Angel Baby Books

[Christine Barrack]

Another thread got me to thinking. There are many baby books and pregnancy journals but not much for our angels. I am thinking of making a custom book for our angel babies. So my questions are
1-Is anyone interested?
2-What information would you like in the book-suggestions
3-Would you like a ready made book (fill in the blanks) or one that is customizable with your images?
4-Do you have a high rez image you would be willing to let me use as part of the book or background pages?
5-Is this a stupid idea?
6-What did you receive from the hospital as far as a book goes?

[carissa13]

#5 this is NOT a stupid idea!!!!!

[Dawn Marshall]

Hey Christine,

Kelly Gerkin from Sufficient Grace Ministries has actually made a beautiful journal/baby book for angels and their families...I could send one to you to check out if you would like.

Here is a link to her site www.sufficientgrace.net

BTW...I sent that package to you on wednesday...let me know when you receive it.

[Christine Barrack]

Carissa,
You are to sweet.

[Christine Barrack]

Dawn,
I would love to see the book to get some ideas and can send it back to you. Thanks for the link.
I will let you know when I receive the package:)

[carissa13]

The reason I think your idea is a good one is because there really is nothing out there for people that have lost their babys. There is no pregnancy book for the women that know they are going to lose their baby when they are born and there are a few little baby books out there for babys that have passed but nothing exciting (maybe that is not the right word). There is no scrapbook material out there for a mother of an angel to put in her scrapbook. I don't know how to get started but I wanted to start something for the scrapbooking part of what is not out there. Christine, anything you do would be a blessing because it's just not there.

I received a book called "A place to remember", it is a premade book where you fill in the blanks. I don't think I have looked at this book in almost a year and I am looking at it now and I still don't like it. I would like to see something cute, if our babys were alive we could get a cute book.

[Christine Barrack]

Carissa,
I think the pregnancy book, baby book, journals and scrapbooking ideas will all come together. And you are right, the ones that I have seen are not cute or bright but rather dark and not as uplifting as what I am wanting. I know, as you do, having an angel is not a happy or uplifting time, but I would really like something nice to put those memories in that is cute and uplifting.
Do you belong to any scrapbooking web sites? I did at one time. Lets put our ideas to paper and see what we can come up with. I think it would be very special to have the input and ideas from all those with angels to help create a part of this project.
I think this will become my goal for this year, to get these designed, made and available.
If you have any ideas (colors, design, images, text, samples, etc) you would like to share Please post or email me.
I have designed wedding books (hard bound, press printed books), birthday books, and think we can use the same tools to make these books. I am thinking of something like these http://www.millerslab.com/info/products/press/books/hardcover.aspx or the soft cover books. Once a design is made it cold be printed as fill in the blank type book or even customized for each order.

[mom2angelmichael]

:) i think its a geat idea. i am working on one right now, but its still a work in progress!! there needs to be an angel book out there for us!! we need to keep the memories alive weather it was stillbirth or missicage. we all grive for our child or children!! pages like the labor and the special days like the first christmas and birthday and the du date. i wrote a little page in my journal about what we did on michaels due date! NO THIS IS NOT A STUIPD IDEA!!! if u need any more comments, please feel free to email at, hdbrown31806@yahoo.com . i dont think i will ever finish mine, whenever i start to work on it, i just break down!! i am happy to hear that you thought of this!!!!!

[amburke2]

Christine,
I think this is a great idea. I didn't get a baby book because I assumed there would be none for my situation (we anticipated Timothy's death, so it seemed pointless to collect things for after-birth milestones). I have started a scrapbook using the NILMDTS pics, but I find acquiring supplies is frustrating because there is a lot of material based on what babies DO (drool, roll over, smile, poop, etc.) rather than how wonderful they ARE. I've found a few I can use that are adjective based, like "precious," or "adorable," because those describe Timothy (first tooth - not so much). I also got a photo album to hold all the prints we have of his pictures, and we were hard-pressed to find one that was cute and baby-ish (like Carissa said, if he lived longer, he would have a cute photo album!!) and yet appropriate for the situation.

