Me Two Books
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A well-prepared NICU family with a strong support system has a better chance of experiencing good health outcomes, and that’s what inspires me. ~Hollis Wakefield, The NICU Doula I am excited to share my interview with Hollis Wakefield. The work she is doing is amazing and much needed! Make sure to connect and support on Facebook and Instagram. ~ Ali  Tell us your story and why you started The NICU Doula. After my daughter’s birth, I had left an unfulfilling career in graphic design to be with her full time, first in the NICU and then as a stay-at-home mom. Having been so open about our NICU experience, families with a NICU experience were reaching out to me often for guidance. It was so meaningful to use our experience to help others, and one day, it dawned on me that I could make a career out of serving NICU families as a doula and training other doulas how to serve NICU families well. What kind of impact do you hope that The NICU Doula can have? For now, I’m reducing anxiety and improving outcomes for individual families I serve, but soon through our training program, we will be able to serve an infinite number of NICU families by leveling up the industry’s competency with premature and medically complex newborns.  What inspires you to keep helping families dealing with prematurity? A well-prepared NICU family with a strong support system has a better chance of experiencing good health outcomes, and that’s what inspires me. Continuing education is also important to me and keeps me motivated. In February I’ll be taking a course to be certified as a “Kangaroula” - a doula who specializes in caring for NICU baby, as well as the birthing parent. For me, staying on top of the latest research is key to improving outcomes and staying inspired. How can someone help support your organization? If you know a family that needs support specializing in families with a NICU experience, please consider connecting us. We also accept donations which help us offset the cost of care for families without the means to pay. Our rates are determined using a sliding scale (all the way to $0) based on income and risk factors, because all NICU families, regardless of income, deserve this care. I also offer virtual care for those who may not be in the Dallas area. Hollis is a postpartum doula providing trauma-informed, evidence-based doula services to support families of all kinds through hospitalization/bed rest, life in the NICU and the transition home. She is equally passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ folx throughout their pregnancies and postpartum. In her work as a doula, Hollis draws upon her own experience navigating a 97-day NICU stay as a cis queer person with a non-binary spouse. In addition to helping parents advocate in various medical situations, Hollis offers extensive knowledge about exclusive pumping, cloth diapering, vegan and plant-based eating, and resilience during and after the NICU.
I am always on the hunt for systems that I can create and implement in my home to make things easier. Life with kids, especially multiples, just seems to run smoother when there is a process in place. After a year of my kids being at home much more than usual, wearing mostly pajamas all day, I began to look at how we utilize their clothing. I wondered if we could be more intentional and less wasteful. So I created a system that made managing their clothes much easier, and created less waste. When I am purchasing clothes I follow these rules. This ensures that my initial investment in clothing is low. I don’t have any other children to pass clothes down to, so I really only need them for one season. Once my kids have outgrown an item, it goes into the sell pile or becomes play clothes.  Sell Pile Clothing that still has lots of life left moves on to another family. I have had good luck selling gently used clothing online or at consignment sales. Some twin groups even have sales specifically for multiples. I only sell items that are in excellent condition. Outerwear and special occasion clothing are especially desirable. Because I don’t spend much on the item initially I can usually recuperate about 50% of the original cost by reselling. Play Clothes Clothing that is stained, faded, or ripped goes into the play clothes drawer. I like to have a stockpile of 3-4 pairs of pants, long-sleeved shirts, and t-shirts for each child. These are the clothes my kids wear to play outside, go camping, or create with paint. Not only does this reduce waste, but it increases the longevity of their other clothes. My kids love to play in the mud and get really dirty outside and when they are in play clothes it’s not a problem. Sometimes their play clothes get so dirty that it’s not even worth washing and I will just throw it away. I feel alright about doing this because we have gotten all the use out of it that we can. Once play clothes no longer fit, I will use the item as a rag for cleaning one last time before tossing it. While this system is not waste free, it does decrease what we throw out and increases the life of my kids’ clothes. 
