U.S. skier Bode Miller and his wife, Morgan, had to experience something every parent wishes they'll never have to. Fourteen months ago, the couple lost their 19-month-old daughter, Emmy, in a drowning accident.
"We are beyond devastated," the couple posted on their respective Instagram pages. "Our baby girl, Emmy, passed away yesterday. Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this. Her love, her light, her spirit will never be forgotten. Our little girl loved life and lived it to its fullest everyday. Our family respectfully requests privacy during this painful time."
Morgan posted a devastating photo of her holding Emmy in the hospital, which broke hearts all over the world.
"I wish I could have one more day to hold you, but until that day comes, continue to work through me and give me the strength to bring awareness, my love," she wrote. "I told you as I held you in this moment that you could still change the world, you could still move mountains. Every step we take forward is because of you and Levi. Your footprint will forever be left on this world. I love you, My baby girl."
Now, the Miller family is once again sharing some big news, but this time it's much happier. Morgan and Bode each posted on their Instagram pages, announcing that they would be welcome identical twin boys to the family!
Losing a child while pregnant was the most confusing experience of my life. The conflict of emotions from what was pure joy turned to guilt and terror overnight. How could I love this baby the way I loved Emmy? Was it okay to love this baby the way I loved Emmy? It felt like by loving my son, I was trying to replace her.
The fear of birthing my son and what that meant .....a monumental step forward....proof that time continued without her when all I wanted was for time to stop. But let me say this....I couldn’t have been more wrong. Easton provided us an even closer bond to his sister. The moment I heard his cry, something sparked back alive in my soul. Hope. Love. I’m not sure. But in that moment, I knew I was Mom and my kids deserved the world from me.
Everything was going to be okay. My joy and grief could coexist. Now, I can actually say with joy and excitement that we are expecting identical twin boys. From the day I met my husband, he has always said he wanted identical twin boys born on his birthday. We are due on the lucky day/angel number of 11/11 which is not far off from @millerbode Birthday of 10/12. From the beginning of this pregnancy, we knew Emmy had her hands in this miracle somehow.
To hear that the Millers are adding two new members is absolutely heartwarming! This family has been through so much, and Morgan has done everything she can to educate the public about the dangers of drowning. She works with many organizations to help spread awareness about preventable deaths from drowning.
This pregnancy will likely be even more emotional for Morgan than a regular pregnancy would be. At the time of Emmy's death, Morgan was very pregnant with the couple's fifth child, a son. She spoke out then, too, about how having another baby after losing a child was extremely difficult on her emotionally.
When we walked out of the hospital without our Emmy, despair and uncertainty surrounded us. The parting words from the medical staff, in those early hours after we lost our baby Emmy, was to check on the baby in my tummy.So, 5 days after losing her, I reluctantly had the ultrasound tech come check on the baby growing in my belly. To step into my future without my daughter felt like a dagger to my heart. How can life change so quickly? During the last ultrasound, my baby Emmy lay in my arms wondering what she was looking at on the screen. And, now, she was gone.
This time, I asked the tech to be quick. She asked if I wanted a 3D image to which I replied, “no.” She swiftly maneuvered the wand around my stomach, checking on all parts. As she viewed the baby’s profile, she told me, “I know you don’t want a 3D image but this is a perfect angle and I feel like I need to do one. I will be quick.” As the screen switched over to 3D imaging, I saw my sweet baby’s face.He looked so much like my other babies: just like Bode with that sweet nose and those full lips. But as quickly as I saw this new baby, my eyes moved to the angel lying to the right of his face, holding him, arms around his neck. Almost as if to say, “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s going to be okay. I love you.” I hold onto this picture as a clear sign that my son knows his sister.
That my baby girl Emmy is still with us. And now that our sweet baby boy is here earth side, he now holds her.
I'm so happy for Morgan, Bode, and the entire Miller family. Being able to see Emmy in their every day lives, with her guiding them while she's in heaven, must be such a comforting feeling.
