Tuesday, November 16, 2010

October and November photos

We've written little for two reasons. The good cause is that Loki generally has been doing well, and there is not much to report. Since moving, his development has really moved forward. He's a little boy now, running, talking with a vocabulary of over 270 words, sometimes even making 3 word sentences, being demanding, laughing, playing games, etc. This was very noticeable when we (finally) got our possessions from the US. These has been packed 10 weeks earlier, but he had clearly outgrown many of the toys.

The less good cause is that we are very busy with him, school, settling in, etc.

Among other things in these photos is Loki's second birthday. We kept the celebration small, as we were (and are) occupied with adjusting and settling. Although there are plenty of daily frustrations (both typical and "special"), Loki's birthday highlights that his health, growth, and happiness are blessings.

I will try to get some video together soon, and one of us will write about the many assessments, doctors, and such things.

Reading a birthday card, upside down:


Mom and I got him a train set. He pushes the cars around and says "chuckah chuckah chuckah":


Oma and Muus help blow out the candles:


Apron on:


Mitt and hat; ready to cook:


Loki loves the kitchen set to which Nana, Papaw, Oma H, Opa F, Tante Marieke, and Oom Martin all contributed:


Before it was cold and grey, we used our bike trailer:


And biked to the old walled village of Kranenberg, Germany:


We also walked through the woods:


Scarf:


Eating:


Hat:


A typical evening:



Finally, here are a few from Kyra's B-day party that she sent over. With Muus:


With Lova:


Drumming:


Matching:

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Loki Sky and his NICU Friends' Holiday Gift Fund

In October 2008 Loki Sky was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 lb 5 oz (610 grams). Loki and his family “celebrated” the Holidays in the hospital. After three surgeries and four months in the hospital, Loki came home. Grateful for what the NICU meant to them, the family wanted to give something back. Remembering the warm notes from strangers and knit hats for Loki during the Holidays season, a Holiday gift drive was their means of sharing their gratitude. In 2009, Loki’s family and friends collected over $1500 in gift cards and many gifts, given as generous gift bags for each of the babies then in the Alta Bates NICU in Berkeley, California.

A small gesture truly can help a family through an incredibly difficult time.… We know!

A note From Loki’s family:

Dear Family and Friends,

Not only did you support us through two challenging years, you also helped us make the gift drive a huge success in 2009. Although two years seem a long time ago, it feels like yesterday to us that we spent the majority of our time bedside with Loki in the NICU. We will be forever grateful for the amazing support and medical care Loki received. This is our way to turn a challenging experience into a positive one. Can you help us honor Loki’s strength and his fight to survive his extreme premature birth by sending an uplifting gesture to a NICU family?

How you can help:

For this year’s drive we are collecting financial donations in order to purchase gift certificates from Babies R’ Us. With this card the family can buy the necessities to prepare for their baby’s homecoming. In addition, we will buy a small story book for each parent to enjoy with their baby. Anything helps, so please don’t be shy if a dollar is what you can spare. We are happy and grateful with any donation!

From the Internet:

Click this button and use a credit card or Paypal account to send money:




From the US:

Please mail checks in name of: XXXX. Be sure to note "Loki and Friends" in the memo.

From the Netherlands:

Maak geld over op rekening nummer XXXX.

With immense gratitude,

Loki Sky, Foxen, Anna, and more of their friends

About Loki Sky

Loki Sky is a special little man. He was a very early micropreemie, weighing only 610 grams (1 lb, 5 oz) after 24 weeks, 3 days gestation, born to an American Father and a Dutch Mother in Berkeley, California on October 18, 2008.

On January 11, 2009, while still in the hospital NICU, his one kidney stopped working. It was repaired after three surgeries. After spending time in three hospitals in three cities, Loki came home on February 17. He struggled with eating, and then stopped in July, leading to 8 days in the hospital, a failure-to-thrive diagnosis, and a NG feeding tube. On October 10, a minor surgery installed a G feeding tube. Another procedure replaced it with a new one, and then again with a Mic-Key button in Jan. 2010.

In August 2010, he and his parents moved to the Netherlands.

Read about his first name.
Read & hear about his middle name.
See photos.
See videos.

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Loki's Holiday Gift Drive

Please consider donating to Loki's Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU. You can donate by Paypal or credit card here:





Click here for more information, including how to pay by check. For all posts on the Gift Drive, click here.