January 2012 Sweet Pea Spotlight: Isabella Virginia

January 2012 Sweet Pea Spotlight: Isabella Virginia

Isabella Virginia was born at 33 weeks due to her Mommy having complete placenta previa. She was born on November 24, 2009 weighing in at an amazing 5lbs 2oz and 19.5 inches at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh via emergency c-section. Bella did great in the NICU at first with no huge complications. But then one day we walked into the NICU to see the DR and others standing around her incubator. Bella had developed NEC.

I have never been more scared or felt more sick than I did at that exact second. After that we had weeks of x-rays, prayers, tears, and more prayers. Everyday was a fresh new wave of fear and asking if the xrays showed any improvement. Bella had really small veins, and they had a very hard time giving her IVs. She needed one in her head as a last resort......worst image I have ever seen.

Due to it eventually leaking she was transferred to Children's Hospital. The IV team got an IV in her within minutes with no problems. Amazing people. Then we learned she needed a blood transfusion asap. I have never felt so helpless in my life. Here was my tiny miracle and all I could do is stand there and pray.

After many many visits to the hospital and tons of guilt when we left the hospital (we have a 5 yr old son at home) the day came when they said we can resume feeds!!! It was medical NEC and she did not need surgery. I have never been so happy in my life! Scared too because it could happen again. Feeding was frustrating because she had to learn how to do it. By this time it was December 2009. The hospital brought in PT to help her learn to eat. She was slowly getting it, but not eating enough. She would spit up a lot too.

Her big brother finally got to meet her on Christmas Day. There are no words to describe that moment.....it was one of the best moments of my life. She just looked up at her brother in awe....and they have had a special bond ever since that day.

Once Bella was doing well in every aspect except feeding they decided to move her to the Children's Home and Lemieux Family Center. That place is so wonderful, it was like heaven for us. The nurses are angels. They took so much time to work with Bella on feeding. A week...ONE WEEK....after arriving there our baby girl came home!! January 4, 2010!!!

Isabella spent a total of 6 weeks in the NICU. I know there are lots of babies who spend a lot longer and who have/had more complications then Bella, and I pray for those babies everyday. Bella was a rainbow baby....we had a miscarriage before we had her. That is what makes her so much more special :). She came into this world a fighter and she still is....she is so spunky and does things her own way. She is now 2 years old, 30lbs and perfect! I thank God everyday for how lucky we were with our daughter. I thank him for both of our children. I hope you enjoyed reading Bella's story.

We would like to thank all of the families that submitted their children's stories. Please know that each of your children are so inspiring and are the reason for what we do. We are honored that you chose to share them with us. If your story was not highlighted this month we encourage you to resubmit next month

Read More

Project Sweet Peas in 2011

Does the number 2,235 put a smile on your face? It does ours… Project Sweet Peas had the opportunity to deliver 2,235 packages last year to families in the NICU and to parents grieving the loss of an infant. Project leaders across the United States and Canada work hard to provide comfort to these families and couldn’t do so without the help of their communities. Project Sweet Peas is a non-profit organization that relies on fundraisers and donations to gather the needed items to support the individual projects. That’s over 22,000 items used in 2011.

On top of the care packages that go to local hospitals, many project leaders provide holiday related items. This Christmas season 18 santa hats, 150 holiday bears, 100 eye masks, 204 stockings, 70+ ornaments, blankets, books and outfits were delivered to help ease the frustration of being in the NICU at Christmas. Bringing a bit of happiness to an otherwise sad situation is what brings satisfaction to the leaders of Project Sweet Peas.

The delivers from this year brings our total deliveries to 3,716. We would love to double that this year and with your help we could. You can help make a difference by donating items to local projects. Many Project Leaders are looking for people who can help with the personal touches, like sewing or knitting as well as small craft projects. Maybe you aren’t a crafty person but know how to shop the sales, we can use your skills too. There are several items that go into our care packages and every little bit helps.

We currently have projects located in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. We also have a project located in Ontario, Canada. You can visit our site www.projectsweetpeas.com to make a donation to any of these local projects or to donate to the general fund. “Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss.

Read More

Shannon's Star Survival Bracelet Sale

Shannon’s Star Survival Bracelet Sale

Sweet Pea Survival Bracelets are specially made for anyone that has survived the intensive care unit or the loss a child.

They say that a stay in the ICU is like a war zone, with the alarms, cries, sickness and death. If you are a Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Friend that seen or been through the hardship of having a child endure a NICU/PICU stay in the hospital then you are a survivor.

The loss of a child upsets the natural order of life, the most inconsolable loss. The first year(s) after a child dies, family doesn’t think they can go on; life is unfair, and all is a whirlwind of emotions. Somehow, in the thick of the grief, they manage to live day to day and adjust to the “new normal”. You are a survivor.

Show the world, inspire them; show them you know a hero and you are a survivor.

Sweet Pea Bracelets come on 3 varieties:

• Sweet Pea Boy Bracelet: Green, Yellow with Blue center cord
• Sweet Pea Girl: Green, Yellow with Pink center cord
• Sweet Pea: Green and Yellow

All Bracelets are made from durable paracord (originally made to be used in an emergency for military, police and fire personnel). All bracelets are 7 ½ to 8” long. Bracelets can be worn in water (makes bracelet form better to your wrist).

Bracelets are $10

$15 for 2

Shipping Included

Thank you to Savage Survival Bracelets.

Read More

Kit's Muse Pounds for Preemies

Kit's Muse Pounds for Preemies

Help raise funds to support NICU and loss families while you lose weight!! Sign up for Pounds for Preemies! Project Kit's Muse a part of Project Sweet Peas is offering a contest to see who can stick to those goals and lose the most weight. Sign up is only 20.00 and goes to supporting NICU and loss familes. There is a facebook group to keep you motivated and learn what is working well for others. The winner will receive half the pot in sign up fees so be sure to share this one with your friends and family. The more people that sign up the bigger the pot! Message Kits Muse on Facebook for more info or e-mail poundsforpreemies@gmail. com to get more info!

Read More