Monday, May 07, 2012

My niece ~ Leah Faith ♥

I hate that I have to write this post after the post about the baby book. The baby that the book was for was for the baby my sister was carrying. Everything was going well and then last week on May 2nd at 17 weeks my little niece, Leah Faith, was born still.

My sister was having some bleeding and cramping. She went to the ER and they admitted her and found her cervix was shortened. Just before they planned to take her to surgery for an emergency cerclage her water broke and then there was nothing that they could do. As soon as I got the call from my mom saying that she was losing the baby I left work, went home and packed our things, grabbed the girls from our sitter, and we drove back to where our family lives, which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive.

I was hoping that I could make it in time before the baby was born but it wasn’t long after I got on the road that my dad called and told me my sister had delivered at 12:04 pm. I made sure to tell my dad to make sure that they get pictures and prints. I also told him that I wanted to see her and to ask to keep her at least until I could.

I dropped the girls off at my parent’s house where a family friend was watching my other nieces and I went straight to the hospital. I got there around 3 pm and the first thing I did when I got into the room was hold my little niece. She was so tiny, yet so perfect. She was 6 oz and 8 inches long.  I made sure to bring my camera to take pictures for my sister and brother-in-law to have later. I knew the pictures the hospital would take would not be enough nor of good quality. I got some really great pictures of her that I know they will cherish.

I ended up staying in the room with my sister and brother-in-law the rest of the day. I stayed after everyone left and the emotions came out. I stayed when the funeral home came to get little Leah. I stayed past visiting hours and finally left around 9:30 pm. I went back to the hospital the next morning with balloons (a monarch butterfly and ‘It’s a Girl’) and donuts (for us and for the nurses). I stuck around until my sister was discharged.

I have to give a big thank you to Kelly, my sweet friend and founder of Sufficient Grace Ministries. She met me very late on the night of May 2nd so that I could have items from the ministry for my sister. She picked out a perfect baby gown for Leah to be able to wear since she had nothing and also a comfort bear, memory book, books on grief, and a mother/baby bracelet set. (All in a SGM tote of course.) It was much appreciate and I was so happy to be able to give my sister these items, especially the gown for Leah to be able to wear.

The service was planned for March 5th, my parent’s 33rd wedding anniversary. It was a beautiful, sunny day. My sister and brother-in-law decided on a graveside service after meeting with the funeral home the day after Leah’s birth. After the service there was a gathering and lunch at my parent’s house.

Both my sister and brother-in-law are doing well considering what they have been through. Their faith is getting them through this and I am glad I was able to be of comfort to them in such a difficult time. I just hate that they have to know what it feels like to lose a child. I never wanted my sister to know such pain.

I also never wanted to have to relive such experiences again after Carleigh but yet I have through my sister. Losing my niece brought up a lot of what I went through with Carleigh. It hurts but we will all get through this. Keep my sister and her family in prayer as they navigate this new road. There will be ups and downs as those of us who have already walked it know. And thank you to the many friends who have shown support for both me and my sister and have prayed for us and our whole family.

IMG_1801b

Above are the precious prints of my niece, Leah Faith.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Holly...I'm so sorry. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Caitycait said...

Her little prints are so precious! Your family are in my prayers <3

Unknown said...

I am so very sorry, I will be saying lots of prayers for your sister. I know your sister is blessed to have you hold her hand through this trial, I wish I had someone beside me that understood. Leah was just a little smaller than Jonathan, sweet little angels. lots of prayers for your family!

Trisha Larson said...

Oh my goodness. I can't believe that happened. I am so sorry.

Your sister is VERY lucky to have you and your experience to guide her through this. It would have helped me so much to have someone who "understood" guide me through. UGH! I am just speechless that someone else has to navigate this path.

Hugs,
Trisha

Kate said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. I am sure this was hard for you to re-live some of the emotions you felt when Carleigh was born, but I think it's wonderful that you can be there for your sister. Although no one knows exactly what we go through when it happens to us, it's wonderful that you have an idea of what she is and will go through and can be there to support her. I hope she (and you) can take comfort in knowing that Leah and Carleigh are together, smiling over you two.

trennia said...

