And, it's off (Part II)

All 46 lbs of it!! This one should arrive at Woman's Hospital on Sept. 5th. Thank you all sooo very much for the overwhelming generosity you've shared! This has been an incredibly moving experience for me. Thank you for touching me so deeply.

The Remembering Emma Grace NICU Project 2006 Totals are:
32 Blankets & Quilts
73 Caps
12 Bereavement Sets
1 Bunting
13 Isolette Shirts
7 Stuffed Animals
13 Baggies for Locks of Hair
8 Hand/Foot Mold Kit
21 Journals
20 Pens
19 Disposable Cameras
2 Sets of Booties & Caps
1 Preemie Drape & Cap
6 Sets of Special Cards
$50 Amex Gift Card
8 Snugglies
3 Crossword Puzzle Books

God Bless the Babies and Their Families!

Hats and Socks

Look at these beautiful hats and socks from Mama Bear. They just arrived and are the last, but certainly not least. Thank you so much for this donation with everything you have going on right now.

I've been so touched and moved by these tiny socks. They really are the tiniest I've ever seen. You see, Emma was given some booties but they were wwwaaayyy too big. Seeing these little ones really brings back memories of my tiny girl. Below is a photo of her footprints next to these that Mama Bear sent.


Thank you for remembering the tiny babies!

First Day of School

It's here. The first day of school is here. It's hard to believe that Hannah is old enough. She's going on T/Th from 9-2 and is sooooooo excited. She was just about to explode this morning. Here she is in the overalls I made for her first day.



I'm gonna take a break from sewing for just a bit. I haven't done Emma's scrapbook yet and before another year has passed (has it really been a year?), I've got to do it. It's going to be an emotional project, but one that I really need to do. I can't stand not being able to open a book and look at her pictures.

Before the end of September, I'll finish the LucyBug gown and I have some flannel I want to turn into blankets. I'll probably end up doing more sewing that I realize.

Oh, and I picked up some Caron Simply Soft in orange and green yesterday to loom some pumpkin hats. See...I will be busier than I expect. :-)

Tiny Bereavement Blanket

Saturday I received this beautiful bereavement blanket from Anne. Anne found my blog just a week or so ago and wanted to donate to the NICU project. I've been waiting to post a photo of the blanket until I could get more details about it from Anne. As you know by now, my photos never do anything justice. However, it has the prettiest knit stitch called "Roman Rib". Anne said she recently saw it in a book and wanted to give it a try. I think it turned out beautifully!! Heartfelt Thanks, Anne!!

Boutique Overalls

I decided to make an attempt at making some back-to-school appliqued overalls for Hannah. As usual, I wait to the last minute. I bought the instructional cd/dvd combo from Kinderalls months ago. Here's the start.

Not too bad for my first try at applique. It's not perfect, but actually better than I thought I'd do.

Thanks, Aunt Stump!

My youngest sister (aka Aunt Stump) sent some journals and pens. Thank you so very much for always remembering Emma! ((Hugs))

And, it's off (Part I)

Hannah and I put one package in the mail to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) today. This is where Emma was transferred when the NEC hit. I entertained the idea of taking the digital camera to the post office and trying to capture the package and the post office in the photo...but then, I considered otherwise. I wonder how many "what-is-that-crazy-lady-doing" looks I would have gotten. :-) I settled on this photo taken at Emma's memory garden.


I still have a couple more packages (from some very talented woman!) to receive. At that point, I'll put the other box in the mail to Woman's Hospital.

Disposable Cameras from Rebecca

Just in.....5 disposable cameras from my friend, Rebecca. As always, many hugs and thanks for your continued support!!!

A THREE Donation Day!!

Wow! I was so surprised a few minutes ago. I wasn't expected 3 packages today and there are still more to come.

Monica, thank you so very much for the beautiful crochetted gowns. Stunning and so very kind of you. These are the first ones I've received made from yarn. Btw, I realize now after I've uploaded the photos that the gowns open in the back, not the front. Sorry for the photo oops!


My good friend Sheree, mom to a preemie, sent these 8 precious snugglies. She said that Chloe had one of these when she was in the NICU. Mommy is supposed to sleep with it and then it's put in the isolette with the baby. BTW, her preemie is almost 2 and is in the Terrible Twos. hee! hee! I love it!! :-)


And, once again, Amy sent some more things. This time she sent 2 isolette shirts, matching cap & booties, and 4 journals. Thanks a million, Amy!! Remembering Chase and Alexander with you!

Thanks Misty

Yesterday I found a slip from the postman on my front door. Apparently, there was a box at the post office. Yippeee!!! Misty sent 3 mold kits and 5 disposable cameras. Thanks so much, Misty!!

Hannah and I worked on boxing things up yesterday. No telling what the postage will cost! LOL! Mom said that her participation in this project would be to help will postage. Thanks Mom!

I think we have 2 more (or is it 3 more) packages to arrive. I'll have to double check. When I posted the end of the project, several people contacted me saying they had things, but just haven't gotten them in the mail. So....I shall wait. :-)

Remembering Emma Grace NICU Project comes to an end

And I'm still in complete awe at the amount of participation. Thank you ALL so very much for your generosity and compassion. Thank you for remembering my Sweet Em and supporting me like this.

Here is the final group photo. I have one more donation that will be here probably this weekend, but I wanted to go ahead and start getting things in order.



