I have officially completely my circle. In so many ways.
The first in our series of NICU showers was yesterday and I'm actually a little overwhelmed and having trouble finding words. Me, without words. I know.
First of all, the room was beautiful! I can't believe I didn't take pictures of the big room! I have only closeups! What is wrong with me! But this is the prize table if that counts. Look at all those goodies!
We had all the showery things like music, games, food and prizes and decorations. The message for everything on this day was: It's ok.
The mommies, daddies, even grandmas and grandpas started to wander in and I say wander because I recognize that wandering look. When you have a child in the NICU, wandering is all you seem to do. You wander from this place to that, in a foggy haze, just going through the motions because your heart is really in that isolette sitting in the NICU and anywhere you wander beyond that is a place you really don't feel like being, even that means taking a short break.
There were only a couple moms from our group there, just a few are attending each shower so as to not be overwhelming. We all took turns speaking, sharing our stories and trying to send the message to the mommies sitting there that the pain, the guilt, the sadness, the grief, the lonliness, it's all very very ok and that there are mommies here for them, when - or if - they're ever ready.
We ate food, played games, and raffled off our zillions of prizes. I got to talking to some of the mommies there and we laughed a little.
And it was a packed house.
I just cannot believe what a great job everyone did in getting the word out, every.chair was full. The media came for a little bit to do a story on Prematurity Awareness Month and they did a great job not being too invasive while being sensitive to the occasion. For that I'm greatful.
HAVE I SAID YET THAT WE HAD SO MANY PRIZES!?
We had to KEEP RAFFLING! And then anyone who didn't get a trip to the prize table got to go up anyway! I kept thinking about how wonderful it was that the item they chose will probably stay with them forever. They'll remember that that's the outfit they got at the shower, or that's the doll or blanket they got at the shower, and keep that one, even if the rest go to Goodwill some day. I feel that way about every little thing I got in the NICU, my son's tiny hat, a quilt someone anonymously made him, those are the things I so cherish.
Here's where I want to say a huge resounding top of someplace very high "Thank You!" to all of you who have donated and sent me items for the shower. Honestly, from the outfits to the photo albums, and with the donated money I got diapers, outfits and toys, you all make my heart melt and sing. Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you! You helped so many people. Thank you.At one point during the shower, I looked across the room and saw myself sitting on one of the chairs.
Hair pulled back, red eyes that haven't dried yet, drained.
And I remembered that's she's why we were there. She came by and thanked us at the end, even hugged us and said she'll be stopping by our website. I really hope she does. Every family got a gift bag that included a journal, some clothes and some keepsakes, even the families who didn't get to come.
And I was in charge of games! and I need your help! I did a "count the diapers" game, a "feel the baby item" game (they had to guess what the wrapped baby item was) and a nursery rhyme fill in the blank game. That one was probably the one I won't do next time because we had quite a few spanish-speaking families and it didn't translate well. Also, there were some people who weren't familiar with American nursery rhymes. (This is all a learning experience for me.) So I was wondering if any of you knew any other shower games, ones that are kind of fill in the blank-y or that people can wander up to the table to do in big groups, ones that are fitting for English and Spanish speaking people? I have done a lot of searching and I'm looking for one more game that would fit this description.In the end, it was a beautiful day. I hope it will be remembered by families as a nice, comforting, break.
I do have to say, the end of the day was hardest for me. I mentioned here that I have avoided the NICU in my child's three and a half years but yesterday I went.
It was so very very much harder than I thought it was going to be. So very very hard and overwhelming. That is a post for another day. My eyes haven't dried yet.
But I will say that I've completed my circle. In so, so many ways.
* * *
Don't think I forgot to weigh in today! I am over here today for that!
Get out your hospital pics, mommas, we're playing some shower games!!! There are two games, actually -- one for RIGHT NOW! And then a PHOTO CONTEST that starts today but ends on Sunday (sort of) -- where YOU will be able to vote for the winner!
*Note: anything yellow duckie-related doesn't count, that's all just in there to throw you off and yes, the duck has a fro and is wearing a party hat. It's a party, why wouldn't he! This game closes quickly, at 1 a.m. Easter Time (late Thursday/early Friday.) Winner announced Friday!
HAWT, RIGHT??? This was after the birth of my first child, who was a preemie, but since this is about making light of our birthstories and having fun (!!! )I'll tell you that literally, my child popped out 20 seconds before my husband pressed that button. My default when someone is holding up a camera at me is to smile. And that's what makes me laugh at that photo. Inside, I was doing the polar opposite of smiling, yet, when he held up that camera, my first instinct was to smile anyway! The funnier picture might've been the picture he took of himself during the early part of labor when he was trying to make me laugh, wearing the unused disposable pee pot on his head. (Maybe I'll coerce him into letting me share it.. )
And thank you, 
