The Children’s Rose - NPF Fundraiser

This is a very special rose… one that is so sweetly perfumed and blooms so well in the garden.  A bush rose that has long stems and softest pink flowers. If you love roses, consider this one… it is one to remember the children.

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NPF are having this as a fundraiser to help raise money.  Please help them if you can.

Purchase a rose for yourself, as a gift for a family member or friend currently in the Neonatal Intensive care unit, or to support the work of the National Premmie Foundation. Then plant your rose and watch it flourish as it flowers and grows over the years. These special roses help raise funds to support the work of the National Premmie Foundation.

Important note:  unable to deliver to TAS due to quarantine restrictions

Price: $16.00 per rose

Postage: $10.00 for 1 rose, $4.00 per each additional rose

When: Roses are delivered in the month of July 2010 directly to your nominated address.

ORDER HERE

A couple years ago when I was doing some volunteer work for National Premmie Day,  I was given a couple of these plants from Amanda who was then the president of Loddon Mallee Kids.  July marks the anniversary of my gorgeous premmie baby girls Lara and Victoria  and so it has extreme significance to me this rose.  It will be 9 years this year, I just cannot believe it.

Since having planted it, The Children’s Rose looks beautiful and has grown beautifully and its a very special way to remember my precious premature baby girls all 3 of them, but also reminds me of my beautiful friend  Amanda who gave them to me.    I will always remember her kindness ….

Never under estimate the power of a simple gesture.

Thanks Amanda (left) with Belinda and Bianca.

There are many people in our and YOUR community who do amazing things to help others.  Those like  the 3 girls who have done amazing things with Loddon Mallee Kids and National Premmie Foundation, are often unsung hero’s.

NOW is your chance to nominate someone you know for the Local Premmie Hero awards.

Time is running out and submissions will close very soon… so please, make your way over and nominate someone you think is deserving of this award.

La Toriana are fast becoming a leader in providing stylish, affordable quality premmie baby clothing, premmie baby comforters and premature baby accessories to family and friends touched by the birth of a premmie baby.

At La Toriana we have a dedicated category for premmie babies called“Premmie Baby” online on our website.

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and newborn baby keepsakes available to buy online. If you have a baby born early, or are a friend/family looking to give a premmie baby gift… contact me and I can help you to choose the right baby gift for them.

At La Toriana we showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropriate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for a  premmie baby keepsake doll, or organic baby wear for a bub that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

  Premature baby clothing and accessory labels available online at La Toriana include Earlybirds organic premmie baby range,  Lambykins organic premature baby range, TeenyWeeny, Cuski, The Zaky, Tummybear keepsake dolls, Alimrose Design, Let Them Have Wings art, Little ONE baby magzine subscription, plus many more

Premmie Support Comes in Three’s

With thousands of premature babies born throughout Victoria yearly and in conjunction with National Premmie Day being celebrated on Friday 31st July 2009 three of Victoria’s amazing and dedicated support networks have joined together to help celebrate our little aussie battlers. All run by parents of premature babies themselves, Lifes Little Treasures, L’il Aussie Prems and La Toriana offer support to families through their unique experiences.

Lifes Little Treasures (LLT) is a charity funded by private donations and run entirely by volunteer parents who have experienced the rollercoaster ride of premature birth. They provide a number of services including support groups throughout the Melbourne suburbs and Greater Victoria, a quarterly newsletter, 24 hour support phone line, social occasions, informative parent resource guides morning teas at hospitals with Neonatal intensive care/Special care Nurseries, as well as providing the much needed practical and emotional support to prem families. LLT is a founding member of the National Premmie Foundation and looks forward to this year’s National Premmie Day running two events in Victoria. For further details please visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au.

L’il Aussie Prems is a not-for-profit website founded by Julia Toivonen offering support to families from the comfort of their own homes through their online support forum. The site features information through articles, birth stories, galleries, live chats and birth announcements. With over 860 families registered on the forum Australia wide families can find information and the support they need from others who have been through this life changing journey. L’il Aussie Prems is a major supporter when it comes to premature babies and National Premmie Day and will be holding a live online chat for families who cannot attend celebrations throughout the day starting from 7pm. For details please visit www.lilaussieprems.com.au.

LaToriana is an online baby boutique that caters for premmie babies up to children 8 years of age. With a passion for organic and premmie baby clothes La Toriana specialises Australian and New Zealand baby and kids fashion with new and established designers. Founder of LaToriana, Elizabeth, understands the struggles to find premature clothing suitable for these tiny miracles. Elizabeth, a volunteer and sponsor of local and national premmie baby groups, donates a % of sales from her Premmie baby category. www.latoriana.com.au

“As parents offering support we have truly walked the path and understand the raw emotions parents and families feel after the premature birth of their children. It is a hard, over whelming and heartfelt journey, one that we hope to make easier through our dedicated & supportive network” said Julia Toivonen founder of L’il Aussie Prems and mum to two premature babies.

