Savannah Katherine Richards

Savannah Katherine Richards
Born sleeping 27th March, 2008
at 40weeks 2 days

Our beloved, much longed for daughter was born sleeping due to a knot in the umbilical cord.

Savannah, we were so thrilled when we found out we were going to be your Mummy and Daddy. From the
first time we saw you on your first scan, at seven weeks, you were our little baby, and we started
making plans for the wonderful future we'd all have together.

When we sent a copy of the scan to your grandparents, we said you looked like a little jelly bean.
That soon became your nickname, especially from your granddad, who would say "Take care of
Jelly Bean" when we'd say goodbye on the phone.

At your 12 week scan, you were waving your tiny little newly developed arms and legs. You were so
active, even then-our little acrobat. We were certain you were waving 'hello' to us. Your
Daddy leaned over to see you more closely on the screen, and said " Wow...that's a child
!!" From then on, he called you 'Little One'. We were both amazed at how perfect you
were, so tiny and perfectly formed, and already quite busy in your little 'swimming pool'
world!

We started collecting little things we thought you'd like to play with one day, and little
clothes, for a boy or a girl, as we weren't sure what you were going to be yet. Your Daddy
bought you some lovely toys and games for when you were older-we'll always cherish them, as
they were bought with so much love, especially for you.

At your 20 week scan, we were surprised by how much you'd grown. We couldn't resist asking
if you were a boy or a girl, and that's when we found out you were going to be our little
daughter. The sonographer commented "She's a happy little soul", because you really
did look happy (if that's possible to actually see on a scan, we think it is !) and were,
again, busy and active. We were practically walking on air after that scan, it was such a happy day.
Suddenly your nursery began to turn very pink!! Humphrey's Corner dresses and softies
everywhere! We had so much fun planning for you, and dreaming about your future-all the Christmases,
birthdays, Easter's, a lifetime of fun for all of us, and especially for you, our sweet girl.

I read and sang and talked to you alot, but not nearly as much as I now wish I had. I thought
you'd have a whole childhood of being read to, sung to, and cuddled... and a lifetime of
hearing your Mummy's and Daddy's voices (and of us hearing yours).

Soon it was time for antenatal classes, and your Daddy took lots of notes about all the things
we'd need to learn about giving birth, taking care of you, etc. He kept them all in a little
notebook which we'll always treasure.

There were times when I didn't feel you kicking as much as before, and, being a nervous first
time mum, I'd go straight to the hospital to have you checked out. At that point, you'd
usually wake up from your nap, and start kicking and moving as soon as I was hooked up to the CTG
machine. You must have known your Mummy needed reassuring... it was as if you were saying "Here
I am, Mum, I'm fine!". Your heart rate was always perfect.

Eventually, after a long winter (spent modelling maternity clothes in front of the Christmas tree,
reading parenting magazines, feeling all those lovely kicks, and watching 'our' bump
expanding more and more each day) it was early spring, and you were nearly ready to be born.

You were doing so well, sweet baby girl. All those lovely kicks, my bump changing shape-you kept
your daddy and me entertained for hours with those lovely kicks and movements. We felt so close to
you, as if we knew you already (and we did, and you knew us, through our voices, and the love we
had, and will always and forever have, for you).

Savannah, the 26th of March was the saddest day of your Daddy's and my life. When I woke up
that morning, I wasn't feeling those lovely kicks anymore. I'd just felt them before going
to bed.

We went straight to the hospital to have you checked out, but there was no reassurance this time...
you weren't taking a nap. We were taken to a scan room, and, on the same type of scanner
we'd seen you moving on as you grew throughout your life in Mummy's tum, we heard the
unbelievable words that confirmed our worst fears...your strong little heartbeat had gone.

The next day, on March 27th, a few days after Easter, and only two days past your due date, you were
born. It was then that the midwife saw there was a knot in your umbilical cord, the same cord that
had nurtured and given you life through the last nine months. We'll never understand how
things could have gone so hopelessly wrong when you were doing so well, and were just getting ready
to be born.

You were the most beautiful little girl in the world to us. Your Daddy and I took turns holding
you. Your Daddy even cut the cord. He held you and talked to you. He was (and will always be) so, so
proud of you, his 'Little One'. He chose your beautiful name, Savannah.

We got to spend all that day, that night, and part of the next day with you, a time we'll
always cherish. The midwife (who was lovely) took your hand and foot prints, trimmed locks of your
hair (the same colour as your Daddy's), and helped us bathe you. She gave us a little memory
book all about your birth, and took photos of you for us. We dressed you in a pink and white baby
gown which was supposed to be your 'coming home' outfit.

When I was discharged from the hospital, we had to tell you goodbye.
It was the hardest thing your Daddy and I have ever had to do, baby, but we had no choice. We know
your spirit is with us, here in this house, your home for nine wonderful months (it will always be
your home) and in our hearts. But saying goodbye to the other part of you, your perfect, beautiful
little body, your exquisite hands, your long fingers shaped like your Daddy's, your little feet
that I knew so well after feeling them kick for so many months (but only got to look at for a day
and a half) is a pain that will never leave us.

I wish I could have held you longer than I did, my sweet Savannah. I wanted to more than anything,
but you were so,so delicate. I'll hold you in my heart forever.

Your Daddy wrote this in your book of Remembrance:

"To our beautiful little girl, with all the love in the world from a very proud Mummy and
Daddy. We'll love you forever. "

And we will.

Love, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Mummy and Daddy