Fight for Preemies

"Every year, 20 million babies are born too soon, too small and very sick--half a million of them in the United States. November 17 is when we fight." *

This month is Prematurity Awareness Month and today, November 17, is Fight for Preemies Day.

This issue is very close to my heart because my dear Genevieve was born 5 1/2 weeks too soon. We didn't have any advanced warning that she was going to arrive early; and to this day we still don't quite understand why she was born early.

I was very unprepared when it came to being a mom to a preemie. In all of my pregnancy books, there was an obligatory "Premature Birth" chapter, but I just knew that my child would not be a preemie. No sir, not my child. So what did I do? I skipped those chapters, of course!

However, in the first nine days of Genevieve's life I learned more about prematurity that I ever cared to learn. I watched her monitors like a hawk. I knew what every number on that machine meant. I knew what the alarms sounded like. I began to learn the difference between an ok-alarm and a not-so-ok-alarm. I watched as my daughter had apnea episodes in which she briefly stopped breathing. I watched as my daughter had bradycardia episodes in which her heart rate dropped. I watched as my daughter's lips turned blue for a brief moment.

I watched and I learned.

We are very blessed that after only nine days in the hospital Genevieve was able to come home. And after one month she was able to come off of her breathing and heart rate monitor. However, we are painfully aware that many families are not blessed with such a happy story.

The March of Dimes is committed to saving babies from premature births by funding research to find the causes. Premature birth is a crisis in our country and we need to come together to help these babies. Please consider making a donation to The March of Dimes in Genevieve's name.

On this day, November 17th, we fight for preemies--because they shouldn't have to.

Click here to donate in Genevieve's name.

*Bloggers Unite: Fight for Preemies

Wordless Wednesday

Seven Months Old

Genevieve, you're SEVEN months old!

What are you up to these days?

• You weigh 17 pounds 12 ounces which is between the 50th and 75th percentile.
  
• You are 26 1/2 inches long which is between the 50th and 75th percentile.
• Your head is 17 inches around, which is between the 75th and 90th percentile. You definitely got that from your mommy!
• You are still wearing a size 3 diaper.
• You wear 6-9 months clothing.
• You love to jump!
• You can roll over both ways! Although, sometimes you forget exactly how you have to move your body in order to roll.
• You can sit up! I told you one day that it was time for you to learn how to sit up and the next day, you did it. You follow directions so well. You love being able to sit up because it allows you to finally play with your feet.
• You are very patient and laid back. Mommy and Daddy are very grateful for that, but it makes us a little scared to think how your future brother or sister will act. I hear it is almost impossible to have two easy babies in a row!
  
• You love books. We lie next to each other and read every night before bed and you enjoy it so much. We usually read Goodnight Moon, but Daddy says we need to find a different book. It is a bit random, but it's a childhood classic so I think we'll keep it for a while.
• You still love vegetables. Fruit--not so much! You are really not a fan of any type of fruit, but the other day I figured out that if I put a little bit of bananas on the spoon and then filled the spoon with peas, you would eat it. Weirdo!
• You are such a happy baby. You have grown developmentally by leaps and bounds this past month. We love you very much!

The Day Target Ruined Halloween

I am apparently the worst mom ever, but I blame this on Target.

You see, I wanted my baybee to be a precious little ladybug for her first Halloween. I purchased a darling little costume at Target and then the morning of Halloween I realized that my darling little lady did not fit into the darling little ladybug costume. Apparently, Target sells these costumes with tags on them that tell mommies and daddies exactly how tall and how heavy the baby can be and still fit in said costume. The only problem is the mommies and daddies must actually read the tag.

No need to fear, I can sew. And by sew, I mean rip two juicy, thigh-sized holes in the bottom of the darn thing!

Fail.

Mega-fail.

You see, the juicy baby thighs fit through the holes, but my baby—she is a plump one.

No need to fear, surely Target still has Halloween costumes!

So, before when I said that I wanted my precious little baybee to be a darling little ladybug for Halloween, I really meant I wanted her to be a plump little pumpkin.

Really I did. Honestly.

This time, I was a smart cookie and I actually read the tag to make sure that my plump little pumpkin would fit into her costume. She would.

Fail.

Mega-fail.

Not. Even. Close.

Desperate to begin creating our family traditions, I called my sister Danika for some advice. My brother-in-law suggested wrapping her in tin foil and calling her leftovers.

GENIUS.

But, Ben would not allow me to do that. Something about child abuse.

So my precious little one did not get to dress up for her first Halloween. I think this entitles me to a Target Gift Card—or more appropriately named, a We-Are-Sorry-We-Robbed-You-And-Your-Family-Of-Precious-Memories Card.

Target, you are on my list.