Somewhere over the Rainbow
December 14, 2011 at 11:22 am | Posted in Grief, Love, silver lining, twins | 11 CommentsTags: hope, infertility, Jake, new not so normal, rainbows, Sawyer
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. – Dolly Parton
A “rainbow baby” is a baby born following the death of your child. Urban Dictionary defines a rainbow baby as the following:
“In the real world, a beautiful and bright rainbow follows a storm and gives hope of things getting better. The rainbow is more appreciated having just experienced the storm in comparison.
The storm (pregnancy/child loss) has already happened and nothing can change that experience. Storm clouds might still be overhead as the family continues to cope with the loss, but something colorful and bright has emerged from the darkness and misery.”
After Jake died Evan and I both knew that we wanted to try to become parents again. I mistakenly thought that after your child dies you should get some sort of “get a baby free pass”. There was no pass for us. When we did start trying again we found ourselves on the roller coaster of infertility. We started with cycles of injectables. We moved onto 6 rounds of IUI’s (think turkey baster if you are not familiar with this term). Finally after 2 IVF cycles we were so very lucky to have our own rainbow babies in July of 2007.
In the fall of 2009 we once again had a rainbow baby.
Who knew another storm would come so soon? I am trying to learn from the twins how to look for rainbows everywhere. Some days it is harder than others to find any light through the darkness. The twins are pretty good teachers because the other day I looked out of the office building where I was working and this is what I saw. . .
After a hurricane comes a rainbow – Katy Perry
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A Mourning Mom 
This is one of the best descriptions I’ve read. And while I’ve read the term before, a better description helps me as we are contemplating the possibility of our own unplanned rainbows.
Does a baby born simultaneously with the lost baby count as a rainbow?
Comment by Wiley— December 15, 2011 #
Yes – the more I think about it I think all babies are rainbow babies.
Comment by amourningmom— December 15, 2011 #
I love the term rainbow babies. I can’t imagine going through IVF after loss, we went through it to have the triplets and it was so emotionally exhausting. And for you to suffer another loss afterwards is just unthinkable.
Comment by Jessica— December 15, 2011 #
This photo is breathtaking.
Comment by dilovely— December 15, 2011 #
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. – Dolly Parton
I love the quote but am still puzzled as to why life at times is so, so, sad.
Linda
Comment by The Good Cook— December 15, 2011 #
That’s a beautiful term for your beautiful twin rainbows! I love the way you are able to look at the world, Lanie.
Comment by Daphne— December 15, 2011 #
I am so glad you are looking for rainbows. I hope Fletcher and Alyssa keep finding them for you. Here’s to more rainbows, less darkness, more light. To you my dear. – Love, Amy
Comment by Amy Johnson— December 15, 2011 #
Two rainbow babies… Two rainbows!! yeah for rainbows.
Comment by SusanFB— December 16, 2011 #
I love how I always learn something from your posts!
Comment by Eden— December 19, 2011 #
You and your family are inspiring! You have always seen the positive in the world and people around you. Sending you hugs and praying for you.
Comment by Kristen— December 20, 2011 #
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