Matthew Joseph

[Erica Stone]

May 7, 2005

My family and friends are so grateful for the beautiful images and DVD we have of Matthew, or first born child. We did not understand the short amount of time we would have to create any memories with our son, and nearly missed that opportunity. Had it not been for the creation of this organization we would have missed it completely and regretted it forever. We are eternally indebted to Cheryl, Sandy, Erin, and Chantel.

[Amy Joy]

Erica,
What a beautiful picture.He is beautiful! If you dont mind me asking, how old was he when he was born? I lost my baby Joy at 22 weeks. I wasnt even able to see her. I know she would have been beautiful.

[Marcus Momma]

Very beautiful and perfect child. He is making heaven even more beautiful. here is a poem that I had on my sons funeral card.
Little Angels
When God calla little children
to dwell with him above.
We mortals sometimes question
the wisdom of his Love.
For no heartache compares with
death of one small child.
Who does so much to make our world
seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to his fold.
So he picks a rosebud
before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so he takes but few.
To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult
still somehow we must try,
The saddest word mankind knows
will always be "Goodbye".
So when a little child departs,
we who are left behind
Must realize God loves children,
Angels are hard to find.

[motherofthree]

Amazing - such a touching image, and such a beautiful, tiny angel. A lovely family.

I love the hat!

[Erica Stone]

Thank you all so much - you are all very kind. This is my favorite photo from my session. It's our family photo.

Amy - I'm sure your little Joy was beautiful, and I'm sorry you did not get to see her. Matthew was just shy of 26 weeks but had growth problems, so he measured smaller than he should have. He was only one pound, one ounce and 11 inches - the nurse said if he had grown normally he should have been about double that weight. He actually looked quite different when he was born, and the photos from this session were actually taken at the funeral home. When I get a minute I'll try to post a few pictures the nurse took for us in the hospital.

[linda]

Amy, I too am so sorry for your family! Reading this breaks my heart. You should have been able to hold your baby! I know she was beautiful ~ I'll pray the Lord will show you her in your dreams!

Erica ~ I too love the picture ~ how old is Thomas James? I'm about to be 32 weeks pregnant and scared every day. Was it hard for you? Both our angels stopped growing I wonder if you experienced something similar as I.

[Amy Joy]

Thanks for you prayers ladies. It is such a shame. I really wasn't explained my options at that time. If I knew then,what I know now, I think i would have delivered her instead of having her taken out of me. I wish I could change the past. All I can hope for now, is that I see her in my dreams.
Amy

[Andrea A]

That's one precious family photo to treasure! Blessings to you!

[carissa13]

I love this picture, it shows so much love for Matthew!

[Erica Stone]

Linda - In addition to his multitude of other problems Matthew had IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). I'd be happy to give you more information if you'd like. They were unable to match his condition to any known disorder or disease. Every single moment of my second pregnancy I was terrified, and I have numerous posts about that on the forum if you care to look...

Photos from the hospital... I like the second one the best. It doesn't look like he is so swollen and his profile looks like his brother's.

[Shelly]

How precious....in the last image he looks like he's smiling.

[Kathy Schneider]

Erica,
Thanks for sharing more pictures of Matthew with us. I too love the black and white one. Give me a call sometime, I'd love to talk--303-699-9741. Take care.

[Marcus Momma]

oh these pictures are so precious. I Love the last one it looks like he's grinning a little bit and looks so at peace. Love them!!

[motherofthree]

Oh, I love the color pictures. He is so, so sweet. Thank you for sharing more pictures of your beautiful boy with us!!

Beth

[Amy Joy]

Those pictures are wonderful. He is absolutly perfect!

[linda]

Erica, Ethan had the same thing (IUGR ) and the autopsy was inconclusive as to why. As I am 33 weeks today I try not to worry about Mason and as he gets bigger and his kicks are more obvious it does help ease the worry but non the less still so scary. Like the day before yesterday he was moving but not as much ~ we (my husband) and I spent the day wondering if we should go in and get him checked. Then yesterday you'd think there was trampoline inside my belly he was so active. It's the little differences like that ~ that make me worry. I'm so happy to hear that you were able to have another precious child to raise here on earth. I hope in the next few weeks we too will be able to as well. Matthew is beautiful in these pictures and looks so peaceful! How old is Thomas now?

[Erica Stone]

I felt the same as you do. I was worried about so many things I considered renting a fetal monitor to have at home. I didn't do it, but I think it would have helped ease some of my worries. I'll definitely do it if we decide to have another.

Thanks everyone for looking at the pictures. Only a few people have seen the hospital ones before now.

[MadiAidMak]

He is so beautiful, he looks like a perfect angel.You and your family are in my thoughts.

[linda]

We looked at doing the same thing and haven't and now with 6 weeks to go I'm just hoping the kick counts make me feel better! :)

[Lisa Wallace]

He is beautiful!!!

[Cheryl Haggard]

Erica, you still haven't submitted your story...

[Erica Stone]

Linda - you asked me twice and I never answered... sorry! Thomas is 19 months now. I really have my hands full! He is definitely his own person and lets me know that every chance he gets!

Yes Cheryl, I'll get it done. Eventually! :D

[motherofthree]

Erica, I also haven't submitted my story - just a short version and bits and parts. Eventually I'll post in more detail, but it's still had for me to encapsulate her life into such a short space!! I have been writing her story but it's already three pages or more, so... Anyway don't pressure yourself to do it just yet if the reason is that you're just not ready. Take care,

[Erica Stone]

No, there's no pressure Beth... Cheryl and I have a history! I had a short synopsys and photos on the website before the format was changed (and it took a lot of prodding to get that done... thanks, Cheryl!) and I am just a born procrastinator.

I have been having a hard time lately with Matthew's 3rd birthday approaching. I don't know why this year seems so different. I really should get my story and photo submitted - I'm quite sure it will help me feel bertter.