We are currently a grassroots organization, growing with the help of some lovely and generous friends. Help us grow even more by becoming a corporate sponsor!
Who is eligible?
Any business that wants exposure in our print and online publications, as well as our social media connections.
How does it work?
There are several levels of sponsorship. Choose the level that is right for your business:
advertising: our rate is $10 a month, or $100 for 12 months pre-paid. For this fee, your ad (with active link) will be displayed at the top of our sidebar for all to see! If you choose the $100 a year option, we'll include your logo in our print media including our yearly press kit and the brochure that is included in all Care Bags. We'll also be sure to promote you via our Facebook page.
donations: anyone donating $100 or more in products or services gets free advertising space for a year at the top of our website's sidebar, as well as a logo in our print media (including our press kit and pamphlets included in each Care Bag). We'll also give you a shout-out on our Facebook page! Email us if you would like a list of services and/or products that we need.
Note: There is a $10 one-time fee if you need us to make a button for your ad. You are free to submit your own logo and button, no fee attached!
We love our corporate sponsors and are happy to discuss the above options or other ideas you may have. Email us with any questions!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Two Years Ago Today
Two years ago today we had the best and worst day of our lives.
Two years ago today, I felt a "snap" and heard my daughter's heart rate drop off the monitor during a routine induction.
Two years ago today, as nurses frantically inserted an IV and pushed my bed down the hall to the OR, I prayed the hardest I have ever prayed in my entire life.
Two years ago today, I delivered my daughter in the scariest fashion imaginable.
Two years ago today, I learned that nurses are heroes.
Two years and one day from this moment, I met my daughter for the first time-- covered in wires, head wrapped in a cooling cap, and tube helping her breathe.
We were told she wouldn't make it.
We were told to expect the worst.
We were told that even if she did make it through that first week, we were not out of the woods and would probably need to decide to either take her off life support or be parents to a daughter in a vegetative state.
She was baptized in my arms. It took two nurses and a respiratory tech to get her there. It was the first time I would hold her, at four days old, and the last time I'd hold her for awhile.
That week, we watched our sweet girl double in size as fluid filled her tiny body, unable to get rid of it because her kidneys had failed.
I prayed the second hardest I ever had; this time I prayed she would pee.
We ALL prayed she would pee.
And then... she did.
That was the second happiest day of our lives, despite the fact the EEG showed little brain activity.
We hated that EEG.
Then came the moment of truth-- they weaned her off her seizure meds to see if her brain would wake up.
We waited and waited to see what damage almost an hour without air had done to her baby brain.
She opened her eyes.
She looked at her daddy.
Even with the doctors saying they still weren't sure if she would make it, and that she'd probably have significant brain damage, she tried to show us otherwise.
We should have listened to that little one, trying to tell us she'd be okay.
50 days after she was born, we finally took our baby home from the hospital.
So each 4th of July, when we see fireworks, we remember our own little firecracker. And we remember to never, ever, ever, ever, EVER give up...
...or take life for granted...
...or say "no" when someone offers help...
...or forget that God does listen...
{just like those little bitty babies, even when we think they can't hear}.
Happy birthday, dear Abby. You continue to amaze and inspire all who meet you every day. In the words of your doctor, no pressure, but there's a reason you are here. We expect great things from you, as you've already pulled off what most said was impossible.
Just remind me of this little story the next time you hit your brother or throw a tantrum because you want to stay outside, you little stinker. ;-) You are two now, you know.
Two years ago today, I felt a "snap" and heard my daughter's heart rate drop off the monitor during a routine induction.
Two years ago today, as nurses frantically inserted an IV and pushed my bed down the hall to the OR, I prayed the hardest I have ever prayed in my entire life.
Two years ago today, I delivered my daughter in the scariest fashion imaginable.
Two years ago today, I learned that nurses are heroes.
Abby, just moments after being resuscitated
Two years and one day from this moment, I met my daughter for the first time-- covered in wires, head wrapped in a cooling cap, and tube helping her breathe.
We were told she wouldn't make it.
We were told to expect the worst.
We were told that even if she did make it through that first week, we were not out of the woods and would probably need to decide to either take her off life support or be parents to a daughter in a vegetative state.
She was baptized in my arms. It took two nurses and a respiratory tech to get her there. It was the first time I would hold her, at four days old, and the last time I'd hold her for awhile.
That week, we watched our sweet girl double in size as fluid filled her tiny body, unable to get rid of it because her kidneys had failed.
I prayed the second hardest I ever had; this time I prayed she would pee.
We ALL prayed she would pee.
And then... she did.
That was the second happiest day of our lives, despite the fact the EEG showed little brain activity.
We hated that EEG.
Then came the moment of truth-- they weaned her off her seizure meds to see if her brain would wake up.
We waited and waited to see what damage almost an hour without air had done to her baby brain.
She opened her eyes.
She looked at her daddy.
Even with the doctors saying they still weren't sure if she would make it, and that she'd probably have significant brain damage, she tried to show us otherwise.
We should have listened to that little one, trying to tell us she'd be okay.
50 days after she was born, we finally took our baby home from the hospital.
So each 4th of July, when we see fireworks, we remember our own little firecracker. And we remember to never, ever, ever, ever, EVER give up...
...or take life for granted...
...or say "no" when someone offers help...
...or forget that God does listen...
{just like those little bitty babies, even when we think they can't hear}.
Happy birthday, dear Abby. You continue to amaze and inspire all who meet you every day. In the words of your doctor, no pressure, but there's a reason you are here. We expect great things from you, as you've already pulled off what most said was impossible.
