Kaia Mae Alexander

Kaia Mae Alexander, daughter of Jake and Michelle (Schmidt) Alexander, was born and went to heaven on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Kaia was diagnosed with HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. after Michelle had her first ultrasound at 21 weeks.  They started to prepare for the journey that was set before them.

At 25 weeks they made their first trip to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  With the tests that were done at that time it was discovered that fluid was building up around Kaia’s heart.  On September 10th at the Mayo Clinic they performed a procedure to insert a stent into Kaia’s heart so that the fluid could drain and relieve pressure from her lungs so they could develop properly.  This procedure was successful.  One of the side effects of this procedure is putting the mother into preterm labor. They were aware of the risk. but the procedure was needful for Kaia’s health.

Michelle was discharged from the Mayo Clinic on Thursday, September 13th after having no side effects from the procedure.  Unfortunately, on Friday, September 14^th, preterm labor began and Kaia was born.  Since her lungs did not have a chance to develop and because of her diagnosis of HLHS Kaia had no chance of survival.

The LORD blessed us with 7 hours to be able to hold her and give her lots of hugs and kisses before her little heart stopped while she was in her mommy’s arms.

We want to thank everyone for the many, many prayers have been said for Kaia, Michelle and Jake from family and friends.

Please continue to pray as they grieve from the loss of their precious little girl.

Kaia is survived by parents, Jake and Michelle, Fargo, ND; her maternal grandparents, Dean and DeeAnn Schmidt, Crookston, MN; paternal grandparents, James and Darla Alexander, Fargo, ND; aunt, Melissa Schmidt, Fargo, ND; uncle, David Schmidt, Bemidji, MN; uncle and aunt Mike and Shannon Alexander and cousins, Sarah, David, Matthew, Zachery and Eli Alexander, Wisconsin.

Kaia was preceded in death by her uncle, Nathan Schmidt.