You're looking at:
31 Blankets & Quilts
67 Caps
8 Bereavement Sets
3 Gown & Bonnet Sets
1 Bunting
11 Isolette Shirts
7 Stuffed Animals
13 Baggies for Locks of Hair
5 Hand/Foot Mold Kit
12 Journals
8 Pens
9 Disposable Cameras
2 Sets of Booties & Caps
1 Preemie Drape & Cap
6 Sets of Special Cards
$50 Amex Gift Card

Unbelievable!!! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Sarah's Knits

Unless someone surprises me, this is the next to the last donation. Sarah's knits arrived today. These are ones that she made on the Knifty Knitter. Since making them, she's learned to knit for "real." :-) She says she hasn't tackled a hat yet with needles, but that it is "next up." Thanks so much, Sarah!! As a mom of preemies, you know how much they will be appreciated.

From Emily

Late yesterday afternoon, the UPS man brought these to my door. They are from Emily, a very good family friend and Mommy to our godchildren. The blankets are absolutely beautiful and would be such sweet bereavement blankets. Emily sent a total of 8 blankets...two 16"x16", four 18"x18", and two 22"x22". And, for an added special touch she embroidered Emma's intials on 6 of them and the initial of her last name on the remaining 2 in memory of the identical twins that she miscarried a few months ago. She did it in white thread, so it is subtle. And...being the fabulous photographer (not!) that I am, I couldn't make it show up in a photo.

Emily, thanks for sharing your time and heart with me, and other families that will receive these blankets.

Another 2 Donation Day!

Ooh! I love 2 Donation Days! Christina has already sent 2 beautiful crochetted blankets, but wanted to do more. Today I received 4 disposable cameras from her. Christina, thank you so very much for your continued generosity!! Many hugs to you, my friend!

And, a donor that wishes to remain anonymous very generously donated a $50 Amex Gift Card to be used by a family that has to travel a good distance to the hospital to check on their wee one. With the price of gas these days, I'm certain it will be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!!

Next up, I'm certain of 2 more donations coming. One should be here tomorrow and one on Wednesday. We're coming to the close of this little project and I truly can't thank everyone enough for sharing your talents, your gifts, your hearts, and for helping to Remember Emma Grace. I'm honored to consider you all my friend. Ok, here I'm getting sappy and I haven't even sent the boxes yet. :-)

From Tina

Tina's package arrived on Thurs when I was hurriedly trying to make the triplet gowns and yesterday I was too sick to post. I ended up with the stomach bug that Hannah had earlier in the week.

Anyhoo.....Tina, thanks so much for the incredible generosity. As I've said before, Emma's death has allowed me to meet some of the most thoughtful and kind people. Thank you for being one of them.

She sent 2 handmade preemie quilts given to her when she attempted to do a project like this, 4 mold kits, 5 stuffed animals, 5 crocheted caps, and a preemie drape & and cap. The preemie drape and cap was given to her when her precious Trinity died, but Trinity was too big for it. Tina has some of the cutest pictures of Trinity with a stuffed doggie. She sent one similar to it.



Tina also made 6 sets of special cards. They contain birth cards and "special" cards for first baths, first time held, etc. Here's an example of one.



And, she didn't forget Hannah....a little ladybug, some beads, and some make-up, of which Hannah promptly dug her finger into saying, "Oooh, that's a lot." :-)

For the Triplets

A good friend of a good friend lost her triplets on Thurs conceived via IVF. She was carrying identical twins + a fraternal one. She was only 22 wks when her water broke on the identical twins' sac and lost them. They tried to deliver the identical boys and leave the fraternal put, but it did not work out. When tragedy like this happens, I know nothing to do but say a prayer and start sewing. Here are the three little gowns I sent to Michelle yesterday.



And a close-up of the green one...



I met Michelle several months ago at my friend's home. I recognized in her the deep pain that infertility causes. I remember the pain so vividly. Now, sadly, the next time I see her I'll recognize the pain of the death of a child. It's a pain too deep to describe.

Always remembering Alexander, Nathan, & Zachary!! ((HUGS))

Lisa's Quilt

My friend Lisa (aka LAN) just sent an adorable quilt, 24" x 24". Cute! Cute! Cute! And, it's so professional. Thanks soooo very much!

Here you go......

First, gonna try the family photo that isn't in the below post. I couldn't get it to upload and then it occurred to me last night while try to sleep (thanks to jetlag) that the post may be too long. So.....maybe this time.

Yeah, photobucket....got it but it's huge. SORRY! I've shrunk it, but it still appears HUGE.

And, I worked on the bunting last night. Whatcha think?

We're home!

We returned home from our trip to Maui yesterday. It was beautiful and we had a great time. I'd like to share the photo of our family (minus one precious angel!) with you in the Hawaiian shirts I made. We had this taken at sunset at the luau we attended.

The next items were received right before we left for vacation, but I didn't have time to post them. These preemie blankets (approx. 21"x21") were crocheted by Lorraine. I still don't know how she found time with a toddler and young twins. Thanks Lorraine!!


This cute little blanket was made by Linda to match the hat that she's already sent me.

It's only about 9" x 9" so I think I'm going to use some pretty ribbon and turn it into a bunting for babies too small to dress. Kind of fold it up like this. I'll post a picture when I get a chance.


Lastly, I'm going to become a "fake" knitter. LOL! I picked up a Knifty Knitter set and made the hat in the photo below. I think it's supposed to be a preemie size, but it's too large. I'm going to see if I can find a smaller loom. Oh, and I finished the smocking on the little gown. I don't know if I'll have time to finish it before the end of the Remembering Emma Grace NICU project deadline, though. I've got a lot on my plate in the next couple of weeks.