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and David Horn. All opinions are my own.
Finding an early chapter book with an engaging story and without mature or scary themes can be difficult. But David Horn has done it, with his relatable and entertaining book, Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room Takeover.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books
Book Information
David Horn is a huge science fiction fan. While his wife sometimes feels like they live in outer space, they really live in New Jersey with their two human daughters and one doggy daughter named Trixie.
Eudora Space Kid started as stories he told his daughters at dinner. They loved Eudora’s antics in space. So now The Great Engine Room Takeover is his first book in the Eudora Space Kid early reader chapter book series. He can’t wait for you to love Eudora’s stories too. For more information, visit https://www.eudoraspacekid.com/. Me Two Books Review
Themes: STEM, Strong female lead, adoption, accepting differences, science fiction
Finding an early chapter book with an engaging story and without mature or scary themes can be difficult. But David Horn has done it, with his relatable and entertaining book, Eudora Space Kid: The Great Engine Room Takeover. If you have a budding astronaut or sci-fi loving kid, they will enjoy reading about the antics of Eudora Jenkins. This humorous story is told in the authentic female voice of a 3rd grader who dreams of being the chief engineer of an AstroLiner spacecraft. However, she just might need to break a few rules to get there. Eudora’s interest in a STEM career field and her skills in math and science make her an inspiring role model. With easily digestible chapters, and pleasing illustrations young readers will be engaged throughout the story. This book also celebrates differences. Many of the characters are a different species from their friends and families. This teaches the reader that accepting each other’s differences is a rule that should never be broken! Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Eudora Space Kid and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives: A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. Three (3) winners receive: A signed copy of Eudora Space Kid. It's back to school time! Whether you are homeschooling, public or private school bound, attending in-person or e-learning, this is a time of transition for us all. One strategy for easing into something new is through the use of traditions. Traditions can create meaning and provide comfort in times of change. One tradition that my children enjoy is having an ice cream for dinner night to mark the start of a new school year.  Over the summer I started the bad habit of being a short order cook for my twins at breakfast. I knew I didn't want this to continue in the fall, so I created a breakfast list. They can choose 2 items off of the list for breakfast. This makes our mornings so much easier.  With so much about school out of our control as parents, I have found myself focused on what I can control. I have been scouring the internet for the best products for back to school. Here are a few of my (not-sponsored) favorites!  1. Enro Masks- If you or your school requires masks, these are great. They have a built-in filter, are machine washable, and very light weight.
2. FlatBox Lunch Bag- I had the hardest time finding a washable lunchbox. These are made of neoprene, machine washable, and zip open to make a place mat for eating. 3. Bentgo- A great option for little ones or anyone that may have difficultly opening multiple bags or containers. 4. Mask Lanyards (found on Amazon)- If you or your school requires masks, I have found lanyards to be a great way to help kids keep track of them throughout the day. These have a child safety release to prevent injury on the playground. 5. Handzies- I put these in lunchboxes and backpacks. My kids' have sensitive skin that easily gets dry and cracked with too much hand sanitizer. But these are so gentle! I didn't know anyone who had gone through a premature birth and NICU stay. My friends weren't sure how to help. I felt very alone and isolated. To know that others had goes through what my family was going through now was helpful. I felt less alone on this journey and it gave me hope. ~Nicole Bugna-Doyle, Graham's Foundation  I am excited to share my interview with Nicole from Graham's Foundation. The work they are doing is amazing and much needed! Make sure to connect and support on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. ~ Ali Tell us your story and how you became involved with Graham's Foundation. My micro boy twins were born at 24 weeks, 6 days. They were in the NICU for 170 days (Colin) and 174 days (Thomas). I had complications from the emergency C section and was in the hospital for a month after they were born. I saw them briefly the day after they were born and then when the doctors realized I was having problems, I could not see them again until I was released from the hospital. Both were on ventilators for 22 days. One had a stage 3 brain bleed on his left side which they monitored and eventually resolved on its own. Both had to have PDA Ligation surgery. Thomas has a paralyzed left vocal cord as a result- an unfortunate "side effect" of the surgery that can happen. He also had hernia surgery. Eventually they graduated from vent to cannula and from isolette to beds. A little after 5 months, they came home and we started a new journey. About two months into our NICU stay, I was finally able to be in the NICU with my boys. I received a Care Package from Graham's Foundation that a friend had sent to me. It contained information about Graham's Foundation, a notebook, micro beanies for my boys, an insulated tote from Pampers, snacks and a Graham's Foundation bracelet. I was beyond touched by it. I didn't know anyone who had gone through a premature birth and NICU stay. My friends weren't sure how to help. I felt very alone and isolated. To know that others had goes through what my family was going through now was helpful. I felt less alone on this journey and it gave me hope. A few months after my boys were discharged from the NICU, I reached out to Graham's to thank them for the care package and to see how I could help. I became a NICU Ambassador at UCLA for Graham's Foundation. I would attend NICU Support meetings to talk with parents who were currently in the NICU, offer support and help find them resources. I helped organize Parents of Preemies Day at UCLA. Four years later, Graham's Foundation asked me to work for them as their social media manager. What kind of impact do you hope that Graham's can have? To help families with preemies in the NICU know that though their journey may be different, that they are not alone. They can get support, help and resources. That includes support, help and resources for those families who lose their preemie in the NICU. What inspires you to keep helping families dealing with prematurity? I do not want one preemie family to feel isolated and alone during their NICU stay and afterwards. For many, prematurity challenges do not end when your little ones are discharged. A support system with resources, compassion and understanding is needed for them. Graham's Foundation does the best it can to be there for every preemie family, but if we can't, we do everything to connect those to the right resources. I want to help ensure no preemie family feels alone in their journey. How can someone help support Graham's Foundation? They can donate, host a fundraiser on Facebook, Instagram or during one of our fundraising events. They can also help raise awareness about Graham's Foundation by following, liking and sharing our posts on videos on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). If you know the NICU social worker, cares, coordinator or charge nurse at your NICU, you can arrange to have Graham's information cards sent to them to give to preemie families. If you know a preemie family in the NICU, you can have a care package sent to them. And now through Bonfire.com, we are selling newly designed t-shirts! The proceeds from the sales go directly to creating and shipping care packages for families in the NICU. So many ways to support Graham's Foundation!
Graham's Foundation has recently improved the My Preemie app. It is a free app available on the App Store and Google Play in both English and Spanish. Also Graham's Foundation has an amazing Preemie Parent Mentor Program! The Mentor Program focuses on providing resources and peer support to parents throughout their child’s prematurity journey. Graham's has a team of trained parent (and grandparent) volunteers, each of whom has had their own experience with prematurity. Mentors can help parents from the early days in the NICU to the transition home, and also, if they experience a loss.  Connect with Graham's Foundation at www.grahamsfoundation.org  What is career development?
Career development is a life-long process of learning about yourself and what you like while exploring the world of work and seeing where these two things overlap. Why do kids need to know about career development? During my 8+ years as a career counselor I worked with hundreds of college students struggling to choose majors and/or careers. Many of these young adults were experiencing significant distress over their decision. If only they were introduced to the career development process earlier, they would have the tools to navigate this journey. Once I had my own children, I realized how advantageous it is for kids to be aware of the career development process much younger. Don't most schools teach students about career development? The reality is most elementary and highs schools don't teach career development. And schools that do, often focus these programs on college preparedness. That's why it is so important for parents to begin these conversations. And talk to their children about this important part of their child's development early and often. How do I talk about careers with my kids? Here are three great resources to help you talk to your kids about career development. 1. My book, The Career Explorer, is a great introduction to the process through an entertaining story. 2. My career course for parents/educators of preschool through elementary-aged children. Through a series of 7 short lessons, parent and educators will learn the information they need to begin discussing career development with their children. Simple, age-appropriate activities and discussion questions will give you the confidence to incorporate each lesson into interactions with your kids at home. 3. My career development course for kids is an introduction to the career development process for 6-11 year olds. This engaging, expertly designed course, introduces the career development process so children can begin to understand how to choose a career that they will enjoy. Through a series of 8 short, recorded lessons, children (ages 6-11) will learn how to begin exploring the world of work and learning more about themselves!  It's summer...finally! I know I am not alone when I say that this school year seemed to last forever. But perhaps you are feeling like me, both excited for school to be over, and yet wondering how to fill the long days of summer. I have started a tradition for my family where we create a bucket list for each season. Here is our summer list, perhaps it will provide a little inspiration for you. You can download it free below. 
