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Jonny was an energetic little boy with intelligence that exceeded his years. He loved being outdoors, running, riding bikes, and cruising around on his toy four-wheeler. Jonny had a special relationship with his Mama and Daddy was his hero. His big brother,Bobby was his best friend. Jonny's adorable little smile and happy demeanor was enough to put a smile on anyone's face. Jonny left this world without a warning. On July 22nd 2021 while swimming with his brother and friends like an other day; Jonny suffered from a ruptured aneurysm. Jonny fought hard but gained his wings on July 24th at 12:27am.

When Shannon reached out to me and told me her story I thought; wow this doesn’t just happen to me. Through Shannon’s Acts for Adalyn foundation; I have found mothers such as myself; absolutely broken and lost. Shannon brought us together so that we could truly say “ you are not alone”. I pray our children are together and they know their mamas are too.

Kylie Rose was born on 1/23/2019 and I already knew she would be the most rambunctious little girl. She loved life and loved making people smile. She was the 3rd daughter, and adored her older sisters, Kaydence and Kenzie. She never met a stranger. No matter where we were, be it a restaurant or grocery store, she always made sure to tell every person, “hi”. She would not let them walk away until they said something back. She loved getting into everything, and loved to eat. Her favorite daytime snacks were yogurt pouches and cheese sticks. Her favorite meal was spaghettini, but she would eat anything set in front of her. Her smile could light up any room.

On February 4th, 2021, our sweet baby girl went to be with Jesus in a drowning accident. Nothing could have prepared us for this day. A month later, Shannon reached out to me regarding the Acts For Adalyn Foundation and the bunny she gifts to toddler loss mamas. She has helped our family so much ever since. Our bunny holds a lock of Kylie’s hair inside. Our family loves to hug and snuggle our Kylie Bunny. Our Kylie Bunny goes on every vacation we take as a family and is included in every family photos. Because of Shannon and the Acts For Adalyn Foundation, I have been able to find comfort when I share my story with other moms.

This sweet little boy is Callum James. He was the most adventurous little boy. He absolutely loved being outside where he was free to roam and explore at his leisure, as long as he had a snack in his hand. I like to say he packed 20 years worth of living into his 20 months of life. In his short time, he drove our boats, trucks, side by sides and dirtbikes. Callum went tubing and paddle boarding, tent and RV camping and even got to pet and feed deer. His Grandma and Papa were by far his favorite people, but his Aunties, Uncles and cousins were very close seconds. He adored his dogs, and was obsessed with watering his spider plant in his room. Callum truly lived his little life to the fullest, and I couldn't be any more proud of the little person he was. He was kind, sharing and loving. He had a smile for everyone and made the lives of everyone who knew him brighter. I am forever grateful of having the privilege to be his mama.

When my son died, my life got completely flipped upside down. Acts For Adalyn found me and helped to flip it back upright. Shannon gifted me Callum Bunny, and that little bunny has helped not only me but Callum's whole family. Acts For Adalyn has created a safe space for toddler loss mamas to connect and share our stories and form bonds with other mamas who know our pain. Acts For Adalyn has given me light in a time of such darkness. Nothing can ever replace Callum, but Callum Bunny gives us something to hold on to when the waves of grief consume us. I honestly do not know how I would be coping today if it weren't for Shannon and all of the wonderful mamas I have met through her.

Willow was and remains the light of our lives. When Willow was born she brought an amazing light into not only our world personally but into the world as a whole. Willow was born red haired and blue eyed, from the moment we saw her red hair we knew we would have our hands full. She was fiesty, sassy, full of life and had the funniest personality. We would often prefer to her as a sour patch kid. One moment she would be giving the most distinctive side eye and the next she would be hugging you randomly. Willow loved anyone she came in contact with and they loved her back. She had a passion for anything outdoors! The moon, stars, rocks, animals, playing at the park, going for walks, snow ; you name it, she loved it. Unfortunately our world was flipped upside down and shaken when we lost our precious Willow to SUDC (Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood). We now live our lives to honor our beautiful girl and cannot wait until the day we are able to have her back within our arms. I want to extend great thanks to Shannon, Adalyn’s mama, for reaching out to me in my early days of grief. Shannon brought in a piece of hope in our darkest days. The Acts For Adalyn Foundation is a gift to those of us that need to not feel so alone on our walk with grief. I am grateful to be a part of Adalyn’s legacy as well as having Adalyn and Shannon as part of Willow’s legacy.

