Vote for Project Sweet Pea!

Over the next 30 days, Project Sweet Pea is in the running for a $25,000 grant from Pepsi Refresh Everything.

We need you all to vote everyday for us. It only takes a minute! http://www.refresheverything.com/projectsweetpea

Please remember to vote everyday!!

Project Sweet Pea has been delievring smiles to families for 8 short months. We have touched the lives of 255 families! This past week alone, Donny's Shining Light and Ava's Angels have delivered 33 bags filled with items to help comfort parents.

We are so proud to work together with such awesome families. Please help us give back, by taking a minute from your day, each day until April 30th, to vote for us : )

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Christa's Butterfly Kisses

Christa's Butterfly Kisses is one of our local projects that was started in Colorado. It was started by an awe-inspiring woman, Vanessa, in memory of her beautiful daughter. Her strength and love for Christa shines through and is an inspiration to us all.

You can contact Vanessa at: Vanessa@projectsweetpeas.com

Her Story:

When I was 5 months pregnant I had my scheduled ultra-sound. Just like anyone who is pregnant, I was anxious to find out what I was having! Would it be a room of beautiful, pink princess decor or a rugged jungle themed room for a boy? That day I not only learned I was having a girl, I also learned that she had a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. I couldn't pronounce it, let alone spell it. My world changed that day. Forever.

I know all too well the ups and downs of having a child in the NICU. It is a roller coaster ride that plays with your emotions on every level. I also know the heart ache of making life ending decisions and the pain you learn to live with. The pain never goes away, it is something you just learn to live with. Christa passed away in my arms on September 4, 1997. She was three weeks old. This was the first and last time I ever held her.

Christa was born on August 14, 1997 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. She lived her entire life at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

Christa's life has deeply inspired me to reach out to others who are about to experience or are currently experiencing "life in the NICU." It is often difficult to explain to friends and family the emotions you are enduring. My goal is to offer support, words of hope, and prayers to many familes who are struggling with the reality of the NICU. Working with Project Sweet Pea allows me the opportunity to facilitate Christa's Butterfly Kisses, which will become Christa's beautiful legacy.

After Christa received her angel wings, I was blessed with two more children. Noah and Ashlyn-Grace are my miracles! Noah also had a short stay in the NICU when he was born with a Pneumothorax. I was on bed-rest with Ashlyn-Grace for 5 months due to complications and pre-term labor. I'm happy to announce that they are both very healthy, energetic children today!

Christa is my hero. She taught me to live each day with passion because tomorrow is NOT a promise to any of us. Make today count and tell those close to your heart that you love them!

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Drake's Doodlebugs: Louisiana Gift Bag Project

Another set of ladies that amaze us everyday, We are honored to be working with Christy and Ashley and their local project in Louisiana: Drake's Doodlebugs.

You can contact them at:

Christy@projectsweetpeas.com
Ashley@projectsweetpeas.com


Drake's Story:

Burt and Christy Michel were having trouble getting pregnant. After an appointment with the fertility specialist they found out that they had to start fertility medicine. After an ectopic pregnancy ,a miscarriage and many failed attempts, they found out they were expecting with an EDD of March 3 2008. At their 20 week ultrasound, they found out they were expecting a boy !! They also found out that he had a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. It is a birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not fully form, allowing organs to enter the chest cavity preventing lung growth. CDH strikes 1 in every 2500 babies, no matter the race, religious background, or financial status .No matter how well the prenatal care!

Drake Alexander Michel was born on February 18, 2008. After 6 major surgeries ,and 7 weeks in the NICU, He passed away in his mommy's arms on April 6, 2008. No mother should ever get to hold her baby for the first time and have to say goodbye at the same time.

Drakes Doodlebugs is a local project started to give a little comfort to families of babies in the NICU. Having someone show that you are not alone through this stressful time is priceless.

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Ayda's Blessing in the News!

Ayda's Blessing was started by Shanell in honor of her little miracle, Ayda. Ayda's Blessings supplies gift bags to Kootenai Medical Center NICU/PICU in Idaho. Earlier this week, they were featured for a news story on KXLY News!



You can contact Shanell at: Shanell@projectsweetpeas.com

Read more about Shanell and Ayda's story here:

Ayda's Blessing

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Shelby's Sunshine-Indiana Gift Bag Project

Stephanie is also one of the founders of Project Sweet Pea. With a heart of gold and tons of positive energy, she is just what this project needed! Her local project, Shelby's Sunshine, is in honor of her daughter Shelby, who is an inspiration to us all!

