October 15, Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day

2 years ago this past Saturday, Nick and I lost our first child. I was 12 weeks along in my pregnancy when I miscarried and the doctor said the baby didn't live much past 7 weeks old. We were devastated. We both were so excited to be expecting a child that this event really crushed us. We have a very supportive family and they all were there for us as we worked through this tragedy. That day was a Wednesday and I went in on Thursday afternoon for surgery.

The Monroe Clinic hosts a wonderful event to honor all of the lost children. On the first Saturday of October, they hold a memorial service at our local cemetery. Unfortunately for us, that year it was the weekend before. So, last year we attended the service which was very helpful for us. We were able to say goodbye to our angel with great respect. During the time between our miscarriage and the next service, the cemetery sexton contacted Nick and his dad to sandblast and paint some grave markers. They didn't know until he actually came with them what they were for. They were for the next 10 years of lost babies. Nick was so stunned that this came to him. He comes from a very generous family and he and his dad donated their time and supplies. This was so personal to us and Nick felt so honored that he was able to do this for our child.

I decided to write this today because not many people know we went through this. I want people to know so that if we can help anyone who has gone through this, they have someone to talk to. We had people in our life that experienced the same thing and it helped us to have people to talk to and lean on. I still think of that baby often and wonder what he or she would have been like. We have yet to name our sweet angel, but are working on it. God had other plans for our baby and us. If this had not happened to us, we would not have our sweet boy Landon.

Please say a prayer for all of the lost infants and pregnancies.

Landon and I visited his older sibling last night and left a small stem of mums.

Landon 9 AND 10 months

Landon will be 10 months old this Thursday! We had a couple of doctor appointments around his 9 month birthday. His stats at 9 months were 18 lbs, 14 oz. and 29 inches. That puts him in the 24th percentile for weight and 76th percentile for height. He is moving along quite well! We also saw his cardiologist at the end of September and he is so happy with Landon's progress that we don't have to go back until April. That will be 1 year post-op from his second surgery and they will attempt to do a full exam that will include an echo and an ekg, as long as Landon will cooperate for them.

Landon has been hitting some major milestones lately. He crawls on his hands and knees now and pulls himself up to standing. He has four teeth about to drop on the top. He is handling it very well. He has gotten the small rash on his face from it and drools a lot and chews on everything. So, I feel like any day now he'll have six teeth instead of two.

On Thursday night, Nick and Landon came home shortly after I did. Nick set Landon down and I hear, "Mamamamama"!! It was the greatest thing I have ever heard! I'm pretty sure he hasn't made the connection yet of what it means, but I'm trying to teach him.

He continues to make everyone he meets happy. He has such a great personality and smiles at almost everyone he sees. It's incredible! He has this ability to draw people in that I'm sure will continue throughout his life.

We have done a lot of fun things this fall! We went to The Apple Hut in Beloit and picked apples, we made an attempt at Eugster's in Stoughton that didn't turn out well except that we got pumpkins, we went to the MVFF Pancake Breakfast, and made a trip to Chicago for the unveiling of the world's largest camera that Nick was part of building. I am loving making memories with Landon! You never know what tomorrow will bring, and even though he won't remember these things, I think it's very important to spend the time with him and document it. Really looking forward to the rest of the fall to continue with our fun!

No Landon in this picture, but here is the camera that Nick helped build. Landon was there for this event. The man in the black shirt is the photographer who dreamt up this incredible beast! 9-17-13

9 months old! 9-13-13

Playing with Daddy!

10 months old! I had to get this skeleton outfit because it has the heart on it. I thought it was very suitable for Landon! 10-14-13

At The Apple Hut 9-22-13

 

Family mustaches. Just being silly :-})  Labor Day