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01/07/2006
Here we go again
A year ago today, Charlie took a ride. Paul and I drove him home from the hospital, one of us driving, the other sitting in the back staring very hard, unblinking, at the baby in the car seat, aiming "please survive" rays directly at his downy head.
After five long hours, during which time I pumped twice in the back seat, we were home. It was an emotional homecoming — not only were we home at last with a baby, our baby, but our friends inside the computer had given him a welcome that brought me to tears. In fact, it still does.
That online shower, the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me, was masterminded by Boulder. Boulder, like so many of us, is trying, in her words, "to have a damn baby."
I want to help.
Once again, I'm making a quilt. This is a quilt I began while I was still pregnant with Charlie. I haven't touched it since, but it's long past time I finished. It represents hours and hours and hours of work and thought, as each patch has been individually chosen for color and value. The finished quilt will have over 1,000 pieces in it. It is, I tell people, the quilt of my soul, and you can see a quick preview. I'll be raffling it off here once it's complete, with proceeds to go to Boulder's surrogate fund.
If you'd like a chance to win, you can sign up here. Chances will go for $5 each.
I am lucky, unutterably lucky, that Charlie came home, that he's grown and thrived, that he's gone from a sleepy five-pound blob to a happy giant who likes to play in the snow. I want that for all of us. I want it for Boulder.
Posted by Julie at 11:58 PM in Needles (the other kind), You can pick your friends... | Permalink
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Comments (54)
Beautiful quilt!
Beautiful happy giant in the snow as well! :)
Posted by: Ivy at Jan 8, 2006 9:38:17 AM
Unable to contribute thru the link, but made a direct payment thru paypal. You are a true protector of the sisterhood.
Posted by: Martine at Jan 8, 2006 9:40:00 AM
I contributed to this wonderful fund! Can't wait to see the finished quilt, and see Boulder preggo!
Posted by: Kristin at Jan 8, 2006 10:05:41 AM
From what little I've seen online here, you do beautiful work and what a noble cause (I adore the pay-it-forward mentality...). I sure don't know Boulder from any ol' rock but since I can't give my rugged tried-and-true uterus away, I suppose the next best thing is for me to buy some chances on a beautiful quilt so someone else may have a chance to post, as I just did, about their boogery, drooly little toddler stealing toys from the mall...
Posted by: JustLinda at Jan 8, 2006 11:21:09 AM
It's wonderful thing that you're doing, my friend. Yes, Boulder needs to get her baby already.I wish I were good at some kind of craft so I could help raise money but I'm not. I am, however, damn good at typing out my credit card number and clicking "confirm". My own special talent : )
Posted by: Menita at Jan 8, 2006 12:08:18 PM
I'll take four. Boulder, I'm rooting for you. And Julie, anytime you decide to teach me how to quilt, I'm here.
Posted by: Wavery at Jan 8, 2006 12:19:37 PM
I'm in, yo.
JustLinda: wouldn't it be great if there were some easy way to rent out workin uterii and other reproductive bits to those in need? I've got a ton of grade-A eggs I'm not gonna use, and all the IF blogs I read have made me begin to consider someday donating them.
Posted by: Jul at Jan 8, 2006 12:58:12 PM
Gorgeous quilt! I'm in, too. And best of luck to Boulder.
Posted by: kris at Jan 8, 2006 1:39:19 PM
My dysfunctional uterus won't do her any good, but maybe my money will help. Everyone deserves a chance at parenthood, and money should never stand in the way.
Julie, you're an angel for doing this. Go sew yourself up some cute little wings. ;)
Posted by: Dani at Jan 8, 2006 1:41:54 PM
I couldn't use the link, either, but, I sent the paypal payment to your email addy.
Wonderful idea, Julie. The quilt is beautiful, too.
Posted by: Stephanie at Jan 8, 2006 2:05:50 PM
Link worked for me. :) What a gorgeous quilt. Julie, you've inspired me...I always thought quilting was not my style, but I ran into a couple of quilting books on the cheap at the library, and I'll be trying my hand at it.
Lady, you are one unbelievably talented person...not just the physical making of the quilt, but the artistic colour selection as well...wow.
Posted by: Karin at Jan 8, 2006 2:57:41 PM
Beautiful quilt and a beautiful entry. I will send my chance, though if I win, I want to donate the quilt to your favorite worthy cause.
Posted by: Amy at Jan 8, 2006 3:19:34 PM
Julie, you are wonderful to do this for Boulder. The quilt is breathtaking!
Posted by: Leah at Jan 8, 2006 3:35:33 PM
Your generosity is inspiring. Like the quilt, you are a beautiful thing.
