Now Is Always the Time to Give Love

As I celebrated my birthday six years ago on February 28, 2008, six weeks after the birth of our first child, I had an idea about love. At a small birthday gathering, I asked guests not to bring gifts unless they were to bring newborn items for babies in need. Soon I had one-hundred donated items.

Still not yet sure of how I could meaningfully serve others, I prayed on my birthday and for the next six days. On March 6, while rocking our newborn to sleep in a dark nursery, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for our love bug. In that gratitude, I found a name for my mission, Love Bug Bundles.

Over the past six years, we have worked to give love to families in need. With the tremendous support of the community, we have been able to do big things like host fundraisers for newborns while we still had newborns ourselves and even collect 13,408 diapers in one morning. We have also done very small things like give a one-year-old a winter coat just in time for last week's harsh weather in Houston and send a safe stroller to a grandmother caring for her new grandson in the very south of Mexico.

There is no measure for these big and small efforts to serve others. In all these ways, my only hope has been to make life better for others and my only regret has been that this work is still insufficient. I am truly grateful we have accomplished the big and small things, but I am most grateful to feel a sense of insufficiency. Although I believe even the smallest act of kindness is worthwhile, I pray that I always see the work we have done as not enough. There is so very much more to do in this world, there are so very many in need, we have so great a journey to one peace.

I am grateful for another unexpected part of Love Bug Bundles...the collective work of all our babies, our smallest supporters. In the earliest days, our two-year-old son helped me prepare newborn bundles for what he called "the babies" and precariously transport infant bath tubs that were practically his size. For our Fair Day, many young children brought diapers and participated in the kick ball tournament with their families. At our art gallery soirée, two poised young women presented a stunning South Indian classical dance performance for our guests. And one spring, a local Brownie Troop earned their baby shower badge by collecting donations for three mothers and babies.

Our children need to see that compassion is everything and they see best by doing.

I thank you for every way you have supported me, our board, and the people Love Bug Bundles serves. We are all one. We must remember our humanity. Remember compassion as our purpose. Take responsibility for the pain we see in our world.

As we celebrate our sixth anniversary, I ask you to always see now as the acceptable time to give love. Help your children live out compassion. And, whether you can give something big or small, always pray. The world needs you. Thank you for everything. Hope to see you soon. xoxo

Once upon a silent night five years ago...

Once upon a silent night five years ago, within a dark nursery, on a soft brown chair, wrapped in his mother's loving arms, a seven-week-old Love Bug fell peacefully asleep. Savoring the warmth of her child's little body, feeling their hearts beating together, the mother realized the name for an idea that had been stirring inside her since his birth. Love Bug Bundles. 

My vision for Love Bug Bundles was to build a movement to support mothers and make each newborn's introduction to the world one complete with basic necessities that promote safety, well-being, and loving bonds.

As a new mother myself, I knew the time surrounding pregnancy and childbirth represents one of the most vulnerable yet rewarding periods in a woman’s life. Ensuring her physical and mental well-being helps ensure the well-being of each newborn baby. No matter the circumstances of her pregnancy and delivery, every mother deserves compassion and support.

Over the past five years, we have worked to help mothers and their newborns start their lives together in positive ways. We are deeply grateful for all of the special, generous, encouraging, and compassionate people who have given their support and talents to Love Bug Bundles.

From the first guests at our Launch Party who generously embraced a new cause, to the families who rallied to collect 13,408 diapers for Fair Day—you amaze us with your ability to rise.

From the moms' and church groups that organized their own charity baby showers, to non-profit groups that have become partners—you amaze us with your commitment.

From young professionals who opened doors to valuable resources in their fields, to business leaders who sponsored our events—you amaze us with your talent and generosity.

From a special family welcoming twins to a sweet group of girls in Brownie Troop 25346—you amaze us with your compassion.

To our dear board members—you amaze us with every way you have shared your time, money, talents, and hearts.

We thank each and every individual who has helped us fulfill our mission. We hope you know how much you give a mother and child when you share just a little love.

Since 2008, core to our founding mission to serve mothers and babies in need has been the desire to spread love in the smallest ways. We embarked on this mission with these inspiring words:

"In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love. 

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home."
—Mother Teresa

Thank you for being a part of the journey, and we look forward to continuing forward with you!