So that long and drawn out rant says that I think this is a great idea, and there is clearly a place for it. You have my enthusiastic support.

[Christine Barrack]

Heather,
Your ideas are great for the pages. I know it is painful to work on these projects by yourself as I can't even retouch the images of my angel as I break down each time and it has been 13 years. If we all can take small steps and work on this together we can get through it and make something wonderful to remember our angels with, and in doing so help other families.
It wasn't my idea. Someone else shared how they preserve their memories in another thread. I have just taken it a step further in hopes to create something special.
I have made wedding books, baby books, adoption books, slideshows. Why not Angel Baby Books or scrapbooks?
If anyone would like to email me pages, suggestions, ideas my email is
chris_barrack@msn.com (it is an underscore and not a space in the email address).

[amburke2]

Oh, I'll answer your last question from our experience:

What we got from the hospital that could be saved in a book included Timothy's crib card, Recognition of Life certificate (apparently he didn't live long enough for a birth certificate...another thread altogether), the printout of his vitals from the fetal monitoring (not actually from his birth, but the time my Braxton-Hicks contractions were so close together we went to the hospital), the ID bracelet, and the card they put on the door to let the staff know our child died. Our hospital also gave us a "letter from heaven." All his other things are 3-dimensional and would not fit a book format (bath items, blanket, etc.).

[Christine Barrack]

Christine,
I think this is a great idea. I didn't get a baby book because I assumed there would be none for my situation (we anticipated Timothy's death, so it seemed pointless to collect things for after-birth milestones). I have started a scrapbook using the NILMDTS pics, but I find acquiring supplies is frustrating because there is a lot of material based on what babies DO (drool, roll over, smile, poop, etc.) rather than how wonderful they ARE. I've found a few I can use that are adjective based, like "precious," or "adorable," because those describe Timothy (first tooth - not so much). I also got a photo album to hold all the prints we have of his pictures, and we were hard-pressed to find one that was cute and baby-ish (like Carissa said, if he lived longer, he would have a cute photo album!!) and yet appropriate for the situation.

So that long and drawn out rant says that I think this is a great idea, and there is clearly a place for it. You have my enthusiastic support.

What information would you like to see in a book? And what do you think is appropriate for the situation?
I know I like angels, heavenly images like clouds or sun rays, but I also would like a book that is bright and cute. But not over cute. I have come a long way over the past 13 years. And so have my taste. At first I would not want something so cute. However, now I celebrate her life even though her earthly life was only while I was pregnant. Everyone will have a different opinion. But I need those to see where it takes this.

[Jayme]

Christine,
I love the idea! It was something I was thinking of doing but haven't had the time or energy. That's why I was so excited to find the pregnancy book.


I also would like a book that is bright and cute. But not over cute. I
I think you are right in saying cute but not too cute. The word that comes to my mind is gentle. There are those baby books that are filled with cartoons and really cute images and then there are those that are gentle and equally as beautiful. I think that is what we need. Heavenly images- yes. Also maybe some insprirational quotes that fit our situation. The footprint quote.
"So little, so loved"
A lifetime of love in a moment's time.
I also like the idea of using adjectives; things that describe how our children were not what they did.
Perhaps images of footprints and handprints. Maybe flowers.

I personally like the idea of having something to fill in. It helps me get it done while the memories are fresh but with less pressure because I don't have to come up with my own ideas. However, then there might need to be different versions. Someone who knows prior to birth will have different needs then someone who doesn't know until birth. Likewise, a baby who is still born will give different memories and experiences than a baby who lives, however short the time.

My son was stillborn and we still received quite a few mementos from the hospital. They still made him id bracelets. We have his "birth" card. I believe this would have gone in his crib. His tape measure with his length marked on it. The card that was on our door letting staff know. His footprints and handprints. It would also be nice to have a place to include ultrasound photos.

