Today I am 35 years old.

I had my 30th birthday the year I was pregnant with Kenley. Shane bought me a gorgeous diamond ring that year, and it was from him, Landon and Kenley. We went to dinner, had an amazing evening together as a family and I remember feeling so much love that evening.

Two and a half months later, our world shattered around us and we were forever changed.

This year has been insane to say the least. I didn’t have the time or mental capacity to create Kenley’s Care Packages again, so I contacted the Hospital. They said they needed a new digital camera and photo printer.

Bingo.

Nikon CoolPix 950 runs about $700ish, and the Canon SELPHY photo printer runs about $130ish. We’ve created a go fund me for donations to purchase these items in honor of Kenley this year.

We were blindsided when Kenley died. Zero warning. We were in shock, and grieving the loss of our perfectly healthy baby girl. I told everyone I didn’t want them taking pictures of her. I couldn’t stand the thought. Thankfully Shane, being the amazing human he is, took some. I also had a few snapped on my phone that I must have taken at some point, but I don’t remember doing so.

But, it wasn’t until the next day that NILMDTS (now i lay me down to sleep) came in to take photos of us and her for free. We were given the edited photos a couple of days later. They didn’t look like the perfect girl I gave birth to who had only died less than 3 hours before I got to the hospital. They were all black and white. The photographer didn’t even save the original color images to give me the option to see them. So, I have about 20 black and white photos of us all together.

That’s all.

Forever.

Imagine not being able to take any more photos of your child. Or not being able to look back on color photos of your child. It’s just…it breaks my heart. So, we are hoping, by providing the Labor and Delivery unit at Mt.Carmel East with a high quality camera and printer, they can offer to take photos of the family and have them printed before they leave the hospital without their baby.

Today for my 35th birthday, I’m asking for your donations to Kenley’s Care packages once again.

Kenley’s 5th Birthday Fundraiser!