the belly bowl

In the details.

When Kiersten came over to make the mold of my belly we discussed details of the bowl.

I gave her a leaf from a pothos from a flower arrangement from Austin’s grandpas funeral.

I gave her felt flowers I had made.

We talked about incorporating rainbows because Shelby would be our rainbow baby.

Kiersten had mentioned us making a playlist of music that was important to us and she would listen to it while she made it, to put that good energy into the bowl.

We loved that idea and Austin (king of the playlists) quickly made one for Kiersten to listen to.

Over the course of the next few months.

Kiersten would give me updates every so often on how the process was going.

I loved getting her messages on what was happening. It was exciting to not only be awaiting the arrival of baby Shelby but also the arrival of the belly bowl.

I was so thrilled with Kiersten told me it was finished. I couldn’t wait to see it.

She came to our apartment for the big reveal. Austin was off work so he was there to see it and my sister was there as well. Only fitting that Jenna was there for the mold and now got to witness the final product.

When Kiersten unwrapped it and started to describe each detail, my eyes welled up with tears.

She showed me my belly button indention that we had laughed about when we made the mold.

She described every flower, every detail that she had carefully incorporated into the bowl.

She pointed out that the scars from my ectopic were visible and that she etched little rainbows by each of them. This detail made my heart beam.

She even made little pendants with lyrics to a song that austin and I hold dear to us.

The care and love she put into these pieces is something I will forever be grateful for.

Looking at it now as I write this makes me tear up a bit. It reminds me of being pregnant with Shelby. And The journey to get there. The heartache I had experienced followed by such overwhelming joy.

The storm followed by the most beautiful rainbow.

Kiersten, from my whole heart, thank you for doing this for me. I will cherish this and you always. ❤️