A purple White House? November 16, 2012
If you have read my blog for some time, you know that I went…um…crazy…when I went past my due date and was still pregnant. I was 41 weeks along when I was induced. Now that I’m two years removed from my hormonal haze, I realize how unbelievably blessed I was to be pregnant that long. Charlotte came out round, screaming, and squishy like all babies should. Full-term.
November 2, 2010. The day I became a mama.
Since I started working with the March of Dimes as a member of their Board of Directors Eastern North Carolina Division I have learned so much about their mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Of the 16,000 babies born too soon each year in my home state, North Carolina, half of the cases happen for unknown reasons. That means it could have been me. My water could have broken early and I could have delivered my baby too soon even with proper prenatal care. Doctors are still searching for answers as to why healthy women go into labor too soon. Check out more stats here.
I’m sure you all know someone who was, or has had a preemie. My dear friend Nicole did everything right. She got all the proper care. It happened to her. She has two little 2 1/2 year-old angels named Avery and Raegan. Their picture is above. When I say these kids are miracles, I mean they are miracles. The twins were born at about 25 weeks and had extensive stays in the NICU. Avery has endured multiple surgeries to put a stint in his brain. He now has hearing aids and a special wheelchair. He is a little fighter and doctors continue to be amazed at his progress! Raegan is Little Miss Personality and it’s a joy to see her run around with Charlotte.
Nicole and Avery on Halloween
Nicole’s husband, Keith and Raegan
Saturday is World Prematurity Day. The March of Dimes is working to get enough signatures to light the White House purple for one night for prematurity awareness. That’s where you come in, readers! Get pumped! Please sign the petition. Sign it for Avery. Sign it for Raegan. Sign it for any preemie you’ve ever known. Sign it for the full-term, fat 10-pounders you know. Sign it with thanksgiving for your healthy children. Sign it with the hope that all babies will be born strong and healthy. Sign it and then tell me who you’re signing it for in the comments below. It’s super easy, I promise! Here’s the link. Let’s light the White House purple!
Spread it around:
Didn’t think I could love you more! But I do for writing this! Thank you for the awareness and the beautiful things you said about Avery and Raegan. I signed it for them and for all babies born to soon! I signed it for Charlotte and all the other little loves that bring joy to my friends life! I sign it in hopes that if there is another little miracle in our future it will just be the miracle of life, not a miracle that they survived in the struggle for life. Thank you! Love you!
I love you too! Thanks for signing!
I signed it for all the preemies in my life, including the Castle twins and my sweet neice Ava Leigh. I am so grateful everyday for my sweet healthy boy (who was 3 weeks early,but luckily perfectly healthy!) Thank you for bringing attention to this issue! I always love reading your blog, you always make me smile!
I love you Cassie! And the Bri-Guy too! Thanks for reading and for signing!
lovely. signed.
thanks for raising awareness on a good cause!
Thanks for always being supportive, Katharine!
I signed it for my gils; Hazel and Matilda- both 6 weeks early but healthy. I also signed it for every parent who has lost or held onto an angel born early. XO
Thanks Jess! Hugs to you and your sweet little ladies!