Life as ArT

NILMDTS - Our first March for Babies!

I thought it would be a great idea to put together a team to walk in the March for Babies this year.  Some of you know that I am the area coordinator for the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org, a network of wonderful volunteer photographers who photograph babies who pass at birth or soon after.  The purpose of the images is to help the grieving parents to heal.  So, what better thing for us to do than to help raise money for the March of Dimes – you know, eliminate the need for  NILMDTS.  So, one of the fabulous volunteer photographers, Kristin Taylor, took the idea and made it happen – Thank you, Kristin!  YOU ROCK!  We wore fuschia t-shirts with the NILMDTS logo on them.  The 15+ walkers raised $660!  A big THANK YOU to my generous customers, also!

So, on Saturday, the 25^th of April, we gathered at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds in Lafayette to March for Babies.  And, wouldn’t you know it, my knee decided to cause me grief so I opted to not walk.  But, I was there to see the team off.

Teams in matching t-shirts were there to help babies born too soon or with birth defects.  Some walked to honor a child – Sam, Olivia, Lydia... 

This march included children of all ages:  in strollers, wagons, carried in slings, kids on scooters.  There were even some moms-to-be. 

Oh, and let’s not discount all the dogs there to support babies – lot’s of canine support at this walk.  Very  fun!

These girls in pink are part of the NILMDTS team. You can do it Kristin!

Here are some of the wonderful people I work with at Purdue.  Hello Purdue Team!  Kudos!

What a wonderful thing to see all the generous, caring people who came out on this warm Saturday in April to help all babies get a good start in life.  Maybe there will be a second annual walk for the NILMDTS Team in 2010...  Maybe my knee will let me walk, too.

Gkid #5 Due Today

It is with great joy and fear that I come to this day.  I cannot wait to meet the little miracle that is soon to be born.  In stark contrast is the fear I have for my daughter's health and the new baby's safe delivery.  Oh, there's nothing wrong.  My daughter, Amanda, is having her third child.  Both previous deliveries seemed easy for her, and both babies were healthy.  I am just more aware than I need to be of what could go wrong since volunteering for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation - see other references in this blog. 

But, I don't want to talk about NILMDTS today, it's just too sad.  I want to bannish all sad and scary thoughts while waiting for the birth of this little one.  My daughter and son-in-law will find out the gender of this child when it makes it's grand entrance.  They have picked a girl's name but are struggling with a boys.  I've offered many suggestions, including Mario, a character in a video game my grandkids play, and Diego, the cousin to the famous Dora cartoon character.  I think those were nixed.  Hmmm.  You know, it doesn't even matter what they name this baby.  He/she will be so cute and wonderful, they could name it George Bush and I would love the name - well, maybe not.  Ha!

Well, I really need to go home, it's after midnight, but before I go...  Just finished a senior boy's images.  He's going to LOVE them.  Can't show you his, but I can show one of Krysta's.  I just love the red shoes in this one:

   

Here's one of Krysta's favorites:

 

Pretty eyes!   We had a fun session, Krysta!  Now go tell Katie you are on the blog! <inside joke>

Well, I'd better get home and get some sleep.  I may need some rest if this baby comes today.  Oh, if you have a cool boy's name, leave a comment.  Could be the name they will use.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I love babies. 

Last night, I attended the Bellies and Babies Tour seminar in Indianapolis.  The presenter was Sandy Puc', a "superstar" photographer from Colorado.  Sandy showed us how she has successfully run a pregnancy and baby's first year portrait series.  I picked up some new ideas for my studio that I know my customers will love.  Stay tuned here for more.

Sandy Puc' (pronounced pooch, I believe) is also a co-founder of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, a wonderful nonprofit organization of volunteer photographers who assist families suffering an early infant loss.  The service is offered at no cost to the parents.  The images are treasured memories of the life these parents held in their arms for a brief moment.  The images help the parents to heal.

 

Note:  The above image is shown with the parent's knowledge and approval.

I am the local coordinator for NILMDTS at Lafayette Home Hospital.  This is one of the most difficult, most rewarding things I have ever done.  Two other local photographers volunteer but we need more.  If you know of local photographers who may be willing to share their talents, please give them my name.