The Locket in Utah (a post five months late)

I was very excited to get the locket. My February mamas hold a special place in my heart. They supported me through the "normal" pregnancy stuff, but became my rocks when I lost my babies at 26 weeks. They were the first people I told (after my husband) when I found out I was pregnant with my sweet Owen. Their excitement calmed my anxieties and allowed me to enjoy my pregnancy more than I thought possible. They also lent valuable experience and advice as I approached Owen's birth and in the days/weeks/months following. They've been there for me through everything. 

We had a special set of circumstances leading up to Owen's birth. Owen had a high probability of having retinoblastoma, so we looked into the possibility of having him a few weeks early. When we decided to have Owen at 37 weeks, the mamas bent over backwards to make sure I'd have the necklace in time. When we found that Owen's lungs weren't ready, they insisted I keep the necklace for a few more weeks so I could have it when he was born.

The locket saw me through Owen's birth and the first few weeks of his life. It was a tangible way for me to have all of my February mamas by my side. I didn't realize before I experienced pregnancy, the loss of my twins, and the birth of Owen how important it is to have a network of supportive friends. I believe strongly that it was divine intervention that led me to the February mamas. Now that I'm a mother to a (living) child, I need them more than ever. I hope the locket brings this sense of love and support to the other mamas as it makes its way around.

And the Bugs Keep Coming!

I was so excited to get the Love Bug Necklace after our newest baby to the group, O., had it. I asked Kimberly to please take a picture of him wearing it so it would be like I got hugs from both of them.

When I got the necklace, I took a photo of my newest baby, who is only 5 weeks old, with it. I got to thinking about all the new babies the group has had the pleasure of adding into our Feb family and how full the necklace would be if we kept filling it with birthstones. We always joke that our group will be perma-pregnant from now on and it's exciting to see our Feb family growing.

Since the last "Feb" baby was born in March 2012, we've added five new "bugs" (including my newest son) who span the months of March, April, and May of 2013. This would add two more birthstones into the tiny locket, diamonds and emeralds. There are plenty more moms who are expecting even more little bugs in the upcoming year. I'm sure we will hit all twelve months soon and while it would be fun, it would also be impractical to keep stuffing our tiny locket with more gemstones.
As I looked at the locket with my first "Feb" baby, I realized it was bursting already with charms representing our babies and the love we share for them and one another.

The support I received for my second baby was just as valuable as the support the group gave me a year ago as a first time mom. I realized that unlike the locket that can only be filled to a maximum with specific hand picked charms, the love and support from our group cannot be capped. I am so excited and blessed to go through my journey through motherhood with the support from my favorite moms.

Me & My Big "Feb" Baby

My Newest "Bug" 

XOXO
Amanda M.
Virginia