When Jenn started telling me about this on the phone after I got the really sad news about Kay, I knew I wouldn’t remember the wonderful words she was telling me. I asked her to write me an email (how 21st century)so I could remember them always. Secretly, I also wanted to get a little of Jenn’s voice in this blog for posterity.
—————————- Original Message —————————-
Subject: I’m a kangaroo
From: “Jenn White Topliff”
Date: Sun, March 30, 2008 5:59 pm
To: “Brad Topliff”
————————————————————————–
Babe,
I think I might have just had the most amazing experience of my life…
I just went down to the NICU and spent an hour with our daughter -
skin to skin, heart to heart.
They let me “kangaroo” her.
I was sitting in a rocking chair next to her little “condo” and had a
hospital gown on, open in the front. Nurse Jenna lifted a cranky,
screaming, wailing version of Grace out of her little cocoon warmer
and gently laid her down on my chest – I supported her tiny little bum
with one hand and rubbed her back with the other. Her whole body, like
a little frog, was curled up on my chest, in between my breasts,
snuggled close and warm. The minute, the INSTANT, her body touched
mine, she fell asleep. Quiet and calm overcame her, and me, and I fell
madly in love with our little peanut again. I rocked in the chair and
rubbed her back for what seemed like an eternity, whispering to her
the whole time, reminding her of who she was, where she came from, and
how much she means to us. It was magical. It was heaven. It was the
closest I’ve felt to her, and you – even though you weren’t there with
the two of us.
The moment nurse Jenna plucked her off my chest she started to wail
again and my heart broke. Tiny little pieces of my heart are being
left all over this hospital… Its just a good thing that when Grace
was born I grew what seems to be a never-ending supply for our little
angel.
I love you. Thank you for this amaaazing gift.
Xoxo
Pamplemousse
Sent from my iPhone
hannemann
March 30, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Hey guys -
I am running out of kleenex.
Love you, Christie
erika givens
March 31, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Jenn & Brad,
I am so overwhelmed w emotion right now. You guys…. congratulations!!! What an incredible miracle. I just can’t believe what you’ve been through and how beautiful Grace is and how Gracefully you’ve handled things. You are so blessed : ) I can’t wait to see/meet ALL of the Topliff’s in person. I will have to pack a 2nd diaper bag full of kleenex, cuz I’m gonna need it.
PS. Nurse Michelle Rhein rocks! So lucky to be in such good hands : )
All of our love,
Erika, Chad, Luke & Reid
Anonymous
March 31, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Hi Brad. It’s been way too long since I have seen you or chatted with you. It’s Jan Duiven.
Mom has been keeping me posted on Grace and Jenn. I am so glad both are alive and well. I can’t imagine how stressful this has been for you guys.
Just wanted to let you know I’ve been thinking of you and reading your blog.
Hope we can reconnect again soon when you three are home and things are better.
Tons of love,
Jan
Kyla
March 31, 2008 at 10:37 pm
jenn – what a beautiful piece of writing. i am so thrilled for you & your family. grace is beautiful. keep up the kangaroo time – it continues to be precious even as they grow bigger & bigger. max now likes to lie with his cheek on my belly…so fantastic! we’re sending you all lots of love!
ky