Harbeson Family Fund

This gofundme was created in honor of Oliver William Harbeson. He was born on December 23rd, after his parents were burdened with the unimaginable information that his heart was no longer beating. My hopes for this gofundme are not for charity or pitty, but to assist with any hospital bills or expenses that may arise for the Harbeson family at this time. Any amount donated is appreciated. When I heard the news I immediately started brainstorming ways to help, but honestly what do you say or give to someone who has experienced such a loss? In this gofundme my goal was to try and ease their minds so that they can focus on mourning their beautiful boy and begin the healing process. Below is the story from this sweet boys momma. If you feel it in your heart to give I know they will appreciate it. Please keep praying for these sweet parents .

This post is going to be raw, unfiltered and painful to type.
I wanted to share Jacob and I’s news and story, not for pity or attention but to show some insight into the unexpected and the heart wrenching loss we are feeling.
Wednesday Dec 23rd, I went to Stillwater medical for a routine sonogram for my 38 week check up and to determine acceptable breath movement. I woke up for once having slept great, my mucus plug had been lost the night before so I was actually really calm heading down that morning with the idea of maybe naturally going into labor. I knew from the second she started rubbing the machine across my stomach something was wrong. I Naïvely thought the sound wasn’t on is why I didn’t immediately hear it. The look on her face and the pain in the voice when she said “I can’t find a heartbeat” is the most painful thing I’ll ever hear in my life. Doctor Reid then came to deliver the news and his eyes alone told me what was coming. The next 3 hours was a blur of phone calls, impossible decisions and the feeling of new parents losing a piece of themselves. We elected for a C-section because although I was trying to stay brave and strong I couldn’t mentally handle a vaginal delivery knowing at the end of the pain I wouldn’t be handed a squirming breathing child. They don’t know why it happened, they think from his condition that he’d been gone for about two days, the fetal movement I thought I’d been feeling were contractions and even leading up to the surgery they felt like him moving. I went into surgery at 2:30 and by 3:15 I was sewn up and being taken back to our room. Jacob got to hold him as soon as he was delivered, a healthy 22 inches long 6lbs 14 ounces almost 15 ounces. We were able thanks to the absolute amazing and kind staff on the Labor and Delivery floor spend the next 24 hours with our baby. When I say even in death he was beautiful was an understatement, I cried from loss and joy of this perfect baby Jacob and I made. I said I wouldn’t have changed a single thing even if I made him in a lab. The staff that assisted us over the next day made this difficult time as bearable as they could, their care was the best I could have ever received from start to finish I felt their love and understanding. They all pitched in and sewed us a stuffed elephant that we can swaddle that is his exact weight for comfort. Dr Reid was faced with the burden and responsibility of a safe delivery and surgery, he did an incredible job. I’m forever thankful for everyone we came in contact with. We decided to be discharged Christmas Eve at 4 pm. Setting a time helped the final moments be what they were. We sat together, holding our baby Oliver telling him we weren’t mad he was called home so early, we aren’t mad at God for needing him. He got to be loved for 9 months and will continue to be for the rest of our days. I sang him his lullaby through the tears and when they came and took him away I was able to let go. Jacob and I both watched him go into their care until Trout came to pick him up knowing the nurses wouldn’t let him be alone and would also love him in our stead. Yesterday and today have been tear filled with sorrow and pain, learning to cope and stay breathing through it all. I’m recovering from an intense surgery, binding my breast to stop the milk flow and helping love and heal myself and my husband as much as possible. Jacob has been a pillar of strength and resilience and this has made me fall in love more with the man I married and the father of our baby. We thank everyone for their kind words and understanding in this time. I’ve attached pictures to see him. These are painful to look at, and raw in their emotion behind them. No editing, no sugar coating just the pure moments of our time with him.

Thank you all.