April 17, 2012
by marfmom
3 Comments

Bedtime

I love those lazy moments in the evening that come just before sleep. We have this new bedtime ritual, where after dinner the four of us lay upstairs in the loft: Mark, the Menininho, and I sharing the “share pillow” and Baby J crawling over and around us. I relish that time.

Afterwards, I get to nurse Baby J as he attempts to scrunch himself into my lap – his legs dangling over the arm of the rocking chair – giggling and trying to stick his finger in my mouth or up my nose. When he’s finished, he motions for Daddy to come get him to sing him to sleep and I head into the Menininho’s room for story time.

The other night, upon entering my oldest son’s room I was greeted by “Babydoll turning 4! Babydoll turning 4 tomorrow!” I tucked M in and we began to plan her party.

“Do you think she’d like a theme? Like how your party was rainbows?”
“Yah!”
“Hmm…would she like flowers? Or trains? Or something else?”
“Trains!”
So, I described how I’d make a train cake with bright colors for each car and we’d play pin the wheel on the train.

M snuggled deeper under his blankets and gazed up at me with a sleepy smile. “The end,” he said.

I love being Mom to my boys. Best. Job. Ever.

April 15, 2012
by marfmom
0 comments

Danny’s Online Benefit Auction

*This is a sticky post. It will be the first post on this page through the end of the auction on April 23rd.*

Danny’s Online Benefit Auction is finally here! This is the last in the series of fundraisers that members of our Marfan community have put on over the past 6 weeks or so to raise money for Danny and his family to attend the National Marfan Foundation conference in Chicago this summer. Additional funds raised past what is needed for their trip are going towards medical expenses: transportation, food, and accommodations for Sarah while Danny is in the hospital (he’s there currently with breathing issues & has a heart surgery scheduled in May).

Here’s how the auction works. Below you’ll see each item, a brief description, the current (or opening) bid, and where in the world bids are welcome from (US, US/Canada, or anywhere). Bids may be increased in $1 increments. To bid on an item, just fill out the Google form at the end. You must fill out the form separately for each item you wish to bid on. I will update this post as frequently as I receive bids. Winners will be notified on April 24th. If you have any questions, leave a comment on this post.

If you would like to donate directly to Danny’s account (as opposed to or in addition to participating in the auction), you can do that here.

$25 Gift card for Jumping Jax Designs. Becca of Jumping Jax Designs can create business cards, greeting cards, Twitter backgrounds, blog headers, and more.

Current bid: $20
Open to: Anywhere in the world, BUT Becca can only ship to the US (most items are digital and therefore have no shipping)

Tastefully Simple Bountifully Baking package, donated by consultant Laura Biggart. Package contains chocolate pound cake mix, beer bread mix, and a ceramic loaf pan. Contact me for more details on the items.
Current bid: $40
Open to: US only

Distressed photo frame from West Ashley Wall Art, donated by Acting Balanced. Winner has the choice of a 5×7 or 4×6 frame in the color combination of their choice.
Current bid: $15
Open to: US only

Scentsy warmer (Dotty) and 1 bar (Sunkissed Citrus), donated by consultant Julie of Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life
Current bid: $30
Open to: US only

Collection of hairbands and hairbows, created and donated by Debbie (who is a Marf mom!). These will fit either an adult or a child.
Current bid: $20
Open to: Anywhere in the world

$50 Dillard’s gift card, donated by Susan
Current bid: $275
Open to: US only

Handmade doll, created and donated by Susan. She comes with all the accessories you see here.
Current bid: $40
Open to: Shipping is free to those in the US. If you’re outside the US and want to bid that’s fine but you’ll need to pay for shipping.

Pink baby blanket, created and donated by Liz of Liz Makes Stuff (Liz is a Marf Wife). Contact me if you want to see additional pictures.
Current bid: $50
Open to: US only

Blue baby blanket, created and donated by Liz of Liz Makes Stuff (Liz is a Marf Wife). Contact me if you want to see additional pictures.
Current bid: $50
Open to: US only

Car seat cover, created and donated by Caitlyn. Velcros to the “bucket” carseats.
Current bid: $15
Open to: US only

April 11, 2012
by marfmom
1 Comment

Danny’s Auction: Sponsors

This Monday my blog will be hosting an auction to benefit Danny (a toddler very severely affected by Marfan syndrome) and his mother, Sarah. You can read Danny’s story here, and background on this fundraising here and here.

We’ve had some very generous gifts donated thus far for the auction and I’d like to take some time to acknowledge those people. So, in no particular order:

Becca of Jumping Jax Designs has donated a $25 gift card to her business. She designed my fabulous blog header and button! Not only can Becca revamp your blog, Twitter page, and Facebook, but she also does Etsy shop design, business cards, business branding, birth/wedding/graduation announcements, invitations, and greeting cards. Becca is great to work with and you can read my review of her work here. You can also find Becca on Facebook.

Laura Biggart of the Iowa chapter of the National Marfan Foundation is a Tastefully Simple consultant. She is donating a baking package: chocolate pound cake mix, beer bread mix, and a ceramic loaf pan. If you’re interested in trying any of Tastefully Simple’s delicious products, Laura would love to help you! Also, this month she is donating 100% of her profits to the Iowa chapter’s conference scholarship fundraiser. (They raise money to provide conference scholarships to people in Iowa outside of what the NMF offers.) You can find more information on Laura’s page. (If that link doesn’t work, try www.tastefullysimple.com/web/lbiggart)

Heather, of the blog Acting Balanced, is donating a 4×6 or 5×7 photo frame (winner’s choice) from the Etsy shop West Ashley Wall Art. Heather is a blogging friend of mine: she, like me, has a child with autism. Definitely check out her blog, Facebook, and Twitter! West Ashley Wall Art specializes in one of a kind distressed photo frames. They’re gorgeous! West Ashley ships within the United States and offers customers the choice of any of Sherwin Williams colors. Heather blogged a review of the company here. You can also find West Ashley on Facebook.

My friend Caitlyn is donating a handmade carseat cover. It’s perfect for keeping the sun or rain out of your baby’s eyes! Caitlyn is a talented seamstress (you should see the Halloween costumes she makes for her daughters!) and is willing to take custom orders, so if you are interested let me know and I’ll get you in touch.

My friend Susan has donated two items: an adorable handmade doll who comes complete with accessories and a change of clothes, and a Dillards gift card (a US department store).

Mom-to-a-Marf Debbie is donating some handmade hair clips and headbands. They are so cute and will make someone very stylish!

Liz is donating two handmade, flannel baby blankets. She is wife to a Marf and you can find her at Liz Makes Stuff.

I hope you’ll take a moment and check out the websites of the auction sponsors! I will have photos for all of the prizes soon. If you are interested in donating a prize, it’s not too late! Just leave a comment or shoot me an email ASAP. THANK YOU again to everyone who has donated to Danny and Sarah thus far, whether that’s been a prize, money, or time.