I got my first tattoo when I was 21. It is not one that I regret, but I don’t love it as much as I used to. This is mostly because of placement and that it has morphed a bit since I got it. But since then, I have gotten 4 additional tattoos, and this past weekend, I finally got the tattoo I have been wanting to honor my kids. I turned 34 last week, and I knew for a few months that this year I wanted to use my birthday money to pay for a tattoo that has been in my mind since LeLe was born.
I feel like there is a bit of controversy with the whole idea of tattoos. I personally love them because each one I have has a story and a meaning, even if I don’t love them the same way when I first got them. I don’t know many other people who have visible tattoos and I think that at times people judge me for them. But my truth is that I get them to remember something, a place in time, a person, and every time I look at my tattoos, I remember when I got them and why I got them.
After my first loss, I was watching Meet The Robinsons. I don’t know what it is about that movie, but it got me right in the feels, and there is a quote at the end “Keep Moving Forward.” It was something Walt Disney said and for some reason, it resonated with me so strongly at the time that I knew I needed to have it on my body to memorialize my miscarriage. So, I did some research and found an artist and got it done. And I love this tattoo. I look at it frequently and think about that time in my life, how awful it was and how those words made me consider a future.
Fast forward to this weekend. I am in love with hot air balloons. I think that they are beautiful and unique and mesmerizing. I love that they are all different and I started thinking about how awesome it would be to have a tattoo of hot air balloons for each of my kids. I thought about this for almost two years, sometimes drawing it out, pinning things like crazy on pinterest, and finally, in January I contacted a local artist and booked a session in April. This was almost like fate as this artist is a loss mom too, and just so happened to be coming off of her maternity leave in April after the birth of her rainbow baby. It felt perfect to me and the artist was able to take my ideas and turn them into the most beautiful images.
The actual tattoo took about 3 hours, which is the longest one I have gotten. The process wasn’t too bad for me. I am one of the weird people who actually enjoys the tattooing, so this was mostly just a nice time to sit and talk with a person who had experienced many similar things in life to me. The final product is better than what I could have imagined and I love it so much. I am thrilled with the details and I think that she captured the essence of my kids so well. We were careful to leave enough room on the back of my forearm for any additional children (or losses) so I can add to it in the future if I want to.
Little Bug’s Balloon plus the two smaller ones for the two losses and LeLe’s Balloon.
Do you have any tattoos? What do they mean to you?
pomelo / 5084 posts
That looks fantastic!! I love it! I also love tattoos and am surprised how many people have a negative opinion of them -on someone else! I have two. One of my DW’s initials and one of DS’s bday. The DS one is visible. But I’ve never gotten any in color like yours! Amazing!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
I don’t have tats because of keloids. Over the years I have thought of a few like a dragonfly I would do if my skin wasn’t prone to scarring. When I see tattooed people with their children I think FUN Parent!
For me, tattoos are very distracting, so for work purposes I prefer them covered up by clothing if possible. Covering a tattoo with tape is just as distracting as the tattoo itself, so unless a sleeve or pant leg can cover the tat, don’t bother and let everyone see!
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I currently don’t have any tattoos, but I love them!! Especially ones with a story behind them. Your hot air balloons and free floating balloons are beautiful!! I love it!!
I wouldn’t mind getting a tattoo(s), but haven’t seen something that captures my attention and screams – must have!!! I’d love to have something dedicated to my kiddos, of course. I’m always on the look out though and have seen gorgeous ones. Maybe one day…
blogger / persimmon / 1231 posts
Beautiful! I have a small cross on my wrist but am hoping to do something bigger/more colorful in the future
guest
I have multiple tattoos, but the one that’s dearest to me is the one I have on my wrist for our son that passed away. It’s an initial “M” and the artist was able to manipulate the script so that it looks like an “m” from both ways. I love it. It makes me feel like he’s always with me.
apricot / 358 posts
This could not have been posted at a better time! I’m actually in the process of setting up a consult for my first tattoo (eek!) and I’m so excited…and totally scared! Any advice or tips for a newbie?!
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Can you explain keloids and how you know you’re prone to scarring? How would that affect a tattoo?
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Beautiful! I don’t have any nor do I plan on getting any mostly just b/c I don’t want to subject myself to unneeded pain hah!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@ustechie: keloids is over scarring of the skin. My ear piercing holes closed up because of keloids and I have other raised scars from cuts and even immunization injections. this article explains it more https://www.google.com/amp/www.livestrong.com/amp/article/317276-keloid-on-a-tattoo/
pomelo / 5298 posts
I’ve got two. I have no regrets about them. I wouldn’t mind one more to honor my girls. My DH is not a fan of them and would be disappointed if I got another. So I’m letting it go and staying content with what I have.
apricot / 358 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: hmm, now i’m a bit nervous. i’ve had (what i believe) are keloids develop on 2 piercings- my cartilage and belly button. they went away once i removed the piercing though. maybe i need to do a bit more research…
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@ustechie: Lucky yours went away on their own! I had to get the keloids behind my ears cut away and injected with steroids a few times before they were no longer visible from the front. Your derm would be able to tell you what you have going on.
cherry / 141 posts
Beautiful post
I’m glad you could honour all your children with the tattoos. I have 2-one really large one that covers a lot of my leg. the meanings of them seem far away as I got them almost 10 years ago but I still like them. I live in a very conservative state so it can make for some hard stares.
After I got one of them my uncle did say “Oh I don’t like tattoos.” I replied “well it’s too late now”. He didn’t say anything after that.
cherry / 189 posts
i have multiple tattoos for the exact reasons you mentioned – they represent a point in time and bring back memories of it. so even if you end up feeling “meh” about the actual tattoo later, it’ll always remind you of that point in your life. my latest one is a pretty big one on my inner bicep that incorporates both of my kids birthdays.
blogger / apricot / 275 posts
oooh can you post a full arm pic?
blogger / kiwi / 626 posts
@Mrs. Gumdrop: I can’t put a photo in the comments here, but I’ll post one in the team area in a few.
pomelo / 5621 posts
I love tattoos and have three. My first from eons ago I an meh about. It doesn’t have meaning, I was young, wanted one and got it. My other two have meaning and 10 & 7 years later still like them.
papaya / 10343 posts
Love love love it!!! I hand sewed a hot air balloon mobile for my daughter’s nursery and I keep thinking of getting one for her because they always remind me of sitting in her room rocking the hours away holding her