On July 4, 2007, Emily Sofia entered this world weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces. A beautiful bundle of baby girl. Our 5th child.
The photo above was taken the day we brought her home. We’re both in our “going-home” outfits. I could not get over just how beautiful she was.
She was a traveling baby. By the time she was 3 months old, she had been in 6 states. This is us enjoying a snack in South Dakota.
I’m a “baby-wearing” mama so Emily was never very far from my heart.
And then one day, my usually happy-go-lucky quiet baby girl, got fussy. For several days she just fussed off and on. Then, she started vomiting yellow. We took her to the ER. The next morning, she was whisked off to surgery. During the surgery, they discovered she had been born w/ a congenital defect called malrotation of her intestines. At some point, her intestines had twisted. They were black. 2 days later they went back in, resected 1/3 of her bowels, and we spent the next week in PICU. A terrible yeast infection in her blood stream kept us in the hospital for 3 weeks, but we brought her home on Christmas Eve to celebrate. She was fussy, but we were so happy to have her home!
But, 2 weeks later, we were back in the hospital. She was still throwing up yellow. 5 more cm of bowel were resected and in only 6 days we were home! But, Emmy was tiny. She weighed at 7 months what she had weighed at 7 weeks.
But, still she was beautiful. When fully clothed, no one could see how very tiny she was. We tried everything we could think of to help her gain weight, but the weight just would not come on her.
But, the doctors were not concerned because her hair looked good, her nails were growing, she was nursing well. And she was still beautiful.
And then one day, she was gone.
The child my husband had placed in my arms 7 months and 6 days earlier, I now had to place in a stranger’s arms. I had to walk away from her and begin a life that did not include caring for Emily.
So, the 4th of July approaches bittersweetly.
~In memory of Emily Sofia. Born 7/4/07 ~ Died 2/10/08 ~
Blessed_Mama_7 says
Praying for you, dear sister, as you go through this upcoming weekend. I can feel your heart through this post and your Emmy was a beautiful, precious angel. Your family is in our prayers!! Blessings,JAD’s Mama http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/brookwoodbeavers
Steven Jenkins says
That is a beautiful tribute to your beautiful little girl! Prayers for you as you travel this road the next few days bring. (((HUGS)))http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/deedeeuk
asplendidtime says
(crying) thank you for sharing. This was a very beautiful tribute. I am thinking of you and praying for you.Rebecca ~Mom to 8 5 boys 3 girls
Christine says
My heart just grieves for your loss. Emily was such a precious jewel. Praying for you!
Christina says
(((Amy))) I wish I had words to comfort you. I do not even know what to say, but I am so, so sorry for your loss and I think of you all the time. This is a beautiful tribute to your beautiful daughter!
Michele says
Thank you for sharing this; how beautiful. She’s such a loved & cherished baby, here, & now in her Father’s arms. Will keep you in prayer that the Lord sustain you though this difficult milestone…
Anonymous says
Amy,I’ll never forget you and Ty, when I met you in the hospital. Your sweet spirits, by the Lord’s grace were so evident. Love you, and praying for you,Jenny Keane
Anonymous says
I am praying for you and your family, Amy. I don’t even know what to say, but I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you!Praying..Crystal S
Lilyofthevalley says
((((hugs))))Simply beautiful… Thank you so much for allowing us to join you in remembering your dear Emily. Prayers are with you always.
Lilyofthevalley says
Amy and family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers today. ((((hugs)))Praying you can find comfort in the precious memeories of Emily.
Tosha Tanquary says
Amy, we have been praying for your family…With love, The Tanquary’s
The Culbertsons says
Just wanted to let you know that although I’ve never met you, I read your blog regularly and I lifted you up in prayer today. My heart aches with you as tomorrow comes. May you feel the Lord’s arms of comfort and rest in His goodness.
Anonymous says
Praying for you on this day. I have the grieving heart that you describe also and it’s only through prayers that I get through each day.
Denise says
Praying for you and your family today. Your beautiful tribute to Emily brought tears to my eyes.Denisehttp://www.homeschoolblogger.com/denisebp
Lesley says
(((Amy))) Thinking of you and praying for you and your family today as you remember your beautiful Emily. Your faith is a constant encouragement. Lesley
Tosha Tanquary says
Our church has been praying for your family… we will continue to do so… I hope you are feeling better and the little blessing growing beside your heart is doing well…. with love, The Tanquary’s
stillhotwithalot says
I am so sorry for your family. Your blog brings tears to my eyes. I cannot imagine the heartbreak you must feel
Jacque Dixon says
What a beautiful tribute. I do not know what to say, because I am still so sorry. All I can do it to be praying for you dear. Praying for all of you.Praise God for the beautiful memories of special moments with little Emmy. I love the picture of you nursing.In Him,Jacque
Anonymous says
Thought of you and prayed for you and your family yesterday. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute to your precious girl with all of us. May you feel Him closer than ever in this time. ~Elizabeth
Pearls and Diamonds says
I can’t believe it’s been a year since she was born…and yet only a year. What a beautiful tribute! Love you all!Abigail Joy
MandyMom.com says
Oh….. honey… this made me tear up and I ACHE inside because I cannot IMAGINE..I went to the funeral of my friend’s little girl who was about 11 months old. The little coffin… when I saw her, I saw her as if it was one of my own.. and I realized how fragile life is.Thank you for sharing this with us.
guinever says
I read this last month when you first posted and now I’m revisiting it this morning. I’m missing my Abby right now and wanted to come read your words about Emily.Have you seen Molly’s latest article?http://thepipers.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/loss-and-subsequent-pregnancy/
Amy @ Raising Arrows says
Wow! That was a shocker! Thanks for sending me there…great post and great news!
Laurie says
I came across your blog today when you referenced it’s “genuis” rating on another blog and I was curious.I don’t have words to really convey what is on my heart for you… I’ve been crying as I am skimming through your blogs. I lost my firstborn at birth so a lot of what you are sharing here hits close to home.I am just so thankful to hear that the Lord God himself carries you.
myra davidson says
I stumbled upon your blog while goggling homeschool curri ulums and read ‘Emily’s Story’. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you must have gone through – I just wanted to say I ‘m sorry for your precious loss and may God bless you and keep you.
Myra