For Love of Taylor and Seth

 For love of Taylor (01/23/12) .

and Seth Micah (08/07/12), my sweet angel babies

"When I lost Taylor at 13 weeks gestation, I was heartbroken. Just 7 months later, when I lost Seth at 16 weeks gestation, I was devastated. The second trimester is supposed to bring confidence that your pregnancy will no longer end, and instead, I lost two babies in less than a year, both in the second trimester. My NILMDTS photographer allowed me to pick out clothing for my angel before the delivery. I remember leaving feeling like things were just a little more manageable because I would have clothing for my baby. When delivery came, I had a baby boy instead of the girl I was told to anticipate. She happened to have a hat and blankets with her, but no clothing, no diapers. This is where I found a way to work through the grief of losing my two babies. I started sewing, then taught myself to crochet so I could be making these outfits any time my hands were free. I had felt the importance that a hat, a blanket, or clothing could be.

Everyone grieves differently. This is my way. I learned to crochet just so I could make these smaller outfits. I crochet and sew gowns, dresses, diapers and blankets for other angel babies - to give their families a bit of comfort in knowing they are not alone on their journey, and that their baby is dressed for the only pictures they will ever get. Doing this helps me give purpose to Taylor & Seth's short lives. And I hope more than anything that what I create will bring that tiny bit of comfort and support that I am trying to convey to these families". ~ Ginger, mother to Taylor and Seth

 
These items (including 164 diapers) have been donated to NILMDTS in Salt Lake City, Utah and Sew Much to Share in Davis County, Utah.

They have been donated in memory of Taylor Harvey and Seth Micah Harvey.  To follow Ginger's adventures online, you can visit her blog.

Crochet Patterns, including those for gowns, diapers, buntings, bonnets, hats, and blankets, can all be found here.

For Love of Asher Part #3 and #4

"Working on bereavement items such as teeny tiny diapers, small crocheted blankets and little hats and gowns is the most productive time I have ever spent. Connecting with other women who have suffered similar losses has been (aside from my faith and a supportive family) the key to my healing. You cannot put a price tag on being able to talk with another woman who says, "I have been there, it sucks but you can make it through this". The first donation we made was almost to the date of Asher's due date. I got a pit in my stomach the moment I step foot into the Labor and Delivery unit and wanted to run out of there as fast as I could. After meeting the L & D manager, being able to talk with one of our nurses and several others it was clear to see we were making a difference and in turn our son's albeit brief life has made a difference.

Fast forward five months and this time I am at a less familiar hospital making a similar donation. This time it was just me, there was no excitement or expressed appreciation from the staff, but my initial thought as I walked away from the NICU was on that day at that exact moment there were cheers in heaven. Cheers from my son, and all the other babies whose lives mean only something to a select few. Infant death is not something people openly talk about, I think the very thought makes people feel too sad, too vulnerable. The need is great and unfortunately this is something which happens all the time. The time commitment is minimal and the joy and healing which can occur is immeasurable." ~Lisette, Angel Mama to Asher

Lisette's beautiful bereavement gifts have been donated in memory of Asher Charles McKinley for families served by Overlake and Evergreen hospitals in the Seattle, Washington area.

To read more about Lisette's project in memory of Asher, please click here.  To follow the many adventures of Lisette and Cameron, follow their blog!

Angelitos Part #9, 10, 11 and 12

Angel mama Laura has donated to 266 diapers to 4 more hospitals in memory of her 6 lost angel babies.

To read more about Laura's story, please click here:

These diapers, gowns, and blankets have been donated to:
Valley Baptist in Harlington, Texas
Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Texas
Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas
Methodist Stone Oak Hospital in San Antonio, Texas

For Love of Natalia Part #4

Angel mama Elaine donated diapers for families at St. Mary's Community Hospital in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

These diapers and bonnets were handcrafted in memory of HLHS Angel, Natalia Tatianna.  You can read more about Natalia by clicking here.

Elaine is the seamstress behind Yane'z Wee Lovies, the wee cottage industry of quilts, lovies, burp cloths, machine embroidered bibs, sock monkeys, sock dolls, sock monsters!  Yane'Z Wee Lovies helps fund Elaine's philanthropic adventures!

