We love supporting those who support premmie babies and ther families.  We will  bring you up to date information about the nominees that are coming through… all so deserving of the accolade.  So many quiet achievers… unsung heros… those making a difference.  Below is the gorgeuos Sarah… one of many we will show you in the next few weeks.

Sarah – Queensland

Sarah has founded a network for Central QLD mums and dads of premature babies and has been working hard to get a website up and running full of useful and very helpful information called CQ Prems. As well as this she is a mum of four (2 of which were premmies) and is also studing nursing at university. Sarah has a lot on her plate yet she still manages to find time to help others. Sarah is an integral committee member for the National Premmie Foundation which hold National Premmie Day celebrations throughout the country each year. Sarah is a “go getter” and puts everything she has into providing the best support to families.

 We hope to have more stories from Sarah soon.

PREMMIE HERO AWARDS …..   Find out more about how you can help give recognition to those individuals who help make a difference to premature babies and their families.  Do you know someone?

Nominations Open NOW

www.lilaussieprems.com.au/hero

Please feel free to jump onsite at La Toriana for all your premmie baby needs.   Need a premmie baby gift?  Premature baby clothing perhaps? Or are you in need of products for babies born early?   Check out our Premmie baby section  of the website.  EVERY sale in the premmie baby catagory 10%  will go to National Premmie Foundation. 

And… because we are passionate about this worthy cause.. we will give a 10% of ANY SALE during the  the Local Premmie Hero award  promo to  www.lilaussieprems.com.au   You just need to pop LAP or premmie hero in the comment box… we will do the rest!

here are some lovely suggestions for friends and families when buying premmie baby gifts

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       

PREMMIE HERO AWARDS

Keeping in with the January BLOG celebratory theme

… L’il Aussie Prems would like to celebrate others.  Nominations open Feb 1st.

Every year in Australia, thousands of babies are born prematurely. Their families ride a rollercoaster of emotions as they watch their children fight to overcome the health and developmental issues facing them as a result of their early arrival. These issues continue long after  babies are discharged from hospital.

L’il Aussie Prems will be seeking nominations from around Australia of “local premmie heroes” – the ordinary yet extraordinary people who give up their time to support the families of premature babies both during their hospital stay and afterwards, doing everything from sewing tiny clothing for very low birth weight babies to setting up local playgroups for prematurely born children to organising fundraising for research into the causes of premature birth, the list is endless.

Nominations open on the 1st February 2010.

For more information please go to:

www.lilaussieprems.com.au/hero

 Please

   

also give a thought this holiday season to the many many mums who have precious little premmies who are not able to be home for the Summer holidays.  Many premature babies will be in need of specialised NICU and hospital care and cannot be home with their family and friends.  Spare a thought too for the parents who will be torn between spending too little time with family at home, and also who need to be with their precious baby at hospital.  Its such a difficult time

 

 

 

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

At La Toriana we have a passion for baby & kids fashion.

   

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, 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, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child,  locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

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.

 Enjoy!

Warmly Elizabeth xx

 

 

 

 

 Our Preemie Journey.   Written by Nicole .

Twin girls Olivia and Tayla born 6^th May, 2008 at 30+3 weeks gestation at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco Western Australia.  Weighed 1115g and 1560g respectively.  Current age 19 months.

Olivia and Tayla spent their first week of life in NICU where they were on CPAP for a short while and also had phototherapy.  They spent another 5 weeks in Special Care and we took them home at 36 weeks gestation.  Their hospital stay was quite a smooth one compared to others but a very difficult experience nonetheless.

I found the hardest part of having our girls early and the ensuing 6 weeks in hospital was trying to juggle spending time with our tiny babies and with our almost 4 year old son Hayden.  I worried that he would feel left out or resentful that since the babies came along I had forgotten him L

One thing that has stuck in my mind when our girls were in NICU and were so tiny and helpless was when our son was visiting at the time.  My husband was holding Tayla and Hayden was standing next to them just looking at her and he started to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to her, needless to say my husband and I shed a tear….

The hospital was fantastic in caring for our baby girls, however I found that support for the parents was something you had to seek out for yourself.  Once discharged we attended a preemie playgroup run by the Physio Dept for the first year of their life to keep track of their progress and to seek assistance for any issues should they arise.

 Buying clothes was difficult as there are not a lot of stores that sell a preemie range (particularly smaller than five zero’s) and we had to find double!

A for tip for a new preemie parent, take each moment as it comes.  You are your baby’s advocate so take everything in and do your own research so that you are able to make informed decisions for your baby…

 Olivia and Tayla now 19 months old. 

Thank you Nicole for sharing you beautiful story.

If you have a premmie story to share, please submit it to info at LaToriana.com.au

………………………………………………

also give a thought this holiday season to the many many mums who have precious little premmies who are not able to be home for the Summer holidays.  Many premature babies will be in need of specialised NICU and hospital care and cannot be home with their family and friends.  Spare a thought too for the parents who will be torn between spending too little time with family at home, and also who need to be with their precious baby at hospital.  Its such a difficult time.

