When I first started blogging, I found myself fitting in, not with the other mom bloggers, but with the fringe groups. The infertility bloggers, the baby loss bloggers, the special needs bloggers, those were people I could identify with much more so than the people I was supposed to fit in with. Maybe I hadn’t lost a child, maybe I hadn’t struggled in that very same way, but I had struggled in my own way.
We were the outsiders. The misfits. We had stories that no one wanted to hear about. Elephants sat at our tables, in corners and we were forever on the outside of normal, looking in. It’s the natural progression, I suppose, that I would create a space for us to gather. I’m proud of that. There are many of us outsiders. So many more than I’d thought.
When my daughter was born sick, it was no surprise that it was these people that came to my side with swords to help me slay my dragon, fluffy tissues to wipe the tears, and a barf bucket for when it all came to be too much.
I have an email folder that I’ve carefully saved every email I’ve gotten from that time that someday, I will print out to show my daughter. Most of the emails are from the people like me. Like most of you. The outsiders. The people who have been through hell but know how to make the ride a little…easier.
Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss day. Every year, I do a Wall of Remembrance for the people who have picked me up, dusted me off and wiped the barf off my face when I needed it most.
For that, I owe them everything.
According to the Center’s For The Disease Control’s Website, about 1 in every 100-200 births in the United States results in a stillbirth. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 million stillbirths occur yearly worldwide. The numbers for neonatal and postnatal deaths run into the tens of thousands.
Those numbers seem large to me, but even after having to take a statistics class to get through nursing school I can’t say that I’m much of a numbers person. My son, he likes numbers, which is why he’ll be off saving the world, one string of code at a time, while Your Aunt Becky sits here, mouth breathing and occasionally wondering aloud, “Is the INTERNET working?”
Numbers aren’t my thing. People are my thing. 1 in 100-200 sounds like a hell of a lot bigger number when you attach faces to those numbers. Faces, stories and names. People. My friends. My nieces, my nephews, their parents. Tables forever missing one. Lives cut short. Unlived.
Still born. Born still.
My friends. Their children.
Ashley
Hannah
Baby Morgan
Baby Twin lost at 8 wks
Kiara Jolie
Jellybean
Baby C miscarried at 12 weeks on 1/7/07
Robin
Brian
Mindy’s three angels
Gabriel
Anne & Jed’s babies
Sydney
Athena Rose Moore – 24 weeks Gestation (2nd loss, only one named)
Baby 1 – 9 weeks
Baby B – Twin to my 13yo, 12 weeks
Baby 2 – 9 weeks
Baby JP
Nicholas
Tevin, Taylor & Tristen
Baby J A and Baby J B
Anna
Robert Alan
Lilee
Selena- lost pregnancy at 9 weeks
Liam
Jacob Lane
JoeJoe Sherman
Baby Nick
Jonathan
Baby K, Gabriel Connor, Christian Elliot and Andrew
Emmerson
Baby Kuyper
Mara S.
Eva and seven additional losses
Kyle S.
Ava and Nathaniel
Rose
Micaela, Angelica, and Frankie
Donald Angus
Becca’s twin siblings
Ryne Moyer
Marcus Reeves
Julian Ulysses
Becky
Caleb
Sean Isaac
Clayton and Skylar
Jessica Anne
Ashlynn Brooks
David Lee
Babies Boone
Olcott-Lueke angels
Baby A and Baby B twin girls
Kaitlyn Grace
Brennan
Ellery
Quinn
Josie Ree Smith
Samuel and Amelia
Draven Fredrick
I’ll add any names to this list so if you’d like me to add a name, please don’t hesitate to email me aunt.becky.sucks@gmail.com or leave me a comment.
I will be cross-posting this to Band Back Together as well. We also have a baby loss, child loss, and miscarriage category over on that site, so any stories you’d like to share over there would be more than welcome. The site has two loss mommas as founders.
At 7 pm tonight, October 15th, A Day To Remember, I will burn a candle in memorium.
Dona nobis pacem.
(give us peace) Lord, give us peace.