For Love of Bryce

"My name is Jennifer Scott & I along with my husband Noah, our surviving twin Chayce, & our newest addition coming July 2013, Mckynzie, with help from family, made these diapers with all our love, to help not only honor our Sweet Angel Bryce but also to hopefully, help bereaved families start to find comfort & peace. 

Bryce & Chayce are identical twins. The day we found out we were expecting identical twin boys was also the day we found out that they were very sick with a horrible disease called TTTS & after a long, hard fight & surgeries, Our sweet recipient Bryce passed away at 24 weeks gestation, 10 weeks later we delivered both of our beautiful boys, 3lb 5 oz. Chayce Allen Scott & our beautiful sleeping angel Bryce Lee Scott. 

Survivor twin Chayce:
Though I thank God everyday for the miracle we call Chayce, & am so very thankful for him, there is not a day that goes by that I do not miss Bryce, & wonder what they would be like together. The want & need to help other mothers, fathers & families who are having to struggle with the loss of their sweet baby is what inspired me to become apart of this beautiful group of people! If I can help just one mother begin to heal, to help to take away one ounce of pain, then I feel that I have succeeded." ~Jennifer, mother to Bryce

Diapers donated in memory of Bryce Lee Scott:

"We donated 26 sets of big diapers & 27 sets of little diapers to Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, where my sweet boys were born.  We also donated 26 sets of big diapers & 27 sets of little diapers to Central Baptist in Lexington, Kentucky!  So 104 big diapers & 108 little diapers were sewed in memory of our sweet angel Bryce Lee Scott." ~Jennifer

The Hug Factory "Carries" On!

The wonderful family behind The Hug Factory continues to bless the lives of preemies and angel families in Alabama and Guatemala.

They specialize in NICU kangaroo carriers:

NICU Cuddlers:

 and Teeny Tears diapers:

These diapers have been donated for families served by Flowers Hospital and Southeastern Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama.

Thank you, Hug Factory!!  Don't forget to "like" them on Facebook!

For Love of Blake and Shane Part #13

Angel mama Holly M. donates again in memory of her little boys, Blake and Shane. These diapers have been made for families served by Osmond General Hospital in Osmond, Nebraska.

For Love of Josiah

Angel mama Renee has been donating bereavement clothing in memory of her son Josiah Darin Lane through the organization she founded in his name, Josiah's Song.

I have had a hernia for a while and the doctor said it was ok. That was about 4 years ago. I found out I was pregnant on my birthday, August 12, 2012. Things were going great. On October 17, I had extreme pain in my stomach. I was taken to the ER by my mother-in-law because my husband was dropping off a meal to a friend. I got there about 6 or so. They did an ultrasound and said baby was fine but couldn't figure out why I was having pain. I didn't sleep well and was still in extreme pain. 

I called my physician and he wasn't in and was told to go to pm care. I decided to call my OB. He wanted to see me ASAP. When I got there, he knew what was wrong by looking at by belly. I was admitted to the hospital right away. He found a surgeon who would do surgery the next morning. I was told that I would have to have an epidural. I have never had one and I have had 6 living children. I had surgery at 7 am and my ob was there to assist knowing I was afraid to have surgery. He held my hands and did everything above and beyond. He has been my ob for all 6 of my kids and 3 miscarriages at that point. 

Surgery was 2 1/2 hours. It was only to be about 1 hour. I had a double hernia with a restricted bowel. They had to remove 8 inches of my bowel and reconnect it. My bowel was dead and couldn't be used anymore. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Josiah looked great. I had daily checks on him. They gave me 2 bags of antibiotics while I was there. I was sent home and had 2 appts each week to check on Josiah. 

On November 5, I went to the restroom and my water broke. I was 20 weeks 2 days. I called my ob and they wanted to see me immediately. I went in and he sent me straight for an ultrasound. I had very little water left. Josiah was still doing great, moving all over. He told me to go home and stay in bed on my back and drink lots of water. I did exactly what he said. At 4:55 am on November 6, I started having contractions. 

