This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Lindt HELLO! While I was compensated for this post, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Being in the NICU is rough. Now that staying with Addison while she’s there is my new full time job, it can be hard to get some adult interaction. I’ve noticed there aren’t many parents that stay with their babies day in and day out because of work duties, but there are the occasional few that I constantly see.
Every day I pack a snack of some kind, a magazine, my tablet, and my phone with it’s charger to help pass the time. There’s a baby 2 beds down from Addison and his mom is there in the NICU as much as I am. I recently decided that after weeks of our babies being in the NICU, and us being in such close proximity, I should probably go up and say “Hello.” With my already read Halloween magazine and a Lindt HELLO bar in tow, I marched on over and introduced myself and shared my time-passers.
Ever since I mustered up the strength to say “Hello” we’ve been chatty Cathy’s and ask each other how our babies are doing and try to talk about whatever crazy stuff we read on Facebook or hear on the news. It’s been great, and I’m thankful I did it, because she came to my rescue on Friday when Addison had her failed extubation and gave me a shoulder to cry on.
The Lindt HELLO collection that can be enjoyed and shared with a friend 3 different ways- sticks, bars, and mini-stick bags in Caramel Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Crunchy Nougat, and Cookies & Cream.
Lindt Chocolate is also partnering with Ashley Tisdale to co-produce “It Started with HELLO” premiering on September 12th on the “It Started with HELLO” Youtube page. The first episode, produced by Tisdale, premiered on September 18, 2014. Three additional new episodes will debut weekly through October 9, 2014. It is a fun, new romantic comedy digital series capturing couples as they make their first connections, and is inspired by the cheeky personalities of the new Lindt HELLO products.
From September 12th through October 9th, you can visit the “It Started with HELLO” Youtube page to view new episodes of “It Started with HELLO” weekly and share their opinions on who they’d like to see paired up next. The first teaser video will introduce the cast, and preview the series, and each week a new episode will premiere, showcasing the romantic stories between different couples. You can even choose the ending to each episode.
AND…
You can enter their sweepstakes every day for your chance to win* sweet experiences from Lindt Hello Chocolate and who wouldn’t want to win chocolate!
To enter the sweepstakes, visit the Lindt HELLO Sweet Connections Sweepstakes Landing Page and enter your email address. Entries can be made daily for additional chances to win the below prizes.
There are still 2 Weeks of Prizes – Connect with Someone You Love, or Someone New!
Week 4: Sweet Staycation (10/1 – 10/7)
• Lindt HELLO treats you to a pampered night in – movies, books + chocolate!
Week 5: Besties Reunion (10/8 – 10/14)
• Reconnect with your bestie at the spa for a day + Lindt HELLO chocolate to sweeten the deal.
* No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 years or older (19 in AL or NE and 21 in MS). Void where prohibited. See Rules at for weekly sweepstakes entry periods, prize descriptions, odds and other details. Ends Noon on 10/14/14. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc., One Fine Chocolate Place, Stratham, NH 03885.
What a nice icebreaker…when my daughter was in the NICU I remember being in that same situation of talking to the other parents…it’s crazy because sometimes I run into them now and Iwe get a chance to see each other’s child thriving…such a blessing! Keep your head up…it’s going to get better!!! Prayers and Hugs!!!
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I hope your cute little daughter is doing better. I love hearing about everything on facebook. Keep the faith. thank you for the heads up for the giveaway.
Oh my gosh- they all look so good! I love the cute packaging, and have to say I’d start with the Caramel Brownie first. Would love to make some fun brownie bars with any of those flavors. Glad to hear the progress that Addie is making. Your sweet family is always in my thoughts and prayers!
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Can I say that I think it is beyond tacky that you have a baby in the NICU and you are shilling out sponsored posts left and right. Take care of your kid!
Have a little compassion. =/
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And how do you think she pays for the NICU? She’s doing a wonderful job with Addison! Even with a baby in NICU, life still goes on. She still has to make money somehow and she’s been lucky enough to have the opportunity to do this while taking care of her baby. It’s called multi-tasking.
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WOW. Can I say that I am totally shocked reading your callous comment? Part of being a great parent is taking care of your baby, your family and yourself. She is doing all three. Blogging is her JOB. It’s how she makes a living. There are lots of bills to be paid. This NICU experience is not free and it’s not covered 100% so while Stephanie has free time, she is taking care of financial obligations. There’s a lot of downtime in the hospital. She’s been a very engaged parent. How dare you?