Ellis was our sweet and sour child. He was a momma’s boy from the very beginning, happiest when I was wearing or holding him. As he grew, he loved to push his limits but also never failed to make me laugh. Still always my shadow and my cuddle bug. He would tell me every day that he “just loved me”. Every night at bedtime, he would ask first “what was your favorite part of your day?” He was best friends with his older brother Callan, they really had such a special relationship. He was a natural at any sport he tried, just like his dad. He loved to sing and especially, dance! His favorite color was orange. His favorite food was pizza and berries. He loved vehicles, space, bugs, tarantulas, water and the beach, Blippi, Paw Patrol, and the Floor Is Lava.

I am forever grateful for Shannon and Acts For Adalyn Foundation. Losing a child is something that no one should experience and having a community to turn to in the midst of an unbelievable tragedy is priceless. I sleep with my Ellis Bunny every night and knowing that it contains some of his things (a t-shirt, photo, and a lock of hair) helps me feel closer to him and gives me a bit of comfort. Shannon continues to amaze me the way she is simultaneously helping child loss mothers and carrying on her daughter Adalyn’s legacy with grace.

Israel “Izzy”

Fearless. Bold. Fun. Sweet. This is how I would describe my little girl. She was born on May 13th, 2016. She became my best friend. To be around her was effortless. Her presence brought peace and joy, even when she was being wild and climbing to new heights on the playground. She left our physical world, suddenly, on July 29th, 2019. I’ve been trying ever since, to feel that peace again.

I wish for just one more hug. My Izzy Bunny allows me to hug her, when I need it most. I feel close to her when I am able to humanly and physically hug her in a symbolic way. It will never be the same as the real deal, but I feel her soul when I hug my bunny. I feel closer and connected. I can breathe again. I can keep going. I will keep going, keep healing…in honor of Izzy, because that’s what she would want. And that’s what I would want for her too. Thank you, Acts for Adalyn, for this special gift. I am forever grateful.

Sonny Jude was the happiest, sweetest baby boy. He was known for his big, 6 tooth smile and how he loved waving to everyone passing by. He loved to snuggle, snack and explore. He loved being outside, and spent the whole summer playing in the splash pad and pool. He loved his family so much, but had an extra special relationship with his big sister, Lyla, who was his best friend. His first word was Lyla! He will forever be our little Son-shine.

Shannon personally reached out to me after Sonny had passed and informed me about the Acts For Adalyn Foundation. It was the first group I found comfort in, knowing I was not alone in this horrible journey of child loss, specifically toddler loss. Within a few days I received my Sonny Bunny. I filled my bunny with Sonny’s shirt, a small toy and a piece of his hair. My daughter and I sleep with it every night. Shannon is doing amazing things for other grieving mamas, and I’m so thankful for the Acts For Adalyn Foundation.

Caleb born 2/26/2016 and was always looking for ways to make others happy. He made being a mommy easy. He loved being Spider-Man and catching bugs. Caleb’s smile would light up every room he walked into. He loved cuddling and watching movies. Caleb was always so brave. He would be shaking but still complete anything he put his mind too. Caleb had a gray tooth in the front, to the left, where he jumped from the trampoline to the porch thinking he was spider man and hit it. He didn’t cry because of the blood, he cried because he didn’t land it.

Caleb was unlike any little boy I have ever known. He had and sweet and loving spirit. Whether he knew you or not, he would hug you with a huge smile on as face. He would always remind everyone, “Jesus is in my heart”. To say I miss Caleb is such an understatement. I am completely lost without him. He is my everything and I can’t wait for the day I get to hold him in my arms again...

Since receiving Calebs Bunny, KK, when I just feel like I need Caleb in my arms, that I need to hold him, I will grab our bunny and just cry. For that moment my arms aren’t empty. KK has brought a sense of comfort into our home. I remember where he came from and it reminds me that Caleb isn’t alone

This is my little boy Drake. He passed away unexpectedly from an undiagnosed AVM at the age of 4. He was (will always be) my best friend and sidekick. He was definitely a Momma’s boy and we did everything together (even slept in the same bed). He was the light of my life and my reason for living. His brothers and sisters just adored him as he did them. I had him at the age of 43 after losing 2 babies. My doctors pretty much told me to give up but I was determined to have another baby. God blessed me with Drake and I thank God everyday for giving him to me even if it was just for 4 years. He loved playing on my phone watching videos of Ryan’s World and Blippi and he loved playing with his superheroes (especially Batman). He became a real life superhero because he donated his organs to save 5 people. A 5 year old little boy received his heart.

