Content (noun): In a state of peaceful happiness
After a seven year fertility journey of love and loss; we did it, we have gone full circle and we have our family.
James, Ellissa and I are overjoyed to introduce the newest member of our family: Jasper James R—— arrived on Friday 14th March 2025, at Barnet Hospital in London.
Not only did the date mark our 19 year anniversary as a couple, but our 5th baby was also born exactly 5 years and 5 days after sister Summer was born and died in the same hospital.
Although many have been quick to comment that our family is now “complete” (perhaps more of a nod to the common desire to have “one of each” gender) – it’s not something I would ever say myself. “Complete” somehow erases the past, eradicates the missing. It ignores that we had three losses, forgets the historical fact that we registered our daughter Summer’s birth and death on James birthday in 2020, and exactly five years later in 2025, we registered our son Jasper’s birth on the same date.
People may not always remember, but history will never forget these intentional ties. How Summer and I share a middle name – the same way Ellissa does with Summer’s. And how James, Summer and Jasper all share the importance of his birth; a family certified and linked for all time.
Our family is here and it is magnificent. It’s somewhere I never dreamed we would ever be, but complete is not the word. Perhaps content is. I have always strived for (and struggled with) quiet contentedness, but that is the definite goal now.
I am one of the luckiest unlucky ones. I know that and I hope to always know and always be grateful for it. As this blog documents so acutely, our losses mounted, but we somehow went on to have two beautiful, healthy children, five years later. So in all the hard times to come, I hope to always remember that and to cuddle and covet these children, that I never believed possible. They are here. And we made it. We made a family.
If you would like to receive email notifications of new blogs from this website, please sign-up here:
Beautiful, Anj. I love the links between you and James, and all of your babies. A magnificent family indeed ♥️
I’m so happy for you, I’ve read from afar throughout my ‘journey’ and am wishing you all the best.
Oh thank you so much, that’s so kind. Wishing you all the best, wherever you are on this rollercoaster ride of life xx