In lieu of buying a gift for Valerie's birthday this year (which she doesn't really need, because she is very blessed with plenty), I decided to use my sewing skills and all the fleece and flannel fabric I've accumulated to sew some blankets for the NICU.
Since both my children spent their first week of life in the wonderful care of the NICU doctors and nurses, it is a very special place to us. When Almanzo was in the NICU, I gave the nurses several blankets I had made him to cuddle up with and so he would have a piece of me there when I wasn't. The nurses commented on how soft and cute his blankets were and how they wished they had more blankets like that instead of the boring receiving blankets that were beginning to show their wear.
The blankets I made are approximately 15" x 15" squares with a little ribbon tag that were turned-and-topstitched. I added another little tag to each blanket with these words written on it:
We delivered these as a family on Valerie's birthday. We are so thankful for all they have done...and, even more so, we are so thankful for God's protection and healing. What a precious blessing these little ones are!