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Baby & Family, Coffee with Cathy, Winter

A Way to Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas

A Way To Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas / A Hosting Home Blog

Remembering Layne This Christmas

Christmas comes just 8 months after our sweet Layne passed away. And to be 100% transparent, I have been struggling with the holidays this year. As I looked forward to all the festivities and plans, I really didn’t know how I was going to get through them. I have good days and bad days. However, I think my feelings can ultimately be summed up as: a feeling of disappointment and feeling like there is something big missing. Naturally, there were so many things we were excited for and looking forward to this Christmas with Layne. To not have him here (and to have the constant reminder that he isn’t), it’s just been hard.

Let me be clear, I don’t think I’ve ever felt angry or upset with God about what happened with Layne. My tears and feelings don’t reflect a lack of faith. I actually feel like my faith is now stronger than it has ever been. But rather, I consider my grief to be my flesh’s natural response to brokenness in a broken world. I love that Nancy Guthrie says, “Tears are a gift from God that help to wash away the deep pain of loss.” If you’re the loved one of someone walking through grief this holiday season, I invite you to read this article I found by Nancy Guthrie about ‘What Grieving People Wish You Knew at Christmas.’ 

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 07 – Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

I know where Layne is, and I know he’s okay. In reality, he’s doing better than the rest of us. For that, I praise God for – because of His son, I have the hope and confidence that I’ll get to see mine again one day. Quite frankly, I’m even a bit jealous that He gets to go to Jesus’s birthday party. But when you endure the loss of a child, one of your worst fears is that they will be forgotten.

One of the hardest parts of going into the holiday season was just the fact that he wasn’t going to be here to be a part of them. I so desperately wanted to include him in the festivities like every mom gets to do with their baby, but I didn’t know how. One of my friends gave me the idea that I should come up with a tradition that I could realistically do to include Layne in the holidays each year. Thankfully, I had Rob and I’s family to help me — and this year we’ve started some new traditions to remember Layne during the holidays.

A Way To Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas / A Hosting Home Blog

A Way to Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas

If you know me, the holidays are my jam. They always have been – especially Christmas. So I’ve been thinking of ways to realistic ways I could still include Layne in Christmas each year since I’m not able to do any of the normal ‘mom’ things. Thankfully, I had Rob and I’s family to help me — and this year we’ve started some new traditions to remember Layne during the holidays. I hope this also helps you also remember your angel baby (or lost loved one) this holiday season.

Christmas Ornaments

My Christmas decor is very much styled. Rob and I haven’t really collected ornaments like we may have grown up. However, it is something we wanted to start doing. Last year as we dreamed of this Christmas, I had decided that I wanted to start a kid / family Christmas tree where our children would pick out an ornament each year and decorate the tree. Along with that, we talked about so many other traditions we wanted to start this year. But not getting to start that this year was one of the most disappointing things.

At first, I didn’t think I’d be able to start that this year. I broke down countless times in stores like Hobby Lobby passing by the baby boy ornaments. However, I soon realized that it was something I needed to do. So while Layne isn’t physically here with us, Rob and I decided to buy a little 4 ft tree from Walmart and start the tradition this year – and I’m so glad now that I did.

When we went to Walmart to get the tree, the coolest little God-wink happened. As we were pacing through the store looking for an ornament for Layne’s first Christmas, this little ornament (below) was sitting out in the open on one of the shelves all by himself. We walked around forever to see where it came from so I could look at other options, but we couldn’t find them anywhere. I really believe it was like God placed him right there on purpose… like this little ornament would’ve been the ornament that Layne would have picked. And it was absolutely perfect!

Family Portraits

Another thing we did this year that I would like to continue are family portraits including Layne’s memory. Rob and I actually originally decided to cancel our own Christmas card pictures this year — we just couldn’t imagine taking a family photo and having such a huge part of us missing this year to remind us of the hard year we’ve had. Meanwhile,  while we visited Rob’s family over the Thanksgiving holiday, we took family pictures with Rob’s entire family. Everyone decided to wear a yellow bracelet in memory of Layne, and it was so sweet. It made it feel like he was included even though we were unable to have him there. I really hope to continue that each time we do family portraits now.

You can read more about the color yellow and what it means to our story by reading Layne’s birth story, HERE.

A Way To Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas / A Hosting Home Blog A Way To Remember Your Lost Baby This Christmas / A Hosting Home Blog

 

If you’re also walking into this holiday season with the grief of the loss of your child, I am so sorry. I’m SO sorry. I wish I could give you a huge hug and cry real and raw tears with you- because friend, I know your pain. It’s the kind of pain you wouldn’t even wish on your worst enemy. I know it’s hard to think about the holidays without your baby. The thought of doing anything this year to remember them may even be too much for you right now. That’s okay. But I hope this post, when you’re ready, helps you take that step to remember your angel this holiday season.

December 8, 2019

« DIY Snow Globes with Glass Jars
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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I Spring gardening is right around the corner, and I’m already starting to get ours prepped thanks to @walmart Lawn and Garden! #AD With a newborn and a toddler, running errands can be quite the task. But thanks to #WalmartLawnandGarden, I’ve been able to get everything I need to kickstart our garden this year in one place — from the convenience of snuggling my babies on my couch with Walmart.com and the app! The time it saved me from running all over town, I got to spend making core memories with John as we taught him how to start his very first set of seeds in the @jiffygroup seed starting tray. 

