A Beautiful Christmas

We had a beautiful Christmas. I dare say that for me it was perhaps the best Christmas I have celebrated in my 36 years of life. Of course the explanation is easy. First, Loki is here and he is doing well. He enjoyed tearing the paper off gifts and absolutely loves his walker wagon from Santa Nana and her Elf Papaw. Second, we were able to organize the Loki Sky Holiday Gift Drive and Fund. As said before, it was an incredible success and going to the Alta Bates NICU to deliver the gifts and gift cards was nothing short of amazing. Please allow me to share my recap of the experience.

After much anticipation, and an incredible number of hours collecting, sorting, wrapping and buying gifts and gift cards, we made our way to the Alta Bates NICU in Berkeley on Thursday December 24th Christmas Eve (which is in the US is almost equal to Christmas day in its "holidayness"). We were met downstairs by Misty, who used to be our social worker and has been instrumental in making this drive happen at Alta Bates, and one of her social work colleagues. We unloaded all gift bags from the car onto carts and were able to get it all up to the NICU in one trip. I must admit that I started to feel a bit nervous. I wanted it to be perfect for all the parents and wondered if I had divided the gifts in the best groups possible. In fact, I had barely slept the night before thinking, rethinking, and overthinking the division of gifts. I got up early in the morning, opened everything up, and made a bunch of changes! Those who know me will not be surprised by this.

We made it up to the 4th floor where we were met by some of our very favorite NICU folks. Although the actual handout of the gifts was an absolute highlight, Loki's meet-and-greet beforehand was fun, overwhelming, and heart warming as well. Among the greeters were Dr. Sandhu, the amazing NICU medical director and perhaps one of the most compassionate doctors one could meet. Our wonderful first neonatologist Dr. Goldie Dudell, who will always have a special place in our hearts, as she was the most gentle messenger of the difficult road ahead before Loki was born. She also was Loki's first neonatologist during our Alta Bates days, and she is one of several amazingly skilled and knowledgeable doctors. We were very excited to see Blanca, nurse practitioner and Loki's team leader extraordinaire. She supported us through some very, very rough patches during our NICU days with her optimistic, calm and always patient demeanor. Of course we saw many of our favorite nurses (see pictures). Perhaps one of the most surprising and humbling meetings was with the Director of Women and Infant Services, Ms. Katie Tobin. She came out to shake hands and was very, very sweet and outspoken about her gratitude for the outpouring of generosity on our friends' and families' part.

Throughout the first meet-and-greet Loki was a bit overwhelmed and often did not know whether to laugh or cry. Dad, Rebecca, and Loki left for a walk as I started the actual delivery of the gifts to the babies. Misty and Nicole (assistant to the nurse manager) were incredibly helpful during the handout of gifts and basically functioned as my brain. (As you all know, part of my brain has been missing ever since Loki was born.) There was a list with room numbers, sex, and weight of the babies. We approached it approximately three rooms at a time. I just grabbed bags from the stack, but Misty and Nicole kept track and knew what would go where. They were amazing and made the Loki Sky Holiday Gift Drive and Fund an actual smooth and successful experience within the NICU.

It is hard to describe what it felt like to walk around the NICU being able to briefly meet some of the parents and leave a gift for every tiny new person. I had the chance to talk a little bit with some of the parents. It was one of the most beautiful experiences to see the smile on some of their faces. I so very well remember what it felt like to be at the hospital with Loki. Seeing these parents at their baby's side, knowing and thoroughly understanding their worries, fears and pain but also their hope and love for their children made me very committed to the cause. Being a NICU parent is a very intense and often very traumatic experience. No gift, financial support, hugs, or words can make the path easy. But I do believe a gift offered through compassion can shine a light. I felt that during our stay and I could see it with some of the parents I met.

I want do this again; you may not be surprised. The format may change a little bit, but I will do this again. We do not know how much longer we will be living in the US. Next Christmas we may live in the Netherlands. Who knows? But I have thought about ways to make this work, even from a distance.

I want to wrap up this lengthy post by thanking all of you who so generously donated gifts, money, time and energy. It simply would not have happened without you. I want to thank Baby Batman's mother Nicola, for sharing the idea of a gift drive. I want to thank Misty for all of her support and helping me coordinate all the logistics. Of course I also want to thank Nicole for her wonderful help. In addition, if Loki would not have received the amazing care from nurses and Doctors at this NICU there would most likely not have been a gift drive at all, so thank you Alta Bates NICU staff. And finally, most of all I want to thank Loki Sky, the wonderful inspiring ever-growing human being who entered our lives in such a scary yet beautiful way.

It was an event to remember!

These photos are from our camera and phone. [Jan. 1: Post now includes Misty's photos.] Christmas photos coming soon.

Some of the gifts ready:


About $1200 in gift cards, plus five certificates for 75-minute post-natal massages!


Card with a gift (the "from" name would vary by who gave the gift):


Card with a gift card:


Loaded:


Mom unloads:


Rebecca holds Loki:


The team is ready to move the gifts:


Marching down the hall:


Director of Women and Infant Services Katie Tobin (in the read sweater) thanks Mom:


Tobin and Mom:


Blanca and Dr. Dudell:


Nurse Danielle always makes Loki smile:


Nurse Margaret, Loki, and some gifts:


Blanca, Social Worker, Dr. Sandhu, and Dr. Dudell:


Nurses Janet, Jeneise (sp?), and Margaret:


Margaret and Loki again:


With Nurse Margaret:


Nurse Blanca gets a laugh:


With Debbie and Brett of the NICU staff:


With social worker Misty:


Nicole gives flowers:


The NICu gave Mom a huge bouquet of flowers:


Most families have this shot as they are discharged from the NICU. We never had that opportunity:

Holiday Gift Drive Update

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you very much for the very generous donations to Loki Sky's Holiday Gift Drive, benefiting families at the Alta Bates NICU!

We know several of you have done your shopping, are still planning on doing so, or have decided to send us money / a check so we can do the shopping for you. We want to remind you that we need the gifts and financial donations by December 10th, in order to shop, organize and wrap it all up in time.

There are quite some families in the NICU who live in tough economic circumstances and who will have a hard time time paying for diapers, baby formula, wipes and baby foods once their baby comes home. If all the promised gifts and financial donations are indeed delivered we can take this gift drive to the a next, unexpected, level: In addition to a gift for each family, we will be able to buy gift cards from the local baby store for those families in need. We can help them take a deep breath and worry just a little less about what to do when their child comes home.

This would not be possible without your amazing support!

We are very proud that the birth of our wonderful handsome Loki has inspired you all to help out other families!! What a Merry Christmas that is!

Feel free to contact Mom if you have a hard time getting the donations to us.

Love from Mom, Dad, and Loki Sky

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

Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU 2010

In 2008, we spent the holidays at the Alta Bates NICU with our beautiful boy Loki Sky. We were surrounded by the love of our family, friends and wonderful primary nurses. Regardless, those days were beyond challenging.

In 2009, we were able to handout 56 gift bags, approximately $1200 in gift cards for those in economically difficult circumstances, and 5 massage certificates at the Alta Bates NICU. We were only able to this with an incredible number of very generous donations from many people. We celebrated the Holidays as we had never done before.

We are still inspired!! In 2010 we want to do it again. Our goal is to collect enough money to buy a gift for each baby at the Alta Bates NICU. We still have time, but one can never start too early. We need your help!

If you wish to support a family in the NICU during the holidays in 2010, you can donate via Paypal. Note that you do not need a Paypal account, only a credit card:

Or, please send a check to K. Sprenger, 405 Eastview Dr., Bedford, IN 47421. In the memo please write Loki Sky Holiday Gift Drive and Fund.

We honor and thank everyone who contributes. Please let us if you do not wish to be publicly acknowledged.

Loki Sky's Holiday Gift Drive

33 More Gifts

Thank you for your generous offers and your interest in Loki's gift drive for the Alta Bates NICU. We are well on the way, but certainly not where we want, and need, to be. I am grateful for all your contributions, and am looking forward to the promised contributions and gifts so I can do the shopping, start the wrapping, take a deep breath and know we will meet our goal :-)

Loki spent the Holidays in 2008 in the NICU and so did we. Those days were often scary and insecure. Fortunately we had wonderful primary nurses, friends and family who helped us celebrate the season the best we could. The gifts, cards and drawings we found at Loki’s bedside were such an uplifting and hopeful experience. Our little guy, still six weeks away from his supposed birth date, was loved and well taken care of.

We wish to offer the families in the Alta Bates NICU this upcoming Holiday Season some of this hope, love and sense of care. We need your help…….

What you can do: purchase a baby toy, book, preemie clothes or baby blanket* and send or drop off at our home before December 10th 2009. We will bag the gifts and put little notes in there with your name on it if you like (e.g. The Smith Family sends you love and strength from Bedford Falls).

If you don’t have time: No problem, we can do the shopping for you, just let us know (email XXXX)

Our goal: collect 60 gifts, this is the maximum occupancy rate at the NICU.

Where to send/drop off your gift: our home (we did move in June so please let us know if you do not have the correct information).

Please help us celebrate all those new, fragile and precious lives and share the message with your friends and family!

Thank You!

* We ask that all items are newly purchased as babies at the NICU have lower immune systems

Christmas 2008, little guy growing bigger already!

December

We apologize for going so long without a post. One reason is that we've been busy with Christmas in general and the Loki Sky Holiday (NICU) Gift Drive specifically. It is a huge success. We have received over 140 items, 8 Whole Foods gift certificates (thanks to our friend Pia's blog), 5 gift certificates for healing massages (thank you Anastasia) and almost $1000 in cash. Each family will get 2 or 3 gifts, and the economically neediest few families will get the cash as gift cards of $100 each. We will hand them out on Thursday, which is Christmas Eve day. Of course we will take some pictures and update the blog. Many thanks to all participants, you made this a huge success.

Another reason is that Loki is stable. The other night I described Loki as having stable health but being labor intensive. We have a system of bandages and tape for keeping the tube in. His reflux and overnight pains come and go, and we experiment with our feeding patterns a bit. We are finding the limits of what he can take in, and it is not enough. He is growing, but slowly. A fundoplication surgery may be considered if his reflux does not subside in a few months, but this has not been discussed seriously yet.

The good news is that Loki has been developing well, particularly his receptive language. We ask "Where's the ____?" and Loki can point out perhaps 15 things, most of them in both English and Dutch. He can stick out his tongue, touch our noses and offer his pacifier on request. Finally, Loki will go get items on request such as his bird, duck and sometimes ball. This learning is a very fun and rewarding process to watch.

This week, he is fascinated by lamps. When we hold him, he points to and wants to be held next to any lamp. He likes to touch them, and gets a big kick out of watching them be turned off and on.

Also this week, we got a long-term visitor. Rebecca is the 18-year-old daughter of one of Mom's friends from high school. Thus Mom has really known her from day 1. Rebecca will stay here for about ten weeks, helping out a little with Loki. She's already been of great assistance, freeing some of mom's time to work on the gift drive

Loki's condition is reliable enough that we had our first day of recreation in San Francisco. Mom, Loki, Rebecca, and I did some holiday shopping at Union Square, under the big Christmas tree and ice skating in 60 degree weather, and then to Westfield shopping center. We then walked through China Town and up to Nob Hill. A really great day.

We have been negligent in taking photos and especially video. I'll try to dig some up in the next few days.

Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center NICU

Loki spent the Holidays in 2008 in the NICU and so did we. Those days were often scary and insecure. Fortunately we had wonderful primary nurses, friends and family who helped us celebrate the season the best we could. The gifts, cards and drawings we found at Loki’s bedside were such an uplifting and hopeful experience. Our little guy, still six weeks away from his supposed birth date, was loved and well taken care of.

We wish to offer the families in the Alta Bates NICU this upcoming Holiday Season some of this hope, love and sense of care. We need your help…….

What you can do: purchase a baby toy, book, preemie clothes or baby blanket* and send or drop off at our home before December 10th 2009. We will bag the gifts and put little notes in there with your name on it if you like (e.g. The Smith Family sends you love and strength from Bedford Falls).