Posted by: Paula at Jan 8, 2006 3:35:34 PM
Link worked for me. I like the quilt.
Posted by: Lexie Ann at Jan 8, 2006 3:40:27 PM
that quilt is absolutely gorgeous! Welcome home charlie (minus one year).
Posted by: Alissa at Jan 8, 2006 4:15:40 PM
First time commenter here on a blog I've been reading for over a year. Good work Julie, I admire you and all of the women that care so passionately about children. Good luck Boulder, we're rooting for you.
Posted by: MaryAA at Jan 8, 2006 4:57:58 PM
You are the most unselfish, caring person I have ever had the privilege to "know". Or, read, rather, since I've never spoken to you.
Your karma must be golden, is all I can say.
Posted by: suburban misfit at Jan 8, 2006 7:58:24 PM
First time commenter as well.....though I read you all the time!!
What a beautiful quilt, and a beautiful gesture to go along with it. I bought 3 chances!! Lovely idea.
Posted by: Whitney at Jan 8, 2006 8:19:56 PM
You totally rock. If you, Paul, and the big guy ever come to Cleveland, I want to party with you!
Posted by: Pink at Jan 8, 2006 8:26:53 PM
2 for me! What a stunning quilt - although if I won, I think I'd have to give it to Boulder. After all, she's gonna need it - hopefully sooner rather than later!!
Thanks Julie!
Posted by: Mar at Jan 8, 2006 10:53:23 PM
How do I find words to tell you how stunned and humbled I am this very moment? Nothing I can write, with tears running down my face blurring the screen, will do the sentiment my soul feels any justice at all.
Thank you from the depth of my heart.
xoxo
Posted by: Boulder at Jan 9, 2006 12:43:32 AM
Is this the quilt that is so carefully mapped out on the wall in your sewing room? It's breathtaking!!!
Posted by: BrendaS at Jan 9, 2006 1:32:17 AM
What big gloves you have little Charlie! I wish it snowed here. If I had kids, I would want them to play in the snow.
Posted by: Emily at Jan 9, 2006 4:50:40 AM
You are a very kind and generous person, Julie. And I must have the quilt -- as a matter of fact, I just want the top because I want to hand quilt it. When's the raffle? And it be soon?
Posted by: adelaide at Jan 9, 2006 9:28:27 AM
I just wanted to comment on how beautiful that quilt is. You are very talented and kind. Also, the picture of Charlie in the snow is adorable.
Posted by: Jessie at Jan 9, 2006 10:09:00 AM
OK, so this may be a stupid question, but if I want more than one chance to win do I send several payments, or just a bigger sum? Because I want that quilt. It's stunning. And I want to give as much as I can to Boulder's fund because she deserves it. So, anyway, 5 payments of $5 or one of $25?
Posted by: Kerry at Jan 9, 2006 10:20:30 AM
One of $25, Kerry — I split out the larger donations into multiple chances. Thanks!
Posted by: Julie at Jan 9, 2006 10:29:07 AM
I am ALMOST selfish enough after seeing that quilt to be peeved so many people are signing up and diluting my chances at it, but since it's for a good cause and all...Julie I want to be you when I grow up. Craft-y and generous and able to make TypePad do cool things on the sidebar like that...you rock!
Posted by: MFA Mama at Jan 9, 2006 11:09:53 AM
what a BEAUTIFUL quilt!
Julie, I think what you do for so many others is completely wonderful and if I could be half as generous as you some day, I would be pretty damn pleased with myself!
I'm not trying to get pregnant yet (I'm still in school), but I read your blog every week and think that you and your family are fabulous!
Posted by: Erin at Jan 9, 2006 11:21:31 AM
I think the sleepy 5-pound blob picture explains Charlie's fascination with all things kitty! Meow! :)
Posted by: MrsMarcos2003 at Jan 9, 2006 2:12:53 PM
Paypal hates me. Do you still have a PO box where I could send you a check or money order? I'd like 5 chances to win. The e-mail that is linked to my name is active, if you have time to reply.
Posted by: runnerwoman at Jan 9, 2006 3:26:07 PM
The dropcash thingy won't work for me, I tried using paypal but I'm not sure if it worked either.
Posted by: cheryl b. at Jan 9, 2006 4:54:59 PM
I wasn't planning to contribute, but when I came back and looked at the picture of little Charlie in the snow, I was finally inspired. Everyone deserves their own-go Boulder!
The link for payment worked fine for me, of course, I've never had a problem with spending online. I'm tooo good at it.