 The birth of a baby is such an amazing event. The early birth of a baby is still amazing, and sometimes even more so. But it can be confusing for friends and family to know what to say, and how to respond. As a result, many times people say the wrong things, or they don’t say anything at all. This can lead to feelings of isolation and guilt. And frankly, there is already plenty of that as it is. If your heart is in the right place but you find yourself stumbling over the right words...do not worry. I have created a script for you with the help of other NICU parents. These words can be delivered via text, email, phone call, or with a thoughtful card. I designed this one with NICU parents in mind.
“Congratulations on the birth of your baby.” According to many of the NICU parents that I have spoken to, this is always the perfect thing to say! Every parent needs to be congratulated when a new baby arrives, regardless of the circumstances of that birth. This was the thing I longed to hear the most when my twins were born at 28 weeks. “This must be so hard.” Acknowledging what your friend or family member is going through is so effective. What usually isn’t helpful is offering advice, unless you have first-hand experience. And even then, advice is best when it is asked for and not just offered. “I’m here to listen and support you.” Having a baby in the NICU is a very isolating experience, and it is common for people to experience significant mental health issues. Having a friend or family member who will listen is a great support. “I want to bring you a meal/ help you with your older children/ walk your dog. What day would be good for you.” Sometimes it’s not as much what you say, but what you do to help. NICU parents are often torn between being in the NICU with their baby, and completing all the other tasks that make up their daily lives. If you can help run errands, cook meals, or care for other children, it will be appreciated. Just remember that most NICU parents won’t ask for help, so being specific with your offer is most beneficial. The look on parents' faces when a mentor is there in the moment to hold space for their emotions and pain is what inspires us and our incredible team to keep developing and expanding our programs so that no family has to walk this NICU journey alone. ~Kristen Ezzo, The Tiny Miracles Foundation  I am excited to share my interview with Kristen from The Tiny Miracles Foundation. The work they are doing is amazing and much needed! Make sure to connect and support on Facebook, Instagram, and their website. ~ Ali Tell us your story and how The Tiny Miracles Foundation began. The Tiny Miracles Foundation (TTMF) was started in 2004 by Gwen Noto and Meredith Daniels. They took their experience of finding comfort and support among the connections they made with other preemie parents while their babies were in the NICU and decided to develop formalized support services for preemie parents by preemie parents. TTMF was one of the first organizations to offer a range of parent support services in hospitals for families of premature infants and we currently are partnered with 6 hospitals across Southern Connecticut. Fast forward to 2020 at the onset of COVID lockdowns when I assumed the role of Director of Family Services fresh off celebrating my son’s 1st birthday. My own story starts with 3 years of infertility and ends with my son being born at exactly 37 weeks via a planned cesarean section just hitting the full-term mark. At our anatomy scan weeks earlier, I was diagnosed with what doctors thought was a placenta accreta which resulted in weekly check-ins with a specialist to monitor the accreta and its impact on my son’s growth and development. I was told a hysterectomy was an almost absolute certainty given the severity of the accreta and that the plan would be to hold off my delivery to as close to 37 weeks as possible. Luckily, we made it to my planned c-section date at 37 weeks gestation with my son’s development being unimpacted. Doctors repaired the hole in my uterus, what they had previously believed to be an accreta, without the need for a hysterectomy. It was of no surprise that TTMF’s mission resonated with me on a personal and professional level because here was a foundation that offered integral wrap-around care and support during a family's most challenging time.  