tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46781641179558769422024-03-08T12:57:50.318-08:00Journaling the Harvey'sBEN - GINGER - KEITH - MITCHELL - KIERSTEN - TAYLOR - SETH - EMMALYN~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-1234099919504119952014-06-25T15:50:00.000-07:002014-06-25T15:50:13.920-07:00CAMPING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went camping this month! I'm amazed at how many people thought I was crazy. "Camping? You mean with a hotel, right?" "Oh, what cabin are you going to?" "With 4 kids? Are you nuts?" "Like, tent camping or RV camping? Tent? But, you're going somewhere with flushing toilets, right?" My friends and family are so funny! Silly people! 4 kids, camping, in a tent, for 4 days and 3 nights, with no cell phone reception and no electronics, no movies, no games. Just us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought I should document some of our camping experiences so that I can find it again later when I want to reference things. Also, some of these tips and ideas might be useful to others.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First, THIS is why we enjoy camping: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6aGrRrSygA/U6s_9nMj3NI/AAAAAAAAKis/YMLd7hIpDsg/s1600/2014-06-21+18.01.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6aGrRrSygA/U6s_9nMj3NI/AAAAAAAAKis/YMLd7hIpDsg/s1600/2014-06-21+18.01.55.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-By6W6QMcV3I/U6tAKN2swnI/AAAAAAAAKi0/e827EAybq8Q/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-By6W6QMcV3I/U6tAKN2swnI/AAAAAAAAKi0/e827EAybq8Q/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.46.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Beautiful, right?! How can you not fall in love with the mountains when it stores this kind of beauty?! Just stepping out of the tent, you see gorgeous creation all around you. Sitting in the tent, you hear the sounds of water and birds and silence! It's just so peaceful!<br />
<br />
And this was our meal plan:<br />
<br />
<u><b>FRIDAY</b></u><br />
<b>Breakfast</b> - on the road (we had a gift card to Cracker Barrel, so we went there)<br />
<br />
<b>Lunch - 7 Layer Dip with Chips </b><br />
You want your first meal once you get to your camp spot to be something that doesn't require cooking. This is because you may have been driving for quite a while already, and then you set up the tent, and your kids are bombarding you with their desires for food, comments of how they are so hungry and starving, perhaps they're even whiny and crying by then because it's been HOURS since breakfast. Just trust me. If you have to build a fire or set up a camp stove, they're NOT going to be thrilled with you. I made the 7 layer dip because it was easy and included chips which meant that they wouldn't complain about what they were getting to eat.<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner - Tin Foil Dinners</b><br />
This time, we did a beef burger patty with baby carrots, onions for Daddy, and frozen cubed hashbrown potatoes. We usually use butter inside but didn't this time. Usually, the veggies stick to the foil, but this time they did not. I sprayed the foil with cooking spray and on some I used a little bacon grease, on others I didn't, but none had problems with anything being stuck to the foil. Also, I use the frozen hashbrown potatoes because it prevents you from opening your meal to find discolored and unappetizing potatoes. I chose cubes because they cook fast. Next time, we want to go back to using ground beef NOT already in a patty so that it's better mixed with the other foods.<br />
<br />
<u><b>SATURDAY</b></u><br />
<b>Breakfast</b> <b>- Costco giant muffins!</b><br />
<br />
<b>Lunch - Croissant sandwiches & chips</b><br />
Nothing exciting, but I ALWAYS take enough stuff for PLENTY of sandwiches. We went camping once where it rained on us the WHOLE time, so we sat in the tent singing songs and eating sandwiches rather than trying to build a fire in the rain and then someone having to sit out in the rain to cook our meals. A loaf of bread is fine, but the croissants were calling to me, so we used those this time. Make sure to bring your deli meat and cheese, plus dressings of choice. In our family, that mostly just means Miracle Whip.<br />
<br />
<b>SNACK - A FISH!!</b><br />
Keith caught his first fish, so we cooked that up and split the one fish between us. Kiersten didn't want any, and Emmy doesn't get any yet, so 1/4 of a rainbow trout each!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaQAnrBcMkc/U6s_bZ9cKpI/AAAAAAAAKiU/RNS-f65jffM/s1600/2014-06-21+15.35.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaQAnrBcMkc/U6s_bZ9cKpI/AAAAAAAAKiU/RNS-f65jffM/s1600/2014-06-21+15.35.42.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPiIej7MuY4/U6s_sBiSiVI/AAAAAAAAKik/SxP3vQLfAig/s1600/2014-06-21+15.45.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPiIej7MuY4/U6s_sBiSiVI/AAAAAAAAKik/SxP3vQLfAig/s1600/2014-06-21+15.45.01.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to Self: YouTube how to fillet a fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lssOxfambCg/U6s_ikC90dI/AAAAAAAAKic/nsYO4jpBuHc/s1600/2014-06-21+16.22.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lssOxfambCg/U6s_ikC90dI/AAAAAAAAKic/nsYO4jpBuHc/s1600/2014-06-21+16.22.16.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner</b> <b>- Tin Foil Dinners</b><br />
For this one, we used dinner sausage links (not breakfast flavored with maple or whatever, just sagey sausage in small links... and we'll not be doing those in a tin-foil dinner again as they did NOT cook well), raw green beans, and diced or sliced red potatoes. Only a couple potatotes were discolored. For whatever reason, red potatoes don't discolor as easily as russets do. I ended up having to get out the camp stove and cooking the sausages, but the green beans and red potatoes were delicious! Again, don't forget to use cooking spray on the foil, and bacon grease if you want to. And salt and pepper, of course. I think next time, I'll slice up a kielbasa sausage. Yum. <br />
<br />
<u><b>SUNDAY</b></u><br />
<b>Breakfast - Ham Egg and Cheese Croissants</b><br />
Decided to put these croissants to use again. I busted out the camp stove again, pan fried the deli ham slices, fried eggs, then topped the eggs with a slice of cheese that got all yummy and melty... then layered it all onto the croissant. At the end, I started toasting the bread on the pan while melting the cheese onto the egg. Everyone loved this one! If you do this, be sure to buy a plastic egg carton in the same part of the store where you would buy a fishing license or sleeping bag (sporting department, usually). I've seen people try to use regular egg cartons and they fall apart or eggs crack/break. It's only $1-2. Just pay it, it's worth it.<br />
<br />
<b>Lunch - Chili Cheese Fritos</b><br />
This WOULD have been nice, except our camp stove stopped working. Not sure what the deal was. We tried a new can of propane and both burners, but nothing worked. It just broke. I had already dumped two cans of chili into the pan (be sure to bring a can opener), so I had to figure out what to do with it. It'll come up later. Instead, we ended up eating randomness from the snack bucket. I always take summer sausage, a block of cheese, and crackers when we camp. Again, a "meal" that doesn't require cooking. Be sure to bring a knife and cutting board for this.<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner - Hot Dogs & Chips</b><br />
Since we had all that chili that needed to be used, we put it on the grill piece over the fire and heated it up for chili dogs. The kids didn't want theirs with chili, they still had just plain ol' hot dogs, the younger ones without a bun, the older ones with a bun - be sure to pack ketchup, bbq sauce, mustard, Miracle Whip, and relish (or whatever toppings your family likes) for this. Chili and sliced cheese was pretty yummy, too!<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>MONDAY</b></u><br />
<b>Breakfast - Costco giant Muffins!</b><br />
Just like your first meal at camp shouldn't require heating, neither should your last. You'll be busy taking down your tent and packing everything into your vehicle. You won't want to have camp forks out to roast anything in a fire, or a camp stove out when it goes in the bottom box in the car, or have to wait for a pot or pan to cool off before packing it. These muffins were a hit!<br />
<br />
<b>Lunch - on the road</b><br />
It's about a 2 hour drive to get home, plus we had to stop for gas and milk (I made sure our milk and produce were all used up before leaving so that nothing went bad while we were gone), so we got some drive-thru deliciousness and took it home to eat (we weren't about to go inside somewhere having not showered in days and smelling like a camp fire). This also gave us a chance to have the kids sit at the table to eat while we unloaded everything. Not tripping over little ones eager to "help" is a nice perk! <br />
<br />
<b>Dinner - leftovers or something super simple and easy</b><br />
Once we were back home, I heated up frozen burritos for dinner after we unpacked the van and got laundry started and all showered up. I was ready to sit down and enjoy the last few hours of my vacation. Spaghetti with canned sauce would have been pretty easy, too. Or leftover deli meat and cheese sandwiches. Plan to take it easy rather than getting home and realizing that you have to cook and don't have fresh ingredients since you've been gone or that you weren't home to thaw some meat from the freezer. Just plan on easy. Pizza Hut would also be acceptable! <br />
<br />
So, that helps with meal planning, now how to entertain kids for 3 nights and 4 days....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaVzfakK-mA/U6s_DzTm6ZI/AAAAAAAAKiM/e5cqTVAgacU/s1600/2014-06-21+13.09.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EaVzfakK-mA/U6s_DzTm6ZI/AAAAAAAAKiM/e5cqTVAgacU/s1600/2014-06-21+13.09.24.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows my two middle kids coloring, and my crochet project that I brought with me, plus our snack bucket... and a cute baby girl who enjoyed napping and crawling inside the tent!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5UwpeOamM/U6tAiJJI90I/AAAAAAAAKjE/5yD7uPFphpE/s1600/2014-06-22+17.10.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dL5UwpeOamM/U6tAiJJI90I/AAAAAAAAKjE/5yD7uPFphpE/s1600/2014-06-22+17.10.01.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a napping baby, again. She did a lot of this. She didn't have any issues falling asleep while we were out there. She just slept the same as she does at home. However, next time I'm taking the pack-n-play so she has a play space that doesn't have rocks underneath... and a crib sheet to put on top of it so that it keeps the bugs out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJcgmO_MPvw/U6tAwwcb3sI/AAAAAAAAKjM/gco8qORsINk/s1600/2014-06-22+17.10.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJcgmO_MPvw/U6tAwwcb3sI/AAAAAAAAKjM/gco8qORsINk/s1600/2014-06-22+17.10.51.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys ran around the campsite quite a bit, collecting sticks, walking across fallen down trees, and sitting on the rocks by the river/stream. I ONLY took coloring books and crayons. NOTHING else. They never told me even once that they were bored. They enjoyed being outside and exploring their surroundings. Their only rule was that they had to be within a distance that allowed them to hear me calling for them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJyLN-gLDKk/U6s-m9ndahI/AAAAAAAAKiI/a7OI-OmzhW8/s1600/2014-06-21+10.21.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJyLN-gLDKk/U6s-m9ndahI/AAAAAAAAKiI/a7OI-OmzhW8/s1600/2014-06-21+10.21.42.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought lots of snacks, and kids need snacks. Trail mix would have been a good one, though I think we had a lot of skittles, M&Ms, and summer sausage with gouda cheese and crackers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shtwK4fwn8Y/U6tBAw6Rw6I/AAAAAAAAKjU/PD-FFqgJuWs/s1600/2014-06-22+17.11.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shtwK4fwn8Y/U6tBAw6Rw6I/AAAAAAAAKjU/PD-FFqgJuWs/s1600/2014-06-22+17.11.27.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We really just enjoyed the outdoors! The boys enjoyed fishing while I enjoyed the babbling brook!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNoW7sJR6IU/U6tBCP3LTAI/AAAAAAAAKjc/WkGdTVT3TCM/s1600/2014-06-22+19.30.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNoW7sJR6IU/U6tBCP3LTAI/AAAAAAAAKjc/WkGdTVT3TCM/s1600/2014-06-22+19.30.18.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed the outdoors enough that my feet were atrocious! Granted, I wear flip flops (so that I know no bugs have crawled into my shoes) and I stayed in the tent with Emmy most of the time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This was about it! It was relaxing and wonderful! We're so excited to get to go again!<br />
<br />
Just wondering...<br />
What do you do when you camp? What meals do you plan? What entertainment do you take?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1OqkYvztyMY%2FU6tAdr2-OKI%2FAAAAAAAAKi8%2FZAJXBDPzuyk%2Fs1600%2F2014-06-21%2B18.02.53.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqkYvztyMY/U6tAdr2-OKI/AAAAAAAAKi8/ZAJXBDPzuyk/s1600/2014-06-21+18.02.53.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6aGrRrSygA/U6s_9nMj3NI/AAAAAAAAKis/YMLd7hIpDsg/s1600/2014-06-21+18.01.55.jpg" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6aGrRrSygA/U6s_9nMj3NI/AAAAAAAAKis/YMLd7hIpDsg/s1600/2014-06-21+18.01.55.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-s6aGrRrSygA%2FU6s_9nMj3NI%2FAAAAAAAAKis%2FYMLd7hIpDsg%2Fs1600%2F2014-06-21%2B18.01.55.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6aGrRrSygA/U6s_9nMj3NI/AAAAAAAAKis/YMLd7hIpDsg/s1600/2014-06-21+18.01.55.jpg" -->~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-77139220987817557542014-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:002014-01-02T09:01:48.676-08:00Growing Stinkweeds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNX-O0JKK0k/UsWX8tW8pAI/AAAAAAAAEjU/l8c1gv-Y7R4/s1600/2011+-+2012+-+2013+KIDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNX-O0JKK0k/UsWX8tW8pAI/AAAAAAAAEjU/l8c1gv-Y7R4/s320/2011+-+2012+-+2013+KIDS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love doing this every year! It helps me keep track of where I put their growth info, and it's cute to see them growing! I wish I could have fit Emmalyn into the picture this year, but it just wasn't going to happen. I'll add a cutesy picture of her at the end. So, since I have their heights and weights listed on the photo, my chart that I'm typing out now will be their height/weight PERCENTILES...<br />
<br />
2011 2012 2013<br />
Keith 7th/6th 19th/12th 28th/19th (5yr11mo to 7yr11mo) <br />
Mitchell 43rd/63rd 69th/78th 55th/66th (2yr11mo to 4yr11mo)<br />
Kiersten 6th/31st 11th/15th 15th/17th (12mo to 3yr)<br />
<br />
Now my analysis: Keith is actually growing! He was BELOW the charts for a long time, so seeing him grow like this is great! He's turning out to be on the small side of average! Mitchell has always been my little football player, and that just hasn't changed! Kiersten's height is increasing quite a bit while her weight is down. She's just such a squeaker!<br />
<br />
As for Emmalyn, it's hard to figure out her percentages at 6 weeks because it's the graph instead of a digital output calculator. However, as best I can figure it, her 23" puts her around the 93rd percentile for height, and 9.4 lbs puts her around the 25th percentile for weight. I'm AMAZED that she's grown 2" in just 6 weeks! She's a tall girl!<br />
<br />
Anyway, so that's the yearly update. Aren't they just adorable?!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uPIpacKabE/UsWa90_1YAI/AAAAAAAAEjg/zjuJ7_GOol0/s1600/2013-12-25+07.23.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uPIpacKabE/UsWa90_1YAI/AAAAAAAAEjg/zjuJ7_GOol0/s320/2013-12-25+07.23.53.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-73672777087430833802013-11-25T13:34:00.000-08:002013-11-25T13:34:17.224-08:00Home Water Birth of a RainbowWell, it finally happened! I have a baby in my home and in my arms again!<br />
<br />