Posted by: Deanna at Jan 9, 2006 6:43:12 PM
I've read your blog for many months now, but this is a first comment from me (I do believe). I was incredibly moved when I read the story of the shower Boulder threw for you. And by the boob fund Tertia raised for Rose. And now this. You ladies are truly inspirational and divine. I had to give a little something to the cause.
PS. The quilt is GORGEOUS!!! You are very talented.
Posted by: Kat R at Jan 9, 2006 7:37:08 PM
I really really really want that quilt - it is beautiful! I could not get dropcash to work though.
Posted by: Ally at Jan 10, 2006 1:48:48 PM
Oh, my previous comment sounded a little greedy, didn't it? I'd donate even if the quilt looked like ass (but it's beeeyoutiful!).
Posted by: Ally at Jan 10, 2006 1:50:22 PM
Wow, Julie. My limited experience with quilting is enough to understand just what an undertaking that quilt is. It is going to be so beautiful! And that it's for a good cause makes it that much sweeter.
Posted by: Sarah at Jan 10, 2006 2:13:07 PM
what a stunning quilt!!! and you're an angel to do this -- I'll happily contribute. (And if I weren't turning 40 this year, I'd also offer to be a back-up surrogate...)
and charlie is such a cutie -- the picture of him coming home from the hospital just melted my heart.
Posted by: Anna at Jan 10, 2006 4:56:09 PM
I just wanted to say out loud that this is a wonderfully kind and thoughtful thing to do. Cheers to you and to Boulder for making this world a better place.
Posted by: Mudge at Jan 11, 2006 3:42:22 AM
Julie, I hope you don't mind, but I posted a link and reference to this on my playgroup message board. If you would like me to take it down, I will, I just wanted to spread the word.
Posted by: Kayla at Jan 11, 2006 9:48:40 PM
Couldn't get asleep. Kept thinking that by the time I would be able to log-in again, there wouldn't be any more "chances to buy".
And I wanted to "buy some more chances" because I want this Quilt to travel the world and end in Brazilian lands... (I would pay for the shipping as well, of course)
I want my baby (I am adopting) playing on this quilt and I want to tell the story about the quilt and the wonderful community behind it.
So here I am, at the wee hours of the morning, going back paypal.
Good luck to Boulder and Thanks to Julie!
Posted by: Anette (Brazil) at Jan 11, 2006 9:53:53 PM
What a stunning quilt! What a stunning friend! I happily bought a chance or a few -- actually, I bought all that was left at this point. :) Congratulations on reaching your goal.
Posted by: Brandee at Jan 12, 2006 1:23:13 PM
I don't know who Boulder is but I certainly donated to the quilt. Good luck to you, Boulder! Julie you are a saint to do this for a friend! God Bless you and your family!
Posted by: Leah at Jan 12, 2006 2:25:13 PM
A beautiful sentiment and a beautiful quilt. I can't contribute through the link at the moment, says it is down. Let me know how else I can contribute if you can thru my email. I love reading your blog and if I only have time to read just one I always read yours. I wish all seekers of parenthood a joyous and fruitful 2006
Posted by: Yvette at Jan 12, 2006 4:10:38 PM
That quilt will be fantastic! You love bright color, no?
Posted by: Day at Jan 13, 2006 10:57:38 PM
Yes. I am contemplating titling this quilt "The Day the Clown Vomited."
Posted by: Julie at Jan 14, 2006 1:36:49 PM
I had NO idea that you are a quilter - it's GORGEOUS!
I've only just started dabbling in quilts myself. it's fun, but I SO understand how what you think will take a few weeks, takes MUCH, MUCH longer...
Sign me up for a donation, but I don't need to be in teh raffle, seeing as how I've got a few "UFO's" myself (unfinished objects...)
Cheers,
Shelli
Posted by: shelli at Jan 18, 2006 5:33:02 PM
Hi, I found your blog on a random search for C Diff-I have been researching it since it nearly killed my mom in 2003. The woman who helped me save her had a 2 yr old son who suffered for a year till they finally got him into Johns Hopkins where he was cured in 10 days by probiotics (VSL #3)...read her story here http://www.geocities.com/probioticbook/why_write.html
this is a recent Newsweek article on it:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10754238/site/newsweek/
I have lots more...please e-mail if your son shows any sign of relapse- Gut Flora is a tricky balance- once it has been altered leaky gut syndrome occurs-childhood allergies and a host of other health problems have all been linked to it... I enjoyed your site and wish all the best for you and your family!
carrie
Posted by: carrie at Jan 19, 2006 10:53:42 PM
all of you are the only good thing about IF. yet another brilliant idea from Julie.
Posted by: PazFausto at Jan 21, 2006 10:54:09 AM