At 6 am my husband took me to the hospital where I delivered Josiah Darin Lane at 6:52 am. He was just 9 inches and 9 oz. They dated him at 19 weeks 6 days because of his size. I was actually 20 weeks 3 days. Since they dated him with that date, I received nothing from him. No death certificate or anything. I hate that the state of Michigan does not acknowledge a child until 20 weeks. 

After I delivered him, my placenta would not release so I had to have an emergency D&C. I returned to my room and spent the rest of the day with my family and Josiah. I sit here with tears in my eyes. He was so perfect!!!! Just little. He looked just like my husband, like all of my kids do. I sent him with the nurses at 6 pm or so. He was starting to change quickly because of his size. 

We buried him November 13. Hardest day in my life!!! I went in for a follow up dr appt and he told me that an infection got into my placenta and that is what took his life. I questioned why I wasn't sent home with an antibiotic and there was nothing he could say. The surgeon never saw me since a day after surgery. He never has done any follow up to date. I was told I didn't have to see him again. ~Renee, Josiah's mommy

Not only does Renee create clothing for local Michigan hospitals, but she has adopted several requests off of the Teeny Tears headquarters waiting list!

Diapers, blankets, gowns, hats, and other bereavement items have been donated in memory of Josiah to:

Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis, Michigan
Three Rivers Health in Three Rivers, Michigan
Hazleton General Hospital in Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Freemont Medical Center in Freemont, Nebraska
Pregnancy Help Line in Michigan

Find out more about Josiah's Song here and don't forget to "like" them!

For Love of Mara Part #9

Mara's mommy Katrina has provided 8 diaper sets, hats, teeny blankets, and beautiful gowns in her memory for angel families of Oconee Medical Center in Seneca, South Carolina.  Thank you, Katrina!

You can read more about Mara Grace by clicking here.

Angel Mommies of Arkansas Part #11

Melissa Newberry, one of the Angel Mommies of Arkansas, donated 15 sets of diapers in memory of Natalie for angel families at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can read more about little Natalie by clicking here.

For Love of Lillian -- Crochet Patterns!!!

Angel mama Stacy from Love You More Than a Bus makes a crochet pattern for Teeny Tears Diapers!

"About a year and a half ago a friend of mine noticed my crocheting hobby - a perfect hobby since I have little ones who tend to get into things quickly She told me that she had started working on a new crochet project making outfits for angel babies. I don't think at the time she even knew I had lost my own baby a couple years before I met her. I resisted her offer for a long time thinking that there was no way I could make something so tender and heartbreaking without bawling the entire time.

Then another good friend of mine lost her twin boys - one at 21 weeks and one at 26 weeks. I was far away from her and I felt so helpless. I had some blankets I had been working on for her boys and so I finished them and sent them to her - but I wished I had been able to do something more. These boys, along with my friend encouraging me week after week, finally convinced me I could try making one outfit. So I made one outfit.

And that one wasn't quite perfect so I made another. And then another perfect one. And then I wanted to try some different colors. Before long I was hooked on making tiny diaper shirts. My friend and I put all our outfits together and I took them to a lady in Utah who has a whole bunch of outfits that she sends out to hospitals and local Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep photographers.

I kept in contact with her and occasionally would send more outfits to her. When I learned that the diaper shirts were sometimes problematic because they had to fit a specifically-sized baby I started looking for ways to separate the diaper and the shirt. When it came to the 1st birthday of my friend's twins I decided I should donate a bunch of outfits in their honor. I looked around to find out how to word a card to include with the outfits and came across the Teeny Tears blog. It wasn't long before I suddenly realized they already had a pattern for tiny diapers. I printed out a pattern and crocheted till I had a similar shape and size. And ta-da! A pattern for crocheted Teeny Tears diapers!

A friend got me started crocheting angel baby outfits in early 2012 and now a year later I've made more than 80 outfits and now my first sets of diapers for Teeny Tears. Not long ago I had the horrible thought that I had done so much for lots of angel babies - many of whom I would never meet or learn about - but I hadn't done one thing for my own angel baby. 

