Prayers for Corbin

Why would anyone want a child like that? Some babies are born healthy. Some babies are born sick. Whether it's mental or physical, some infants have to work harder than others just to survive.

This question has been posed (sometimes whispered, sometimes not) by some who don't understand why a parent would want to "deal" with a child suffering from one illness or another. They look at life in numbers: the survival rate is low; the medical expenses are high; the life expectancy is short; or the difficult road ahead is long. So why bother?

Because it's your child. Because the moment you hear that heart beat, you promise to love and protect your baby at any cost. Because a parent's love trumps everything.

Photo courtesy of Kara McHenry

A parent whose newborn is clinging to life, hooked up to monitors, and struggling just to breath doesn't see what others might. She isn't weighing the cost of one procedure against the value of her baby's life. He isn't thinking this child will only be a burden to his family. They are parents. They are looking at their tiny miracle and thanking God for such a blessing.

One family in particular comes to mind when I think about this. You may have heard of, or even follow, a popular Facebook family's page, Prayers for corbin. With every post and every picture, I'm amazed at the strength and love shown by Kara and Shane McHenry. Their son, Corbin, was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 (a genetic disorder) and they were told to prepare for a stillbirth. As if they weren't facing enough obstacles, Corbin decided to arrive 8 weeks early... breathing, crying, and shaking his tiny fist at death.

Photo courtesy of Kara McHenry

Everyday has been a struggle and everyday has been a miracle. Kara and Shane chronicle their son's journey through Facebook. They don't let fear overcome. They don't pity themselves. They don't complain about nights spent in the hospital or medical bills. They don't see the limitations others have placed on their child. They just see Corbin - a beautiful little boy who defies the odds every single day. They see their little fighter. They see a blessing who wakes up every morning, makes them smile, and thinks, "Today will be a good day."

Photo courtesy of Kara McHenry

Corbin teaches them patience, love, and humility. He shows them what's truly important in life. He makes them smile and laugh in ways they've never known before.

Photo courtesy of Kara McHenry

This family is an inspiration. Where others might blame God for their hardship, the McHenrys thank Him for every miraculous day they spend with their son.

So why would anyone want a child like that? Because he's their child and he's already perfect.

To learn more about Corbin's journey or to find out how you can help, visit Prayers for corbin or http://www.gofundme.com/2ok1r4.

The First Year: Looking Back

I never thought one year could pass so quickly. It's hard to believe my daughter is already celebrating her first birthday when it still feels like we just brought her home from the hospital. Not only that, but there are still so many things I haven't quite figured out.

I'd like to pause from my usual posts this week to take a look back on Bailey's first year.

Bailey Erin was born on May 21st at 2:21 a.m.

At fours days past my due date, I went into labor the night before my scheduled induction. Four and a half hours after being admitted to the hospital, Bailey Erin arrived - wide-eyed and curious. The feeling of becoming a parent was overwhelming. My stay in the hospital felt surreal. Is she real? Is she really ours? Does she know me? I had loved my little girl for nine months already, but we were just now getting to know each other.

For someone who has always been slightly paranoid when it comes to safety, you can imagine how this has affected me as a parent. My husband and I took shifts sleeping in the hospital (when it was even possible) so there would never be an opportunity for a cat burglar to slink in and steal our baby. Even when she was taken to the nursery for shots and testing, my husband never left her side.

The drive home was an experience. The fifteen minute trek from the hospital took twice as long through back roads and residential streets. With each pebble we drove over I frantically cried, "Careful! Her head is bobbling!"

Looking back now, it's amusing how ridiculous I was about so many things. I remember leaping over furniture in order to reach my rocking chair (and feeding station) when she was hungry. My husband walked in behind me holding a hungry, crying baby and looked at me like I was insane. At that moment, though, nothing was more important than feeding my child.

There have been struggles along the way. Breastfeeding, while completely worth it, presented its own difficulties. Growth spurts took me by surprise; who knew infants had them at two weeks, six weeks, nine weeks, etc.? Luckily, Google and countless moms on message boards helped us out along the way. Our poor kid was riddled with gas pains before we learned milk in my diet was the culprit.

