Saying Thanks

On May 15th Chris, Ethan, Grayson, and myself will be walking to celebrate the healthy, vibrant lives of our sons.

We will walk to say thank you to the entire staff at the N.I.C.U. that did such an amazing job in the first hours, days, and weeks of Ethan and Grayson's fragile lives.

Some days the doctors and nurses get to rejoice as one of their patients is able to go home and be united with their families.

Some days though, they grieve with the parents and loved ones as they have to say goodbye to a child who barely had a chance to start living.

Chris and I never knew the emotions and the roller coaster ride that would come from being the parents of two little boys born at just 34 weeks. We will never forget the fears we had each day a we walked in to the N.I.C.U. wondering what news awaited us about our sons. Some days it was good, some days it was bad. We felt like we would take one step forward, and then take three steps back.

But now we look at this 16 month old sons here with us. Little boys who climb up on top of the table and smile these mischievous grins knowing that they shouldn't be up there. Brothers who love to chase each other around the house and squeal at the top of their lungs (especially when they're naked after their bath!). Little toddlers who are talking, singing, running, learning, and amazing us every day.

We are blessed beyond words that our sons are healthy and whole today. There are no lingering signs of their premature entry to this world, and we owe so much of that to the amazing care that they received.

We want to do our part to say thank you, but also do our part to raise awareness and raise money to help prevent premature births. To help prevent other babies from being hooked up to oxygen machines fighting for every breath. To help prevent other parents from having to witness their babies looking so frail and sick, and feeling completely helpless in knowing how to care for them.

If you feel led to make a donation to our team, please visit our team page. You can make a donation right there. If you would rather send a cash or check donation you can contact me via email and I can give your our home address.

I am happy to say that we have nearly made our team goal already. I set our team goal for $500 dollars and we currently have $445. I have only informed members of our family about our intent to walk so far, so all that we have raised has come from them. Thank you!

Thanks so much for your support.

Truly, just your reading and following along through the journey of the pregnancy, birth, and first year of their lives is huge support already. It means so much to us to know that there are people out there that love and care about us! Thank you!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1388646