Those nine months a mom carries her baby are filled with joy, anticipation, and a dose of uncertainty. What the new parents hope for is their bundle of joy to be healthy. Sadly, that is not always the case.
Jennie Wilklow, from Highland, New York, couldn’t wait to meet her daughter. She and her husband were over the moon to hold her in their arms. All the ultrasounds and doctor’s appointment suggested the baby was healthy, so they were eased and never thought sweet Anna would be born with a condition that would change all of their lives forever.
Jennie delivered Anna via C-section at 34 weeks. Doctors told her she looked beautiful and that was all Jennie needed to hear at that point.
Shortly after, the proud mom heard her daughter cry, and that was just another sign that everything was right with her little jewel.
When her husband visited Jennie, he was strangely silent and looked worried and puzzled.
“My husband’s silence scared me; he just sat in shock as the doctor left, and I prodded for more info,” Jennie shared with Cafe Mom.
“He just kept saying, ‘It’s bad.’ What does that even mean? I thought in my head. He told me, ‘Jennie, I looked in her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.’”
Anna was diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis, a rare condition that causes thick diamond-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks. “As they tried frantically to help her, her skin hardened within seconds (of birth). After hardening, it began to split, causing open wounds all over her body,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
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Although doctors weren’t sure she would survive, Anna beat the odds and is thriving. “She was beauty in the purest form,” her mom said.
There isn’t cure, and the treatment is quite demanding as it requires constant baths and keeping the skin as much moisturized as possible. “Every couple of hours I covered her with Vaseline and bathed her for many hours of the day. I had dreamed for years about the things my baby would wear, and though it seemed so trivial, it was what I struggled with most,” Jennie said.
In an attempt to raise awareness about this condition, Jennie posts photos of Anna on her Instagram page harlequindiva. She opens up about the everyday struggles and what it is like to have a child with harlequin ichthyosis.
“Anna captured everyone’s hearts because she is the purest form of perfection. Doing the work every day is simple when I’m doing it for her, and with every new accomplishment, the world celebrates with me,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
She adds, “I now understand that I was given her because of the love I already carried in my heart for my daughter. Anna was meant for me, and I for her, and together we will show the world what true beauty is.”
Toilet Paper in Your Fridge? Here’s What It Might Indicate
Most of us keep paper towels in the kitchen for quick cleanups, but did you know they can also work wonders in your fridge? It might sound unusual, but placing paper towels in your refrigerator can help extend the life of your fresh produce.
According to Reader’s Digest, lining your produce drawers with paper towels is an easy and effective way to prevent fruits and vegetables from spoiling too quickly. Here’s how to use this handy trick:
- Line Your Produce Drawer: After shopping, place a layer of paper towels in the bottom of your crisper drawers before adding fresh fruits and veggies.
- Replace Regularly: Swap out the paper towels whenever you restock the drawer to keep things fresh and clean.
- Add to Produce Bags: For bagged items like spinach or lettuce, slip a paper towel inside the bag to help absorb moisture.
Why does this work? Over time, fruits and vegetables naturally release moisture, which can make them soggy and cause them to spoil faster. Paper towels absorb this excess moisture, keeping your produce crisp and fresh for longer.
This simple practice not only reduces food waste but also cuts down on fridge cleaning since the paper towels help keep your drawers dry and tidy.
With fresh produce becoming increasingly expensive, it’s frustrating to see it go bad before you can enjoy it. By adding a few sheets of paper towels to your fridge, you can extend the shelf life of your fruits and veggies, save money, and make the most of your grocery shopping.
If you haven’t tried this yet, now’s the perfect time to start! A small change like this can make a big difference in reducing waste and preserving your food.
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