You can contact Steph at: Steph@projectsweetpeas.com

Here is her story:
My daughter was born July 10, 2006. She was diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia(CDH) 18 weeks in utero. Her CDH was on her left side. She stayed in the PICU/NICU for the first 53 days of her life.
Shelby has been through 8 surgery's and soon will be three. She is our Amazing Grace. Her strength amazes us daily and we are truly Blessed to have her in our lives.
I am doing Shelby's Sunshine Bags for parents that are in NICU's in the state of Indiana. The reason being that I feel the items in Shelby's Sunshine Bags will help parents deal with the long days while their baby is in the NICU. To let the parents know they are not alone. Let the parents know there are families out there that will walk with them every step of the way.

Shelby

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Shannon's Star- Pennsylvania Gift Bag Project

Kate, one of the founders of Project Sweet Pea, started her local project in memory of her angel, Shannon. Kate puts her heart and soul into everything she does and we are so thankful to have her with us with Project Sweet Pea!

You can contact kate at: kate@projectsweetpeas.com


Her Story:

Steve and Kate Crawford were expecting their first daughter, when they were told at their 18 week ultrasound that the baby had a life threatening birth defect known as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.Only half of babies born with this defect will live. After many ultrasounds, echocardiograms and fetl monitoring, the baby's outcome looked hopeful. Shannon Elizabeth Crawford was born January 16, 2007 at Magee-Women's Hospital and was transferred that same day to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. On January 17th, 2007, the couple found out their daughter also had a heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The combination was deadly and Shannon was given a 1% chance of surviving. On Janury 19th, 2007, it was decided that Shannon would not make it through any surgery, and prolonging life was not an option. Steve and Kate let their daughter pass quietly in their arms that night.

In June of 2007 the couple found out they were expecting again, only to miscarry their "Peanut Shelbe" in September. The couple was exhausted and felt hopeless at trying. To their amazement, they found out they were expecting once again in January of 2008, shortly after what would have been Shannon's first birthday. At the first ultrasound, the couple received the shock of their life - twins. In August of 2008, Kate delivered the twins girl 6 weeks premature. Grace Kathleen and Lily Anne spent two weeks in the NICU at Magee-Women's Hospital. Grace needed no extra support, she was monitored until her weight of 5lbs was met and she was released. Lily needed CPAP. She remained on a heart monitor after her arrival home for one month. Both girls are now home, happy and healthy.

Kate knows what it is like to sit in a NICU and have nothing to do but stare. She was been through the best outcome and the worst. For her, the small things she was able to hold on to in the NICU continues to bring her much comfort. She always wished she had more to remember Shannon by and loves to be able to provide these items to parents. Project Sweet Pea holds a special place in her heart.

Shannon

Grace

Lily

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Gabriel's Gift - Southern New England Gift Bag Project

Project Sweet Pea all started with an angel . . . Gabriel.


Gabriel's Mom, Corin and grandmom, Jeanne started making gift bags for Women and Infants NICU (Rhode Island), Mass General Hospital NICU(Massachusetts), Lawrence and Memorial NICU (Connecticut). Corin met with two of her friends, whom are also NICU Moms, and from there Project Sweet Pea began.

Here is Gabriel's story:

Gabriel was born on November 18, 2006 with an undiagnosed Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), a life threatening birth defect. CDH affects 1 in 2500 babies. Only 50% survive. Our little boy spent his life in 3 different hospitals enduring multiple surgeries and procedures while he fought for life for 55 days before earning his wings. He passed away peacefully in the arms of his parents on January 12, 2007. He will always be loved and missed. Gabriel's little sister, Makayla, was born on February 15, 2008. At 10lbs 4 oz she made her way into the world through a difficult delivery. She recovered quickly and luckily only had to spend two days in the NICU before coming home. We know how blessed we are to have our little girl healthy and happy, and never take a moment for granted.


Gabriel

Makayla

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Project Sweet Pea

Project Sweet Pea seeks to provide a little touch of comfort for parents of children in the intensive care units.

This project was started by a group of parents who have one thing in common, we have all experienced what it is like having a critically ill child in the ICU. Through our experience we came together for support and comfort. Now it is our turn to give back.

Our goal is simple: To provide gift bags that give a touch of comfort to someone in need and let them know they are not alone.

36

Gift Bags Delivered

since 7/1/09

Disclaimer: Project Sweet Pea is NOT a non-profit organization; all purchases and donations are NOT tax deductible. We are NOT affiliated with any group or organization. We are simply parents who have had children in the NICU, and look to provide comfort through this project.

If you would like to help or would like more information contact us at: info@projectsweetpeas.com

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