This week we had an interesting and fun experience. I got a call from one of the organizers of the Jubilee of Trees, she asked if we would be willing to bring Taleah to be a VIP at the Chamber Luncheon. This year the NICU is the beneficiary of the Jubilee and they wanted the newest babies at the luncheon. They said bring her in her best white dress and you and her will be sitting at a table. I was excited to be able to give a little something back to the NICU that save my baby's life...and show off my beautiful baby. We had to do a little scrambling to find a white dress that fits ( her blessing dress is still a little big)...thanks to my great friend Keli and her cute daughter Whitney who let us barrow their gorgeous blessing dress. I looked all over to find the perfect hair piece , and then decided to make one myself. I think it turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. (I'm sure glad I paid attention at the girls night we made flowers...even if I only had boys at the time) It was super fun to dress Taleah up, it was our first time in a beautiful princess dress ( I think I can get used to this! :) When we arrived we found a room full of Mommy's feeding and dressing their sweet little ones and trying to get them asleep.

When I asked why, they said the people in charge asked us to try to have the babies asleep...now I know why. We walked out to find this...gorgeous tables set up with beautiful pillows and blankets in the middle. This was their plan...

Sweet little babies as the center pieces! The center of our lives was now a centerpiece at the Jubilee of Trees. Amazing idea on paper, fun idea in reality. Taleah did amazing and slept so peaceful on her pillow...some of her friends had other ideas. Some were rolling off the pillows ( and into the place settings), I saw a little older one trying to grab the salt and pepper shakers! It was cute as the guests arrived, most were walking around looking at the "alive" babies like they were looking at the trees. One sweet little old lady ( a hundred if a day) almost had a heart attack when Taleah moved and she realized these little ones were "alive"!

We had a yummy lunch and a wonderful program, two Mommy's of NICU graduates and one of the amazing doctors that takes care of these precious tiny ones in the NICU. It was so good to hear the stories, although still so fresh in my mind...I spent the time crying as I watched my beautiful perfect little one sleep in the center of the table and had a sincerely grateful prayer in my heart. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to those Doctors and Nurses that saved my little Taleah, who were so supportive to Ryan and I. They made a terrifying, horrible experience bearable and a growing experience. The NICU is truly hallowed ground, I know that angels are there watching over everyone there. They guide the caregivers, they comfort the parents, protect and surround the little ones with comforting arms. When I saw this display of the a NICU room, I had a unexplainable urge to sit on "my chair" and nurse, or do skin-to-skin...luckily I was able to resist ;) There were lots of pictures of NICU graduates and some of their stories. We knew two of the "spotlighted" babies on the posters. Look for Taleah on the ceiling when you go!

Taleah and I are feeling much better than the last time we were sitting in a room like this. Thanks again to the amazing people at the NICU and for the Jubilee of Trees for this experience.

Taleah's first Santa Picture