One of our favorite days of the year is coming in just over a week! Gwyneth will be turning four! And, while we love birthday parties and cake and ice cream, our favorite part about this grand day is what we like to call "reverse gifting".
For the past two years for Gwyneth's birthday we've asked our friends and family to forgo any birthday gifts for Gwyneth (really, she has everything a four year old could want/need already) and instead purchase new or gently used preemie clothes for us to deliver to the Intensive Care Nurseries at DUKE and CHKD (the two hospitals that have taken such great care of Gwyneth for us). Over the past three years we've delivered nearly 100 gift bags full of clothes.
Gwyneth is now old enough to begin to understand what we're doing, and we're looking forward to continuing this for many years to come. It's a lot of fun and a great way to teach our daughter that her special day doesn't have to be all about her. Collecting and delivering these gifts has truly become one of the highlights of our year.
We learned from our experience at Duke that every little detail for a family of a newborn preemie can be a huge mountain of stress, including (maybe, especially, considering how hard they are to find) finding preemie clothes. Finding clothes tiny enough to fit a 4lb baby can be very difficult.
Here is a blog comment from a mother who received one the gift bags:
I just wanted to say Thank You! I arrived at the duke NICU today and received our onesie and your letter!! My son keylan, was born 3 wks ago @ 24 wks and weighing 1 lb 8 oz. Your gift really touched my heart. With everything going on, I haven't even thought about clothes. At times I feel so alone, to know their are people that care is truly a blessing!! Christy
Last year, we extended the invitation for our "reverse gifting" celebration of Gwyneth's birthday to our blog readers, and we had several people respond! We'd like to again invite you to participate if you want to. Gwyneth's birthday party isn't going to take place for a few more weeks, which means we have plenty of time to gather as many preemie clothes as possible.
If you would like to celebrate Gwyneth's 4th birthday with us in this way, here are three ways to do it:
1. Donate new or gently used preemie clothes to your nearest hospital Infant Care Nursery in honor of Gwyneth and/or any other preemie that has blessed your life.
2. Mail new or gently used preemie clothes to us. We'll deliver them for you to Duke and/or CHKD. (see mailing address and instructions below)
3. Mail or Email gift cards to us from either BabiesRUs or Target and we'll do the shopping for you. (see email and instructions below)
Thank you so much for considering joining us as we bless other preemie families in celebration of our daughter's birth and life!
Nate
Mail to:
Nathan Lawrenson
105 W. Soundside Rd. (for UPS)
PO Box 302 (for all other)
Nags Head, NC 27959
Click Here for My Email
We have had the most success shopping for preemie clothes at BabiesRUs and Target. You can also find lots of preemie clothes at Online Retailers.
E-GiftCards can be purchased at BabiesRUs Here and Target Here.
Please, keep clothes unwrapped (as in, don't wrap them in wrapping paper). The hospital prefers for gifts to be unwrapped so there are no surprises...we'll make sure to put them in gift bags for you when we deliver them. Also, feel free to include a personal note to the preemie family(s) with your gift.
We'll be accepting donations until the end of January. If you have any questions, please email or leave me a comment. Thanks!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
COTA
I've got a little buddy named Wyatt (below) who is in desperate need of a heart transplant and is receiving help from COTA, Children’s Organ Transplant Association. Wyatt was born early with his twin brother Davis at Duke several months ago. Davis is healthy and now home with his family, but Wyatt is still at Duke waiting for his new heart. Both of these little guys have been cared for by the same staff who took care of Gwyneth.
COTA's Facebook Page is currently being sponsored. Every time someone "likes" their page, $1 is donated to COTA to assist transplant-needy kids and young adults!
Please visit the COTA page, click "like" and spread the word! Thank you!
Nate
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas Lights
Christmas tip of the Day: before packing away the lights, have a little fun with your best friend.
Nate
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Nathan Lawrenson Photography Sale
I'm very excited to be offering prints and digital downloads of some of my favorite professional shots from 2011 at SmugMug. I have a Christmas sale going on through Christmas day AND a coupon for 25% off (all orders made between now and Christmas) to say thank you to my CFHusband blog readers for all the prayer and support over the past few years!
And, if you haven't yet, check out my Photography Website!
Nate
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Firehouse Santa!
My dad's fire station holds a breakfast with Santa every December. We'll hopefully make it to the mall later this month to see the real Santa, but this guy did a pretty good job in the meantime!
And, just in case you're wondering, Gwyneth has no reservations about the jolly old elf. But, as much as she enjoys Santa, she's absolutely obsessed (with no real prompting from us) with Baby Jesus...we have several nativity sets around the house right now, and she loves to play with them and carry Jesus everywhere with her. She also LOVES Rudolph (and any reindeer for that matter)!
Nate
And, just in case you're wondering, Gwyneth has no reservations about the jolly old elf. But, as much as she enjoys Santa, she's absolutely obsessed (with no real prompting from us) with Baby Jesus...we have several nativity sets around the house right now, and she loves to play with them and carry Jesus everywhere with her. She also LOVES Rudolph (and any reindeer for that matter)!
Nate
Thursday, December 8, 2011
(Bump) Coming Soon to a Magazine Stand Near You!
We were disappointed to learn that the magazine has bumped our story...they're telling us maybe May or June of 2012. We will let you know as soon as we know for sure.
Tricia, Gwyneth and I spent yesterday evening with David and Tammy Molnar. In case you don't know, David is an incredible photographer and a childhood friend. David was asked to shoot us (actually, mostly Tricia) for a magazine article about our (Tricia's) story which is scheduled to be published this December. We'll post more info about what magazine soon!
In the meantime, check out David's Website, Blog and Facebook Page!
Nate
Tricia, Gwyneth and I spent yesterday evening with David and Tammy Molnar. In case you don't know, David is an incredible photographer and a childhood friend. David was asked to shoot us (actually, mostly Tricia) for a magazine article about our (Tricia's) story which is scheduled to be published this December. We'll post more info about what magazine soon!
In the meantime, check out David's Website, Blog and Facebook Page!
Nate