Care package discussion for PAIF ladies - please ignore

pblge

***I know this is on an open "chit chat" board, but we needed a place to discuss options for a care package for a PAIF member who will be on long term hospital bed rest with twins after a terrifying PPROM event at 20 weeks, and this seemed the best option. Please ignore this post if you're not interested in contributing to the care package.***

To all the PAIF ladies - Here's where I thought we could put together ideas and plans for a care package or two for AMShark. @IFinTN suggested we aim for two care packages: one for bed rest, and another baby shower package in a few weeks, since she said she doesn't think she'll get one.

Some ideas for the bed rest package: (some of these came from online suggestions)
Beginner knitting kits and yarn
Books
Magazines
Gift certificates to places like Amazon or iTunes for movies
Gift certificate to a house cleaning service in her area
Spa type items-pregnancy safe toe nail polish, lotions, aromatherapy supplies, slippers, bathrobe, etc.
Lucky charms like socks and jewelry

Other ideas?

pblge

14whitney said:

Would this be better in a group? Are you worried about this person seeing this? Is that person ok with you sharing her story?

The groups are not user friendly, and this is. This user has posted her story on PAIF. Thank you for your concern.

jessimi06

I'm sending out a priority package next week (so its in time for Christmas) with a hand stamped necklace that I ordered if anyone wanted to add to it, I'd be happy to pick up the postage.

I'd also be willing to contribute to a shower box for her as well.

Were you planning to have items sent to a central address to be shipped at one time together, or were you planning on doing gift cards/paypal and have someone do the shopping/shipping?  I don't mind either way.

gsancho

Dang it, I just killed my morning, trying to go way back to old posts and see what she likes...but I couldn't find anything too specific.  She loves cats, so I was trying to see if there was a funny cat book to humor her, but it's hard to tell which ones would be funny vs stupid.  I'll keep looking.

I was also trying to find something special on etsy we could order...maybe something like this?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150124238/no-one-else-will-ever-know-the-strength?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=strength&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

She mentioned HB once...maybe also practical stuff like TUMS.  

gsancho

@jessimi06 She is really into Christmas and said they collect ornaments.  It would be nice if we can get a special ornament (or maybe one for each baby) from us in time for Christmas.  

I would think a bigger care package with more practical/comfy items would take an extra week or so to put together, so we could send that later.  I'm good with either sending items to one place and chipping in for postage or everyone pays one person to pick some things out.

jessimi06

@gsancho I love that poster- I convo'd the seller to see if I could get it in time to ship for a Christmas box. I can also look at the ornament store at my local mall for the babies.

jessimi06

Let me know if you guys like this: it's a willow tree prayer ornament. I have prime so I could get it in time to ship out for Christmas.

https://www.amazon.com/Willow-Tree-tree-prayer-Ornament/dp/B0014GMW0U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418838785&sr=8-3&keywords=strength+ornament

pblge

jessimi06 said:

Were you planning to have items sent to a central address to be shipped at one time together, or were you planning on doing gift cards/paypal and have someone do the shopping/shipping?  I don't mind either way.

I do think it's a good idea to limit the number of people who know her shipping address, for privacy's sake.

jessimi06

@gsancho- FYI We could get the poster in time for Christmas, and the seller can customize it for twins

gsancho

@jessimi06 I can cover the poster, if she can get it done in time.  I can pay her directly or if you want to cover, I will send you paypal.  You already have her address from the sock exchange anyways, right?

How many people seemed interested in chipping in?  If it's not a ton, we could try to add a few more items like a knitting kit, magazines, and snacks to get it all in one shipment...but I'm still open to 2 phases of care packages.

turquoisequeen

I definitely want to contribute! I like the ideas y'all have so far.

jessimi06

@gsancho, yes I do have her address already. I can buy it on etsy if you just want to paypal me for it? There's no shipping charge (shes going to make a custom listing) as the seller is going to have it sent/printed at my local photo print shop to get it in time. Just let me know and I'll order it!

gsancho

@jessimi06 Sounds like a plan to me!  You can PM me your paypal info.  I also like the ornament - don't think I'd mentioned it.

hopeby2015

Love both items! And I'd love to chip in money wise but am horrible at shipping things!

mrs.willie

I think the poster and ornament are fabulous ideas too that she will love. The list has some great ideas to help with boredom while on bedrest. And I also think we should either send everything to one person to ship or send $$ and have them get the stuff to limit her personal info. Whatever's easier works for me. I'll see if I can think of any other ideas too.

pblge

Re funny cat book:
https://www.amazon.com/How-Tell-Your-Plotting-Kill/dp/1449410243
It's awesome for anyone who wants to go that way.

