A Precious Halloween Treat For You ~ NICU Miracles In Costume!

On this October 31, 2013 we wanted to write an inspiring Halloween post dedicated to all preemies, NICU babies, & NICU families! So we asked you to submit pictures of your baby or child in costume and you sure did! Thank you! We also asked for current families in the NICU to send pictures of their little ones dressed up too.

Many of you will spend Halloween and the upcoming holidays in the NICU - it's one of our goals to make that time just a little better by writing posts to share hope with you & bring you simple smiles! We know this post of preemie miracles dressed in costume will do just that!! We pray that next year you are home celebrating the holidays with your little one(s). Blessings to you, stay strong, and visit us when you need a little pick me up. This just may be the most adorable Halloween preemie post ever. Thank you for sharing pictures with us.

A Preemie Mother's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for this preemie God gave me to keep.
So very little, So very small,
I pray you make it through it all.
Each day I hold you skin to skin,
I hope you feel my love within.
You are so brave, you are so strong,
You came early because you belong.
Angels watch over him all through the night,
God keep him safe and help him fight.

Written by, Andrea Green

From a PP NICU Grad shoot. I wanted to share this precious picture honoring Lily who is in an angel in heaven watching over her brothers & sisters... all 4 of them!!

Trick or Treat From A Few Preemies!!!

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE NICU!!! 

 

A PREEMIE HALLOWEEN!!

29 weekers now 10.5 months old!

Zander Lewis, born three months early, now 6 months old. Wearing a bee costume

SO MANY PREEMIE & NICU MIRACLES CELEBRATING IN COSTUME!!

Here's my 31 weeker
He's 11 months old now

This pumpkin was a 34 weeker weighing in at 3lbs 12 oz he is now 8.5 months actual 7 months adjusted and 19.5 lbs

My little pumpkin Jacob! He was born at 24 weeks weighing 1lb 12 oz. he spent 98 days in the NICU and now he is a happy healthy toddler! I am a blessed mommy.

Baby Charly was born at 28 weeks. She is now 7 weeks old and the cutest candy corn just in time for Halloween.

Tanner in his Halloween costume he is 5 weeks old. 5 days adjusted.

Sophia born at 24 w 6d now almost 17months

 

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING PICTURES OF YOUR PRECIOUS PREEMIES WITH PREEMIE PRINTS! WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER THIS INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POST FOR NICU FAMILIES, SUPPORTERS, READERS, AND VOLUNTEERS TO ENJOY! 

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN IN OR OUT OF THE NICU!!

Preemie twins born at 32.5 weeks, now 4. Photo from PP volunteer Lauren Mellisari of College Station.

Welcome New Photographer, Joy!

Please help us welcome back volunteer photographer, Joy! Joy will be helping give the gift of photography to preemie and NICU families near Brentwood, MO. We're so excited to welcome her!!

Joy Holdmeier Photography

www.JoyHoldmeier.com
gofitmomstl@gmail.com

Service Area: Brentwood, MO

About Joy:

"I’ve always been a hobby photographer, but it wasn’t until after having my preemie a year ago that I started my business.  She inspired me to pursue my dream and do something I was passionate about. She was born at 25 weeks and spent 108 days in the NICU.  A photographer friend donated her time and took photos of her and our family there in our room.  I look at those photos daily and I will forever be grateful for them.  I vowed that I would someday give back and do the same for other families. Our NICU journey was so difficult, but those photos remind me of how much we endured and conquered and how blessed we truly are. It is truly an honor to volunteer for Preemie Prints!"

Joy's Preemie :)

Detailed Information, Entertainment Information, & more about the 5K and Baby Boo Bash - Part I

We will have live music from 8:30-10:30 am from local band Etched In Stone. They were with us for last year's event and have graciously returned to support local families & our work in the Brazos Valley for The Little Monster's 5K For A Cause! We're excited beyond words at how much support we've received form the Bryan College Station community and beyond, with over 200 registrants coming together to raise awareness and support and honor preemies, babies born critically ill, and our angels.

 

When you arrive... 

>>For the race: check in if you are registered and haven't already picked up your race packet at Brazos Running Co. on Friday from 5-7! 

>>For the race: if you are registering the day of the event please find the "Register Here" sign. Please note that we will not have extra t-shirts available. We will be placing an order for additional shirts in the near future and will notify you by email (if you are local) of when pick-up is available! If you are out of the area we will ship you your shirt. 

To Bring

Please remember to bring special signs in honor or in memory of your baby. We will have volunteers who will be available to hold them and cheer you on throughout the race! Also, you are invited to dress in costume! Lastly, bring lawn chairs if you would like to sit & enjoy the live music we will be having all day. We will have blankets available for you to sit on the lawn, but chairs will not be. You're welcome to bring your own beach towels, blankets, and chairs!

