This is Erin, born 14 weeks early, weighing only 428g/15oz. She spent 148 days in the Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital NICU. She’s two weeks old in this photo

Her story, my story, OUR story

Two days before the birth of my daughter I went to the hospital for a follow up scan after she measured two weeks small during her morphology ultrasound.

The images were fuzzy, nowhere near as clear as they were two weeks prior; our tech said that this indicated low amniotic fluid. She also said that at 26 weeks gestation our baby was only measuring 23 weeks. So, after a consult with an obstetrician who specialized in “troubled pregnancies”, I was admitted and we were told the worst. Our little girl had only a 10% chance of survival.

After a day spent in the birthing centre I finally had a bed—in the maternity section where I got to listen to all the healthy babies crying while their mothers cooed and cared for them. I cried most of the night. Every time I heard someone’s child stirring I’d think, “My baby is not going to cry”.

Thursday morning our daughter was born via C-section weighing 428g. She surprised the doctors, and the paediatric team decided she was well enough for them to stop and show me her before she was wheeled to the NICU.

During the first couple of weeks I was numb. Visiting the hospital was hard but not as hard as seeing my child attached to all those machines. She was incredibly fragile. More like a baby than I’d expected but not like any baby I’d ever seen before. Her skin was translucent and paper thin. So delicate those even simple, ordinary things like nappy changes caused it to tear and bleed.

After the shock wore off I existed in a trance of sorts. I didn’t want to visit the hospital but it had become harder to stay away. My life became about doing what was best for my daughter. Pumping every three hours around the clock and spending hours sitting by her isolette; talking to her through the perspex, comforting her as best I could without actually being able to pick her up. It’s the most unnatural thing to know your child is upset and not be able to fix it. To this day that still hurts my heart.

She was five weeks old before I was able to hold her. She was tiny; I couldn’t even feel her weight amongst the blankets. I remember the way her little ear, devoid of cartilage, pressed against my chest as she lay there just below my chin. Until that point I thought I’d bonded with her like any mother does, but I was wrong.

As the nurses moved away leaving us alone, with my eyes closed and Erin settled upon my chest I felt a rush of affection. To smell her and kiss her tiny head was beyond anything that I’d experienced till that point. It was incredible.

All in all we spent 148 days in hospital, but it didn’t end there. Since coming home we’ve been faced with more challenges and many difficult days. But we’ve been lucky. Erin is an exceptional child; she’s happy and healthy and suffers from no long-term effects of her very early birth

 April 2009 

Thank you to Bec and Erin for sharing this story. 

Its a hard road to travel and for any parents, friends or family who have been down this road…  it really IS a hard one.  They say a rollercoaster ride… and it really is!

If you have a premature baby story you would like to share, please email me with approx 500 words, baby pic and one now of your premmie baby.  I found that sharing really is therapeutic for others who have gone through this journey.

I plan to put my story down this week and send in some pics….  hope you do too

July 31st is the NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY 

  please support your local group or www.prembaby.org.au

warmly

Elizabeth xx

“Give them wings”

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Tiana, our premmie baby above (now 6) created with the extraordinary talents by Argnesh Rose

July is dedicated to Premmie babies.  Anyone who has had a premature baby, or knows someone who has had one knows how hard and how different it is and what a rollercoaster ride.  lets start this first day of July with some amazing talent and i am so captivated by this gorgeous artist… you can purchase your own little piece of magic through la Toriana. 

Do you believe in Magic?

Perhaps parenthood allowed you to glimpse it’s presence in your children, - time slows to a standstill, the sun is filtering through you child’s hair giving her a golden glow…

Perhaps just for a moment you forget your worries and immerse yourself in her enchanted world..

With my Artwork I but reveal this magic that is always present.

Our children teach us so much about our self, not only  about joy, but pain as well, when they are ill, how much we wish we could make it all go away…

A friend once said, when I was pregnant, having a child is like having another heart outside of your body…I find this to be true..

Having children is definitely the most challenging, humbling and life changing experience for us parents..

I hope once in a while

you are able to stop…

and favour the moment,

feel the love

and allow yourself to notice the magic,

the beauty around you…

Once a long time ago, you too were a child and that sense of wonder is there just below the surface, waiting for you patiently.

I hope that my Artwork will take you back to this Enchanted place where all is possible…

It makes the perfect gift for any occasion from Birthday to Christening, it is unique and created with a lot of care and love for you…

Before and after the Fantasy magic created by Argnesh Rose

Any child is a miracle, a gift, and what a great way to treasure them.   

With love: Argnesh Rose

SPECIAL OFFER:

If you pay a $50 deposit before the end of July, you will receive $25 off any of the packages on the website!   Check out  La Toriana baby boutique

if you have questions, you can contact us

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Thank you Argnesh for the gorgeous portrait you have magically created of Tiana.  I am going to give this as a present to her for her birthday.   I also wanted to say thank you for the other portrait… its so beautiful and I have all 3 girls together.  I cried when I saw  them.  You have touched my heart and its an honour to showcase your talents at La Toriana. 

