson & Brandon special kisses today. Love you & Miss you!!! ♥

Anonymous said...

I have followed Kayleigh's story and prayed every step of the way. I continue to pray and know that we can STILL see God's love touch so many, many lives just as He used Kayleigh's short life to reach so many. I pray that He will use Kayleigh's parents' story of unconditional love towards each other to touch the world- showing that marriage is the closest thing to what God's love is like on Earth... loving unconditionally, self sacrifically. What a testament to the world and the audience who is reading, waiting, watching, praying... Fight for each other as Kayleigh fought for her life- never give up.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Precious, Kayleigh! You are SO loved!

april03 said...

Happy Birthday Kayleigh, I know you bless everyone heart that heard of your journey in this world. God Bless your family.

jan kessler said...

It is an amazing story and Kayleigh has two amazing parents. Kayleigh touched so many lives her parents too. Kayleigh and her parents are still touching lives everyday. God Bless you guys.

Jan

Suzan said...

Beautiful post for a beautiful little girl. I pray that today (as everyday) your family has a blessed day full of love, laughter, peace, healing and butterflies. Kayleigh truly was a one pound miracle from God who touch the lives of so many. Happy Birthday Sweet Angel!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Sweet little Kayleigh

Melissa said...

Thinking of you and your family today... Happy Birthday Kayleigh!

Kristen and Andy said...

Happy Birthday sweet Kayleigh. I can only imagine the beautiful birthday you are celebrating up in Heaven with all the angels. I still think about you all the time - how could I not - you are the reason I began my walk with God. I still have a long ways to go but b/c of you I am in search of Him :) Happy Birthday sweet Angel :)

Momof2bz said...

Happy Birthday in heaven sweet Angel! You are missed.

Jessica said...

Happy Birthday sweet girl

elteescat said...

Hi Adam! I've told you before about how my daughter Bethany somehow connects exciting things with Kayleigh ever since we let off the balloons last year. Last Fourth of July weekend Bethany kept squealing Kayleigh's name during the fireworks and after they were over she waved and said, "Bye bye, Kayleigh! See you later!" And she continued to say bubble soap bubbles and even Christmas decorations had something to do with Kayleigh. Well, we were getting ready to go to the Air Force Tattoo 2010 yesterday and when I told Bethany we were going to see fireworks her eyes lit up and she said "Baby Kayleigh fireworks?! Oh boy!!" Isn't it wild that she keeps doing this? It's like Kayleigh is here growing up with my daughter!!

Julia Ladewski said...

happy birthday sweet girl!

Shawn Boreta said...

I came across the video this morning. Courage is chosen, and the Lord can reward those who choose it. I am feeling blessed to have shared in, if not at the time, the journey of Kayleigh. She is waiting in heaven, strong and with open arms for those who prayed so diligently for her life.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

Shawn

JaMean said...

Happy Birthday sweet angel Kayleigh. :) We love you and your family. God Bless!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday sweet sweet Kayleigh. Not a week goes by that we don't think of you and come back and visit your site xxxx

Karen said...

http://our-journey-to-parenthood.blogspot.com/

Please say a prayer for Baby Bennett, his doctors and nurses, and his family. He is part of a precious family that I do not know personally, but was asked to pray for months ago. Their son was born last night at 26 weeks, 5 days gestation, weighing 1 pound 4 ounces and measuring 12 inches long.

iva said...

happy birthday angel, baby kayleigh. your strength is truly an inspiration. <3

Rose said...

I came across Kayleigh's video and the link to this blogspot. Thank you very much for sharing her story. I've been touched deeply by your little angel. I have and will continue to say a prayer for Kayleigh and your whole family. May God continue to shower you with wonderful things.

-- Rose of the Philippines

Anonymous said...

God bless to the family of Kayleigh...However she spent short time in the earth, she is at the better place now...God take care of her now...

morena said...

belated happy bday kayleigh, you made me cry, im so greatful to have eliazar and ella with normal condition. i love you baby............ i know you are in good hands with our dear lord

Leahlyn said...

