When I initially talked to Sarah to book her newborn session, it was back in mid 2018. We were so looking forward to her session! Unfortunately, Sarah emailed me in September of 2018, to let me know her sweet baby boy, Uriah, was born sleeping. I wept for her, as I read her email. I thought of her often and wondered how she was doing. 

You see, she was forced into a club that none of us want to be in. The Loss Mom club. I know it well. My loss was much, much earlier than hers, but my heart broke that she was now one of us. 

In November of 2019, I got another email from her. She was expecting a baby girl in February of 2020!! I was so excited for her and her husband. I couldn't wait to meet her sweet babe!

When Ayla and her parents got here.....I was in awe of this tiny little baby. She was less than 5lbs when she was born, and barely over 5 when she came to me. She was absolutely the teeniest baby I'd ever shot. I instantly fell in love with them all. 

Sarah brought some mementos of her sweet son, to be photographed with her daughter. At the end of the session, when I was doing a photo of Sarah, Ayla and Uriah's footprints, Sarah broke down. And her amazing husband sat down next to her and held her as she cried. 

I can't lie and say I didn't cry as well. Those photos get me EVERY time I see them. 

We need to remember, just because we aren't holding our babies in our arms, doesn't make them any less our children. We didn't get to hold them, smell them, comfort and play with them. But they are our children. We deserve to talk about them, without people being uncomfortable. 

Say their names. Let us remember your babies WITH you. 

<3