159 Responses to Outside Looking In
Leave a Reply
I lost my first pregnancy at 9 weeks and it was one of the hardest things I have ever been through. I would love for you add me to your list.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I will absolutely add you.
Thank you.
Baby Cline’s mama, and now mama to McKinley, 8/13/10
xoxoxo
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
That’s awesome. Just awesome.
Thank you.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank YOU.
Today is a bittersweet one for me – and my heart is with any mother, friend or family member who will join me tonight for the wave of light. Hugs Angel Mommies!
I love Thalon 1.5 years ago on tuesday. it still seems like two weeks ago.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
How has it been that long? It was just 2 weeks ago. And my list has been fucked up. I swear he was on there last year. FUCK dude. I miss him so much.
Thank you for remembering all these babies & their mamas.
smooches for you.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Thank you, love. I don’t want anyone to forget that these lives were here. Like you, I’m not a person to jump on every cause. But this matters to me. It always will.
Thank you for never forgetting our sons and daughters.
Thank you for never forgetting our sons and daughters.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I don’t want anyone to forget. Ever.
I only found your blog about a week ago (no idea how it took me so long to find you!) and I am smitten. Thank you for allowing all of us misfits to band together. It means a lot to be acknowledged outside of our little community (infertility and loss).
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
You are my people. Like it or not (heh), you are my people. And I’d cut a bitch for you all.
Athena Rose Moore – 24 weeks Gestation (2nd loss, only one named)
Baby 1 – 9 weeks
Baby B – Twin to my 13yo, 12 weeks
Baby 2 – 9 weeks
Athena Rose Moore – 24 weeks Gestation (2nd loss, only one named)
Baby 1 – 9 weeks
Baby B – Twin to my 13yo, 12 weeks
Baby 2 – 9 weeks
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Oh Suzanne, I had no idea. I’m so sorry.
Like you said Becky, we’re misfits. On the fringe. You don’t talk about it, much. I’m tired of the “be thankful for the 2 you have”, can’t I still miss the 4 I lost?
Suzanne AKA @MeriLizzie
(my twitter name is a combo of my daughters names, Elizabeth & Meridian)
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m tired of being told I need to be thankful for what I have. I AM thankful, dammit. We’re also allowed to grieve what we don’t have.
I could have written that. When I lost my last 2, I lost COUNT of the number of people who told me to be “Thankful for the 2 I have” including my own MOTHER. I lost 4…that doesn’t go away and I will NEVER forget them. It’s the WORST thing to say to someone in that position. I wish people would learn that.
My mom actually told me once that 13′s twin didn’t count (yes I gave birth to her, they were identical twins and she never reabsorbed. They said it was twin to twin transfusion) cause she was no bigger then a thumb. And she’s anti-abortion? She even told me one of my miscarriages was cause I sinned. And she wonders why I stopped going to church?
Aunt Becky, not sure why but when posting from my iPhone everything posts twice! Sorry!
My mom actually told me once that 13′s twin didn’t count (yes I gave birth to her, they were identical twins and she never reabsorbed. They said it was twin to twin transfusion) cause she was no bigger then a thumb. And she’s anti-abortion? She even told me one of my miscarriages was cause I sinned. And she wonders why I stopped going to church?
Aunt Becky, not sure why but when posting from my iPhone everything posts twice! Sorry!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
iPhones do that. No worries. I count that as double the love.
The attitudes about loss are changing (thank God), but that used to be the way people handled it. Makes me so sad.
Like you said Becky, we’re misfits. On the fringe. You don’t talk about it, much. I’m tired of the “be thankful for the 2 you have”, can’t I still miss the 4 I lost?
Suzanne AKA @MeriLizzie
(my twitter name is a combo of my daughters names, Elizabeth & Meridian)
I wanted to tell you that I knew about Athena Rose BEFORE my Dr’s appointment. How? My grandmother who passed when I was 12 came to me in a dream. She said “I know you want this baby but she is needed here at home. Her name is Athena Rose Moore. Don’t worry! There is another one for you who needs you!” I wrote it all down when I woke up. Still have the tear stained pages!
