Isabel Hope: snapshots from earth

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

snapshots from earth

Another birthday came and went. Isabel's 4th birthday was Sunday. Monday night Tony came home and said, "I'm calling a feast in honor of Isabel's birthday". The boys quickly finished up their chores and we hustled into the van to feast at our local mexican restaurant in town.

As we drove, the sun was beginning to set, I took my camera and snapped away at so many of the images I see but never have my camera or the opportunity.

As I look at them now, I see it the way Isabel may see things...snapshots of a life that she is connected to but from afar.

4 comments:

Angie Tabaczynski said...: amazing post and amazing photos. happy 4th birthday to isabel!

thinking of you and your family!!!

angie t.; June 20, 2011 at 5:36 PM
Hannah said...: I love the white board!!!

Happy fourth birthday in heaven sweet girl!; July 31, 2011 at 9:35 PM
Bethany said...: I can't believe it's been four years. Happy birthday in Heaven, sweet Isabel. (((hug)))

How have you been doing, Debra? I miss hearing from you.; October 19, 2011 at 7:46 AM
MarshaMarshaMarsha said...: The joy Isabel and Christian are experiencing in Heaven is far far greater than the sorrow that we are enduring here on earth.

Hang in there, sweet Debra. Praying for you tonight.

HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY, ISABEL!; August 7, 2012 at 5:46 AM

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Summary

Our family was excitedly expecting our 4th baby and planning another homebirth like all the rest when an ultrasound at 7.5 months showed Isabel had no kidneys. This is called Bi-Lateral Renal Agenesis or Potter's Syndrome. A baby with no kidneys does not urinate, therefore there is no amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid is what the baby breathes in and out of the lungs, which also develops the lungs and prepares them for breathing air. We were told there was no possibility that Isabel would live after birth. Her lungs would not function. So we prayed and waited for Isabel to be born. We did not know how long she would live.

Our 5th baby, Samuel, was stillborn October 21, 2009 due to Trisomy 13.

How to Cope

Grieving parents may feel a sense of emptiness for weeks, months or years after experiencing their loss. The grief felt over losing a baby through premature birth or from a fatal birth defect is one of the most intense. All parents must feel free to express their love for the baby they have lost. Some of the difficult and painful aspects of grieving for the loss of a baby are listed here:

Engorgement and milk in the breasts can be a painful physical reminder for a mother that she has no baby to nurse.

Fathers need opportunities to express their grief in their own way. It is important to realize that each individual grieves differently.

Parents often need assistance in talking with their other children about the baby's death.

Grandparents often grieve for their grandchild, and may also find it difficult to deal with the pain of their children.

Family members and friends often find it hard to talk about the baby, and inappropriate remarks may cause further grief.

Seeing pregnant women and babies is often painful for months after the loss of a baby.

Anniversaries of the baby's birth and death often bring back parents' feelings of grief and loss.

From http://www.empty-cradles.com/infantloss.htm