I have debated for over a year when and how to share such a heavy thing with my blog readers. Its been almost a year and I think I am finally ready. On July 13, 2007 my life changed forever. My daughter, Kyleigh Morgan, as many of you may already know, was born with VACTERLS Association. With a congenital heart defect, Imperforate anus, GERD, Tracheal Bronchus (pig lungs), and a tethered spinal cord, combined with many feeding issues that require her to still be fed by a feeding tube… this has been a strenuous year to say the least. Yet nothing I have done this year can compare to what my dear friend Blair Blanks has been through. You see… Blair and I were pregnant together. We talked through our pregnancies, we were even due on the same day. We joked about them being “betrothed” and marrying each other someday and how we as photographers would pester them all their lives. We scheduled up our c-sections .. me on July 13 and she on July14. My baby girl was Kyleigh and she was having a baby boy… James. I just know that James and Kyleigh have and always will share a special bond. Unfortunately Kyleigh will never even get to meet James. On July 14, 2007 James was stillborn. He had a terrible umbilical cord accident which cut his life short before it ever began. He was perfect in every way. I can’t help but think that he has been watching out for Kyleigh and I know he still does. All the things that we have been through this year can never begin to tap into the tiniest part of what James’ family lives with every single day.

James Birth Story and Photos

His amazing mommy, and my friend Blair has now been featured in various publications and on TV. She is a voice for those babies who cannot speak for themselves. She tells everyone she encounters about kick counting and how it can help prevent stillbirth. I feel like it is time to do my part. PLEASE visit James’ website and read the information and most of all:

PASS THIS ALONG TO EVERY PREGNANT WOMAN YOU KNOW! This is not meant to scare anyone… it is meant to prevent this horrible thing from happening to anyone else!!!

Kicks Count!!!!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 at 9:28 pm and is filed under Recent Photography .