Happy 2nd birthday in the stars Danann Atlas. So proud of you. We will celebrate your life today; if anyone would like to join us, treat yourself to a bar of chocolate or call a friend or swim in the sea... do something that brings you joy, because that's what Danann always did x
For Baby Loss Awareness Week, I am sharing a poem I wrote for my son Danann, based on this photograph that was taken on a golden afternoon in our last weeks together. If I could go back, I would. Love always.
#BabyLossAwarenessWeek
#saytheirname
#pregnancyloss
Another milestone today: Danann's headstone went up. No parent should ever have to pick a headstone for their little one, but I hope we have done him proud and that it will remind anyone who visits him to cherish their one wild and precious life
#pregnancyloss
#saytheirname
Welcome to the world Caoilte Daniel Riordan. Our own Olympic gold medal. Eternal thanks to all at CUMH
@IrelandSouthWID
for the care & kindness on our journey over the last 5 years and for always holding hope for us. "What survives of us is love."
Happy 4th birthday to Danann Atlas, our small boy in the stars. Thinking of our precious time together and what we would give to hold you again. "What survives of us is love."
A moment we don't take for granted. Thinking of all the precious babies who didn't make it home the way their parents hoped, as we carry Fallon in our arms and Danann in our hearts, with gratitude to all at CUMH
@IrelandSouthWID
#pregnancyafterloss
#rainbowbaby
#saytheirname
Remembering our sweet Danann Atlas on Baby Loss Awareness Day. He should be turning 2 next week. Some days, he feels so far away. I try to remember the weight of him in my arms. I wish I could have held him forever. Some day I hope I will again x
Why a little bit of our hearts will always beat in CUMH. This year, the annual remembrance service will be online, but families can email a tribute to their baby to be included on their memory tree. Just got this photo of the message I emailed in for Danann
#CUMHRemembers
39 today + first wedding in 3 years= dress up. It's been another year of loss, but head, heart and hopes high for the next 12 months. It's one wild and precious life x
A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to share Danann's story as part of Brian Dowling's podcast series on loss and grief. The episode is live today. I am so proud of my little boy and the impact he continues to have
First proper running event since 2019, when I was expecting Danann. Lots of emotions and felt v vulnerable putting myself on a start line again, but ran for my babies... and ran for me x
Three years ago today, our lives changed forever when a 20 week scan flagged serious issues with our baby boy, which soon led to a diagnosis of T18. We wish things were so different; but will always be so proud of Danann, his impact on the world and the privilege of loving him x
A photograph from the final weeks of my sixth pregnancy, taken by one of my best friends who captured the final weeks of my first pregnancy with Danann. It's been some journey over the last 5 years. Almost there x
In the new edition of
@IrishCountryMag
I have written about my missed miscarriage at 10 weeks in May. It's a fairly raw piece, but it is honest and I hope it might help other people and be a legacy for my angel baby x
This weekend, we celebrated our little boy's first birthday in the stars while also creating new memories as a soon to be family of four. Thank you Ciara O'Donnell for capturing these images
#pregnancyloss
#rainbowbaby
After Danann was diagnosed with T18, I bought this navy memory suitcase for him. I just got a matching one for Fallon. Two different journeys, but both packed with precious memories
#trisomyawareness
#pregnancyafterloss
#saytheirname
And that's a wrap on 2020-work wise anyway- as I finish for maternity leave. Thanks to all the lovely people who shared their stories with me over the last few months, it's been my privilege to write them x
Two years today since these photos with Danann were taken. Two years is no time at all; yet feels like a lifetime. But it was a golden time. Some days, he feels so far away from me. Some days, it feels like a dream. Every day, I wish he was here x
I had to finally change my phone at the weekend. Not a big deal for most; but it's the phone I had with Danann and little things like that remind you that when you lose a baby, you lose them over and over again. I did find this picture though, of my amazing boy
#babyloss
Grateful for my friend who invited me to swim today. I hadn't been since early September and missed it so much. This day 4 years ago, we held Danann for the last time. I spent so much time in the sea with him in his only summer on this earth. It held us then. It holds me now.
