Long time no write!

It's been a while since I wrote something here. I haven't felt like I've had much to say and when I do, it's been for my monthly posts on Still Standing Magazine, Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) or the occasional post for Sands Australia. Since I posted here last we have been blessed to welcome another little girl into our family. Our sweet Seanna Hope is now 3 months old, born safely after another stressful pregnancy. I shared my pregnancy journey on PALS and you can read her birth story there too. I cannot put into words how healing her labour and birth were. Maybe one day I'll try.

With our little Seanna, photo by Karen Pfeiffer Photography

Life feels full these days. I never expected to be able to say that, considering our precious Ariella is always missing. When she died I searched out so many blogs; I needed to know my grief wasn't an isolated experience. I was in a place of devastating grief and I feel like most of my posts were written in that place. But I'm not there anymore, the son has starting shining again and as a result I've written less. I had found so many grief blogs but not as many that continued sharing life after the initial heavy grief had passed. I (subconsciously) thought my blog needed to be the same and stay grief focused. I'm not even sure how I put that expectation on myself but I want to break free of that. It IS possible for life to be good again. There is hope after child loss. There is joy after intense grief. And if my two littlies allow me time to write, this is what I hope to show!

(Thanks to the beautiful Franchesca Cox for my new blog design)

Two...

It's hard to believe that it's been two years since we said hello and goodbye to our beautiful Ariella Jade. Last year, we organised a "birthday week" for her so that people could celebrate her life with us. I had planned to do the same this year, but it was too hard to think about so I never got around to it. However, some people have asked how best to support us and there were a few things last year that were really special. So I've put together a couple of things you may like to do if you want to celebrate her with us.

If you choose to celebrate with us, please let us know.

-Take a photo and share it with us via Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #celebratingariellajade 

-Send a message telling us what you have done in her memory

-Leave a comment on this post 

Obviously there is no pressure to donate in her memory, so please don't feel like you must. This year, Marcus and I will be donating a bear through Pregnancy Loss Australia - these teddy bears are given to parents at the hospital so that they do not have to leave with completely empty arms. The tag on the bear says who it is donated in memory of - the bear we have is in memory of Lily and it was a comfort to hold it straight after the ultrasounds that showed Ariella had died. I always wonder who Lily was and I'm so grateful for the person who donated the bear in her memory. It's $20 to donate and it can be done on their website.

Thank you for those who have already messaged and supported us in the lead up to her special days. We appreciate every single message and card and we are so thankful that our girl is not forgotten.