Family wishes.

Our first baby, a son, was born by emergency C-section at about 35 weeks. He ended up in NICU on a ventilator--but I have to say, the NICU nurses and staff were so wonderful. (It was at Emanuel Children's in Portland--not sure where your family are.) In fact, when he needed speech therapy @ 2 1/2 (unrelated to birth), we headed straight back to Emanuel Children's. So hopefully they are also experiencing the same amazing support and care for Henry.
The album is beautiful-- what a treasure.
God bless,
Amy E.

Wow Ali! This book is an absolute gem...something they will treasure forever. Love that the whole family participated in it. Henry is a lucky boy!

So glad little Henry is doing well. I adore your album. It is such a heartfelt and wonderful gift for a new mother. She will love it.
Brek

Ali, thanks so much for sharing this...it is so beautiful. Glad all are well. Isn't it great to have such wonderful miracles to document?
my thoughts and prayers to you & your family,
anna

So totally love that book! The EMOTIONS really come through and I love the repetition of the stamps, etc....love, love, love this!!! What an amazing album to CHERISH!
Denise K.

beautiful. thanks for taking the time to keep us all updated. it is amazing the amount of joy a new life brings.
cheers!
erin

Ali, this is gorgeous. I like all the patterned papers color you choose, brown, green, white---very very nice.
I sent you an email asking what stamp you used-- but I guess ignored it. I was writing the email while you're jotting down the details of the product on your blog.
By the way, I'm loving the way you use the transparency!!! Very creative lady you are!

Ali-
We did something similar, but now you've given me the idea to put them in their own book.
On my daughter's first birthday we were stationed over in Germany with no family. So we invited everyone we knew to the "We Kept Victoria Alive for 1 Year/Victoria's 1st Birthday Party". We were very young parents and proud of ourselves for being very responsible. We ended up having over 50 people show up. I created games and such for everyone and one thing that I did was create small slips of paper that I had everyone fill out.
On the piece of paper was this question "What do you want Victoria to remember about her first birthday". There were about 20 people that responded and even today 12 years after that party, they still bring tears to my eyes.
That book will mean so much to your family.
Congrats on the new baby.

A letter of support, esteem & gratitude
Dear Ali,
As I got my daughter ready for bed this evening, I told her what I learned about baby Henry on your blog today. We offered a prayer for him and the rest of your family. I am cheered to have just read all of the kind messages posted here and that things are going well for Henry, his Mom and Dad.
All of this got me thinking about how strange and wonderful it is to be part of a community of people from countries around the world who felt the same pull of concern for your family as I did today and were moved to ask for blessings on your behalf. It reminds me of the opening scene in "Its a Wonderful Life" when a chorus of separate voices can be heard, each pleading for God's help for their friend in need, George Bailey.
In your case today, as in the movie, the prayers that were offered were both plentiful and sincere, because just like the fictional George, you are a person with a heart of gold who has significantly touched the lives MANY.
What is unlike the Frank Capra tale, is that many of us (including me) have never met you. Nonetheless, it is not an exageration for me to say that you've contributed very positively and meaningfully to my life.
Through your candid accounts of your daily round, your emotions and values; your incredible artistic talent and originality; your vibrant photographs; your faith and belief in people's goodness; your clear sense of vision for your roles as wife, mother, life-artist, daughter, citizen, etc.; and your commitment to making the world a better place you've made me a better person. I have been WOW-ed, enriched both spiritually and intellectually, inspired creatively and personally, encouraged, enabled [ha!], entertained and even enticed to embrace iMpeRfectiOn.
It is especially significant to me that the primary medium through which I've been offered these treasures is artistic expression -- a life-long, but many times dormant passion of mine. It is an incredible blessing to have you as a guide on my journey as a LIFE artist.
And yours really is a pure heart, Ali. I admire you for many reasons, but chief among them is that you have chosen to direct your bountiful gifts and well-earned opportunities well beyond the hobby of scrapbooking. You've set out to make this world a better place in all the ways that you can. It would be so tempting for many of us, were we to be in your position, to revel in "celebrity." Yet, you remain as centered, brimming with ideas, and encouraging of others as you were when I first made my happy discovery of your work on 2Peas (in your pre-"Garden Girl" days.)Plus, your blog is consistently uplifting and focused on the things that really matter even to the point of inspiring your spin-off blog just for expressions of joy and gratitude!)
I know that all of this takes hard work and effort. In fact, your introspections about balance, simplicity, and intention are beautiful gifts that you give to your readers and students, making you a wonderful role model.
This is beginning to be more of an epic than an e-mail, so I'll offer this last thought. I am very grateful, though I live completely across the county, that you've given me (and my many comrads in spirit out there) the opportunity to get to know you. And I'd like you to know that despite the fact that we are technically "strangers," I hold a place for you (and your family) in my heart as I would a friend.
Love and warm wishes,
Donna

my positive thoughts and prayers to you Ali and to your family.
and wow, you are the smartest person i know. look at that new created book?!!!? i'm speechless.

A-mazing.
Love the way you put it all together. And I'm with you. Love Love Love the name Henry. Wanted it so badly for the last of my brood, but ended up with Cooper. (also pretty cool, and the litmus test: He likes it, too!)
Life's blessings on little Henry, and his mama...and daddy...what a journey they're all beginning! :)

oh yeah.
ditto what Donna said.

beautiful. absolutely beautiful.

beautiful.
glad to hear everyone is doing well
they are in my thoughts

Congratulations Auntie Ali!!!
The book is soooo beautiful- Thanks for sharing it with us, the transparency idea is wonderful and I love the 7Gypsies album!

Beautiful album! Just gorgeous!
Congrats on becoming an Aunt! Will keep praying for little Henry and the rest of your family!

This is just stunning!!

SO happy to hear all are doing well. What a gorgeous album and heartfelt gift for Henry and his family. Take care:)

what a beautiful gift! Glad to hear everyone is doing well.
Blessings to your family!

P.S. Are those faux stitches rub ons or rubber stamps? Thanks