Here’s a look at what we got to kickstart our garden this year:
- The @jiffygroup Seed Starting Greenhouse Kit: to grow our own seedlings and get a head start on the season by starting them indoors! 
- The  @ferrymorseseed Seed Starting Heat Mat: to give our seeds the best chance possible to promote germination and improve transplant results 
- Ferry Morse Seeds (flowers, tomatoes, and peppers!) 
- @pennington Rejuvenate Potting Mix and Garden Soil: to give our seedlings the nutrients they need once transplanted into our garden 
- Pennington Rejuvenate Tomato Plant Food
- @scottslawn Landscaping Fabric: to keep our garden clean and free of pesky weeds
- The @flexonhose Flextreme Advanced 100ft Hose: to keep it all watered without fighting kinks as we move easily around our raised garden beds

Add this kit to your cart now ➡️ https://click2cart.com/59600bc

Get a jumpstart on your spring and summer garden this year by shopping everything you need at Walmart, in-store or online at Walmart.com. And stay tuned to see how our garden comes together and grows this year! 

#GrowYourGardenatWalmart #GreenThumbAndGardenVariety
Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or reall Tired of constantly charging your Dyson? (Or really, are you tired of forgetting to charge your Dyson?) Because I was. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Enter in: a DIY-er’s solution ➡️ stick a @dewalttough battery on that thing and vacuum for weeks on a single charge. 

But really, I’ve been using the same battery charge for a couple weeks now on vacuuming the downstairs of our house — and with two kids and two dogs, I do a quick vacuum every single day (sometimes multiple times a day!) The best part? Can rotate and charge with all our other Dewalt tool batteries. 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with links to shop or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/432TF

#ahostinghome #ltkhome #diy #diyhacks #diyhack #diyprojects #diyproject #amazonfinds #dyson #ltkfamily #ltkfind
Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this stu Wait for it… ✨ Still can’t get over this study transformation we finished right before baby got here! Officially my favorite room and project in the house right now. 😍 #ahostinghome 

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

Comment LINK 🔗 for a DM with a link to shop sources or shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/42XaB

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #whodatwithponderosa #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diylikeamother #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #ltkhome
James Kayleb Nugent January 20th, 2023 💛 James James Kayleb Nugent
January 20th, 2023 💛

James was born last Friday morning, and spent the first 5 days in the NICU for some breathing issues and fluid in his lungs. While those days were extremely rough, trying, and brought back a lot of emotions from Layne’s birth — God is so good, and my heart is just overwhelmed by His faithfulness. My favorite moment in life thus far was surprising John before bedtime the night we were finally discharged to come home. I’ll never forget the look on his face when I walked through that door. Thank you, Jesus, for my babies. 🦋💛 #ahostinghome
10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the 10/10 recommend just going for it and painting the entire room black. ✨ #ahostinghome

Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint (Marquee, Eggshell) from @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

Wallpaper : @wall.blush (See the full mural on the other wall on my stories saved to the ‘STUDY’ highlight bubble!) 

#diy #diyprojects #diyproject #diyhomeprojects #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomedecor #diybuilds #diybuild #diybuiltins #builtins #builtinshelves #bhghome #bhg #mybhg #bhglivebetter #hgtvmagazine #hgtvhome #diyideas #diyhome #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle
✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous respon ✨ STUDY REVEAL ✨ I got a lot of nervous responses when I said I wanted to design an all black formal study right off my entryway, but I’m completely obsessed with every detail of this space. Rob has always wanted a study, so my goal with this space when it’s finished is to have almost like a moody, swanky cigar lounge feel. When we moved into this house this spring, I told Rob I was done playing it “safe for resale” with designing projects. Here’s to more of doing whatever the heck I want design wise in 2023! 👏🏼✨ Next up: let’s get this space styled and furnished! #ahostinghome

// Paint Color: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in @behrpaint Marquee (satin on built ins, eggshell on walls) at @homedepot #swcolorlove #tricornblack #tricornblacksherwinwilliams 

// Wallpaper: @wall.blush 

// Light Fixture linked via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Yy4l #ltkhome 

#diy #diyproject #diyprojects #interiordesign #homedesign #builtins #diybuilds #diybuild #diyideas #diyhomeimprovement #diyhomeprojects #diyhomedecor #diylikeamother #diydesigntherapy #traditionalhome #traditionalhomemagazine #traditionalhomedecor #traditionalhomestyle #homerenovation #bhg #bhghome #mybhg #bhgcolor #bhglivebetter #bhgstylemaker
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“And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end. “And with that, the 2022 season comes to an end.” ✨🎄 When do you take your Christmas decor down? The Christmas decor got put away earlier this week, and the house always feels so empty every year when it gets taken down! I was going to wait till next week to take it down, but with only 3 weeks left until baby arrives I’m finding myself in total nesting mode right now. Behind the scenes we’ve been putting finishing touches on the study while Rob was off work for Christmas, so I’ll be sharing all the photos and updates on that to the feed soon. In the meantime, who wants to come organize closets and baby stuff with me?! 😜 #ahostinghome

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