Remembering Baby Lucas

February 3, 2012

"No farewell words were spoken,

No time to say goodbye,

You were gone before we knew it,

And only God can tell us why."

Baby Lucas's arrival was very much anticipated by his family, but his passing brought much shock and sorrow.   I am sure the family's sorrow was deepened because the loss of little Lucas was far from home and away from big brother J.  

I am always so honoured when families allow me to share in their precious time with a precious child.  

If you would like more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, or if you would like to donate to this organization, please click here.

Baby Alexa

January 13, 2012

"Softly the leaves of memory fall

Gently I gather and treasure them all,

Unseen, unheard you are always near,

So missed, so loved, so very dear.

No longer in our lives to share,

But in our hearts you're always there."

 I had two sessions in one day, and I had hoped to time it so both sessions were done during one visit to the hospital, but little Alexa (4 and a bit pounds) decided to hang out with her momma for a few more hours.  Alexa was a precious little girl, and she pulled at heartstrings before she was even born.  Big brother C got to come out of bed and to the hospital to see and cuddle with his newborn sister.   Little Alexa, however, grew her wings and is now with older sister I watching over their family.

Thanks, C&G (and Grandma S) for sharing these treasured moments of Alexa with me.

If you would like more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, or if you would like to donate to this organization, please click here.

Remembering Baby Mary

January 13, 2012

Guardian Angel from heaven so bright,

Watching beside me to lead me aright,

Fold thy wings round me, and guard me with love,

Softly sing songs to me of heaven above.

Mary was a tiny little girl who was very loved by her parents and her 4 siblings.   She was born with Trisomy 18 which is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra 18th chromosome.  50% of Trisomy 18 babies do not survive birth, and for those who are born live, the survival is very low.  Many of these babies have internal abnormalities, but amazingly her heart was normal and beating strong 2 weeks after being welcomed into this world.

It was so wonderful to meet this little girl and witness how very loved she was by her family.

Thanks to Mary's family for sharing a few of these precious moments with me.

For more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, or to donate to this organization, please click here.

Baby Nathan

I’ll Lend you for a little time a child of mine

by Edgar Guest

“I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine,” He said.

“For you to love the while he lives and mourn when he is dead,

“It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three.

“But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

“He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, but should his stay be brief,

“You’ll have his lovely memories, as solace for your grief,

“I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,

“But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

“I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,

“And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you.

“Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,

“Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say: Dear Lord, Thy will be done!

“For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness: we’ll love him while we may,

And for happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay.

“But should the angels call for him much sooner than we’d planned.

“We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.” 

On December 20 I had the opportunity to photograph little Nathan, a precious boy with caramel-coloured hair who was warmly welcomed and loved by his parents.  

Nathan has a big battle ahead of him; he has a large brain cyst which will require a lot of doctor visits, bloodwork, measurements, tests, and possible surgery.  At this point, no one knows what the outcome will be.  

Nathan's family is holding onto faith and prayer during this difficult time.

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Remembering Baby Anessa

There are no good-byes for us.

Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.

~ Mahatma Ghandi

On Sunday, August 7, 2011 the world welcomed twins girls, Anessa & Aisha into this world.

Anessa said hello to her family for an hour before she grew wings & left this world.

Born at 33 weeks, these girls were already so very beautiful - and their Caucasian-Middle Eastern ethnicity was already obvious.

Little Anessa, you will be missed much by your parents, Aisha, and the many people around you called Family.

For more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep or to donate to this organization, click here.

Remembering Riley

She was planted on earth to bloom in Heaven.

- by Unknown Author

This morning I met 2 beautiful newborn baby girls, Riley & Olivia, who entered the world 4 weeks earlier than their due date.   Surrounded by love & their loved ones, Riley left this earthly world for her eternal world.

Riley will be missed much by twin sister Olivia, parents N&K, first-time grandparents S&D, F&J, Aunt A. & Uncle A., Aunt J & little Miss H and by many more loved ones!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share in this precious moment of your lives.

For more information about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep or to donate to this organization, click here.

Remembering Grace

An angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth,

Then whispered as she closed the book,

"Too beautiful for this earth."

Author unknown

Last night I had the opportunity to photograph a little girl who arrived in this world much too early. Little Grace was born at 23 weeks and weighed in about 500 grams and measured 30 cm in length. She was a feisty little gal, but she left this world about 24 hours after she was born. Grace: you will be missed much by your family.

