March for Babies!!!

Last year was our first year participating with the March of Dimes with their March for Babies event.  We are so thankful to be able to participate again this year!

Last year we raised nearly $3,000 to support the March of Dimes, and we're hoping to do the same this year.


Why we walk:

Kennedy was born 8 weeks too early, at 32 weeks and 3 days, weighing only 3lbs 5oz.

Due to advancements in medical technology and procedures over the years, she was able to breath on her own not too long after being born, and was able to gain the weight needed and grow strong to be where she is today.  Without the March of Dimes (and March for Babies) we would not have had these medical advancements. 

Today she is almost 16 months old, nearly 20lbs, and is taking on life with the sass, vigor and enthusiasm that Austin and I have. I could not even begin to imagine life without her, and I am thankful every single day for the nurses and doctors in the NICU at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, California who helped us in our time of need.

I know myself, along with many other preemie parents, do not ever want another parent to go through this, however we know it is a reality and it does happen.  Kennedy, and these other parents and children are the reason why we March for Babies.

We March for awareness, and with the hopes that with each step it will bring us that much closer to having strong and healthy babies for everyone.

Please help us again, in supporting the March of Dimes through March for Babies

Prematurity Awareness... Blogging for Preemies

Today, November 17, 2010 is Prematurity Awareness day.  I decided this year I would blog for preemies, since last year on this day I had a 1 day old preemie. 

Kennedy Anne was born at 9:32 a.m. on November 16, 2009 weighing 3lbs 5oz and only 15.75 inches long. 

Kennedy was born prematurely as a result of Pre-Eclampsia, and what turned out to be a partial abruption of the placenta.  This was something beyond my control, and to this day I still feel as if my body failed her.  She was too early, she wasn't "ready" for this world yet, and as a result she had to spend 22 days in the NICU learning everything she should have and growing and gaining weight as she should have had she come as a full term baby. 


The Story of Kennedy's arrival itself is a link on my blog (the link is here as well The Story of Kennedy's Arrival), I do not feel the need to repost it here.  What I will post is how having a preemie has affected our lives. 


Having a preemie changes the way you seem to look at everything.  Every little milestone they hit you are excited about and nervous about, you worry, will it come with their actual age or their adjusted age (the age she would be now if she had been born on her actual due date).  I tend to analyze everything, but then often realize that I need to just let it go. She will meet her milestones and do things on her own time.  I have to realize this, and be diligent when I do think she may be falling behind because I want to get her the help she may need. 

I worry like crazy about her getting sick.  We were basically on lock down at home until the Spring/Summer because of Flu and RSV.  RSV can be troublesome for any child but can deadly to a preemie who has underdeveloped lungs and a compromised immune system.  We will again be on lock down (or modified) for this winter season.  Things such as seeing Santa Claus had to occur ridiculously early to avoid the line of children.  I had wanted to take Kennedy to a Gymboree Class for her birthday but couldn't because I am too afraid of the germs that the kids carry their.  I worry when we go to restaurants, stores, or are around other kids because she may get something that to any other child would merely give them a runny nose, but to Kennedy it might give her something more. 

I also get the stares from people when they ask how old she is.  A mom yesterday with what had to be a 4-5 month old asked how old Kennedy was, I told her proudly "she turned one today!", but then I got the stare.  She looked at her child, then at my child, and then at hers.  Her 5 month old baby boy was about Kennedy's size if not bigger.  Oh well, I figure.  I have a peanut, she is happy, healthy and growing, and so what if she is only in 6-9 month, or 6-12 month clothing at a year old.  At least she is gaining weight and staying healthy.

Ahh, and then we get to weight.  Luckily we don't have the eating problems that some parents have.  I don't worry too much about whether or not she is getting enough food to help her gain.  She has remained on her curve, and I hope she doesn't fall off of it.  But weight is so important, preemies need to gain, and gain, and every little ounce lost is an important ounce to a preemie parent. 

I feel like I could go and on, at this point I have probably rambled on and who knows if I have made any sense? But I would like to quote another preemie parent who has had struggles but remains incredibly strong.   "that a preemie isn't just a small baby, but an unfinished one. All of his systems are underdeveloped leaving him at risk of infection, disease, and overstimulation. But it doesn't just stop when those systems finish developing."  Trish ~Fertile Hope

Prematurity Awareness is important. This article itself shows how prematurity is still all too common -  Still Too Many Preterm Babies. 

I am wearing purple today to help raise awareness (and Kennedy is too!)

We are incredibly thankful for how wonderful Kennedy has been doing, and how well she is growing , however not everyone is as fortunate as we are.  Please help us in promoting awareness for prematurity, it affects more people than you may realize, visit the March of Dimes to see how you can help.