Bailey, overachiever that she is, segued from her first growth spurt to the next. That was a trying month for both mom and boobs. Sleepless nights were (and, sometimes, still are) always rough. It's one thing to get only a few hours of sleep, but it's another to be up at 4 a.m. with a crying baby and no hope for rest.

Aside from the surprises, struggles, and sleep deprivation, there has been more laughter in my home and in my heart over the past year than ever in my life. Considering I'm blessed with a husband who makes me laugh everyday, it's saying something that I laugh even more now that I'm a parent.

This has been the most amazing and rewarding year of my life. My daughter's smiles encourage me to perform the most atrocious dances, but I don't care. When she giggles, my heart swells. When she's soothed by my voice, I feel like a superhero. When she was an infant, I would sing to her to calm her down. I can't describe how incredible it felt to see the way she looked at me as I sang to her.

All of the firsts we've shared together were each special in their own way. Her first smile, the first time she said "Mama", the first wave, when she learned to roll over, sit up, and stand... each has been precious.

I know she's still a baby, but if the first year, with all of its snags and struggles, can fly so quickly, what does that say about each year that gets a bit easier? It's bittersweet to watch her grow up so fast and I need to do everything I can so I don't miss it.

Bailey, you're celebrating your first birthday now, but someday you'll be a mother, too. It's hard, it's scary, and it's incredibly rewarding. Always know that no matter what I do in my life, above all, I will always be proud to be your mother. Happy Birthday.

Happy Mother's Day

Every mom is a superhero. Whether this is your first Mother's Day or your fiftieth, we salute you. You've made more sacrifices than you can count, sometimes put your life and dreams on hold, and you'd do it all over again. You've stayed up until the wee hours with a sick baby and then gone to work (either to an older boss or to a tiny and demanding one) without sleep or complaint. 

Between pregnancy and breastfeeding, you've sacrificed your body more than anyone (besides other moms) could understand. Your boobs may not be what they once were, but your heart has somehow doubled in size.

You've mastered the art of sleeping upright with a baby in your arms and your favorite radio stations have been replaced with Veggie Tales tunes. You've come to enjoy Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sofia the First and sometimes even look forward to them.

You've chased a bare butt baby around with a diaper in one hand and an unused wipe in the other. You make up ridiculous songs just to make your child smile and perform dance moves worse than those of Seinfeld's Elaine.

Mom, you do so many little things throughout the day that go unnoticed and sometimes we forget to stop and say thanks. Luckily, we have a holiday to remind ourselves that it's important to take a minute and appreciate you.

You're amazing. You're beautiful. You're strong. You're passionate. You would never lift a hand in anger to anyone, but if someone messes with your kid, you turn into the Incredible Hulk. 

We admire you. We strive to be like you. We love you. Thank you for being there always and for loving us so unconditionally.

Please remember to say thank you to all of the wonderful moms in your lives; not just today, but always. Happy Mother's Day.

Origami Owl: Great for Mother's Day or Everyday

With Mother’s Day less than a week away, there’s undoubtedly a frantic husband or two rushing to find the perfect gift. Jewelry is always a mainstay, but it can get pricey. What’s a procrastinating dad (or indulgent mom) to do? Here’s the answer: Origami Owl.

Photo by Team Kitty Gibson

No, I’m not talking about cutely folded paper owls. Origami Owl is a less expensive, but equally beautiful, competitor to some better known create-your-own forms of jewelry. How does it work? Start by visiting the website here. Begin by selecting a chain - with prices ranging from $10.00 to $22.00, I’d say we’re already off to a pretty good start. Next, decide whether you want to create a Living Locket or whether you’d rather get Tagged.

Getting Tagged is easy enough. Create a simple and stylish necklace with dangles and/or tags which attach directly to the chain.

Photo by Origami Owl

Living Lockets take a bit more figuring out, but are just as simple to put together. It’s an adorable way to collect all the things you already keep in your heart and keep them in, well, a necklace above your heart. How clever. The size and style of locket is up to you, but the $20.00 - $40.00 options ensure this will be the most expensive piece you buy (not bad compared to some of the Owl’s contemporaries). The accent pieces include charms, dangles, tags, and plates – with plenty of options for each.

