Wait for it...............
     As the saying goes a picture paints a thousand words, but before I post pictures I have to tell you a funny story. So I was talking to my mother the other day and she said, " I'm sending you a package, though I wish I where there to see your expression" My response...OK maybe I'll show you all then tell....

 Oh the suspense I know...I mean I really knew

 Scream!!! I was, I really was....

 Oh my, do I ever love this sweet little bunny hat. It's just like Owens. OK it's all white and for a preemie, but still, I just adore it and can not wait for another family to ooddle over it like I did with O's! Here are the rest of my wonderful love-package I got from my mom for our project. Four sweet little micro-preemie hats; check out the baseball cap! I have yet to start  hearting preemie size hat's. I'm still trying to finish up the newborn ones.Time is a ticking.

Oh back to my response, Mom "I'm sending you a package, though I wish I where there to see your expression". Me, " Mom did you make a bunny hat!!!!!!" My mother was not impressed with my telepathic abilities - nope not one bit. So I ruined the surprise by guessing - but she caved by trying not to admit it. Mom I love you but you are a REALLY bad liar. Must be where I get it from. Not sure if you want me to share this note, but, well I think Owen is pretty amazing too.....

A Very Thankful Hat Count   

     Just popping in real quick for a update on my weekend donations and to send out some big THANK YOU'S. I promise to post more pic's later for I'm super busy hearting a heap of hat's right now. This past week I received a mix of 46, yes 46, newborn to 0-3 month size hats. We received lot's of love in stitches from the East-MI this weekend much thanks to the following wonderful ladies: Karen, Donna, Marlene,Thelma, Cindy, Charlotte, and Kathy. I also received 11 more preemie sized hats from my mom and Margie (Erin's mom) Go West-MI. I have hot streaming tears -  you know the ones that pour from your heart. This bring's our hat count to......

44 Newborn Size 

42 0-3 Month Size

44 Preemie Sizes

What ever will I do with the extras? I will heart  them (omitting the letter) and send them with our "Original Alphabet Goal". All sizes are welcome, my hope is that these little sweet pea and sugar bean's in the NICU will go home and grow into some of these bigger size hats. Owen was actually considred a "Big Boy" for the NICU weighing in at 5 lb 13 oz. and often he was too big for alot of the hats donated. So don't fret if you think a hat is too big - babies come in all sizes :) Besides, I reserve the right to fret so you don't need.

I pray these hat's will fill a need to the NICU families that recieve them; be it as simple as a smile or the warmth of knowing as challenging days are faced there have been others that have walked in their shoes and we are praying for them and their baby. It's a small token I know, and some may be reading this wondering why it was such a big deal - it's just a hat. Well for us it was a big deal, so thank you to the knitter that made our son's first beanie. It meant so much to us that you (who-ever you are)  took the time to fill a need. Our need to celebrate our son's life and to have him welcomed into this world - thank you for our hat your thoughtful and loving gesture has inspired me and many others.

I would also like to thank our friend Kim (J & lil' B too) from Grow with Me Gifts for posting our link on her FB page in spreading our cause. Oh Hats recieved 148 visits in a single night. Being a NICU parent can be scary and wearing , but you also meet some really teriffic people (some you already know) that walk a path that crooked lay. We thank you for reaching out to us during our NICU rollercoaster ride and your continued support - for filling a need.

OK I got to get to hearting....

Hearts and Rockets Love Ya to the Moon ~ Owens' Momma

Meet Olive & Michael

     As the days grow closer to March 8th I'm getting a little worried about reaching our goal. I worry about my lack-luster crocheting skills, so much so that I have yet to attempt knitting. I worry that the hat's I crochet will fit awkward or that I haven't placed the heart in the right place, or that the hearts will come un-stitched and fall off in the wash someday - or that the fabric or thread will bleed and render the hat like most of my own laundry PINK (or blue, purple). Hey, I'm creative not domestic. But most of all I worry that I won't have 104 hat's finished in time. Really, these are the things I worry about - a little ridiculous I know. Especially, with all the help received I have little to worry about. So I ignore these worries and continue forth finding gratitude in my grief for the many that continue to reach out to us through this project.

      I've spent the last few days trying to catch-up on "hearting" the hats I have on hand. Hand stitching each heart is the method I'm sticking to. It takes much much longer than using my sewing machine, but I'm happier with the outcome - and it gives me less time to worry about things that shouldn't be on my radar.

     With all my fretting I have somehow managed to design my own hat. Completely and totally by accident.  I have a tendency to pull my stitches too tight, so my hats are often not even.  My mother suggested I practice stitches by making pot-holders, straight even row after row after row - boring. I'm learning to relax, or attempting to in more ways than one. So here you have my latest and I think greatest Oh Hat creation, meet Olive and Michael or Othello and Magnus (<-- that one's for Gord), Opal and Micah the possibilities are endless. What do you think of them; it's hip-to-be square, right?