When Shannon messaged me and asked me to join Acts for Adalyn it helped my heart in so many ways. Now I’ve met so many other momma’s who are living the same nightmare that I am. My angel momma friends are what's helping to keep me moving forward. They are my family now. The bunnies Shannon sends to all of us mean so much and they connect all of us in such a special way. I don’t know what I would do without this group of special mommas.

CJ was born March 20, 2016 and left his earthly body on January 19, 2019. He was our only son. He taught me how special it was to be a "boy mom". He loved tractors, dirt and playing with his two older sisters. He loved my best attempt at Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes and always carried around his little Mickey stuffed animal. His energy was absolutely magnetic and bright. In the short years we had with him, he impacted our lives so much and he is missed beyond measure.
When you lose a child there are many “things” that people say, and many times there really isn’t anything that needs to be said. Sometimes silence is more comforting. Unfortunately, I think silence is uncomfortable for most people, and especially where such severe grief and rawness of emotions are so present.

The shredded heart and emptiness that swallows you when you lose a child is something that can only be understood by those who have firsthand account of the pain and suffering. With such tremendous loss, there is also a loss of self and purpose. Before and after my loss, I was so focused on being a good mother. As the youngest of three, and my only son, my son CJ was shown so much love. So much of the love that we show physically is in the form of touch, and more specifically hugs and snuggles. To this very day, I would give anything in this world to be able to hug and snuggle my baby again. To be able to smell his scent, run my fingers through his hair…

When Acts for Adalyn sends a bunny to moms, it isn’t just a stuffed animal. CJ Bunny, and the other bunnies, provide comfort, healing, and an outlet for grief. When we hug our bunnies we can remember those sweet snuggles that we miss so much. Our bunnies can represent a piece of our heart that we can no longer see and feel. They are a tangible special item that is there for you when you can’t sleep, and when you are struggling. They will catch your tears and listen in silence. They also represent connection. A very special connection to other mothers who are going through the same process. Bunnies offer a way to talk about our children, and to share bunny adventures that our kids are no longer present for.

Hazel was a sweet, kind, cautious soul with a beautiful presence. She lit up a room where ever she went with her bright smile. She was an absolute joy. She loved playing outside, hiking, and visiting with family and friends and on August 17, 2021 our lives were forever shattered. Ten days after her fourth birthday I woke up to start our day and found Hazel in her bedroom unresponsive. She had a freak accident with her loft bed. The same bed she had been sleeping in for a year. I have not fully told our story yet, so this is quite hard to write out, but I felt like I needed to be with her, thats all I wanted. I couldn't even think of the fact that I had to be on this earth without my beautiful daughter.

Hazel made me a mom. I did and still do everything for her. Life is unbearable most days since losing Hazel, but I feel her pushing me into the right direction.

After Hazel transitioned, she started sending me bunny signs and just like that, Shannon came into my life when I needed it most. Shannon was my ticket to staying here for my family when I felt lost, she had no idea of the bunny signs that Hazel was leaving me and the day Shannon reached out to me about sending a bunny, I knew in my heart that it was meant to be. Adalyn and Hazel were together that day and I am so grateful for Shannon and her legacy of keeping Adalyn's memory alive and helping us toddler moms to keep going.

Fred Walker Humphryes was born on August 15, 2017. He weighed 7lbs and was born exactly at noon.

He was the sweetest and calmest baby. He was always grinning and loved everyone he met. He never met a stranger.
He had the most precious giggle of any baby.

He loved to dance with me in the kitchen and even loved my singing. He was always mesmerized by my voice. Buzz Lightyear was his favorite along with Donald Duck. He loved to run around barefooted with nothing but a diaper on but due to his eczema that hardly ever happened. He loved sleeping on my chest even as he got bigger. He loved to hear himself scream with excitement. He was a happy little boy. He loved his brother so much. They were two peas in a pod… but now one pea is missing.

Walker lived 777 days. His tragic death was October 1, 2019. Life is not the same without him and I pray that justice will be served in his honor.
I wish I could get into it, but because it has to go to trial, I can’t. There are still a lot of answers I don’t have…

Thank you for allowing me to share my baby boy here and thank you for your act of love through your daughter. I love my Walker bunny.

This is Owen. He was a very smart, loving, big hearted little boy. He loved animals, being outside, and running around playing with his big brothers. His favorite movies were Moana and The Grinch. He would laugh so hard at these and he would always wait on me to sing along to them with him. He loved to dance. We would always break it down in the kitchen together. He was mommy’s little helper. He loved to help his mommy pick up around the house. 

