Scrapbooking is one of my favorite things to do when I have time. How I wish there was more time to work on scrapbooking! It's one of those things that I have to create time for in order for it to happen. So, I'm excited to say that I have a scrapbooking date in the near future with a few friends, including my CM consultant, Pam. On that date, the plan is that I will come prepared with my Solveig pictures in hand, and I will leave with her scrapbook created in four hours. I'll be doing a "power layout" plan and it will hopefully help things to go quickly and smoothly. I'm going to use this book and these papers, in case you're interested.
A few nights ago, I realized in preparation for my scrapbooking date that I needed to get my photos in order and ready to go. There were none printed, other than my ultrasound pictures, so I set to work going through all the photos which we and the nurses took of our daughter, and the ones that sweet Jen took. As I looked through the mass of photos which I'm so grateful that we have, I found myself getting really weepy all over again, feeling like it was just yesterday that we had Solveig. And it was okay. It was good to see her and to remember her. It was just hard to pick and choose the photos for ordering as there were many that looked similar. So I ordered a whole bunch of them, knowing that it would almost be easier to sort through them in hand rather than on the computer.
Last night, I got together with my sweet friend Keri from high school. She accompanied me on my journey to the photo store to retrieve my photos. I not only printed ones for the scrapbooking project, but also some for family and for our home. Keri and I sat at a coffee shop and she graciously looked through all the photos with me. Only good friends do that kind of thing. It had to be hard for her to see the pictures. For me, I'm so used to looking at them that it doesn't really phase me anymore. But for someone else, I could see how it would be more difficult perhaps to look at the pictures. Keri said she was glad to look at them with me, and I'm so glad that she did. Thank you sweet Keri. You're a keeper. And I'm glad that I've known you for so long. Thank you for bravely and gently walking this road with me.
I have a question for those of you who have lost your babies...
Did you display photos of your deceased child in your home for all to see? Just in your bedroom? In a back hallway? Only in a photo album or also in a photo album? Hidden on a shelf or proudly on your coffee table?
We're trying to figure out how and where we will place our special photos. They're such amazing treasures...especially the ones from Jen. And I am not afraid to have a few of them out for others to see. I realize this may not be socially acceptable in some circles, but I'm okay with it. Erik and I have yet to figure out what will work for us together in our home. This isn't something two people get to discuss every day - new territory for us in this grief journey.
I'll be curious to see what you have to say about this. Thanks for your input.
And I'd love your prayers as I get ready to create my baby's photo album. I'm sure it may be emotionally difficult. Yet, I feel very ready to do it now. Like I said, I'm really used to seeing the photos so it doesn't upset me in the same way as it used to. More than anything, it just makes me glad to see our family together with our precious daughter whom we will always cherish and love.
This is one of my favorite candids that we took of our kids together. They were incredibly sweet and gentle with their little sister...
Today I'm linking with Tesha...
