The short version: Last week, Steph's water broke unexpectedly at 34 weeks and she was emergency transferred to a hospital 2 hours away from Moab to give birth. Baby Harper Hayes Hall was born on November 21 and while she is doing well now, they are facing a long NICU stay. Trying to be present for her, recover from birth, and keep life going for Hank (2.5) while 2 hours from their home base (and work) in Moab is a monumental task for Steph and Taylor. We, their friends, are setting this page up as a way for their community to support them from afar and learn updates on Harper's growth as she takes on the world! At the moment, there is not a lot of physical help they can be given as they need to keep their bubble small to protect Harper's immune system, and their living situation makes a meal train difficult. For now, the most helpful contribution is financial support for gas (Taylor will be driving between Moab and GJ frequently to work), food as they need it, and other things that come up. The long(er) version: On Wednesday November 19th at a routine 34-week appointment, Steph's medical team discovered her water had broken a few days prior and immediately called an ambulance to transfer her to Grand Junction, Colorado (2 hours away) to deliver baby Harper. What started as a normal day quickly became very intense, Steph didn't even get to go home and pack a bag. Taylor picked up Hank from school, grabbed some things from home, and they drove to GJ. Steph even charted notes for a few of her PT patients during the ambulance ride (mothers are amazing people aren't they?!). A close friend immediately drove 5 hours from Salt Lake to take Hank over night until Steph's mom could get there Thursday. As you can imagine, learning she would be giving birth and they would be welcoming the baby this week, six weeks earlier than expected, was a very overwhelming experience in itself, but things became very harrowing for them quite quickly. Upon arriving to the hospital, Steph began to experience shock-like symptoms including bleeding and a concerning fever. After antibiotics, she began to feel better a few hours later and began the process of starting labor with lots of lunging, walking, etc as well as medication to get things going so they could deliver Harper safely. After 24 hours of extreme physical efforts, labor finally started. It was very difficult with the added medication to move things along. Steph is a freaking hero for this, especially after so little sleep and having no mental preparation to be doing this so soon. She was unable to have any breaks in contractions because at this point, Harper's quick delivery was priority. After she was born, she was immediately taken to the NICU. She was 3lbs 10oz at birth and needed a surgery to introduce a line through her belly button for IV fluids. Steph and Harper are both doing well now. Steph has been discharged and is feeling physically "great" but as you can imagine, this has been and continues to be very overwhelming! Steph's mom is in Grand Junction helping with Hank, and her sister is headed there this week. At the moment, they're supported in person and have close friends to lean on. Please refrain from calling, or texting asking for details or information. Supportive texts are welcome but do not expect a response. They have enough going on :) And will do their best to update here when possible.