Meet Heather Landzberg | Creative & Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Landzberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
I value kindness in my everyday life and in how I run my small business. Some of the most pivotal and memorable moments in life have been thanks to the kindness of strangers, acquaintances, or friends. I still feel the warm fuzzies and am blown away when I think back on those memories.

This value matters most to me because I think people can make a huge impact by being kind to the people around them, giving them grace in both the easy and difficult times, and paying it forward with big or small acts – whether it is holding the door open for the person behind you, letting another driver merge in front of you during rush hour, paying for someone’s coffee, donating your time or goods to the less fortunate, or complimenting your friend or stranger.

We are all on this crazy adventure together and I’ve learned it is so much easier if we are able to work together. One small act of kindness can have a huge ripple effect and can go a long way in helping us understand each other.

My aim for Hello Alpenglow is to show some kindness and spread a little bit of joy to NICU families. I will be gifting one custom blanket per month to a NICU baby & family with a thoughtfully curated care package to bring some warmth into their situations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hello Alpenglow is rooted in my love for babies. I’ve been a nurse for eight years, seven of which have been in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Our unit can care for babies from a tiny 22 weeks all the way to one year old. My current NICU specializes in surgical cases, which means that many of my patients have surgical sites, special drains/tubing, and a dizzying amount of wires. The majority of them have extended stays as they learn to breathe and eat on their own. As nurses, we ride the emotional rollercoaster with our patients – we celebrate their achievements, stay hopeful during their setbacks, and become close with their families. In this time, I’ve learned that my babies names carry so much meaning and sentiment. We see our babies grow into their names with their personalities and it is something that we try to emphasize to help families feel connected in an often disconnected and foreign environment and especially in moments of loss & grieving.

I’ve realized that most families are not afforded traditional birth announcements and I wanted to create a unique product that any family could use despite their little one’s circumstances; whether this swaddle was placed over their incubator, used during skin-to-skin holding time, picnic blankets or stroller blankets, or was swaddling them for milestone photos in the NICU since they are often not able to wear clothes.

The business name has direct meaning to my story – Alpenglow in an optical phenomenon where the rising/setting sun creates a rosy glow behind the mountains. It is magical, unique, and awe inspiring. For me, it is an ode to my roots in Colorado, the feeling of new beginnings, and the dazzling glow that every baby brings into the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Eat – Breakfast sandwiches at Kinship Butchery
– Pizza at Glide pizza window!
– Pasta at Forza Storico
– Roti Canai at Mamak
– Soft serve at Big Softie

Drink
– Three Taverns Brewery
– Cold Brew Bar
– Perc coffee

Visit
– Atlanta Zoo
– Ponce City Market
– Krog Market
– Dahlonega wineries (Wolf Mountain, Cavender Creek, Montaluce)
– Perrine’s Wine Shop for a French 101 wine class!

Hang Out
– Walk the belt line to Muchacho
– Hike Stone Mountain
– Hike Providence Canyon
– Braves game at Truist Park

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had unwavering support from my husband, David, who encourages me on my toughest days and is my biggest cheerleader! The Milburn family, who graciously used my swaddle in their newborn photos, photographer Christine Quarte, and my past and present coworkers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloAlpenglow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/helloalpenglow

Image Credits
Christine Quarte (for Emilie Sinclaire photos and Joanna Marie photo) NICU baby photo by Rachelle (@tueswithjakeandray on Instagram) All other photos taken by me