May is Here!

I started this blog out strong in March, but April was a rough month here! All 3 kids were sick numerous times, plus, I had the opportunity to visit Washington, DC to take part in an amazing event. I represented the Rhode Island chapter of the March of Dimes at the Pew Charitable Trust's Supermoms Against Superbugs 2013 Advocacy Day. I was amazed at all that I learned and met so many incredible mothers, fathers, chefs, farmers, ranchers, doctors and advocates. I'm now even more aware of the important of purchasing and eating antibiotic-free meat and my shopping habits have changed since I returned from Washington.

We are now in the midst of planning the twins' first birthday party, which has been bittersweet. Both babies are doing great, but now that their birthday is nearing, I'm having a lot of "flashbacks" to their scary and early entrance into the world and the long 2.5 months we spent in the NICU. I know this is common for NICU parents and I just have to look at their smiling faces to remember how blessed we truly are.

I will be posting more often now that classes are over for the semester and I have a little more "free" time. Not that a mom of 3 has much of that, but I'm trying to make every moment count.

NICU Family Reunion

Last night was the March of Dimes NICU Family Reunion and Family Teams Celebration at the Providence Children's Museum.  This annual event is sponsored by the March of Dimes NICU Family Support program and as I learned last night, Women & Infants was the first hospital to introduce the NICU Family Support program to the families of their littlest patients.  

We've been supporters of the March of Dimes since our oldest was born prematurely in 2007 and have participated in the March for Babies since then.  We have a Family Team and our family and friends join us each year to participate in the walk.  Our twins were born last June at 30 weeks and spent 10 long weeks in the NICU at Women & Infants Hospital.  Now that we have 3 NICU graduates in the family, we're even more committed to supporting the March of Dimes as the NICU Family Support program was a great help last summer.  They provide programming for parents and siblings, resources and we were even able to celebrate Father's Day at the hospital at their Father's Day luncheon.   

As always, it seemed as if all of the kids in attendance enjoyed themselves and it is always great to see how these former preemies, some of whom were born weighing less than 1000 grams, are growing and thriving.  

While our family and others who spend extensive time in the NICU have benefited from the March of Dimes’ programming and support, the organization helps all babies, not just premature babies.  The March of Dimes has conducted research on the importance of folic acid during pregnancy, developed the standards for newborn screening tests and more; benefiting all pregnant mothers and babies. 

This year, we're again walking in the March for Babies in honor of our 3 preemies and all babies like them who are born too soon.  We want to do all we can to help this organization that had such a positive impact in our lives at the most difficult times for our family.  

Click here to find a walk near you. 

My husband and sons having fun at the Providence Children's Museum!