In this picture below, I had only been admitted minutes before. I was about to be hooked up to magnesium (awful!), given steroids to help develop the baby’s longs, and taken off all food. I was only 24 weeks pregnant and so scared that I would deliver another micro-preemie.
As you know, I was blessed with 36 weeks of pregnancy and delivered a healthy 5 lb baby boy.
Yesterday I celebrated by exercising, eating yummy food, driving my car, cleaning my bathroom, and playing with my kids. The little things that I longed for everyday in the hospital!
It was perfect.
Today I want to share with you my last Project Stay Happy update.
A couple weeks ago I contacted the social worker at St. Luke’s hospital in Boise.
I was given word that they had several women on bedrest and that my packages would be welcomed.
I got busy putting together the final touches on the packages.
I was lucky enough to have several tote bags donated from bright beige, but I needed a couple more.
I swung by Michael’s and picked up a few canvas totes and some gold metallic fabric paint. Crafting is not my forte, but I managed to paint on a simple heart.
I then needed a way to differinciate between baby boy bags, baby girl bags, and gender neutral bags.
I purchased these cute felt sticker flowers and wrapping supplies from Target. Blue flowers went on baby boy packages, pink on baby girl, and gender neutral packages were left plain.
I divided up all the donations and was able to make 20 large packages and 20 small packages!
The large packages went to women on long term bed rest. Each package was different, but I tried my best to make them even.
Here is a sample of what went in a boy package:
2. Target Socks
4. Lip Balm
7. Bath by Betijo face mask, lavender oil, lavender soap, and oil.
8. You’re a Fox print by Paper & Pleats.
12. Crochet Hat
14. Hair Ties
15. Felt Booties
The girl packages had a lot of the same items, but here are a few items that were different.
I attached links to the items donated just incase you are looking for some good gift ideas for friends in need. Each package was valued close to $200.00 in donations! Amazing. I am humbled by the generosity of people.
I know I am missing some links to products donated, so if you sent something and don’t see the link here, email me!
I headed out to the hospital with several packages in hand. I must admit, I was really nervous!
When I arrived at the hospital I met with the antepartum coordinator and was lucky enough to meet with 2 woman currently on bedrest. Sitting on a stool next to a pregnant woman on bedrest was surreal. I swear that was just me!
It was such a treat to deliver the package myself, chat with the ladies about the in’s and out’s of hospital life, and hopefully provide a little bit of encouragement as I shared my success story. As I walked out of each room, I couldn’t help but get a little emotional. Bedrest is not easy, and these woman are doing such a great job.
I left several packages at the hospital to be delivered when new bedrest moms arrive. I also plan to head back at Christmas and deliver a few goodies to each woman on the unit.
Lastly, I saved a couple packages to mail out to woman on long-term home bedrest. I am sending out a few today, but I still have a couple more. If you know of anyone in need, email me!
Overall, the whole project was such a wonderful experience. A huge thank you for everyone that supported me in this project, I know the mom’s felt the love!
xo,
Such a beautiful thing to do!
Thank you! I am pretty sure I benefited more than the ladies getting the packages!
Oh! So sweet, Danielle! Congratulations on a wonderful project 🙂
Thank you! I am blown away with how generous people are. It was humbling to watch.
What a wonderful thing to do!!! You have such an amazing story and even more amazing, is the way you are wanting to reach out to others and pass on the love and good wishes. Really, you are awesome! I’m sure each and every woman is so touched.
I feel lucky that I was able to be part of such a fun project! There is always good from bad situations, sometimes it just takes a while to figure it all out!
Absolutely incredible Danielle! You and those that helped out with donating their wonderful items- are absolutely amazing.
Thanks Kyla! I was so amazed by how awesome the donations were. I wanted to keep them ALL for myself!
What a wonderful project! It’s amazing the things we can be blessed with when we go through times of difficulty ourselves. Very sweet Danielle 🙂
Very true! As much as I would never want to experience those 12 weeks again, I am grateful for everything it taught me! It just took me a while to figure out what that was!
This is SUCH a sweet campaign, and it’s amazing how God works, to use someone like you who has such a heart for these women to bring awareness and love on them where they lay…literally. You’re a little angel, girl. 🙂
Thank you! I was lucky enough to have a sweet woman do the same for me when I was on bedrest. I just copied here idea but I loved doing it!
What an encouragement you must have been to these women! I love your giving spirit:)
I think this is a great idea! Seems so simple and yet those women will appreciate it greatly 🙂
What a kind heart you have 🙂
What a lovely thing to do! Anyone would love getting a surprise package like that, but as you know, women on bedrest and others in the hospital really need the pick me up 🙂
What a great thing to do, you are a good person (you knew that already though!) 😉
how unbelievably kind and amazing of you! those packages were so beyond thoughtful. it means so much to people when someone can really and truly understand and relate to what they are going through. though it’s wonderful to have the support of family members and friends, there’s something to be said about someone who truly “gets it”. kudos to you, so amazing.
This is just fantastic. I think it’s so great that you took your personal struggle and turned into platform to help other people. I’m sure the ladies appreciate everything!
This is an absolutely amazing, generous, thoughtful thing to do. So inspiring!