I apologize if this is disjointed- I am typing as I think. I think we are on to something great though! Thanks for your time and energy!!

[Estrella]

At the hospital I received a basket from another family....I was given a baby book called...."For hearts that had hopes and dreams" It is amazingly beautiful, and alot like what you are talking about doing, I think!

[Christine Barrack]

Estrella,
I will see if I can find that book. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Estrella]

here is a website I found.....

http://butterfly-crossing.com/index.htm

[Marcus Momma]

I had bought a baby book for Marcus and had it all filled out before he was born so I would just have to fill in all the details. Well I threw it at the wall when I got home I was so upset to even look at it because when u see these perfect pages filled with the first time he sat up or crawled or held his head up makes me so sad I never filled it out its still sitting there. I wish I jad a book that was like a journal but you also had the little details u fill out like first bday a place for pics if you do something special like carissa did and first times you do things for ur baby like I had the yard sale for him. But where u can actually write in your feelings for ur grieving child for the 1st year at least so u won't forget any feelings or memories u had of the precious babies.

[Christine Barrack]

Shawnna,
I understand your pain. There are times when so many things can trigger my emotions when it comes to my angel. I am sorry you haven't found anything yet to journal or complete with special items.
I hope your yard sale went well. I haven't checked that thread for a while and wasn't sure when it was or is. You have some wonderful ideas. Thank you for sharing with us. If you have more ideas for a journal/book/scrapbook pages please let me know.

[Estrella]

Shawnna, the book I mentioned has lots of room for Journaling and pics...check it out! Scrapbooking is a great idea, too.

[Joshua's Mom]

Christine,

This is such a great idea. I have not received my photos yet (expect them next week and I can't wait), so I have not started to put a baby book together yet. It is also still too raw...1 month today since my Angel grew wings.

This post started me looking for scrapbooking ideas. My friend has offered to help me put together a scrapbook, since she knows how hard it will be for me. She put one together for another mother in her church that had a sick infant that lived for one month. It was beautiful.

I found this website that has good ideas for scrapbooking pages and journaling prompts that I think would transfer well to your idea of creating an Angel Baby Book, fill in the blank or not.
http://www.pregnancylossribbons.com/scrapbookyourbaby.htm (http://www.pregnancylossribbons.com/scrapbookyourbaby.htm)

Additionally, this page has a link to "Heartspoken Vellum Quotes" for purchase ($4 each) that are perfect for the loss of a baby.

I am excited to see what you come up with.

[amburke2]

For images: I like the heavenly theme. Butterflies have strong symbolism for many families here. Animals and flowers could also be cute themes. Or quilts or blankets; I'm thinking something titled "wrapped in love" and pages are formatted sort of like a patchwork quilt, with boxes for different types of information. Pastel colors work well (light blue, pink, lavendar, pale yellow, light green), but I also like an option with brighter colors. I'm doing Timothy's scrapbook in primary colors, so most pages have elements of red, yellow, and blue. This might also work for those who miscarry and are not sure the sex of the baby, but want to remember their time with that child.

For words: I prefer adjectives that describe the baby, like precious, beautiful, perfect, etc. I also like relationship words, because no matter how long they live, these children are grandchildren, sons/daughters, cousins, brothers/sisters, etc.

I like the idea of a format that tracks the pregnancy with the child. We knew in advance of Timothy's condition, so we purposely did things while we had him with us. I also think it would work for children who die unexpectedly because you could compare back with the calendar and write down things you did while pregnant with that child.

I also like the idea of remembering anniversaries of the child birth, death, due date, etc. Perhaps pages for each month for the first year at least to note what you did to honor your child and his/her memory. This could be a whole separate book.

I hope this isn't too disjointed. I was thinking about it today while I was planting a rose bush for Timothy, and couldn't write my thoughts down right then! Thanks for letting me contribute.