If you don’t have time: No problem, we can do the shopping for you, just let us know (email XXXX)

Our goal: collect 60 gifts, this is the maximum occupancy rate at the NICU.

Where to send/drop off your gift: our home (we did move in June so please let us know if you do not have the correct information).

Please help us celebrate all those new, fragile and precious lives!

Thank You!

* We ask that all items are newly purchased as babies at the NICU have lower immune systems

Christmas letter

Today we dropped of the gifts at the NICU. It was great. Thanks to all who contributed! We'll have a full report with photos soon.

You may received this by mail, or email, or on Facebook. But here it is! This letter can be viewed as a printable PDF here.

Dear Friends and Family,

What a difference a year makes!

On October 18th, 2008, Loki was born at 24 weeks 3 days gestation. As you know, we spent last holiday season at the Alta Bates NICU. Although we were very grateful for being surrounded by the best nurses and doctors, we would have preferred to be at home, celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s with our handsome boy.

At this holiday season, one year later, life looks very different, better and filled with hope. A year ago we feared for Loki’s life. This year, we are watching him crawl around, laugh, and get into trouble. We are confronting how to childproof our house from this trickster.

Loki has had a rough year with several hospital stays, six surgeries, dozens of doctors’ visits, early intervention, feeding therapy and a feeding tube. However, if we would have known last year that he would become this sweet, energetic, smart and generally healthy, we would have taken a much greater number of deep breaths and slept through the night so much better.

Regardless of the disparity and all the worries of this past year+, we have learned a great deal about Loki and ourselves. We have learned who we are as parents, and are slowly figuring out how to find time for ourselves, to be just ourselves, and husband and wife, again. We have learned that small gestures can go a long way, and thus are very excited about the overwhelming support of Loki Sky’s Holiday Gift Drive for the Alta Bates NICU. We know we have a family who is ready to step in when and where we need help. And finally, we learned what it feels like to be carried by the love of a community of old friends, new friends, unexpected friends, and friends unknown to us (e.g., Loki blog followers), who have all sent support in ways of which we never would have thought before.

Below: Same Christmas hat, but what a difference a year makes!





Our gratitude stretches beyond what words can describe!
With Love, Mom, Dad, and Loki Sky
December 2009

Gift Drive: Alexandra and Gabriella's story

Going strong and going on... This is our last call for your support in our effort to support Alta Bates NICU families who--in addition to having their child in the hospital--are facing financial difficulties.

To those who have donated or supported us otherwise: "Thank You!" If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so. Especially during this current economic downtown, many families need assistance in order to buy essentials such as a child car seat, crib, and diapers. Details on how you can donate are at the end of this message.

The delivery of the check by Loki Sky and his NICU Friends ambassador Mascha is set for Thursday December 29th. Both Family Advisory Council President Rob and FAC member Melissa will be there to receive the check.

Melissa and her son Sam were featured in this beautiful Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Ad:


Please read this story of two little miracles: Alexandra and Gabriella.

Our Miracles:

24 week old Gabriella 1lb 8oz

25 week old Alexandra 1lb14oz

"Our tiny daughters had the rockiest start of any child ever born. From the very beginning we were told, 'Two steps forward, one step back.' But we still had no idea how long and arduous that journey would actually be.

"The three months our daughters were in the NICU were full of challenges, hopes, and dreams. We watched them struggle to learn how to breathe, recover from heart surgery, learn how to suck, swallow, and breathe, fight infections (meningitis and ecoli), stare death in the face numerous times and survive. As each one of these issues began to resolve itself, we began to see light at the end of the NICU tunnel. Under the ever so watchful nurses, we began to learn how to care for our daughters and to relish in the joy of a gained pound or milestone met. When our daughters were discharged we felt confident in the knowledge that they were going to be okay, and that they were ready to begin life in the outside world.

"After seven years, our daughters continue to do well. They are happy and thriving. They love to draw and play dress-up. It is so exciting watching them read and do schoolwork. Seven years ago we never thought they would do so well.

"We owe all of this to the amazing care our daughters received in the NICU. Every nurse and doctor will always hold a special place in our hearts."

