Pumpkins For My PUNKINS!

Blog for Preemies

We, like many of you, are big advocates for the March of Dimes and prevention of premature births. Before it actually happened to us, I thought that being born a few weeks (or more) early was "no big deal. That's what the NICU and doctors are for, right?" But until you actually experience the NICU and crying over the scariness of having a baby who's lungs don't function (amongst other things) or seeing the other babies who have it much worse than yours, you can never understand. It's true that medical advancements have increased the chances of saving the lives of many preemies, like our girls (Ashleigh in particular), but prematurity isn't something that should be taken lightly. Even though, on the surface, things my seem OK, you just never know what impairments each premature child might face in the future.

That is why I am posting the following article for you all to read so we can all be cognisant and aware of this prevalent #1 killer of newborns in the US.

Fight For Preemies
http://www.marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies
November 17, 2009
Objective: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.

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own?
Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities.

Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

Medical advances give even the tiniest babies a chance of survival, yet for many babies premature birth is still a life or death condition. It’s the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. And babies who survive face serious health challenges and risk lifelong disabilities.

The rate of premature birth has never been higher. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. We need to fight for answers. And, ultimately, preventions.

November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth.

The March of Dimes invites bloggers like you to get involved.

• Learn about premature birth at marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies

• Put a badge on your blog during November, Prematurity Awareness Month®

• On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others

We need to fight - because babies shouldn't have to.

Move over, I'm crowded....

After an hour of naps today (and JUST as I was laying down to close my eyes) I heard someone crying "Mommy, Mommy!" This is not unusual since we've moved. The girls have become ultra dependent upon me, especially when it comes to nap and night times. I have to sit on the floor in their room, usually holding someone's hand (Avery) or holding a body (Jordyn, grr) and retrieve falling paci's (ashleigh and avery---another bad habit), until everyone is asleep. I throw in an extra 5 minutes after the last twitch of movement just for good measure. Learned that the hard way.





So, there I was, laying on the couch about to take a snooze, which I knew would be short because by the time I finished the dishes and eating my lunch, they had already been sleeping for an hour. Here's my confession. When I heard the "mommy-ing" I ducked down behind the couch cushions so whomever it was (Avery) wouldn't see me. Horrible, I know. But you can't run to them every time they make a peep. I'm trying to teach them to soothe themselves...again....


Well, I heard the pocket door slowly slide open a little, little footsteps coming, pausing, then retreating closing the pocket door again. I waited a while, fully expecting to hear toys being dumped out of the toy box and bickering over who stole what from whom, but there was just silence. Worrisome silence. Then I remembered that I needed to hurry and make sure they went on the potty, if they hadn't already gone elsewhere. So I slowly opened up the pocket door and peered through a crack...and nothing! So I thought maybe they were playing in their room, getting out shoes and things as they have been known to often do. I crept down the hall, avoiding the creaky floorboards (yes, brand new, and creaky. grr) and peeked into their room. I can see Ashleigh's and Avery's bed from the doorway and they are empty!! But I don't hear any noise...I turn back around and look in the playroom again and all is quiet. I panic and check the front door thinking they've escaped---but no! Still locked!


I decide to peek around the corner towards Jordyn's bed and the closet, thinking maybe they are inside the closet (which is also not uncommon). I beheld the cutest, most beautiful sight (so of course I ran and got my camera)

Jordyn had some bed-crashers! That's her in the blue pushed to the back of the bed.

I'm absolutely amazed that they went back to sleep after already sleeping an hour! Not sure what possessed them to climb into Jordyn's bed, or how in the world they fell asleep this way, but it was great! I went and laid down, thinking I would have 10 or 15 minutes....but then I am awoken by three happy faces 45 minutes later! Hallelujah!

And to top it all off-----They were still dry! Yippee!!!!

Pics

There are some pics of the new house on the other blog. Check 'em out if you'd like!