It's not too late to get in on our celebration of Gwyneth's birthday by helping us donate preemie clothes via "reverse-gifting". We've already received well over $100 in gifts and gifts cards. On Wednesday, we gave clothes to 5 girls and 5 boys at the Duke NICU, thanks, in large part, to your help! In fact, one of the mothers left the following comment on my blog today...
"I just wanted to say Thank You! I arrived at the duke NICU today and received our onesie and your letter!! My son 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!!"
Again, if you want to get in on this opportunity to invest in the lives of preemie families, Please Read This/Click Here! We still have a delivery to make to CHKD in a few weeks!
And, this is your last chance to send photos of you and yours celebrating Pink and Brown Day last week! I'll be posting the photos we've received this weekend! Click Here to learn more!
Thanks!
Nate
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
And Back Again...
I wish we could earn frequent driving miles this week...by Friday evening we'll have racked up over 500 miles between three different hospital trips. Fortunately, we've been able to spend some quality time with several great friends.
Friday morning at 6am, we'll be heading out to Duke again. Tricia was on the phone all morning on Tuesday, finally able to set up an appointment with a highly touted ENT doctor at Duke who specializes in hearing loss. We're hoping to have some more answers and have a better idea of what the next steps will be for Gwyneth.
Hopefully by the weekend I'll be able to give you a good update on what's now and what's next. Thanks for all of the encouraging comments about this new development.
Nate
Friday morning at 6am, we'll be heading out to Duke again. Tricia was on the phone all morning on Tuesday, finally able to set up an appointment with a highly touted ENT doctor at Duke who specializes in hearing loss. We're hoping to have some more answers and have a better idea of what the next steps will be for Gwyneth.
Hopefully by the weekend I'll be able to give you a good update on what's now and what's next. Thanks for all of the encouraging comments about this new development.
Nate
Bless Haiti
In my opinion, living life the way it was meant to be lived is about two things...knowing your purpose and discovering your passion(s). Without a doubt, I know that my purpose in this life is to love God and love people. And, again without a doubt, I know that my passions include my God, my family, my friends, music and photography, among other things. The greatest blessing in this life for me is when I'm able to do something that fulfills my purpose via my passions.
It's probably no secret by now that I've had a passion for photography for a very long time. In fact, if I hadn't found my niche in the world as a musician/worship leader, there's a very high probability I would have pursued photography as a lifelong career. But, up until very recently, photography has been just a passion.
But, over the past few years, I've begun to see photography as a means for me to realize my purpose in new ways. Despite my best efforts to avoid it (literally, I said, "No way!" when a photographer friend asked me in June of this past year if I'd seriously thought of doing some professional shooting), the opportunity to begin a photography business has hunted me down, and I am finally giving in. By the end of this past year, without any advertising of my own, several of you (my blog readers) emailed me about shooting some photos during family vacations here on the Outer Banks. I found the time to do a few of those shoots this in 2009 and am already booking several shoots for 2010. Through this recent experience, it's been confirmed in my heart and mind that professional photography is something I can do.
As I've been praying and thinking about this, my biggest desire has been to use this new endeavor to continue living out my purpose to love God and love others. Although I'll only be doing this part-time, I will be looking for ways to use the majority of the profits to bless others. Honestly, if I end this coming year with a few new pieces of equipment that will help me become better at this art, I'll be very happy for myself.
So, having said all of that, I'm very pleased to tell you about my brand new photography website, NathanLawrenson.com. I'll be specializing in candid, beach photography/family portraits. To celebrate my new business adventure and to set the precedent that I will be using this as a means to bless others, I'm going to be doing two things:
1) For every 2010 photo shoot that I book from today until midnight, January 31, I'll donate $50 of my paycheck to go directly to the relief work in Haiti via Samaritan's Purse.
2) For every unique visitor that NathanLawrenson.com receives from today until midnight, January 31, I'll donate an additional 5c of my own money to the relief work in Haiti via Samaritan's Purse.
