Cartier Delices Refillable Purse Spray
This supremely feminine fragrance is a timeless blend of distinctive fruits like iced cherry and zesty bergamot blended with the spice of pink pepper and feminine floral notes like violet, jasmine, and freesia, finished with warm amber, musk, and sandalwood.
Notes:
Iced Cherry, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Violet, Jasmine, Freesia, Amber, Tonka Bean, Musk, Sandalwood.
Style:
Luminous. Playful. Delightful.
Retail: $55
First Bid Wins, for only $39!
Ready, Set, GO!
*Sadly, this lot is only open to US Residents. Sorry, Canada*
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March for Maddie in LA: Heather’s Speech
This is the text of the speech I gave before the March For Babies in Los Angeles, CA.
My husband and I are honored to stand here. We speak to you today as happy parents of a NICU preemie who went home, and grieving parents whose baby was taken too soon.
Nothing about my pregnancy with our Daughter Madeline was easy or routine – blood clots, tumors, gestational diabetes were just the tip of the iceberg – but things really took a turn when I suffered from Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes at 19 weeks gestation. Unlike most women whose water breaks early, I didn’t immediately go into labor. My low amniotic fluid was managed with complete home and hospital bed rest. While I laid there on my left side, the March of Dimes website was our lifeline. Because of MarchOfDimes.com, we knew the terms doctors used, what questions to ask, and felt much more in control in what was an otherwise wildly out of our control situation.
Bedrest only managed my low amniotic fluid for so long, and after ten weeks of being on my side I had an emergency C-Section. The Doctors warned us that, despite two steroid shots to boost her lung development, our baby most likely wouldn’t cry. They were wrong. Our Madeline came out pink and crying, and it was the best sound I’d ever heard.
Our happiness was short-lived, however, when a Neonatologist came in to see us. Madeline was born at twenty eight weeks gestation, but because of my low amniotic fluid her lungs were more like those of a twenty-five weeker. She was sicker than the hospital could treat, and she needed to be transferred to UCLA in Westwood. We were so crushed. We knew she’d be in the NICU for a while but never anticipated she’d have to be at a different hospital than me.
Things were so very dire at first. My husband Mike stayed with Maddie at UCLA, while I recovered from my C Section down the road. Mike was told several times that Maddie wasn’t going to make it, and he had to call me each time to give me the news. I couldn’t stand being so far from my daughter and husband when they needed me, so I checked out of the hospital the day after she was born. I didn’t think twice about it, and I know there are so many other mothers out here who have done or would do the same if they had to.
I’ll never forget walking into the NICU for the first time. All the NOISE. The beeps of her pulse ox, the wheeze of her ventilator, the low humming of the medical staff. But the sight of my daughter with all the tubes and cords attached…It was my first real look at her. Even with everything attached to her, she was beautiful. It hurt to not be able to touch her. I didn’t get to hold her for two weeks.
In the first few days treatments pioneered by the March Of Dimes were completely responsible for Madeline’s survival. She was given surfactant so her lungs could inflate, and nitric oxide to help her blood absorb oxygen. Her NICU stay was the dreaded roller coaster we all are familiar with – infections, NEC, chest tubes. But we stood by her side, every second, minute, and hour, and we slowly watched her get better, and stronger. After 68 days, we brought our Maddie home. It was one of the happiest days of our lives.
Because her lungs were so premature, she required multiple breathing treatments per day, and often needed supplemental oxygen when she was sleeping. To Madeline, these were just minor inconveniences on her way to conquering the world. Her father and I felt blessed every day to have such a smart, loving, beautiful baby. We often would look at each other over her curly head and wonder how we got so lucky. Often, I would remember the day that my OB/GYN told me I would miscarry her. We never took our daughter for granted.
Despite our best efforts, Maddie got sick a lot. Her premature lungs were weak and she developed Chronic Lung Disease. She was hospitalized with pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and RSV. Even when sick, she handled herself with such happiness and grace. It seems so funny to say that about a toddler, but it’s true. She ALWAYS had a smile for every doctor or nurse or respiratory therapist. She never complained. She hardly ever cried. Her lungs never held her back. She wasn’t sickly at all – she was just a happy baby that, because of her weakened lungs, was hit harder by common colds.
