Sunday!

The March for Babies is this Sunday! We are very excited! We are thankful for our friends & family who know how important this is and come out and join us. If you don't have plans Sunday afternoon, come down to LP Field. There will be booths from hospitals and other places as well as bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, food (usually hot dogs and cookies from Publix)& water, and some characters from Enchanted Entertainment. There is a new little section called Path of Hope that will have signs with pictures of the local babies that families here are walking in memory or in honor of. We did one for Lucy ,& she had no problem posing on the porch for a new picture in her Easter dress :) 

If you want to come out, activities start at 12:30 and the 2 mile walk is at 2! The pictures below show where everything will be located & the route of the walk. 

 

We will be there early to help set up in the family area. Send us a message or text if you want to meet up! I will set up a time for a team photo,& will try for it to be close to 2, right before the walk. I also want to take one ourselves by Lucy's sign. 

Parking and event location:

• General parking is available in LP Stadium lots A, B, C, and D.
• LP Field’s address is 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213. For driving directions, visitwww.titansonline.com/stadium/directions-parking.html

ALSO-- we are about $90 shy of our goal. Think about donating $5 or $10 , every little bit helps! 

Thanks to Funky-Munky Shaved Ice for doing a fundraiser Saturday with us! LIKE them on FB to see where they will be throughout the summer! 

 Marchforbabies.org/lucyemilia is the link if you want to donate.

AND👉👉👉👉Anyone who donates up until the 12th will be entered into a drawing for a Ham & Biscuit Pack from The Loveless Cafe! I'll draw a name Sunday afternoon. 

March for Babies news!

We are just a few weeks away now from the March for Babies!  If you still want to walk, PLEASE join us on April 13th! We will be at LP Field this year. The walk is a 5K and goes across the pedestrian bridge, down 2nd Avenue, back across the other bridge, and back into LP field. You don't have to sign up or pay, just show up, & have a good Sunday afternoon outside with the family. There will be kids activities before the walk, and our kids will all be there with us.

We ordered some team shirts last week, and we have gotten the preview of the shirts. They should be sent soon! If you ordered one, I will let you know when they are in. You don't need a shirt to walk, so don't let that stop you =)

We got charcoal shirts, the National Team shirt, with Team Lucy Loo on the back.

We have gotten a few donations--from friends and from a few Nashville businesses. We are almost to our goal, but are still short a few dollars. ( We do have another donation that was sent to the office, and isn't showing on our ticker yet). BUT, we have gotten the go ahead on a fundraiser we will be having NEXT WEEKEND. If you are a friend of ours from church or growing up in church with me ( Emily) or from college, you know what TNT is. It is coming up next weekend, and we have teamed up with a Shaved Ice Truck ( Funky-Munky) that will be at TNT. They will be giving 20% of all sales to our Team Lucy Loo! If you or your youth group or your own kids will be at TNT next weekend, send some cash for some shaved Ice! The truck will be by the softball field, and I will know the exact times soon. Right now, it will most likely be a little bit on Friday and a little bit on Saturday. We are excited, and hope to see some friends there!

If you do still want to donate, our team page is TEAM LUCY LOO

4th Trimester Bodies

If you're my Facebook friend, you might have seen the new profile picture I put up yesterday.

 I think this might be my most liked photo--other than a newborn baby or Lucy news. I guess I just wear my hair up too much ;) I did not post anything else about the photo, but I did on IG. There is no way to click on a link on IG ( besides in your bio), so I thought I would explain the picture here.

 

If you're on Facebook, you might  have seen recently some articles floating around that talking about the 4th Trimester Bodies Project. The latest, that brought over 10,000 new fans to the Facebook page was on Upworthy:

http://www.upworthy.com/want-an-honest-look-at-how-motherhood-changes-womens-bodies-here-you-go-5

 

A few from Huffpost:

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/16/4th-trimester-bodies-project-ashlee-wells-jackson_n_3757793.html

 

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/healthy-living/the-4th-trimester-bodies-project-518029184

 

http://videos.huffingtonpost.com/4th-trimester-bodies-project-517938261

 

Others:

GMA

TODAY

 

 

If you go to the 4th trimester Bodies web site, you can read the entire reason behind the project and a good background to the photographer behind it.

" The project exists because women are judged too crudely on the way we look and are often told we don’t measure up. Because no real person can compete with the tools in Photoshop and glossy magazine covers. And because motherhood is sacred and should be celebrated. This project exists because sometimes babies are born too soon. Because sometimes babies die. Because sometimes the best laid birth plans and the reality of our births are two very different things. And because sometimes they are everything we dreamed just the same. Because regardless of how our babies get here we should be proud and, regardless of how we choose to feed them, we should be able to feed them where we choose whenever they are hungry. This project exists because women and men and society need it. Because our sons and daughters deserve more. Because we deserve more. Because we are beautiful – stretches, stripes, scars and all"-- Ashlee Wells Jackson

 

Ashlee's story brings me to tears & she is completing this project--which will be a series of books-- along with being a mother & running a photography studio full time. There was a quote by Jacob Needleman in church Sunday that made me think of the project "human beings were built to give. To put it in the most extreme form, we’re built to love and serve something greater than ourselves, whether it’s other people, something you call God, or whether it’s justice. Until we are finding our way to give, there will be no happiness or meaning."

 

I actually was chosen for a scholarship position for a shoot in Atlanta. She is currently traveling around the world with Laura, shooting moms, getting stories, and gearing up to publish the first book. I had read about the project last year sometime, and had been following along on Facebook. I saw that Nashville was on the schedule, but not until 2015, and totally assumed it would be impossible by then to buy a shoot before it sells out. This was something I wanted to be a part of--for me and for other women. So I decided to send an email about my babies, my body, and my story to try to get a scholarship shoot. I got an email back that I was chosen! Luke just happened to be off on Friday so we took a little day trip with the kids and had a great time! I might have been sick to my stomach the entire week before and nervous as I've ever been, but the minute we got there we felt so comfortable with Ashlee.

We started with some light make-up and curlers in the hair, then took a few head shots, had an interview on camera, and then took some pictures with the girls. After the shoot was over, Luke and I got into more and more and more detail about the births-- he said I gave a very mild story on the video. But when's the last time you sat in front of a camera and talked about yourself? While we were talking, Ashlee uploaded the photos onto her computer, picked her favorite shots, I looked them over & we decided on our favorite. There is absolutely no photo shopping done to any of her pictures. As soon as we decided on the one we were most comfortable with, she added the black & white( not sure of the technical term), and by the time we had left and gotten to eat Mexican and head home, it was up on her site.

 

So, here's my picture! I didn't post it on IG because I was hoping that people would go to the website or Facebook page and see what it's all about, and not just comment or 'like' my photo.

http://4thtrimesterbodies.com/emily-howell/

 

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ella in this picture. I love how Lucy is looking at her. I just love it. And I can't wait to blow it up and hang it in our bathroom. We've had 2 screw in the wall where we had a picture before we moved, and didn't know what to put there.

So , just in case you see another story floating around ( Oprah's 'O' Magazine in May) on Facebook or twitter and think that baby looks familiar, it might just be who you think it is! We had an amazing experience, and I can't wait until the book comes out as well. She has said that what's online right now is just a teaser as to what will actually be in the book. The plan was to self-publish, but as of now are talking to publishers.

So go check out her website & the Facebook page. Check out my tiny contribution to the project of my story & the photo { that I LOVE} of me & the girls! I can't wait to see where the project goes & am thrilled I was able to be a part in helping others.

 

February 3rd

Just 3 years ago, after 53 days in the NICU, we brought Lucy home from the hospital. I try to remember that day each year. I think it is important to remember all that we've been blessed with and how far Lucy has come. We haven't faced too many obstacles along with way, but if you would have talked to me while my baby was living at Baptist Hospital, my fears were all over the place. Would she have issues learning? Would she be able to walk? Will the holes in her heart close up? Will she ever make it a day without forgetting to breathe? What therapies will she need? Will she have brain issues from oxygen? Will she have vision issues from oxygen? Will she know I'm her mommy? What disabilities will she have? Will she ever be able to breastfeed? Will she have a g tube? What If she gets RSV? Will her ultrasounds come back showing a brain bleed? Will she hate me when she gets older if she gets made fun of for her disabilities? Will she wear a helmet? Any fear you can think someone will have about their baby, I thought it. If you know Lucy now, you know she is amazing........and she tries my patience every day especially since she is 16 3 now. I remember every prayer I said over this baby in the hospital and at home--mostly about all those fears running through my head. I'm so proud of her !

Looking back at my baby:

 

Lucy's half of the room while we roomed in the night before we brought her home, and Luke fixing our 'bed'. Lucy slept the night away, I pumped, worried, and did not sleep =)

 

 After 53 days at the hospital, & 19 days before her due date she was ready to go home!

 

Last time through those doors!

Home together!

 

First day at home, slept the day away just like in the hospital! She slept the majority of the next few weeks.

 

1 year later! If you can't eat cake on your birthday, you celebrate on the day you came home!

2 years later =)

All grown up, walking, running, talking, eating, counting, singing, dancing,laughing, acting 16, and sledding for the first time! 3 years after discharge.

 

 



March for Babies

March for babies 2014 

 

It is getting close to that time again for the March for Babies! Next weekend is the Family Team March for Babies Kickoff, and we are excited to walk again this year as Team Lucy Loo!