I wanted to tell you that I knew about Athena Rose BEFORE my Dr’s appointment. How? My grandmother who passed when I was 12 came to me in a dream. She said “I know you want this baby but she is needed here at home. Her name is Athena Rose Moore. Don’t worry! There is another one for you who needs you!” I wrote it all down when I woke up. Still have the tear stained pages!
Thank you for your heartfelt post. I had 2 miscarriages before having my son. It is a crushing feeling. It was others support and stories that helped me the most. I was amazed at how many other women had experienced the same thing and I never knew. Thanks Aunt Becky for creating a forum for mommys to share, laugh and heal!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
It’s an overwhelmingly amazing feeling to find out you’re not alone. I’m sorry for your miscarriages. Do you want me to add them to my post?
Sure, that would be nice. We will call them Baby J A and Baby J B. Fortunatly, our Baby C (now a little boy) is busy filling the world more joy than I could have ever imagined! Thanks Aunt B!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Adding them right now, mah friend.
The my friend’s baby, the beautiful Sydney Ann, lived less than 24 hours due to a doctor’s mistake.
We still love you Sydney. Always.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
*sobs*
I’d like to add Gabriel, the sweet baby boy of my dear friend J. He was born too soon, too small, and God decided He should keep Gabriel for Himself. For that matter, J and her husband K also lost 4 babies before they were born. I am happy to say that they have 2 beautiful, healthy sons running around and driving them crazy right now, but they miss the 5 children they didn’t get to keep.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ve added Gabriel to the list. I’m so very sorry.
what a beautiful thing…my prayers sent up for each and all.
what a beautiful thing…my prayers sent up for each and all.
so many little babies gone. so much heartache for the parents. this breaks my heart. I will be remembering these babies as well tonight when I light my candle for my little Peyton Elizabeth.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
(Peyton is Amelia’s BFF)
this makes me smile big
Great post…thank you. Please add my babies too. Kathlyn, stillborn at 39 weeks, cause unknown, and my miscarried little cherry baby at 7 weeks.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ve added them both. I’m so very sorry for both of your losses.
I have never had these experiences and for that I thank the Goddess every day. I have been blessed with 3 healthy pregnancies and 3 healthy children. My heart goes out to all that have suffered the lose of a child (born and unborn).
And to you B….. There is no such thing as “normal”. That word is used instead of average…and I don’t know about you but I am NEVER described as average and I NEVER want to be! Keep cursing and being just plain awesome because there is only one YOU! Normal/ average is boring.
Aunt Becky… I am so glad that you continue to keep this list as a reminder. I do feel obligated to tell you that my fried who lost her son Liam (as listed above) chooses to no longer blog and so that I am not sure that it’s still appropriate that my blog is linked since her son’s story is no longer on my blog. Please do not remove his name maybe just the link.
Always remember every day,
Doc
Thank you, and man I should have proofread that commetn before posting it. I sound like a 3rd grader 1st grader
i’m not a mommy, and i actually don’t want to be a mommy. but i think it fucking sucks that all these people who do want to be mommies have to go through shit like this. i’m sorry for all of you *hugs*
also. normal? what the fuck is normal? i love us the way we are! <3
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Normal is bullshit
Although I myself have been blessed never to have lost a child, my sister miscarried and my one of my grandparents’ children was born sleeping. This I didn’t find out until after the birth of my son while talking with my Grandpa. Fifty years later, he still gets choked up and fights back tears while talking about it. It wasn’t until later that I found out that my brother shares their baby’s name. In honor of my sister’s loss and in memory of Robert Alan, and for all my friends and family members that desperately wanted children and were unable to conceive. My heart aches for them.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m adding Robert Alan to the list. Is that okay?
I would love that =)
I lost my first baby at 12 weeks almost exactly a year ago, and another one at five weeks in March. I’m currently 27 weeks pregnant with a baby that I almost can’t believe I’m actually going to get to meet. It’s hard not to get caught up in remembering the darkness of a year ago. Thank you for honoring all the lost babies.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m honored to honor the lives we lose. It’s important to me that we never forget.
