This Mom Had A Touching Photoshoot Of Her Newborn Twins Who Didn’t Have Much Time Left
Lyndsay and Matthew Brentlinger from Toledo, Ohio, had been trying to have a baby for years, and their wish finally came true on December 17th 2016 when Lyndsay gave birth to twins William and Reagan.
Sadly however, William was born with various abnormalities and only the right side of his heart was functioning. At their 23rd week of pregnancy, the Brentlingers were told that their son would be a still-born, but he survived the birth and remained with his new family for 11 days before tragically passing away. “They were the happiest 11 days of my life,” said Matthew.
To make the most of their short time together, a friend of the family got in touch with Lindsey Brown, a professional photographer, who agreed to do a touching photoshoot of William and his twin sister just before Christmas. “Pictures are just memories,” said Brown. “I know how much people cherish them, so I was really glad I was able to do that for them.” And as you can see, while William is no longer with us, he’ll live on forever in these beautiful pictures with his parents and twin sister.
“I cried the first time I looked at them. I still cry sometimes,” said Lyndsay. “They are beautiful and he is beautiful. In some of them, you can see he is wide awake with his big beautiful eyes. It’s something we will definitely cherish.”
More info: Lindsey Brown Photography (h/t: 13abc, good.is)
Lyndsay and Matthew Brentlinger from Toledo, Ohio, had been trying to have a baby for years
Their wish finally came true on December 17th 2016 when Lyndsay gave birth to twins William and Reagan
Sadly however, William was born with various abnormalities, and only the right side of his heart was functioning
The Brentlingers were told that their son would be a still-born, but William survived the birth and remained with his new family for 11 days
“They were the happiest 11 days of my life,” said Matthew
To make the most of their short time together, a friend of the family contacted Lindsey Brown, a professional photographer, who agreed to do a touching photoshoot of William and his twin sister Reagan
“Pictures are just memories,” said Brown. “I know how much people cherish them, so I was really glad I was able to do that for them”
“I cried the first time I looked at them. I still cry sometimes,” said Lyndsay
“They are beautiful and he is beautiful. In some of them, you can see he is wide awake with his big beautiful eyes. It’s something we will definitely cherish”
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Share on FacebookI have a new born baby, and this post is so heavy for me to read...Children shouldn't die, no matter what...
I lost my son on 11/29 due to Trisomy 18. It has been the hardest thing anyone could ever have to go through. Sebastian I love you!
I'm so sorry for your loss Steven. Take care, Daphne
Load More Replies...Just rips my heart out knowing that 17 months ago I would have never even read this story and now that I am a proud father I had to read this and sitting here in my work truck on my computer having a good cry knowing that my problems will never amount to anything remotely similar to this family and I grieve for them.
William looks like an old soul. I'm glad he survived long enough to spend a little time with his parents and sister. The photo shoot is a beautiful memorial.
That's exactly what I thought. He looks as if he knows what others don't. Beautiful, fascinating little boy.
Load More Replies...I'm a member of a wonderful group called "Twinless Twins" It may help when your daughter is older.
W/ my 2nd pregnancy, sometime between my 1st appt that showed I was pregnant with twins & was already about 2-2.5 months pregnant & my next appt 3weeks later my daughter's twin died in-womb, the doctors called him a vanishing twin & said he had just absorbed back into my womb, I had intended on telling my daughter when she was 13-14yrs old when she would be old enough to understand what had happened but she came to me at 6-7yrs old & told me she didn't feel whole & I kind of chuckled not thinking about it because I had never told her nor was it ever talked about around her & she told me she missed her brother & I said hunny your brother is right there thinking she meant my 2nd & only living son & she said no the 1 that was in your tummy w/ me, I was lost for words so I dug out her baby book & showed her the sonogram of the two of them & well what I'm trying to get to with all of this is she's now 14.5yrs old & still struggles with the loss would this site help her?
Load More Replies...Maybe it's just my perception, but looking into William's eyes it seems like...he knows he doesn't have much time. This is a beautiful photo shoot, and heartbreaking at the same time :(
Your babies are beautiful, I'm so sorry you lost your little boy. I hope a little part of him lives on in his sister.
I lost a baby i've never seen. I'm happy for them they've got these amazingly beautiful pictures of their babies together. Love for you folks! Take care!
