Brown and Pink Polka Dots : Loving others

I'll admit, sometimes I stink as a friend. I'm rather flaky on plans because the girls' medical stuff always comes first, and when I am living in the walls of the hospital I become so focused on that, that sometimes I forget about others... sorry! I really do try not to be a stinky friend!

Sometimes there a down weeks and I can put my focus to others. Thankfully that is just what we were able to do this week. From spending time with a dear friend who's sweet kitty died, to friends with kids facing big medical stuff this week...

We spent Tuesday and Thursday in Milwaukee with our friend's Stacy and Caroline. Caroline had a g tube placed and a muscle biopsy this week. We have done both of those things with Jilli so we know the process well. Tuesday she was in to get fluids before she had to go NPO for surgery on Wednesday and we know well what it is like to entertain a child in the hospital who feels fine. We had a crown and wand making party and filled the room with glitter! The girls also played tons of play-doh as that is one of their favorite things to do together. Stacy and I were able to chat which is always so nice! On Thursday when we arrived Caroline was attempting walking for the first time since surgery and with two new holes that is rather painful, but she was so excited to see Jilli. The girls spent most of the day playing iPad and Mr. Potato Head together. They also went down to the gift shop and got balloons (they only sell non latex ones at the hospital... thank goodness!). Stacy was telling me that as they drove up to the hospital to check in Caroline said "Look mom, its Jilli's other house!" That it is sweet girl! While meeting at the hospital is not the funnest place to get together that is where we meet up most often, so we make the best of it. We make hospital rooms into parties! The girls love playing together and to both of them the hospital is their normal. These two three year olds demonstrate how to love one another and support each other during the hard times. As Caroline was getting her IV Jilli was in my arms looking like she was going to cry and telling Caroline that it was going to be alright, that it would be over soon. It pained her to see her friend hurting. I felt pain for Stacy this week as she had to deal with a doctor neither of us wish to see again (he is a fellow and I am hoping Children's does not hire him once he is done!)

We also spent time this week with our friends Holly and her son Nate. They have been living at Ronald McDonald House for several months and we had the privilege to meet them in September and have become friends. Jilli and Nate like to play Ticket to Ride together on their iPads. They also both love doing art and playing dress up. We spent some time with them on Tuesday and then spent Friday afternoon there after Lydia's weight check. It was also really nice to spend time with Holly. There is just a connection there when your kids are as medically complex as ours.

The Bible says to cry with those who are hurting and rejoice with those who are rejoicing, and that is a value that I want to instill in our girls. While Jilli doesn't see how medically complex her friends are she is starting to understand empathy.

Brent and I decided when it was first hitting us the weight of what was going on with Jilli that we had two choices, we could either live in sorrow or in joy. We decided that sorrow just made things harder so we work to live in joy. Living in joy doesn't always mean being happy, sometimes things suck, but it is trying to find the good in things, and using what is going on in our world to help others.

One of the ways we are doing that right now is we are collecting bouncers and crib mobiles for the 11th floor at Children's. The 11th floor serves kids who mainly have pulmonology and/or GI issues. This is our "home" when we are in the hospital. When this floor was set up most of the stuff that was put on it is for kids Jilli's age and older, however there are babies like Lydia who spend their time there. Most of the bouncers and mobiles in the hospital are in the NICU and the 12th floor which is where kids under age two with acute illnesses are. We bring our own bouncer and mobile when we go into the hospital but not everyone is able to. After Lydia's g tube surgery she wanted to look around at everyone but she didn't want to be held because movement hurt. We forgot to bring her bouncer or mobile that trip and it was not until the second day that one became available for her to use.

We want to use our circumstances to help others. Most people have no idea that there are no enough of these things on the 11th floor, because if you were not on the 11th floor how would you know?! Most people make donations of baby things to the hospital and do it specifically to floors that serve only kids who are young enough to use them, but there are kids like ours on other floors. We want to use our outlet to help other kiddos who are in the hospital... kiddos who don't have the voice to say that these things would make life in the hospital easier for them. There are many kids who parents have to work during the day while their kids are in, so these kiddos are by themselves, and it breaks my heart... I'd love for them to have something happy to look at.

So here is how you can help! Items must be NEW IN BOX because of germs. They also have specific bouncers and mobiles they use. If you have ever washed a bouncer cover you know the pain it is sometimes to get them back together... imagine doing that with a lot of bouncers! Sticking to one kind makes cleaning easier which in turn means more kids getting to use it. They have a very specific mobile they use because it can be 100% cleaned and can quickly be moved out of the way in case they need to help a kiddo fast. I have attach the links to both....

Mobile ($100.00)
http://playabilitytoys.com/nurture-smart.html
Bouncer ($22.00)
https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Pla…/…/ref=sr_1_1_a_it…

If you would like to help you may purchase one of these and either bring them to us or mail them to us and we will bring them to the hospital to make sure they get to the right place. Our plan is to deliver them on November 22nd so please have them to us by November 20th.

Thank you for your help!