I'm sure, by now, everyone reading this has heard, read or seen the news about the incredibly devastating earthquake in Haiti. This massive quake, which has possibly left well over one-hundred thousand dead, is only the most recent in a long series of natural disasters which have, in part, given Haiti the recognition as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Reports are saying that thousands of people are, right now, still alive, trapped in the rubble of fallen buildings. And, with the absence of electricity, clean water and medical supplies, the death toll could rise dramatically in the next several days unless dramatic action is taken.
To join with me to support the relief efforts in Haiti, you can do three things:
1) Visit NathanLawrenson.com.
2) Tell everyone you know to visit NathanLawrenson.com.
3) Book a photo session with NathanLawrensonPhotography by the end of January.
It's that easy for you to help me support the relief efforts in Haiti.
I have personally been supporting Samaritan's Purse for several years...the video below explains the work they are currently doing in Haiti to help those affected by the earthquake.
Thanks!
Nate
A special "Thank you!" for the encouragement from my family, friends and blog readers over the past few years concerning my photography skills. Your words of encouragement and guidance have given me the motivation to get this project up and running.
It's probably no secret by now that I've had a passion for photography for a very long time. In fact, if I hadn't found my niche in the world as a musician/worship leader, there's a very high probability I would have pursued photography as a lifelong career. But, up until very recently, photography has been just a passion.
But, over the past few years, I've begun to see photography as a means for me to realize my purpose in new ways. Despite my best efforts to avoid it (literally, I said, "No way!" when a photographer friend asked me in June of this past year if I'd seriously thought of doing some professional shooting), the opportunity to begin a photography business has hunted me down, and I am finally giving in. By the end of this past year, without any advertising of my own, several of you (my blog readers) emailed me about shooting some photos during family vacations here on the Outer Banks. I found the time to do a few of those shoots this in 2009 and am already booking several shoots for 2010. Through this recent experience, it's been confirmed in my heart and mind that professional photography is something I can do.
As I've been praying and thinking about this, my biggest desire has been to use this new endeavor to continue living out my purpose to love God and love others. Although I'll only be doing this part-time, I will be looking for ways to use the majority of the profits to bless others. Honestly, if I end this coming year with a few new pieces of equipment that will help me become better at this art, I'll be very happy for myself.
So, having said all of that, I'm very pleased to tell you about my brand new photography website, NathanLawrenson.com. I'll be specializing in candid, beach photography/family portraits. To celebrate my new business adventure and to set the precedent that I will be using this as a means to bless others, I'm going to be doing two things:
1) For every 2010 photo shoot that I book from today until midnight, January 31, I'll donate $50 of my paycheck to go directly to the relief work in Haiti via Samaritan's Purse.
2) For every unique visitor that NathanLawrenson.com receives from today until midnight, January 31, I'll donate an additional 5c of my own money to the relief work in Haiti via Samaritan's Purse.
I'm sure, by now, everyone reading this has heard, read or seen the news about the incredibly devastating earthquake in Haiti. This massive quake, which has possibly left well over one-hundred thousand dead, is only the most recent in a long series of natural disasters which have, in part, given Haiti the recognition as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Reports are saying that thousands of people are, right now, still alive, trapped in the rubble of fallen buildings. And, with the absence of electricity, clean water and medical supplies, the death toll could rise dramatically in the next several days unless dramatic action is taken.
To join with me to support the relief efforts in Haiti, you can do three things:
1) Visit NathanLawrenson.com.
2) Tell everyone you know to visit NathanLawrenson.com.
3) Book a photo session with NathanLawrensonPhotography by the end of January.
It's that easy for you to help me support the relief efforts in Haiti.
I have personally been supporting Samaritan's Purse for several years...the video below explains the work they are currently doing in Haiti to help those affected by the earthquake.
Thanks!