I could not imagine losing a child, a newborn. Having gone thru treatments myself and spending the last 6 weeks in hospital with my 1st I witnessed mothers and fathers suffer great sadness many times and it traumatized me until I held my healthy son in my arms. I grieved for these parents and even with 30 years passing I think of them when I think of my sons birth and hoped they one day found peace from the heartbreak as I do this little family!
I am crying. When I see my babies sleeping peacefully beside me, I always pray to god that never give me or anyone the heartbreak by loss of their babies. And when I see this post... he looks so alive so happy ans staring right into camera looks like looking at you . Rest in sleep dear baby.
They make me think of my own twins when they were baby. My biggest fear was that we would lose one of them. Every couple of minutes I checked their breathing. These people had to experience this nightmare but they did something wonderful by making these beautiful photo's. Now he will always be remembered as the beautiful little boy with the knowing smile.
It's so touching. I honestly admire for the strenght you have. You know what they say - the smallest coffin is the heaviest.
Beautiful babies and so heartbreaking to see little William look so perfect on the outside and but so sick on the inside.
I'm crying silently now. But a life is a life, no matter how short. He got to live all his live with his loved ones, Papa, Mama and his sister. He never got cold, dumped, he never failed at anything, he never lost any one. He got to be there and stayed innocent for his entire life. God bless his soul. This mist have been so hard, but also beautiful in a way. I think this kind of people came to teach us a lesson. I lost a sister, she died in labor. I will always love her, I felt her sometimes when I was young and didn't know anything about her yet. Good thing you have pictures, the girl will cherish them too, she lost a big part of her world with her brother gone. Oh God, help us see the light when we are surrounded by darkness
He is absolutely beautiful and looks so healthy. So sorry for you lose. I haven't lost a child but I have lost my brother and both my parents. I took comfort in my faith and If I hadn't had that, I don't know what I would have done.
thanks for sharing it means alot ... and i am truly sorry that you have made two perfect angels we cant share
I find it heartbeaking that anyone would ever kill an infant, or even abort one. Babies are most beautiful treasures, and little william, is extremely precious, my heart goes out to him and his family. RIP, little william.
These pictures touched my heart right when I saw them and I couldn't hold my tears. They are just perfect. The touching and wise eyes of this little angel will always be on my mind. Such a beautiful memory of your baby boy.
Heart wrenching. We nearly lost one of our twins.... I thank God every day for letting them both live.
I have twin boys. I couldn't imagine losing one of them. I have experienced a stillbirth and a few miscarriages. I know what loss of a child is like. I'm so sorry. I don't wish it on any human being. You shouldn't have to bury your child.
This is just heartbreaking to read. I couldn't have coped if ever I lost either of my sons. So sorry for your loss of William. xx
That pic where his little arm's around his sister's shoulders just slayed me :( How very beautiful and sad.
They are '2 peas in a pod'.They look like mirror images of eachother. So sorry for your loss.
What a sad and beautiful story, thank you for sharing this. Two beautiful babies
They are both just beautiful babies...He looks perfectly healthy! So sad :(
Omg it breaks my heart in to million of pieces, my heart ache for the fam.hes a lil angel watching over his fam.sad.my baby jst turn 2yo, it will kill me if sumthin happens to him..rip.my Condolences to fam n Friends 😇
As a parent this is touching and heartbreaking! I'm thankful the community got togeather to give your family the love and supported it needed. At the same time, I'm sorry for your loss.
That's really sad no child should die life is a beautiful thing even thou I'm 12 😭😭
Beautiful, beautiful little boy. So very sorry for your loss. Sending you love as one bereaved Mother to another. Your little boy will live on in your hearts and youll catch glimpses through his sister. Thank you for sharing these touching photos.xx
Yes, breaks my heart. I have twins, same as boy and a girl. I almost lost my son and day after he was born and my daughter and month later. I cherish them both. I'm so sorry for these parents loss. They are beautiful babies
I have tears in my eyes. I lost a child a long, long time ago. This little one is so beautiful. The death of a baby seems so unfair. I grieve for his parents.
My heart and deepest Sympathy goes out to this couple. Terribly sad to lose their beautiful little son so soon. The only redeeming part is they had 11 precious days together as a whole family and still have their beautiful little daughter and a lot of precious memories and photos to treasure always.
In Australia and NZ we have a network of photographers who are willing to go to the hospital at a moments notice and ..(cont)
photograph a family who has either had a still birth, or are about to lose their beautiful child. It's free and an amazing organisation.
