I am still resolved to deliver Elspeth the good old fashioned way, even if she is breech. Thankfully Dr. Sheridan has agreed to this also. I can't say enough how thankful I am to have a doctor who supports me in every decision I have made. He has never questioned my decision to carry Elsepth to term and has treated me just like any other patient with a normal healthy baby.
Through the past several weeks I have recieved some really thoughtful letters, cards and gifts. One special gift came all the way from South America this past week. My sister-in-law is from Concepcion, Chile and her dear mother sent me the most beautiful pair of hand-made booties for Elspeth.
My heart is so touched to know the hours it must have taken Mima to make these beautiful little booties for a baby she will never get to meet and that lives so far away.
The girls at work also had a special suprise this last week too. They gave me a "Thumbies" fingerprint necklace. The company sent me a kit to take Elspeth's fingerprint after she is born. I am supposed to send it back in and they will send me a pendant necklace that has her fingerprint lazer engraved on it. I love the idea that I will always have Elspeth's impression near to my heart.
Other memorial items I am working on is a large scrapbook. The moment I found out about Elspeth's diagnosis, my dear friend Celeste encouraged me to keep everything I can to make a scrapbook. I have collected quite a pile of cards, sonogram photos, etc that will be included. I think it will take my whole maternity leave to compile it together! I also have a kit to take Elspeth's hand and feet prints and frame them. I can't express enough how thankful I am to everyone in facilitating these memories.
I just can't believe how close we are getting to E's delivery day. According to baby center, I am supposed to have my hospital bag packed by now...I haven't even started. Drop me a line and tell me something that you packed that you found helpful/essential.
One last note, my heart goes out to Amber on my Anencephaly Blessings from Above group. Her son Caleb passed away yesterday. He was born on Aug. 6th and lived until Aug. 28th. Thank you Caleb for giving me hope.
Those booties are beautiful! I love that all these people have such tender ways of helping you have memories of Elspeth.
ReplyDeleteI have a whole bunch of things you can try to help lil miss move on down...I will give you a call this week or feel free to try me...talk to you soon! -V
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing I didn't pack was my own pillow. Luckily my hubs brought it so me, because those hospital pillows are, well, YOU know!
ReplyDeleteI have a CD of hymns played on acoustic guitar. I had it playing during labor. It was very soft and relaxing and I loved it. We also took cards to play while we were waiting. Since we were induced, it took quite a while for things to start moving. We played cards with my sister in between contractions to help me stay calm and pass the time too.
ReplyDeletesuch lovely and thoughtful gifts.
ReplyDeletere: the hospital. you might think about wearing your own pj's during the delivery. you'll feel more like yourself and less like a patient.
Hey - a friend recently told me about a site that you should check out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
"The NILMDTS mission statement is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the gift of professional portraiture. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honoring their child's legacy.
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of more than 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and 25 countries. At a family's request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will come to your hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby."