5.13.2010

WARNER PARK TRAILS CLOSED

hello, brigade. i just found out today that the Warner Park Trails are all closed. the grounds are still usable as far as the Nature Center and playground are concerned, but the hiking is out. that being said, we will be meeting at Ellington Agricultural Center tomorrow. so sorry for the late notice, but it is what it is!

happy hiking!

essentials

If you would like to assist flood victims, some of the immediate needs are socks and underwear of all sizes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and deodorant.

I will be collecting these or you can put items in a bag and take to Anne at 7842 Heaton Way. (corner of Heaton and Beinville in Lenox Village). Just leave the bag on her doorstep.

if you find other ways we can help, please let me know and I will post it to our site!

happy hiking!

5.12.2010

money

would anyone that gave me money today please send me an email to let me know, so I can keep track of who has contributed!

happy hiking!

ways to help

***
A woman is hosting a bake sale in conjunction with her school (Daymar Institute) and the Salvation Army at the Kroger's on S. Church St in Murfreesboro on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 12 pm.She is in need of baked donations. All benefits go to flood relief. Please email ecobabytn@gmail.com

***
A friend of mine has started a group Pennies & Prayers, to help with the Flood Relief. This is a simple way to help raise money and let people hear our prayers!

***
Also, we will continue to collect infant needs. we have had such a huge response with things for Bess that we will continue to see if we can find other mamas that are in need. Any infant/ baby items you may be willing to donate are appreciated!

today was a beautiful hike. for the first hike after the flood, I felt so blessed to see the condition of the trails. things could have been so much worse, although seeing the shore washed away in places and trees down was a little disheartening. nonetheless, I am grateful that our beloved Radnor did not sustain more damage.

thank you all for your generous donations for Bess! we are so amazed that in one day we filled so many of her needs! thank you!

happy hiking!

5.11.2010

new mama - flood victim

A friend of mine, Bess, gave birth in April to a baby boy, Boaz, at 33 weeks gestation. They were discharged from the NICU after 11 days only to have their home flooded and almost completely destroyed in the flood. They did not have a baby shower and had very little for the baby at the time. What little they did have was washed away (including gifts which were yet to be opened). Please, look through your homes and see if you are able to donate any of these items for them. Boaz is 4 weeks old, weighs about 5 pounds and is solely breastfed. Bess & Rob plan to cloth diaper with gDiapers and prefold liners. They are an "all natural", "greener than green" family.

Please let me know if you have items as I will be collecting for them and storing many things until they are settled again. Mama needs clothes, too- see the bottom for sizing.

You are amazing mamas! Thank you for supporting this mama and her family during this difficult time. We hope that Boaz will be able to hike in June!

THIS WEEK, they are in need of the Infant Insert for a carseat- the positioner thing to keep him cushioned. He is so tiny that he barely fits in a carrier-style car seat. I'll be hiking tomorrow- let me know if you will be bringing things so I can plan accordingly in my vehicle.

Kindly,

Kate

Clothing Boaz
(preemie or newborn for now)
Onesies
Sleepers and/or gowns
Socks
Hats
Sweaters/hoodies/jacket (lightweight)

Bathing Boaz
Baby tub with infant sling/hammock
Baby toiletries- all natural/green "California Baby" "7th Generation"
Baby washcloths
Baby bath towels

Carrying Boaz

Padded Ring Sling (mama's choice "Over the Shoulder Baby Holder" preferred)
Wrap or MeiTai
Infant Insert (Ergo type) for use with Ergo/MeiTai

Feeding Boaz

Boppy (or other nursing pillow) and cover
Highchair
Bibs- cloth spitup kind and solid-food kind
Baby utensils
Food mill, for grinding up food for baby

Playing with Boaz

Board books
Gymini/Exersaucer
Soft toys (washable kinds)

Soothing Boaz

Receiving blankets (for swaddling)
Music CDs
Swing

Taking Boaz Places

Diaper bag
Car seat INSERT to cushion baby
Stroller

Diapering Boaz

Diaper pail
Changing table
Changing pad & covers
Cloth diapers
Cloth wipes
LARGE Wet bag
Waterproof diaper covers
Pins, "snappi," or other diaper fastener (if your diapers don't have snaps or Velcro)
Wipes Warmer

Putting Boaz to Bed

Co-sleeper SHEETS
NapNanny
Portable crib
Waterproof crib pads

Clothes for Mama (Bess)
size 4-6 prepregnancy, maybe 6-8 postpartum; Medium shirts

date corrections

sorry about the last post - it had the wrong dates for this week. that's what happens when I post at 2 AM! see you all this week!

happy hiking!

wednesday & friday - may 12 & 14

last week, we took wednesday off, due to flood damamge at radnor, however got together friday for Friday Fun Day! we had two elder children, four youngers and four mamas. we had a pretty good hike, avoiding mud puddles some and aiming right for some. we traipsed in the creek some and headed to the horses. both elder bambinos got to lead their own horse into the stall. we chased a rooster and got to play a litter of kittens - six bambinos and one mama, to be exact! the day was rounded out with a quick walk through their educational garden, where strawberries were blooming strong. we had lunch and all headed out!

***
we will hiking this week, both wednesday and friday!

wednesday, may 12, 2010
9:30 AM
hike at radnor lake (granny white side)
weather predictor: slight chance for rain, 73 degrees

friday, may 14, 2010
9:30 AM
warner park nature center (off hwy 100)
go south on hwy 100 and just past old hickory boulevard, the entrance will be on the left. come to the left once in the park and we will meet in front of the nature center. we will hike about 3/4 miles then play in the 'mud pit.' feel free to bring a lunch and stay for a picnic.
weather predictor: mostly cloudy, 77 degrees
we are not sure of the condition of warner park nature center, but as far as we know, it's okay. if I receive any contradicting information, I will let you know!

if it is raining intensely, we will not meet. we love sprinkles and rain, but if it is a down-pour we will see you all next week!

***
*window clings
many members have expressed interest in window clings. these options are great because you can easily remove them from your car, but actually are more expensive to make. I would prefer to raise the money before we order, so here's how I worked it out. over the next few weeks we will be collecting donations to purchase the below design.

4" x 2", rectangular clear cling, white ink

once we have collected enough money, we will order. if you make a donation of $4 or more, you will automatically get a cling. otherwise, we will sell the clings for $4 a piece. if you want one, please make the donation so we can order them sooner!

* TBN
I am going to re-post some information from last week, as I have not received much response:
we have something new we are going to begin - it's called *THE BRIGADE NETWORK*. This is going to be a great way for us to keep in contact beyond our hike, as well as get to know each other a little more. To be a part of TBN, please email questions to the following questions. I will compile a list and email that to the group members that want it. I will not post this to the site until we get a little more security going on here!

1. Name, childrens' names, email, phone number, area of town
2. What are your skills/ talents/ parts of yourself you really enjoy sharing with others?
3. Do you have a blog? Are you on other social networking sites (Facebook, etc.)?
4. Would you be willing to "baby-swap" (swap days for child-watching, not actually swap babies)?
5. A brief profile with anything else you would like to include.
6. Please send a picture (unless I already have one), so people can put faces with names a little easier.

If you choose not to participate in this, no worries; you can still hike with the group! this is simply to get us all doing more of what we love and getting deeper into this community we are coming to love more!

***
flood relief
* Special Volunteer Days are scheduled for May 8, May 15, May 22 and June 5 for cleanup and work on the Lake Trail, South Lake and South Cove Trails. If you can help out, meet at the Visitor Center at 8 a.m.
or contact steve.ward@tn.gov if you have a group that can help.

* I have heard great need for financial help instead of food and water aid. people have said they have plenty of food and water, but no money to help repair their homes. if you would like to make a monetary donation, feel free to give that to me and I will find a family that can use it - possibly a brigade member!

happy hiking!