Why It Matters

Today I was packing bundles for the June 4 baby shower at Magnolia Clinic of El Centro de Corazón. In the past, I have worked away late at night after the little ones are fast asleep, but this afternoon my 2-year-old son, Micah, was by my side. For months, he has been aware of the piles of infant bath tubs, diapers, clothing, and blankets growing in our house. We have talked about how these are for little babies like his new sister, Isabel. I realized that I could transform his natural interest into involvement, so I invited him to help me pack the Love Bug Bundles. What a moment. My inspiration and the original love bug is now helping bring necessities to other little love bugs.

Micah loved every minute of the process. Every time he placed an item in a bundle, he pointed to "Micah's" belongings. He even proudly showed me "Micah's" childproofing lock that keeps him out of our armoire. When I think of all of you who donated these baby items, I hope you know that nothing is too small to matter. A childproofing lock brings peace of mind in our home. And it will in anyone else's home. The blanket swaddling my baby girl brings her comfort and security. And it will to any little baby.

For the May 25 shower at Spring Branch Family Clinic, we delivered 12 Love Bug Bundles filled with infant bath tubs, receiving blankets, onesies, wash cloths, childproofing items, ice packs, and nursing cream. For the June 4 shower at Magnolia Clinic of El Centro de Corazón, we will be delivering 9 bundles.

Thank you again for all you do to make our work possible. Every little thing matters.

Just the Beginning

I have been thinking about beginnings lately because I hope this is just the beginning for Love Bug Bundles. Beginnings are so important. They set the tone. Orient us toward a goal. Serve as a reference point for everything going forward.

The beginning of motherhood is no different. The beginning of a new hands-on, real-world, high-stakes responsibility. Many organizations exist to ensure that women make it through pregnancy and keep their babies. However, we must be there after the babies are born. Mothers need an abundance of support to build confidence and become excellent parents. They need role models, mentors, and coaches to help them set a positive tone, orient themselves toward a healthy future, and create a strong bond with their newborn that becomes a reference point in every decision going forward.

All babies deserve a good beginning.

Spread the Love

Love Bug Mission: Build a movement to support mothers in need and make each newborn's introduction to the world one complete with basic necessities that promote safety and well-being.

As a fledgling program, Love Bug Bundles is still forging new relationships and creating partnerships to make our mission a reality. Please spread the word to your family and friends. Invite them to follow this Blog to learn more and receive updates!!

At this time, Love Bug Bundles is entirely funded through personal funds and private donations. We would greatly benefit from any type of support, including:
· monetary donations
· newborn items
· postpartum and breastfeeding items
· product samples
· translated brochures and literature

Welcome to the Love Bug Bundles Blog!

On March 6, 2008, I founded Love Bug Bundles to provide Houston mothers in need baby and postpartum essentials to promote the well-being of their growing families. Tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of this project, and I am humbled and thrilled that it is growing more than ever.

As a new mother myself, I know the time surrounding pregnancy and childbirth represents one of the most vulnerable yet rewarding periods in a woman’s life. Ensuring her physical and mental well-being helps ensure the well-being of each newborn baby. No matter the circumstances of her pregnancy and delivery, every mother deserves compassion and support.

Love Bug’s goal is to help low-income mothers access education, support, and basic necessities to ensure the safety and well-being of their children. Research proves the benefit of preventative programs that offer at-risk mothers a continuum of support. Although numerous organizations assist mothers with prenatal care, few focus on the critical postpartum weeks during which the mother child bond should be well guarded.

In collaboration with the Healthy Family Initiatives, we collect baby items and deliver them to Houston families who really need them. Donated items include new and gently used baby essentials, such as: clothing, receiving blankets, bath tubs, toys, pacifiers, diapers, baby wipes, wash cloths, and childproofing items. Today, the organization serves families in prenatal programs at the Spring Branch Family Development Center, the Magnolia Clinic of El Centro de Corazón, and Lee High School. In the future, we aim to serve families in a broader network of social agencies, including public clinics and family development centers, homeless and domestic violence shelters, and early education programs.

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In Texas, 25% of children live in poverty.
In Texas, 1 in 10 children lives in extreme poverty.

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In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home.

Mother Teresa