My estimated due date (EDD) was 11/11, and for a while, I was really worried about my baby being born too early. But the 11th came and passed and I stayed pregnant. I went in for a prenatal on Tuesday, 11/19 at 8 days past EDD. My sweet midwife did a quick Non-Stress Test (NST) to make sure all was well inside, and then gave me some "rocket juice" (her own herbal tincture concoction along with some orange juice to mask the flavor). I left her office around 12:30 and then met up with some family for lunch. I picked up my oldest kiddo from school around 3pm and then went home.<br />
<br />
The "rocket juice" was supposed to increase the cramping sensation because the goal was to help me with effacement moreso than dilation (I was 4cm and 50% at this point). I could definitely feel the increase in cramping and began to notice that it came in waves, like contractions. So I began taking note of the time between waves. 5 minutes. Hmmm...<br />
<br />
After an hour or so, once my husband was home, I let my midwife and doula know that things seemed to be coming together and that I felt like it was the day to bake a birthday cake. No rush yet though. I began timing the duration of the contractions in addition to the time between contractions. As things started seeming more and more coordinated, my husband got nervous and said it might be time to start inviting over our birth team. While I got everyone informed and ate some dinner, he blew up the birthing tub.<br />
<br />
First to arrive was my doula, Denise, around 8pm. My midwife, Rebecca, arrived around 8:30-9pm. It was a slow start so I didn't ask my photographer, Kendra, to come over until 10:45-11pm.<br />
<br />
We began filling the tub around the time Kendra came over. I didn't want to allow myself too much comfort for fear of slowing things down, but I guess my face was tipping people off that I was needing a little relief and they insisted I get in. The warm water was wonderful! We noticed the time and realized that if things hurried up, I could have a baby on an all prime number date... 11-19-13! unfortunately, with 9 minutes to go, I realized that wasn't going to happen, but also noted that my kids do things in multiples of 3 (#1 was 3 days past EDD, #2 was 6 days past EDD, #3 was 3 days before EDD) and an 11/20 birthday would put her at 9 days past EDD. Yes, I'm a dork and like numbers that much.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IYKJMBEpFA/UpOf7GDq-EI/AAAAAAAADSw/TuhMtdFBNAI/s1600/01+Checking+Heartrate+in+Water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IYKJMBEpFA/UpOf7GDq-EI/AAAAAAAADSw/TuhMtdFBNAI/s320/01+Checking+Heartrate+in+Water.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca checking the baby's heart rate while in the tub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, as contractions started really picking up, I guess my face was showing it because they started trying to distract me. Eventually, I had to make a decision - don't push and keep feeling the intense pain in my lower abdomen and thighs, or push knowing it'll hurt more but then will be over. I pushed and felt the water break as her head was birthed into the tub of warm water. I reached down and felt her hair. Once Rebecca checked to make sure the cord was not around her neck, I pushed a second time and out she came. Rebecca pushed her forward while I sat back so that I could lift her out of the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7rRhkS93lw/UpOgQoU_lHI/AAAAAAAADS8/wsORzVPBgic/s1600/02+Focusing+on+Contraction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7rRhkS93lw/UpOgQoU_lHI/AAAAAAAADS8/wsORzVPBgic/s320/02+Focusing+on+Contraction.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xp5mlyaQmlw/UpOgQWwTIuI/AAAAAAAADS4/kJqnKcHyljQ/s1600/03+Focusing+on+Contraction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xp5mlyaQmlw/UpOgQWwTIuI/AAAAAAAADS4/kJqnKcHyljQ/s320/03+Focusing+on+Contraction.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjMauTkDBh8/UpOgRgOOtLI/AAAAAAAADTM/wMmgshY5HHg/s1600/04+Contraction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjMauTkDBh8/UpOgRgOOtLI/AAAAAAAADTM/wMmgshY5HHg/s320/04+Contraction.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV4SOznCKOs/UpOgRLy45VI/AAAAAAAADTE/nCCkcsQ9LVA/s1600/05+Baby+is+OUT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV4SOznCKOs/UpOgRLy45VI/AAAAAAAADTE/nCCkcsQ9LVA/s320/05+Baby+is+OUT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB8XzvHYsQ8/UpOgRinwUCI/AAAAAAAADTY/I33d38v1iYo/s1600/06+Baby+is+OUT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wB8XzvHYsQ8/UpOgRinwUCI/AAAAAAAADTY/I33d38v1iYo/s320/06+Baby+is+OUT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
November 20, 2013<br />
12:56am <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1SUtIzeTws/UpOgR2drITI/AAAAAAAADTU/0Y6InOHvxi0/s1600/07+That%27s+My+BABY!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1SUtIzeTws/UpOgR2drITI/AAAAAAAADTU/0Y6InOHvxi0/s320/07+That%27s+My+BABY!.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
She was beautiful! The first thing I noticed was her adorably dimpled chin. Then her tiny ears. Her long finger and toe nails. Her button nose (just like Mitchell and Kiersten). Her full lips that she definitely got from her daddy and not me! I held her, stared and studied her. Ben sat behind me (not in the tub though) and stared and studied her. We kept her mostly in the water to keep her warm, eventually wrapping a towel around her to keep the warm water on her. It seemed like time almost paused so that Ben and I could take in the experience and focus on the fact that we finally had our little girl here where we could see her and cuddle her. No one interrupted us, they just allowed us to "be."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q59b6mkUF48/UpOgkpm20TI/AAAAAAAADTo/5J-l8I4B9Cs/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q59b6mkUF48/UpOgkpm20TI/AAAAAAAADTo/5J-l8I4B9Cs/s320/15.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-biSmO-twMw0/UpOgk0B5TVI/AAAAAAAADTs/-akT2ycT3yE/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-biSmO-twMw0/UpOgk0B5TVI/AAAAAAAADTs/-akT2ycT3yE/s320/19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AsOC4631_2Y/UpOgk8Pb_SI/AAAAAAAADTw/I0EV-hjZZDM/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AsOC4631_2Y/UpOgk8Pb_SI/AAAAAAAADTw/I0EV-hjZZDM/s320/21.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then OUCH! What the? "Ooooh, time for the placenta." How did I not remember birthing the placenta at ANY of my births? OUCH! After waiting for the cord to stop pulsing, Ben cut the cord, and they took my baby girl just long enough for me to birth the placenta (1:20am, so it pulsed for a good 24 minutes where we stayed connected), and then they gave her back. I liked that. Once that was over, it was time to get out. I showered up and got into my bed and got back to snuggling my newest sweetheart.<br />
<br />
While her weight (8.0 lbs) and length (21") and other measurements (head/chest 13.25-13.5") were taken and the newborn exam was completed, we talked about names. We had our name list narrowed down to 40 this time (which is good for us, there were 117 names on the list when Mitchell was born). Ainara was a birth team favorite, as it means illuminating, shining, which kind of fits her. Eve means life, which is significant after two losses. Despite meaning "beautiful lion," Arabella was taken off the list. It is also a fitting meaning as she's such a beautiful little girl, and also was a bit feisty while still in the womb. Names were tossed back and forth but we eventually narrowed it down to 5 - Ainara, Miranda, Jeslyn, Sasha, and Emmalyn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i6CeZSW37I/UpOhEEROPvI/AAAAAAAADUA/XTlWIoj0d1w/s1600/32+Weighing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8i6CeZSW37I/UpOhEEROPvI/AAAAAAAADUA/XTlWIoj0d1w/s320/32+Weighing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACMpEcpRZag/UpOhEi3eEaI/AAAAAAAADUE/Mngb9WfGwF8/s1600/33+Weight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACMpEcpRZag/UpOhEi3eEaI/AAAAAAAADUE/Mngb9WfGwF8/s320/33+Weight.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gk6thU3CPg/UpOhEyZLIsI/AAAAAAAADUM/ofreHRkCilI/s1600/34+Length.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gk6thU3CPg/UpOhEyZLIsI/AAAAAAAADUM/ofreHRkCilI/s320/34+Length.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Around 4am, Kiersten woke up. Ben let her meet her new sister, which was an adorable encounter. Finally, though, it was bedtime. Ben and I were both absolutely exhausted after being up for 23 hours or so.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q17h8Tzvmc/UpOhhNyGJlI/AAAAAAAADUc/TBBzeNB4VaQ/s1600/2013-11-20+03.54.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6q17h8Tzvmc/UpOhhNyGJlI/AAAAAAAADUc/TBBzeNB4VaQ/s320/2013-11-20+03.54.44.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camera picture of Daddy with his two girls!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All that day, we tried the names on our new addition. I loved Ainara, but alas, it isn't HER name. We both loved Jeslyn, but it wasn't HER name. The boys, asked independently, both said Emmalyn. In fact, when Mitchell went to preschool, his teacher told him that his new baby sister looked like him, to which he replied that, "no, she looks like Emmalyn." The next day, we asked again and they still both said her name was Emmalyn. So there it was. That was HER name.<br />
<br />
Before I miss writing it, I want to document it for next time around...
after 3 days I was still having contractions in my lower abs and thighs. And it hurt. It hurt like early labor, but it hurt. How ridiculous! How do I not remember this happening with the others?<br />
<br />
Overall, this was such a perfect birth! We hung out, carried on random conversations, kind of had a "girl night in" feeling to the whole night, and just happened to have a baby in there somewhere! I loved being in the water. I loved being the one to bring my baby up out of the water. I loved letting birth just happen. I loved sitting in the tub with Emmalyn while waiting for the placenta to detach. I loved letting the cord pulse until it was done. I love that her newborn exam wasn't until after I was showered and in my own bed and when I was ready to let someone else hold her while I watched what was going on. I love that she was in my sight the whole time. I love that I didn't have to labor in a car! I loved just everything about this birth! I absolutely ADORE my birth team! These ladies were so wonderful to have around me as I labored, keeping my spirits high the whole time, empowering me as my body worked toward its goal. If the time should arise again, I would choose these 3 to be there, hands down! And Ben!! He stays so calm, never freaks out. Yes, this was my ideal birth. I got a great birth experience and a great little girl, all in the same night! Perfect ending to a perfect day!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqHLds1U3Pc/UpOh2aRQ5yI/AAAAAAAADUs/q1KLiHIfjhc/s1600/01+with+mommy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqHLds1U3Pc/UpOh2aRQ5yI/AAAAAAAADUs/q1KLiHIfjhc/s320/01+with+mommy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://m.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_health_conditions/erythema_toxicum.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Erythema Toxicum</a> - no worries, she's not cold, just a normal newborn "rash" kind of thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Or4ofIEB2xg/UpOh3FdJK2I/AAAAAAAADUw/jsiKiBcw9Pw/s1600/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Or4ofIEB2xg/UpOh3FdJK2I/AAAAAAAADUw/jsiKiBcw9Pw/s320/02.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVqOJb-_Oc/UpOh24itCZI/AAAAAAAADUo/F6XwMyKJc4Y/s1600/Rainbow+Blanket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVqOJb-_Oc/UpOh24itCZI/AAAAAAAADUo/F6XwMyKJc4Y/s320/Rainbow+Blanket.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day old tiny princess! Our rainbow baby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-51712734807260882342013-10-16T14:20:00.002-07:002013-10-16T14:20:36.429-07:00Christmas Jammies embody Faith vs FearToday, my oldest and I went to the store and picked out a Christmas onesie and jammies for our little "Vash" (no, still no name - we'll see her before naming her, it's HER name rather than ours, after all). This sounds like no big deal, but it is to me. <br />
<br />
Let me explain.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the last year, I've made lots of friends who are photographers for NILMDTS (the organization that does bereavement portraits). I've made lots of friends who are loss-moms like me. I'm too familiar with the stories - stories like mine of losing babies before 20 weeks, of those who lose babies in the second trimester... and also of those who lose their babies at 32 weeks, 39 weeks, 41 weeks, during labor, just after delivery, and every other possible scenario. <br />
<br />
I know a lot of people think that, now that I'm past when both my babies had died, I should feel like I'm safe and on the home stretch and just a bundle of joy! But that's just not how it is. My eyes have been opened and I am no longer in that joyfully innocent group of women who will ever feel "safe" at ANY point in pregnancy ever again. In fact, the closer I get to my due date, the more I have to remember "fear is the opposite of faith, must have faith, do not entertain fear as it is an insult to faith." If I have a mantra, that's it. "Do Not Entertain Fear, It Is An Insult To Faith." So while I try to push away the fear DAILY, I'm also not blind, innocent, or naive. The closer I get to my due date, the more I feel like I've been SO lucky so far, and that my luck could still run out at any moment. It gets hard to breathe. Tears stay so close to the surface that I feel like I just want to hide in my room and cry nearly every day. My heart literally hurts, sometimes to where I wonder if I'm going to have a heart attack! But, I push it away. I put on a happy face. I rub my belly and tell her how much I love her and am so excited to meet her next month (I dare not wish her to come before SHE is COMPLETELY ready, it's just as scary to me as anything else). I beg her to stay with me. <br />
<br />
Back to the jammies. Why is it such a big deal?<br />
<br />
Because I'm preparing for a baby that could still be taken away at any moment. I've heard too many stories of having to pack up nurseries or box up clothes that were all washed and ready to go. Buying these jammies is a HUGE leap of faith that I won't have to gift them to someone else or box them up for another pregnancy/baby. It's a step where I'm forever trying to quash the fear and hold tight to that faith that I'm really going to get to hold (and keep) my little "Vash." <br />
<br />
Laugh if you must, but laying those items on the counter, swiping my debit card, bringing them into the house, and next will be hanging them up... every step of it has made me want to cry. But I'm refusing to allow myself to do so. Because "fear is an insult to faith." I've bought a few things along the way, even dug out old things from my other kiddos, but none has been with such intent - gifting these jammies to her on Christmas Eve... it makes the assumption that she'll be there for Christmas. Buying a girl outfit because we were told we're having a girl... it assumes we're having a girl. Buying a gift for her assumes she'll get to open it. That's much more realistic (as opposed to fantasy/dreams) than anything else I've done so far. <br />
<br />
So... less than 4 weeks until my due date. If you're a praying person, pray for me to be able to overcome fear and increase my faith. Pray that this little girl will grow healthy and strong and happy.<br />
<br />
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-71355301376574274782013-10-16T06:39:00.001-07:002013-10-16T06:39:23.381-07:00Capture Your Grief: Days 9-15 in 2013<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>9. Music:</b></u> This might be hard to capture in a
photograph so why not post a youtube clip of a piece of music that
reminds your of your baby/ies/child/ren. Why this piece of music?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Music just hasn't played a role in my grief. Odd since music used to sing my life, but it hasn't with this.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>10. Beliefs:</b></u> Do you have a certain belief about
what happens to us after we die? You might believe that we go to a
heaven or you might believe that our bodies eventually turn to dust
and that is the end of our story. Please feel free to share your
beliefs whether they are religious, spiritual or not.
