We love to jump for birthdays

Today, we celebrated our friend, Gabrielle's 2nd birthday. (Jewelyn, Gabrielle is a beautiful and special little girl, I wish you were here). We all had fun jumping at her party.



Baby Bear caught some air!



Isn't the birthday girl adorable.

Update on Gabrielle

Gabrielle is home from the NICU and with her daddy. She left UCLA Medical Center on Wednesday and is doing really well with her daddy at home.

Some people have had asked me questions about Gabrielle and what had happened. Gabrielle was deprived of oxygen during birth. As a result, she had been suffering from occasional seizures. The doctors at UCLA performed an MRI last week and discovered that she has some damage to her lower brain. We won't know what any of this means until her motor skills start developing in two to three months, but the doctors are very encouraged by her progress and the fact that newborns can often heal from things like this. She has been seizure free and was allowed to go home with her daddy on Wednesday. Here she is:



Isn't she beautiful!

Thanks again to everyone who donated money to the memorial fund, formula, gift baskets, gift cards, etc. The out-pour of support has been absolutely amazing. The kindness that people have shown has been absolutely amazing. Thank you so much.

Here is information on how to help:

To mail donations (checks can be made out to The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund), formula checks, diaper coupons, or gift cards, send to:

The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971

To send packages (FedEx, UPS, etc.), mail to:

Brandi Futrell
c/o The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
14928 S. Maple Avenue
Gardena, CA 90248

To contribute via PayPal, that email address is 4jewelyn@gmail.com.

A yard sale to raise money for Gabrielle will also take place on October 18 in Riverside.

Update on ways to help

My wonderful friends set up a few ways that people can help Jewelyn's family.

A P.O. box (thanks Kim!) was set up to accept formula checks (any brand, even checks that are expired!), diaper coupons, or gift cards -- basically anything that can fit in an envelope. Anything not used will be donated to The Liz Logelin Foundation. Send to:

The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971


A memorial fund was set up at Arrowhead Credit Union (thanks, Angelina!), and checks can be made out to The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund. They can be mailed to:

The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971


For those who want to send packages larger than an envelope or shipments from UPS, Fed Ex, etc., please send to:

Brandi Futrell
c/o The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
14928 S. Maple Avenue
Gardena, CA 90248


There is also the option to contribute via PayPal, that email address is 4jewelyn@gmail.com.


It is absolutely amazing the out pour of support that we have received for Jewelyn's family from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who has helped to get the word out and thank you for your support.

A call for help

As many of you know, my friend, Jewelyn, passed away on Sunday, September 27th due to an amniotic fluid embolism, just hours after giving birth to her first child, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle is doing well and will be released from the NICU this week. Jewelyn's husband, Philip, is going to need all the help he can get over the coming months and years.

A PO Box has been set up to receive formula checks and diaper coupons. Any and all brands will be accepted, and whatever Philip doesn't use will be donated to the Liz Logelin Foundation.

Formula checks and diaper coupons can be sent to:

Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
PO Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971