SPRINGFIELD -- Thousands around the world spent Thursday night remembering the children they lost through miscarriage and still birth or at a young age.  It was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.   A family from Springfield is among the thousands looking back at loss and still counting their blessings.

     It was an emotional night for Doug and Melissa Baker.  They pray together and light candles to remember their second daughter, Bethanie Grace, diagnosed during pregnancy with Anencephaly, a condition that didn't allow her skull and brain to develop.  They were told if she lived through childbirth, her life would only last about 12 hours.

    "We found out July 24, 2008," Doug said, "and she was born Nov. 4."

      Strong in their faith, Doug and Melissa decided to complete the pregnancy and leave Bethanie's life in God's hands.  She didn't live thru childbirth.

      "I remember right as she was born, the nurses were saying 'she's not breathing, there's no heartbeat,' so at that point, we knew that she wasn't with us," Melissa said.

     As heartbreaking as it was, they now say the few hours they got to spend with Bethanie were a great gift.

      "We did get to spend our alone time with her and obviously she wasn't alive but we did get to hold her.  I got to dance with her," Doug said, choking back tears.  "Melissa got to spend her time with her.  Ashlynn, our older daughter got to spend some time with her."

     Those special moments will live on forever in their hearts and minds and in the photos taken.
 

     Born at 11:52 pm, dad had a chance to dance with his little Cinderella.

     "Oh I will dance with Cinderella, I don't want to miss even one song," Doug said, reciting the words from a Steven Curtis Chapman song, "'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone."

      It's clear Bethanie holds an important place in this family.  Still a little sister for 4-year-old Ashlynn to love.  Though too short, they believe Bethanie's life had a purpose, perhaps opening doors for them to share their faith in God.
 

     "If just one person gets saved through this, it's worth it.   It really is," Doug said, pausing.  "It's hard still but it's worth it."
 

      And as the Bakers look back on a child they love, they are also looking forward.  They're expecting again!  A healthy little boy is on the way in December!

     Watch the memorial video that Doug put together for Bethanie here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWBEgKw3zXw

    Learn more about the meaning of October 15th here:  www.october15th.com

    Learn more about the organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, which takes pictures for families who've lost a baby:   www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/