Load More Replies...Beautiful pair. It would be torture to say goodbye after such a short time but they will meet again and you could tell the little boy knew that by the love and peace showing through his eyes. God Bless.
I feel your pain :( I just lost my twin B November 15th 2018 he was stillborn at 35 weeks. I don't think that pain will ever fade. Hugs a d prayers
Such Beautiful Babies, R.I.P. William, you’re an Angel.... Condolences to the Parents 🙏
:( ::: just can't stop crying, i have 4 kids, i do feel so blessed, just is so heart breaking to hear, they are so innocent, no child should have to suffer like this, my heart goes out to the family and the little 1 not with them psychically, but at heart & spirit!
I am a twin to a sister, and also a Brentlinger. My heart goes out to you. Your babies are beautiful. William will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless from Indiana.
Seeing this post made me sad. My cousin, and his wife, lost a baby at the end of October. in her 5th month of pregnancy. A month after they buried their baby, my cousin lost his wife. We was buried 2 days before Christmas.
Forgive my ignorance, but how is this great, exactly?
Load More Replies...I have a new born baby, and this post is so heavy for me to read...Children shouldn't die, no matter what...
I lost my son on 11/29 due to Trisomy 18. It has been the hardest thing anyone could ever have to go through. Sebastian I love you!
I'm so sorry for your loss Steven. Take care, Daphne
Load More Replies...Just rips my heart out knowing that 17 months ago I would have never even read this story and now that I am a proud father I had to read this and sitting here in my work truck on my computer having a good cry knowing that my problems will never amount to anything remotely similar to this family and I grieve for them.
William looks like an old soul. I'm glad he survived long enough to spend a little time with his parents and sister. The photo shoot is a beautiful memorial.
That's exactly what I thought. He looks as if he knows what others don't. Beautiful, fascinating little boy.
Load More Replies...I'm a member of a wonderful group called "Twinless Twins" It may help when your daughter is older.
W/ my 2nd pregnancy, sometime between my 1st appt that showed I was pregnant with twins & was already about 2-2.5 months pregnant & my next appt 3weeks later my daughter's twin died in-womb, the doctors called him a vanishing twin & said he had just absorbed back into my womb, I had intended on telling my daughter when she was 13-14yrs old when she would be old enough to understand what had happened but she came to me at 6-7yrs old & told me she didn't feel whole & I kind of chuckled not thinking about it because I had never told her nor was it ever talked about around her & she told me she missed her brother & I said hunny your brother is right there thinking she meant my 2nd & only living son & she said no the 1 that was in your tummy w/ me, I was lost for words so I dug out her baby book & showed her the sonogram of the two of them & well what I'm trying to get to with all of this is she's now 14.5yrs old & still struggles with the loss would this site help her?
Load More Replies...Maybe it's just my perception, but looking into William's eyes it seems like...he knows he doesn't have much time. This is a beautiful photo shoot, and heartbreaking at the same time :(
Your babies are beautiful, I'm so sorry you lost your little boy. I hope a little part of him lives on in his sister.
I lost a baby i've never seen. I'm happy for them they've got these amazingly beautiful pictures of their babies together. Love for you folks! Take care!
I could not imagine losing a child, a newborn. Having gone thru treatments myself and spending the last 6 weeks in hospital with my 1st I witnessed mothers and fathers suffer great sadness many times and it traumatized me until I held my healthy son in my arms. I grieved for these parents and even with 30 years passing I think of them when I think of my sons birth and hoped they one day found peace from the heartbreak as I do this little family!
I am crying. When I see my babies sleeping peacefully beside me, I always pray to god that never give me or anyone the heartbreak by loss of their babies. And when I see this post... he looks so alive so happy ans staring right into camera looks like looking at you . Rest in sleep dear baby.
They make me think of my own twins when they were baby. My biggest fear was that we would lose one of them. Every couple of minutes I checked their breathing. These people had to experience this nightmare but they did something wonderful by making these beautiful photo's. Now he will always be remembered as the beautiful little boy with the knowing smile.
It's so touching. I honestly admire for the strenght you have. You know what they say - the smallest coffin is the heaviest.
Beautiful babies and so heartbreaking to see little William look so perfect on the outside and but so sick on the inside.
