I've been meaning to post about this for a while! When we sent our Christmas letters to friends and family this past December, we sent this request:

"There is a tradition in northern China called the "Bai Jia Bei," commonly known as a "100 Good Wishes Quilt." In Mandarin, it's 百家被, which literally means 100 Family Quilt, or quilt united by 100 families. I like that 家 is the character for both family and home - for we certainly believe that home is where family is, where people love you. Since we are going to be Zitao's new "jia," we'd like to create this quilt for her. If you would like to contribute a square to her quilt, we would love that. Please send us two identical 8 x 8 inch squares of cotton quilting fabric, in whatever pattern you personally like, with your written wish/hope/greeting for Eleanor Zitao. The "good wish" can be anything - a quote, verse, saying, or a simple greeting or wish from your heart. One of the squares will go into the quilt, and the other will go into a memory book for Eleanor Zitao with the written wishes. I can think of nothing better to come home to (and get wrapped up in) than the expressed welcoming love of family and friends."

Well, we've had some quilt squares come in, and the fabric and the wishes for our new daughter are absolutely lovely. I will continue to update this page with quilt squares from near and far as they arrive. I've bought some fabric for my own contribution to the quilt (and to give Dave, Sarah, and Genevieve an opportunity to choose their own square to give Eleanor), but haven't decided which one I like best yet! :)

The first to arrive was from our family friend, Reverend Jacqueline Ziegler. Her wish for Eleanor Zitao is: "May life smile on you always, and offer you many opportunities to grow in body, mind and spirit so that you will be a gift to the world." Thank you, Jackie!


My aunt Mari gathered wishes from her side of the family, and created these beautiful squares with embroidered wishes! They arrived yesterday (Feb. 8th), and I was so touched by the work she put into these.

From my cousin, Mike: "Wishing you quiet and peace. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."



From his wife, Marianne: "Wishing you home and family. Home is where the heart is."



On behalf of their infant daughter, Grace: "Wishing you friendship. Friendship makes the rough road smooth."



From my cousin, Melissa: "Wishing you music. Music soothes the soul."



From her husband, Ed: "Wishing you strawberries and flowers."



On behalf of their first son, Jonathan: "Wishing you sunshine. Look toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you."



On behalf of their baby boy, Matthew: "Wishing you rainbows. Both rain and sunshine make a rainbow."



From my cousin, Heather: "Wishing you hope. Dream your dreams."



From her husband, Bryan: "Wishing you laughter. Keep on smiling."



From my uncle, Dave: "Wishing you prayers. God bless Eleanor Zitao and her family."



From my aunt, Mari: "Wishing you love. Hugs and kisses."





Thank you all so much for sending your love and good wishes to our new daughter. We are so grateful for every one of you.