Daddy Daughter Date Night

Our local Chick-fil-a has started something that I think is really neat!

They host a Daddy Daughter Date Night! They have reserved tables, seated the daddies and their daughters, took their orders, the whole nine yards. They even gave the daughters roses at the end of the date.

Chad and Kyndall didn't make it to the first one, but we made sure they were able to make it to this last one.

Chad said Kyndall ate all the fruit and then proceeded to feed him all the chicken. She ate ice cream and really wanted to play.

Hopefully this is something they will be able to continue to go to. I think its neat that Chick-fil-a is doing something like this. I absolutely love to see daddies with their little girls (but that may have something to do with the fact that I'm a Daddy's Girl...)

March of Dimes Monday

We have 8 days left until Bank Day, and Team Kyndall is a LONG way away from their goal of $1000.

Well, would you like to help a good cause, and get something out of it? Then check out my Facebook auction benefiting the March of Dimes.

The auction is running until Saturday April 30 at 10pm Central time.

15 Days

Only 15 days until we March for Babies!!

Why do we march? Check out these pictures to see why!

Everyone one of these sweet children and their family was touched by premature birth in one form or another, and had it not been for the March of Dimes, they may not be here today.

Please think about the people you know. Most likely at least one family has been affected considering 1 in 8 babies are born too soon. Now, think about how you would feel if you were that family. You'd be scared, worried, anxious.

By donating to the March of Dimes through Team Kyndall, you will be helping thousands of families who are touched by prematurity every day.

Wordless Wednesday

March of Dimes Monday

Please welcome guest blogger, Beth. Before I had my daughter, I really didn’t pay attention to the March of Dimes. During my pregnancy I had received a pamphlet, and I probably glanced at it and then returned to what I thought were more important items in the mail. Sure it’s important to get more folic acid to prevent birth defects, but I was healthy with great prenatal care. I did not need the March of Dimes. Ignorance is bliss for those that don’t know what the future holds for them. Lucky for our family, the March of Dimes is there to support and prevent premature birth from occurring and improve survivability of the littlest babies. Through their research and your donations our nightmare has turned into a gorgeous giggling miracle. As I mentioned above, I had a great pregnancy. We barely had to even try to conceive, and I was pregnant. No vomiting, no nausea, I was tired but it was bearable. I quit drinking alcohol and caffeine, and ate as healthy as possible. I was not showing at all, and I enjoyed keeping it my little secret. I didn't tell people at work until I was 20 weeks pregnant. Nobody had even guessed. I worked full time. I modified my exercising, but kept running. I felt fine, no pain and I was keeping up with everything. My doctor’s appointments were all normal. Blood tests were all normal. We found out we were having a little girl. She was wiggly on ultrasound, so we did two to get everything measured. I could feel her move all the time. We named her Kate. I started to talk to her on my way to work, during a run, or just when I was sitting watching t.v.. For us, the nightmare all happened in a matter of week. Without realizing it I started to go into preterm labor in my 22nd week of pregnancy. I then awoke having bloody discharge. We immediately went to the nearest emergency room. I was dilated to 5 cm with my amniotic bag protruding from my cervix. I was instantly given a shot of betamethasone. A magnesium drip was started. I was then transported via helicopter to Spokane, WA where they had a level III NICU that would be better able to help me. I want to repeat one part of this because I think it is the most critical. I WAS INSTANTLY GIVEN A SHOT OF BETHAMETHASONE. I received another shot 24 hours later. My labor was delayed for another 10 days, and I then delivered our daughter at 25 weeks gestation. She was 800 grams at birth (1 lb 12 oz). She entered the scary world as one of the smallest of the small, fighting for life for over 90 days in the NICU.

Our daughter in general had a very good course in the NICU for such a small individual. She was never on a ventilator, never needed surfactant, did not have any intracranial hemorrhages and escaped NEC infection. And these are all things that I feel were prevented in part by the use of steroid and being at a level III NICU. And this is directly related to the March of Dimes.

The March of Dimes has been working for decades to help educate families and the medical world in ways to prevent premature birth as well as providing the best treatment for those born too early. A simple shot of steroids has the ability to change an individuals life, and their families. The delay of a birth for week, especially in the case of those born before 27 weeks is literally the difference between life and death.

Our life with our daughter has been a long adventure. I am proud of who she is becoming and the challenges she has already over come. She will be 2 in June, and keeps us on our toes all the time. She is now almost 24 lbs now and though she has some delays our lives are incredibly rich because she is in it. I had no risks factors for premature birth. We still do not know why I went into premature labor.

Each day I get to hold a precious miracle. I am able to physically see the work that the March of Dimes has made possible. We all have to remember and educate others that every single day and even the simplest of treatments matter in pregnancy. Please continue to support this great organization and fight for babies like mine and others.

Thank you Beth for sharing your story!

Please, if you would like to help, go to the Team Kyndall page and make a donation.

Wordless Wednesday

March of Dimes Monday

What is the medical definition of a premature baby? -Premature born before 37 weeks -Moderately premature born between 35 and 37 weeks -Very premature born between 29 and 34 weeks -Extremely premature born between 24 and 28 weeks -Low birth weight baby weighs less than 2,500 g (5.5 lbs) -Very low birth weight baby weighs less than 1,500 g (3.0 lbs) -Extremely low birth weight baby weighs less than 1,000 g (2.2 lbs) Did you know there were some famous people who were born prematurely? The list includes: -Pablo Picasso -Thomas Hardy -Franklin Roosevelt -John Keats -Mark Twain -Napoleon Bonaparte -Sir Winston Churchill -Stevie Wonder -Jean-Jacques Rousseau -Issac Newton -Charles Darwin - Albert Einstein What does the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(NICU) do? -help maintain baby's temperature -helps the baby breath -helps the baby eat -helps the parents learn how to take care of their baby(ies) -work together as doctors, nurses, specialists, and parents to work out a plan that will help the baby become as healthy as they can as fast as possible.

What does the March of Dimes do? -Teach mothers how to be as healthy as they can while pregnant -Helps create a support system -Educates health care professionals -reduce the rate of premature birth, and to raise public awareness about the seriousness of the problem.

What can you do to help? -Donate, volunteer, and/or walk. You can donate here and find a local walk here.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

Yesterday, we went to the Rangers/Red Sox game. It was pretty fun! Here are the Red Sox during batting practice. We got Kyndall a new shirt. Gotta support our home town boy, Chris Davis. I saw him play high school baseball!

We also got Lemon and Strawberry Chills before the game started since we were sitting in the direct sun. Kyndall thought the strawberry one was good to the last drop. Then got upset when it was "gone gone."

Here she is dancing on daddy's lap after the GRAND SLAM!

She wasn't so interested in taking a picture with mommy though. This is the best we got.

The Rangers ended up winning 12 to 5. We left in the 7th inning since Kyndall was starting to get cold, and we really didn't want her to get sick.

After the game, we went to my friends house for the night. This morning the kids swam for a bit after a super yummy huckleberry pancake breakfast!

We're hoping to make it to another game this season.