Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Baby Eleanor's NICU Grad Photo Session

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:

"We have been parents for over four years now. We've been there, done that.  This time around, with baby #2, we were experienced and didn't have very many questions.  Then things started going wrong with the pregnancy.  On modified bed rest starting right away at 5 weeks, it was a whirlwind of emotions, appointments, hospital admissions, specialists, and way too many tests.  Our little Eleanor was born at 33 1/7 weeks at 4lbs 10oz, and 18 inches.  Due to the circumstances of the delivery, I didn't get to see or hold my little girl until she was over 24 hours old.  She was on IV for hypoglycemia, phototherapy for jaundice, intubated for surfactant administration, CPAP/oxygen, and bounced back and forth between cribs and different isolates since she had a pretty hard time regulating her temperature. After 27 emotional days in the NICU we got to bring our baby home on a heart rate/respiratory monitor.  Despite the very bumpy road that lead us here, we feel lucky she's now as healthy as she is.  She's a stubborn little girl and does things on her own schedule, but that just means she's a strong peanut.  We are so thankful for our 4 year old, amazing family and friends, perinatologists, specialists, nurses, the entire NICU team, the wonderful staff throughout the entire hospital, and many helpful organizations who supported us more than one could ever imagine."

Volunteer Photographer:
Tammy Fraley - Portland, OR

A note from Tammy:
"Little Eleanor had just come home from the hospital unexpectedly a few days before the photo session. When I arrived at Mom and Dad's home she was sleeping peacefully. She was a joy to work with and reminded me of my grandson who also liked to stick his tongue out. Big sister was quite proud of her new little sister."









Friday, July 19, 2013

July Sew & Craft Meeting

Preemie Prints had another successful sewing meeting. We worked on cuddlers & giraffes! Thank you for coming out to help we sincerely appreciate each and every person in Bryan College Station (and beyond) who gives their time and helping hands to NICU babies. If you're interested in getting involved, please let us know because we need you. If you have fabric to donate we will graciously accept.



Little Renton's NICU Grad Photo Session

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:
"Renton was born at 34 weeks. When I went into the hospital, I was in denial that my water had been broken for about 18 hours. I went to my local small hospital and my doctor said we are calling an ambulance to transfer you to a better place equipped for preemies. And that's when it hit me that my pregnancy was over. I was not going to get a full term baby, I was going to be a mom of a little miracle. I was scared to death that everything would go wrong from there, but also excited to meet my baby. I was in the hospital for 5 days before I was induced. I got 2 rounds of steroids for his lungs and guest what...they worded, because he was born screaming. He was born and went right to the NICU and I went right to recovery. He was able to eat and breath on his own. He had a slight difficulty maintaining his body temperature. He spent 2 days in the NICU and 3 more days as a "boarder" in a regular nursery under heat lamps and then the ultraviolet lights for jaundice."

Volunteer Photographer:
Liz Crans - Buffalo, NY

A note from Liz:
"What a handsome little man! I had such a great time getting to know Renton as well as his parents. They are the sweetest family. What a joy it was to work with them."








Thursday, July 18, 2013

New Volunteer Photographer, Jessica!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Jessica! Jessica will be helping give the gift of photography near Kempner, Texas.

SRP Miracles
Jessica McDowell

Service Area: Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Belton

About Jessica:
"I've chosen to volunteer because I believe in giving back to my community and using my talent to benefit others. I have a B.S. in Communications and more than 10 years experience in portrait photography."



Friday, July 12, 2013

New Photography Volunteer, Lauren!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Lauren! Lauren will be helping give the gift of photography in The Brazos Valley.

Lauren Melissari

Service Area: Bryan, College Station, TX

About Lauren:
"I am a mom to 2 preemie babies and understand the NICU struggles. I have been pursuing newborn photography for a few years now and giving other preemie parents the gift of professional pictures will be very rewarding."



Lauren's Preemie Prints Shoots

Princess Piper's NICU Grad Photo Session

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:
"Piper Makenzie was a fighter from the start. We were admitted at 23 weeks for hospital bed rest due to perterm labor and an incompetent cervix. The neonatologist came down and spoke with us that day on whether we were prepared to take every measure to save her life if she was born at 23 weeks. Piper hung on, thankfully, for 7 1/2 more weeks and came into the world at 30 weeks on May 21st. She stayed in the NICU at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital for 42 days. She breezed thru most of her time in the NICU until right before we went home. Her nurses always referred to her as the rockstar! Before being sent home it was discovered that Piper had a small brain bleed. Also during bottle feeds, Piper would experience apnea and bradycardia. This scared us so much and we are so thankful she isn't experiencing the A's & B's anymore while feeding. As for the brain bleed, it is not active and the doctors expect it to resolve. After 52 days on hospitalized bed rest, 42 days in the NICU, we are thrilled to be home! It's been a long hospital journey and we are so ready for the next of enjoying life with Piper. She is such a sweet angel and our family is finally complete! "

Volunteer Photographer:
Savannah Smith - Houston, TX

A note from Savannah:
"Princess Piper was perfect! She also has a wonderful support team helping her getting ready to go home. Mom and Dad are very much in love with her, as well as her grandparents. Sweet sweet family. I loved every minute of it!"






Saturday, July 6, 2013

Houston June H.O.P.E Meeting



 

Houston June 2013 H.O.P.E Meeting



 I want to start out by thanking our meal sponsor 
Friendly Corner Store located at 4101 Parker Rd Houston TX.
Along with their sponsorship of lunch they also donated items to make parent gift bags
(lotions, sanitizer, etc.). 
We are also so lucky and thankful to have received a donation of preemie clothes, blankets, and hats from The Preemie Store ( www.preemiestore.com)
The Preemie Store tries to reduce the cost of preemie clothes were they can. The owner Pat understands and has walked in our shows. She had a Preemie in 1983. She also offers a prayer page. Please take a look at her store and help support The Preemie Store!
We were able to stop by one of the local hospitals and provide one of the families with a tinny sleeper in which they used for their Rooming-In Night. Can't wait till our next meeting. I hope everyone will be able to make it out.
Please keep spreading the word about the Houston Chapter so we can grow and help more families. We would love to be able to get involved with your NICU. So if you have a NICU Nurse or Staff that is interested in hearing more about what we do please forward their information to Jeanna@preemieprints.org

Make sure and support our sponsors without them our ability to give hope to the families wouldn't be possible. Make sure and like The Preemie Store on Facebook

Room-In Night
Kind of feels like we are a part of it
Donated by The Preemie Store