Better late than never

For the 4th year in a row, my family formed a team for the March of Dimes March for Babies. We're back with a new team name. We're now Team Shining Stars. Having 4 preemies, it only seemed fitting to incorporate all of them into the team name. Skylar, Terran, Addison, and Riley were all born between 25 and 32 weeks gestation. Terran was often referred to as a Shining Star in the NICU.
So, while we're late to the game this year, I'm confident that with the help of my wonderful friends and family, that I'll be able to reach my goal of $1,000 for our team. If you're local and would like to walk with us, we'd love to have your support. If you're unable to join our team, I ask that you please consider making a donation to support Team Shining Stars. You can click on the banner to the right and find out more information on walking with or sponsoring our team. No donation is too small and every dollar is appreciated. The March of Dimes funded research that saved my boys lives and I will be forever grateful for their commitment to helping babies that are born too soon.

Parents of Preemies Day

So, I guess Pampers diapers has come up with the idea of having a nationally recognized Parents of Preemies Day. I'll happily celebrate the first one with them. Anything that helps brings awareness to preemies and what kind of impact they have on your life as a parent is ok in my book.

With that in mind, I'm excited to say that this morning I received a call from the head NICU doctor at the hospital where all 4 of my boys spent the beginning of their lives. He asked me if I would be interested in joining the parents advisory council for the NICU. I'll be helping to coordinate support groups for parents with babies in the NICU and also helping to write family friendly policies for the NICU. That's really as much as I know right now. I'm supposed to hear from another lady in the next few days who will give me more information. But, I'm so excited! Ever since the twins came home, I wondered how I could help and have it directly benefit the NICU at the Reading Hospital. March of Dimes is great and all, but having experienced so much of NICU life, I thought it would be great to give back to the people who are in there every day, navigating their path through the ups and downs of a baby in the NICU, and adjusting their lives to prepare themselves for what the future will bring. I can't think of anyone better to give support than people who have sat in those same exact rocking chairs, scrubbed their hands in the same sinks, and sat for endless amounts of time in their breastfeeding room both pumping and trying to teach their tiny baby how to breastfeed. I've been there and I've come through it a stronger person (not without scars though. I truly believe I have some leftover PTSD from the twins birth and first year of life) and so have many other parents. I truly feel honored that I was asked to do this and I can't wait to join the other parents!

First dentist visits

I finally found a wonderful dentist who is great with the kids. The twins finally had their first dentist visits yesterday. They did go well! They went back, to separate rooms, and me and Skylar switched back and forth so that someone was with them the whole time. They counted teeth (both have 20!), and gave them a quick cleaning. No cavities! And, the best part (at least for the boys) was getting cool Lightning McQueen toothbrushes when they were finished. They proudly carried them out of the rooms, and were eager to show them off to everyone when we got home. They couldn't wait to open them and brush their teeth. And first thing this morning I heard..."you brush mine teeth wif mine yeitning queen toofbrush"
Tomorrow Addison goes for his pediatric psychologist visit for an IQ test to see if he qualifies for SSI. Wish us luck. I'm curious how well an hour long appointment with this psychologist is going to go considering Addison rarely talks to strangers. I'm sure it will be interesting.