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I think this is summed up well in the image I've shared several times of Taylor and the quote on the graphic...:<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjSNk_Ot_qU/Ul3AndVqvOI/AAAAAAAACYk/0IEqe6H-85w/s1600/Taylor+Harvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjSNk_Ot_qU/Ul3AndVqvOI/AAAAAAAACYk/0IEqe6H-85w/s320/Taylor+Harvey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I believe whole heartedly that I will get to raise my children in the Millennium, doing what brings me both the most frustration as well as the most joy - being a mother. This is an incredible opportunity to me and I look forward to it more than perhaps anything else. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>11. Emotional Triggers:</b> </u>What triggers emotions
associated with grief for you? Is it the weather? A scent? Photos?
Places? Holidays? Words? Certain people?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Birthdays, due dates, Christmas...<br />
Taylor was due on her aunt's birthday but was born on her grandmother's birthday.<br />
Seth was due just days after Christmas but was born on his uncle's birthday.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdstQxHWAAM/Ul3BZQD6UHI/AAAAAAAACYs/zcRBc0DPiNc/s1600/2012-12-09+10.16.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdstQxHWAAM/Ul3BZQD6UHI/AAAAAAAACYs/zcRBc0DPiNc/s320/2012-12-09+10.16.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When we go to take family pictures and they aren't there, when we have to substitute our Molly Bears in place of our angel children, I remember them and it's a big trigger for me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbu2AFqQt2Y/Ul3ByxFpLOI/AAAAAAAACY0/TLLtFnw_kIE/s1600/Harvey-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbu2AFqQt2Y/Ul3ByxFpLOI/AAAAAAAACY0/TLLtFnw_kIE/s320/Harvey-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
With another annual family picture coming up soon, I'm planning to crochet outfits for our bears again so our angels can be properly represented in our family picture. This is a trigger for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>12. Article:</b></u> Have you read an article about grief
that you would love to share with everyone? Please feel
welcome to share who wrote the article and how the article resonated
with you and also the direct link to the article if it is online.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
If I think of anything in particular, I'll come back and edit this. For now, all that is on my mind is that same quote by Joseph Smith that I posted above on day 10. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>13. Book:</b></u> Have you read a book about grief that
helped you immensely in your journey of grief? Please feel welcome to
share the book and links to where it can be purchased so others can
find it.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I read two books about grief. However, I should probably re-read them as it was while I was still fairly deep in my own grief and I really don't remember much. Again, I may update this later.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>14. Family:</b></u> What does you family look like now?
Is it just yourself carrying your child’s heart in yours? Do you
have other children? A partner? A pet? You may not have what society
perceives as a family but we all know that just because you cannot
see any children, that does not mean that they are not a part of your
family.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBPkZxmg2wQ/Ul3DMbFZ9RI/AAAAAAAACZA/331ve7mHRJI/s1600/IMG_8710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBPkZxmg2wQ/Ul3DMbFZ9RI/AAAAAAAACZA/331ve7mHRJI/s320/IMG_8710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is my family now - my 3 living children, clinging to their angel siblings represented by bears, huddled around a gravestone to celebrate a birthday that didn't come with chubby cheeks and discussion about walking and talking and all the milestones met over the past year. We'll be adding another baby to our family, hopefully next month, and hopefully without the need to get another bear. My husband and I love all 6 of our children and are so very excited to see the beautiful, happy face of our newest addition soon. I haven't had to consider talking to this new baby about her angel siblings because they're always remembered in our home.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><u><b>15. Wave Of Light:</b> </u>Today is October 15th
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Light a candle at 7pm to
help create a continuous wave of light around the world for 24 hours.
Photograph your light! Please remember to share your location for
this day as well. Wishing you all a ton of love for this sacred day
of remembrance.</span><br />
<br />
Today, I want to remember the angels that I've come to hold close to my heart, as well as my own. And so I speak their names (in no particular order):<br />
<br />
Grant Abernathy<br />
Miracle Abernathy<br />
Lily Robbins<br />
ElizabethVawdrey<br />
Cordelia Casper<br />
Luke Wood<br />
Ayla Schneider<br />
Autumn Phillips<br />
Melena Harvey<br />
Addison Johnson<br />
Bryce Carter<br />
Isaac Palmer<br />
Porter Palmer<br />
Jerom Shaver<br />
Jocelyn Files<br />
Liam Allred<br />
Malachi Allred<br />
Allison Mattes<br />
Breckin Law<br />
Brighton Law <br />
Avery Friend<br />
Caden Tozier<br />
Clark Deneca<br />
Little Fella Allen <br />
Hope Lewis<br />
Jude Hastings<br />
Willow Hastings<br />
Oliva Kunz <br />
Skylar Fitzgerald<br />
Harlee Fitzgerald<br />
Matthew Fitzgerald<br />
Vincent Valenzuela<br />
<br />
And also Taylor Harvey & Seth Harvey. So many angels. So many grieving hearts yearning to hold their babies. Many hugs and much love to the families of each of these babies who never came home from the hospital, who were born too soon, who were gone before they were even born. So much love to each of you. There are so many more to add to this list, unnamed babies, babies not talked about, (and a few that I missed just because the list is so long) and this is just within my circle of extended friends. Forgive me if I missed your angel. PLEASE, write out your angel's name in the comments here. I want to remember your angels. All of them. <br />
<br />
Love to you all....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XELezbREjbc/Ul6W9IkP_LI/AAAAAAAACZQ/zDlas4kSC5E/s1600/20131015_192332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XELezbREjbc/Ul6W9IkP_LI/AAAAAAAACZQ/zDlas4kSC5E/s320/20131015_192332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-65309336860390328932013-10-08T06:01:00.001-07:002013-10-08T06:02:32.854-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 8 in 2013<b>Day 8. Colour:</b> What colour/s do you represent your
baby? Why that colour/s?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKsz02g6I98/UlND0JfV8tI/AAAAAAAACWM/Z69tAOGhBCM/s1600/2012-10-01+14.24.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKsz02g6I98/UlND0JfV8tI/AAAAAAAACWM/Z69tAOGhBCM/s320/2012-10-01+14.24.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Seth's is light blue due to the abundance of light blue in all of his NILMDTS photos, mostly his hat. And with Taylor, I'm not really sure why, but purple (not lilac) and red (not pink). ~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-45606559337696414442013-10-07T10:28:00.001-07:002013-10-07T10:28:29.899-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 7 of 2013<b>Day 7. You Now:</b> Where are you in your grief right
now? How are you feeling? How far have you come? Are you wrestling
with anything? Is your heart heavier or lighter now?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXY95-efQy8/UlC8Lr-69vI/AAAAAAAACTo/fsFLOOG-DE8/s1600/34w4d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BXY95-efQy8/UlC8Lr-69vI/AAAAAAAACTo/fsFLOOG-DE8/s320/34w4d.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
THIS is where I am in my grief right now. This was last week, but still. Today I am 35 weeks pregnant with the baby we lovingly call "<a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2013/03/busy-busy.html" target="_blank">Vash</a>" (last paragraph) until we see her and can decide what her name really is. Every day, I have to choose faith over fear. Every day, when I start feeling her kick, I am so very reassured. If I don't feel her, I have to think through and remind myself that she'll kick later, that she's fine, that she moved around yesterday, that she's probably just sleeping, etc. It takes a while sometimes, but I try hard to keep my emotions in check.<br />
<br />
As I approach my due date in a mere 5 weeks, I am feeling... well, I'm feeling. Like I said, I have to talk myself out of fear. I fear her dying still. I fear a cord accident. I fear a placenta issue. I fear something happening during birth. But, most days I'm able to push it all aside. I'd say that's coming pretty far.<br />
<br />
So, that's where I stand. Constantly having to choose faith over fear, battling fear daily. But my heart is lighter than it was. I don't do that gasping-for-air crying anymore. I get teary-eyed sometimes, but as far as my angels are concerned, I am at peace. I have my purpose because of them. I miss them, but my religion assures me that I'll see them again. I know I won't see them in this life, but I'll see them again. I miss them. I love them. But I'm okay. I remember them every single day. But I'm okay. I am okay. ~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-87291214504573291512013-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:002013-10-07T10:28:20.113-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 6 of 2013<b>Day 6. Ritual:</b> Do you have any rituals to help get
you through the day? Maybe it is a daily affirmation or prayer. It
could be that you light a candle or recite a mantra etc. Do you do
anything meaningful on special dates for your baby?<br />
<br />
Nope. No rituals. No daily affirmations. No prayers that are specific to my losses. I only light candles on rare occasions like birthdays and Oct. 15th. No mantras.<br />
<br />
On birthdays, we do cupcakes and flowers. Now that the gravestone is set, we visit the grave for birthdays, too. Since Taylor didn't get her own, her name is on Seth's gravestone, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oinjchsmf4/UlC6GazvAQI/AAAAAAAACS0/kBrB_CXP8ss/s1600/2013-01-23+08.18.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oinjchsmf4/UlC6GazvAQI/AAAAAAAACS0/kBrB_CXP8ss/s320/2013-01-23+08.18.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SosekgxRDx8/UlC6GavLMdI/AAAAAAAACS8/a6mSzcj3nn8/s1600/2013-01-23+18.14.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SosekgxRDx8/UlC6GavLMdI/AAAAAAAACS8/a6mSzcj3nn8/s320/2013-01-23+18.14.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ixRIYZbGg/UlC6GjwJ6EI/AAAAAAAACS4/KUi45RthBfc/s1600/2013-01-23+18.15.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ixRIYZbGg/UlC6GjwJ6EI/AAAAAAAACS4/KUi45RthBfc/s320/2013-01-23+18.15.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The above 3 were Taylor's first birthday. Chocolate cupcakes because every girl needs chocolate, and roses because she's a beautiful princess!<br />
<br />
The below 3 were Seth's first birthday. They actually had dragonfly cupcakes!! And he got flowers, too because I had been eying those flowers for him for months because they reminded me of him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhwN8zKcFyQ/UlC6q64PNlI/AAAAAAAACTY/GUxmSXO3wcM/s1600/IMG_8716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MhwN8zKcFyQ/UlC6q64PNlI/AAAAAAAACTY/GUxmSXO3wcM/s320/IMG_8716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-dK_kAdAyM/UlC6b9bSDaI/AAAAAAAACTM/FJKPHywMl2w/s1600/2013-08-07+20.19.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-dK_kAdAyM/UlC6b9bSDaI/AAAAAAAACTM/FJKPHywMl2w/s320/2013-08-07+20.19.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFQpEI1-b3M/UlC6qMboj-I/AAAAAAAACTU/Zw6GocA2hi8/s1600/IMG_8704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFQpEI1-b3M/UlC6qMboj-I/AAAAAAAACTU/Zw6GocA2hi8/s320/IMG_8704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-15751380965928932762013-10-05T18:13:00.002-07:002013-10-05T18:13:48.613-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 5 of 2013<b>Day 5. Memory: </b>What memory do you have of your child
that stands out for you the most. It may be a positive or negative
memory. When you think of your child what is the first memory that
comes to your mind?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3PXlCaNYc0/UlC2XgtbxfI/AAAAAAAACSc/WW14VJ6hGro/s1600/Taylor+Harvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3PXlCaNYc0/UlC2XgtbxfI/AAAAAAAACSc/WW14VJ6hGro/s320/Taylor+Harvey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two big memories of Taylor - first, sitting in a parking lot getting a text from my very dear friend, Ashley, who gave me the quote on this red image above. This quote helped me SO much through both of my losses. She said she felt like it was what she was supposed to say, though she had no idea what to say herself. She was inspired to share this with me, because my Heavenly Father loves me and knew it was exactly what I needed.<br />
<br />
Next was her birth and how absolutely horrified I was when I realized that my baby's body was flushed down a toilet. I'm still ready to cry my eyes out just thinking of it - both because of how it makes me feel now as well as because of remembering my feelings then. The pain of not seeing her is nearly more than I can handle. I try hard to push those feelings aside and focus on that quote above. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiV9XT-yWhE/UlC3q-PRQOI/AAAAAAAACSo/X3aPyI-mSN4/s1600/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+005editvign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kiV9XT-yWhE/UlC3q-PRQOI/AAAAAAAACSo/X3aPyI-mSN4/s320/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+005editvign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
With Seth, obviously a huge memory was finding out he was a boy instead of a girl like the ultrasound tech said! I studied him for a long time. His muscular legs. His open eyes. His adorable nose. His shoulders. His knees. His bone structure. His facial expression. Isn't he just beautiful? He died at 16 weeks gestation. That's still a legal age for abortion. Can you even imagine that some people kill a baby that is this perfectly formed? Look at him. No, really look at him. That little body may only be 6" long, but how incredible! <br />
<br />
Of course it makes sense that this would be such a tremendous memory for me, considering what I just told you about Taylor. I didn't get to see her body, so his meant the world to me. <br />
<br />
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-13508225002628087832013-10-05T17:57:00.000-07:002013-10-05T17:57:13.275-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 4 of 2013<b>Day 4. Legacy:</b> Do you believe your child left a
legacy behind? It could be something very simple but meaningful.<br />
<br />
As I explained on Day 2, I believe my losses lead me to a purpose - making angel clothing to help others feel a little comfort and love, and a little less alone during their loss. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QORHdB7MmU/UlCzySHbppI/AAAAAAAACRo/qfcr7p6RIhc/s1600/2013-08-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QORHdB7MmU/UlCzySHbppI/AAAAAAAACRo/qfcr7p6RIhc/s320/2013-08-03.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nINgNI9R9yE/UlCzytBLuBI/AAAAAAAACRs/3JPnDNXi-ls/s1600/2013-08-08+11.57.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nINgNI9R9yE/UlCzytBLuBI/AAAAAAAACRs/3JPnDNXi-ls/s320/2013-08-08+11.57.54.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd6Noeqo_As/UlCzyUAW-MI/AAAAAAAACRw/fm14LVv452c/s1600/2013-08-09+16.29.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd6Noeqo_As/UlCzyUAW-MI/AAAAAAAACRw/fm14LVv452c/s320/2013-08-09+16.29.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHD32iNh_MU/UlCzzLGO1iI/AAAAAAAACR4/PVzw4g-8iJY/s1600/2013-08-22+09.52.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHD32iNh_MU/UlCzzLGO1iI/AAAAAAAACR4/PVzw4g-8iJY/s320/2013-08-22+09.52.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_eUr-YZYQ/UlC1QU5lAMI/AAAAAAAACSQ/E-SUBy1-wwY/s1600/August+puppy+outfit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG_eUr-YZYQ/UlC1QU5lAMI/AAAAAAAACSQ/E-SUBy1-wwY/s320/August+puppy+outfit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn6a4X3wks4/UlCz0ndKDSI/AAAAAAAACSI/Cbr1XbR4iXo/s1600/August+Donations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn6a4X3wks4/UlCz0ndKDSI/AAAAAAAACSI/Cbr1XbR4iXo/s320/August+Donations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABqfWMrQB6k/UlCz0BDXJQI/AAAAAAAACSE/xy8gUrw0SRA/s1600/August+Outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABqfWMrQB6k/UlCz0BDXJQI/AAAAAAAACSE/xy8gUrw0SRA/s320/August+Outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These were all from August. Hopefully I'll have my September stuff photographed soon to post. I had to get a little help with some necklines on some of the new Taylor gowns because I was doing them awkwardly. <br />