PREMMIE HERO AWARDS …..   Find out more about how you can help give recognition to those individuals who help make a difference to premature babies and their families.  Nominations Open Feb 1st 2010

www.lilaussieprems.com.au/hero

If you are a business or individual  and can spare some sponsorship $$,   you may like to assist the Premmie  Hero awards… so please contact the above link.  Its a wonderful cause.

The www.lilaussieprems.com.au website is part of the National Premmie Foundation.  The National Premmie Foundation and the founding groups are what La Toriana support, so would love you to support them too.

We would also love to hear from families of premmie babies to share their story like Nicole has.  Please feel free to email me pics and your journey, we will pop it on the blog and also our Premmie baby section starting in 2010.  Helping awareness and providing information for all families of premature babies.

warmly

Elizabeth xx

Premmie Families Giving Back

Featured site www.lilaussieprems.com.au

There are 1000’s of families who have experienced the NICU & SCN hospital journey around Australia after giving birth prematurely. The hospitals are a savour not only to our children but also to the families.

The medical teams create miracles everyday saving our premmie babies and even some born as early as 22 weeks. Their dedication and passion shines through our childrens smiles and laughter.

As a community of families touched by the premature journey we want to give back to hospitals around Australia to say thanks starting in 2010. The community here at L’il Aussie Prems are very excited to announce that once a year we will be collecting gifts from around Australia to send to one hospital chosen by the public. Each year a different hospital will be chosen to spread the good will from families. We enourage families of premature babies and the public to join with us in “giving back”.

Please vote in our poll currently on the website for your chosen hospital. The list of hospitals have been chosen by our members and will be rotating each year so every hospital will benefit.

Please feel free to join the forum and let us know what you would like to donate. You can donate books for families to read to their babies whilst in hospital, if you are crafty you can create name tags for each baby, sew or knit, the list is endless.

The poll will be visable on the website for a period of 3 months. We will be updating this page as details come to light so be sure to keep checking back.

for more information… please go to www.lilaussieprems.com.au

At La Toriana we have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and 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 helpWe 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. 

Wow… did you watch ch9 last night?  the TV show Money For Jam?

I am in awe of Julia and what she is doing for premmie baby families all over Australia.  The show was great last night and if you missed it, here is a copy… its so inspring.  Julia does a wonderful job with www.lilaussieprems.com.au and so many families really benefit from this site.

8 years ago when I had my first premmie baby there was nothing like this… only American sites, so its great to see Australia, and Julia doing great things!

If you are a business and looking to put your $$$ into a worthy cause, please contact Julia at lilaussieprems … I know she would really support you as well.  If you are a friend, family or parent touched by the birth of a premmie baby… jump on the website and you will be so pleased to make contact with others in a very similar situation.  The support on this site is so friendly, and inspiring.

I was sitting there watching the show last night and almost spluttered out and choked on my cuppa.  There… the La Toriana banner was larger than life and my hubby couldnt believe it either!!  La Toriana’s very first television appearance!!  Thank you so much for that little plug!!! 

I am so honoured to be associated with you.  Read the blog post here about premmie support

Anyone that knows me will know I support premmie babies in lots of ways, but truly I have a few special people and what they are doing for families of premature babies is amazing.  Julia is one of these very special, inspirational and well deserving people.

At La Toriana we are all about supporting families of babies born early.  We have a wide range of premmie baby clothing, toys and accessories and continue to expand the range.  A % from all sales goes directly to a couple premmie groups and we will continue to support them.

see the La Toriana premmie baby clothing range online here. 

please indicate in the comment box if you would like my donation from your sale to go to lilaussieprems, National Premmie Foundation or Loddon mallee Kids.

 

 

 La Toriana’s Profile

At La Toriana we have a passion for kids fashion.

Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, 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, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and 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

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.

warmly

elizabeth xx

 

 read the full article here at the Herald Sun News

was wonderful catching up with these bubs and mums

 NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY 

 As a mum of 3 premmie babies, I know how small and how hard it was at the time our premmie babies were born.  This is an amazing premmie doll that’s a keepsake doll to remember just how small premature babies are.  I was explaining to Tiana, our 6 yr old daughter about how small she was and she was amazed when she saw the keepsake doll of one her size, but especially the smallness of her sisters.

Zoe, the maker of these gorgeous premature baby keepsake dolls and owner of “Tummybear”, is extremely talented and she makes each and everyone with a tenderness and care like no one I know.  Zoe makes each keepsake doll to the size, length, weight of your own premmie baby, so its customised and so meaningful to you.  Each one comes with a cute little nappy and baby singlet and even has a hospital issued ID band.  I am delighted to be showcasing this great product for premmie baby families at La Toriana.

 TummyBear specialises in cloth keepsake dolls hand made especially for premmie families. The dolls are custom made to your baby’s actual birth measurements and weight.
The premmie keepsake dolls have sculpted and painted faces, sculpted toes and metal joints in the arms and legs. The dolls are made from a ‘skin’ tone fabric and are stuffed with a combination of new stuffing and metal pellets.  There are even different skin tone available too.

