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Friday, May 17, 2013

Dear You: A letter to a new LM Supermom



Dear You,


So your baby was just diagnosed with laryngomalacia. Can you pronounce it? Don’t worry, I couldn’t either. In fact, it took me three months to learn the correct pronunciation and spelling.
In time you will be able to spell it backwards. You will know more about this defect than you ever  thought possible. You will become someone we like to call a LM Supermom. You will wear this title will honor. It will be a source of strength in the darkest of moments...a reminder that you CAN and WILL get through this.


Having a baby with LM, TM , BM may be one of the hardest journeys you will ever have to walk. And that’s okay. Do not be angry at this journey, it is here to teach you. Let it teach you. If you allow, it will  provide you with a whole new view on life. A more simple, wholehearted , grateful for every breath kind of view. 

Journeys have no end...do not spend your journey full of anger...instead,  spend your time focusing on the walk. Soak in the sunlight wherever possible, remain graceful when your heart is full of worry and always be kind... your journey is hard, that we know but someones journey may be even harder.

Friends will leave and friends will come. Friends will leave because it is their time to leave, not because their intent is to hurt you. Take a deep breath and let them go as beautifully as you let them in. New friends will arrive with hearts wide open. They will know how important a hug and a hot, home cooked meal is. Hug them back, tightly. Be thankful for the future with them.


Your partner, he is scared. In fact, he is very scared. That anger he is showing? That is him letting you know all those emotions you are feeling, he is feeling them too.  It kills him to see you hurt like this... and there are no words to describe the pain HE feels seeing his baby struggle like this. Let him know how you feel and what you need. He doesn’t know what to do. He never thought he would have a baby with an airway defect. You both can survive this but  if he chooses to disconnect and walk away, let him. Holding onto a relationship when its time for it to end will only fill you of anger, bitterness and resentment. Your baby needs ALL of you right now. You will be okay. You will recover.


You will grieve. Grief comes in all shapes and sizes...and it always seems to hit you when you standing in line at the food store. Allow yourself to grieve for the healthy baby you were not given. This is a normal process ... do not let anyone tell you different.


Listen to your instinct. You know your baby better than any monitor or medical test. Let your voice be heard and if a doctor speaks over you--find a new doctor. Get to the best hospital.
Bills can be paid later, your child needs to breathe now.


Walk this journey with grace. There are going to be some high, high mountains to climb and the rain will pour... choose to let the good strengthen you while letting the bad empower you. Every step you take on this journey will leave footprints your Pint-Sized Powerhouse will follow. Show your child there is always a reason to have a Hope...anger doesn’t make life changing decisions  and the good always follows the bad.

You are an LM Supermom for a reason... stay strong and breathe easy. 


Written by: CWL Founder & President Stephanie Hueston. 
To learn more about Stephanie go here

Monday, May 13, 2013

Making a Difference Monday: Rambling Photography, LLC.


On July 13, Rambling Photography, LLC. will be giving FREE mini sessions to 
LM, TM, BM families at our 3rd Birthday BBQ!
What a fabulous gift to our families, thank you Rambling Photography! 

Monday, May 6, 2013

Making a Difference Monday: Hookin' It Forward


One bright and cheery day in Middle Tennessee, Karen met Andria. Andria, who was already a crochet wiz, quickly taught Karen this skilled art. The duo began using their talent to help babies and children in need. The first mission was helping newborn preemie babies at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, TN. Which then lead into helping babies and toddlers recover from airway surgeries due to Laryngomalacia with a non-profit group called Coping With Laryngomalacia, Inc. Karen and Andria have also donated scarves to the 2012 Special Olympics and helped local churches with fundraisers for mission work. One of the newest charity groups they have been working with is Loops of Hope who uses donated granny squares from crocheters around the world to make a blanket for a child who is ill. Charity work is very important to these two, so not only do they crochet for those in need, they also donate a portion of each sale to a charity near and dear to their hearts.*

A portion of sales go directly to CWL. 
Keep up the awesome work Karen!

 SHOP!
Etsy:

Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/HookinItForward


*http://www.etsy.com/shop/hookinitforward