Would you like me to add something to the list for you?
You can say Anne & Jed’s babies, I guess. We never had a nickname for any of our babies and, well, our last name is Slaughter which usually makes for great off-color jokes about a Baby Slaughter, but probably not so much in this context. Thank you and a big old hug to you.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I added your babies to my list. I’m so sorry and you’re right. The ability for jokes is high, but completely inappropriate.
Pingback: Today, We Remember. — Mom-Nom.Com
This list is staggering long. I’ll be lighting a candle tonight for all of them.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Every year, it gets longer and every year I cry while I add more names.
Our son Jacob Lane was born after an uncomplicated pregnancy at 41 weeks. We knew immediately something was wrong and he was transported by helicopter to Children’s Hospital in DC. He was born with Transposition of the Great Arteries and passed away after a little more than 15 hours. He would have been 11 years old on August 11th.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I added him, Mike. I’m so sorry.
Beautiful post, Aunt Becky. Prayers and hugs to all families who have lost children. I found your blog and Mama Spohr through Matt Logelin, who suffers from a different kind of loss, but a loss still the same. Comfort, strength and prayers for our friends.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
A loss is always a loss. Thank you for your love.
This? This Aunt Becky is why you rock my face off. Loves and hugs to you and all us other misfits.
My friend Rachel, lost her Lilee, just after her first birthday. Today, I remember Lilee.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
That breaks my heart.
Would love for you to add Cora, this is beautiful. xo
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Of COURSE I’ll add Cora! She’s on my desktop, actually. I see her picture every day (from BB2G, I’m not being a creepers).
And, that’s why you’re my hero. (And, totally I get it, not creepy).
http://iris-mylifeinpurple.blogspot.com/2010/10/sharp-knife-of-short-life.html
For Kherrington Faith Please!
<3
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I added her to my list. Such a beautiful name. I’m so sorry for your loss, love. We won’t forget your niece.
I’m remembering Baby H and Baby Boy H today. Much love and hugs to everyone that has lost someone.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m so very sorry, darling. I added Baby H and Baby Boy H to my wall. We will remember them always.
Much, much love.
Wow, this just made me cry. I only recently started reading your blog so I had no idea how much we have in common. I, like you, have several friends who suffered from infertility and loss and THEY were the ones who helped me through my 4 losses. I have 2 beautiful girls, Linnaea (6) and Alexa (almost 3). In between them, I had 2 losses…one at about 7 weeks and the other at around 12. After Alexa, I had a loss at 15 weeks and in August 2009, I lost my baby girl at 18 weeks. Her name would have been Kiara Jolie. And with the loss of her came the completion of our family though not by choice. No reasons were ever found for my losses…nothing was wrong with me and nothing was wrong with the last 2 babies who were tested…I had even had completely normal 1st trimester/nuchal fold screenings with both. Each and every person you listed is in my thoughts today. Could you please add me to your list as well?
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Of course I can, darling. I’m so very sorry for your losses. Breaks my heart.
Instruct the Daver to kiss and hug the hell out of you, please. You deserve it for this annual heartbreak.
Love you, Aunt Becky.
I lost my first baby to miscarriage on Tuesday, just three days ago. Remembering my little Jellybean, 9 weeks.
Danae, I’m so sorry
My little Robin was only “in the oven”for about 10 weeks. My due date would have been St Patricks day, and that made me cry every year for several years wishing I could have met him or her.
I will be lighting a candle for all of the babies listed…
Thank you so much, Carly. Your reply made me feel a little less lonely in my grief. I’ll be thinking of your Robin tonight at 7 too.
Danae, I’m so sorry
My little Robin was only “in the oven”for about 10 weeks. My due date would have been St Patricks day, and that made me cry every year for several years wishing I could have met him or her.
I will be lighting a candle for all of the babies listed…
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Carly, I’ll be adding Robin to the list for you, too. I’m so sorry. I had a couple of early miscarriages, too. So heartbreaking.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Oh Danae, I’m so sorry. I’m going to add Jellybean to my list.
I lost my first baby to miscarriage on Tuesday, just three days ago. Remembering my little Jellybean, 9 weeks.
I lost my Elijah Michael at 16 weeks only 3 weeks ago.
Yes I already have 3 wonderfully healthy children but this was my first loss and he was my son. He had a soul, a spirit and was a part of our family and changed our lives.
The pain is raw and the tears come and go but oh how amazing have my friends and family been to me! I have crossed the road to join a club I had always been so terrified of. But come to find out, I can survive this…because this club knows how to take care of each other.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Oh Bethany, I’m so sorry. My heart hurts for you so much. Please, let me know if we can help. Any of us. There are a lot of us out there that can help. Please, I’m here if you need me.
I’ll add your son to my list and we’ll remember him.
Much love.
Thank you for never forgetting. You can’t imagine how much it means to me.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’d never, ever forget!
You know what breaks my heart? So many of the links are gone. These blogs are abandoned. I can’t bear to remove them, but I know I should.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Someday I will have the courage to blog about my loss, you have inspired me.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
When you’re ready, we’re here. Like it or not, we’re a motley crew, but the loss moms are pretty awesome. I’m not one of ‘em, but I’m around to make a joke about bacon. And lend a shoulder.
xox
I lost three babies. Tevin, Taylor & Tristen. They will always be in our hearts.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m so very sorry for your losses. I cannot even imagine. I’m adding your babies to my list. We’ll always remember.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. We remember.
Thank you for posting this. I was unaware that today is the National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day until I saw your blog this morning. Our daughter Ellis was stillborn two years ago last month. We like to remember her every way we can.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m beyond sorry for your loss. It sounds so trite and I hate saying it, but it’s true. I’m so sorry. I put your daughter Ellis on my Wall and she’ll be there every year. We’ll remember her. Always.
xo
I’ve been so blessed to have never lost a child, but when I try to imagine the heartbreak it must cause…well, let’s just say I had to mop my face more than once while reading this.
To the ones who mentioned people saying you should be thankful for the ones you have…well DUH. I would NEVER say that to anyone! OF COURSE you’re thankful for the ones you have, but that doesn’t mean you don’t mourn the ones you lost! God, some people are such idiots. Well-meaning probably, but idiots.
Aunt Becky, I want you to know that I read each and every name on this list. They ALL deserve to be remembered.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Can you imagine the assbags that say shit like that? HAPPENS ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Makes me so mad. SO MAD. I can’t even put into words how much I want to throttle people sometimes.
Twitter: dragondream
says:
Thank you Becky. Can you add something about my other 7 losses next to Eva’s name? Thank you sweetie.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Of course I can. xo
This list is way too fucking long. Too many heartbreaks out there.
Kudos for doing this, Becky. It must be difficult to do each year.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
It hurts my heart. A lot. But I know the elephant needs to be dragged out and paraded around for the world sometimes. No one should have to be ashamed of their children. No one.
There are way, way, WAY too damn many names on that list.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Every year it breaks my heart. Every fucking year.
I took a deep breath and emailed you just now. I don’t talk about it, I don’t write about it. Every once in a while, it takes my breath away and I just sit and rock silently cradling my knees to my chest to try to fill a senseless void that cannot be filled.
I cried, reading this today.
These might be the most difficult words I’ve ever written.
Please add my son, David, to your list. It’s time I spoke his name again.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Of course. I’m honored to add him to my list. And I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I’m crying typing this.
Although it’s a terrible shame that there have to be any names on this wall, I’m grateful to see Samuel and Amelia’s names there again. Thank you, Aunt Becky.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
You’re welcome, my love. I never forget. xo
I lost three angels-one at 8 weeks, one at 5 weeks, and one at 6 weeks. I’m also thinking of my best friend’s son that just passed away June 3 at 2 years, 8 months, and 30 days old. His name is Brian.
Thank you,
Mindy
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ve added all of them, my friend. I’m so very sorry. Send your friend my biggest, fattest hug.
Thank you. Every day has been horrible since he passed. She needs all the hugs she can get.