Nate
A special "Thank you!" for the encouragement from my family, friends and blog readers over the past few years concerning my photography skills. Your words of encouragement and guidance have given me the motivation to get this project up and running.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A New Opportunity to Learn
With each new hurdle for Gwyneth and Tricia comes a new opportunity to learn and grow and enter into community with new people. Just a little over two years ago, we were primarily focused on Cystic Fibrosis and were just getting familiar with Organ Donation and Transplantation. In the time since, we've also become personally familiar with Diabetes, Premature Birth, Lymphoma, and several other health-related topics.
As of yesterday, we have a new topic to become invested it. Gwyneth's ABR shows that she has severe hearing loss in her right ear and mild to moderate hearing loss in her left ear. The hearing loss in both ears is most likely premanent. We're adjusting to this news very well, but we are just getting our feet wet to the idea that our daughter is definitely "hearing impaired", so there is a lot of new information and possibilities to sort through.
There is still a lot of unkown, as two of the tests yesterday showed conflicting results. Over the next few weeks, we'll be working with her at home to try and get a handle on exactly what hertz and decibels she can and can't hear with either/both ears, taking her to a few more hearing tests, and getting her fitted for hearing aids. We're ready for this new challenge, and we are very glad to know for certain about her hearing loss so that we can begin to learn how best to accommodate her needs. With every new challenge, we continually remind ourselves of the joy that Gwyneth brings to our lives and the simple fact that the odds were against her even being alive when she was given to us. We continue to be thankful.
Some good news...Gwyneth was totally in a great mood, although a little loopy, when she came out of the sedation yesterday. She's still sleeping this morning as I write this.
Thanks for your prayer and encouragement as we adjust to this new adventure. I'll post more when I have the time and after we've been able to wrap our minds around it. In the meantime, we'll be driving to Durham today...Tricia's regularly scheduled transplant clini begins early tomorrow morning. We're hoping to be able to see Gwyneth's doctors with this new information while we're there.
Thanks!
Nate
As of yesterday, we have a new topic to become invested it. Gwyneth's ABR shows that she has severe hearing loss in her right ear and mild to moderate hearing loss in her left ear. The hearing loss in both ears is most likely premanent. We're adjusting to this news very well, but we are just getting our feet wet to the idea that our daughter is definitely "hearing impaired", so there is a lot of new information and possibilities to sort through.
There is still a lot of unkown, as two of the tests yesterday showed conflicting results. Over the next few weeks, we'll be working with her at home to try and get a handle on exactly what hertz and decibels she can and can't hear with either/both ears, taking her to a few more hearing tests, and getting her fitted for hearing aids. We're ready for this new challenge, and we are very glad to know for certain about her hearing loss so that we can begin to learn how best to accommodate her needs. With every new challenge, we continually remind ourselves of the joy that Gwyneth brings to our lives and the simple fact that the odds were against her even being alive when she was given to us. We continue to be thankful.
Some good news...Gwyneth was totally in a great mood, although a little loopy, when she came out of the sedation yesterday. She's still sleeping this morning as I write this.
Thanks for your prayer and encouragement as we adjust to this new adventure. I'll post more when I have the time and after we've been able to wrap our minds around it. In the meantime, we'll be driving to Durham today...Tricia's regularly scheduled transplant clini begins early tomorrow morning. We're hoping to be able to see Gwyneth's doctors with this new information while we're there.
Thanks!
Nate
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Hearing Test
We're leaving home at 6am Monday morning to drive to VA to be at the hospital by 7:30. Gwyneth will be sedated and given an ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) Hearing Test. Although we're not sure if we'll learn of the results tomorrow or at a later date, this test should help determine if Gwyneth has hearing loss and if she needs further testing. The test is relatively simple, and we should be home by mid-afternoon.