What kind of impact do you hope that your organization can have? While hospitals can meet the medical needs of premature infants, we know emotional and other needs that come with having a baby born too early often go unsupported. We hope to fill this void by providing support, information, services, and supplies in order to promote the best possible care for these babies and family members who love and care for them. Research shows that direct peer support has a profound impact on maternal mental health. Through this type of connection, preemie parents supporting other preemie parents, we can do our small part in reducing anxiety, depression, other postpartum mental health conditions, and PTSD. All of our programs, spanning In the NICU and After the NICU, are designed with this core mission and goal in mind. What inspires you to keep helping families dealing with prematurity? As a foundation there is no better motivating factor than seeing the impact our support services has on families - the look on parents faces when a mentor is there in the moment to hold space for their emotions and pain or to understand a procedure their baby is going through and no words are needed because we just get it, hearing through testimonials by parents, NICU Nurses, and Neonatologists these connections provide hope, inspiration, and positivity when it all felt lost, knowing that we were there and that we understood this journey - this is what inspires us and our incredible team to keep developing and expanding our programs so that no family has to walk this NICU journey alone.  How can someone help support your mission and organization? All of our programs and services are free of charge to families and would not be possible without the support of generous funders and donations. We are always looking for dedicated individuals who share our vision to join the Tiny Miracles family and help us expand and enrich the support services we provide in our community. Monetary gifts can be made directly here. We gladly accept donations of new or gently used items that are useful for families of premature infants such as newborn knit hats, sweaters, or booties, new or gently used preemie and newborn clothing, and preemie and newborn diapers. Business owners who have products that could potentially be helpful to parents of premature babies are encouraged to contact our office at 203-202-9714 so we can consider adding your products to our Tiny Treasures bags. We will provide a receipt for your charitable donations reporting. You can also shop to show your support at AmazonSmile and listing The Tiny Miracles Foundation as your non-profit of choice. Amazon will donate every time you shop. For those local to the Southern Connecticut area, we are always looking to expand and grow our mentoring support network both with virtual and in-hospital mentoring opportunities available. We also have many other volunteer opportunities you can be part of, learn more here.  And if a set of multiples are your only children, then you have the hard task of getting two children through a transition, without the perspective of being a second time parent.  I always wanted to be a mom. I always wanted to have more than one child. But I was never one of those people who wished for twins. When I found out I was expecting twins, after 3.5 years of infertility, I was certainly excited ( and nervous). Parenting twins is a unique and interesting experience. I am frequently amazed by the relationship my identical twins share. It truly is twice the giggles, cuddles, and love. And yet these two children sometimes feel like more than two times the work. Here are three instances where your twins feel like triple the work. At bedtime Yes, my twins get along really well and entertain each other during the day. Which I am so thankful for! But this often backfires at bedtime. You would think two people who spend the majority of each day together would look forward to a little alone time at night. But that is simply not the case. They have the excitement and energy of two best friends having a long awaited sleepover, every single night. When they are not on the same schedule Any twin parent will tell you that getting your twins on the same schedule is vital when they are infants, especially when it comes to sleep. I can still remember the feeling of anxiety that would start to arise when one baby was soundly napping and the other baby was still awake. I knew that one unsynchronized nap could throw my whole day, and certainly my night into chaos!  When they are going through a transition
Two singleton children, no matter how close in age, are not going through the same life stages simultaneously. Potty training, transitioning from the crib, and teething are so much harder when they happen times two. And if a set of multiples are your only children, then you have the hard task of getting two children through a transition, without the perspective of being a second time parent. While I really enjoy parenting twins, I will be the first to tell you that two kids don’t always add up to two times the work. But as any twin parent will tell you, the love is multiplied as well. |
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