Mindy
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I cannot even imagine. I just can’t. If she needs some love, we have some loss momma’s on BB2G. GAH, I wish I had something better to give.
You opened a wound I thought was fully healed, but in a good way. I had a partial molar pregnancy that ended at 13 weeks, on my birthday in 2006. It had taken me 10 months to conceive the one I lost and I couldn’t try again for a year. I never named the baby, never found out the sex, it was too painful then and I wish I had. Every year I think about asking when I go in for my annual and I chicken out. I had never even heard of molar pregnancies, I might write a post because I wish I had something to read when it happended to me. Thank you Aunt Becky for doing this. As always, you’re amazing!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m so sorry, Paige. I know all about Molar Pregnancies from school (never heard of them before that) and I’d absolutely add you to my wall if you’d like. Would you like me to?
Again, I’m so sorry. They’re particularly brutal, I know.
Please don’t be sorry, your website is amazing, what you’re doing is amazing. I guess you can say Baby Morgan, it feels odd not to know the sex and have a name. BUT, I have two wonderful children who make each day magical!
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Baby Morgan sounds lovely. I’m adding that name to my list and I don’t find it weird to not have a sex or know the name.
Lost a son (not named) 20 weeks trisomy 13. Triple screen blood test picked up the neural tube defect.
March 18, 1992
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I added your son to my wall. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I had no idea. My heart hurts. Just *sobs*
There are too many of us.
2 miscarriages and an ectopic. <3 speck, Peanut, and Bean <3.
Renee
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m so very sorry for your losses. You’re right. There are far, far too many of us. It breaks my heart that there are so many on this list.
Much, much love.
Lost our first at 8 weeks December 10, 2009. We just had a frozen embryo transfer done today of two embryos left over from a failed IVF cycle in August…hoping one of these little guys sticks but never stop thinking about our baby who would be almost three months old now….
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m just so sorry. My heart hurts. Physically, it hurts. I’ll add yours to the list so we can remember. Much love.
I’m saying prayers for your embies. We’ll all be praying for them. The power of Pranksters, man. I tell you.
xox
I adore you for doing this. I have three kids. But I lost a 14 week pregnancy, in-between my two youngest. Nearly did me in.
Her name was Piper. Piper Isabelle.
http://issascrazyworld.com/2010/07/i-told-myself-i-wouldnt-do/
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
What a beautiful name. She has a lovely name. I’m so very sorry for your loss. I simply cannot imagine. I’ve added her to my list and we will remember her every year. I’m so very sorry.
xox
Thank you so much.
Thank you for this, Becky. Sending love, always.
xox
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
We always remember. Always.
Loves you.
You are so beautiful and brave to share these names and to talk about what people don’t like to talk about. It breaks my heart to think of all the names on this list and their heartbroken families.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m sofuckingsick of elephants. I wish that we could ban elephants entirely. SO tired of them.
But thank you. I love you and I thank you for putting up with my mini-rant.
xox
1980- my twin siblings to factor v leiden
1980- my twin siblings to factor v leiden
I’ve lost 7 – all under 12 weeks. I have a 12 yr old who was born at 28 weeks (2lbs, 5oz.). He is a happy and healthy 7th grader now. We also have a 4 yr old daughter. She was full term thanks to 2 times a day blood thinner injections. They were both Clomid babies. Thank you for the list. While it makes me incredibly sad, I know I’m not alone.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Oh ETW, I had no idea. Wow. I’m so sorry. YOU’RE MAKING ME CRY. I knew your son was a preemie, but I’m so sorry for all of your losses.
I’ll add you to my list. My heart. It hurts.
xo
Thank you… so much for incuding my daughter Kherrington on your list. I am so touched an honoured <3 Peace to all those baby lost parents today.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’m so honored to have included her on my list. We’ll remember your daughter Kherrington today and always. Much love to you and kisses to sweet Kherrington.
Dude…you made me cry. At work. But it’s kind of an emotional day.
I’ve waited my whole life (feels like) to have a kid. Now, at 36, I’m finally in a position to try. And I have been, since January.
