We originally created this blog to keep family and friends updated about our little man Jacob, who was diagnosed in the summer of 2011 with a rare, life-limiting genetic disease called Niemann-Pick (type A/B). Jacob earned his angel wings on November 15, 2012, but remains our daily inspiration and constant reminder that we must live in the moment and fill each day with JOY, LAUGHTER and an abundance of LOVE.

Friday, December 7, 2012

A Little Joy in Our Lives

On Monday night, we welcomed our baby girl into this world. Meet Kelly Joy Brooks, our (not-so-little) 8 lb 14 oz and 21 3/4 inch long cutie. If you were wondering about how we came up with the name, Kelly is my maiden name and Joy...well, we wanted to somehow incorporate Jacob into the life of his new baby sister and being that December is the season of  'Joy' it seemed perfectly fitting. Although we are so heartbroken that Jake did not get the chance to meet his baby sister, we know that she will always have a very special angel watching over her.

Little miss Kelly Joy Brooks and her cute little footprints.
It has been an incredibly emotional past few weeks for our family, met with both excitement for the arrival of Kelly and extreme sadness over the passing of Jacob. We made sure that Jake was watching over us all during Kelly's birth, as we both wore our persevere wristbands and angel necklaces, which were given to us after Jake passed. The angels are carved from Jerusalem stone and have a matching piece that we each placed with Jacob. We kept the other pieces for ourselves so that we can always keep Jake close to our hearts.

Brooks Family

Amazing photo that Grandpa Paul took. If you notice, Josh is wearing his angel necklace.
As we're settling in at home and getting used to our new routine (hmmm...what routine is there really with a newborn!?!), we're reminded of Jake constantly. Every little thing Kelly does we are comparing to Jake and often find ourselves saying Jake's name in place of Kelly's. I actually had a pretty emotional time at the doctor's office this morning when I tried to check in for Kelly's first appointment and found myself checking in for Jacob. We have been to so many medical appointments for Jacob over the last two years and it's just going to take us time to adjust. I don't honestly know how you "adjust" to losing a child, but for now we're just taking things a day at a time, just like we did after receiving Jake's diagnosis. We want Kelly to know how very special Jacob was to us and we are going to use all the wonderful lessons Jacob taught us to make Kelly feel just as loved as her big brother.
On our first night home with Kelly we read her one of Jake's favorite books - On The Night You Were Born

7 comments:

  1. Sarah and Josh - you continue to be so incredibly strong and inspiring.

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  2. I'm sure you will see Jake in Kelly, as he will never be far away. So beautiful!

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  3. God bless you both and your beautiful little girl

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  4. She is a beauty for sure. I love how you incorporate Jake into her name and everything there after. She will forever have an extra special angel watching her!

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  5. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl!!! She is absolutely adorable. She will soon find out she has an amazing set if parents and I'm sure Jake will always be looking out for her as her guardian angel. Sending much love from our family to yours

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  6. What a sweet, beautiful girl! I just want to smootch those cheeks! As she grows, she will learn about her wise and brave big brother and she will know that he is there in the cocoon of love she will always be wrapped in. Sending much love as you begin this new part of your journey, Sarah and Josh. I hope you will continue to share!

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  7. Oh, congratulations! She is just gorgeous, and has the most beautiful head of hair! I wish you all the best!

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