Analisse was born in March of 2018 and she was perfect. I knew her mother, Ashley, from my work as a photographer in Rochester, Minnesota, but beyond our time spent together during photo sessions, I didn’t really know her. Our past sessions included a beautiful family session with her son Parks and her husband and a breastfeeding session. When her daughter, Annalise was born too early, as a mother, my heart broke for all of them.
Analisse was born at only 20 weeks gestation. She was dearly loved during her hour here on Earth, before passing away in the arms of those who loved her. It should have been a joyful time, celebrating the birth of her first daughter, but instead, Ashley began the fight for her life.
After delivery, Ashley hemorrhaged and had to have emergency surgery to save her life. She required 3 blood transfusions and 7 liters of IV fluid. But none of the physical pain could compare to the emotional pain of grieving the loss of her much loved and much wanted daughter.
The pain of losing a child is something only those who have walked this awful path can understand. In my line of work, I have seen too many mothers with this sorrow etched on their hearts. Ashley wanted more than anything to have Annalise here on earth with her family but knew Annalise was watching down upon them all until they can one day meet and snuggle again.
Ashley struggled with postpartum anxiety amidst the immense grief following her delivery. She walked through many dark days. But after every storm comes a rainbow. A saying well-known in the pregnancy and infant loss communities, a rainbow baby is a baby born after a loss of a sibling.
I couldn’t believe it when Ashley told me she was expecting again. I was so happy for her, sharing her in her joy, but also recognizing that any pregnancy that follows a loss is filled with uncertainties and fears. Ashley would soon see a double rainbow after the storm of Analisse’s loss when she found out she was expecting twins. Baby girls Brynlee and Rylee were born just over a year after their sister’s loss in April 2019, a double blessing after an unimaginable loss. Brynlee and Rylee can never take their sister’s place. But their rainbow light shines in their mothers heart and symbolizes just how far Ashley has come.
After Brynlee and Rylee were born, I was honored to be able to capture some of their first photos. It is always astonishing being able to hold new life, but it was such a moving experience to work with these rainbow babies. We were even able to find a way to have all of Ashley’s children together in one picture, a priceless gift. At the end of our time together, I began to see the beginning of a new season for Ashley. I saw that even though she had seen dark days, the beauty and strength of her motherhood could get her through anything. Ashley says “This photo will forever be my favorite and I have had tears in my eyes multiple times!!!”
Copyright Image by Catharine Bliss of Bliss Photography www.blissphotographymn.com
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Bliss photography Rochester MN Rainbow babies