We have participated for the past 2 years in the March for Babies, put on by the March of Dimes. First of all, thanks for our friends and family who have donated the past 2 years! Thank you to those who took time out of your day to walk with us as well! The walk this year will be on April 13th at 2:00pm with registration starting at 12:30. It will not be at Centennial Park again, but at LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.

 

#1)We would LOVE for you to join our team and walk with us! It is free, and a day to get outside and enjoy witnessing all the miracle babies and wonderful families.

 

The link to my personal page is :

http://www.marchforbabies.org/LucyEmilia

There is a button you can click that says Walk With Me.
If you don't know our story of WHY we walk, you can check it out there too!
 

#2) We would love for your business(team, squad, sorority, youth group, class or school) to sponsor our team. There are 4 levels of corporate sponsorship--the lowest being $150 & the highest being $750. With the Bronze level your company name will be on the Family Team Banner at the walk, the Silver level will put your company logo on the banner, the Gold level puts a large company logo & prominent placement on the Family Team Banner, and the Platinum level gives your company a private banner with your Logo. If your company is interested in sponsoring Team Lucy Loo in the March for Babies, let me know! If you have any friends or family that might be interested, let me know. I have sponsorship forms I can send you in the mail that can be mailed or faxed back to the head of family teams at Nashville's March of Dimes.

 

Think about walking with us ( We will be getting t-shirts again. Let me know if you have a design idea!), becoming a corporate sponsor, or donating as little as $5 towards our team! I will be adding a new tracker on the side of my page as well to keep everyone updated on the team progress!

 

 

******** T-SHIRTS WILL BE ORDERED THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH*****
We will be ordering the National Team t-shirt in charcoal. $7 each
Let me know ASAP if you'd like one!!! The back will say Team Lucy Loo

Winner Winner !

{ I'm posting from my phone. Ugh. Forgive me if the pictures are off & if anything looks crazy.}

I'm hoping this doesn't ruin my streak ,especially before I go buy some power ball or megamillions tickets!  But I'm on a streak here y'all ! If someone on a blog or twitter or FB has a giveaway, I'm usually entering, sorry if it (especially the smocked stuff) clogs your newsfeed ;) I've won about 5 giveaways since November. No joke. I've entered more than that-- a lot of people had 12 days of giveaways during Christmas. I won $50 towards Shutterfly cards fromElizabeth at The Yancy Clan . Then once December rolled around, I won

 this

on FB. Now, they got my address & said they'd send it.But haven't gotten it yet. Maybe Charlie ran out too fast! I posted on Facebook that I usually win 3 things if I win little giveaways,& just waited for the rest.  One day there was a pair of earrings I've been wanting, for like a good while. There's this show on lifetime that I watched--don't judge--called Pretty Wicked Moms. 2 of the girls run a store in Atlanta called Swank. Anyways, one of the giveaways had THE earrings those 2 moms always wore & sell. {look up Marcia Moran chandelier earrings}  I just knew I'd win them :/  That would have been amazing! But WSMV was giving away 2 tickets a day to The Sing Off concert, & I got the call that I won 2! Yay! Then I was on twitter late one night & saw that @thesamicone was giving away 2 $25 Build a Bear certificates, there was an hour left to enter. Guess who won?!? Landon has been begging to go, and he will be thrilled.
Then two nights ago I was on IG searching for #lularoe.
By the way, if you're in Nashville, search on Facebook for Lularoe by Brittany and book a party! Amazing leggings and skirts and dresses.

Well while I pulled up every picture, I saw some giveaways. One rep in Cali was (is for another hour) giving away some leggings, and another had posted that not many had entered her ( @lularoe_jill) skirt giveaway. So I did. My sister did also, because I had to @ 5 people, she got a notification ,& entered too. I told her she could have it if I won. I was putting the kids to bed and heard my phone ringing , and when I checked it I saw
 

There's one more that I won last week as well. It was more of writing an email & then 5 winners were picked. It's for a project I'm excited to be a part of & I might share later on.

Now, I need to go check all the blogs I read to see if there's anymore :) Let's hope the streak isn't over!

Christmas Celebrations

I've typed out a paragraph or 2  and deleted them several times. This Christmas might not be what Luke & I had envisioned years ago when we started planning for a family. I've always asked to just go away on a trip to Hawaii, hang out on the beach or go to NYC and walk around in the snow and just be with us for a few days. I would love to get together with family the week of Christmas and do board games, make cookies, go see a Christmas movie, go to Christmas Eve service together, go work at a soup kitchen together, or go look at lights. I'd love to have a house with a massive dinning room filled with a long table, a lot of food, and family over to celebrate with us.  We've usually tried to squeeze in our Christmas and an extended family Christmas on the 25th. And then we've celebrated Christmas with the other side of in-laws a day or so after Christmas. Last year we tried ( after a few failed attempts previous years) to squeeze in all 3 Christmas celebrations in one day. We drove to and from Nashville in one evening. And we also had family in town from Florida that we celebrated with as well.
Growing up, for me, we did extended family on Christmas Eve night with Christmas dinner and presents and trivial pursuit, and then just stayed at our house all day on Christmas. Sometimes family would come back over Christmas evening for a big Christmas dinner. My mom is from Florida, and some years we would travel down and spend some time there.

 I've been listening to different families talk about all their different traditions. Just now, as I'm typing, Ella is trying to take a morning nap, the kids are upstairs playing, and I have on the Today Show ( THAT IS ALWAYS SO EXCITING TO ME TO HAVE ON A NON-KID SHOW!!!!), Kathie Lee was saying they always did only 3 presents for their kids. I've heard this more and more this year, and am not sure I have heard of it before. She also said at Thanksgiving this year they were sitting around saying what they were most thankful for, and they were all so happy for family. They made a pact that they are doing no presents this year, they are just being together as a family. I hate to say that Luke and I tried to suggest that one year for Christmas(just no gifts or silly gifts with extended family), and were told CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT PRESENTS!!!! It didn't go over so well. Maybe in a few more years.

Luke and I decided before we had kids { maybe even just the months before Landon was born} that we do not want the emphasis to be put on presents. This year the kids went with me to help with some crafts for the KidPower Christmas party at church for the 2nd and 3rd graders. They didn't know they would get to watch the kids rip open gifts that had been donated for them by others. We got a good lesson in there, and they even got to help clean up afterwards.

Our Sunday school class did our rotation at  Room at the Inn at church last week. The kids got to witness and be a part of preparing food, serving food, and eating food with the homeless & seeing where they would spend the night. They see homeless men and women all the time, and there are certain ones we try to take food to on the way to church on Sundays. They look for him at his spot EVERY week. They understand ( the best they can) what it means to help others when they are down. We tried to get in another service lesson there.

Lucy also finally 'understood' the NICU a little more this year. In the past we've taken hats, and this year we took 27 blankets and cards to the babies in the NICU. One of our favorite nurses was working that night, and we got to get in some hugs and take the nurses some snacks too! Lucy has seen her NICU shadowbox hanging in her room, but doesn't get it really. She saw 2 babies and said AWWW THOSE BABIES ARE SO LITTLE! Her nurse Leslie told her she was much smaller than those babies. She got to see other babies sleeping where she use to sleep ( of course we only got to stand at the nurses station because it's RSV season) and put together that she actually lived there--as much as a little 3 year old can. We tried to get in a little lesson there too.

We've tried to emphasize everything BUT presents this year. The other night we asked Landon what Christmas was about, and not one thing was about presents. He said the words 'family' and 'bringing joy' a lot. I've never thought more about this than 3 years ago. We were not all together and it seemed to be the Worst Christmas EVER {click here to read} =(  Luke and my sister had seen me a week before go through a seizure and watch the medical team getting ready to intubate me, Luke had been told his wife would have brain damage, and we had seen and ( I had) held a 2 pound baby and not know her future. I have never been so sad on Christmas before. Nothing mattered more to me but to be with my baby.



While Christmas this year might not be what we had planned months ago or even yesterday afternoon, we are all healthy and together in our house. We are so very thankful for that! We are ready for Luke to be off of work for 3 days (  he's worked since last Friday) and head to church for the Christmas Eve service. They are so excited to go! We are trying to teach our kids so much more than presents on Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for them to rip open their presents, they have NO clue what they are getting, and I can't wait to see them! They've also opened 1 present/book every night since the first Sunday in December ( the start of Advent). We have sat together as a family( although Ella has been asleep almost every night, and Luke has been at work a lot) every night and read each book after we open it. We've been thinking of Christmas and getting ready for the Christ child's coming for 23 days now. I hope Christmas is everything you've imagined it to be, but if it isn't, I hope you can still make the most of it & enjoy being with people you love! As Landon would say, " I hope this Christmas season brings you Joy!"
 

I'm going to add a few other pictures of the past few Christmases! How could I not be happy with these precious gifts?

Landon's 1st Christmas
 

Landon's 2nd Christmas ( 1 year old)



Christmas 2010 ( Lucy a week old and Landon 2 years)

Our first Christmas together ( Landon 3 & Lucy1)

Christmas 2012 (Landon4, Lucy2, Ella 1 month)

I will be back later to write about as we put the tree up this year, and all the memories were brought back up from all those ornaments. . . . .