I will pray for her???

Anonymous said...

i just the video on facebook and i was so touched, she's such a brave girl..
i was saddened by what happened when i followed the story here on this blog.. but she sure is happy already coz she's with god..

ill include kayleigh in my prayers..

regards, to her family..

Anonymous said...

there is nothing impossible with God... thank God for His protection with Kayleigh... God bless your whole family...

Love, Conrad

Anonymous said...

hi kayleigh. im happy ur still alive by the grace of god i will pray for you.. this is prima from the philippines

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Kayleigh and God bless your whole family.

My daughter was born 7 years ago at 25 weeks, 3 days gestation, weighing 1 1/2 pound and measuring 13 inches long.

I totaly believe that Kayleigh is now a guardian angel, standing on the shoulder of other babies born in the same circumstances, like my little Jennie, sharing her strenghth and spirit with them.

Steven Hubert
Québec, Canada

this_is_my_STORY said...

i pray to God that He'll bless ur daughter and all other babies who suffer at the moment of their birth to gave them the chance to grow up healthy, explore these wonderful world and be gud servants of God. it reminds me of my baby brother, unfortunately he did not survive from a miscarriage. but i knw he is in heaven nw looking down praying for our family. he is our angel nw.

Unknown said...

Hi baby kayleigh, belated happy birthday. To her parents, thank you for sharing kayleigh's story. Though she lived so short in this world, I know she's very happy because of the love her parents showed to her. I was deeply touched by kayleigh's story. You were such a miracle and an inspiration to everyone on this world. God bless.


Lorenzeely...

Nora Alvarado Ocampo said...

Be strong my kayleigh. you're such an angel of mine. i love you, i want you to meet someday. I also have an angel just like you............. the same medication just like you through.

emmanuelmateo said...

hi i just watched the video of your baby and gave me a deep breath crying..Hows ur baby now maam?God just proven to you that he never leaves us even many problems comes to our way and your baby is such a blessing.
Maam can i ask u to write some story in my blog?at www.untoldstories32792.blogspot.com and email me at emmy_32792@y.c hope to read ur story soon maam thank u

Nikki said...

Hi. I just wanted to say that I read your blog earlier this year, right from the beginning. I've been searching for months just to find it again because Kayleigh's story truly touched me. By the time I read of her passing, I felt like I'd known her myself. I cried for hours. I still think of her often. Her stay was too short here, but I know she's happy where she is. She knows how much you love her and how great parents you are. And maybe she's even playing with my brothers up there! :)
Happy Belated Birthday, Kayleigh. God bless. <3

Alyssa Jeffers said...

Hi there, I'm new to "following" your blog, however I have been reading it on and off for a while now, actually since early last year. I didn't have my own blog until recently, but was reading your story through a friend's page. I was so touched by Kayleigh's story from the first time I read your blog and felt an immediate connection...I didn't know why. Then when I read that Kayleigh entered Heaven on my birthday, May, 11th, I couldn't help but think I stumbled across your blog for a reason. (I gave birth to my first child on May 14th, 2010 and could really put myself in your shoes..or try to at least.) I was so sad when I heard the news, but knew that with the strength of your friends, family, and God that you would all get though that tough time. Please keep sharing your story:) Your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Hi baby Kayleigh,
we havent met but i want you to know that I already love you :) you made me cry...your stay down here was too short but we all know that you are playing, singing with other angels and very much happy up there with our Creator. Someday we will meet Kayleigh, when its my time, I will definitely look for you and I would love to play with you. Belated Happy birthday sweetie. muah....
Vancouver, BC

maricris said...

hello baby kayleigh we are excited to see you, your so cute your the best gift that god gave to your family :)we love you and we are hoping that you will keep it, you can do it baby Angel:) T_T

Dina said...

happy birthday my dear kayleigh angel. i love you baby.