It was so much fun to watch her grow. We celebrated every milestone – every month she grew older we’d sing happy birthday. By the time she reached seventeen months old, she was stringing together words, cruising around our home, and offering to share every toy she had. She was the kindest, most loving person I have ever known.
I wish I could say that things were different. But on April 6th, our Madeline developed a fast-acting lung infection, and her lungs, so weakened by prematurity, finally gave out. She passed away on April 7th, and our world has forever been changed. It would be easy for us to wallow in self pity, but we can’t. Maddie wouldn’t have wanted that. Instead, we are celebrating the seventeen wonderful months we had with her. Seventeen months that NO ONE expected us to have. Seventeen months that the March Of Dimes gave us. It is hard to be anything but grateful.
I have been struggling with what to say here to everyone for a week now. Our Madeline is no more special than anyone else’s child. Through happenstance, her passing has received a lot of attention, and my husband and I have searched to find a positive way to use the spotlight. It was natural for us to turn it toward the March of Dimes. We consider Maddie’s life to be a success story. She CAME HOME and she LIVED and she made us so, so happy. It is our hope that, through the funding the March of Dimes receives, other babies in Madeline’s situation won’t have the same ending. No parent should ever have to bury a child.
When you leave here today, I hope that you will close your eyes and picture a beautiful toddler with a gigantic grin. Remember that face, and remember the work the March of Dimes does. Carry that smile with you every day, and please continue to support the March of Dimes.
Video courtsey of A Southern Fairytale.
Ways to Honor Maddie’s Memory
Edited to add: I briefly took this down because I felt I made the wrong decision. I don’t want to put this out there for people to do as a task. It’s meant to be a heartfelt gesture - something you want to do – not something to do because it was suggested. I didn’t want to take away from the impact of what this truly means to Heather and Mike.
I’ve reconsidered and posted it again because it truly is a wonderful way to pay it forward in Maddie’s memory. I never even considered doing something like this and I’m sure there are many others who have not either, and if it’s done sincerely it will make a huge impact.
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I know a ton of people are trying to figure out what they can do to help, to show support for Heather and Mike and to help honor Madeline’s memory. Being at a distance from them feels as though there’s nothing that can really be done accept financial support but that’s not the case (but it is always needed to help cover Maddie’s hospital care. So if you haven’t, please take a moment and donate to her PayPal fund! The button’s in the sidebar, just click that to be directed to the appropriate location).
If you are looking for a walk happening in your area, please check in with Sarcastic Mom. She has a growing list of walks happening across the country. Please check and see if one of the over 40 walks happening in Maddie’s honor are close to you!
Numerous people are hosting their own balloon launches for Operation Purple Balloon. Make sure to either video tape or photograph your launch so we have it to include on the site for Heather and Mike.
A number of on-line shop owners have begun to offer discounts and some of their proceeds to help support either the March of Dimes or the Spohr family directly. Check out their shops and know that if you purchase something you’re also helping out Madeline, Mike and Heather.
But the ULITIMATE gift? Visit a local NICU with Parent Survival Kits and food in hand just as Kristin and her best friend have. Before you go, make sure to read Heather’s post: Neonatal Intensive Care FAQ.
If you do have a chance to visit a NICU in your area, please let me know (marchformaddieATgmailDOTcom) and I will compile a list of those visits and any photographs of your preparation and delievery as well as posts you’ve written about them.
Anything you do in honor of Maddie’s memory, I want to know about it! Everything included on this site is a gift to Heather and Mike and I want to memorialize all your contributions for this truly wonderful family.
Maddie, Remembered
It’s been a difficult couple of days, trying to see the light through the clouds of sadness.
I’ve found myself thinking of Maddie very often, hoping that she’s in a better place. A better place without the oxygen rockets, breathing treatments and the nasal cannula, where she can run and play. A place where there is no RSV, hospital visits or pesky IV’s pricking her beautiful ivory skin, only candy, unicorns and the color purple.
I know she’s smiling and laughing.
Today, Maddie’s parents lay her to rest while family and friends provide them the much needed support to get through. Those of us who can’t be there in person are definitely there in spirit. We’re wearing our purple, releasing our balloons and shedding a tear enough tears to fill the oceans for sweet Madeline.
