These molds of both Luke's hands and feet were created for us after he was born. Luke was born at midnight so I think I finally submitted to much needed sleep, after both a very emotionally trying day and going through labor, around 3 am. At this point the nurses took Luke for a bit to create the molds and to stamp his hand and footprints.
These are the most treasured item in my home. When I decorated our entryway I decided to place the molds of Luke's feet there. I like that they are in a prominent place that both myself and others can see. I love to look at how long his feet are and imagine how he'll be tall and handsome just like his father.
I am so grateful for the Timpanogos hospital offering this service. I am grateful to the nurse who was on that night shift dedicating her time to sculpting our molds and tying perfect little blue bows on them. They were created with such care and even though this nurse wasn't actually caring for our baby she was serving and giving in a way that I will always be grateful for.
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This post was originally written March of 2012 when we were living in our home in Payson, Utah. The molds of Luke's feet have continued to find prominent places in our homes in Virginia and have yet to be unpacked in California. I am sure we will find a special place for them here too. For both moves to and from DC these were wrapped in bubble wrap and traveled not on the moving truck with the rest of our possessions, but with me. First, in our truck when we drove out to DC and then in my carry-on bag last week on our flight back.
I love that you shared this! My mom works at the University of Utah hospital in the Labor and Delivery unit, and this is one of her jobs. When they have a mom come onto the unit and deliver an angel, her job is to take the baby, wash them, make the hand and feet molds, take hand and foot prints, and dress and wrap the baby to give them back to their family. She says that when she does this, she always finds herself talking to the baby, and when she holds them she bounces around the way you do when you hold a newborn. I know the nurses/medical assistants (my mom is a CMA) treated your little Luke the same way.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my losses and her work, we've decided to start making dresses for the babies on the unit. We're using donated wedding dresses for the material, because they are white and made of beautiful fabric and represent love and family. We'll start with my wedding dresses. The smallest angel babies that are born on her unit are 16 weeks gestational age, so the dresses will range from that size to a size that can be worn by a term infant. We will make them so that they can be worn and have pictures taken in, but if the parents want we can then remove them and preserve them. We'll start at the U of U hospital, but we also have contacts at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo.
Again, thank you so much for sharing this! I feel like this post was very inspired!
What a beautiful service you and your mom are doing. Shopping for Luke's burial clothes made me think about other babies who are born earlier who would be too small for even newborn or premie sizes. So wonderful that you creating outfits for these sweet babies.
DeleteOh Shelley, I'm so glad you have these molds, too. What a wonderful service for the hospital to offer. I wonder if any hospitals do that here in MN. I'll find out.
ReplyDeleteAnd... can I just note how pretty your (old) entry way looks? That chest of drawers is painted beautifully.
Happy Easter to you and your darling family :)