NICU Babyshower

For all the mom's who either know ahead of time that they will have NICU time (high multiples for example) or those, like me, missed/canceled/postponed their own shower due to being on bed
rest or Pre-term labor/delivery. This is going to be a list of great in-the-NICU or post-NICU items for whenever someone asks "what can we do" or "what do you need?" you will have somewhere to send them :)

Make it Personal

Fun Blankets are the first way to make it yours

If your a long-term NICU resident like we were you will want to make your bed have some personality.  The longer you are there the more you will add to it.

A Case of Happy

Friends are the best

When Lil' C got big enough that we cold hold him we started to introduce fun stuff.  We brought in books and some toys.

War of the Thermostat

Preparing for the move to the big boy bed!

The day finally came where Lil'C was big and stable enough to move to a new bed, one without a heating system.   We  continued to do the swaddle blankets but now he got to wear clothes and be held and read to and played with(some, on good days).  It was one happy day, but...

 

Swaddling in a Womb with a view

Standard NICU position does not leave much room for comfort

When I began hunting preemie books I only found one that I recommend,  which is the Sear's book.  In it he refers to the incubator as a "womb with a view" and it made me smile, so I'll use it here :)
There is very little you can do when your baby is in a plastic womb, other than watch.  A few things that we found I'm going to share with you today.

The Tetris Quilt

Images from the finished Tetris Quilt :) 

It took around a year to complete.  The blocks are machine stitched together but ALL of the quilting is done by hand.  the fabric are all different (I really only cared about the color) most of the fabrics were from my stash.  The large white area at the top was the only fabric bought just for this project.  It really gives it an interesting texture.  The back is was originally Navy blue King size Flat T-Shirt Sheet.  I have always found that sheets make the best quilt backs because you don't have to piece fabric together. I'm just happy it is finished :) 

Below are details of the stitching and the monogram I hand-stitched on the back before finishing the bottom edge.  It was my first monogram :) 

BTW: This quilt is for the same couple as the mario star blanket.  It's their wedding gift.  and you say.. "huh?, but I thought mario was a baby gift?"  it is.  They were married LAST December... yeah... Like I said, been working on it about a year.  Didn't realize it would take me this long. So, I get to give them their wedding and baby gift on the same day :D  this will be interesting.  They know I have been working on something but don't know what it is.  :)

Completed Mario Stars!!

Ok so the Mario stars are finished!! FINALLY!! WHOOOO... so here is a pic :)
as you can see: blanket, hat and pacifier leash for instructions Click Here!
I can't wait to see what she says when I give them to her this weekend.
Oh I finished the Tetris quilt last night and it is taking a ride in the washing machine this morning to get rid of all the marking pencil marks. Kinna funny that I get to give them their baby and wedding gifts on the same weekend. :P

In other news.. Fertility Friend finally gave me an ovulation day YEAHHHHHH!!! I was more excited about that than finishing both projects! so FF believes I'm 3DPO(days past ovulation) Dr says I get to test on the on my 30 day i.e. next Friday. So we'll see what happens...