Hello, Goodbye

We welcomed and said goodbye to our sweet baby boy, Ellis Bates, born still last Sunday, May 20th just before midnight. I went to the hospital after noticing he wasn’t moving, and an ultrasound confirmed he did not have a heartbeat. Doctors performed a c-section because of his transverse position, but they were unable to tell what caused his heart to stop. Born at 31 weeks gestation, Ellis was 3 lbs 6 oz. He was beautiful.

I’m home from the hospital and healing well, but my heart is absolutely broken. I got to spend seven wonderful months with my boy in my belly, feeling him kick and hiccup, hiking up Enchanted Rock, and dancing at a David Byrne concert. I’m so grateful we got to hold him, kiss his sweet face, touch his soft skin, and marvel over his full head of hair. 

We named him Ellis, inspired by one of Hunter’s favorite musicians, Bo Diddley, whose given name was Ellas Otha Bates. Ellis also means “for life” and “light of God” which has a whole new meaning to us now. Even in the darkness of this tragedy we have seen the light of love through family, friends, hospital staff, and serendipitous moments. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us over the past week. Hunter and I haven’t had the capacity to respond to all the calls and messages, but we will need your continued support over the coming weeks and months.