So let’s say you pick the locket and chain and grab a couple of charms. Maybe you created a special piece to celebrate Mother’s Day. You’ve picked your charms: Girl Baby Feet; Mom Heart in Silver; and the Silver Rose Charm. You even went the distance and snagged a Rosegold Love plate. You now have a beautiful locket to celebrate motherhood. But what about next month when you’re gearing up for a Moms' Night Out? While you’re still proud to be a mama, you’re also excited to be a woman – outside of snotty noses and dirty diapers. Sure, you want to wear that great locket you got, but maybe it doesn’t quite go with your outfit or your mindset. No problem.

Luckily, you had the foresight to collect some additional charms over the past month. Since charms only cost $5.00 per piece, you’ve found a new way to create a different accessory to match any outfit (or mood). Open your locket, remove the charms, and pop out the plate. You can now replace them with a Red Shoe, Lipstick, and Microphone. You’re ready for karaoke with the girls. (For some great examples of completed lockets, check out these designs.)

The great thing about the Living Lockets and Tagged necklaces is that they’re fully customizable. The assortment of charms, tags, dangles, and plates presents the opportunity to create entirely different necklaces every time. And at only $5.00 for each charm, there’s no limit to what you can do (guilt-free!). Use your imagination: create lockets based on hobbies, causes, occupations - even your favorite books and TV shows!

Photo by Lisa Lieberman

Buying from Origami Owl is also a great way to support local moms. Many of its independent designers, like Kitty Gibson, are local mothers doing what they can to stay home and raise their kids. Why not buy yourself a beautifully personalized necklace while helping a local mama in the process? For more information, check out Kitty’s Origami Owl website at http://kittygibson.origamiowl.com. For great ideas on creating your own, and for information on hosting a party, be sure to like her Facebook page.

Overstuffing the Diaper Bag

Diapers. Wipes. Bottle. What more could you need in a diaper bag? If you’re a new mom, the answer is simple: more diapers, extra pacifiers, a change of clothes, a second change of clothes, hand sanitizer, snacks, toys, burp cloths, gas drops, extra bottles, a thermometer… This doesn’t come close to listing everything you’ve got wedged in there. Let’s face it; if the zipper gets halfway across and gives up, you’ve overstuffed your diaper bag.

In the early (and maybe not so early) days, it’s hard to know what items are essential. Sure, you’re only going to the park for a couple of hours, but a lot can happen in 120 minutes. You need to bring three bottles, some snacks, and a jar of baby food “just in case”, right? You never know; all that playing on the swing set might throw your child into a hulk-like feeding frenzy and the fifteen minute drive home just won’t do. Likewise, those five toys (and three books) are necessary for the car ride – your sweetie needs her options so she doesn’t get bored.

We’ve all done this. It’s easy to keep cramming more and more items in that tote “just in case”. But keep this in mind: if the diaper bag weighs more than your kid, you’ve gone overboard.

It’s not your fault. Baby product manufacturers love to mess with our heads. Why else would no one have an all-in-one wipe? Do we really need separate wipes for everything? There’s a wipe for diaper changes, a hand and face wipe, a boogie wipe, a pacifier wipe... Granted, I’d prefer the wipe that cleans my baby’s butt to be separate from the one that sanitizes her pacifier, but what about the rest? If based on cleaning pads alone, a diaper bag can easily bulge in minutes.

While it’s true that you just never know what could happen while you’re out, it’s probably a safe bet that you’d survive if caught in a lost sock emergency. Pack an extra set of clothes, but leave the back-up spare at home.

Even though Mary Poppins and her own magical purse would be proud, you might consider emptying some of those unnecessary items or even switching to a smaller bag. Your back will thank you in the long run. However you decide to pack your sack, here are some items that you’ll want to keep:

·        Diapers

·        Wipes

·        Changing pad

·        Hand sanitizer

·        Bottle

·        Snacks

·        Burp Cloth

·        Gas Drops (essential when they’re still itty bitty)

What have you learned over time? Which items did you find you could ditch and which ones were the must-haves?