Mallorie is different from every other mother and family I’ve photographed. I’ve never photographed a family that had experienced the loss of previous babies who lived and died in their mother’s arms.
I asked Mallorie to tell her family’s story and about her special mission
because I knew she could do it justice and tell the story the right way. So here are her words to accompany a beautiful family session:
Kayla was WONDERFUL with our family photos. I am a scrapbooker and I LOVE pictures… but I have dreaded getting family photos knowing they would never feel complete. Almost exactly 17 months ago my world was shattered when our sons died. Since then I have avoided having family photos done. But this year we were blessed with our miracle rainbow baby, Wyatt. I knew it was time to get family pictures done but I also wanted to incorporate Wyatt’s older brothers. Kayla was able to do just that. She was so respectful of all of our boys and the mixed emotions we’d been feeling about family pictures.
In February of 2017 I gave birth to two of the most perfect little boys. Perfect except they didn’t have enough time to develop fully; they were born just shy of twenty weeks gestation. But they had beating hearts and tiny fingers, toes, and eyelashes. We named them just hours before their birth: Simon and Morris. They spent their entire lives being held and loved.
The days and weeks and months that followed were full of grief. I had been preparing to have my hands full with two little ones but suddenly my arms were empty, my heart was broken, and my mind had turned into a dark place.
I remembered the hats and blankets that were given to my boys at the hospital. As soon as Simon was born a nurse brought in the tiniest hats I’d ever seen and asked which color we’d like. We dressed our sons in hats and wrap them in blankets just their size. We incorporated these hats in our family photo session. When we left the hospital instead of bringing my babies home we brought home a memory box. Inside were the only things that truly belonged to them – their hats and blankets. In an experience that I could have never prepared for someone else had. I wanted to pay that back. So, I started crocheting. It not only kept my hands occupied but my mind as well.
I’ve learned that many hospitals don’t have hats and blankets so small. I created Bundles for Babies and have enlisted the hands of many others to help fill this void. As we have grown we are in need of more helping hands. We are in short supply of blankets (12”x12”). They can be sewn, quilted, crochet, or knit – any material is acceptable. We also gladly take donations of supplies: yarn, fabric, ribbon. Cash donations are greatly appreciated to help with the cost of supplies and shipping as we donate to hospitals all over the US.
All donations can be mailed to 816 Teton Cir, Suffolk, VA 23435.
To find out more visit www.makebundlesforbabies.org or find us on Instagram at BundlesforBabies.
With love,
Mallorie Isom
(913) 219-5601
mallorie@makebundlesforbabies.org
Have a question? I’d love to hear it – Fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Peace & Love,
Kayla K
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