Rachael Hutchinson Photography

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.  It’s important to me to recognize this day, because there was a time in my life where I felt completely alone…like my world had stopped and everyone had continued on around me.  After a completely normal, uneventful, and blissfully ignorant first pregnancy I was expecting our second baby.  We were beyond excited to give our son a sibling, then later devastated by a late first trimester miscarriage.  Before that, I really hadn’t thought about pregnancy loss at all.  I didn’t know anyone who had lost a baby, and definitely didn’t expect it to happen to me after my first pregnancy went so smoothly.  After a few months I was expecting again, but sadly experienced a second miscarriage late in the first trimester.  Then a month after that, just days before my appointment to meet with a reproductive endocrinologist for testing, I found out I was pregnant again.  Thanks to that specialist and the grace of God, we had a healthy baby girl the next summer.

A baby that comes after a loss is called a Rainbow Baby.  Beauty after a storm.  Color and light after darkness.  A promise after a trial.

Scarlett is my Rainbow Baby.  She’s sweet, silly, and so very loving.  She’s sensitive and girly.  She loves ponies and anything sparkly.  She’s special, and I don’t know what I’d do without her.  I thank God for her and for all three of my children every day.  I didn’t understand what a miracle it was to have a baby until I realized that the journey isn’t always easy.

It wasn’t until after Scarlett was born that I learned I wasn’t alone…I actually had quite a few friends who had experienced a loss, I just didn’t know it because it’s not something people often talk about.  So to everyone on that journey, you’re not alone.  I wish you love and peace, and I hope a rainbow soon comes to you.

So I’ll admit…I haven’t exactly gotten this whole mom of three thing down yet.  When the baby was six weeks old, my son started Kindergarten and my daughter started preschool a couple days a week.  Between his homework, her little projects she needs to bring in, and the baby attached to my hip I haven’t quite been the most organized person for the last seven months!

I found some really cute Valentine’s ideas on Pinterest for the kids to take to their classmates, but of course being unorganized I didn’t plan enough in advance to get any of those cute ideas done.  This past weekend was super busy and we didn’t have time to go to the store in search of store-bought Valentines.  Then comes Monday morning, and it’s pouring down rain and freezing cold.  Of course my procrastination led to me being forced to go out in that yucky weather the day before Valentine’s Day to get my kids something for their parties.

Thankfully Pinterest and my random stash of crafting supplies ended up coming through for me.  Although I didn’t have time to do the more involved ideas I had saved, I was able to help the kids do these simple Valentines.

It’s just a toilet paper tube bent into the shape of a heart and used like a stamp.  Everyone has one of those laying around!  I didn’t even have to let my three year old unroll one all over the house, there was an empty one waiting on the holder for me….because you know no one replaces those things.  Ha!  I tried to get her to stamp hearts all over in pink and red, but her idea was apparently to meticulously stamp three pink hearts across each card.

Here is the info on how to make a heart stamp out of toilet paper tube – heart stamps from Rust & Sunshine

Maybe the stores do have it right when they start putting the Valentine’s stuff out before Christmas!  Next year I’ll aim to plan ahead a little better, but the kids had a lot of fun making these, signing their names, and taping a lollipop to it.  Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Even though we are 6 days in, I was kind of shocked today when I realized I needed to add a Photography 2012 folder to my computer.  The last year went by so quickly…but I guess that’s what happens when you’re pregnant, have a baby, your oldest starts Kindergarten, and your middle starts preschool.  2011 was a wonderful year full of memories I’ll treasure forever.  I didn’t take a lot of clients because of being pregnant and having a newborn, but in 2012 I’ll be easing back into things.

Here are a few of my favorite personal images from 2011.  I’m wishing everyone a beautiful and blessed 2012!