Events details for National Premmie Day celebrations around Australia are available through the Premmie Foundations website www.prembaby.org.au

For further information, interviews and photographs please contact:

Shusannah Morris – Lifes Little Treasures
contact_us@lifeslittletreasures.org.au
0437 254 360

Julia Toivonen – L’il Aussie Prems
admin@lilaussieprems.com.au
0412 248 583

Elizabeth Murphy – La Toriana
info@latoriana.com.au
0408 489 268

Zucchini cake + carrot cake = zucchini and carrot muffins

Thank you Rebecca for sharing your KooL KidZ with us

A day in the kitchen today to keep the troops occupied while its raining outside. I am not complaining!
We attempted to combine 2 cake recipes and then make muffins out of them instead. I *think* it worked (as I eat my 4th for the day).  (By Rebecca)

Zucchini and Carrot Muffins
(makes about 24)

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
2/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups grated grated zucchini (lightly packed)
1 cup grated carrot (lightly packed)
2 cups crushed pineapple
1/2 cup almond meal
Icing sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Combine eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla.
Sift in flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
Fold in zucchini, carrot, pineapple and almond meal.
Grease 2 large muffin trays and spoon in mixture, about 2/3 full.
Bake for around 15 minutes, checking regularly. Muffins are cooked when loely and brown.
Allow to cool slightly, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with icing sugar.
These muffins keep well for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

What a great indoor WINTER project to do with the kids.  Kids love “creating” and I have found that having them hands on in making healthy foods really gets them inspired to eat new foods.  Thanks Rebecca for sharing this recipe with us.  Looks like its great fun from your pics….  

if you have a kids recipe, craft project, tips or money saving idea… send them in with a pic and name/age of your child and we will send you a little something when its live on our blog. email to info at latoriana.com.au

warmly

elizabeth xx

 Have you seen us on facebook? why not follow us!

La Toriana’s Profile

At La Toriana we have a passion for kids fashion.

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Fairy Floss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Princess ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa and so many more!

We have the best online collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and keepsakes too.  We showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropiate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for organic wear for a baby that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

 La Toriana launches Prem baby catagory for National Premmie Day

La Toriana has been passionate about supporting Premature Babies. 

July 25th marks 2008 National Premmie Day.

Elizabeth, founder of La Toriana  www.LaToriana.com.au ,  who has had 3 prem babies, is an keen supporter of National Premmie Foundation,  www.prembaby.org.au and also her local group, Loddon Mallee Kids   www.loddonmalleekids.org.au

It is a hard road for many families experiencing the birth of a prem baby, and a rollercoaster ride for sometime afterwards.  There are some amazing supports out there these days like the above groups and websites such as www.momentbymoment.com.au , that are all about helping families and friends who are touched by the birth of a premature baby.

La Toriana have released this week their premmie section.  It is hard finding prem baby clothes and  accessories.  La Toriana would love you to check out their prem baby clothing lines and some new releases coming very soon in organic premature baby clothing.

Having a baby is an amazing, joyous occasion.  

Friends, family, neighbours and acquaintances all gather around sending congratulatory cards, flowers, gifts. They all can’t wait to visit the new baby, have a hold and pat dad on the back, go out for that celebratory drink and give the mum a warm hug and flowers. Everyone is happy and knows how to react.

Is it the same when a baby is born premature? No, not always.

It’s a very frightening time for the parents whose baby comes too early or is sick. The joy soon turns to fear and panic and so sets in a rollercoaster ride. Every single minute is precious. It’s an extremely worrying time.  It’s a very isolating time for the parents. There is a fear they may loose their baby, may have long term health issues or concerns of being able to cope. Of guilt, anger and fear.

Friends and family are often feeling at a loss too.
Many will not send a congratulatory card or present, just in case the baby passes away and it could upset the parents. Many will *wait* and see how things go before they send a card. Sometimes this could be a couple months later.

Tips for supporting a friend/family with a prem/sick baby

• Do send a card, present soon after if that’s what you had intended on doing, to congratulate the arrival of their much loved baby
• Do knowledge it’s a stressful time
• Offer positive feedback on the baby, their name, pics etc
• Give them a journal to write their journey at this time, a book of comfort or similar gift
• Do keep in touch, via a quick call, text, email or letter during their time in hospital to let them know you are thinking of them, even though they possible wont be up to returning calls etc for a while
• Offers of help at home, with other kids, animals, work, where you can during this time.
• Drop over frozen meals for the dad/family or once they get home from hospital
• Give mum a special notebook so she can diarise her journey through this time.
• Offer to do washing, shopping etc so its one less thing mum or dad needs to think about
• Offer to pass on info to other friends/family for them
• Do be there to listen and offer comfort
• Please don’t offer parenting advise, your experiences, pry or pass judgement (its hard enough for the parents… no matter how well meaning you are)
• Please don’t be self cantered and think of YOUR feelings on the situation,

Today there is so much more support available locally and nationally. As a parent, or friend of someone who has had a prem baby, there is a lot of support.

Read the full article here and list of great supports available … all on mumzone here 

mumzone has an amazing amount of support and information for all mums.

La Toriana is giving the National Premmie Foundation 10% of all sales from July 15th to July 25th.  We are also giving you another 10% off too, type NPF as the code at checkout to automatically receive this.