The Rainbow After the Storm: Our Journey Continues
Sep 1, 2025
The hosts share a heartfelt journey as they navigate profound emotions with Jessyl's pregnancy after the loss of their son, Liam. They candidly discuss the complexities of balancing joy and grief, feeling like first-time parents again despite this being their sixth child. The conversation also touches on self-growth by stepping out of comfort zones and the importance of supportive relationships. They reflect on life in the Dominican Republic, celebrating connections and acknowledging the beauty amidst challenges.
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Unexpected Pregnancy After Loss
Jessyl describes an unexpected pregnancy after grief, explaining a broken condom and disrupted ovulation following Liam's death.
They recount tracking cycles, discovering pregnancy signs, and how it happened so soon after their loss.
insights INSIGHT
Spiritual Framing Eases Grief
Alex shares his spiritual framing that souls choose their paths, which comforts him.
He views the new baby as part of carrying Liam's legacy and integrating grief into life.
insights INSIGHT
Grief And Expectancy Coexist
Jessyl explains that excitement doesn't capture her feelings; grief colors this pregnancy.
Alex and Jessyl highlight holding sadness and joy simultaneously while creating space for Liam's memory.
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The journey through grief rarely follows a straight line. After sharing our son Liam's story last season, we're revealing a profound new chapter - Jessyl is 20 weeks pregnant with what many call a "rainbow baby." Despite actively trying to prevent pregnancy while navigating our grief, life had other plans.
This pregnancy brings a complex emotional landscape unlike anything we've experienced before. As Jessyl vulnerably shares, "Excitement is not the word I would use... When I think about pregnancy, the last memories I have is Liam. And he's not here." We're walking a delicate path - honoring our son's memory while creating space for new life, processing fears about what happened with Liam while trusting this unique journey.
The reality of grief alongside expectancy means learning to hold seemingly contradictory emotions simultaneously. We discuss how this pregnancy feels like the first time all over again, despite being our sixth child, because everything has fundamentally changed. There's beauty and sadness intertwined, requiring us to take each day as it comes without expectations.
Our conversation expands beyond pregnancy to explore how comfort zones can limit growth. Recent visits from friends have highlighted both the beautiful lifestyle we've created in the Dominican Republic and areas where we've grown complacent. Finding the balance between pushing ourselves toward new goals while appreciating what we already have continues to be our work.
Season three promises raw, authentic conversations about unschooling our children, relationship dynamics, personal growth, and navigating life after profound loss. We invite you to suggest topics and questions as we build this community together, sharing the messy, beautiful reality of living wide open.
Subscribe to join us on this journey of becoming through grief, growth, parenting, partnership and the wild unknown. Your story matters here.
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