 I will soon reveal the one of all 3 girls soon… on the twins birthday.  They would have been 8 this year!  This is a truly special one.  THANK YOU.

I just know many other mums will also cherish these portraits …  as I do.

Warmly

Elizabeth xx

Travelling with your kids these holidays… check out

BYOKids

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Fiji

I don’t know about you… but school holidays always seem to creep up on me!  All of a sudden I realise.. “jeepers… what will we do these holidays?”

I always try to get away for a couple days each school holidays, and whilst I am always half organised for the Christmas holidays, I am not so much for the 3 other lots of holidays throughout the year.

I was wrapped when I learnt about the BYO Kids webiste.

Hawaii

Last year (thanks to this brilliant website with loads of great specials… we went to the Gold Coast this time of year.  we stayed at Seaworld a few nights and then at Paradise Resort.  A couple of us friends and our families went and was a great way for all of us to catch up.  (Thanks Joanne and Christie… are we on again next year?  The kids had an absolute ball!)

Was great for the kids and for us! 

The kids loved the kids club at Paradise Resort and we got to have a great dinner just us adults and us girls had shopping times too.  Sea World was alive and happening and we would def go back to both places again.

This year… am thinking of a trip to Fiji… a friend went with hubby and kids last year and is going back these holidays again!  They loved it for the price and pure luxury.

  If you haven’t gotten around to passports (like me)    Maybe  WA?  Broome looks amazing and I am sure we all would def love it there.

 Broome

Want to stay closer to home and have a beach holiday along the great Ocean Road Victoria?  I would suggest the Surf Coast… Torquay!  From as little as $165 per night you can stay across the road to the famous Front Beach in a 2 bedroom self contained apartment. Torquay Front Beach ~ Beach Houses is fabulous.  We have stayed a couple times and you cannot beat the position.  only 50 steps to the beach… YES  50 STEPS!

Ocean views, beach, playgrounds, restaurants across the road, situated between both shopping centres there is no need for a car!  Great for a family and there are 3 Torquay Beach houses here so bring your friends families too.  Gateway to the Great Ocean Road with Bells Beach across the way.  Perfect.

Look no matter what you are looking for… be it an interstate, an overseas or even a local holiday… if you are looking for a great place to travel to with kids… make byoKids your first place to start looking.  I was so glad I found them.  Sure takes the hassle out of finding great, tried and tested places to travel to with our kids.

and… if you are looking for great ways to keep the kids entertained whilst you are driving about… check out the great travel toys and travel games for kids at ickle kids. 

mmm?  I wonder where i can find a great family holiday that has great kids activities, some great local attarctions, a day spa  (for me) great kids friendly restaurants and thats not too far to travel… oh and one thats affordable too.

am off to browse away at www.byokids.com.au

We understand that mums are so busy…. so let us help you!!

.  www.LaToriana.com.au

  check out all the latest

Do you have your own Little Critter?

Little Critters is THE most unique and personalised way to capture a little part of your little ones childhood.

Inspired by her own children’s chubby little hands, artist Carol Heath is the creator of those oh so cute Little Critters.

Perhaps you have seen them before? Cheeky elephants, fish, fairies, birds and butterflies, all created with a simple hand or foot print.

We all have them at home, stuck to the fridge or adorning the walls among the myriad of kindergarten masterpieces, or even in our special keepsake albums. Our children’s hand prints are just as precious as the little hands that made them, They remind us of just how little our little critters once were and a Little Critters keepsake is a great way to treasure them for many years to come.

When you visit the Little Critters site you will find a wide range of colourful designs to choose from. Most of these designs are inspired by Carol’s own children and their cheeky antics. You’re sure to find one to suit your child’s personality.

If you would like Carol to create one of these whimsical works of art featuring your child’s hand or foot print, you simply send your child’s hand or foot print to Little Critters, either by mail or using the online order form and Carol will magically transform it into one of these quirky little characters. You can then choose to have your art work printed on a selection of products including framed and canvas prints, ceramic tiles, mugs and money boxes, greeting cards, t-shirts or even mousemats.

They really do make the most wonderfully unique gifts and keepsakes.

Carol has made an amazing keepsake of my premmie angels, Lara and Victoria, made with their hand prints. This is the first time I had even thought about doing a keepsake like this… and do you know what… I am so very glad I have.  The Cherry Blossom pink hand prints above are my precious little girls,  my angels.  If you have a premmie baby you may like to turn their hand prints into a framed keepsake like this.  Its gorgeous.

Anyone who has had a premature baby will know how small and delicate they are… and anyone like myself, who have had babies become angels… this is a truly remarkable and happy way of celebrating their life.

Carol… you have an amazing talent and will definitely be telling everyone about you!

Little Critters

www.littlecritters.com.au

If you are looking for something different to designer baby gifts, or kids vintage clothing… why not let Carol create something unique and personal.  Believe me… you will be so glad you did.

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15% off

From now til July 25th.  All you need to do is pop the code La Torianaon your order form and Carol will give you this great discount on your next order.  Why not turn your child’s hand prints into a personalised keepsake as a gift for Aunty, kinder teacher, a Christmas present or a keepsake for yourself. 

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warmly

elizabeth xx