Month: November 2020

Family

World Prematurity Day

SoCal Lifestyle with Ashley Z
11/17/2020

On December 8th, 2008, our whole world changed! Our son, Connor Kenneth Charles Zeiss, who was supposed to be born in March, decided to make an extra early appearance. He was born at 27 weeks gestational period. He weighed just 1 lb. 9 oz. He had several complications along the way, including two strokes, which were the biggest of our worries at the time.

He spent 35 days at Rady Children’s hospital in their NICU. The nurses there were absolutely amazing. The love and genuine kindness they exhibited during those extremely trying days were so very appreciated and much needed. Some sweet, older ladies knitted the Santa hat he’s wearing in the pictures below. We were given several homemade blankets from children, and other kind souls, knitted blankets, signs, cards and so much more. The blankets were wonderful and we used them to put on top of his isolette, to keep all of the lights and sounds out. We were so grateful for all of the things that were gifted to us. I have a plan in the very near future, to put together bags of necessities and essentials for future preemie parents to help them through their difficult times. Would you be willing to help with donations for my project? Please feel free to comment below if you’re interested. I’ll need some help to get my “boots on the ground”. I’ll be posting more about that very soon!

  • Just one day old.
    Just one day old.
  • A few days later.
    A few days later.
  • Off the vent & getting stronger
    Off the vent & getting stronger
  • Woo hoo! Clothes!
    Woo hoo! Clothes!
  • His little hand fits in Daddy's ring
    His little hand fits in Daddy’s ring
  • Diaper size progression
    Diaper size progression
  • Fits in the palm of my hand.
    Fits in the palm of my hand.
  • Just before he leaves at 4 lbs.
    Just before he leaves at 4 lbs.
  • Smiling outside, crying inside.
    Smiling outside, crying inside.
  • Finally gets to meet his sister!
    Finally gets to meet his sister!
From Day 1 12/8/08 to Home 2/23/09

Although the drive back and forth from our home in San Marcos down to Rady Children’s was about 45 miles round trip, we were kind of sad to leave such wonderful care. He was then transferred to our local hospital, Palomar Medical Center, where he was just as well taken care of. The nurses there were just as gentle and caring and we were so appreciative to them as well for helping us put on the 4 lbs. 3 oz. we needed to bring him home. Yes, he needed to weight 6 whole pounds to be transported home!

We finally got to bring him home on February 23rd, 2009. And I need to mention that because of the risk of flu and other viruses, they shut the NICU down for the winter season. Unfortunately all family, including our daughter, who was only 7 at the time, were not able to see Connor until he got home. So his homecoming was extra special for us all.

His sister finally gets to meet him!

ALL that being said, this day is always near and dear to us and we love to help celebrate the beautiful birth and life our “little guy”. The March of Dimes has a way you can donate should you feel obliged to!

I would love to hear your preemie stories if you have any! Feel free to leave a comment! Happy World Preemie Day!

Oh….and by the way, Connor is a happy, healthy, 11 and 3/4 old boy! And his sister really does still adore him!

Lifestyle, Motivation & Inspiration

World Kindness Day 2020

SoCal Lifestyle with Ashley Z

Today, November 13, 2020 is World Kindness Day! This is one of my favorite days of the year, because I’m a big fan of being kind, teaching others to be kind and kindness in general. I mean who isn’t? Well, unfortunately, not everyone is. This pandemic has brought out both the best and worst sides of people. It’s just the world we live in these days. But the only thing I can do about it, is spread the word and attempt to live my life being kind. I feel I’ve taught my kids to be kind at home with their words, and actions and at school as well. I teach them to go the extra mile. Hold the door open a little longer, pick up something someone dropped, give compliments, reach out to your Grandparents just to say “hello”, and smile! Such easy stuff! And I hope they teach their children to be kind as well.

So on this day, I thought I would share a little bit about what World Kindness day is from Inspire Kindness. Plus, us adults need a reminder from time to time to just SLOW DOWN and do something nice for someone now and again!

World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. This day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, has the purpose is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together. This understanding has the power to bridge the gap between nations. 

Ways to Be Kind

Here’s a quick list also by Inspire Kindness:

“Being kind doesn’t need to look or be extravagant. Sometimes the simplest things make the most significant difference! Here are a few simple ideas and ways to be helpful on World Kindness Day in the workplace, at school, with your loved ones, or even while out running errands. Look for opportunities while you go through your day to infuse kindness into someone’s day. It’ll change their day and yours for the better!”

  • Smile when you walk by others
  • Write positive messages on post-it notes and leave them for people to find
  • Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while 
  • Tidy up around your house
  • Pick up trash you see on the ground outside and throw it in a garbage can
  • Hold the door open for someone
  • Chat with a stranger and ask them about their day
  • Pay for a stranger’s coffee or meal
  • Compliment someone
  • Send a positive or encouraging text to five people in your contacts
  • Surprise someone with flowers
  • Tell a family member or friend you love them
  • Write a note on the receipt at a restaurant for your server 
  • Offer to help with someone’s errands
  • Give a surprise gift to someone you care about
  • Send a kind card or note to a friend
  • Surprise co-workers with home-baked cookies or treats
  • Plant a tree
  • Spend less time on your phone and more time with people you care about
  • Organize a workplace giving campaign
  • Offer a classmate help with homework
  • Talk to someone new
  • Practice gratitude
  • Volunteer
  • Give someone a hug

These all sound like some pretty easy ways to be kind! So get out there, (the day isn’t over yet!) and spread some KINDNESS & enjoy the rest of your day!

Motivation & Inspiration

Thank you, Veterans

SoCal Lifestyle with Ashley Z

“There are not words big enough. There is not a hug strong enough. There is not a smile wide enough. All I can offer is thank you. You are my hero. You are in my thoughts. You are in my prayers. For all you’ve done, thank you.” – Author Unknown 

I cannot begin to tell you how patriotic I am! I feel like I bleed red, white and blue. I love seeing our beautiful flag, blowing in the wind and take pictures of them frequently. I cry when I hear the National Anthem. Every. Single. Time. I’m not sure why. I don’t come from a huge line of men and women that have served, but there were enough to know that I most certainly appreciate all that do.

I have friends whose husbands’ have deployed and have shared their stories of how they were left alone to take care of their babies, and figure out how to pay the bills, and work, (because their husbands are under-paid) and run a household, ALL ALONE, for months at a time.

I’ve heard the horror stories of those who have come back from war. All the hate, and sorrow, death and ugly, living in the back of their tired minds, while trying to put on happy faces for friends and loved ones. And how extremely difficult it is to come back home, and have to be “normal”. Nightmares, depression and PTSD, are just a few of the affects of being in active battle. And they do it because most of them CHOSE to. For their Country.

As a civilian, I can only imagine how it must feel to wave your husband or wife off, while being left alone. I can only imagine what it is like to go off to fight for what you believe in, to fight people who wish to destroy our country. I can only imagine the pain of leaving loved ones, and the joy of coming home to them. I appreciate each and every single one of your. Mother’s, Father’s, Daughter’s, Sister’s, Brother’s, and precious children. Every single one of them! God Bless you!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICES AND YOUR SERVICE!