For those who followed the fund last year, you may recognize Gabriella and Alexandra. Their mother Amy delivered, together with Mascha, gift-cards and books to the NICU.

Happy Holidays to all!

Please consider supporting our efforts:

Internet: Please go to http://www.paypal.com and use a credit card or Paypal account to send money to XXXXX. Be sure to note "Holiday Fund" in the comments.

US: Please mail checks in name of: XXXX. Please write “Holiday Fund” in the memo.

NL: Maak geld over op rekening XXXX o.v.v. “Holiday Fund”

Deadline: Donations accepted until Tuesday the 27th of December.

Delivery: Our check will be handed over to the NICU during the NICU in the week after Christmas. Photos and stories will be shared as usual.

Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,
Loki Sky and his NICU Friends
www.babylokisky.blogspot.com

And then some.....

As some of you know we recently spent three days in the hospital with a sick boy. Nothing compared to the18 weeks after birth. Still, three days filled with worries, very little sleep and a very sad and miserable boy.

It made me realize even more how happy I am that, despite our transatlantic move and all the hectic it brings along, the Loki Sky and his NICU Friends’ Holiday Fund is happening again.

And how…

• Thus far 32 families have donated and another 8 promised to do so!
• Thus far we collected $1678, $78 over target which means extra money goes to families who have more intense financial needs!
• Thus far Loki has eight NICU friends actively participating in raising funds one way or another!
• Thus far 64 books have been bought and wrapped!

To those who are helping us make it happen THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. You are touching lives of families struggling with their babies’ health. To those who sent us their best wishes THANK YOU for your encouraging words. And for those still planning on donating, we are looking forward to your contribution!

Just as a reminder, the closing date is December 18th. However, we would like to encourage those who are still interested in donating to do so before this date, for planning purposes, e.g. whose names to write in the “People who made this possible” column!

To find out how to donate please go to: http://babylokisky.blogspot.com/search?q=Holiday+Gift+Drive

With warmth and gratitude,

The families of Loki Sky and his friends

Presents for the littlest patients

Loki Sky's Holiday Gift Drive was featured in Community Connection, the neighborhood newsletter of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Click for a larger version. Congratulations, Kat!

Photos Sept-Dec: birthday, Christmas, & more

We have been busy with the holidays, with the gift drive, and with preparing for Loki's transition to school, and thus are behind with blogging. I intend to catch up. First, photos from the last three months (and even earlier, in some cases).

Our favorite, Loki running at his daycare:

We actually celebrated Loki's birthday four times: in Indiana, with just our core family, with lots of neighbor kids (and more), and at his daycare. Here he waits for his big gift to be uncovered:

He sees his big gift (a Playmobil house):

We all celebrated Loki's fourth birthday in October. Here is a candle tray:

With kids:

In the Netherlands, the birthday person gives gifts to colleagues. Mom made these for the kids at Loki's daycare:

We visited family.Loki with Opa Ruud:

 Here with his (step) cousins, aunt, and grandmother:

With cousins:

At the nearby small amusement part, where we had a season pass:

Playground:

Loki still performs. He sometimes has a microphone:

...and with a slide (yes, that is a syringe case) on his guitar:

We celebrate Halloween, unlike most Dutch. Here Loki helps carve a pumpkin:

A Dutch holiday is St. Nicholas Day. The Dutch St. Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, is (most of) the origin of America's Santa Claus, and is the main gift-giving day here:

Although most Dutch give gifts only on Sinterklaas, as Americans we also give gifts on Christmas. Lucky Loki! He loves his educational white board from Nana and Papaw. If you look closely you can see that he wrote his name, although the K is tough:

And real American Tinkertoys from us:

Mom had the great idea of a portable CD player and a couple CDs with stories. He loves listening to them:

Loki has lots of fun at his daycare. Here he listens to the music therapist:

He paints outside:

He is clearly proud that he helps with the new garden:

And he waves at helicopters:

Back to winter, Mom helped him onto the ice for the first time:

And Loki helped Mom make cake:

Photo from the summer, by cousin Ashlyn:

Reading with friends: