Kayaneh Oustian Carril

This is the story of our daughter, Kayaneh Oustian Carril, who was born on March 16, 2023, at 12:42 pm. She spent 29 precious minutes in our arms until she died peacefully in her sleep at 1:11 pm. She experienced being held by mommy and daddy, opened her eyes and saw her daddy’s face, held mommy and daddy’s hand, listened to mommy sing to her, let mommy and daddy pray over her and bless her, listened to mommy and daddy tell her they love her and are so proud of her, let mommy and daddy stroke her perfect little nose and give her endless kisses on her cheeks and face. We had the amazing privilege to stand with her on the precipice between life and death and witness her pass from this physical earth into the arms of Jesus in Heaven. We are honored to be her parents and love her so, so much. We are forever changed because of her, and we want to share her story. We have come to realize that this story has two sides; the human side, which is heartbreaking and tragic and the spiritual side, which promises eternal life and joy.

A beautiful surprise arrived the night before we left for Cabo to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. After 2 years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Who would have thought a couple of blue lines could forever change the trajectory of our futures and hearts? Words cannot express how excited we were. We spent a beautiful week on vacation in shock and awe and reimagined our lives. We were 5 weeks pregnant at the time. Most of Mexico was notified of our pregnancy before any of our family or friends.

Once we were home, we celebrated with close family, but decided to wait until the 12 week mark before sharing with everyone. 12 weeks came and went with no issues. Everything was going according to plan. We had a gender reveal party and announced our pregnancy to everyone.

On October 27, 2022, our lives changed forever. At her 17 week ultrasound, we found out the devastating news that Kayaneh had not developed functioning kidneys and she would not survive. We were told that most babies with this diagnosis will die before they are born and the ones who make it to birth live for only minutes to hours.

We came home and started grieving. We decided to move forward with joy and cherish every moment that God blessed us with. Instead of dwelling on her death, we wanted to dwell on her life, no matter how long or short. A dear friend lent us a home ultrasound machine, so we looked at Kayaneh all the time - every kick, movement, yawn, blink, stretch, thumb suck and hiccup was relished. We watched her grow and talked to her all the time. She went on vacation to Mexico (her first trip with mommy and daddy). She went to a wedding in California and had a great kef time dancing to Armenian music. She celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family and her best cousins, Mika and Yeva. She went to a concert with Medzmama, Medzbaba, and Morcoor Soneeg. “Sarkis” Alec, Morcoor Seelva and Morcoor Anaheed also spent so much time with her. We enjoyed every moment and talked to her every day. She was showered with love and is an important part of our family.

No amount of preparation could ready us for what was to come. We left the hospital with empty arms. This is the hardest thing we have ever had to do.

Until we meet again, Kayaneh…

We wake up every morning and make a conscious choice to honor your short, but magnificent life by putting one foot in front of the other instead of giving up. We say your name out loud, talk to you, and sing to you. We close our eyes and remember how soft your cheeks were and how the weight of your body felt on our chest and in our arms. We remember stroking your soft hair. You have daddy’s nose and mommy’s lips. We will make sure your impact on this world is felt and known. You are forever our little girl. It is an honor to be your parents.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

She is preceded in death by her precious cousin, Yeva Siran Kalajian, who went to be with Jesus on February 9th, 2023. They are playing together in heaven now, best cousins forever, with Medzmama Oustian watching over them. Until we all meet again.

She is survived by her loving parents: Kellen and Sevahn Carril.

Grandparents: Serojh and Siran Allahverdian, Scott and Monica Carril.

Aunts and Uncles: Soneeg Allahverdian, Alec and Seelva Kalajian, Anaheed Allahverdian, Kiersten Hudson.

Cousins: Mika Kalajian, Ava Hudson, Ryder Hudson.

And numerous loving extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donation to Children’s Memorial Hermann Foundation, under the designations of either “Pediatric Bereavement Support” or “Women’s Services.” Words cannot express how much their support has meant to us. https://www.memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/childrens/about-us/donate

A visitation for Kayaneh will be held Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 9:20 AM to 10:00 AM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will occur Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A committal service will occur Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Carril family.