Thursday

DIFOP-Mothers Give Back to NICUS


By far, one of the most challenging and emotionally barren seasons of my life was giving birth to my premature daughter. My third baby spent three weeks in the NICU (neo natal intensive care unit) and it was a roller coaster with high highs and low lows.

Every Christmas we return to remember and honor the people who saved our daughter's life. We also empathize with the exhausted, new parents on their long and frightening NICU journey.

In honor of Mother's Day and our new Do-It-For-Others project, I am pleased to introduce you to a brand new organization, Hailey's Hope, born out of a grief most of us will never know. Kristin, Hailey's mom, lost her precious daughter in January this year when she was just 36 days old. She has turned her sorrow into a beautiful testimony and ministry in her baby's honor by blessing other NICU families with special gift bags.

The gift bags for NICU parents provide a gentle touch of comfort during a difficult time.

What we are collecting to add to gift bags (ITEMS MUST BE NEW):
  • Stuffed animals, stuffed rattles, stuffed animals w/small blankies attached
  • Preemie clothes-boy, girl and unisex (most Dept. stores carry preemie clothes, including WalMart)
Please let me know BY COMMENTING if you think your family can send an item!

Some of you can send a lot, some only a little. Please consider sending something (I will collect the items the month of May and send one large box to Hailey's Hope).

We are THAT family
8000 Research Forest Dr. Ste. 115-110
Spring, TX 77382


Deadline for this project is June 1st. If you can participate, I have a treat for you, please visit my community for a chance to win something special for yourself or Mom on Mother's Day!


34 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll send something. Not sure right now what or how much I can send, but I'll be sure to send something!

Anonymous said...

Check out this if you live in the midwest:

http://lindaandtheboys.blogspot.com/

She does great things in honor of her son, Declan (who was the nephew of a good friend of mine)

Thanks!
Amy

Elizabeth said...

I'd love to join in on this! Can we send baby blankets too? Where exactly can you buy preemie clothing?

Kristen said...

I think a few baby blankets would be okay, but since that's a popular item, we aren't specifically collecting those.

You can get preemie clothes at WalMart, Babies R Us, and most dept stores.

Leigh said...

I would love to help. My youngest spent only a day in the NICU, but it was tough - and the love that is showered on those babies and their families is wonderful!

Angela said...

I will send something. Canwe write notes of encouragement too?

Courtney said...

I can send something. I'll try to find some preemie sleepers.

Katie said...

Count our family in, as well. My oldest son, Ben, spent almost 3 weeks in NICU after he was born via emergency c-section at 35 weeks. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without the one nurse in that unit. She took care of me almost as much as my baby.

Gigi said...

I'd love to send something! Thanks for the opportunity.

Let'sMakeADifference said...

I am SOOO excited to be able to help! It will be our family's project for May!!

Amy said...

I can send something. Walmart has alot of the sleepers and outfits on clearance right now, and at least here, most of the leftovers are preemie sized. I've already bought for two different baby showers, and I love the excuse of being able to shop for baby stuff again! :)

Kristen @ Hope Abound said...

My girls were in there for a month and a half so I understand. It's nice to know that people are there to support you and lend a loving hand. Our NICU had a group of grandmothers called "Touch of the Heart." They nitted hats, made blankets, and made the little snakes that cuddled around the preemies. I can't wait to send something to help out.

Bee Happy said...

count us in!! Happy, TX

Jessica Miller Kelley said...

I will send something!

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

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Jennifer Young said...

Would Target or Walmart gift cards be ok? It would save (me) on shipping. If you or the organization wouldn't mind buying the items.... Let us know. Thanks!

Robin said...

I'll send some things!

cheryl said...

I will send something.
Cheryl

Kristen said...

Yes, gift cards/money are acceptable...I will forward them to this organization! Thanks, y'all for partnering with me to help others.

OurLittleBlessingS said...

Mia was in there for her first week of life, and even though it wasn't anything life threatening, it still had highs and lows. I will definately send something out next week! I'm not sure what yet, probably whatever I can find that's on that list! :D
jess

Amanda said...

yes!! count us in! I'll get it to you soon. I always love an excuse to go baby clothes shopping!!!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

You know the NICU is close to out hearts. J spent 51 days there...and those nurses helped me everyday...not only with my tiny baby, but navigating through all of the tears of my mom's cancer diagnosis and chemo going on at the same time.

Count us in.

Unknown said...

I'll send something. I'm so thankful my little guy has always been healthy, so I'd love to give to those who are in that tough situation.

Rachel Moss said...

I will send something!

SurvivorDiane said...

Just left Walmart - they had preemie stuff marked down to $3.00 - purchased some to send.

--Amie-- said...

What a beautiful thing!!! I wish you would have been around when my daughter was in the NICU! She was born 12 weeks early, and stayed in the NICU for 67 days!! Something like this would have been a true comfort!! We go back every year around her birthday to give back at Memorial Hermann Children's Hospital!!

queen bee tracy said...

Our family would be happy to send some niceys for the babies. Thanks for organizing this project.

heyruthie said...

i will plan to shop for an outfit. i lost 1 pregnancy to miscarriage, and have several friends who have lost full-term babies during or shortly after delivery in the NICU. i will be shopping for preemie items.

Christina said...

Thank you for being so thoughtful and such an example of what it means to give. We would love to send some clothes and a cuddly toy.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing about Hailey's Hope Kristen and making it your DIFOP for the month of May! I am so moved and encouraged by you and your readers already! Blessings to you and everyone else for helping take part in this special project!

SM Anderson said...

Not sure why my first comment did not show up. I will be sending something. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in this. I did not have a NICU baby but I did lose a little guy due to pre-term labor. Anything I can do to help families with littles ones I consider a blessing.

Nancy said...

I haven't gone shopping yet, but I will send something for this very touching cause! I was a preemie myself many years ago!

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Jenn @ Jar Full of Rocks said...

Count us in! I just now saw this post. You posted it while I was on my prison mission trip and I totally missed it.

My daughter was born 12 weeks early and spent 56 days in the NICU.

I will be passing this post on to the preemie support group that I am the leader of. Some of the mommies on that board may be interested.

Kelly said...

I just ordered from Amazon and am having it shipped to the above address...should ship on May 25th.