I'm crying silently now. But a life is a life, no matter how short. He got to live all his live with his loved ones, Papa, Mama and his sister. He never got cold, dumped, he never failed at anything, he never lost any one. He got to be there and stayed innocent for his entire life. God bless his soul. This mist have been so hard, but also beautiful in a way. I think this kind of people came to teach us a lesson. I lost a sister, she died in labor. I will always love her, I felt her sometimes when I was young and didn't know anything about her yet. Good thing you have pictures, the girl will cherish them too, she lost a big part of her world with her brother gone. Oh God, help us see the light when we are surrounded by darkness
He is absolutely beautiful and looks so healthy. So sorry for you lose. I haven't lost a child but I have lost my brother and both my parents. I took comfort in my faith and If I hadn't had that, I don't know what I would have done.
thanks for sharing it means alot ... and i am truly sorry that you have made two perfect angels we cant share
I find it heartbeaking that anyone would ever kill an infant, or even abort one. Babies are most beautiful treasures, and little william, is extremely precious, my heart goes out to him and his family. RIP, little william.
These pictures touched my heart right when I saw them and I couldn't hold my tears. They are just perfect. The touching and wise eyes of this little angel will always be on my mind. Such a beautiful memory of your baby boy.
Heart wrenching. We nearly lost one of our twins.... I thank God every day for letting them both live.
I have twin boys. I couldn't imagine losing one of them. I have experienced a stillbirth and a few miscarriages. I know what loss of a child is like. I'm so sorry. I don't wish it on any human being. You shouldn't have to bury your child.
This is just heartbreaking to read. I couldn't have coped if ever I lost either of my sons. So sorry for your loss of William. xx
That pic where his little arm's around his sister's shoulders just slayed me :( How very beautiful and sad.
They are '2 peas in a pod'.They look like mirror images of eachother. So sorry for your loss.
What a sad and beautiful story, thank you for sharing this. Two beautiful babies
They are both just beautiful babies...He looks perfectly healthy! So sad :(
Omg it breaks my heart in to million of pieces, my heart ache for the fam.hes a lil angel watching over his fam.sad.my baby jst turn 2yo, it will kill me if sumthin happens to him..rip.my Condolences to fam n Friends 😇
As a parent this is touching and heartbreaking! I'm thankful the community got togeather to give your family the love and supported it needed. At the same time, I'm sorry for your loss.
That's really sad no child should die life is a beautiful thing even thou I'm 12 😭😭
Beautiful, beautiful little boy. So very sorry for your loss. Sending you love as one bereaved Mother to another. Your little boy will live on in your hearts and youll catch glimpses through his sister. Thank you for sharing these touching photos.xx
Yes, breaks my heart. I have twins, same as boy and a girl. I almost lost my son and day after he was born and my daughter and month later. I cherish them both. I'm so sorry for these parents loss. They are beautiful babies
I have tears in my eyes. I lost a child a long, long time ago. This little one is so beautiful. The death of a baby seems so unfair. I grieve for his parents.
My heart and deepest Sympathy goes out to this couple. Terribly sad to lose their beautiful little son so soon. The only redeeming part is they had 11 precious days together as a whole family and still have their beautiful little daughter and a lot of precious memories and photos to treasure always.
In Australia and NZ we have a network of photographers who are willing to go to the hospital at a moments notice and ..(cont)
photograph a family who has either had a still birth, or are about to lose their beautiful child. It's free and an amazing organisation.
Load More Replies...Beautiful pair. It would be torture to say goodbye after such a short time but they will meet again and you could tell the little boy knew that by the love and peace showing through his eyes. God Bless.
I feel your pain :( I just lost my twin B November 15th 2018 he was stillborn at 35 weeks. I don't think that pain will ever fade. Hugs a d prayers
Such Beautiful Babies, R.I.P. William, you’re an Angel.... Condolences to the Parents 🙏
:( ::: just can't stop crying, i have 4 kids, i do feel so blessed, just is so heart breaking to hear, they are so innocent, no child should have to suffer like this, my heart goes out to the family and the little 1 not with them psychically, but at heart & spirit!
I am a twin to a sister, and also a Brentlinger. My heart goes out to you. Your babies are beautiful. William will be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless from Indiana.
Seeing this post made me sad. My cousin, and his wife, lost a baby at the end of October. in her 5th month of pregnancy. A month after they buried their baby, my cousin lost his wife. We was buried 2 days before Christmas.
Forgive my ignorance, but how is this great, exactly?
Load More Replies...
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