I am so sorry (((hugs))) to you and your sister.My prayers for the family.

Davecaster said...

I am so sorry, Holly. What a beautiful name your sister and brother-in-law chose for their baby girl.

I wish them - and you - gentle, gentle days.

tomandcheryl said...

Oh Holly! So sorry for your family. Leah Faith is up there with Carleigh just waiting for all of you. Bless your family.

~Cheryl

Amanda said...

Praying for your sister as she navigates through this difficult time!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I found it difficult to hear about the loss of Leah Faith. Why would a family have to go through this pain again. My prayers are with all of you. I love how you took care of your sister. I am sure she appreciated you being there with her. Also it was so sweet of Kelly to come over with her gifts. ((HUGS))

Ashley Quarles said...

I am so sorry to hear about sweet little Leah. Bless your sisters heart, as well as yours and the rest of your family.

<3

Mary said...

*tears* I am so sorry to your sister and you family Holly. This is not a road we would wish on our enemies. Prayers for the whole family.

CynthiaS said...

This just breaks my heart, I'm so sorry your sister has to know this heartache. I will be praying for the family!

Sarita Boyette said...

My prayers & tears are with all of you. I read the post about the baby book the other night & I started to comment, but I couldn't think of words to say. Then I went to FB & saw that the baby you were going to give the book to was gone to Heaven. I'm just so sorry. Her prints are darling. I know Leah Faith was beautiful. I'm just so crushed that your sister & her husband, their children, & your whole family has to go through this grief. Thank the Lord that Kelly was able to supply a gown and other items for Leah. Praying for you all.

Tiffany said...

o i'm so sorry. praying for your sis and bro-in-law and your family during this difficult time. sending them lots of love...

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

My heart is aching with and for your sweet family. I am so sorry, dear friend. I am glad you were able to be there for your sister. You have been graced with a gift of compassion and understanding. The kind that one gets from walking through it. I wish you didn't know the ache of loss so well...wish that for all of us. But, in the knowing, we are able to offer comfort and hope in the most broken of moments. I guess it's one of the ways He makes beauty from the ashes. But, you know that. Dear sister and friend, you are all being lifted in prayer.

brigette said...

Im so sorry for your sweet families loss!! Her little hands and feet are precious!! Praying for your family!

Crystal Theresa said...

Still thinking of you, your sister, and Leah. Holding their family in my heart. I'm so glad you were able to be there for her, though it must have been heartbreaking for you, too. ♥

Nan & Mike said...

Holly I am so sorry, Im heartbroken reading this...please send her our love and Im so proud of you for being such a wonderul support to your sister...much love and so many hugs, Nan xoxoxo

Kara said...

So sorry for your sister's loss as well as your family's. Oh my heart just goes out to you. I am so glad though that you were able to help them gather precious photos and mementos. Big hugs and prayers!!

DandelionBreeze said...

I'm so so sorry to hear about your niece... my heart goes out to your sister, you and your family xoxo

Melissa said...

My heart just broken when reading this on Facebook. I am so glad you were able to be there for her, but so difficult to know the pain she is experiencing. You and your family are definitely in my prayers.

Hannah Rose said...

Oh Holly, I am so sorry. My heart is broken for your family. I am thankful though, that you could help your sister and "think for her," knowing what she might want in the future. Leah Faith is such a beautiful name! And what breathtaking hand and footprints. Much love and prayers <3

Cecilia said...

I'm so sorry. Leah's hand and footprints are precious.

Crystal said...

My heart breaks to hear this. I lost Nathan at 16 weeks, 5 days. It's amazing how perfect and tiny they are at such a young age. I'm so glad that you were there for them and able to offer such beautiful, meaningful keepsakes for them to treasure. I left the hospital with nothing, not even a picture or footprints... so I can imagine how special those are to them. I will be keeping you all in prayer...

Jennifer Ross said...

I don't know how I missed this post. I am saddened beyond what my heart can hold at times. I will be holding your sister and all of your family in my thoughts and prayers. This is so so sad......

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