In late 2008 my husband and I found out we were expecting our first baby. We were so excited and certain we would have a little girl. Just after we announced to family and friends we lost our little one at 10 weeks. Crushed cannot even come close to explaining how I felt. I had so many offers to talk right at first. But I just couldn't bring myself to talk about it.

By the time I came to the point of feeling like I could maybe talk about it I felt like the rest of the world had already forgotten. I had no close friends that had experienced anything similar (that I knew of) and I didn't think anyone would understand. I felt like the world expected me to just forget and move on. After all, according to the world, my baby didn't even need a name, would never have a birth day, and some would say didn't even exist. I tried to just move on like I thought I was supposed to. I tried for 3 years and thought I was making progress - until I started making angel baby outfits.

Then I thought about her a lot. I found myself wishing I had something to remember her by - even if she technically didn't need it. I found myself wishing she had needed a name. One night not too long ago, with plenty of tears, I told my husband how I felt. He looked at me kind of surprised and told me he'd always thought she'd had a name. Now it was my turn to be surprised. He reminded me that we'd only had one name picked out when we first found out we were expecting. "I've always thought her name was Lillian" he told me. As soon as he said it everything felt right again. My little girl had a name! When I mentioned how sad I was that I had never made anything for her he suggested I make a blanket like I made for each of my two boys (born '09 and '11) So I did. I started looking for other ways to remember her too. So for the first time, in your honor my sweet Lillian Jane Robbins, I am thrilled to donate these first crocheted Teeny Tears diapers with coordinating outfits."~Stacy, angel crafter and mama to angel princess Lillian

Read more about Lillian by clicking here.

(Made with Caron Soft Yarn)

You can find a crochet diaper pattern that is comparable to the SMALL Teeny Tears pattern by clicking here.

You can find a crochet diaper pattern that is comparable to the LARGE Teeny Tears pattern by clicking here.

Find all angel baby crochet patterns here!

These diapers and outfits have been donated in memory of Lillian for families served at Stonybrook Hospital in Stonybrook, New York.

Thank you, Stacy!

For Love of Liam

"Liam is the first born son of my first born son! After many years of teasing all my children that I wanted to be a grandma and what are they waiting for, I got the best news ever, I was going to be a grandma!!!! Everything was normal and progressing as it should. My son is in the Army in Kansas and was out on a 2 week training, my daughter in law woke early Sunday morning, my son was due home later that day. She laid in bed enjoying Liam kicking and moving around...she dosed off and woke later, busying herself before my son came home.

In all of the excitement of the day, she realized she had not felt Liam kicking, she was 7 1/2 months pregnant She laid down waiting to count the movements....nothing. They went straight to the hospital, there it was confirmed there was no heartbeat. No heartbeat.... Liam Ethan was delivered a few days later, August 22, 2012, perfect, he was perfect, he got his cord wrapped around his neck......and received his angel wings. All of our lives forever changed.

We all deal with our grief differently, I wanted to do something for moms and dads going through similar circumstances. I am so thankful for the caring staff at Irwin Army Community Hospital; they took such good care of my daughter in law and son. I especially wanted to help military personnel who have no family close by to comfort them.

My daughter in law lovingly showed me her memory box of Liam's things.... things that had touched him.... I knew I needed to find something that would be special to others.

I came across Teeny Tears, I showed it to my daughter in law and asked for her blessings. I wanted to send diapers in Liam's memory on his birthday. She said she liked it and that is would make his birthday a little less sad.

My daughter in law took the samples to the hospital and they loved the diapers and thought it was such a great idea!! We decided not to wait for Liam's birthday because they may be needed sooner." ~Lynn, angel grandmother to Liam.

Lynn has so far donated 196 diapers to 5 different hospitals in memory of her grandson, Liam Ethan Eichelberger.

These diapers have been donated for angel families of:

Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas
Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh, Nebraska
Community Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, Nebraska

For the families of Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee

And for those served by Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center on Nellis AFB in Nevada

Thank you, Lynn, for your sweet service to angel families everywhere!