March for Babies Kick-Off

Today, i am kicking off my personal March for Babies campaign. My goal this year is to personally raise $2000.00 for the March of Dimes.

I have donated to many charities over the years and what I have found about the March of Dimes is that the mission is always at the center of their fundraising. Every event I go to or meeting I attend, there is always someone their talking abou their experience with the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is so much more grass-roots than other non-profits I have been exposed to.

I always say that if it were not for the March of Dimes, my boys would not be here. I don't always tell everyone why this is the case.

My boys needed Surfactant to breathe when they were born as they were born with respiratory distress due to their prematurity and small size. Without it they would have died!

This is why I am forever grateful to the March of Dimes research....

The March of Dimes has a long history of funding research on newborn lung development and has invested over $12.5 million in researchers studying this important issue. One of the most important breakthroughs in this field was the work of T. Allen Merritt, MD, at the University of California San Diego Medical Center. His research showing the effectiveness of surfactant therapy for premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) helped convince the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve surfactant therapy to prevent and treat RDS. Surfactant is a detergent-like substance produced in the lungs that aids in breathing. Since surfactant therapy became widespread, infant deaths due to RDS have dropped by over two-thirds. The March of Dimes continues to support research to develop new and more effective surfactant therapies.

The FDA didn't approve Surfactant until the 1980's. That is in all of our lifetimes. Had we been born this little and premature, we would have died. That fact always puts this into perspective for me. There is still so much work to be done so half a million babies have a healthy start in life.

Please help me support the March of Dimes by going to www.marchforbabies.com/karenuad

Here you will find my Walk team and how to sign up to walk with us or donate to our team.

Where is Santa?

I was telling my friend Heidi this cute story and she said "oh you have to right that down." I don't know why I haven't blogged this yet. So here it is..

I took the boys to the bank to deposit some checks. I thought the bank I went to had a drive through teller but it didn't so I was forced in 2 degrees weather to take the kids into the bank. I was giving the teller my checks when I hear both my boys shouting "HO HO HO". Everyone in the bank looks and they are pointed to a dear old man who was short, stocky with a grey beard and rosy cheeks from being out in the cold. I tried to quiet them down but louder they point and shout "HO HO HO". Everyone cracked up laughing while I shhhed them telling them it wasn't SANTA. In the end, I hated to spoil it for them so I decided to tell them Yes, santa is at the bank.

Just ask my kids where santa is...they will shout "AT THE BANK" with delight.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season. The new year is upon us and I have lots I want to accomplish this year.

1. I always have a New Year Resolution to send birthday cards out. I admire those people who always remember birthdays with cards that always make it to the recipient on time. I am always good for a birthday phone call and chat but cards have never been my thing. I say every year that this will change and I will again attempt it.
2. I want to get better organized. My new laptop will definately help with this. I can stay in bed and pay bills, blog, work etc. I just love this thing!!!
3. I want to work on my blog more. I want to customize it to fit my personality. Just have to learn how!
4. This year another mom and I who volunteer with the March of Dimes will be starting a NICU support group. This is a big project but will be so rewarding when it is up and running. I can't wait to report how the year goes with this.

5. This year I will get to my pre-marriage weight!! After years of infertility, twin pregnancy and emotional eating through 3 1/2 months in the NICU, it is about time I am able to fit back into my wedding ring. 15 pounds already gone, only 15 more to go!!!

6. This year Liam and Tommy will start pre-school. I feel the tears already welling in my eyes. Can't believe these were my 1 pound babies.

I won't bore anyone else with the rest. I am hoping for a highly successful and rewarding year. It is already off to a great start. Mark's new job is allowing for so much more family time which eases up so much stress on the both of us.

I also got a new digital camera for Xmas. I am just learning to use it so here are some photos during a pre-bedtime photo shoot!

TOMMY

William