A Place to Remember : Call 800-631-0973 for a catalog or check out their website
http://www.APlaceToRemember.com   They offer uplifting support materials and resources for those who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or the death of a baby
Memory Album:  My sister-in-law Ellen gave me a Creative Memories album for Christmas.  She knew that I had wanted to preserve my precious memories of Phillip.  I haven't been able to actually create the album yet.  When I am emotionally ready I plan on putting in : positive pregnancy test,  ultrasound pictures, , baby shower pictures, pictures of the finished nursery,pictures of me at various stages in my pregnancy, the precious pictures that we took with, and of Phillip. A copy of his footprints and his hospital bracelet.  If you are interested in purchasing an album, email Lisa.  I am sure she can help you plan and create your own memories.

Donations:  Before our friends and family were aware that we had requested in lieu of flowers that they make donations to the hospital support group, we received a few creative donations from friends.  Donations to The March of Dimes, St. Vincent's Orphanage Home, and Gideon Memorial Bibles  were given donations in Phillip's name.  We were touched by these gestures.  Over 20 of our friends and family made donations to the Lending Library.  We plan on making a donation on Phillip's Birthday every year. 

A Star:  You can purchase and name a star, through the International International TARGET="_parent">Star Registry, in memory of your baby. 

Memorial Quilt & Memorial Recipe Book: Check out Operation Angel Project page to find out how you can participate in Memory of your baby.

Creating your own memories

We know we will never forget our precious little angels, yet we need something concrete
to remember them by.  The following is a list of things that women have done to
remember their babies:

A Silver Cup : Perhaps you had already bought one, or in my case, I was given one for
my baby shower.  I decided to have my son's name & birthday engraved, just like I would
have had he lived.  This sits on a shelf in the nursery.  Hopefully (God willing)  we will
someday have a couple more cups to add to the shelf. 

Christmas Stocking:  Buying a special stocking in honor of your baby.  Many couples
choose to have the stocking personalized with their babies name.  You can hang it with the
other members of your families stockings, or find another special place for it.

Christmas Ornament:  I was given a beautiful snow-baby angel on a swing from my
friend Aline.  We also bought ceramic booties and had our son's name & birthday painted
on them.  These ornaments will always be my first to put on the tree every year.

Snow Baby :  Aline also gave me a precious snow-baby angel holding a single candle
figurine.  I keep it out year round. 

Plant a Tree:  If you didn't think of it when your baby was born.  It's never too late.  I
plan on planting one on Mother's Day.  That will be about 6 month's after my son's birth
& death.  One Mom told me she plants one every year on her daughter's birthday.
Plant a tree as a living memorial to honor your child.

Birthday : Buy a gift, an age appropriate gift on your child's birthday.  Donate it to a
child in need who is the same age as your child would have been.  Laura plans on
releasing balloons into the air on her child's birthday.  Some families buy a birthday
cake and have a very private celebration.


Memorial Web Page:  Many Internet companies offer free web sites.  It's a creative way
for you to express the love you had and will always have for your baby.  Sharing  this site
with your friends and family will bring you all closer together.

Birth Announcement:  This is a sample of what on family mailed to their friends and
family to honor .

Foot Prints:  I was given a clay kit to mold the babies hand & foot prints for a shower
gift.  While I was recovering in the hospital, my husband Glenn molded Phillip's hand and
foot prints.  I wish I would of had the courage & strength to help him that day.  We now
cherish that little clay mold. (This will always be my shower gift of choice.)

A lock of Hair : You may do it yourself,or ask the hospital of funeral staff to clip one for
you.  

Baby Book:   One way that some couples have magnified the precious side of the memory of their baby was to make a baby book.  A Company called Creative Memories has books in various sizes and colors to suit your needs.  These books are all acid free, and will preserve your memories for life.  For more information contact email Lisa.  The folloing is a list of some things to consider including in your baby's book.

* Your positive pregnancy test
* Pictures of you at various stages of your pregnancy
* Pictures of your shower including the invitation
* The picture taken in  the hospital nursery and any other pictures that you have.
* a lock of hair
* A set of footprints
* A birth certificate
* The baby's arm bracelet given for identification in the nursery.
* A small scrap of paper from the final monitoring showing racing of the child's heart rate.
* A record of the weight, length, head, and chest measurements of your baby.
*A piece of the baby blanket your baby was wrapped in.
*The cap your baby wore in the hospital.
* The baby's death certificate
* cards and letters written to your family concerning the baby.
* Dried flower from bouquets given to you, or from the funeral.
* A copy of an announcement sent out to family and friends of the baby's birth and death
* The doctor's explanation of why the baby died.
* Scripture verses that helped you during your suffering.
* Poems you wrote or that others gave about your baby
Survivors always feel the pain of their loss, but it seems to intensify as the holiday season approaches.  The following are a few suggestions for the Thanksgiving feast, Yuletide or the New Year.  Most of these suggestions are adaptable for any one of the holidays or throughout the entire season.  The thought you put into it will reap you many benefits in the days ahead.

1. The living Christmas tree can be planted in the yard after the holidays season.  Planting new life to commemorate the meaning of the love in your life can be shared with family and
friends who may also be invited for refreshments or a meal after the planting ceremony.

2. Making a toast to honor your loved one.  Create a special toast to your loved one using your favorite beverage.

3. Purchase or make a memorial candle whick will be lit each morning or evening and extinguished only before bedtime throughout the holiday season.

4. Place a single flower on the table in honor of the "presence" of your loved one.

5. Observe a moment of silence or prayer before the meal or at another time you deem appropriate.

6. Spend some time together as a family with the family album.  Make it a special celebration when the past is discussed, reviewed and re-lived.

7. Reserve some time to tell a favorite story at the table about your loved one.  This could accompany the special toast to your memories.

8. Buy a Christmas present for your loved one, in the form of a gift for the home which will have a special place or take on a special meaning for holidays to come.
Building Precious Memories

During the thick of your grief you may be saying, "This is one experience I want to erase from my memory".  It is normal to want to remove the pain and hurt and suffering you are feeling right now.  But you will never forget the special son or daughter that was born to you.  He or she will always be very real and important part of your memory.

A locket: There are many beautiful lockets which you can purchase for a picture of your child. Choose something very special which you can engrave a message to your child on, such as "You are always in our hearts 11-28-99"

A Ring: Purchase with your child's birthstone. It is a wonderful and eloquent way to remember them.

Memory Box: Keep a memory box with your child's items in it. Such items might include a blanket from the hospital, booties, your baby album, stuffed animals, medical records from your birth, sympathy cards from friends and family, and any other memorial items you may have.
Memorial Quilt & Memorial Recipe Book: Check out Operation Angel Project page to find out how you can participate in Memory of your baby.
A Star:  You can purchase and name a star, through the International International TARGET="_parent">Star Registry, in memory of your baby. 

Memory Album:  My sister-in-law Ellen gave me a Creative Memories album for Christmas.  She knew that I had wanted to preserve my precious memories of Phillip.  I haven't been able to actually create the album yet.  When I am emotionally ready I plan on putting in : positive pregnancy test,  ultrasound pictures, , baby shower pictures, pictures of the finished nursery,pictures of me at various stages in my pregnancy, the precious pictures that we took with, and of Phillip. A copy of his footprints and his hospital bracelet.  If you are interested in purchasing an album, email Lisa.  I am sure she can help you plan and create your own memories.

Donations:  Before our friends and family were aware that we had requested in lieu of flowers that they make donations to the hospital support group, we received a few creative donations from friends.  Donations to The March of Dimes, St. Vincent's Orphanage Home, and Gideon Memorial Bibles  were given donations in Phillip's name.  We were touched by these gestures.  Over 20 of our friends and family made donations to the Lending Library.  We plan on making a donation on Phillip's Birthday every year. 

A Place to Remember : Call 800-631-0973 for a catalog or check out their website
http://www.APlaceToRemember.com   They offer uplifting support materials and resources for those who have been touched by a crisis in pregnancy or the death of a baby