Parknasilla with Danann in 2019 and this weekend with Fallon. Lots of memories of our little boy in this beautiful place. Tomorrow it will be 3 years since that scan that changed our family forever. Wish you were here D x
On International Day of People with Disabilities. I would not change one thing about my arm; sure, I can tie my shoelaces with my teeth! With a new baby, I'm sure I'll meet a few new challenges, but we'll figure things out in our own way. Because there is always a way.
#idpwd
Two years ago today, on my 36th birthday, Danann was diagnosed with Edward's Syndrome. His short life taught me to always appreciate my one wild & precious life. Grateful for my two beautiful babies today. Life can be hard, but also wonderful. Here's to 38; and continued wonder x
I was really humbled to chair the panel discussion at the
@PregnancyLossIE
website launch this evening. At the worst time in our lives, we received the best care, and I will be forever grateful for that. Grateful also for the opportunity to share my babies' stories
#saytheirname
Carrying both my babies into 2021. Happy new year. Hold tough, better times are coming, I believe it. Til then, may we still find beauty in this place x
I'm always talking about the amazing people at CUMH
@IrelandSouthWID
: this arrived yesterday from Mags
@magscrow
, the wonderful midwife who looked after us after we lost Danann. So grateful for the special people that Danann brought into our lives x
First night back at running club in over 3 years. Prob my last of the firsts after Danann. A little bit emotional but very lovely to be welcomed back to something that was such a huge part of my life for so many years x
This is so beautiful and reminds me so much of the tender care we received at CUMH
@IrelandSouthWID
when Danann was diagnosed with T18 and passed away. I remember every kindness and will always hold those memories close
#pregnancyloss
#saytheirname
Today is
#trisomy18
awareness day. Google can tell you a lot about T18/Edwards Syndrome; but what it won't tell you is how special, how strong and how loved our babies are.
Snowdrops symbolise resilience and hope. Last year, my great former editor
@mlaveryifj
gifted me some snowdrops from her garden in memory of Danann. It's so special to see them popping up now and I know they will help me teach Fallon about her amazing big brother in time x
On International Midwife Day, thinking of the amazing midwives who looked after our little family at CUMH
@IrelandSouthWID
; especially the bereavement team who walked the road of life and loss with our precious Danann. I will never forget you all x
Had to attend CUMH today for a procedure I was absolutely dreading. Secretary had me laughing within 10 seconds. Doctor and nurses so kind and understanding. It went really well and I think that compassion was a big part of it. Credit due
@IrelandSouthWID
Thank you
@alittlelifetime
for including my poem for Danann in your beautiful 40th anniversary book. Such a gorgeous publication, and so full of love x
#BabyLossAwarenessWeek
Our last day out with Danann 3 years ago. We did a food tour and at a famous tea shop, the lovely shop keeper was recommending me teas for pregnancy. Obviously she did not know our situation and I went along with it, a little taste of normality. I even bought the tea.
In between the lockdowns, our friend Ciara took these photos of Fallon, capturing a new chapter in our lives as a family of four, with Danann included too with his little sister
#rainbowbaby
#pregnancyafterloss
Results back from Cervical Check in 2 weeks. All good, always such a relief. Nurse made it all very comfortable and quick; great, efficient service
@russellnoirin
"Is she your first?" Anytime I meet a stranger with Fallon, I'm asked this; and I'm completely incapable of just nodding my head! I have to talk about Danann, and how special he was/is.
Brought Fallon to Glentenassig today, where we created some of our most golden memories with Danann. He will be 18 months next week. It's hard to believe. We wish we had more than memories, but we will always find him in the most beautiful places
#pregnancyafterloss
10km done for SOFT Ireland this morning for
@VhiWMM
When I was running down the bypass, I was was naming all the special babies in my head. I looked up and there was a rainbow over Danann's resting place beside Tralee Bay. Thank you Danann x
Weekend in sunny Valencia with some solo travel (eek) and a much longed for catch up with a best friend was just what the doctor ordered (literally in my case!) Trying to prioritise self-care after pushing myself through the hard stuff for so, so long. Rest is revolutionary 💪
As we prepare to meet our second baby next week, our first little boy in the stars is with us in many special ways this week. This just arrived from a very talented reader who followed our journey. So lucky to be parents to a little man who has touched so many hearts x
Am always so grateful that in our darkest hour, we were referred to CUMH. Compassionate care informed by research and best practice means so much to families as they negotiate the unimaginable. The special people we met there are and will always be part of our family story x