Thursday, November 11, 2010

Volunteerism for the NICU


Are you able to donate your time or talents to the NICU for the holidays? We would love you to be a part of Made for a Miracle. An organization that brings hand made gift to the neonatal intensive care units. I you would like to be involved, or would like more information, please email me personally... thepreemie@me.com

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

The Preemie is on Twitter

Come find our instant blog post on Twitter. It is my understanding that I must need both. If you would like to be aware of new offers, interesting updates, and post that promote the advocacy for celebrating the Preemie children and families of the NICU. Follow us :.
https://twitter.com/thepreemie

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Preemie :. A Journey to Home, A Preemie Baby Book and NICU Companion Journal - Now Available for Hospitals and for Donation!

As many of you know, I have been compiling a NICU Journal and Preemie Baby Book. This companion journal had been offered on the internet for the past year. I have done a complete revision and have made the preemie baby book larger, more reasonable in cost, and faster shipping. This journal is 104 pages and in outstanding full-color. The new printers have offered excellent quality and the publishers will market the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other brick and mortar store across the world.

The artist and illustrator, Lara Payton had lent me her designs to give the book a beautiful scrapbook look and feel. The elegance of her artwork gave something so unique to this journal. Every page is different and personal, as is the NICU experience.

In the publishing of this Preemie keepsake, I have a new website that details the book in it's entirety (http://thepreemie.com). Along with that, I have advertised a discounted price of 25% as an introductory offer. Many hospitals and organizations had contacted me in the past concerning wholesale and discounted pricing, at that time and with the resources that I had available to me, I was unable to do so.

Today is a new day, and for many families in the NICU, my hope is that they are able to have a copy of this 'fill-in' diary throughout their stay. As the author of this publication, I wanted nothing more than a means to give parents a resource for celebration and hope. As a Mother of a Preemie, I have poured my heart into the journal, detailing pages for parents to fill in with emotion and sentiments. My hope is to offer comfort to parents and children with a memory of their Journey to Home.

Today, the journal is available at LuLu.com and is ready for immediate shipment. It is listed at $49.99 with a 25% off, making it $37.49. There is a promotional code that will take the book down in price to $29.99. I would encourage all NICU's to take a look at the journal and check back with me for opportunities for larger orders. If you are an individual, I would encourage you to purchase and have it shipped to the NICU of your choice as a donation to a family for the holidays.
Use promo code :. NOVEMBOOK for the additional discount. Order Your Copy, Today.

This is my way of giving back to the community of premature infants. It is the way that I, as a working Mother am able to fight for the healing and the celebration to be a part of future experiences in the NICU. This journal will make it's way into the hearts of many, but my hope is that it makes it's way into the hearts of all.

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

The Development of The Preemie Baby Book

I began all of my research about prematurity the evening of my son's birth. I can't say that I was avoiding doing my research prior to the birth of my son, only holding out for the chance of making it to 36 weeks gestation. I complicated my pregnancy by constantly researching my high-risk condition. Looking back, I definitely should have taken the experiences of being pregnant with more elation and less stress. 


After his birth at 30 weeks, I started a blog to keep relatives and relations informed on our progress through the NICU experience. These were my experiences, and all of my knowledge of prematurity were gained day by day, and by me asking pro-active questions.


Overall, I feel that the time spent in the NICU was only about us having a set-back or a milestone, did I then understand that this a reality to all preemies? You do not know what you don't know...


Going through the feeding processes, I did not know that a baby must develop the suck, swallow, breathe abilities. Although, we were guided to attempt to breast feed at some point, we were never told that in most preemies that oral motor skill is gained as they develop.


I guess, I just wanted that outline. This is the path to how you get home. 


First, they must sleep. We (the NICU) will feed them, make heat for them, and care for them.
In (blank number of days) you will care for them.
In (blank number of days) you will be able to kiss them.
and so on...


'A Journey to Home' is not written as an outline, but a parent can identify the steps involved in the milestones of their preemie. If you turn the page you will see that within a day or so, you should be able to do kangaroo care. It is written so that terms that are discussed briefly, or not at all, are in a dictionary format.


Everyday, I received a phone call from the Neonatologist who had reports of how many bradycardia or apnea episodes my preemie had experienced throughout the night. They would discuss treatments as well as dismissal of treatments. For me, I did not have a useful way to compile the information, so that I was able to view a previous report to see if we were really making great progress, or was there a need for concern. Who knew?


I was uneducated. I will say that yes... we made it through. Did I do it the best way possible? No. I needed more under my belt in order to really, really understand, heal, and to celebrate in the processes.


The development of the premature baby book was really out of healing myself. I still carry discontent in the medical and social  societies that surround prematurity. It is not only a cause but a reality. I could go on for days about my issues with the system, but overall, please know that it is a passion of mine to be an advocate for all babies born to soon, for the parents who experience emotional and financial hardship, and for the overall sensitivity in the care of these families through education and activities in the NICU.


For more information, follow my blog or visit our comprehensive website at :. http://www.thepreemie.com

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

A Published Journal That Celebrates The Premature Infant



'A Journey to Home' A Preemie Baby Book and NICU Companion Journal is available today! As exciting as that is, I am even more excited that the publisher also offers wholesale pricing. My ultimate goal is to have this book given to every Mother being wheel-chaired into the NICU for the first time. My goal is that every woman on bed rest receive a copy.
I truthfully tell you that the night I saw my son for the first time, I was given a half sheet of blue card stock with his name on it, a room number and a phone number. I wheeled back up to the ninth floor where I sat in my bed and literally broke down, having nothing but that blue piece of paper.
I could not meet my goal quick enough, but with your help, maybe. If you are in the NICU now, or are a parent of a NICU graduate, or maybe you are a NICU nurse, we all have the capacity to change things. I hope that I share this common goal with you too.

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

From Small Beginings Come Great Things





As my son grew, so did the constant push for a bigger better journal, one with less expense and that could arrive quicker. I started doing my reach and came up with a publisher who could provide all of that.
My revision was to still include the fabulous graphics and illustrations by Lara Payton. The elegance of her artwork lent something so unique to this journal. Every page is personal, as is the NICU experience.
I worked as diligently as I could having a three year old and trying to balance. It literally took months for the redesign, when I was hoping for a week of hard work...



Two proofs later, I was finally ready to publish. The Preemie Baby Book and NICU Companion Journal is officially available on LuLu.com. I am very excited to say that within the next 4 weeks, with all fingers crossed... It will be available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, as well as other brick an mortar stores.


For more information, please visit http://www.thepreemie.com

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com

The Premature Baby Scrapbook and NICU Companion Journal

Since the birth of my son at 30 weeks gestation, I had been longing for some type of method to record his journey through the NICU. In the three years that followed his birth, I have compiled closed to seven versions of a NICU Journal that is the Preemie Baby Book since his coming home.
In early 2010, I began selling a small journal that was close to 35 pages. This journal was well received although, it just wasn't the book that I wanted for mothers. Believe me... It was a beautiful start.
For more information, follow my blog or visit our comprehensive website at :. http://www.thepreemie.com

HOW TO FIND US ONLINE…
Visit Our WebSites :.
http://www.thepreemie.comhttp://www.miraclebebe.com
YouTube Channel :.theeverydaypreemie
Facebook Pages :.
http://www.facebook.com/thepreemie
Follow us on Twitter :.@thepreemie
Blogspot Profile :.
http://thepreemie.blogspot.com
Word Press Profile :.
http://thepreemie.wordpress.com