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No, Maddie… You can’t just say anything. You don’t know anything. You don’t know Stephanie. You seem to think you do and felt it necessary to share your VILE, UNINVITED AND IDIOTIC opinion. It’s not enough that she spends almost every waking hour with her daughter? It’s not enough that she quit her job? It’s not enough that she’s (I’m guessing here) probably cried herself to sleep more times in the last month then I probably have in my life? It’s not enough that her and her husband are scraping together every dime that they have to pay for the NICU? I’m not sure if you’re just an idiot or too ignorant for your own good, or both BUT the NICU is not free. So if Stephanie chooses to take an hour for herself, write a post and make some money off it to help CARE FOR HER KID, who are to judge her? I hope and pray that you are never in a god awful situation where you have to do anything and everything to pay for your childs medical needs. I hope and pray that you never have to feel the pain of the judgement that I’m sure Stephanie felt when she read your disturbing comment. You are clueless and a despicable excuse for a human being.
How completely heartless and judgmental. If you followed this blog at all you would see she is up there at the NICU EVERY DAY. Asking for prayers for that baby EVERY DAY. And last time I checked hospital stays are not free, and rent and light bills have to be paid whether your child is in the NICU or not. No, Stephanie doing sponsored posts to help pay for her baby’s medical bills is not tacky. What’s tacky is passive aggressive internet trolls with no compassion judging things they know nothing about.
Your comment is what’s beyond tacky. If you follow Stephanie on social media then you know she is at the NICU taking care of her baby as much as they will allow her. And how do you think those NICU bills are going to get paid?
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Is this comment for real?? I cannot even imagine that any right minded person would read through Stephanie’s posts about how hard she is working to be there for her sweet little girl every waking moment and then leave such an insensitive comment. Have you even read her posts?? She had to quit her JOB. She is able to make a small income to not only pay for her blog but to pay for the ENORMOUS hospital bills. What would ever make you think it’s ok to leave such a comment? Shame on you.
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I really don’t have anything else to add to your comment maddie outside of what these other ladies already said. I guess I can get down on your tacky level so maybe you will understand. Suck it, no one cares what you think. Stop attacking this mom who is going through torture enough as it is. Geez… the gall of people like you.
I think it’s beyond tacky that you would even leave a comment like that! She is with her baby as much as possible! Blogging is now her job and she is making money to provide for her baby! You are an idiot and should be ashamed of yourself!
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Unlike all the other shortsighted commenters replying to your post, I want to thank you Maddie. This is something Stephanie needed to hear/read! I’m sure she never thought about taking care of her child before your intelligent, well-thought out comment. I’m sure that she has seen the error of her ways and will discontinue wasting valuable time posting these atrocious sponsored posts, trying to earn extra money to pay for food and medical bills, and will instead spend even more time wringing her hands in worry and despair. It certainly seems like a more productive use of her time! I’m sure some mysterious benefactor will assist her with her expenses during this entire process. You’ll probably even spearhead that campaign, right Maddie? A person that would leave such an insightful comment must certainly be a generous soul…
If you can’t tell by now, I’m being sarcastic. I figured I would just go ahead and spell it out since you obviously don’t have the sense God gave an ant. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have posted such a hurtful and distasteful comment. Take the time to close your laptop, go sit somewhere quiet, and contemplate what it means to be a decent, compassionate human being.
Wow, Maddie. How sweet you are to leave such a thoughtful comment! You must be such a great Mom. You know, it’s really too bad you didn’t write a user’s manual for other Moms out there about that time when your babies were in the NICU.
Wait, what? You never had a baby n the NICU? Nooo. Really? Gee, I would have never guessed.
I guess along with missing a few other things (you know like manners, compassion, common sense…) you missed the post from Friday too, huh? I’m sure you’re very busy being such a stellar addition to our planet so maybe you can read it when you aren’t out encouraging other Moms:
https://www.thevintagemodernwife.com/baby-vmw/addison-failed-extubation/
I respect Stephanie way too much to reply to this comment in writing the way I would in person. Maddie, you should be thankful for that. I am going to make a few assumptions about you, as you have clearly made about Stephanie. Just as your assumptions were SO WRONG, mine maybe as well, but I’ll bet they are far closer to the mark that yours will ever be…
I – I doubt you have kids. If you do have kids, you’ve certainly never sat in a hospital with one while they were going through surgery, or any other procedure that left you to the mercy of your mind and dead silence. I have and I know how badly you NEED something to keep you from going crazy. Yes, crazy.
