The house is gettin’ ready…
…but I’m not quite there. It really is exciting but such a reflective time for us!
She’s extra cuddly and…well, babyish today. Wants her teddy blankie and a pacifier and just to be held…which is fine by me.
…and in the meantime, I’ll prepare myself to hear “Happy Birthday” and know that it’s all for her. I’m so proud of everything you’ve learned this year, Lainey Love! You are so much more than I could have ever imagined!
We are starting a tradition for Lainey…one that will help her remember each year as she celebrates life that not everyone is so fortunate. Each year, we will choose a charity for our friends and family and anyone else to donate a simple $10. When she’s old enough, we will let her choose her charities–ones that embrace her passions and concerns in life. This year, after knowing what it’s like to have a “rough start,” we’ve chosen March of Dimes, the leading non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health. If anyone would like, in honor of Lainey’s first year, please donate $10 to March of Dimes by clicking here. Someday, when she is 20, 30, 40 years old, Lainey will be able to look back and know that just by living, she’s helping others (of course we hope she goes a little beyond that too…ha! Birthday donations are no excuse, Lainey…you still have to help, you know!). If you feel comfortable, leave a comment that you made a donation and we will keep a record of how much little Lainey is giving to others! Thank you!
…enjoying the small things. ~k
That is such a GREAT idea! I went ahead and did it for her – had to be the first one! ha! Love you Lainey Love!!
Joann, you are on my %#@+ list, I wanted to be the first!!!! OK, and make sure you click first on your intention to make a gift in honor of someone–and they send Lainey a card. I did that!!! I am so grateful for her health and growth and hopes and dreams!!! Remember those who face other things. Every morning on my way to work, I see a mother awaiting the school bus…she pushes her little girl in a special wheelchair…the little girl’s head is back and she stares at the sky…her arms flail…and some mornings, when I am running a little late, I see the bus arrive and the mother hugs and kisses her beloved daughter goodbye and a lift raises her into the bus and the mother walks back to the house. Although I see it often…I always cry and thank God for healthy children. So, give a gift…ten dollars is a couple bad lunches. I love you Lainey!
That is so funny! But I must admit, you win because I was in such a hurry to be the first one I didn’t see the button about it being in honor of someone. 🙁 So there. You beat me. 🙂 (Are we competitive, or what? ha!)
There is nothing so low as to fight over being first to contribute to a March of Dimes birthday donation. Lainey will probably give us her pacifiers at the party and make us sit in the corner. It is the “competition gene” in action! You’re off my
#%@& list, Joann…Love Wins!
Ok, I haven’t done it yet, but as soon as I can tear myself away from looking at Lainey pics I’ll donate in her honor. Thanks for giving us a great way to honor a healthy beautiful baby girl and help others too. (The year from one to two has lots of baby moments also. My daycare baby, Palmer, will be two later this month and still has some baby-ness left. Just thought you’d like to know.)
LOVE this. I am gonna get on and donate in HONOR of LOVELY LAINEY!!!! The world is a BETTER place because she is in it! If she only knew HOW MANY hearts & lives she has touched in such a short time! Oh, LL you are only special sweet pea! ~xoxo!!
oops..ONE SPECIAL SWEET PEA!! NITE, NITE! :o)
Kelle, r u for real? Those pictures, that baby (yes, she is still a baby), that lolli, those birthday decorations!!! It is beautiful at your house-not to put pressure, but I know that party is gonna be off the chiz-zain!!!! My heart is aching that I won’t be there to see you sing happy birthday to her. I will be thinking of you tho. I know you will post lots of pics:)
it is such a great idea to help your children learn that there is more than gift-getting on their birthdays. we’ve done a similar thing with the girls on their birthdays. by stella’s second birthday she was choosing “who” she wanted to help. so far, we’ve helped zebras, bunnies and horses. hmm, i think there is an animal theme here. the first year, we picked the recipient.)
stella loves picking hers out every year. and i like knowing that we are teaching her responsibility towards helping others. glad to hear that you are doing this!
What a wonderful idea! For our wedding, instead of party favors, we donated $ in our guests honor to the red cross (year of Katrina). I may have to steal this one, Kelle! Bug definitely has enough of what she needs and oh, a lovely idea. Happy Birthday Lainey Love!
That is a really cool idea!