• Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

STAY AWHILE

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Terms and Conditions + Privacy Policy
  • Press
  • Work With Us
    • Creatives + Brands
    • Interior Design + Decorating
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Baby & Family, Coffee with Cathy

Happy 2nd Birthday in Heaven, Baby Layne!

Happy 2nd Birthday in Heaven, Baby Layne!

Yeah, I know you’re in a better place
And one day I’ll see you again
But it’s killing me we can’t be face to face
I miss my best friend
So, tonight I’m gonna pull out pictures, ones with you in ’em
Laugh and cry a little while reminiscing
By myself
I can’t help
That all I think about is
How you were taken way too soon
It ain’t the same here without you
I gotta say, missing you comes in waves
And tonight I’m drowning
— Drowning by Chris Young

 

Dearest Layne,

I’ve survived another year. I’ve been hearing that Chris Young song “Drowning” on Pandora a lot lately. I won’t lie, it makes me bawl my eyes out every time I hear it come on. Because especially this time of year, that’s exactly how I feel. I feel like I’m drowning. When it comes on, your little brother sure looks at me confused. I just smile through the tears and tell him that it’s okay. I promise one day I’ll tell him all about you.

I can’t believe you’re already two years old. I still have vivid flashbacks to that day often. I thought they would fade over time, but I still vividly remember every second, every emotion, and every ounce of pain that week brought into my life. While I know you’re in a better place, I still find myself angry that you can’t be here. It’s something that I still have to seek Jesus about and surrender daily — trusting God’s heart when I still don’t understand His hand.

This year has been just as hard as last year. Because the struggle and weight of grief doesn’t end once you have a rainbow baby. In a way, I feel like it just made it all evolve into something even deeper. Not only do I miss you, but I also miss what our family should look like. The questions from strangers have shifted from “Do you have kids?” to “Is this your first baby?” To be honest, I still don’t really know how to respond to that one. I often just stare at them for a minute — because I so badly want them to know you too. Sometimes I wish people would stop asking questions like that. Other times I crave the thought of telling people about you. Because while life has moved on for everyone else around me, you existed. You were mine. And I never want you to be forgotten with the passing time.

Your little brother looks so much like you (an a lot chunkier version of you – HA!), and I see your face in his every time I look at him. I so badly wish you could be here to snuggle him with me. Every day I imagine what our family would be like if you were still here. I think about how excited you would have been to find out you were getting a little brother. I think about us all cuddled up in my bed watching cartoons or taking a nap together. I think about you running around and showing your little brother all your cool toys and tricks. You would have been the best big brother, I just know it. With how much you look alike, I often wonder if you two would’ve had the same personality. He’s got the cutest little open mouth grin — and your daddy’s sense of humor. I really think you’d love him as much as I do. My hope is that you are able to watch your little brother grow from heaven. I hope you’re proud of him — and I hope you’re proud of the mom I’m trying to be. But most importantly, I hope you know that no one could never replace you and what you mean to me. The love I have for you is unlike any other.

I saw my first yellow butterfly of the season the other day floating around the back yard, and I pray that I see many more of them this year. I really miss them during the fall and winter. While I know you’re not here, I feel a little closer to you when I see them. I hope when you see yellow butterflies in heaven, you also think of me.

Today may be your birthday, but I pray that you know it isn’t the only day I celebrate you or think of you. I thank God for you every day. I pray so often that Jesus would give you a hug and a kiss for me. I love and miss you so much, little man. More than I could possibly put into words. I’m so proud of you. Today I celebrate your 38 minutes of life here on earth and praise God for your eternal life in the place we all long to be. I can’t thank you enough for making me a momma. I can’t wait to see you again one day. Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet baby Layne.

Love always,

Mama

READ ALSO: Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

READ ALSO: A Letter to Layne on His Due Date

READ ALSO: Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Layne!

March 28, 2021

« Simple Spring Tablescape Inspiration
Baby’s First Easter Basket Ideas »

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • A Hosting Home Pups // Introducing Our New Pup Meet Willie!Introducing A Hosting Home’s Newest Pup, Willie!
  • 2019 Reflection and Looking Forward to 2020 / A Hosting Home Blog2019 Reflection & Looking Forward to 2020
  • Baby Boy Neutral Nursery Design Inspiration // A Hosting Home BlogBaby Nugent Nursery Design Inspiration
  • What We Learned Our First Year of Marriage ; Atlanta Married Lifestyle Blogger ; Charlotte Married Lifestyle BloggerWhat We Learned Our First Year of Marriage

Comments

  1. Aunt kathy says

    March 28, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    I understand how you feel. It’s ok to cry, AFTER 39 years I still do. I still wonder if she would be a red head like Annie or tall brunette like Dusty. She will always be in my heart. Big hugs to you and Rob.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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.

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

POPULAR POSTS

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Easter Keepsake Craft Ideas

April 2, 2021

How To Make a Design Board (for free!) / A Hosting Home Blog

How To Create a Design Board (for free!)

February 20, 2021

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper / A Hosting Home Blog

Using Rub n Buff to Update Antique Hardware

February 3, 2021

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper / A Hosting Home Blog

Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover with Wallpaper

January 24, 2021

DIY Salt Dough Keepsake Ornaments / A Hosting Home Blog

DIY Salt Dough Keepsake Ornaments

December 15, 2020


I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

•
•
•
•
•
#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
•
•
•
•
•
#farmhousefence #blackfence #fiverowfence #5rowfence #blackfarmhousefence #farmfence #modernfarmhouseexterior #modernfarmhousebuild #farmhouseexterior #farmhousebuild #houseexterior #homeexterior #whiteandblackhouse #blackandwhitehouse #blackandwhitehome #homedecor #homedesign #georgiahomes #exteriordesign #exteriorpainting #exteriorpaint
It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

CATEGORIES

 

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow A Hosting Home

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube