TAKE ONE, TWO, THREE...: Love [in/and/is] War

Carole Landis and soldier hubby Thomas Wallace, 

wed January 5, 1943 in London. 

To pay homage to Carole Landis's wartime marriage to soldier Thomas Wallace, I thought it only appropriate to explore a similar cinematic theme: Love and War. This plot has revealed itself through multiple storylines in movieland, but there is one very specific tale that has metamorphosed over three different films. The plot mutated with each interpretation, but in essence the story is thus: a young woman and a soldier fall in love in the midst of war-torn London only to be ripped apart by fate... and the fact that the girl is a prostitute. All is fair...

~  ~  ~

Hollywood has decided, thus far, to take a stroll down Waterloo Bridge thrice. It first adapted Robert E. Sherwood's play in 1931, then remade it in more glamorous terms in 1940, and took a final stab in the plush studio bonanza of 1956's Gaby. As always, different directors, actors, and circumstances produced vastly different outcomes. The instigation of the censorship code in 1934 caused a stark contrast between the 1931 and 1940 version, but while little is changed plot-wise in the story between 1940 and 1956, the final film too bears the highly recognizable stamp of its time and conditions. 

In 1931, James Whale, the visionary and off-kilter director most renowned for his work on the horror classic Frankenstein, was assigned the task of directing the first Waterloo Bridge. At this time, America had long been at peace after WWI, the roaring twenties had been enjoyed and lost with the crash of 1929, and movies were daringly and provocatively reflective of the current human condition. As the cushy melodrama and slap-stick comedy of silent films matured into sinister and sometimes violent celluloid opuses and edgy testaments of darker humor, the time was ripe for filmic exploration. Directors were taking chances, writers were ruffling feathers, and for a brief time, studio heads were letting it all fly. Audiences needed to relate more than they needed to be elevated, which made a script whose main character was a "lady of the night" a welcome dish for salivating viewers.

In the lead role of Myra Deauville is Mae Clarke, who for whatever reason was never able to reach superstardom, but whose solid performances with relentless conviction allowed her to make a mark on many top films of the day, including The Public Enemy and Frankenstein (again with Whale).  Yet, her appearance in this picture may be her most striking. As Myra, Clarke is jaded, streetsmart, and emotionally damaged. Working as a chorus girl in London, her late night activities include picking up men on Waterloo Bridge with her friend Kitty (Doris Lloyd and Clarke, right).  A tough-cookie and survivor, Myra's mettle is threatened by the appearance of Roy Cronin (Douglass Montgomery), a young, American soldier on leave who is her very antithesis: innocent, naive, and romantic. Not realizing Myra's scandalous profession, Roy becomes quickly smitten with her, and the prospect of turning him into her next "John" disappears as Myra's cool heart starts melting. 

United by their American nationality, they are both lonely and isolated. Their connection is instant and intense, but Myra is goaded by her conscience. In a touching scene, she becomes threatened by her young suitor, whose kindness and genuine human interest she has not experienced in some time, if ever. Angered  by and envious of his sweetness and equally afraid of the damage she could do to him, she throws a tantrum to chase him away. As he picks up his things to leave her apartment, she slouches in the background, looking very small and meek, aware that she is letting the only pure thing in her life get away. An apology quickly follows, and soon Myra finds herself in love, though the cynic in her refuses to believe it at first. A woman mired in reality, she compartmentalizes these two conflicting parts of her life. After Roy finally leaves her apartment, she goes to the mirror and gives herself a hard look, applies her trashy lipstick, puts on her hat and sad little fur, symbolically dims the light, and returns to the bridge to find a paying prospect. The silent scene is pure, Whales-ian poetry.

The story thus becomes an internal struggle: a battle of right and wrong amidst the larger battle of war, which is essentially all the same. Myra cannot admit who she really is to her beloved, whose pure heart she cannot bear to break and whose honest love she cannot bear to lose. But, after Roy asks her to marry him, things become even more complicated. Her two lives, the light and the dark, threaten to collide. With his family involved-- including Bette Davis in an early role as Roy's sister, Janet-- Myra's paranoia at being discovered and her personal shame at her deceit of a good man haunts her (see repercussions, right). Any small hope of being revitalized by love and made clean again is quickly revoked by her would-be monster-in-law, (Enid Bennett) who delivers perhaps the most polite smack down in cinematic history. Sensing who Myra really is, Mrs. Cronin refuses her blessing on the upcoming union, and the martyred Myra agrees that this is the best decision. Thus, Myra flees, returning to her beloved bridge-- the only home for a streetwalker is the street. But, despite all logic, even after Roy has discovered who she is, he still loves her. When he comes looking for her on the bridge, he begs her to promise to marry him. As he is literally being pulled away to battle, she concurs, more to ease his mind than because she intends to keep her promise. The lovers are parted amidst the explosions of war, and Myra runs for safety, though it is not certain whether she runs from fear of death or fear of a future she doesn't believe in. It makes no difference, for it is the former that claims her. Struck by an explosion, Myra is killed-- her fur wrap lying like roadkill on the cluttered sidewalk.


What can be gleaned from this harsh and sudden conclusion is debatable. Are we to take that there is no love in war? Is that the height of its brutality? Is Myra a symbolic bad girl who cannot be redeemed? Or is her sacrifice more reflective of reality and how no one can be made new again? You cannot undo your experiences, good or bad, and your innocence is the price you pay for your life. Her death could be a tragedy, but it could be her salvation, her release. The hugeness of war and the immediacy it demands of its victims made the differences between Myra and Roy seem small in the midst of their romance, but could such a love truly exist in the daylight? Perhaps not. Perhaps Myra knew this all along.

The gritty, oppressive nature of this 1931 version stands in sharp contrast to what would occur in 1940. Mervyn LeRoy was this time at the helm, directing Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor (left). In every aspect, this Waterloo Bridge would be emblematic of the heights of studio splendor... and control. After the establishment of the censorship code, women of ill-repute were no longer considered favorable heroines. Indeed, any suggestive or controversial subject matter was unduly given the kibosh while whitewashed, glamorous, euphoric presentations of human life were created. When the decision to revisit the earlier film was thus made, it was equally decided to alter the script a bit. It begins in flashback, with Taylor asking to be taken to Waterloo Bridge, where the aged soldier stands, fondling a strange token that his true love gave to him-- a good luck charm-- and thinking back to the day they met. Thrown together on the bridge in the midst of attack, Taylor saves the beautiful young woman from being struck by a car after she bends heedlessly to pick her dropped charm off the street-- a premonitory event. After spending some time together, Myra gives Taylor the charm for good luck in his battles. They part, but-- struck by her beauty-- he later comes to see her perform. This time, Myra is not a chorus girl but a genuine ballerina. Portrayed as innocent and pure, her role is essentially switched with that of the youthful soldier of the former film, while the man who captures her heart is just that, a man and not a boy: charming, assured, masculine, and knowledgeable. The qualities that remain in both characters are the somewhat melancholy demeanor of Leigh's Myra, whom is jokingly referred to as defeatist before her fate has even been tested, and the boyish thirst for life extolled by Roy, whom Taylor injects with vigor and idealistic passion. 

The combination of these two qualities and the able performances of Leigh and Taylor create a perfect chemistry, which is very important in establishing an impossible romance. The difference, certainly instilled by studio stipulation, between this vehicle and the first is the belief that they are in love. Whereas the fates of Clarke and Montgomery seemed doomed from the beginning-- a forbidden love only able to thrive in the even darker casualties of war-- the audience is led to believe that Leigh and Taylor are truly meant for each other. This is vital, as their courtship, as opposed to the '31 film, is extremely fast. Having just met, they opt to marry after one date, although this attempt is interrupted after much effort when Taylor is called to service. He promises to return; she promises to wait. Unfortunately, Leigh's recklessness and negligence of her dancing over this three-day courtship has cost her her place with the ballet company, where the unforgiving Madame Olga Kirowa, played by the always superb Maria Ouspenskaya, makes it known in no uncertain terms that a true ballerina must put her craft above everything else. Of course, in the studio era, when a woman is given the choice of husband or career, she must choose a husband, which is what Leigh does. However, her penalty is shared by her martyr-like friend, Kitty (Virginia Field), who more closely resembles Mae Clarke's character in the first film. A true friend, Kitty vows to leave the company with the fragile Myra, whom-- as the stronger female-- she feels she must protect. Kitty's presence will become very important to the plot as it escalates (both women, right).

Despite her current unemployment and poverty, all seems well, until Myra reads in the paper that Roy is dead, which is doubly unfortunate, since she discovers this news while waiting to meet her soon-to-be mother-in-law for the first time. Emotionally destroyed and unable to communicate the information she has just learned, Myra is evasive and rude to Lady Margaret Cronin (Lucile Watson), purposely forcing a wedge between herself and the woman she now knows that she will never call her mother. Distraught and hungry, Myra learns that Kitty has resorted to prostitution to support them both. With a broken heart and nothing left to lose, Myra now finds herself doing the same. Leigh's actions, unlike her predecessor Clarke, are therefore fully explained and forgivable. Her virtue becomes the sacrifice of war, whereas love was Clarke's sacrifice. However, a wrench is thrown into things when Myra is casing the train station for Johns only to find her beloved-- who is very much alive and very much still in love with her-- stepping off a train (left). Myra is beside herself with shock. Again, she is forced to hide the self that she has devolved into from the man she no longer feels that she deserves. Clarke's heroin had to protect Montgomery from the woman she was, Leigh must protect Taylor from the woman she has become. Roy brings her home to meet the family-- the fairy tale is aided by the fact that Roy appears to be loaded-- and she and Lady Cronin reconcile, though Myra's guilt forces her to confess all of her sins to the matriarch. When a shocked but compassionate Lady Cronin questions Myra's chastity, Leigh pathetically utters: "Oh, Lady Margaret, you are naive." With that, Myra flees to Waterloo Bridge, and again Roy chases after her, enlisting the aid of Kitty who tells him the whole truth.

The ending proposes several distinct differences from '31, one of which is Taylor's dismissal of his fallen angel. When he cannot find her, he seems to accept the fate he knows is coming. Of course, he still loves Myra, but he knows the woman she has become is one he can no longer be with. He thus lets her go before she's gone. Myra finds herself alone on Waterloo Bridge (right), utterly broken and destroyed. Doomed. The same war that brought her and Roy together has in another way split them apart. Her shame in herself overpowers her love, and as military trucks pass by, one after the other, in rapid succession, she hurls her body in front of them. (This fallen, martyred woman is a role Leigh was familiar with and repeated in Anna Karenina and That Hamilton Woman). The lesson, again, may make a feminist cringe-- soiled women apparently don't deserve love. This theme of carnal crime and punishment runs rampant in the immediate post-code era. However, the tragedy can still be felt, as we return to Taylor, who stands on the bridge reminiscing about the woman he knew and the love that could have been had fate not been so unkind. He stands sadly-- older, wiser, world-weary-- showing that Myra was not the only victim of the war's harsh toll. Someone else died that day on the bridge. When Myra jumped, she took too the last of Roy's innocence with her. This is the film's true commentary on war, which mirrors 1931: it stifles and kills all that is good, and those who witness it cannot get that same goodness back. Only time and the cushion of future generations can create enough distance to rejuvenate these qualities.

Thus we come to the final installment, Gaby, produced in 1956 and directed by Curtis Bernhardt. If the '31 film exposed the sense of immediacy caused by war, and 1940's version was a psalm to the immediacy of true love, the obstacle and instigator in Gaby is the immediacy of youth. The film's stars are, unlike their predecessors, (save for Montgomery) young. And they look young. Everything about the movie is fresh and alive, completely absent of any of the grittiness of the aforementioned films, and very indicative of 1950s studio cinema. But, while it is stylish, coming on the heels of Rebel Without A Cause and the loosening censorship code, it is also more indicative of an increasingly rash and daring society. The ravishing Leslie Caron and boy-next-door John Kerr  take on the roles of the now named Gaby and Gregory, and while the location remains London, Caron of course maintains her true nationality to explain her luscious French accent. This makes her all the more enticing to Gregory, who finds her in all her porcelain beauty to be an exciting and exotic dream come true. The naivete and raging hormones of the lead characters are the driving force of the plot, which perhaps makes this version more believable in at least these terms. The plot remains almost identical to the 1940 version, putting Caron's dancing ability to use by again making her a ballerina, and again her loyalty to her passion to her craft is tested by her sexual and romantic passion for Gregory.

An interesting scene also identifies another quality in Gaby, heretofore undiscovered in previous versions: her sympathy. At a club, she finds a soldier crying fearfully, and based on her interaction with him, we not only see her sweetness but are given a glimpse into the intensity and stress of war, which masculates and emasculates its men at once. The desperation for human contact and the need to feel safe thus immediately comes into play and will be reflected in the romance of Gaby and Gregory, as will her compassion. It is clear from the beginning that Gaby in fact only entertains Gregory because she feels sorry for him, however as she becomes attached to him, she soon finds herself caring more than she ought. Because Caron lends her performance much more spirit and independence than her predecessors, the effect is more striking. When Leigh forsook her career for love, she didn't consider it a great loss, but Caron's more ambitious heroine is taken for a loop when she finds herself in love and forced to choose between the two. Again, it is her good heart that leads her to sacrifice all for a near stranger, and Gregory's thirsty soldier never lets up on her for a minute until she says "I do."

However, the same complications keep the duo from being married before Gregory is again forced to leave, but-- thanks to Gaby's best friend and roommate Elsa, who gives them her absence on what she thought would be their wedding night-- Gregory and Gaby find themselves alone in her apartment on what would have been their honeymoon. The audience feels the intensity of their mutual desire, particularly Gregory's, who-- polite as he may be-- clearly wants to be joined to Gaby in flesh if in nothing else before he goes to battle. The audience wants it too. However, the more practical and in some ways mature Gaby demurs, forcing her embittered fiance to leave for battle without the knowledge of her body. Disappointed, but not deterred, Gregory again swears to return and finally marry her. When he leaves, the same tragedy befalls. This time, after losing her place in the ballet and thinking that she has lost her beloved to death, Gaby's path to prostitution becomes, similarly to Leigh's voyage, one of self-flagellation (though it is never clearly ascertained whether Gaby is being paid for her transgressions or is merely committing them to assuage her guilt). The interesting difference, is that when confronted by her friend Elsa about her scandalous new life, Gaby admits that she is perfectly conscious of what she is doing and is doing it on purpose. Every soldier she makes love to, in her mind, is Gregory. She thus, punishes herself with sex because she refused sex to the only man she ever loved. So fully and passionately does she throw herself into her unreasonable atonement, that it has a devastating effect upon her when Gregory indeed returns unscathed, expecting to find the perfect and virtuous woman he left behind. Again he takes her home, again she admits her sins, only this time she does it directly to Gregory, who is crushed and angered by the destruction of the dream which has kept him alive.

Yet, what is indestructible is their love (see left), naive and hormone-driven though it may be. Even the knowledge of Gaby's betrayal cannot prevent Gregory from coming after her. This time, he finds her. As bombs explode around them, intensifying the surging, chaotic passion between them, he hurls his body against hers to save her life. They both emerge from the rubble unharmed. It seems that this time they shall have a happy ending. At first, such a tacked-on studio-mandated conclusion makes one balk, especially after enduring the more tragically palpable, and thus wartime befitting, endings to the other films. Yet, perhaps this time it makes sense. After all, why should Gaby be punished further? Why should she be shamed for the forfeiture of her purity when it was Gregory who demanded it of her in the first place? He is just as guilty, and his acceptance of his own guilt finally matures him into the man who is worthy of her love. Their life, their innocence, gives them the ability to survive the obstacles that the other couples of Waterloo Bridge could not.

Yet another interpretation of Waterloo Bridge by Monet.

Each film is fascinating and unique in its own way. Each too possesses its own precious offerings. The most interesting is the more controversial 1931 Waterloo Bridge, whose intense texture alone makes it a worthwhile picture. Waterloo Bridge of 1940 is for the true romantic, presenting the gossamer haze of studio splendor that all movie buffs drool over. Gaby of 1956 gives us a superb performance by Leslie Caron and a surprising deconstruction of the sexual (ir)responsibilities of youth. In all films, War is too a dominant force, a character in itself, whose macabre presence can bring all life to a halt, threatening to snuff out even the most prized of human abilities-- to love. In each version, it could be argued that it succeeds, but in truth it fails miserably. The fact that any romance could find a way to blossom and thrive at all is proof enough that man's horrid mistakes are no match for his most divine aspirations. 

TAKE ONE, TWO, THREE...: Love [in/and/is] War

Waiting on Wednesday: Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

Waiting on Wednesday recognizes that we as bookies pine for books. This post is about what I am impatiently waiting for right now. It was started by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I have to admit that I am utterly entranced by Simone Elkeles' work. Chain Reaction is the third book in the Perfect Chemistry series staring the scrumptious Fuentes brothers. Scheduled for an August 16, this book will wrap up the trilogy. Read all about the youngest Fuentes brother's behavior.

Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn't live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he's never known, and just when he thinks he's got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?


From Goodreads

While Alex & Carlos are scrumptious in that "bad boy" way, Luis was also so sweet & kind in that goody-goody way. It's not that he's squeaky clean, but compared to his shady older brothers, this boy is practically a saint. I'm really interested to see what kind of trouble this girl will get him into & what family news will rock this world. Hopefully the older brothers will make an appearance in this finale!

What are you waiting on this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Chain Reaction (Perfect Chemistry #3) by Simone Elkeles

Kangaroo Mother Care: Essential for your life and for your baby's health

History of KMC

• Kangaroo Mother Care was invented in Bogota, Colombia, in 1978 and inspired by a grandmother 

Kangaroo Care began in 1979 in Bogota, Columbia. Due to a shortage of isolettes and staff, doctors hoped that skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby would provide the warmth and stimulation needed by newborns to survive. The results were so encouraging that the “kangaroo” method was introduced into various hospitals in Western Europe during the 1980s. Kangaroo Care came to the United States around 1990.

• The method was approved by WHO, and UNICEF 
• Helps in reducing the infant mortality in 3rd world countries

4 basic needs of every baby

• Warmth
• Nutrition
• Breathing/Oxygen
• Protection

What is KMC/KC

How to hold in Kangaroo Care

Kangaroo Care is a special way of holding your baby (wearing only a diaper) upright between the mother’s breasts or in the center of the father’s chest, with skin-to-skin contact. The parent’s shirt can be buttoned around the baby, and a blanket placed over the baby’s back or a kangaroo zak can be used. Nurses will be nearby to help you hold the baby and make sure you both feel comfortable. In this position, you may be able to feel your baby’s movements and your baby may be able to hear your heartbeat. Kangaroo Care enables you to hold your baby sooner, helping to strengthen the emotional bond between parents and baby. You should Kangaroo for no less than 1 hr so the baby receives all benefits from 1 sleep cycle. If your going to Kangaroo, make it worth it for baby!! 

Sensorial Stimulation

The stimulations that a baby is exposed to during KMC are:

• Vestibular stimulation-by the movement of the chest of the parent when breathing
• Tactile stimulation-by the sink-to-skin contact and the warmth of the mother
• Olfactory stimulation-by the scent of the parent and maternal breast milk
• Auditory stimulation-by the parent's voice and the heartbeat

Brain Development

a baby's brain at 35 weeks weighs only 2/3 of what it will weigh at 39 to 40 weeks. So much time is needed for the baby to sleep so that they can grow. KMC provides time for that to happen while naturally regulating temperature and heart rate. 

Benefits for babies

• Normalized temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate (Ludington-Hoe et al., 2005)
• Breast milk is readily available and accessible, and strengthens the infant's immune system
• The maternal contact causes a calming effect with decreased stress and rapid quiescence (McCain, Ludington-Hoe, Swinth, & Hadeed, 2005; Charpak et al., 2005)
• Reduced physiological and behavioral pain responses (Ludington-Hoe, Hosseini & Torowicz, 2005; Johnston et al, 2003)
• Increased weight gain (Charpak, Ruiz-Pelaez, & Figueroa, 2005)

Benefits for babies

• Enhanced mother-infant bonding (Dodd, 2005)
• Positive effects on infant's cognitive development
• Less noscomial infection, severe illness, or lower respiratory tract disease
• Restful sleep
• Earlier discharge
• Possible reduced risk of sudden infant death 
• Normalized infant growth of premature infants
• May be a good intervention for colic
• Possible positive effects in motor development of infants

Benefits for mothers and all the family

• Enhanced attachment and bonding
• Increased milk volume, doubled rates of successful breastfeeding
• Physiologically her breasts respond to her infant's thermal needs
• Resilience and feelings of confidence, competence, and satisfaction regarding baby care

Benefits for medical staff and hospital

• Baby's less dissaturations, apnea, and bradycardia therefore monitors go off less and the noise level of the unit decreases
• Moms that are kangarooing are calmer, more confident, and therefore require less nursing time and communication 
• Kangaroo moms produce more milk therefore there is less need to supplement feeding formulas
• Babies that get consistent kangaroo, sleep better so there is less need for unscheduled nursing intervention 
• Kangaroo babies go home faster, grow and develop better

Faqs

• Who can hold in KC? Mom, dad, or anyone you allow to 
• Why the nurse doesn't allow me to Kangaroo? 
• • How stable your baby’s condition is
  • How much heat your baby requires to stay warm
  • The types of IV lines your baby has
• How do I approach the nurse about KMC?
• Open a up a discussion about your wish to Kangaroo, communicate your desire, and if necessary visit with your neonatologist
• Who makes the decision to KMC?
• The parent along with the advice from your Doctor and nurses

Adapted from a presentation by Yamile C. Jackson, PDH, PE, PMP at our June Preemie Prints meeting. Please feel free to contact Yamile at yamile@nurturedbydesign.com with questions or comments or visit http://blog.nurturebydesign.com for more information on purchasing the Zaky or Kangaroo Zak.

Kangaroo Mother Care: Essential for your life and for your baby's health

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) by Ally Carter review

WARNING: Spoilers for Heist Society may follow this banner. Read at your own risk. Thanks! :)

Kat only thought she could leave her life of crime behind her. After having lead the crew who robbed the Henley, Kat has been on a thieving spree. She has traveled all over the world to reclaim items, long since stolen, to their rightful owners. Now she's being asked to step it up a notch. She's supposed to steal the cursed Cleopatra Emerald, one of the 2 largest emeralds known to man, for the woman whose family actually discovered it.

There are only a few problems with the task. The emerald is cursed, no one has seen it in over 30 years, it's cursed, the "victim" isn't the most trustworthy client, oh and did I mention the emerald is cursed?! Kat & her team of wonder bandits, yes that does include the dashing Hale, are on the hunt & pulling out every trick in the book they know to set the record straight.

But they are just pawns in the biggest con of all...

Three words describe how I feel about this book: NO FREAKING WAY!!! Ally Carter outdoes herself in this roller coaster sequel to the fabulous Heist Society. Every single thing that I enjoyed about the first book is replicated with precision in this next book. The quips & barbs between characters are spot on & enjoyable in a way that I don't think will ever get old. Most marvelous of all the experiences in this book are the cons themselves. Not only are the names amusing & quite telling, but the descriptions of who would do what (and why it won't work) are what make them truly memorable.

We pick back up with Kat after a whirlwind stealing tour of some of the most pricey cities in the world & see her struggling with her emotions. She not too sure how she feels about herself & her role in this plan, but she does know that she's good at what she does. As long as she is on the move she can ignore everything else & lose herself in the work. The one thing she can't ever seem to ignore though is Hale.

And Hale doesn't really know how to reach Kat. He's only mostly one of the team (being that he was originally a mark to be stolen from) and doesn't always know the ins and outs of the business. There are rules & protocols that he wasn't raised with, but he's a quick learner & when he sets his sights on something, he is very driven.

The settings as always were magnificent & full of splendid details that really bring the story to life. Because naturally expensive things tend to live in resplendent locations. If you've enjoyed Heist Society or even Carter's Gallagher Girls series, then Uncommon Criminals is just the next natural step on the road of awesome! Who's with me?!

Book graciously provided by Disney Hyperion.

Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) by Ally Carter review

Cover Reveal: Spellbound: Hex Hall #3 by Rachel Hawkins

The ever-lovely Rachel Hawkins has announced that Spellbound (Hex Hall 3) now officially has a very awesome cover! Feast your eyes on:

How beautiful is that cover?! I really want all three covers in poster-form on my wall. For more information about the finale in the trilogy of Sophie Mercer, go to Rachel's blog. Enjoy folks!

Cover Reveal: Spellbound: Hex Hall #3 by Rachel Hawkins

Newsletter - 2nd Edition

Like on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Upcoming Events Aug 5th: Brazos Valley, TX  H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Parents Endure) NICU Meeting from 6-8pm at The College Station Medical Center. Dinner provided by one of our sponsors! We want to say a speical thank you to Burger Boy & Fazoli's for sponsoring our last two meetings. Come out to visit and support other parents of preemies! Join us here Aug 20th: Houston, TX Chapter NICU H.O.P.E. Meeting from 12-2pm held at the Ronald McDonald House (Holcombe location). Barbara Hartmann, an Anat Baniel Method practioner, will be speaking on the benefits of this therapy. Chuy's is sponsoring us by providing lunch, NICU gift bags will be given to all current moms attending! We invite all past & present NICU moms in the Houston area to attend and bring a guest. Please RSVP to amber@preemieprints.orgas space is limited or Join us here Sep 10th: Temple, TX H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Parents Endure) NICU Meeting from 12-2pm at The Ronald McDonald House. Hospital outreach for the area include the following hospitals: Scott & White Temple NICU,Darnell, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco and other surrounding NICUs. Come out to visit and support other parents of preemies! Join us here A Very Special Thank You To Our Sponsors! Here are just a few we'd like to spotlight in this newsletter to say thank you. The following restaurants and shops support the work we are doing, so help us tell them thank you by patronizing their businesses. Chuy's, HEB,Fazoli's, The Bead Fountain,Burger Boy, Sweet Dreams Happy Thoughts, Jacqui's Preemie Pride, Project Yogurt, Top That Cake Designs, and Sterling Jenkins Massage! We also want to say thank you to all of the individuals who are sponsoring us through monetary and in-kind donations!  A NICU gift bag donation drop off point coming soon to Burger Boy in BCS!  Our first donation drop off point for NICU gift bag items is coming soon to Burger Boy! Please bring any of the following items and drop in our donation box the next time you go out to grab a burger! Here is a quick list of our needed items: books on premature babies and life in a NICU, preemie diapers, new or handmade preemie clothes, preemie hats, baby blankets and small stuffed animals, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, baby bath items, journals, scented hand lotion, books to read to baby, reusable water bottles, herbal teas, and other relaxing bath items for moms! If you are not anywhere close to Burger Boy and would still like to help us fill our NICU gift bags, you can donate items by mailing them to the address at the bottom of this newsletter. A Jewelry Giveaway To Help Raise awareness  We invite you to participate in our GIVEAWAY! If youtake our quiz and and help to raise awareness about prematurity and life in a NICU, you will be entered into a random drawing for this beautiful 3 piece handmade jewelry set. The jewelry set is handcrafted and donated by volunteer Sarah Doyle. PARTICIPATE HERE The Gift Of Photography You may be wondering where some of our photography volunteers are located? Here is just a short list! In Texas we have volunteers in Fort Bend County, Fort Hood, Fort Worth, Dallas, Bryan, College Station, Houston, Austin, Seguin, New Braunfels, and San Antonio. Nationally some of our volunteers are from: Syracuse, NY, Seattle, WA, Tampa, FL, Myrtle Beach, SC, Denver, CO, Greenville, NC, Salem, OR, and Columbus, OH. If you are interested in joining us as a photography volunteer please contact us. If you are a family with a NICU or NICU Grad (under the age of 1) and would like to schedule a photo shoot please contact us! If we currently do not have a volunteer in your area you will be put on a waiting list until we recruit a new volunteer! Here are a few photos from recent NICU and NICU grad photography shoots. Enjoy these tiny bundles of joy! (Picture at top is of NICU Grad baby Elyse by volunteerSarah Rush) NICU Grad baby Martha: by vlounteer photograherMichelle True NICU Grad Nathaniel: by volunteer photographerAmanda Howard NICU Photo Shoot Keaton & Kane: by volunteer photographer Ashlee Linnea NICU Grad Kennedi: by volunteer photographerSummer Ortiz NICU Photo Shoot baby Jude: by volunteer photographer Amber Collier NICU Grad Baby Adam: By volunteer photographerJennifer Smith NICU Grad baby Maddie: by volunteer photographerRhea Anna NICU Grad Micky: By volunteer photographer Cate Rawson NICU Grad Cody: by volunteer photographer Cate Rawson NICU Grad Jillian: By volunteer photographerAmber Collier NICU Photo Shoot baby Noah: by volunteer photographer Ashlee Linnea NICU Grad Kobe: by volunteer photographer Patty Amones NICU Grad Daniel: By volunteer photographerAshley Diamond Shop Our Online Bookstore  We invite you to shop in our online book store. If you would like to recommend any books please contact us! Thoughts July 19, 2011 As I sit down to write this letter to our growing list of subscribers and members, I would like to begin with a heartfelt blessing for all who are reading it. May God’s blessing so fill your soul with gratitude and grace this day that your heart gives voice to the silent song within. The past two months have been filled with life changing experiences, many brought about by the connections formed here at Preemie Prints. Some of the experiences have honestly made me stop, drop to my knees, and look to the Lord for comfort, guidance, and understanding. From the inception of this idea, to the daily activities that are making it a reality, we could not keep it all going without His control. The reality is that our work is scary, beautiful, and emotional. It is filled with anticipation, struggle, happiness, and tragedy. These are the intense emotions that families with babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) face every day across the nation. I think Allison Weaver, our Houston assistant director, put it into words beautifully when she recently said, "I just have to remember that there is so much struggling on behalf of the parents and babies, but even if I can be a small glimmer of hope or happiness, my work does matter". That sentence really sums up what our entire organization has set out to do, share hope and happiness in the midst of tragedy and struggle. The events surrounding these past few months have made that clear. We as an organization are comprised of amazing dedicated volunteers and family members who are sharing in each others journey. We are offering support, connecting, and actually feeling, the ups and downs that families face while in the NICU. You may wonder how we can "feel" what a parent is going through even though we may be offering support online or over the phone and the answer is twofold. First is their emotional intensity. Merriam Webster describes intensity as an extreme degree of strength, force, or energy and that is what you see when it comes to the health and survival of your child. When a NICU mom is sitting by her baby's isolette wondering what is around the next corner, crying or smiling, we are there with her. Her intensity transcends all technology and as supporters we can feel it. The other part that allows us to feel, is the fact that many of us are past NICU parents and have experienced similar events, so when these emotional events come our way we are immediately taken back to our moment in time. The connecting of past and present NICU families is proving to make a difference. Richard Shaw, MD, and child psychiatrist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital said, "NICU parents benefit greatly from advice from other parents who have gone through similar NICU experiences". This statement supports our mission! To witness one of our programs, the private online group for past and present NICU families and our angel group, flourish as they are just brings tears to my eyes. God truly has grand plans. We have 224 members in our private group all supporting each other, giving advice, asking questions, discussing, and connecting. So what does feeling the ups and downs of the NICU alongside our member families make us do as an organization? It makes us want to give. Give in so many ways. Give through the gift of prayer, photography, gift bags, gift cards, jewelry, NICU milestone beads, information, groups, and meetings. Give through our words, our community, our comfort, our friendships, and our love. We know what NICU families face daily and they need our support and love during this journey. If you do not yet know the many ways Preemie Prints gives, please take a moment to visit our website at www.preemieprints.org. We invite you to spend some time, download our brochure, and share it with someone you know. There comes a time when everyone can and will give back in some form. You have many organizations and options to choose from. We hope and pray that when that time comes, you will remember the work we are doing to make a difference in the lives of so many and consider giving to Preemie Prints as your non-profit charitable organization. Supporters can give monetarily, through sponsorships, or by volunteering with us. You can also buy preemie awareness items from our shop, use IGive to shop online, become a volunteer photographer, sponsor a meeting or event through your place of business, or donate items for our gift bags. We are also currently seeking support through the donation of office space in the Brazos Valley. With your help we can continue to make this work a reality in local and nationwide communities, so please contact us if you would like to get involved. If you have a family or friend with a past or present premature or sick baby please send them our way, we promise we'll take great care of them! God bless each of you, Amber Collier Founder/Preemie Mom Volunteer Spotlight  A preemie mom is driven to help others! by Sarah Doyle, Preemie Mom, Preemie Prints National Volunteer Hello everyone, I would like to start with how honored I am to have been chosen to be in the “spotlight”. I am a mother of four under four! All preemies, (and all boys) which makes me very passionate about this organization and what it stands for. I started up as a volunteer this past March right after my twins Wyatt and Cole were born. (31wks on 2/22/11) My other two sons are Jaxson who is now 3, born at 36 wks and Joaquin who is 1, born at 30 weeks. I started off helping as a prayer page coordinator for our prayer wall, helping those in need get the prayers they needed. Then the more and more I read and became invested with the other woman involved in the group, they felt like a family to me, and I just knew I wanted to help more! I started making a preemie awareness jewelry collection with bracelets and a necklace, where the proceeds go to helping raise money for the foundation. I thought it was a great idea, because we all love our babies so much and are so proud of them, however when you’re going through it by yourself it’s hard to know what’s going on at the time. The awareness bracelet itself would be a way for others around you to maybe see it and comment or ask about it, and then spread the word. Of course wearing the shirts with it helps too! After that things in our group started not looking so good, babies were getting very ill and we even lost some. This literally broke my heart as these women are like my sisters, and even though I haven’t met them in person there are still a few that I consider my nearest and dearest friends. I again wanted to do more to help, so I spoke with Amber about doing some research studies for the information blog. It was another way of giving back, or paying it forward for me. So much happens in the NICU and so many different terms are used, sometimes you feel like you’re a child re-learning everything again. I thought it was important to start off with the basics and then move into certain “specialized” topics, especially if I saw a couple of members struggling with a certain issue. Currently amongst these things, I am helping with the “Beads of Hope”project and have started a Preemie Prints family map so we can all find people close to us to connect. All still a work in progress! I am also an admin on the group page so I continuously go there to offer my support for others and hope they know they can always come to me if they need to talk. With all of that being said I will end with this, I adore this organization, and appreciate having an outlet to go to with just about anything on my mind. I thank God for being able to be a part of it and besides raising my four beautiful boys this ranks right up there with one of the most gratifying things I have ever done. Thank you all and God bless. Information Infections in the NICU Here is an informative article regarding infections in the NICU. The article is provided by our new partners at Pediatrix Medical Group, our primary source in medical information for NICU families. Thank you Pediatrix Medical Group for supporting and partnering with us! About infections: Babies born early (premature) have a higher risk for infections. Infections can cause severe health problems for premature babies. Not all infections can be avoided, but knowing about them and ways to help prevent them can be helpful for your baby. Why might the risk of infection be higher for my baby? There are many reasons for this: •  For premature babies, the body system that fights off infection (the immune system) is not yet fully working and/or is weakened by illness.  •  The skin of premature babies is very thin and breaks easily --- this allows the germs that cause infection to enter the body more easily.  •  Babies who cannot have breast milk or colostrum (the mother's first milk) are at higher risk because breast milk helps make the immune system stronger. •  Babies needing special care may be treated with equipment that has tubing, or with needles that must be inserted through the skin to provide medicines and fluids. Use of this equipment may increase the risk of infection.  •  Medicines used to treat infections may become less helpful (called drug resistance) — this makes the infection harder to treat in some babies. Keep in mind that infections often result from a mix of factors, including the baby’s current health Some babies may be born with an infection. In these cases, the baby gets the infection from the mother either while in the womb or during the delivery. Sometimes the mother may not have any outward signs of the infection and does not know that she has it. If the baby gets an infection while in the womb, it may cause physical problems in the baby. In other cases, the mother may have a type of germ that may not affect the baby in the womb, it may cause physical problems in the baby. In other cases, the mother may have a type of germ that may not affect the baby in the womb, but may be passed to the baby during birth. If the mother has an infection, doctors may advise that the baby be delivered by cesarean section. What causes infection? Infections are caused mainly by three types of invading agents: bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Sometimes you may hear people refer to these simply as "germs" or a "bug." Each type of a germ causes certain health problems, which are treated with different method. Candida [can-DIH-dah] is a fungus that may cause severe problems. It more often affects babies weighing less than 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams) at birth. A baby may contract this during the birth process or may get it after birth, especially if he or she needs antibiotics for a period of time to treat bacterial infection. Group B streptococcus [strepTOE-kok-us] is a bacteria that is a common cause of infection in newborns. Many people carry this germ without getting sick from it. But if can affect babies within the first week of life or up to a few weeks after birth (called late-onset infection). Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus [staph-y-loKOK-us] aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that is resistant to some types of medicines. It may cause severe infection that is hard to treat. How are germs spread? Infections can be spread to babies from other people through touching, breathing, sneezing, coughing, or from clothing. Germs may be passed to the infant from the mother during delivery. Medical devices used in the care of your baby may also cause infections. The intestine of a baby, which has many bacteria, is also a major source of infection. Infections may vary in severity and in some cases can cause brain damage, problems with muscles and movement, breathing, and/or hearing loss.  What happens if our baby gets an infection? Treatment depends on the type of infection. Often treatment includes giving medicines. Antibiotics may be used for infections caused by bacteria and antifungal medicines may be used for fungal infections. With a few exceptions, most viral infections are not treated with medicines. Some babies may be treated for more than one infections while in the NICU. How do we know if our baby has an infection? Premature babies often do not show common signs of infection, such as a fever. Also, the signs of infection may differ with each type of germ. Some signs may include problems with breathing or with feeding, and a general lack of activity in the baby. Tests of body fluids, such as blood, urine, saliva, and spinal fluid may be performed to confirm an infection. Can infections be prevented? This is a complex question. Some types of infection can not be avoided but may be reduced. For example, a medicine may be given to the mother before the baby's birth and/or to the baby right after birth, before any sign of infection appears. This may happen if the doctor thinks the baby is at high risk for certain germs (such as Candida) and/or if the mother is known to carry a certain germ. In the NICU, infection prevention steps include: •  washing hands often •  removing the baby from devices that require needles and tubes as soon as the baby is healthy enough •  keeping the area very clean (sterile) while changing or cleaning the needles or tubes •  giving the baby breast milk when possible Sometimes babies with infections that are spread by direct contact may be placed in a separate room to prevent the germs from spreading to other infants. You also may see nurses and doctors wearing gowns, masks, and gloves when they perform certain care tasks with your baby, such as working with tubing or needles.  What can parents do? Although many steps are taken to avoid infection, sometimes infections occur despite our best efforts. Studies show that taking active steps to control the spread of germs can help reduce the number of infections. Parents can take an active role in helping to control infection in the NICU by: •  learning about infections and how they are spread •  providing mother's breast milk or even colostrum when possible •  taking steps to control infection after you take your baby home •  working as partners with your health care team to follow all prevention measures 5 things you can do to help prevent infection: 1. Clean your hands. 2. Make sure health care providers clean their hands. 3. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing 4. If you are sick, avoid close contact with others. 5. Get shots to avoid disease and to fight the spread of infection. http://www.pediatrix.com/workfiles/medicalaffairs/A4_About%20Infections.pdf Sponsor Us, Donate, Endorse? Many businesses and individuals choose national charitable organizations to support, but we invite you to consider and present Preemie Prints as a community based alternative choice! If you would like a media package to present to your employer or to consider yourself please emailamber@preemieprints.org. This packet will detail our work and future endeavors and show why we are a great community based charity to support. Supporting Research  A future endeavor of Preemie Prints is to help fight prematurity and birth defects and to help fund neonatal intensive care research projects. A few projects we currently endorse and support are dedicated to performing clinical research that will improve the quality of life of infants and young children by optimizing brain development and long-term outcomes of extremely premature infants in a NICU. These research projects develop innovative bedside solutions with the hope of making significant impacts on perinatal and neonatal care. Other projects include research into finding a therapeutic treatment that will improve the intellectual abilities of persons who have Trisomy 21, the genetic disorder more commonly know as Down Syndrome. Ethical Research Label This label guarantees that the research projects we highlight and support respects human dignity. We undertake only to finance research that respects human life from conception. We do not support any projects that use embryos or human fetuses as research material. Watching Over Us Our loved ones are only a thought away… when they pop into our minds or our conversations, they are saying 'hi.' When a memory flashes by they are telling us they are with us. Honor them, Celebrate them by living your Best Life, a life full of love, grace, forgiveness and peace. ~ from Ask Anya Prayers for peace, strength, and faith to all grieving families who are facing the loss of their baby. Especially our close friends Amirah, Kesha, Emma, & Katie.  Tiny Angel Prayer Little ones who have gone to be with our Creator, we ask that you help to watch over all babies in NICUs across the world. We know you are with your families everyday in spirit. It may be a butterfly, a hummingbird, or just the memory of holding you close. We pray this truth gives them strength to face daily life with peace, knowing they will one day be reunited with you in Heaven.  No place like home! A special congratulations to a few recent NICU grads: Noah, Wade, Emma, Levi, Claire, Katelyn, Kathryn, Gabriel, Constance, Tyler, Ava, Ashlyn, Morgan, Bryson, John, Grace, Riley, Patrick, Michael, Elyse, Sarah, Jude! Coming Home Soon!  Preemies still fighting, growing, & healing in a NICU and other little ones needing prayers. Please keep them all in your prayers. Here are only a few of the many...Eva, Jayce, Gezell, Evan, Kannan, Gerald, Nate, Harper. NICU Fun Fact Evidence-based guidelines for successful breastfeeding and kangaroo care for preterm babies are  two examples of ways to increase parental  involvement in the neonatal unit, in order to  promote parental choice and empowerment as  part of child and family-centred care. Keeping our antepartum, bedrest, and high risk moms in our thoughts and prayers!  Keep those babies cookin! Candace is a member mom who had a preemie not too long ago. She is expecting again (9 weeks) and already facing the same issues as she did before. Extra prayers are sent her way! One of our volunteers,Mellissa, is also expecting!! She has a history of high risk pregnancies and is being closely monitored. She is currently 26 weeks and we are thankful for each week she gets a little closer to term. A new member, Brittni, has recently joined us. She went into pre-term labor at 27 weeks and is now on strict bed rest. She is hoping to keep her little one nice and cozy for a few more weeks. We are thinking about you Brittni, stay strong! To all other members and friends who are in an antepartum unit, on bedrest, or experiencing a high risk pregnancy: stay strong, continue to pray, and know we are here for you if you need us!  follow on Twitter | like us on Facebook |  Copyright © 2011 Preemie Prints, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 2306 Kendal Green Cir. College Station, Tx 77845  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

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Newsletter - 2nd Edition