My first pregnancy, in May, didn’t even last a week. I immediately distanced myself from it — it wasn’t a “miscarriage,” it was a “chemical pregnancy.” It wasn’t *really* a baby. I wasn’t *really* pregnant.
But I was. And I allowed myself a whopping 15 minutes to grieve.
Today, I started to suspect I’m pregnant again. But I’m so afraid to think I am, because of what happened last time. And I won’t know for sure for at least a week — maybe two.
Waiting is a bitch. Particularly when you’ve waited so long, and all that waiting has culminated in nothing but disappointment. When you’re edging towards 40, have endometriosis, and your mother started going through menopause at 42.
Everyone tells me to relax. “It’ll happen.” “You’ve not been trying that long.” “Just buy a sports car/skinny jeans/lingerie…it’ll happen.”
I’ve not slapped anyone yet. They do mean well. But they don’t understand.
You and the Pranksters do. Thanks for bringing us all together.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
I’ve had a couple of chemical pregnancies and they’re hard. Especially when you have nothing else to show for it. I had two back to back ones right before I got pregnant with Mimi and it was a trip. In not a good way. So I get it.
I’m sorry. I’ll slap them mentally. I grieved my losses but they’re not on my list.
Would you like me to add yours? I will absolutely do that.
My heart goes out to all of you mamas who didn’t get to keep your little darlings. Horribly unfair of the universe to treat you this way. I hope you all find peace and joy.
Do those of us who tried for a baby but never got there count?
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Absolutely. I’d be happy to add you if you’d like me to.
Humbled and forever happy that you are a part of my life.
Thanks Becky, for always remembering and for never being afraid to say so.
xxoo
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Bitch, you know I love you hard. VERY hard.
Baby C miscarried at 12 weeks on 1/7/07. You were so wanted and will never be forgotten.
Thanks for posting this Aunt Becky.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
Baby C will always be remembered. Loves you. And you too, JennyBeMe. xox
You’re incredible, lady. Incredible.
I lit my candle last night. For mine and friends I could name specifically…and a prayer for all who have lost.
The 4 babies we lost trying to make one healthy one (including the one I lost this deployment).
lady, you have a heart of gold. thank you for this… last night i lit a candle in remembrance for a little one belonging to my mom.
love you endlessly.
Thank you for this post. No matter how much your heart grows with each blessed addition, the holes from the losses never completely go away. I think people who have never lost a child/pregnancy don’t fully understand that. Seeing those names listed above makes my heart break like no other.
I knew I could count on you to get it.
You completely exceeded my expectations. Why do I have any right to have any? I don’t know and I am sorry that I do.
Guess that is why I knew I could count on you.
How did I miss this yesterday? The list is longer than last year, and it makes me so fucking sad, not just for myself, but for everyone. I hold you all in my heart.
I hate that the list grows each year. Thinking of my three who were lost and the three who are here as well as all the others.
I…yeah, I’d like that. Makes it feel a little more real, even if it’s an awful real.
Thank you so much for all you do. I may not comment much, but I read every post you write.
It makes my heart hurt that this list gets longer every year.
Thanks for doing this. One of the hardest things was knowing the sun was going to keep coming up every morning & life went on. There are horrific things going on elsewhere, worse losses, but MY world stopped. No monument changes that…but it’s all we can do. My little guy’s name is already on the list (Brennan).
James M.
I didn’t know until my grandfather’s funeral that I would have had an uncle: James. But he was stillborn, and unmentioned until the day his father died.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You’ve brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for remembering my Isabel. I’m so touched.
Twitter: mommywantsvodka
says:
xoxo. Of course I remember. We always remember. Loves you.
Thank you for honoring all of these babies that should have been.
Made me cry again.
The world is a better place because you are in it, you know.
I love seeing my boy’s name up there (even though I blog anonymously now and I’m the only one that knows it’s there
Thank you, for including my boy, Paul James, on your list again this year. Like Suzy, made me cry all over again, but Thank You.
Thanks for remembering my girl. You are the best.
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