Heather and Mike’s dedications to their beautiful daughter Madeline can be seen at their respective sites – The Spohrs Are Multiplying as well as The Newborn Identity.
Please, go there (not all at once, we don’t want servers crashing again), comment and send them your love. Oh, and don’t forget to have a box of Kleenex at hand; you’re going to be needing it. I promise you that.
Also, depending on the stability of their hosting, while their sites in inundated with condolences, I also have a copy of each speech which I can make available should anything falter.
Mike and Heather’s tribute to Madeline:
The Tribute to Our Madeline from Mike and Heather on Vimeo.
Project Purple Balloon
Make sure you have Kleenex for this one.
I’m not kidding.
Great work GeminiGirl!!
Spohrs News: Maddie Makes a Big(ger) Impression
With all the chatter on the internet of Maddie’s passing the Spohr’s story was picked up over the weekend by local media outlets.
Maddie’s story was featured on KTLA news this evening and was also printed in the LA Times.
{UPDATED TO ADD: LA Times server has been down. Article is also available here. }
The impression this little girl has made is very evident. Just look at this map of the US and all the locations which now have walks in place for Maddie.
gavemyheart3162 map
(map is updated here by Angela)
Awe people. I am in awe.
If you have already, or if you can again, please help support.
Madeline Alice Spohr
Services for Madeline will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 2:30 PM at Old North Church, Forest Lawn, in Hollywood Hills. Please wear purple in honor of Madeline.
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Mike & Heather Spohr
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-514
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
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PayPal donations are currently being accepted by Heather’s dear friend Meghan to help alleviate the cost of services. Please send money to formaddie@hotmomreviews.com.
All funds will be sent directly to Mike and Heather to do with as they see fit.
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Walks are being organized in my locations across the US in honor of Maddie. Please visit Sarcastic Mom to see if there is a walk on your area.
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There are T-shirts being designed, facebook and flickr group
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Sweet, innocent 17-month Madeline Alice passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday April 7, 2009 and while her parents are in the midst of their own personal nightmare, we – their community members and friends, have begun to rally together to offer support to this young family. Donations to Madeline’s March of Dimes page have grown exponentially over the past 24 hours while walking groups in Maddie’s honor have begun to sprout up all over the country.
Support for The Spohrs has been completely overwhelming and completely humbling leaving me awestruck of just how compassionate and loving people still really are. Of all the drama that’s plagued twitter and blogs over the past while, it’s a beautiful thing to see everyone come together in support of someone many have not met – so much so that The Spohrs hosting came crashing down due to the weight of your love. After a few shout outs for help, we were able to move Heather’s blog to a dedicated server offered up by a stranger wonderful, thoughtful couple – @PrincessJenn and her partner worked tirelessly for hours to get Heather’s site moved to their server where the traffic was still so heavy it’s been bogging them down as well. I know Mike and Heather can feel our love, and though it really won’t change anything or bring their beloved Maddie back, just knowing there are so many of us pulling is hopefully uplifting enough to get them through the difficult days to come.
Last week, Heather and I were talking about creating a banner for her March for Maddie page at March for Babies site. Before this tragedy, it was a small project meant to headline a space Heather holds very dear to her heart. In light of Tuesday’s events it’s taken on a new life as a place for everything Maddie. To be honest, I hadn’t thought the entire thing through before I got started but the ultimate goal of the site will be to collect every post, montage, podcast, picture, song – whatever – so that Mike and Heather will have it all at their fingertips. People come, people go. Blogs changes, links are broken and it would really be a shame for all these beautiful contributions to be lost (over 275 posts written in dedication to Maddie already! OMG people!), floating around in the Interwebs. You’ve worked tirelessly and with a little help we can make this site showcase your efforts for Mike and Heather to reflect on for years to come.
For the time being it may be a little sparse, with links sending you elsewhere but eventually everything will be here for Heather and Mike. Whatever they decide to do with this site will be entirely up to them. I am essentially planning to create it, develop it and hand over the keys.
But for now, we can use this space for our uplifting thoughts and notes for their family. Share of grief over their loss and share stories to make them laugh.
Amazing video created by newrose
I bawled like a baby watching. Just so you know.
All the Best,
Sam