2 – You’re probably young, just a guess. Maybe that’s why you don’t understand that no matter how shitty things in your life may be, the bills don’t stop coming. In fact, Stephanie’s bills are becoming more and more insurmountable by the day. If she can take an hour (at most!) and crank out a post that will help pay for food, gas or any other bills her family might have, more power to her.
3 – You must feel pretty confident in yourself. Or wait, maybe not. Posting something like that was just catty, bitchy, and makes you look like a pot-stirrer. Not someone I’d ever be friends with and certainly not someone I’d ever want to work with.
I could go on and on, but for the sake of blood pressure – which you’ve done an amazing job raising this morning, I’m going to wrap it up. Feel free to stop by my site and take any shots at my parenting you like. It’ll just show me what I’m doing right.
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Did you not read the part that staying with her daughter IS her full time job now?! Not only that, but I work in a hospital and I can guarantee that the last two pictures were DEFINITELY taken in a hospital…which means she was putting this post together, likely at her daughter’s bedside. Having a child in the NICU is NOT a cheap experience. If she posts a sponsored post, then so what? This post was beautifully worked into her life at this moment in time and she shared a very real moment of bonding with another NICU mom. Instead of bitching and moaning about a sponsored post, why don’t you just click off the screen if you don’t want to read it? There’s no reason to share your horrible opinion with someone who is going through so much.
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Oh, Maddie. Stephanie has way too much class to say this, but ya know… I don’t. You’re a b*tch. Point blank.
Stephanie,
Don’t let “Maddie” get to you. I get it. I’m a NICU mom times two and a blogger. AND GASP I worked when my preemie was in the NICU. I understand. I promise you it does get better. Your little girl is beautiful and a fighter. You are an amazing mom!
XO
#preemiesrock
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Maddie….. I have to say when I see your comment the first thing that comes to mind is “classless.” Not is it just tacky to make unjust rude comments about someone you do not know, but also you have NO idea what Stephanie has been through. I mean have you lost your mind in stating that she needs to take care of her baby? I mean do you not see that this post is sponsored and due to Stephanie is now fully at the hospital with her baby this is her source of income? Do you have any clue how much it costs to stay financially stable while having your life turned upside down from something like this? Apparently you do not. I think before you spend your time making accusations against Stephanie you need to do the follow: Look in the mirror and see that the world does not revolve around you, Before making judgments on someone you don’t know..ask yourself if you would want to be judged this harshly, and if you don’t have anything nice to say…then don’t say anything at all.
Use some common sense and compassion. Not only are you trying to maliciously hurt Stephanie, but you are wasting her time. I suggest you really take this time to reflect on your actions and I pray that you see just how wrong you were with your statement, because no one knows what someone is going through in their life.
Seriously?! Your comment Maddie is ridiculous. Sponsored posts bring in money to pay and help TAKE CARE of her child. You obviously are battling your own issues, because who in their right mind would say that to a mother already dealing with having a baby in the NICU. I pray you are never in her situation. Stephanie, you are doing an AMAZING job, keep on mama. Addison is blessed to have the family she does and we will continue to pray for your family. You all are fighters! XO
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I’m disgusted by the previous comment. How dare you criticize a mother who is constantly by her daughters side. Who are you to judge how anyone gets by day to day, especially during a difficult time. Shame on you.
I’m proud to have Stephanie as a member of the mom club and pray that she, Addison, and the whole family are granted nothing but peace and love during this difficult time.
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I was a nicu mom for 6 weeks & I totally disagree with the comment above me & it disgusts me. Making money by blogging is a way of supporting your child and raising awareness all at once.
I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I’m so glad to hear you have found other mothers to lean on who do know a little something of how it feels to be a NICU parent. All my love to you and the family and beautiful baby Addy! xoxo
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Wow, I’m just at a loss for words. You must be one very bitter and lonely person Maddie.
You are doing an AMAZING job! Hang in there and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Clearly not everyone understands how a NICU works or how much it costs. I’m glad you made a new friend who is walking beside you in this trial. As for the chocolate, I like my chocolate plain! Hahaha.