March for Babies: Maddie is why it matters

Today I am honored to be participating in my first fund-raising charity walks, for the March of Dime's March for Babies.

I am inspired by the legacy and memory of a wonderful little sprite of a spirit, Maddie Spohr.

In 2009, just three weeks after her unexpected passing, her parents courageously spoke about how much the March of Dimes had helped them through Maddie's gestation and early days as a preemie.



Originally posted by Heather and Mike Spohr here.

How can you not be inspired by their story, and those of the other families assisted by the March of Dimes? I have contributed in the past to the Spohrs' family team, but this year was motivated to do something of my own.

With thanks to the following family, friends, and colleagues for helping me exceed my personal and Auntie Nettie's Angels team fund-raising goal of $390. Thanks to them, I was proud to add $615 to the March for Babies efforts.

Grandmary ~ Grumpa Max
Alex A. ~ Alithia D.
Barli N. ~ Christine B.
Daniel F. ~ David G.
Jane M. ~ Jenn W.
Jonah E. ~ Lindsey P.
Lisa R. ~ Lori P.
Martha S. ~ Michelle K.
Susan S. ~ Tammy B.
Terence K. ~ Tim G.
Tori B. ~ Vanessa W. ~ Yisset G.

Look for pictures from the March very soon.

YouTube Tuesday: March for Babies May 2011

I interrupt my usual YouTube Tuesday videos to post one with a message.

As an auntie I have been very fortunate that all of my nieces and nephews have been born hale and hearty, including all of the sets of multiples that I am honored to spoil. However, many babies aren't so fortunate. The stresses of prematurity have an impact on the infant and their families for years to come. But you can help.

Won't you join me this year in raising funds for the March of Dimes through the March for Babies, either by supporting them on-line, by building your own fund-raising team, or supporting me and my team, Auntie Nettie's Angels. I have set a very modest individual goal this year, but hope to attract team members to help triple or quadruple that goal. Donations made be made on the tab to the right of this post. (Thanks to those who have already donated or pledged!)

For more information, go to www.marchforbabies.org or www.marchofdimes.com.

Thank you in advance for your support.

in memory of Maddie ... who inspires.

Toy Society Drop #1100 in memory of Maddie

This bear is being "dropped" today, April 7, 2010, for the Toy Society in memory of Maddie – a very special spirit who loved purple and who looked so good in yellow.

After 28 weeks and 6 days of an extremely rocky gestation, Madeline Alice was born on November 11, 2007. She weighed three pounds one ounce, and was 15 3/4 inches long. Because she was over 11 weeks premature, she was rushed to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She spent 68 long days there until the wonderful January afternoon she went home.

Maddie’s prematurity left her lungs scarred, but her amazing happiness remained unscathed. She lit up the lives of everyone she met (and countless more she didn’t) with her bright eyes, infectious laugh, and gigantic grin.

On April 6th, Maddie came down with a severe respiratory infection. She left the world suddenly and unexpectedly April 7, 2009.

Friends of Maddie was established in tribute to this extraordinary little girl and the light that she brought to the world.

For more information about Friends of Maddie, please click here.

Please check out the Toy Society blog to see where the toy gets dropped and who picks up. Hopefully Ms. Maddie won't mind sharing.

UPDATE: ran outside at lunchtime and not-so-stealthily stashed this in a "pocket park" in a planter full of daffodils a few blocks from the office. I used "flower photography" to disquise actions. The park was full of families with young kids, as well as the nanny brigades with their little charges. If that toy isn't discovered very soon, I'd be totally surprised.

Birthday Wishes

Dear Birthday Fairy:

I know it's silly to be asking you for stuff for my birthday, so early -- but it's not really. It's in about four weeks, plus people have been asking me what I want. So, I thought I'd write you a Wish List to put the ideas "out there" for folks:

First let me say, I don't need much. All of these ideas are just little goofy things that would be nice to have, but I certainly don't need them.

A. That logo for Auntie Nettie's Attic that I asked Santa for all those months ago.

B. A New Library Book bag -- kind of like this one from the @your library.com folks. Hopefully it's out for sale now. I like it.

C. Not that I'm a culinary whiz, but this one puts books and food in the same place:

Literary Feast: The Famous Authors Cookbook, with recipes from David Baldacci, Adriana Trigiani, and the model for the Shushing Librarian herself, Nancy Pearl. Bios on the authors, lists of published works, and backstories about the recipes? What else would be greater? (Now on sale from Classic Day Publishing, though some major retailers.)

[2/2010 Editors note, again ... THANKS JANE. Cookies from Rick Steves and other culinary tidbits will be shared later!)

But seriously, Birthday Fairy, please tell people that I don't need anything. If people want to get me anything, I would suggest that they donate to one of three places:
1. Friends of Maddie. Families of children in NICU certainly need support and nurturing more than I do right now. I have been blessed. Help me pass on some love. Read about Maddie, Donate here, or purchase a pack for a family in need.

[1/16/10 Editor's note: Apparently there is some debate whether the American Samoas actually need these books ... Send aid to Haiti via the Red Cross for now, with aid for the libraries to follow once immediate humanitarian aid efforts have made a dent in the recovery.] 2. The children in American Samoa are suffering because a tsunami destroyed four of their libraries in September. The schools are seeking donations of materials to rebuild their collections. Children's books in new or good condition may be sent to:

Cheryl Morales Polataivao
Feleti Barstow Pulbic Library
PO Box 997687
Pago Pago, American Somoa 96799

(If someone wants to pay for my airfare and a trip, I'll fly down to Pago Pago to hand deliver the books!)

and finally,

3. Caramoor -- because I just can't say enough about the place or the wonderful people who work there.

Thanks for helping me spread the word,

Auntie Nettie