<br />
Anyway, with every outfit I make, my angels' legacy is embodied. This is what I was lead to do (who picks up crocheting as quickly as I did unless it was something they were called to do, like I believe I have been?). Their lives had purpose, and this is it... to bring about love and compassion toward other angel parents.<br />
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-21139812159749538322013-10-04T11:06:00.000-07:002013-10-04T11:08:36.699-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 3 of 2013<b>Day 3. Myths:</b> Do you believe there are any myths
about grief? You could write the myth on a piece of paper and
photograph it.<br />
<br />
I think I covered this last year in this post: <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2012/10/capture-your-grief-day-6-7-what-not-to.html" target="_blank">What (not) to say </a><br />
<br />
However, to kinda answer things a little differently this year, I'd say here is a myth that bother me...<br />
<br />
#1 - Time heals all. This too shall pass. You're still grieving, it's been so long.<br />
As I've said before, people continue to grieve their lost sibling or parent or grandparent or friend years after they've passed. Why would you expect any less when someone has lost a child? As soon as you're pregnant, you start making plans - holiday plans (Seth was due Dec 28 so I began planning Christmas at home rather than with family), home plans (if Seth were born alive, we would have needed to consider building in the basement because we just wouldn't be able to fit 3 boys in one bedroom), budgeting (even with insurance, delivering a baby costs money, as do clothes and diapers, etc), and so much more! When you lose that baby before he or she is even born, all those plans and dreams change. You've lost a child AND the future you had envisioned. And it hurts. Every holiday, you think about how you could have or should have had another baby crawling around, starting school, or whatever is relevant. Time helps, but it doesn't completely heal and the death of a child never passes. Ever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsFD-4KhjAY/Uk8CtDkffWI/AAAAAAAACPg/HhL5Us0en1o/s1600/2013-10-04+12.00.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EsFD-4KhjAY/Uk8CtDkffWI/AAAAAAAACPg/HhL5Us0en1o/s320/2013-10-04+12.00.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think I must SEEM like I'm "over it" because I don't cry so much. Other times I think I must SEEM like I'll never be "over it" because I still do all my angel work and am constantly reaching out to people, trying so hard to help... which makes me think people must think I SEEM like I'm "over it" since I'm to a place where I can do that kind of stuff.<br />
<br />
I just want to say that I think of both Taylor and Seth daily. I think of them as often as I think of my three living children. They're always in the back of my mind. Other people thinking or speaking of them makes me happy. I don't like thinking that they've been forgotten. They'll always be mine and I'll always remember them. Always.~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-25820767976115544182013-10-04T09:44:00.001-07:002013-10-04T09:52:12.609-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 2 of 2013<b>Day 2. Identity:</b><br />
What is your child’s name? Why did
you chose that name? What is the meaning of their name? If they were
born, what were their birth details. What were their features? Who
are they?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAK31-i4qX4/Uk7j8uKtnxI/AAAAAAAACPE/zk9hHoV292U/s1600/US2b+-+Cropped+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAK31-i4qX4/Uk7j8uKtnxI/AAAAAAAACPE/zk9hHoV292U/s320/US2b+-+Cropped+Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TAYLOR</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We chose this name because she died at 13w1d and was born at 14w1d - we never got to see her tiny body and it was too soon for ultrasound to show a gender. We HIGHLY believe Taylor was a girl, but just in case, we didn't want to offend our little one, so we chose an androgynous name. I went through the book "The Baby Name Wizard" and found a list of androgynous names. I highlighted the ones that I liked best (Aubrey, Billie, Drew, Jody, Joey, Micah, Quinn, Reese, Robin, Taylor) and let Ben choose from that list. He chose Taylor, which I was pleased with. To read about her birth details, go <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2012/01/day-5-passing.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since then, I've found that her purpose was to introduce me to the community of loss mothers. Being in the loss community already helped me with what was coming next.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNLSVMBlknU/Uk7mcxgMaOI/AAAAAAAACPQ/9X8DcKZPd-c/s1600/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+032editeyesclosed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNLSVMBlknU/Uk7mcxgMaOI/AAAAAAAACPQ/9X8DcKZPd-c/s320/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+032editeyesclosed.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SETH MICAH</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As described <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/search/label/Seth" target="_blank">HERE</a>, we found out that we lost this sweet baby when I went in for my gender-reveal ultrasound at 19 weeks. They were so positive that we were having a girl that the tech colored the gender-shot screen pink. We chose the name Isabelle with no middle name, just as our little Taylor girl has no middle name. Then I delivered my baby and found out that he was ALL BOY! I pulled out my phone to look up my name list I had sent to my sister and read off all the boy names. Ben said Seth was the only one that really stood out to him. From there, we decided it sounded short and he needed a middle name, so I chose Micah to go with it (another name from our list). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seth means "Annointed." Micah means "Who Is Like God?" (never understood why this is followed by a question mark). However, both names are scriptural, biblical. Seth was the perfect son of Adam (See <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/107.43?lang=eng" target="_blank">D&C 107:43</a> or look up <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bd/seth" target="_blank">Seth</a> in the Bible Dictionary) and Micah was a prophet (see <a href="http://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-teacher-resource-manual/micah-1-7?lang=eng" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more about Micah). In our religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that children are without sin, they are not accountable for their actions until they reach the age of accountability (age 8, unless other mental handicaps are present). This means that our tiny son died while still perfect in the sight of our Heavenly Father. Although he lived in my womb, he was never subjected to the sins of this world, he never sinned, he was in fact quite perfect. So the name Seth has ended up being quite perfect for our little boy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For his birth details, read <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2012/08/delivery-day-part-1.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
As for his features - he was a mere 6" long and 3oz. He was slender yet very muscular as he wasn't old enough to have gained any real baby fat yet. His eyes were open (which they say doesn't happen for another few weeks after he had died). He had some swelling on the back of his head from being gone for so long before his birth (remember, he died at 16weeks and was born at 19w4d) but his hat covered it so we could enjoy everything else without being afraid. He had a cute little nose and chin. To me, he was absolutely beautiful. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now, like I was saying, Taylor's loss had me enter the community of loss mothers. That enabled me to know about NILMDTS and get the pictures of Seth that I treasure more than I can describe. While we anticipated Isabelle's arrival, I had picked out some outfits hoping one would fit our little girl, and it gave me comfort to know she'd be dressed like any other baby. Then, we had a boy. I was sad that the clothes were no longer appropriate for our baby. All the pictures of him are of a little naked baby, sometimes wrapped in a blanket. Since then, I've learned to crochet to make angel clothing and sewn more angel clothing and all of it has been donated out to photographers and hospitals, hoping others will be able to dress their babies. Of course I have a special place in my heart for the tiniest outfits, the ones that would have fit my little Seth. Those are my favorites to make because they mean so much more to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I lost my babies because there is a need in this world, a need to comfort grieving parents, to extend a hand of love to show grieving parents that they're not alone. Making angel clothing is how I go about accomplishing the task I have been called to do. I will likely always do it. I hated that my baby was naked and cold. We were so sure we were having a girl, though. Who would have thought to bring boy clothes "just in case?" I don't blame anyone. It just makes me sad. After everyone had left, before I gave Seth to the nurses so the funeral home could take him away, I had the nurses bring me a full-term baby hat to wrap him in, to keep his toes warm, to act like a sleeping bag because I hated him being so cold. Yes, I know he couldn't feel the cold, but it made me feel better to have him warmly wrapped. Hopefully, my efforts will help so that other parents don't have to use full-term items to wrap their tiny ones in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that's how I perceive their identities. They introduced me to the loss community and to the needs of those who have lost. The work I do is in remembrance of my sweet angels, and hopefully it brings comfort, even the tiniest bit, to other grieving parents.</div>
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-43125450521379898902013-10-01T07:42:00.004-07:002013-10-01T07:47:52.607-07:00Capture Your Grief: Day 1 of 2013Day 1: Sunrise, the beginning of the photo journaling event capturing the grief in my world of pregnancy and infant loss. Remember, <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">in October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed
October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. “When a
child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses
her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents
lose their child,there isn’t a word to describe them. This month
recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States
and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources
for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic
pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other
causes.”</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk9znIQ3jdw/Ukre9WCPZlI/AAAAAAAACJo/EHejb3iaYCs/s1600/Day+1+-+Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk9znIQ3jdw/Ukre9WCPZlI/AAAAAAAACJo/EHejb3iaYCs/s320/Day+1+-+Sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I snapped a few pictures "at" sunrise, but with the mountains in our backyard, it's hard to get much. So this is about 45 minutes after sunrise as the sun peaks over the mountaintops. I had to get it as I drove my oldest sweetheart to school, hence the mirror. But, being on the road seemed appropriate since I've been traveling this road for a while now. <br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /> </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2012/10/capture-your-grief-day-1-sunrise.html" target="_blank">For 2012's image</a><br /> </span>~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-32945396804469722682013-09-27T10:00:00.001-07:002013-09-27T10:08:08.125-07:00Upcoming CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF<div style="text-align: left;">
It's about that time of year... CarlyMarie's Project Heal "Capture Your Grief" is coming up again throughout October. <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/search/label/Capture%20Your%20Grief" target="_blank">Last year's photo journaling experience</a> was amazing and I really enjoyed it every day. I don't know if I'll do EVERY day again this year, but there are many days that I'm looking forward to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If anyone wants to join in, here is the link and what CarlyMarie wrote out about each day to guide you through it. </div>
<div align="CENTER">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER">
<a href="http://carlymarieprojectheal.com/2013/09/capture-your-grief-october-2013.html"><b>http://carlymarieprojectheal.com/2013/09/capture-your-grief-october-2013.html</b></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1. Sunrise:</b> Just like last year, I thought it
would be very meaningful for us all to capture the beginning of this
journey and important month by us all getting up early to photograph
the sunrise from wherever we are in the world. I know depending on
where you are and what climate you are in that there may not be a
sunrise, but if you can still get to a window, snap a photo of the
morning. <br />
<b>2. Identity:</b> What is your child’s name? Why did
you chose that name? What is the meaning of their name? If they were
born, what were their birth details. What were their features? Who
are they?<br />
<b>3. Myths:</b> Do you believe there are any myths
about grief? You could write the myth on a piece of paper and
photograph it.<br />
<b>4. Legacy:</b> Do you believe your child left a
legacy behind? It could be something very simple but meaningful.<br />
<b>5. Memory: </b>What memory do you have of your child
that stands out for you the most. It may be a positive or negative
memory. When you think of your child what is the first memory that
comes to your mind?<br />
<b>6. Ritual:</b> Do you have any rituals to help get
you through the day? Maybe it is a daily affirmation or prayer. It
could be that you light a candle or recite a mantra etc. Do you do
anything meaningful on special dates for your baby?<br />
<b>7. You Now:</b> Where are you in your grief right
now? How are you feeling? How far have you come? Are you wrestling
with anything? Is your heart heavier or lighter now?<br />
<b>8. Colour:</b> What colour/s do you represent your
baby? Why that colour/s?<br />
<b>9. Music:</b> This might be hard to capture in a
photograph so why not post a youtube clip of a piece of music that
reminds your of your baby/ies/child/ren. Why this piece of music?<br />
<b>10. Beliefs:</b> Do you have a certain belief about
what happens to us after we die? You might believe that we go to a
heaven or you might believe that our bodies eventually turn to dust
and that is the end of our story. Please feel free to share your
beliefs whether they are religious, spiritual or not.
<br />
<b>11. Emotional Triggers:</b> What triggers emotions
associated with grief for you? Is it the weather? A scent? Photos?
Places? Holidays? Words? Certain people?<br />
<b>12. Article:</b> Have you read an article about grief
that you would love to share with everyone? Maybe it is something
from <a href="http://stillstandingmag.com/">Still Standing Magazine</a>
or a blog post from your favourite blogger or writer. Please feel
welcome to share who wrote the article and how the article resonated
with you and also the direct link to the article if it is online.<br />
<b>13. Book:</b> Have you read a book about grief that
helped you immensely in your journey of grief? Please feel welcome to
share the book and links to where it can be purchased so others can
find it.<br />
<b>14. Family:</b> What does you family look like now?
Is it just yourself carrying your child’s heart in yours? Do you
have other children? A partner? A pet? You may not have what society
perceives as a family but we all know that just because you cannot
see any children, that does not mean that they are not a part of your
family.<br />
<b>15. Wave Of Light:</b> Today is October 15th
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Light a candle at 7pm to
help create a continuous wave of light around the world for 24 hours.