My thoughts are with this family during this time of loss.

I am so honoured to have witnessed the short life of little Grace.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a nonprofit organization that offers remembrance photography to families who have lost a baby. Donations to support the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

foundation can be made here.

Remembering Baby Samuel

Ten little fingers

Ten little toes

One belly button

One little nose

One tiny mouth

Two little eyes

Two little wings

And tearful goodbyes

Samuel was 2 days shy of one month when I photographed him. He was a little fighter who had to battle heart surgery and then some other complications. His parents & 2 adorable older siblings loved him dearly. Samuel grew little angel wings on his 1 month birthday.

Samuel, you will be missed very much by many people.

I am so honoured to have witnessed the short life of precious little Samuel.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a nonprofit organization that offers remembrance photography to families who have lost a baby.

Donations to support the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep foundation can be made here.

In Memory of Baby Amara

Just before Christmas, I photographed a little girl who arrived in, and departed from, this world much too early but she will live on in her parents' hearts forever. She was so very, very tiny but also so very beautiful, and I am blessed to have met little Amara.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a nonprofit organization that offers remembrance photography to families who have lost a baby.

Donations to support the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep foundation can be made here.

Remembering Baby Sean

The world may never notice

If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,

Or even pause to wonder

If the petals fall too soon.

But every life that ever forms,

Or ever comes to be,

Touches the world in some small way

For all eternity.

~ Author unknown ~

Little Sean arrived in this world 13 days ago, but last week he suddenly became ill and required hospitalization, including life support. Yesterday, he was taken off mechanical life support. I had the opportunity to give this family some photo memories of their precious son. What a beautiful baby!

I am so honoured to be a volunteer photographer for the non-profit organization "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep."

In Memory of Baby Landyn

Sunday, May 2, I was called to take photographs of Baby Landyn. He arrived in this world 6 weeks early and for 3 days he was a little fighter. What a precious, beautiful little baby he was! My heart goes out to his parents & big brother during this difficult time.

It is such an honour to be a part of the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

If you would like more information, or if you would like to make donations, please contact Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.

Remembering Emily

Love cannot be measured by increments of time...

An entire lifetime of love can be squeezed into a few brief miraculous moments when necessary.

~ Author Unknown

It was a year ago that little Emily & her twin sister Caidance entered this world. As a photographer for "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep," I had the opportunity to meet these 2 beautiful little girls.

Emily only lived for 12 hours, but I was able to photograph her for 3 hours of those precious 12 hours. I think of Emily so often... she was so beautiful, and she captured my heart.

Today I'm thinking of Emily on her 1 year Angelversary, and Caidance on her first birthday.

I just love this photo: Emily & Caidance are each holding onto their mother's hand.

I am honoured to have been a part of Emily's short life here on earth and to have the opportunity to allow Mom Deborah to always remember her one little angel that left all too soon.

If you would like more information about NILMDTS or if you would like to donate to this wonderful non-profit organization, please go to www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I can hardly believe it's mid-March already! This year is just flying by... and I am finally catching up on my blog postings.

I volunteer for the non-profit organization "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" which offers free remembrance photography for families who are going through the loss of a child. We believe that these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honouring their child's legacy.

February 13, I attended one of NILMDTS's training seminars which was taught by Trina Lewis of Creations Photo in Edmonton. Trina is also a photographer for NILMDTS. She did a wonderful presentation for the group of 10 photographers who attended this information/training session.

It has been an honour to be involved with NILMDTS over the past 2 years and to give an invaluable gift of remembrance photography to families who have gone through the loss of a child.

If you would like more information about NILMDTS, or if you would like to donate to NILMDTS, please check out their website, www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

July 1 was Canada's 142nd birthday. Many people were out celebrating our national holiday, but there was one Calgary family who spent their Canada Day in hospital, mourning the loss of their stillborn son. Baby R had been diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a condition caused by a chromosomal defect, and he also had major heart defects.

As a volunteer photographer for the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" foundation, I had the opportunity to be with Baby R's parents & family and to photograph their precious son, brother, grandchild, and nephew.

My thoughts and prayers are with Baby R's family as they journey through their loss of this beautiful child.

About "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep"

Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.

Pregnancy: The state of being with child. [British Medical Dictionary] The beginning of a parent's hopes and dreams. The anticipation of the pitter patter of tiny little feet. A family being born unto each other. No parent ever expects their dream to shatter. But sadly, sometimes this dream can turn into a nightmare.

