memories and keepsakes in Kalani's honor:)

sebailey6

After our precious angel was in our arms, we were surrounded by caring nurses, doctor, family, friends, chaplain, and a nonprofit group called Rachel's Gift.

The day before they induced me we were able to get her heartbeat recorded in this adorable bear with real feather wings.

The nurse put her directly in my arms after cleaning her off and wrapping her up at 2:15. We were able to hold her, pass her around, and take tons of pictures. The nurse put her in her little outfit and hat (which was too big, but still cute) and took more pictures. They also gave us a crocheted hat and blanket. That hat fit her little head like it was made just for her!!

 Rachel's group so graciously took professional pictures (of which I cannot wait to see), gave my husband and I matching bracelets that have a charm that read TYJ (trust your journey:), made footprint casting of her feet (which were pretty big compared to her teeny body:), gave us a book to read called Empty Cradle, Broken Heart, and another crocheted blanket. My husband sleeps with one blanket and I sleep with the other every night!

We had a ceremony performed by the chaplain where Kalani was baptized. My stepmom read a poem I found online. I will paste it below.

We tried to get fingerprints as well, but she had very long fingers just like her momma which made it impossible to get them. But that's ok, we have her precious feet as a keepsake.

Then the very sad time came around 9:30 when we decided to let her go. So we had a total of about 7 very very precious hours with our angel. God answered my prayers to stay calm during the whole 7 hours as to appreciate every single second I had with her. And was strong for my husband who had a break down the first couple minutes after she was born:)

We bought a scrapbook and a ton of stickers, etc to decorate it just right. We are currently waiting on her special ashes and beautiful urn! It will be good to have her home with us.

Naturally, we cry everyday, but we have no regrets. If we had to do it all over again...we wouldn't change a single thing!

Below is the poem my stepmom read in honor of Kalani:

"Daddy please don't look so sad, momma please don't cry.

Cause I'm in the arms of Jesus, and he sings me lullabies.

Please try not to question God, don't think he is unkind.

Don't think he sent me to you and then changed his mind.

You see I'm a special child, I am needed up above.

I'm the special gift you gave Him, a product of your love.

I'll always be there with you, so watch the sky at night.

Look for the brightest star and know that's my halo's brilliant light.

You'll see me in the morning frost that mists your window pane.

That's me in the summer showers, I'll be dancing in the rain.

When you feel a gentle breeze from a gentle wind that blows.

Know that it's me planting a kiss upon your nose.

When you see a child playing and your heart feels a tug,

Don't be sad mommy, that's just me giving your heart a hug.

So daddy don't look so sad and momma please don't cry.

I'm in the arms of Jesus and he sings me lullabies!?

~Unknown

 

Carolee

I'm so glad you were able to get all of those keepsakes and have some precious memories with your sweet little girl.  Thinking of you and your precious girl in the coming days.  Please lean on us for support when you need it.

sebailey6

I will definitely lean when I need to. Rachel's Gift group has a support group as well which we will be attending Thursday night. And thank you so much for all your thoughts of us:)

sebailey6

@ mdharrison...first thank you for all your thoughts of us through this experience. We were all very grateful to have time with her and do all those things. It truly made the experience so much more memorable in a very positive way. Before hand, I found a link where women who had late losses the list all their regrets about things they didn't do/think of as well as the things they were glad they did. I took the most common regrets and made sure Kalani's momma wouldn't have any regrets. I also remember posts from women on here and took advice that was given. So she could look down and see all that we have done to honor and love her.

And you're so right- the hospital staff and my doctor were amazing. There were so many people who were involved in some big or small way. They all helped make it even more memorable!

God answered all my prayers from the time we found out Kalani had Trisomy 13...every one of them. He carried me all the way through to now...that is where my strength comes from right now...and will continue to do so.

Mrs Nice

I am so glad everything went smoothly for you and that you have no regrets. All the little keepsakes for sweet Kalani are so special. You are very lucky to have such wonderful support IRL so that her special birthday will always be remembered as something beautiful along with the tears.

sebailey6

thanks mrs nice:) you are exactly right...so it will be remembered as something beautiful with tears.