I've been trying to find a good baby blanket knitting kit, but I haven't succeeded so far, so I'm getting help from friends who knit. For good quality yarn it might be worth more than I should really do on my own (i.e., closer to $50/$75), so someone could go in on that with me.

pblge

Would someone want to put a little spa kit together? I don't know much about that stuff. I'm bad at being a girl.

turquoisequeen

I would love to chip in once a total is figured out. I think the baby knitting blanket is a perfect idea!!

pblge

sugar4bri said:

@pblge‌ I don't have a problem chipping in money or making a little spa package. Let me know which you prefer.

If you feel up to putting the spa package together, that would be great! Based on what she wrote here, it might be good to aim for nontoxic type products, but that may be a lot harder.

@turquoisequeen - PM me with the amount you're willing to contribute? Also, I'd love to hear an update about your diapering plans! (Sorry, off topic, but I'm done shopping for newborn diapers now and I'm in withdrawal.)

pblge

Okay, ladies! Another couple of packages have been sent. My SIL recommended this baby blanket pattern:
https://www.purlbee.com/2008/05/24/whits-knits-super-easy-baby-blanket/
Looks easy but colorful, so it should be good. I decided rainbow colors would be good (this yarn, also recommended by SIL) for a number of reasons: the rainbow baby after a loss thing, cute for babies, and not specific to a gender or decorating scheme.

Had to do two packages because not all colors were available from a single yarn supplier. @IFinTN contributed, so @turquoisequeen, I can either get something else with your name on it, or you can donate to someone else's gift idea.

What do you ladies think?

turquoisequeen

I love that blanket!

Is anyone else sending something that I can contribute to? Happy to paypal or whatever.

gsancho

@turquoisequeen  You could pay for a book, paypal @jessimi06 and she can order it with Amazon prime?  I think there may still be time to get it into the shipment she's doing with the poster I got.  I liked the cat book pblge listed, and the title of this one makes me laugh

https://www.amazon.com/Could-Pee-This-Other-Poems/dp/1452110581/ref=pd_sim_b_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1P0TQE2R27XFNMD5BEPN

jessimi06

@turquoisequeensunshinedaisies000 if you want to get the book or anything else from amazon prime, you can paypal me the funds and I'd be happy to order them with my prime membership. If I order by tomorrow evening, theres still time to get them.

jessimi06

That book is currently out of stock You could pick another, or someone could still get the ornament? Or chip in with @pblge.

turquoisequeen

@jessimi06‌ I ended up contributing to part of the yarn gift and such that pblge got and some slippers! Thanks though. Appreciate everyone who is organizing and shipping.

mrs.willie

I can either contribute $$ to a package someone's putting together or send $$ to @jessimi06 to order from Amazon if there's still time for that.

jessimi06

@mrs.willie there's still time to order from amazon until tonight. Please let me know what/if you'd like to get something and I can order it and PM you my paypal details, or feel free to go in with one of the other packages

pblge

Thanks for everyone's continued hard work and generosity! Just made another purchase from Amazon: these wonderful gold slippers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQUXFXU/ref=s9_simh_co_p236_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=typ-top-left-1&pf_rd_r=0NTM730M3REGWQX2JF95&pf_rd_t=3201&pf_rd_p=1827489602&pf_rd_i=typ01


Got them in XL, as I remember she said she had size 11 feet and her shoes were feeling tight while pregnant. I signed both this and the baby blanket supplies from me, @turquoisequeen, and @IFinTN.

This was FUN!!! I hope that our collective good wishes keep those babies parked for MONTHS!!

hopeby2015

Is there still anytime to get in on anything? Sorry I've been MIA but work has me busy these days ..

Eta: would be willing to paypal monies to contribute!

jessimi06

hopeby2015 if you wanted to get her an ornament https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0014GMW0U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=30MJVR4SXA6FH&coliid=I1R5ORQBBT9XIF
or pick out a prime eligible gift by 8 pm I can order it and ship it with our package and you can paypal me. Let me know!

mrs.willie

@jessimi06‌ I sent you a PM

hopeby2015

@jessimi06‌ - okay put me down for an ornament and lemme know how to paypal you the cash!

jessimi06

hopeby2015 YGPM

jessimi06

mrs.willie YGPM

jessimi06

pblge those slippers are adorable!

pblge

If there's anyone left who still wants to contribute, I think gift certificates for Amazon (buy books! online moves! etc!) would be really appreciated.

Does anyone have an email for her? It's very easy to send by email, but I'm not sure about just an address.

jessimi06

@sunshinedaisies000‌ back at you!