As I've mentioned earlier, although her doctors believe that Gwyneth has mild to moderate hearing loss, we're not so sure, simply based on our experience with her. We're not in denial, and we're certainly praying that she does not have hearing loss, but, either way, we'll gladly continue to accept our little girl just as God made her and move foward with helping her to live as normally as possible.
We'd appreciate your prayers that Gwyneth will not be grumpy from the sedation, and that, either way, we'll have more information so that we can move foward with the best care for her. I'll update when I can.
Thanks!
Nate
As I've mentioned earlier, although her doctors believe that Gwyneth has mild to moderate hearing loss, we're not so sure, simply based on our experience with her. We're not in denial, and we're certainly praying that she does not have hearing loss, but, either way, we'll gladly continue to accept our little girl just as God made her and move foward with helping her to live as normally as possible.
We'd appreciate your prayers that Gwyneth will not be grumpy from the sedation, and that, either way, we'll have more information so that we can move foward with the best care for her. I'll update when I can.
Thanks!
Nate
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Cake (Episode 2010)
We had our local family over for cake and ice cream last night. Here's a fast-forward look at Gwyneth's 14+ minute cake eating. Watch closely as she communicates to us a few times using sign language. Yes, she's a very dainty eater sometimes, for a 2 year old, especially compared to Last Year...
("Mess Of Me" by Switchfoot)
Nate
("Mess Of Me" by Switchfoot)
Nate
Friday, January 8, 2010
(Bump) Pink & Brown Day!
Guess who will be two tomorrow!?!
You might remember that we invited everyone to celebrate Gwyneth's birthday Last Year by wearing either pink, brown or a combination of those two colors on January 8. Before she was born, we chose the combination of pink and brown to use for Gwyneth's room and other things. As it would turn out, the vast majority of her clothes are also pinks and browns, which is totally cool with us.
Well, we had so much fun with Pink & Brown Day last year, and so many people participated with us, that we're going to do it again this year. And, just to bump it up a notch, we're also asking, if you celebrate with us, that you email us a photo of yourself!
Although it will be a little while yet before Gwyneth is able to understand what her birthday means, we look forward to sharing with her the things we have recorded on this blog as well as every encouraging comment and prayer when she is old enough.
And, be sure to check back in tomorrow for some fun birthday posts!
Thanks!
Nate
Reverse-Gifting
With several older girl cousins and lots of grandparents nearby to spoil her, Gwyneth certainly doesn't need to celebrate her birthday with a lot of gifts. Last January 8, instead of giving Gwyneth birthday gifts, we decided to "reverse-gift" premature baby clothes to several families who were in the Duke NICU at the time. It was just about the most awesome birthday celebration ever for us, and we've decided to do it every year...you can watch the video and read the story as reported by ABC11 News in Raleigh Here.
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.
This year, we want to extend the invitation for our "reverse-gifting" celebration of Gwyneth's birthday to everyone! We are planning on delivering new and gently used preemie clothes to both Duke and CHKD, the two hospitals that have taken such great care of Gwyneth the past two years. Gwyneth's birthday party isn't 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 2nd 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 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 birthday 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 Saturday, January 23. If you have any questions, please email or leave me a comment. Thanks!
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.
This year, we want to extend the invitation for our "reverse-gifting" celebration of Gwyneth's birthday to everyone! We are planning on delivering new and gently used preemie clothes to both Duke and CHKD, the two hospitals that have taken such great care of Gwyneth the past two years. Gwyneth's birthday party isn't 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 2nd 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 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 birthday 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 Saturday, January 23. If you have any questions, please email or leave me a comment. Thanks!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Stand Up!
Are you ready to cheer for a certain, energetic, determined, laughing-at-herself, nearly two-year-old beauty who just stood up from the ground by herself for the first time two nights ago?!?
I'd wager by the end of the week she'll be a pro at this new skill! One "step" closer to walking!!!
Nate
I'd wager by the end of the week she'll be a pro at this new skill! One "step" closer to walking!!!
Nate