Abby in front of the NICU where she spent her first hours of life
Just remind me of this little story the next time you hit your brother or throw a tantrum because you want to stay outside, you little stinker. ;-) You are two now, you know.
Monday, June 28, 2010
A Buying Guide for Care Bag Donations
Due to popular demand, here's what we're looking for in terms of donated items.
Want to stretch your donation even further? If you purchase items through the links on this page (they lead to Amazon.com), Team Abby will earn a percentage! You can also find these items (and so many more) in our Team Abby Amazon Store-- we'll earn money if you buy through our store, too. We love donated items from any source, so don't feel like you have to purchase through Amazon. Thanks for helping wrap our babies in love!
Edited to add: I recently found cute but cheap receiving blankets at Marshalls, Big Lots, and T.J.Maxx for under $6 for a pack of 5!
Carter's 4 Pack Recieving Multi-dot Blankets
Luvable Friends 6-Pack Flannel Receiving Blankets, Pink
Gerber Flannel Receiving Blanket, 5 Pack, Neutral
Carters Wrap Me Up Receiving Blanket, 4 Pack, Pink/Choc
How they will be used:
Here's a list of favorite titles; feel free to add your own:
Goodnight Moon
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Favorite Words (The World of Eric Carle)
Ve, Perro. Ve!: Go, Dog. Go! (Bright & Early Board Books(TM)) (Spanish Edition)
But Not the Hippopotamus
The Going-To-Bed Book
Moo Baa La La La
Blue Hat, Green Hat
Barnyard Dance! (Boynton on Board)
Hippos Go Berserk
Jamberry
Good Night, Gorilla
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? Board Book (Brown Bear and Friends)
Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
Gossie and Gertie
I Love You, Little One
Guess How Much I Love You
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You : Dr. Seuss's Book of Wonderful Noises (Bright and Early Board Books)
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book
Other items we'd love to have:
Want to stretch your donation even further? If you purchase items through the links on this page (they lead to Amazon.com), Team Abby will earn a percentage! You can also find these items (and so many more) in our Team Abby Amazon Store-- we'll earn money if you buy through our store, too. We love donated items from any source, so don't feel like you have to purchase through Amazon. Thanks for helping wrap our babies in love!
Edited to add: I recently found cute but cheap receiving blankets at Marshalls, Big Lots, and T.J.Maxx for under $6 for a pack of 5!
Blankets
We need blankets that can be used for swaddling babies and to be used as bedding in cribs.
- thin, flannel style receiving blankets work best
- blankets can be new with tags or like new (in great condition)
- crocheted and knit are welcomed too, especially if handmade
- they don't need to be expensive, just cute and comfy
- neutral colors are appreciated, but we'll also have bags by gender so send along your blues and pinks as well
Examples:
Carter's 4 Pack Recieving Multi-dot Blankets
Luvable Friends 6-Pack Flannel Receiving Blankets, Pink
Gerber Flannel Receiving Blanket, 5 Pack, Neutral
Carters Wrap Me Up Receiving Blanket, 4 Pack, Pink/Choc
How they will be used:
Books:
It's a helpless feeling when you can't hold your own child. Reading books aloud gave us something to do as well as soothed Abby with the sound of our voices. Today she's an avid "reader"!
- board books are best (sturdy pages to withstand years of abuse by kiddos!)
- should be good read-alouds (avoid wordless, "lift the flap", and "touch and feel books" that are difficult to read aloud)
- books can be new or in "like new" condition
Here's a list of favorite titles; feel free to add your own:
Goodnight Moon
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Favorite Words (The World of Eric Carle)
Ve, Perro. Ve!: Go, Dog. Go! (Bright & Early Board Books(TM)) (Spanish Edition)
But Not the Hippopotamus
The Going-To-Bed Book
Moo Baa La La La
Blue Hat, Green Hat
Barnyard Dance! (Boynton on Board)Hippos Go Berserk
Jamberry
Good Night, Gorilla
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? Board Book (Brown Bear and Friends)
Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
Gossie and Gertie
I Love You, Little One
Guess How Much I Love You
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You : Dr. Seuss's Book of Wonderful Noises (Bright and Early Board Books)
Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book
How The Books Will Be Used:
Here's our little bookworm post-NICU:
Loveys and Stuffed Animals
- for sanitary reasons, loveys and stuffed animals need to be new
- they should be small enough to fit in a Care Bag, but large enough not to be a choking hazard
- we'd love handmade creations
- they don't need to be expensive, just baby-friendly!
Examples:
Angel Dear 14" x 14" Blankie in Brown Monkey
Mary Meyer Blanket and Toy, Precious Puppy
Baby Gund Lamb "Winky White"
Bear Security Blanket, Blue
Angel Dear 14" x 14" Blankie in Brown Monkey
Mary Meyer Blanket and Toy, Precious Puppy
Baby Gund Lamb "Winky White"
Bear Security Blanket, Blue
How They Will Be Used
Pink Bunny cuddled with Abby all 50 days of her NICU stay
These sweet handmade birdies helped out, too!
You can't see it in the photo, but this lion gave Abby her first laugh!
Other items we'd love to have:
- crib-mounted mobiles: Tiny Love Classic Mobile
, Tiny Love Sweet Island Dreams Mobile
- pumping bras: Easy Expression Halter Hands Free Pumping Bra (Medium)
- gift cards to Cosi, PotBelly, Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts (all are located near the hospital)
- voice recorders (parents can record their voice and leave it with their baby): Sony ICD-BX700 Digital Voice Recorder with Stereo Microphone Jack
Thanks for your support!
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