Photograph your light! Please remember to share your location for
this day as well. Wishing you all a ton of love for this sacred day
of remembrance.<br />
<b>16. Seasons:</b> Share what certain seasons or
holidays mean to you now. What season did your baby die in? What
season were they conceived/born in? Etc. Do you dread those seasons
now? Are they more meaningful to you because of your baby?<br />
<b>17. Time:</b> How long has it been since your baby
died.<br />
<b>18. Release:</b> What do you want to let go of on
this journey of grief? Is it fear? Guilt? Worry? Deep sadness?
Regrets?<br />
<b>19. Support:</b> Share about what has been the best
support for you since the loss of your baby. Maybe it is a special
friend or family member? A pet? An organization? What have they done
for you? Where would you be without them?<br />
<b>20. Hope:</b> Do you have hope for the future? What
do you hope for those who will join this club in the future.<br />
<b>21. Honour:</b> Is there anything that you have done
to honour your baby since they died? Did you give back to the
community? Make a conscious decision to live as beautifully as
possible? Take on the role of helping others in your situation? Maybe
you work as an advocate for breaking the silence for our community.<br />
<b>22. Words:</b> Share your favourite quote, poem, song
lyrics, scripture that you have found.<br />
<b>23. Tattoos/Jewellery:</b> Do you have a piece of
jewellery in memory of your baby? Or maybe a tattoo. Please feel
welcome to share links too.<br />
<b>24. Artwork:</b> Have you created a piece of artwork
in the wake of your baby’s death? Or maybe someone has given you
some artwork to honour your baby? Please feel welcome to share links
to your own website or to other artists.<br />
<b>25. #SayItOutLoud:</b> Say It Out Loud is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StillProject">The
STILL Project’s</a> famous hashtag. <a href="http://stillproject.org/">STILL</a>
is a feature-length documentary film project aimed at breaking the
cycle of silence surrounding pregnancy and infant loss. If you could
say anything out loud about your journey with grief with the death or
your baby, what would it be? What do you want the world to know? Is
there a cause that touches your heart that you want to raise
awareness for?<br />
<b>26. Community:</b> What does this community mean to
you?<br />
<b>27. Signs:</b> If you believe in life after death do
you believe your child has ways of contacting you? Have you had any
signs?<br />
<b>28. Special Place:</b> This could be your baby’s
place of rest. If they do not have a grave, maybe you have a special
place that you associate with your baby. A place you go to, to
remember them. Where is it? Why did you choose that particular place?<br />
<b>29. Healing:</b> What has had the most healing impact
on your life through this journey of grief?<br />
<b>30. Growth:</b> Do you believe you have grown or are
growing as a person since the loss of your precious baby? How? How do
you see other people now? How do you see the world? Do you believe
you have a higher purpose? Do you believe your baby had a higher
purpose?<br />
<b>31. Sunset:</b> To close this project and this month
of BabyLoss Awareness I thought that we could all photograph the
sunset from wherever we are in the world. If there is no sunset where
you are, you can still take a photo of the early evening sky. You
just need to be able to get to a window. Remember to caption what
State/Country you are from and the time.<br />
<br />
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-3139531443123650402013-09-06T11:07:00.001-07:002013-09-06T11:07:54.045-07:00I AM THE COOLEST MOM EVER!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
See what I did today? Well, in the last HOUR!!<br />
<br />
I am going to Comic Con tomorrow and taking some kiddos with me. Keith was <a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/ewan-mcgregor/images/17395509/title/young-obewan-photo?ir=true" target="_blank">Obe-Wan</a> for Halloween one year, and then <a href="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090501001802/aliens/images/e/e6/Darth_Maul.jpg" target="_blank">Darth Maul</a> another year. Plus I just bought a <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/WorfTNG.jpg/250px-WorfTNG.jpg" target="_blank">Worf</a> costume for him, too... just in case I could talk him into it (take off the sash and it is a Star Trek TNG engineering/science officer uniform... no Klingon makeup required). So the boys have those costumes to choose from if they'd like to dress up tomorrow. But little K2 had nothing to wear that showed our family's geek side. Of course that didn't stop ME though!<br />
<br />
While at Wal-Mart, I saw the Men sized geek shirts. There was Sheldon saying Bazinga! or Green Lantern or Batman (which of course my little Superhero wanted desperately). I love blue so I was drawn to the Superman shirt. I bought it for a mere $7.50 in a Men's Small. Then I came home and got to work.<br />
<br />
I found <a href="http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2009/07/roses-and-ruffles-t-shirt-to-toddler.html" target="_blank">THIS BLOG</a> about how to make an old shirt into a toddler dress, looked it over, and realized that I could do this REALLY easily!<br />
<br />
I found a dress of K2's that I really liked, though it's getting a little small. But I liked the lines of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLxVDfDDhxU/UioVxTc0RMI/AAAAAAAACBs/r8krIKE0Vi0/s1600/IMG_8045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLxVDfDDhxU/UioVxTc0RMI/AAAAAAAACBs/r8krIKE0Vi0/s320/IMG_8045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Next, I folded both the shirt and the dress in half. I lined things up so that the front collar of the blue shirt could be used on the dress, and made sure I got ALL of the Superman emblem.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKswD1Fgzfs/UioVw3MLgjI/AAAAAAAACBk/E_uMv-QGyzs/s1600/IMG_8046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PKswD1Fgzfs/UioVw3MLgjI/AAAAAAAACBk/E_uMv-QGyzs/s320/IMG_8046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then, I got out a dry erase marker and a ruler, then started drawing my cut lines on the blue shirt. There needs to be enough space for a 1/4" seam PLUS, since the dress I'm patterning it from is a little snug, I gave it some extra space, too. And I wanted it a little longer, so I did that, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVLQw--BtfA/UioVzVOJP1I/AAAAAAAACB0/hNCcU1HVnBg/s1600/IMG_8047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MVLQw--BtfA/UioVzVOJP1I/AAAAAAAACB0/hNCcU1HVnBg/s320/IMG_8047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I cut it out and began sewing. Oddly enough, once I opened up the shirt, it sewed together nearly the same as the <a href="http://lilysangelcloset.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-taylor-gown.html" target="_blank">Taylor Gown</a> that we just posted about!<br />
<br />
I cut off some of the back collar from the blue shirt's scraps and sewed it onto the shirt. I could have just left it on to begin with, but this was my first attempt at making an adult shirt into a kid dress.<br />
<br />
Next, with right sides together (shirt inside out), I sewed the shoulder hem, followed by the sleeve hem (easier to do when you can still lay it flat).<br />
<br />
Then, still inside out, I sewed the side seam. Then I hemmed the bottom.<br />
<br />
Turn it back right side out and this is what I had: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjZQzgbm6Jo/UioV_8JNpxI/AAAAAAAACCI/Y_RUjvQ_Cco/s1600/IMG_8050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjZQzgbm6Jo/UioV_8JNpxI/AAAAAAAACCI/Y_RUjvQ_Cco/s320/IMG_8050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6D06CJRygA/UioWN6_4GAI/AAAAAAAACCc/SX1sRSXw8W8/s1600/IMG_8051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6D06CJRygA/UioWN6_4GAI/AAAAAAAACCc/SX1sRSXw8W8/s320/IMG_8051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGMg7e1s0T8/UioWN0oVBCI/AAAAAAAACCY/0kF6g8UDKkw/s1600/IMG_8052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGMg7e1s0T8/UioWN0oVBCI/AAAAAAAACCY/0kF6g8UDKkw/s320/IMG_8052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDDrOR8EQWE/UioWN_NLIAI/AAAAAAAACCU/cgL950_R28c/s1600/IMG_8053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDDrOR8EQWE/UioWN_NLIAI/AAAAAAAACCU/cgL950_R28c/s320/IMG_8053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The fabric makes it look kind of like a night gown, but once I get some red tights under it and fix her hair so it isn't "I just woke up" hair, it's going to be PERFECT!!<br />
<br />
So, yes, I am the coolest mom EVER! I just made a dress for my toddler out of a men's shirt so that she could go to Comic Con with me!!~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-437810342861991652013-09-03T14:18:00.000-07:002013-09-03T14:18:23.488-07:00AugustAugust was a pretty big month. It started off with Seth's birthday which included a visit out to his grave. We took balloons and flowers, and after dinner out we had cupcakes at home. We took our two <a href="http://mollybears.com/" target="_blank">Molly Bears </a>with us and the boys doted on them quite a bit. Mitchell cradled and cuddled and Keith hugged and kissed. They're both so very sweet with their angel siblings!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMtHCrlfgo/Uh-YjJTTsfI/AAAAAAAAB_c/5LKBWNzQEdA/s1600/IMG_8710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMtHCrlfgo/Uh-YjJTTsfI/AAAAAAAAB_c/5LKBWNzQEdA/s320/IMG_8710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpf1C-oalEI/Uh-YVaFslqI/AAAAAAAAB_M/lmgZx2R6n_g/s1600/IMG_8705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpf1C-oalEI/Uh-YVaFslqI/AAAAAAAAB_M/lmgZx2R6n_g/s320/IMG_8705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SptV8RVM3Q/Uh-Ya4891oI/AAAAAAAAB_U/VoLhlFkZRS8/s1600/IMG_8718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SptV8RVM3Q/Uh-Ya4891oI/AAAAAAAAB_U/VoLhlFkZRS8/s320/IMG_8718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzftcax3fXs/Uh-YMHJ0xnI/AAAAAAAAB_E/VAIeRxIsb9w/s1600/2013-08-07+20.19.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzftcax3fXs/Uh-YMHJ0xnI/AAAAAAAAB_E/VAIeRxIsb9w/s320/2013-08-07+20.19.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Next, I was able to send off a package to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Granting-Hope-Ministries/97627581587?ref=stream&hc_location=stream" target="_blank">Granting Hope Ministries</a> to help with some baskets and donations they were taking to hospitals to honor the 5th birthday of their angel son, Grant. There were 25 outfits, most crocheted but some sewn, and diaper pairs included. My dear friend, Stacy, included a couple outfits made specifically in remembrance of Seth & Taylor, as well as some sewn outfits that are just gorgeous.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFRby0cjaeQ/Uh-kEeVBfNI/AAAAAAAAB_s/kpnEJTM57EE/s1600/2013-08-03+by+Stacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFRby0cjaeQ/Uh-kEeVBfNI/AAAAAAAAB_s/kpnEJTM57EE/s320/2013-08-03+by+Stacy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwD63QbeGY/Uh-kWo_UQvI/AAAAAAAAB_4/5D7heDdpuMw/s1600/2013-08-08+15.53.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFwD63QbeGY/Uh-kWo_UQvI/AAAAAAAAB_4/5D7heDdpuMw/s320/2013-08-08+15.53.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvLMI3yoyAo/Uh-kuNepiOI/AAAAAAAACAE/eo9A_x2WTr4/s1600/2013-08-09+16.29.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvLMI3yoyAo/Uh-kuNepiOI/AAAAAAAACAE/eo9A_x2WTr4/s320/2013-08-09+16.29.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Next up was sewing with the Mia Maids in my ward. They helped sew LOTS of angel sized blankets (because a newborn sized blanket is just way too big for these babies)! The girls did so wonderfully! They completed 13 blankets, had 5 with top-stitching only to go, and cut another 6, plus cut several diapers, too! All in all, for the month, we completed 24 blankets!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flKTi4IIL88/Uh-lerB7pkI/AAAAAAAACAM/7SjxCBCRYi8/s1600/Mia+Maids+Sewing+in+August+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flKTi4IIL88/Uh-lerB7pkI/AAAAAAAACAM/7SjxCBCRYi8/s320/Mia+Maids+Sewing+in+August+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As if all this wasn't enough, there's still more. <a href="http://lilysangelcloset.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stacy</a> and I created a new sewn angel gown! There are two patterns frequently used. One (the <a href="http://angelbabiesinfo.com/" target="_blank">Tea Towel Gown</a> under the Patterns tab) is absolutely beautiful with a back-closure (easiest way to dress an angel) but the sleeves intimidate me with my lack of sewing skills mixed with my perfectionist attitude. I've made a few "shirts" that I never finished because I always stop at the sleeves. Then, there's a second pattern (the <a href="http://www.utahshare.org/patterns/patterns/" target="_blank">Share Kimono Gown</a> pattern) that is much easier in the way of sleeves, but it has a front-closure (harder for dressing angels) and a neckline that I am not so good at so I always send out the gowns to a neighbor-friend who serges the neckline for me. I really wanted a back-closure gown that had short sleeves and where I didn't have to add on the sleeves to the rest of the body. So, we created one! The <a href="http://lilysangelcloset.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-taylor-gown.html" target="_blank">TAYLOR GOWN</a> (after my little <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/search/label/Taylor" target="_blank">Taylor</a>) was born! I don't have to send out my gowns anymore! I can now sew them myself! Each has their place, we just added another option. These pictures are ones Stacy did with scrap fabric as we tested the design...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVP8SoqilU/UiH4hh7nVvI/AAAAAAAACAo/cBpvN5CmlAk/s1600/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVP8SoqilU/UiH4hh7nVvI/AAAAAAAACAo/cBpvN5CmlAk/s320/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnketpdtdOQ/UiH4hhhWy-I/AAAAAAAACAc/EkpxD94I9Wo/s1600/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KnketpdtdOQ/UiH4hhhWy-I/AAAAAAAACAc/EkpxD94I9Wo/s320/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ovr85TtgoI/UiH4hhiK2HI/AAAAAAAACAg/qu_0038Rars/s1600/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ovr85TtgoI/UiH4hhiK2HI/AAAAAAAACAg/qu_0038Rars/s320/Taylor+Gown+by+Stacy+03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iS1Bi7hhzA/UiYGwsbrRQI/AAAAAAAACBU/TBIW0VhcxZ0/s1600/2013-08-23+18.18.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iS1Bi7hhzA/UiYGwsbrRQI/AAAAAAAACBU/TBIW0VhcxZ0/s320/2013-08-23+18.18.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Tea Towel gown (back closure, long sleeves)<br />
Center: Taylor Gown (back closure, short sleeves)<br />
Right: Share Gown (front closure, short sleeves)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After working long and hard on this, making several tests and changing a few things here and there, testing again, and dreaming at night about how to make the pattern better, I'm so excited to say that the pattern is ready for use! Remember, my sewing skills are lame, I mean minimal, at best. This pattern was made so that I could make it without having to have someone help me. If I can do it, I'm pretty sure you can, too! It is available to download by clicking <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8mvnnJASdA6YlFGMkUtUFFCTU0/edit" target="_blank">THIS</a> link, or you can go to Stacy's blog and see her beautiful workup of the gown <a href="http://lilysangelcloset.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-taylor-gown.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, or among our favorite <a href="http://lilysangelcloset.blogspot.com/p/patterns.html" target="_blank">PATTERNS</a>. This is the second pattern that I've been a part of creating. The other was the <a href="http://loveyoumorethanabus.blogspot.com/2013/07/wavy-crochet-blanket-pattern.html" target="_blank">WAVY</a> <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2013/05/angel-blanket-crochet-pattern.html" target="_blank">BLANKET</a> crochet pattern that I worked up a few months ago. I'm really enjoying all this! Anyway, more sizes to come soon, but this is a size bigger than we can easily crochet, so I hope you'll give it a try!<br />
