Our favorite thing about Solly Baby is you; the community of parents doing the beautiful, messy, important work of raising little ones. And the more we have the privilege of getting to know you (over emails and DMs and social media and real-life bump-ins), the more we’re inspired by your stories. So much so that we knew we needed a way to share them. Which is how our Full Heart Series came to be. As we share stories from moms and dads around the world, we hope you’ll find something here that resonates, encourages, and reminds you that parenting with a full heart comes in many forms. Enjoy.
Let's start with a quick introduction.
Name: Brooke Lombreglia
Children: Rain (7 weeks), Reese (2.5 years)
Location: New Hope, PA
Occupation: Travel consultant
What’s been a “full heart” moment for you in the last week?
Looking at all the perfect tiny little features of my newborn. His fuzzy little hair after a bath, the sweetness of his breath, his petite toes, the way he looks at me with his big eyes. I love all memorizing all his tiny details.
Tell us about your journey to motherhood.
I got pregnant with our first baby girl two months into dating my boyfriend in 2021. The greatest surprise of my life. Reesey’s daddy and I went on to get married a year later and today we have two babies earthside and one in heaven. Our rainbow baby arrived this past January, and his name is Rain. My babies are the greatest loves of my life. I love motherhood. It’s challenging, beautiful, fleeting, empowering, and sweet. I knew being a mommy would always be my destiny and it is pure joy.
Birth story?
Our positive, unmedicated natural birth story:
January 13th, around 11:30 am my water broke on the way to our last prenatal visit to get my second membrane sweep before my scheduled induction. I was 4 centimeters dilated. I labored at home for 6 hours before we headed to the hospital around 4 pm when contractions were ramping up. I was admitted at 5 centimeters. Around 5 pm my contractions really picked up and I started laboring with my husband supporting me on the birthing ball. I was managing these contractions really well and feeling great. About 2 hours in, we moved to the birthing tub to help my body relax and move my labor forward. That’s when intensity really picked up. In the tub, releasing and relaxing into the contractions allowed my labor to really progress. The surges became stronger and harder to breathe through. Nothing helped besides silence, focusing on my breath, and breathing in a deep garland yoga pose. Approaching 8 pm, contractions got so intense I looked at Ry and told him I wanted medicine or epidural — but we soon found out there wasn’t time for that. They took me back to my room in a wheelchair as I moaned through the pain. I didn’t realize it then, but I was in transition.
When I got back to the room, my midwife checked me. I was 8 centimeters dilated and immediately got on my knees and held on to the back of my bed, falling into each contraction as I felt the urge to bear down. 20 minutes later, I started pushing.
The next 52 mins were the most insane, intense, excruciating, and beautifully empowering moments of my life. I pushed through those last contractions with tears running down my face, screaming, and begging Jesus to get me through it. The pain quickly became temporary when Rain made his guest appearance with my last push at 8:53 pm. Having Ry catch Rainy boy was everything to me. I wouldn’t have been able to have my dream unmedicated natural birth without my supportive husband and care team coaching me through it. I can’t believe baby boy is finally here safe in our arms and that we get to snuggle this little love for life.
Rain is the perfect name for your rainbow baby. As a mom with two babies in heaven, do you have any words to share with a mama who's recently experienced loss?
Oh my word, I am so sorry you’ve experienced loss too. I am so happy mamas are finally talking about it.
The thing that helped me the most after losing our precious baby girl last February 9th at 19.5 weeks pregnant was sharing my story, talking about our Riley girl, and connecting to other loss moms. My faith helped me through this difficult time too. Although I questioned God for allowing this to happen to my family, I still trusted Him. I leaned on Jesus a lot. He lightened the load of grief over my heart. With each passing day, the grief that once held its tight grip slowly started to loosen. I started feeling peace once again found hope in knowing I would meet my girl one day soon in paradise.
We got pregnant with Rain, 2 months after our stillbirth. Babies can never replace babies. But joy and grief can coexist. He was the hope and joy we needed. I slowly found the light again.
The community of friends I’ve built through this experience has been so incredible and touching. The loss moms I met on TikTok have to this day became my people. They helped me survive and reminded me that I wasn't alone in my grief, longing, and confusion.
God has a plan, and if you’re in the midst of loss I encourage you to read Jeremiah 29:11. Jesus’ plan is to watch you prosper, live, and thrive. He will meet you wherever you are. There is always a rainbow waiting on the other side of your storm.
What’s the fourth trimester been like for you so far?
It’s been challenging adjusting to two under three. We are finally getting into our groove at 7 weeks postpartum. Breastfeeding has been incredibly challenging so I have learned to put less pressure on it. Seeing my toddler with our new baby has to be the sweetness in the midst of all the fourth-trimester chaos.
Any thoughts on being a girl mom?
Being a girl mama has been one of the greatest joys of my life. My girl is a true character and exactly like her mama. I love just having a mini sidekick to do literally whatever with; watch movies together, shop, travel, and explore—all with my built-in bestie.
Now for some rapid-fire questions:
Three must-have baby items?
1. Baby carrier
2. Lounger
3. Binkies
Something you didn't put on your registry that you wish you had?
Boppy
What Solly items do you have and what’s on your wishlist?
Have: The Fern Chequer Wrap — we’re obsessed with it. Solly Wraps are truly the best to help you through the newborn stage!
Wishlist: Rose Toile pajamas for me and the girls.
Favorite…
Children's book: Are You My Mother? By Dr. Suess
Sans-kids mama-time activity: Shopping/margarita drinking/ thrifting/ yoga
Motherhood topic you could talk about for 15 min uninterrupted: Giving birth
Post-bedtime snack: Siete wedding Mexican cookies
