Rosie's Cozies Tips and Ways to Help

I had mentioned that I would write a post about some tips I received from a wonderful woman at Helen DeVos Children's hospital regarding the hats donated. She was very honest, which I was thankful for. I want to be sure that all the work done on these hats is used! Each of you who have donated put in so much time that I want to make sure it is being put to good use!

So, here are the tips:
1. Use a soft yarn. Sometimes the Sugar 'n' Cream yarn gets a little rough. I also think Red Heart is too rough, unless it's the soft stuff. I suggest Bernat Satin, I Love This Yarn, Red Heart Soft, or any of the baby yarns out there.

2. MUST HAVE STRETCH. The hats need to have stretch to be sure they fit the babies well, but don't hurt their little heads by being to tight. The stretch also helps them stay on their heads. Anyone with suggestions on who to be sure there is more stretch? My only thought is maybe using a larger hook?

3. Preemie sizes are very much needed still! However, there is a need for sizes for babies in the 6-8lb range or so. Not all babies in the NICU are preemies. Some babies come there full term, and they need little hats too.

4. If you would rather not make hats, they also accept bereavement blankets. These should be white. I found this online for measurements:

Preemie Small 12 by 12 inches to 18 by 18 inches

Preemie Medium 20 by 20 inches to 22 by 22 inches

Preemie Large 22 by 22 inches to 24 by 24 inches

Full-Term 26 by 26 inches to 28 by 28 inches



Lastly, I have been debating on posting this or not, and have finally decided to go ahead with it. Many people want to help with Rosie's Cozies in some way, but aren't crocheters or knitters. I don't need any yarn donations, as my stash is insanely huge and the hats take very little yarn.

Right now the biggest cost I have for the project is the UPS box I want to rent. It is $134 for every 6 months. I forget how much it is per year. Paul and I are more than willing to cover this cost, and we will gladly do so regardless. Rosie's Cozies is important to me and $134 is a small fee to pay to keep it going. However, I know that people want to help. People have asked me how THEY can contribute to Rosie's Cozies. This is definitely an area where non-crocheters can help out. The UPS box will be an on-going expense. Again, I want to reinforce that Paul and I are more than willing to cover this cost, but I wanted to give others the opportunity to help with the project that really feel called in some way to support Rosie's Cozies.

If you are interested in helping with this expense click on the "Donate" button on the right sidebar. If I receive an abundance of donations, I will take the overflow to Helen DeVos as a donation.

If you don't feel called to donate financially, prayer is always needed! Prayers that hats keep coming in, and especially prayers for the families and little lives in the NICUs. I know people are blessed through this project.

(On a side note- Megan and Ryan, you are not allowed to donate!) :-) That is all.

Rosie's Cozies Drop-Off

Have you ever been part of something that was bigger than you had imagined it would be? That took a life of it's own? That was without a doubt the hand of God at work? This entire project for Rosie has been so humbling and amazingly eye-opening at the same time. I know God works, but I really feel like I am part of something God-breathed and directed.

Last week I had the privilege of dropping off the hats so many of you have lovingly created and sent to me. I met with Rosie's parents, Megan and Ryan, at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. This was the first time they were able to see our huge pile of hats, as well as their first visit back to the NICU since their sweet Rosie passed.

I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. I made a phone call to my mom and my sister on the way to the hospital asking for prayers and some encouragement. Why was I nervous? For one, I felt like I was going to be intruding on an emotional moment for Megan and Ryan. This was the first time they returned to the hospital, and I didn't know if there was really a place for me at such an event. I feel honored and blessed that they allowed me to be a part of that and welcomed me to join them.

Second, I have never been to a NICU before. I didn't know what to expect. I have never seen a premature baby, let alone one that was born sooooo early. I was worried I wasn't going to keep it together and if I would be able to handle seeing those sweet little babies fighting so hard to live.

Third, I was worried about the reaction of the hats. Stupid? Yes. I think I wanted so bad to bring something that Megan and Ryan could be proud of. How do you really make something great enough to honor the life of someone's child? I know Megan and Ryan would never be disappointed in what we have done, but I just wanted them to know that there will never be enough done to honor their daughter and their story, as well as the stories of the families with children at Helen DeVos.

Meanwhile, God I'm sure was laughing at me. I can just imagine that He was thinking, "my child, I have done this good work through you, and I will be faithful to complete it."

I met Megan and Ryan in the parking ramp and we headed on up. There is a bridge from the ramp to the hospital. They commented on the familiarity of "that walk." We checked in and headed on up. We were met with their Family Support worker, Amy, who was one amazing woman. She had been in their shoes 12 years previous, and now works at Helen DeVos to help families who are there now.

I was so excited that the entire walk unto the NICU people commented on the hats. The hats that YOU made. Everyone loved them and could not get over how cute they were. Nurses were stopping in to pick out a hat for their little patients and even a mother was there to look through them. Megan put it so perfectly. She mentioned that they couldn't put clothes on Rose, so her "outfit" was her hats. This is all those babies have and their families have to give their little ones a little more character and personality.

Amy brought me on a tour of the NICU, where I was able to see a tiny glimpse into the lives of the families with babies there. I saw the room where Rosie stayed and met her doctor. Just seeing the environment and people involved made me feel even more excited about Rosie's Cozies. It made things more real and the project even more meaningful than it already was.

One tidbit of info not mentioned yet is that Megan is pregnant. She made a comment that hit me hard. Megan told Rosie's doctor that she felt her pregnancy was a blessing from their Rose. Had Rose not passed away, Megan and Ryan would not have this pregnancy they have now. So true.

At the end of our visit I got into my car and the song "Blessings" by Laura Story was on the radio. This is a song so powerful and so perfect for that moment. I was thinking of Megan's words about her current pregnancy while I listened to the lyrics "What if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears..." I sobbed. I cried for Megan and Ryan's tears, but for the joy of this new blessing. This new blessing could really only come through the raindrops and tears at the loss of sweet Rose. God always has a plan, despite the struggle and pain it is to get there.

Overall, my visit to Helen DeVos with Megan and Ryan was so humbling. Their story is one of may of the families who pray, who plead, who beg for the lives of their child. I am humbled by their strength and their faith.

The hats donated were a huge hit and were beyond appreciated. I am so thankful for those of you who have donated and so graciously and selflessly given to this project. Please know that they are a blessing to those families and even the nurses get so excited for such adorable hats to place on their little babies.

I hope to continue collecting hats for this project and will post soon about some info about what type of yarn and stitch is best. I will post soon of my new PO Box address so you can keep sending hats. Those at Helen DeVos made it very clear that there can never be too many hats.

Thank you, Megan and Ryan, for letting me be a part of your first visit.

Thank you to each of you who have donated hats to honor Rose.

Thank you to those who have prayed for this project and donated to it's cause.

Thank you Helen DeVos Children's Hospital for all you do for those sweet lives and their families.

Thank you to sweet Rose for her life and her legacy.

Most importantly, thank you, Lord, for your goodness. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for blessing Rosie's Cozies, and please continue to bless this project.