<br />
And still working....<br />
<br />
For almost every blanket, there was a matching pair of diapers. And then extra diapers, too. My goal was to make sure each blanket/diaper set had a gown to coordinate with it. I crocheted, and crocheted, and crocheted, and don't you know I'm still crocheting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhpH4giBRIc/UiX7243uFDI/AAAAAAAACA8/E2V9jsp2saE/s1600/2013-09-01+09.47.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EhpH4giBRIc/UiX7243uFDI/AAAAAAAACA8/E2V9jsp2saE/s320/2013-09-01+09.47.40.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Pictured are 35 hats donated by Annette - my mother-in-law posted pictures of the diapers they were sewing and Annette asked what she could do to help. Is that not truly amazing?! To the left of the hats and scattered throughout the picture are lots and lots of diapers that my husband's parents and uncle helped sew, around 35 sets total, so 70+ diapers (lots of the fabric donated by Ashley who also cut patterns for many of them). 18 of the 24 blankets are also pictured, along with 2 <a href="http://angeloutfitters.blogspot.com/2012/10/no-sew-hats.html" target="_blank">no-sew hats</a>, 5 <a href="http://www.utahshare.org/patterns/patterns/" target="_blank">Share pattern gowns</a>, 15 crochet outfits - 1 small, 12 <a href="http://loveyoumorethanabus.blogspot.com/2012/12/tiniest-angel-gowns.html" target="_blank">medium</a>, and 2 <a href="http://loveyoumorethanabus.blogspot.com/2012/12/kimono-crochet-pattern.html" target="_blank">large</a>... plus one of my Taylor Gowns! I'm fixing the collar on 2 more, but this works for now.<br />
<br />
Total this month:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GlYbb2xJs4/UiYF7GLnJVI/AAAAAAAACBM/I9guP-_qW8I/s1600/August+Draft+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GlYbb2xJs4/UiYF7GLnJVI/AAAAAAAACBM/I9guP-_qW8I/s320/August+Draft+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
24 blankets (thanks EM 6th Ward Mia Maids)<br />
70+ diapers (thanks Ashley, Shari, Milt, and Morey)<br />
8 sewn gowns (thanks Brittany)<br />
25 crocheted gowns<br />
35 knitted hats (thanks Annette)<br />
6 no-sew hats<br />
<br />
Also... I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and feel baby "Vash" kicking often! This is my first experience with a baby who gets the hiccups, too! Hubby felt her hiccups one day, the first he'd really felt this baby at all, and his face just lit up like you wouldn't believe! He's so sweet and excited about this little girl! There's still 57 names on our list (we start with every name possible and take names off - rather than seeing a name we like and adding it to a list) so don't expect her to be called anything but "Vash" for a while yet! In the mean time, I'm crocheting a blanket for her, trying to get out all the newborn/0-3 clothes for her, cleaning up the car seat, arranging our bedroom for both the birth and a pack-n-play, and feel the testing kicking in big time! She's around 3 lbs already and just under 16" long, according to the estimations various baby sites post. She's a joy already and I'm getting very excited to meet her... though not TOO soon!~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-69380697845284874332013-08-16T08:56:00.001-07:002013-08-16T09:04:09.826-07:00Hollywood Deaths<a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/08/15/that-70s-show-star-lisa-robin-kelly-dead-at-43/" target="_blank">http://www.tmz.com/2013/08/15/that-70s-show-star-lisa-robin-kelly-dead-at-43/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-that--70s-show--star-lisa-robin-kelly-dead-at-43-194434270.html?cache=clear" target="_blank">http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/-that--70s-show--star-lisa-robin-kelly-dead-at-43-194434270.html?cache=clear </a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPyiDNoQocs/Ug5LCHGc1lI/AAAAAAAAB-0/T0x_xNDOT58/s1600/Lisa+Robin+Kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPyiDNoQocs/Ug5LCHGc1lI/AAAAAAAAB-0/T0x_xNDOT58/s320/Lisa+Robin+Kelly.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Have you read these articles yet? I've seen them on facebook a bit. Some of the comments have been... well, they inspired this post. Some people proclaim that she couldn't handle being a celebrity. Others blame drugs in Hollywood. Others just pass it off as another someone who died because of their own mistakes. But here's the deal - she lost a baby, and she never recovered from it.<br />
<br />
That's right. It's not highly publicized. It's not in every article you read. It's not on Wikipedia (yet). I can't seem to find out how far along she was because she apparently didn't talk about it much. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that she didn't feel like she could talk about it. Take a look at <a href="http://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2013/06/that-70s-show-lisa-robin-kelly-arrest-dui-assault-bail/" target="_blank">THIS</a> article, for example. They say that she had lost a baby and mockingly say "Aw, poor Lisa." as though it was no big deal and shouldn't have led to her downfall. <br />
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
<br />
Read more at: <a href="http://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2013/06/that-70s-show-lisa-robin-kelly-arrest-dui-assault-bail/">http://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2013/06/that-70s-show-lisa-robin-kelly-arrest-dui-assault-bail/</a></div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
Aw, poor Lisa.<br />
<br />
Read more at: <a href="http://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2013/06/that-70s-show-lisa-robin-kelly-arrest-dui-assault-bail/">http://www.heavy.com/entertainment/2013/06/that-70s-show-lisa-robin-kelly-arrest-dui-assault-bail/</a></div>
<br />
It really is sad that people who endure miscarriages and stillbirths don't feel like they have the resources available to them to get through. This is why I'm so open about my miscarriage and stillbirth. This is why I work so hard to make clothing for those tiny babies to wear and pass on information about <a href="https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/" target="_blank">Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep</a> and the amazing photography they do for these parents and their stillborn children. Women are almost made to feel like they need to "get over it" and "move on" quickly, get "back to normal" after losing a child. It's not that easy! Being in the public eye, I'm sure the pressure to get "back to normal" is even more real. Everyone moves on before you're ready for them to. Everyone else forgets your child leaving only you to remember that your child ever existed. If I didn't have my faith to rely on, I'm sure I could have done some serious damage. As it was, I didn't eat for about two weeks where I dropped about a pound a day. After that, I continued to lose... about 35 lbs in 5 months total. There were so many days that I wanted to drink or buy cigarettes (I haven't had a single drink or smoke in 10 years now). I wanted to hide away and never come out. I wanted to sit in the tub and slit my wrists. I didn't, but following miscarriage/stillbirth, some mothers DO. Some sink into such a deep depression that they need to be watched for YEARS. I read an article once (can't seem to find it anywhere) that following the loss of a pregnancy/child, mothers die at an increased rate for 2 years - and not all suicides. Such as, they get into car wrecks and die at an increased rate. My guess is that they get injured and feel like they'd rather pass on and go see the children they carried but never met than stick around fighting for their lives. And yes, you read that right... this increase in maternal death is for TWO YEARS! (It's only been a year since Seth was stillborn.)<br />
<br />
I can't even imagine this woman, struggling to "deal with" the loss of her child for years with no one she felt like she could really talk to about it. Instead, drinking herself into a stupor, becoming violent with those around her, wanting to be better (she checked herself into rehab) but never feeling supported enough to recover. All the while, people unaware of her struggles were belittling her in an industry where the opinions of others seems to matter a great deal.<br />
<br />
Anyway, so my point is - please, talk about your losses, help others as they endure their losses, don't ever expect anyone to just "get over it." I read on facebook often that people still remember their sibling, their parent, their grandparent who died and how much they miss them. Don't you think it's just as valid to miss your CHILD for years after they die?<br />
<br />
I feel pretty lucky. I've had pretty good support. There have been a few comments that made me want to punch someone in the face, but overall, I've had an incredible support system. Not everyone is so lucky. Please, reach out to people. Try to remember important dates. Say their children's names. Don't be afraid to say something because it might make them sad, they're already sad and thinking of their lost child (I assure you) and someone remembering their child might make them cry, but more likely out of joy that someone actually remembers their lost child.<br />
<br />
Guess I've rambled enough. Just remember to support each other, and to never stop supporting each other. Grief isn't something you "get over" but live with for the rest of your life, in varying degrees each day. LOVE AND SUPPORT! ~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-17016727231025557012013-07-16T06:09:00.000-07:002013-07-17T07:28:20.386-07:009 yearsToday, we celebrate 9 married years together!<br />
<br />
A friend had posted a pretty neat breakdown of their married life together on her anniversary, and it got me thinking about what all we've accomplished, endured, and enjoyed throughout our 9 years together...<br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year One (2004-2005)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w15zAUfviec/UeR14zdY52I/AAAAAAAAB6s/-stNpWjFj4E/s1600/227501_6247756390_6562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w15zAUfviec/UeR14zdY52I/AAAAAAAAB6s/-stNpWjFj4E/s320/227501_6247756390_6562_n.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moved Ben from Utah to Missouri</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Went to Nauvoo/Carthage, IL (temple trip)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got my bachelor's in finance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We moved together back to Utah</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We got pregnant with our first sweet baby </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Two (2005-2006) </b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Moved from a one bedroom apartment to a two bedroom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ben got a good job</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stopped working<br />
Front row seats at my first Jazz game </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baby Keith was born</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Went to MO to see my sister graduate high school </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Three (2006-2007)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43jgoC5_V78/UeR6FyadbQI/AAAAAAAAB8A/z_C6Q6rg6rg/s1600/Keith%27s+First+Christmas+(in+MO).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43jgoC5_V78/UeR6FyadbQI/AAAAAAAAB8A/z_C6Q6rg6rg/s320/Keith%27s+First+Christmas+(in+MO).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Went to MO for Christmas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lost pregnancy #2 at around 5-7 weeks </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Year Four (2007-2008)</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkBiPrZTz4Q/UeR3pQKVyJI/AAAAAAAAB7M/bC-vs79YpP8/s1600/File0008917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkBiPrZTz4Q/UeR3pQKVyJI/AAAAAAAAB7M/bC-vs79YpP8/s320/File0008917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Five (2008-2009)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AofhCipRRJc/UeR2-0uTKEI/AAAAAAAAB68/k0Sntl4onFw/s1600/Ginger%27s+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AofhCipRRJc/UeR2-0uTKEI/AAAAAAAAB68/k0Sntl4onFw/s320/Ginger%27s+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Went to MO for Christmas<br />
Baby Mitchell was born at home</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bought and moved into our first house</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ben finished his bachelor's in computer science/software engineering </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Six (2009-2010)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_AO3yM72w/UeR4Brm12_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/eEcIwH3qfd8/s1600/HouseBG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0_AO3yM72w/UeR4Brm12_I/AAAAAAAAB7U/eEcIwH3qfd8/s320/HouseBG.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I drove to MO alone with two boys while pregnant to throw a baby shower for my sister </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Seven (2010-2011) </b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q20fin84tXY/UeR4zrWeFPI/AAAAAAAAB7k/0L6-YWp6R2M/s1600/Picture+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q20fin84tXY/UeR4zrWeFPI/AAAAAAAAB7k/0L6-YWp6R2M/s320/Picture+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baby Kiersten was born at home</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bought our first vehicle together </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Went to MO for my cousin's wedding </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Eight (2011-2012)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3wVcBTFOwc/UeR5FiHNPPI/AAAAAAAAB7s/NxaedTH14BE/s1600/372+edit+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3wVcBTFOwc/UeR5FiHNPPI/AAAAAAAAB7s/NxaedTH14BE/s320/372+edit+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ben started a different job</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ben gone for a month for job training </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lost pregnancy #5 (Taylor) at 13-14 weeks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took the 3 kids on a trip to Oregon </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Year Nine (2012-2013)</b></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_P99cTNJ2E/UeR5R5i-acI/AAAAAAAAB70/xqJQwcsU1-8/s1600/Harvey-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_P99cTNJ2E/UeR5R5i-acI/AAAAAAAAB70/xqJQwcsU1-8/s320/Harvey-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lost pregnancy #6 (Seth) at 16-19 weeks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Started another new job </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Started yet another new job</div>
<br />
We are now starting Year Ten expecting baby "Vash" in November!<br />
<br />
Over the last 9 years, we've lived in 2 states, 3 cities, 4 homes (3 apartments/1 house), been a part of 3 wards, had 6 jobs, 7 pregnancies, 3 children join our home, went camping at least 5 times, visited Missouri at least 4 times, sold one car to buy a minivan, had 7 church callings (2 were shared/joint callings), painted 4 rooms, 2 ER visits, a couple dozen doctors, a few thousand pictures, 9 amazing holiday seasons, 23 mice caught in traps, traveled through 10 states, 10 LDS Temples attended, watched 14 semi-annual General Conference's together, created 1 awesome budgeting website, and still counting our blessings instead of sheep!<br />
<br />
<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-50901878600885882192013-06-30T17:28:00.000-07:002013-06-30T17:28:25.830-07:00YOU have helped make these donations possible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ts2rWVW5AOM/UdDESnAjSZI/AAAAAAAAB5M/Qoyxm4QXd4k/s320/IMG00496-20130215-2228.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">FEBRUARY - 31 SETS</span></span></div>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">8 crocheted sets (5 girl, 3 boy)<br /> 23 sewn sets (8 girl, 14 boy, 8 neutral)</span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />31total sewn gowns<br /> 41 total sewn diapers pairs<br /> 8 total crocheted Teeny Tears diaper sets<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> 1 boy bracelet set<br /> 6 blankets<br /> 4 pillows</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7oHjqOQdkM/UdDE1Io2hcI/AAAAAAAAB5U/9BdpChLFGvM/s640/Angel+Donation+-+late+March+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7oHjqOQdkM/UdDE1Io2hcI/AAAAAAAAB5U/9BdpChLFGvM/s320/Angel+Donation+-+late+March+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:0]">MARCH - 14 SETS </span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:0]">Medium (17-19 weeks gestation)</span><br id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:1]" /><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:2]">Large (20-22 weeks gestation)</span></span> </span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">6 boy (5 lg, 1 med)<br /> 6 girl (2 lg, 4 med)<br /> 2 neutral (both med)</span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:7]"> </span></span><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3]"><span id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3].[2:1]"><br id=".reactRoot[3878192].[3]{comment10151522008036391_10083676}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3].[2:1].[3:0:0]" /></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOOcf1quoTo/UdDGFD99FnI/AAAAAAAAB5s/gBZa_AVNxB4/s808/Stacy%27s.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOOcf1quoTo/UdDGFD99FnI/AAAAAAAAB5s/gBZa_AVNxB4/s320/Stacy%27s.png" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D16EoAUfTd4/UdDGCh-SeRI/AAAAAAAAB5k/lM29TJt20J4/s960/Given+to+Christine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D16EoAUfTd4/UdDGCh-SeRI/AAAAAAAAB5k/lM29TJt20J4/s320/Given+to+Christine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MAY - 26 SETS </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Stacey</u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
11 sets (8 crocheted (3 boy, 4 girl, 1 neutral), 3 sewn (1 boy, 1 girl, 1 neutral))</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
6 extra sewn gowns</div>
3 blankets<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u>Christine</u><br />15 sets (11 crocheted (6 girl, 2 boy, 3 neutral), 4 sewn (all girl))</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
10 extra sewn gowns, 1 extra set diapers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-2of5KAHz4/UdDKrfLh21I/AAAAAAAAB58/_gGOcDQ4aJ0/s640/For+Granting+Hope+Ministries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-2of5KAHz4/UdDKrfLh21I/AAAAAAAAB58/_gGOcDQ4aJ0/s320/For+Granting+Hope+Ministries.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ps9z0mdkXyk/UdDKrvsEPtI/AAAAAAAAB6A/EC8gy0CfzoA/s640/For+Lily%27s+Angel+Closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ps9z0mdkXyk/UdDKrvsEPtI/AAAAAAAAB6A/EC8gy0CfzoA/s320/For+Lily%27s+Angel+Closet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
JUNE - 15 SETS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0]"><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:0]">15 gowns (4 boy, 10 girl, 1 neutral) (1 - 26 week, 6 - 20 week, 8 - 18 week)</span><br id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:3]">7 crocheted diaper sets, 3 pre-sewn diaper sets</span><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:5]"></span><br id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:6]" /><br id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:7]" /><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[2:0].[3:0:8]">1 baby girl 20 week blanket</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3]"><span id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3].[2:1]"><br id=".reactRoot[7511091].[1]{comment10151681687006391_28507788}.[1:0].[4:0:1].[3:1].[4:0:1].[1:1].[1:0].[1:0:2].[2:0].[3:3].[2:1].[3:0:0]" /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FOR FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7a55hGvB5Q/UdDLEQ91dQI/AAAAAAAAB6M/yJy7oLByIX0/s640/March+2013+-+sister+of+Angie+Hovey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7a55hGvB5Q/UdDLEQ91dQI/AAAAAAAAB6M/yJy7oLByIX0/s320/March+2013+-+sister+of+Angie+Hovey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI1z_9emoo4/UdDLE5SAFHI/AAAAAAAAB6c/Q8s-ZeY0PCA/s960/May+2013+-+Brittany+Law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI1z_9emoo4/UdDLE5SAFHI/AAAAAAAAB6c/Q8s-ZeY0PCA/s320/May+2013+-+Brittany+Law.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4R8Vb_RrTio/UdDLEUK1zJI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/m3LTE2qPKA4/s640/May+2013+-+sister+of+Jeannette+Black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4R8Vb_RrTio/UdDLEUK1zJI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/m3LTE2qPKA4/s320/May+2013+-+sister+of+Jeannette+Black.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 SETS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So far, over the last 6 months, I have crocheted 47 sets.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With help from friends and family, we've done 30 sets, plus various random gowns and diapers.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">We have made 77 gown/diaper sets in the last 6 months!!</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't know about you, but I think this is absolutely AMAZING! I've had several people help by either tracing patterns, cutting, sewing, ironing, doing finish work, or helping with my kids so I could work. <span style="font-size: large;"><b>THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!</b></span></div>
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-84419747670844913872013-06-22T16:33:00.002-07:002013-06-22T16:33:27.964-07:0020ish weeksWe went in for the 20 week anatomy scan/gender reveal ultrasound today. It's the same place that I went to when I found out Taylor had died, and the same appointment at the same place as when I had the kids all surrounding me as I found out that Seth had died. As I went into the room, I tried to get in before the rest of the family and quickly told the ultrasound tech that, after my past two experiences there, please let me know if I need to excuse the kids. <br />
<br />
With Seth, they started by looking at the cervix and placenta, then didn't get to the baby until about 5 minutes in. Knowing my background, she started with finding the heart beating away! Not like she had to do much searching for proof of life - the little bugger was kicking and twisting all over the place! <br />
<br />
After some bouncing around and lots of oooh's and aaaaah's, she asked if we wanted to know a gender. With the cord between the legs, it took a while and we had to go back a couple times for confirmation, but we found out! <br />
<br />
It was really wonderful to have such a great experience today! We followed up the happy appointment by going to the mall to buy a new maternity shirt (they have very slim pickings right now at a descent price) and then out to lunch. RED LOBSTER! (When Seth died, I met up with someone from a support group at the Temple. Her parents came, too. Her mom ended up going to <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2012/08/funeral-aftermath-part-3.html" target="_blank">Seth's funeral</a> and read a poem - which I'm really glad she did because she was the only one with anything prepared. Anyway, so this incredibly wonderful woman sent us gift cards for Red Lobster to celebrate 20 weeks, since it's been a while since we've made it this far. Isn't that just incredible?!) Next, we went to Scheel's where the boys all rode the Ferris Wheel and then we got some yummy fudge! <br />
<br />
Just SUCH a great day!<br />
<br />
Oh, YOU wanted to know the gender, too?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UcFLKloCD8/UcY0EOTmuvI/AAAAAAAAB48/PL37JLq414c/s1600/2013-06-22+10.09.36-6+with+bow+-+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UcFLKloCD8/UcY0EOTmuvI/AAAAAAAAB48/PL37JLq414c/s320/2013-06-22+10.09.36-6+with+bow+-+%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"VASH" Kaylee Harvey<br /><br />Anyone have names to suggest to replace Vash?<br />~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-5930101642289851242013-06-02T09:20:00.001-07:002013-06-02T09:20:26.214-07:0016+ weeks!Friday: I have officially passed where I was in pregnancy when Taylor and when Seth each died. I had been mostly calm and comforted this week. Then last night I started freaking out! It was on days of prenatals that I found out each had passed. Today, I went in for a prenatal. Knowing my other 3 were going with me, I checked yesterday morning, again last night, and again this morning to make sure it was "safe" to take the kids with me. I don't need any surprises as I'm surrounded by my children again. In about 3 weeks we'll have the big "gender reveal" ultrasound, and I'm likely to get a little freaked out again, especially going yet again to the same place where I was with both my angels. But, things are looking up!<br />
<br />
Oh, and with my midwife's VERY low-tech, low-quality-image ultrasound machine (it's no stronger than a doppler, very poor quality pictures - hence why I am sent out elsewhere for the anatomy scan, to get high quality images to make sure everything has developed in its proper location, etc) - she made a gender guess!! MY guess is girl because my face looks HORRIBLE! I mean, I've got some seriously horrid skin going on! Keith is guessing girl because he thinks we need equal numbers of boys and girls. Mitchell says "boy. No, girl. Yeah, a girl. No, a boy. I don't know, either a boy or a girl." Hahahahha! Yeah, I know it's one or the other honey! Sweet little boy! Ben doesn't really make guesses for gender. My midwife is guessing girl! HOWEVER.... even with the super awesome high-quality imaging ultrasound last time around, they had told me DEFINITELY girl (so we picked out the name Isabelle and got tiny girl clothing for her) but birth proved the tech to be wrong as I had a Seth who was very, VERY much a boy! This baby is only 4 days older than when they mis-labeled Seth as a girl. So, it's not conclusive yet, but it's the strongest guess.<br />
<br />
Any girl name ideas? Middle name Kaylee, so no "ee" sounding names because as beautiful as the name is, Brittany Kaylee Harvey just is TOO "ee" for me! Post some ideas!!!<br />
<br />
We couldn't get a very good picture of little "Vash" Kaylee. She kept moving around. But my midwife wanted to send me home with SOMETHING to show her Daddy. So here it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JU9ay_Ypn_I/Uatvw4iGmHI/AAAAAAAAB4g/zfE29L-RPjI/s1600/5-31-13+-+1121a+-+16w4d+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JU9ay_Ypn_I/Uatvw4iGmHI/AAAAAAAAB4g/zfE29L-RPjI/s320/5-31-13+-+1121a+-+16w4d+ultrasound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
She's facing down, spine across the top, head at left. Still a skinny little thing, but that's likely to change pretty quickly now that I'm nearly 17 weeks along! (oh, and I know I'm in that awful stage where random onlookers think "oh, she's pleasantly plump" but when I look in the mirror I think "woah!, I'm getting HUGELY pregnant!" because I know what I usually look like) <<< point being, to ME, I'm happily SHOWING!! <br />
<br />
Saturday: We went out today and FINALLY found me some maternity pants! It took forever! But the 4th store we went to finally had some. I really needed them. I started this pregnancy slightly heavier than I did with Keith (though, labeled sizes have changed since then) and quite a bit lighter than I did with Mitchell or Kiersten. So my maternity clothes are all not-quite-right. Glad I have pants to wear now!<br />
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-53777685667925117642013-05-18T09:43:00.001-07:002013-05-18T09:43:55.678-07:00A few outfits...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp5Wjutl1b0/UZaXxR1JovI/AAAAAAAAB04/9yx-8zkR94A/s1600/IMG_8646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp5Wjutl1b0/UZaXxR1JovI/AAAAAAAAB04/9yx-8zkR94A/s320/IMG_8646.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JzskCS2gbU/UZaX7BnMGZI/AAAAAAAAB1A/M1MiDID3z28/s1600/IMG_8647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0JzskCS2gbU/UZaX7BnMGZI/AAAAAAAAB1A/M1MiDID3z28/s320/IMG_8647.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypIVMTfASeA/UZagjqUrJUI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/FJqCX1PZYtw/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ypIVMTfASeA/UZagjqUrJUI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/FJqCX1PZYtw/s320/IMG_8648.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rajgDto1jxY/UZag9ir7PeI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IefyjM9BEcc/s1600/IMG_8649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rajgDto1jxY/UZag9ir7PeI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/IefyjM9BEcc/s320/IMG_8649.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbutyvcHPhk/UZahHT_T5WI/AAAAAAAAB3g/sgEU_jWYsBM/s1600/IMG_8650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbutyvcHPhk/UZahHT_T5WI/AAAAAAAAB3g/sgEU_jWYsBM/s320/IMG_8650.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbKy8x-YH4o/UZahQVvnWfI/AAAAAAAAB3o/zxe4WzHQnms/s1600/IMG_8651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rbKy8x-YH4o/UZahQVvnWfI/AAAAAAAAB3o/zxe4WzHQnms/s320/IMG_8651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcMJw9_3IRI/UZaY1sWLnbI/AAAAAAAAB1o/aVb4KkjJTlU/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcMJw9_3IRI/UZaY1sWLnbI/AAAAAAAAB1o/aVb4KkjJTlU/s320/IMG_8652.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sewn Gown Patters are found <a href="http://www.utahshare.org/patterns/patterns/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and Sewn Diaper Patterns are found <a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B8s_YB-xXxwSVlh5b3V3c3BGOG8/edit" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I put the extra small gown with small diapers and a 10-15" square blanket (12" most popular),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the small gown with the large diaper and a 16-22" square blanket (18" most popular).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No-Sew Hats Pattern can be found <a href="http://sewmuchtosharedaviscounty.blogspot.com/2013/04/no-sew-stockinette-hats.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crochet Patterns, including those for gowns, diapers, buntings, bonnets, hats, and blankets, can ALL be found <a href="http://loveyoumorethanabus.blogspot.com/p/angel-baby-information.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Feel free to mix and match the crochet patterns with the sewn patterns! If you're a knitter (unlike me) let me know and I can post some knit patterns, too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fab1dF0_arg/UZaZEsvxvEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/RX4br5BCvXo/s1600/IMG_8653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fab1dF0_arg/UZaZEsvxvEI/AAAAAAAAB1w/RX4br5BCvXo/s320/IMG_8653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmcSIxTu3uY/UZaZPirS4XI/AAAAAAAAB14/wXgenUDdntk/s1600/IMG_8654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmcSIxTu3uY/UZaZPirS4XI/AAAAAAAAB14/wXgenUDdntk/s320/IMG_8654.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwLnXNjPkJM/UZaZab-toTI/AAAAAAAAB2A/61t8ixPd0iE/s1600/IMG_8655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwLnXNjPkJM/UZaZab-toTI/AAAAAAAAB2A/61t8ixPd0iE/s320/IMG_8655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaOB4S-QnZA/UZaZkgNMduI/AAAAAAAAB2I/rIC4DdTs4UI/s1600/IMG_8656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaOB4S-QnZA/UZaZkgNMduI/AAAAAAAAB2I/rIC4DdTs4UI/s320/IMG_8656.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zg5yc2r-dY/UZaZz9qOu_I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/FGJ1jmbr3Ec/s1600/IMG_8657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zg5yc2r-dY/UZaZz9qOu_I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/FGJ1jmbr3Ec/s320/IMG_8657.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6H1-dX8pbc/UZaZ_eUVNMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/KUADb3PiTKk/s1600/IMG_8659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M6H1-dX8pbc/UZaZ_eUVNMI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/KUADb3PiTKk/s320/IMG_8659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1t3kX2i7Qxg/UZaaJoqcPXI/AAAAAAAAB2g/sfgZDyZKyk0/s1600/IMG_8660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1t3kX2i7Qxg/UZaaJoqcPXI/AAAAAAAAB2g/sfgZDyZKyk0/s320/IMG_8660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This set is being given to Brittany in memory of her recently lost 16 week son, Brighton.<br />
Love and hugs, aching mama...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHTl-6gczzQ/UZaaTJEwu4I/AAAAAAAAB2o/TQ-V3SLo5hw/s1600/IMG_8662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LHTl-6gczzQ/UZaaTJEwu4I/AAAAAAAAB2o/TQ-V3SLo5hw/s320/IMG_8662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdUg8i2V2Cs/UZaacxyJQhI/AAAAAAAAB2w/82iAfMXwZnY/s1600/IMG_8663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OdUg8i2V2Cs/UZaacxyJQhI/AAAAAAAAB2w/82iAfMXwZnY/s320/IMG_8663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7D3duRQrHQ/UZaode5_yTI/AAAAAAAAB34/L4bNohSR5ls/s1600/IMG_8664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7D3duRQrHQ/UZaode5_yTI/AAAAAAAAB34/L4bNohSR5ls/s320/IMG_8664.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9XULFPsZPQ/UZaawkfyuGI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Mm7ON6Pdn48/s1600/IMG_8668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u9XULFPsZPQ/UZaawkfyuGI/AAAAAAAAB3A/Mm7ON6Pdn48/s320/IMG_8668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_797125462"></span><span id="goog_797125463"></span><br />
<span id="goog_797125462">The sewn items need a thank you to Lynnette, Brittany, Anna, and Rachel. THANK YOU for cutting and sewing! The hats were a donation from a neighbor, THANK YOU Kelly! And I did the crocheted gowns/dresses, diapers, and blankets. I still have more to take pictures of, but I thought I should show you a little more of what I've been up to. (not pictured but important to note - Tricia donated several spools of serger thread, very necessary stuff when you're trying to sew!) All but one of these are headed to <a href="http://sewmuchtosharedaviscounty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sew Much To Share</a> for their <a href="http://journalingtheharveys.blogspot.com/2013/04/10-weeks-and-supply-drive.html" target="_blank">Mother's Day Supply Drive</a> - yes, I realize it's late, but Kiersten got pink eye so I didn't go up that week, then I thought preschool ended at graduation but I mis-read the paper so I didn't make it up this week, so I'm going to try to get them up there next week. I'll just keep on making more stuff until I get there!</span> If you have anything you'd like to donate (yarn, flannel fabric, thread, outfits, etc), PLEASE contact me ASAP so I can deliver it! Also, I take yarn donations, too! Caron Simply Soft and Bernat Baby are my favorites for making these angel items!<br />
<br />
Again, THANK YOU to all of you who have helped! Lynnette, Brittany, Anna, Rachel, and Tricia, I am certain you will be blessed for your generous help! And (other) Brittany, I am so very sorry for your loss. Breckin and Brighton - angels to remember.<br />
<br />
And as always, much love to my angels, Taylor & Seth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7SSyTFJ_UA/UZevBqqOE_I/AAAAAAAAB4I/Dl37SQi6lzU/s1600/US2b+-+Cropped+Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7SSyTFJ_UA/UZevBqqOE_I/AAAAAAAAB4I/Dl37SQi6lzU/s320/US2b+-+Cropped+Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klj4qHeples/UZevaqk61nI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/z5VnG8eTJi8/s1600/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+022editeyesclosed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klj4qHeples/UZevaqk61nI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/z5VnG8eTJi8/s320/Aug+2012+Baby+Seth+022editeyesclosed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-50000788074962506322013-05-06T12:28:00.000-07:002013-05-07T11:02:06.079-07:00Angel Blanket Crochet PatternCh 52<br />
(to increase size, the formula is a multiple of 12 +3, then add a ch 1 to turn)<br />
Approx. 20+ week gestation size<br />
<br />
White - sc across, ch 1, turn<br />
<br />
Color A (pink):<br />
row 1 - *sc 3, hdc 2, dc 5, hdc 2* across (ending with sc 3), ch 1, turn<br />
row 2 - sc across, ch 1, turn<br />
row 3 - repeat row 1, (should have sc on top of sc, hdc on top of hdc, and dc on top of dc), ch 1, turn<br />
<br />
White - sc across, ch 3, turn<br />
<br />
Color B (blue):<br />
row 1 - *dc 3, hdc 2, sc 5, hdc 2* across (ending with dc 3) ch 1, turn<br />
row 2 - sc across, ch 3, turn<br />
row 3 - repeat row 1, ch 1 turn<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-xblskpuzg/UYgD5tiEiSI/AAAAAAAABs8/EVJBVWBkADg/s1600/18+week+outfit+and+BLANKET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-xblskpuzg/UYgD5tiEiSI/AAAAAAAABs8/EVJBVWBkADg/s320/18+week+outfit+and+BLANKET.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I started with a chain of white, then sc all the way across.<br />
Then I took color B and did only rows 1 and 2, followed by the white sc row.<br />
At the end, after a white sc row, I did color A's row 1 and 2 only.<br />
Skipping the color A row 3, I did the white sc row and then did the border.<br />
<br />
Does all this make sense?<br />
<br />
By the way, this pattern was adapted from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brain-waves-beanie" target="_blank">an awesome hat pattern</a>! ~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-25817239121777451982013-05-02T15:53:00.002-07:002013-05-02T15:53:23.911-07:0012 weeksI'm going to write this post in two sections.<br />
<br />
Today is Monday, 4/29 and I am officially 12 weeks pregnant. <br />
This next month is going to be terrifying for me. Again, I try to remember what my bishop says so very often - that the opposite of fear is faith, and to have faith always. It's not that I don't have faith, it's just that I'm nervous. I don't know what's going to happen and that leaves me uncertain. Right now, I'm trying to envision a baby blessing in Dec/Jan and then a baptism (for my oldest) in March. I'm wishing there was a way to combine them so that I wouldn't wonder if family would be able to afford coming to both. But, before I get too into trying to move things around or really hoping to see family twice, I need to get to a point where I am certain we'll be planning both events. <br />
<br />
This month in particular is going to be scary for me as Taylor died at 13 weeks and Seth died at 16 weeks. This month will encompass both. Remember that I am doing my very best to hold my emotions together and not let them run me or my life into chaos. If I get a little testy, lazy, anxious, overly excitable, really busy with random distractions that aren't where you would think my priorities should be, or anything else - just remember that I'm doing my very best to focus on faith instead of fear. I am holding it together as best as I can as I wonder if my child will live through this month or not, as my last two did not. Cut me a little slack this month, and probably next month, too. The whole second trimester is going to be filled with breathing exercises, constant prayer for comfort and strength, and emotions that are unpredictable. I will get through it. I just really hope that I get through it with a live baby still growing inside!<br />
<br />
Today is now Thursday, 5/2 and I just got back from my second prenatal appointment.<br />
My little Picard/Vash was happily bouncing/dancing around like crazy! I used my doppler before I got out of bed this morning to make sure there was a heartbeat, especially since I had my two littles going with me. Kiersten kept pointing "BABY! HI, BABY!!" and Mitchell watched for a couple minutes, just long enough to see what appeared to be P/V waving HELLO to us! Even my midwife was excited to see him/her bouncing all around like that! Heart rate is in the 160's, just as it has been using my home doppler. (I should mention real quickly... my midwife's ultrasound machine is extremely weak. You can't see much detail. It's mostly just to confirm and date pregnancy, and make sure there's only one baby as licensed midwives in Utah cannot deliver twins at home, though unlicensed midwives can. So these ultrasound pictures, just know that it's not a regular ultrasound, it's about as powerful as a doppler is all. So the less than 5 minutes on my belly doesn't concern me the way frequent lengthy ultrasounds would using the cool "I can see everything" kind of high tech machines do.) Anyway, so here are pictures of my little Picard/Vash!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfjOn6a6J6s/UYLuIlCkQpI/AAAAAAAABsU/uUw3qgeKat0/s1600/5-2-13+-+1214p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfjOn6a6J6s/UYLuIlCkQpI/AAAAAAAABsU/uUw3qgeKat0/s320/5-2-13+-+1214p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIDQG_e5yOQ/UYLuJJDcR-I/AAAAAAAABsc/HafUiyeqN-I/s1600/5-2-13+-+1215p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lIDQG_e5yOQ/UYLuJJDcR-I/AAAAAAAABsc/HafUiyeqN-I/s320/5-2-13+-+1215p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXMNaNhD4Tk/UYLuJ3k1j3I/AAAAAAAABsk/zjyY9QkR3Lw/s1600/5-2-13+-+1216p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXMNaNhD4Tk/UYLuJ3k1j3I/AAAAAAAABsk/zjyY9QkR3Lw/s320/5-2-13+-+1216p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Blub7BU4Qcw/UYLuRIis6qI/AAAAAAAABss/ct7y2XnIppM/s1600/5-2-13+-+1217p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Blub7BU4Qcw/UYLuRIis6qI/AAAAAAAABss/ct7y2XnIppM/s320/5-2-13+-+1217p+-+12+week+ultrasound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
GROW, BABY, GROW! <br />
~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4678164117955876942.post-58093514782951189402013-04-18T15:00:00.000-07:002013-04-18T15:21:12.017-07:0010 weeks and Supply DriveFirst, I want to share with you a donation opportunity:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-KXl7b3cRE/UXBdI7429fI/AAAAAAAABrY/ePTPw7HWBBY/s1600/Mother%27s+Day+Supply+Drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-KXl7b3cRE/UXBdI7429fI/AAAAAAAABrY/ePTPw7HWBBY/s400/Mother%27s+Day+Supply+Drive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If anyone is interested in participating, I will be going up to make a donation sometime the week of May 6-11. Right now, I've got 17 gown/diaper sets being sewn (thanks to some helpers because my machine in JACKED!) and 8 crocheted sets already made. I am really hoping to get plenty more made before this Supply Drive because they are in such dire need of help! While the local angel closet in Salt Lake County seems pretty well stocked for now, Weber/Davis County is still in need. After spending the last several months making outfits out of my own pocket, I can tell you that the costs add up quickly. Even sale flannel gets expensive when you're buying several yards at a time. Plus $3-$6 for every skein of yarn. Plus buttons. Plus ribbon. It just adds up. And we REALLY want to be able to keep up this work as there is a HUGE need! <br />
<br />
Imagine for a minute going to the hospital to deliver your baby, then going home empty handed. Imagine trying to get a few pictures of your child, like proof that s/he really did exist since no one will ever see him/her, but your baby is too small for even a preemie onesie or diaper. We make gowns because even babies that aren't alive, a mother still wants to dress warmly. We make two diapers per gown, one for baby to wear and the other for mom to take home in memory of her angel. Several NILMDTS photographers have said that they have observed a mother of an angel dressing her baby bring a small sense of peace to their situation. I'm sure I've said it before, but when I picked out the clothing for the baby that we anticipated naming Isabelle, it gave me peace to know that my child would be warm and dressed. It calmed my busy mind, if only a little. Then, when Isabelle turned out to be Seth, I was sad that he only had a hat to fit him. I ended up asking a nurse to bring in a regular newborn hat to wrap him in to "keep him warm" and give me the sense of him being dressed because my little naked baby with only a blanket around him seemed wrong. It wasn't until after the pictures were done and I let the nurses take him away for good that a nurse brought me diapers for him. I wish he could have worn one.<br />
<br />
So, you see, this clothing is IMPORTANT. And although it may seem that I'm the only person who ever talks about their loss, it happens ALL THE TIME! One weekend, my photographer said there were 15 angels born, followed the next week by 1-3 more angels every other day. 20+ angels in ONE week just in HER area. Please, consider making a donation.<br />
<br />
If you're near me, please bring over any appropriate flannel, soft yarn, white thread, ribbon, ziploc bags, or gift cards to any of the 4 stores listed, or let me know if you'd like to trace patterns, cut fabric, sew gowns or diapers (both are fairly easy patterns)... Or maybe if you've got time to crochet or knit some outfits, I've got patterns for that, too! Please, PLEASE, help me fill this angel closet! The need is there. And what a way to extend some love, peace, and comfort to a mother who just lost her child - something we all hope never happens to us.<br />
<br />
Oh! I almost forgot! <br />
I'm 10 weeks along now, and thanks to a very dear friend who loaned me her home doppler, I have been able to find a heartbeat every time I've been worried! I first heard it around 9 1/2 weeks, and today at 10 1/2 weeks I heard it again!! The doppler claims it's around a 160-170 heartrate and I just love hearing it! Hopefully I'll be able to hear it every week!! (Photos are of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mytangiblepeace?ref=top_trail" target="_blank">MY TANGIBLE PEACE</a>'s gestational ooak dolls, made developmentally accurate)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCSZbC-Im_I/UXBjgZPL_cI/AAAAAAAABrg/gcdgkn3SdXM/s1600/08-12+weeks+gestational+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCSZbC-Im_I/UXBjgZPL_cI/AAAAAAAABrg/gcdgkn3SdXM/s320/08-12+weeks+gestational+pieces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In both pictures, my baby's development is the one in the middle. My little Picard/Vash is around the size of <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DiJvW2JbNM/UXBjjXXKS3I/AAAAAAAABro/yP-rnMpqVfQ/s1600/09-11+weeks+gestational+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9DiJvW2JbNM/UXBjjXXKS3I/AAAAAAAABro/yP-rnMpqVfQ/s320/09-11+weeks+gestational+pieces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
To give some size prospective, these BabyCenter pictures should help:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihjZ3jgCpqY/UXBlF1qB4BI/AAAAAAAABrw/2yHW7sZN13g/s1600/10+-+Kidney+Bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihjZ3jgCpqY/UXBlF1qB4BI/AAAAAAAABrw/2yHW7sZN13g/s320/10+-+Kidney+Bean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huIvhCyJgBA/UXBlHK0uB3I/AAAAAAAABr4/ZljKBkD1W5U/s1600/11+-+fig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huIvhCyJgBA/UXBlHK0uB3I/AAAAAAAABr4/ZljKBkD1W5U/s1600/11+-+fig.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pwjVferwZw/UXBlIab8YLI/AAAAAAAABsA/tZRgwveBNSs/s1600/12+-+lime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pwjVferwZw/UXBlIab8YLI/AAAAAAAABsA/tZRgwveBNSs/s320/12+-+lime.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That's a 10 week size of a kumquat (yeah, what is that?), 11 week size of a fig, and 12 week size of a lime. 12 weeks, that's my next goal. Not that anything I do helps me achieve this goal, but setting small goals is better than freaking out that I have 30 weeks to go. Instead, I have 2 weeks to go to make it to my next goal. I can do it!<br />
<br />
GROW, BABY, GROW!~GINGER~http://www.blogger.com/profile/15238078601460283355noreply@blogger.com0