July 28 2019, I lost my sweet boy due to a drowning accident. My life has never been the same. After this nightmare I felt so alone. I felt like nobody understood my pain until Shannon reached out to me. Acts For Adalyn Foundation sent Owen Bunny and I carry him everywhere with me now. This bunny brings me so much comfort. I’m grateful to Shannon for all toddler loss moms that she has brought together. Because of them, I don't feel so alone anymore and feel like I have a safe place to share my baby boy.

Sawyer Matthew Kanofsky, born on July 28th 2019. The sweet boy that made me a mama after a long heart breaking road of struggling with infertility and IVF. He was my angel on earth, the light of our lives. Sawyer had the most infectious personality with his array of facial expressions, unique giggles and smiles that could light up a room. He loved people, his family and his puppy Dexter. Snuggling with mama was his favorite of all though. I always felt so lucky that even as we approached toddlerhood he still snuggled right up into me since the day he was born. The sweetest, most gentle soul I’ve ever known.

On January 20th of 2021, at nearly 18 months, Sawyer was taken from us in a tragic choking incident at his new daycare. Our world was completely shattered, our hearts broken beyond repair. This wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re not supposed to go on loving life with our Sawyer in it. The pain is unbearable and world feels less bright without our sweet boy, everything feels wrong. We cling so much tighter to our faith because it is the only way we can find comfort in knowing that Sawyer is happy in heaven and we will get to hold him in our arms again one beautiful day.

In the days and weeks after Sawyer left us, I just searched and searched for someone, anyone who could relate to an ounce of pain I was feeling. I found a lot of support for pregnancy and infant loss mama’s, but toddler loss was hardly found. Somehow I eventually came across Acts for Adalyn. I scrolled the page and read Adalyn’s story with tears streaming down my face. She was nearly the same age my Sawyer, gone too fast, too soon. Not fair. When Shannon reached out to me, we spoke on the phone for over an hour. As soon as I heard her speak, I could hear the same pain I had been feeling in her voice. She knew exactly what I was feeling. After the initial phone call, Shannon continued and still continues to check in with me, text, let me know she praying for me, anything. She made me feel less alone. A few weeks later my Acts for Adalyn bunny arrived in the mail and I was amazed. It was a gift I didn’t know I needed. Finally being able to hold a piece of my sweet boy again was strangely comforting. Acts for Adalyn has not only been a comfort to me but an incredible inspiration. I have hope knowing that I can continue keeping Sawyers light shining through me, just like Shannon does for Adalyn.

The loss of a child is an unimaginably dark and lonely road. When my Daugter Aria passed away, I was overwhelmed by, well, just everthing. Shannon was by my side immediately; she offered guidance and advice, but most importantly hope.

My Acts for Adalyn bunny continues to give me a sense of peace and a reminder that while my precious daugter in no longer here physically, her spirit will always be. Holding the bunny has offered an unexpected comfort during some of the most difficult moments. I will be forever greatful to Shannon and Acts for Adalyn for reminding me that I am not alone, and for giving me the strength to continue through unspeakable tragedy.

What started out as a normal Sunday of me getting up, getting ready for work, peeking in on my sleeping babies, Liam then 3 and Cate then 17 months, before slipping out the door to go to work as an ICU RN, ended in the most excruciating way.

While I was at work I received a call that one of my babies was next door at the local children's hospital after an incident that occurred in my home. When I got there my son, Liam, was in the trauma bay receiving CPR. He didn't make it.

While I was at work the person I trusted to watch my children left them unattended for 3 hours while he went to sleep. While I was at work taking care of others my babies were left on their own to take care of themselves. While I was at work saving lives my own son was losing his.

I was in shock. I didn't know what to do or where to turn. Nothing in my years as a nurse at a level one trauma center could prepare me to handle a trauma like this in my own life.

When Shannon reached out to me she knew the right things to say and do because she too had experienced an unimaginable trauma. She gave me helpful advice and tips on how to just survive the everyday. Shannon also gave me a Liam Bear (a stuffed bear that contains an urn) making me the first recipient of an Acts For Adalyn. At the time Acts for Adalyn was just a dream of her's in the making, creating a legacy in Adalyn's name to help others in their greatest time of need. What it has since turned into is so much more.

I sleep with the Liam Bear every night. It brings me comfort and makes me feel closer to my son who I miss more than words every minute of everyday. I am so thankful for Acts for Adalyn and the mission Adalyn has inspired.