Each year nearly 3.3 million babies are stillborn, and more than 4 million others die within 28 days of coming into the world. [World Health Organization] With advanced medical technology, it is a parents expectation that those born unto us will outlive us. When a baby dies, it is outside the natural order of life and families are left devastated and forever changed, and a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.

Every living being instinctually knows how to grieve. It is learning how to heal, that some need help with. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation.

Remembrance Photography is a very important step in this healing process. Photographs are one of the most precious and tangible mementos that a parent can have, showing the love and bond that was given and shared with their baby. These portraits will last for generations, and will honor and remember a tiny life that is forever loved and cherished.

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of almost 7,000 volunteer photographers in the United States and twenty-five 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.

Our entire network of affiliated photographers graciously donate their time and talents to our families and we are proud to be able to offer our services at no cost. Your Donations are greatly needed and greatly appreciated.

Please consider supporting the mission of NILMDTS

All proceeds from donations to the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation support our current programs, the day to day operations of our headquarters and the continued education of our affiliated volunteer photographers. We are a non-profit organization and could not survive without the kind generosity of donors like you.

Your donations are greatly appreciated. Please consider supporting our mission by making a donation TODAY to NILMDTS.

"Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" Foundation: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

Baby R had Trisomy 18, one of several forms of Trisomy, a condition caused by an extra chromosomal defect.

As a Registered Nurse & as a volunteer photographer for NILMDTS, I want to play my part in making the public aware of Trisomy 18.

What Is Trisomy 18?

Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a chromosomal defect. It occurs in about 1 out of every 3000 live births.

Unlike Down syndrome, which also is caused by a chromosomal defect, the developmental issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with medical complications that are more potentially life-threatening in the early months and years of life. 50% of babies who are carried to term will be stillborn, with baby boys having higher stillbirth rate than baby girls.

At birth, intensive care admissions in Neonatal units are most common for infants with Trisomy 18. Again, baby boys will experience higher mortality rates in this neonatal period than baby girls, although those with higher birth weights do better across all categories.

What causes Trisomy 18?
At conception, 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother combine to create a baby with a set of 46 chromosomes in each cell. A trisomy occurs when a baby has three #18 chromosomes instead of the normal two. This is something that happens at conception. And although many parents worry about this, it is important to know that parents have done nothing before or during pregnancy to cause this disorder in their child.

What are the characteristics of Trisomy 18?
The genetic material from the extra eighteenth chromosome can cause a variety of problems with varying severity. Just as children with Down syndrome can range from mildly to severely affected, the same is true for children with Trisomy 18. This means that there is no hard and fast rule about what Trisomy 18 will mean for your child. However, statistics show that there is a high mortality rate for children with Trisomy 18 before or shortly after birth.

Typical characteristics of Trisomy 18 include:

• Heart defects:
• VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect): a hole between the lower chambers
• ASD (Atrial Septal Defect): a hole between the upper chambers
• Coarctation of the aorta: a narrowing of the exit vessel from the heart
• Kidney problems
• Part of the intestinal tract is outside the stomach (omphalocele)
• The esophagus doesn’t connect to the stomach (esophageal artesia)
• Excess amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)
• Clenched hands
• Pocket of fluid on the brain (choroid plexus cysts)
• Rocker bottom feet
• Delayed growth
• Small jaw (mycrognathia)
• Small head (microcephaly)
• Low-set ears
• Strawberry-shaped head
• Severe developmental delays
• Umbilical or inguinal hernia

www.trisomy18.org

To make a donation to the Trisomy 18 Foundation, please call 810-867-4211.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

A few weeks ago I became the Calgary "Area Coordinator" for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a volunteer organization that is involved in Infant Remembrance Photography.

Please contact me by email - photosbywilma@gmail.com or by phone - (403) 249-5636 for more information about these services.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I am also a photographer with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a nonprofit organization which offers remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the free gift of professional portraiture. These services are available for infant loss as early as 25 weeks gestation, or at the discretion of medical personnel. We believe these images serve as an important step in the family's healing process by honouring their child's legacy.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

Please visit our support forum at: www.nowisleep.com

On March 21 I had the opportunity to take photographs for a Calgary family who requested Remembrance Photography for a daughter. It was a very touching experience, and I feel honoured & blessed to be a part of this little girl's life during her short time here on earth.

Out of respect for the family's privacy & as per NILMDTS ethics, I will not display photographs of this session on this blog nor on my website.