Anonymous said...

God bless Kayleigh and your family..will be always praying for all of you..and all those people..im so happy seeing people struggling and helping a child to live amidst of all the abortions im seeing on the news...

Anonymous said...

"Yes, Life is too short..."
Kayleigh's story teach me how to appreciate how beautiful life is and how fortunate we are because we are still existing and can see the beauty of the world and can breath freely and do whatever we want to... THANK YOU LORD for the life you have given to us... THANK YOU Freemans for letting Kayleigh touch ourlives... <3 <3 <3

ian said...

I like your post & i will always be coming frequently to read more of your post.Thank you very much for your post once more.I wish I could be the writer of this wonderful blog but I could not as I’m just a newbie and hopefully oneday I could write something.

Megan Gahagan said...

This is my first time comig across your blog, and i am sitting here now bawling my eyes out.

Almost 2 years ago I started to miscarry our second child (praise God our firstborn was a healthy uncomplicated pregnancy). Our baby's heart stopped beating 8 weeks in after several weeks of torrential bleeding and a couple trips to the ER. Sadly, this was only the beginning of our nightmare.

I went on months later to find out I had an extremely rare arteriovenous malformation in my uterus, which quite possibly was the cause of my miscarriage. After a couple scary weeks and a desparate search to find a doctor who had any experience correcting this conditon we found a doctor in NYC (very close to our home) who was able to help me.

Fast forward about 6 mpnths after that and we were pregnant with our third child. Within a few weeks we found we were once again being struck lightening when it was revealed our sweet baby boy would not survive outside my womb. He had VACTERL association, a pretty rare condition which caused him to be riddled with birth defects. I delivered him at 20 weeks, we held him, was the Scriptures to him and sang hymns with him while we watched his heart slowly stop beating. It was the loveliest, saddest, most painful event of my life. Burying our baby and planning his funeral was something I never ever for a second thought in my life I would be doing. For me there has been no greater pain than having to give my child back to the Lord.

Almost 10 months later now I am carrying our fourth child who appears to be doing wonderfully (he or she has been doing somersaults in my belly all day).

I couldn't be more grateful for this precious one growing inside me now, but the pain of saying goodbye to my Walter still feels fresh and raw at times.

Our stories and our angel babies are very different, but there is something about knowing I have sisters in Christ throughout the world who have struggled similarly.

You are a strong and lovely woman. May God continue to richly bless you and your family.

My story is at WWW.megangahagan.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much for sharing yours with us.

Anonymous said...

Dear Kayleight,
I will always remember you!!! :D
Love Aline

Danielle33 said...

I can't believe I came across the One Pound Miracle video on you tube on the 3rd anniversary of the day sweet Kayleigh went to heaven. She was such an amazing little baby and you were blessed to have her even if it was for a short time. Kayleigh, I will never forget her. She has touched so many peoples lives I am sure and forever will.

Danielle33 said...

I can't believe I came across the One Pound Miracle video and this site on the day that Kayleigh went to heaven from three years ago today. She is a baby that everyone is going to keep in their hearts and never forget. She was such an amazing and strong baby just like both parents are strong.

Anonymous said...

Wow that's sad but very touching. I watched the video on YouTube and I thought wow this girl is a fighter but I was shocked and saddened as I read a comment that read she almost made it one year and I knew that was referring to her death on May,11. Aimee and Adam I want u to know I feel your pain and that kayleigh will live in our hearts forever. R.I.P Kayleigh Anne Freeman
June,23 2008-May,11 2009
We Love You

Anonymous said...

So sorry, but god knows who to send these beautiful angels to. I admire you two. Stay strong and positive, everything happens for a reason. God has a wonderful plan for you lovely couple

Anonymous said...

Hi Baby Kayleigh we're happy now because God will take over of you already. You really touches our hearts. We'll pray for your family <3 - Aaron from Philippines.