Visit our bake sale, silent auction, gift table & enjoy some great music while you wait for the race to begin! We're certain Etched In Stone will get us fired up for the Little Monster's 5K!

Information & Shopping Before/After The Race! 

Curbside Chic Mobile Boutique

Advocare - Michelle Campbell

Scentsy - Jenny Gallagher

Visit & learn about Early View 3/D 4/D Ultrasound

Larry Field Photography - Local Photographer & 

Preemie Prints volunteer

Lindsey Louise Photography - Local Photographer & 

Preemie Prints volunteer 

5K Race Course Starting At Central Park, College Station Tx

 

The race will kick off at 9:00 am with emcee Chris Howard, 

we thank him for being with us throughout the day!

When you arrive for the day:

>>If you have a NICU Graduate with you please check them in anytime. They will receive a NICU grad bracelet, made by a volunteer that is there's to keep and a trick or treat bag. They will be able to trick or treat around the event all day! Just look for the bowls filled with treats & go trick or treating!  Show the kitchen volunteers your grad's bracelet and receive complimentary food & drinks.

>>If you are an angel parent or sibling please check in at the angel table. We will have remembrance ribbons for you and a program about the angel ceremony. Same applies to you food & drinks are complimentary. If you arrived early to enjoy the day and brought or made special memory items for the angel butterfly release ceremony you can check them with the angel table volunteers and pick up before the ceremony starts at 2!

Awards

The race will end by 10:00 am and we will move quickly into the award ceremony. Top Finisher for male and female will be awarded, as well as, top finisher 12 and under male and female. We will also award our largest teams at this time!

Costume Contest 10:30 am

After the award ceremony we will ask all who wish to participate in the costume contest to move to the pavilion. Our judges panel, from Little Guys Movers, will be helping us with this portion of the event! All of the teams will walk through one by one & best team costume will be awarded. The guys will then award best costume (adult) and best costume for kids (girl & boy). 

________________________________________________________________

>>It's not too late to register for the race! 

>>Plan to attend the NICU grad reunion (all NICU families in Bryan College Station & beyond - no matter where your baby graduated from are invited)

>>RSVP to the Angel Baby Butterfly Release Ceremony by texting 979.635.0825.

Look For Part II On Thursday Morning!!  

We'll have a complete list of silent auction items, Bryan College Station NICU Graduate Reunion festivities, and information about the angel baby butterfly release ceremony. 

Houston's Daniel Elliot Paints for Charity

Daniel Elliott  
born in Southington, CT in 1972. Daniel studied Painting and Illustration at the University Of Connecticut School Of Fine Arts from 1990 to 1996. After college, Daniel having such an outgoing personality entered into corporate America, for the most part spent his time climbing the management ladder. But, at the end of the day Daniel was an artist at heart and he came back to his true calling. He is truly an artist and his work has evolved into his own unique style. 

He uses texture and color in amazing ways to make his concepts literally come to life as they jump off the paper. He has an extensive background in abstract but don't be fooled as his realism has the ability to capture your soul. His paintings have been displayed in numerous galleries for solo and group exhibitions. He has many collectors both nationally and internationally, including corporate installations and commissioned work. Daniel currently teaches acrylic fundamentals and mixed media painting in group and private lessons, workshops and at Jerry's Artarama in Houston, TX

Daniel in action working
an upcoming event

Artist at work

Daniel has a huge heart and has donated one of his gallery pieces to Preemie Prints. He is hoping that it will make funds that are very necessary in our mission to reach more families impacted by Premature, Nicu, and Angel babies. Houston has a Hero named Daniel Elliot.




We will be having an auction in College Station at "Little Monsters 5K" on October 26th. If you would like to place a bid on the painting or make a donation to our cause please email Jeanna


Houston NICU Heros 5K Team
Donate Now

Here is the painting that Daniel donated

Beautiful

Adorable Ahuva's NICU Photo Shoot

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.

A note from Mom:

"Ahuva Nava Hoffman was born at 34 weeks, 5 days. She was the smaller twin, who weighed in at 4lb, 4oz. Her younger twin sister, Rivka Chaya Hoffman, was 4lb 14oz. Unfortunately, she passed away when she was two weeks old. Ahuva Nava spent almost 5 weeks in the NICU between St. Joe's and Children's, and after learning how to eat, gaining some weight, and moving past her bite cell anemia from which she required two blood transfusions, we finally welcomed her home.

She is now 9 months old, and is learning to crawl. She is growing nicely, thank G-d and we are very happy to have her in our lives."

Volunteer Photographer:

 Ken Smith - Denver, CO

A note from Ken:

"Ahuva had just woke up from her morning nap when I arrived.  She was still somewhat sleepy, but quickly woke up and came alive.  She crawled around the floor rather quick, so taking her pictures was a fun experience.  We even stepped outside for some outdoor pictures too."