As each one is made to measure, please allow 4 – 6 weeks for each one to be made. 

The dolls provide an excellent way for you to show and remember your baby’s birth size.  They make a great gift no matter what age your baby is now.  I recently had an order for a 55 yr old lady… she was born premature at 30 weeks… and she was so thrilled with it she purchased another for her grand daughter who was born premature and was 32 weeks.  Her grand daughter is only 5 months old.

Tomorrow is NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY.  Celebrating the amazing journey premmie babies go through, and their familes and also the wonderful premmie support groups available in local areas as well as online.  Please support these wonderful premmie baby support groups below.  

They have all been a wonderful support to me personally and professionally.

see these support sites and join in the National Premmie Day events in your area.

 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, FairyFloss 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 one of the most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and keepsakes available to buy online. 

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 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.

Our blogis a way of reaching other premmie baby families and we will bring you news of great prem baby  support sites like

National Premmie Foundation,+ National Premmie Day July 31st

Lil aussie prems,

Loddon Mallee Kids,

lifes little treasures,

miracle babies  

and more. We will continue to dedicate our time and a percentage of sales from La Toriana to amazing not for profit groups who are a wonderful support to friends and families touched by the birth of a premature baby.

On a regular basis we will bring news and stories about premmie babiesand their journeys, news and tips, ideas and support from these amazing online prem baby support groups.  So keep checking the La Toriana BLOG, and feel free to add and comment at anytime… we love hearing from our readers.

La Toriana showcase only quality suppliers in premature and low weight baby products,  and hand picked premmie baby clothes so you can be assured of quality…. after all your little  prem baby deserves every chance. 

Great prem baby wear suppliers like, Teeny Weeny,  Earlybirds range including the  premmie organic baby clothing, Lambykins Organic premmie baby wear and soon gorgeous clothing from Tummy Bear too.  We will continue to source great quality premmie baby garments, accessories and comforters and hope to be known for an extensive and quality online premmie baby clothing.

La Toriana not only stocks a large range of premmie baby clothes, we also stock premature baby positioning pillows, premmie baby comforters and prem baby accessories that all help make their little lives a little more easier.  Products like Cuski, The Zaky,

So.. if you know someone touched by the birth of a premature baby….  we have great prem items and accessories great as a baby gift.

Also remember too… the above support groups are a treasure… full of amazing support and information for any one touched by the birth of a premature baby.

warmly

elizabeth xx

Tiana arriving on a magical unicorn.. I do believe that our angels helped to create a miracle for us. Thanks to Argnesh for this pic of Tiana and our angels. Its priceless. See more of her work here  and also here

another year passes this week

Its 8 years since my girls lost their battle with prematurity and became angels…

… I still feel like it was only last week, the excitement of knowing we were having twins, then “everything happened”

… I still will “never” get over their loss

… I still often look into the back of the seat and think there should be 3 little girls laughing and giggling

… I still cant go past the hospital where I had to leave empty handed… I will never forget that drive out of the carpark, it was the hardest thing in my life.  I wanted to run all the way back inside and get them

… I often stammer a little when a stranger asks “oh, how many children do you have?” do I tell them I have 3? and fear their reaction or lack of, if I tell them that only one lives at home as 2 have passed away? or do I not tell them and feel I have done an injustice to my girls?

… I still feel the softness of my girls and can smell their scent when I close my eyes

… I still cry, and sometimes really sob when I hear the song “fly” by Celine Dion.   

… I still remember that first mothers day… with a heavy heart and empty arms. The pain all over again. Read a bit more about that here

… I still feel the loss so terribly

… I still visit the cemetery every week and pop flowers in their graves and clean their plaque, and wonder  “what if….”

… I still get angry at ladies in the supermarket who yell or smack their kids for just “being kids”… (If only my girls were here)

… I still cry when listening to the news… at the abandonment of babies, and the neglect and the emotional and physical trauma many kids go through

… I still feel very close to my girls and always use their names when talking about our family. They ARE part of our family.

… I still have a photo of them up at home, and no longer feel I have to make other people feel “comfortable”

… I still talk about them and answer questions as they arise by our 6 yr old daughter.  She has grown up always knowing, and knows she has 2 gorgeous special angel sisters watching over her

… I still feel angry about some of the management at the time

… I still feel saddened by how some friends “left me alone” feeling I needed time.  and how one friend took 6 years to talk to me, see me and talk about it as “she” was uncomfortable

… I still remember being so so scared… more scared than anything in my whole life

… I still miss a heartbeat and hold my breathe when I hear a friend having dramas in pregnancy

… I still wish, I REALLY wish ….things were different

.. I still long for and wish my girls were here with me

Warmly Elizabeth xx
mum to 3 beautiful prem girls

“some can only dream of angels, we created 2, and they sent us an earthly miracle”

 soon…  one day… will tell the whole story….

 remember July 31st is the NATIONAL PREMMIE DAY we are giving a % of sales to

and also National Premmie Foundation

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