March for Babies 2009

Abby Kate ~ 4 pounds, 7 ounces, 18 inches

Joshua ~ 2 pounds, 5 ounces, 14 inches

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

About 12.5 million babies are born too early each and every year. I went into preterm labor with the twins at 20 weeks and was put on bed rest immediately after being given medicine to stop my contractions. At 33 weeks, our twins were born weighing in at 4 and 2 pounds. Almost 13 percent of premature babies are born between 32 and 33 weeks. I also went into preterm labor with Jackson at 26 weeks, but I was able to carry him to term with the help of medicine and rest.

Premature babies can suffer from a wide variety of health complications. Thankfully, Joshua and Abby Kate were both healthy and strong, just a little on the small side. We will always be grateful for the special care our twins received from the doctors and nurses of the NICU at this critical time in their lives. Since then, the March of Dimes has been a cause that has been very near to our hearts.

The March of Dimes helps give children like ours the attention and treatment they need. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and many life long disabilities. The funds we raise for the March of Dimes supports research that saves babies' lives.

Please check out our personal page and consider making a donation to a very special cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

We would like to invite all family and friends out to this year's March for Babies Campaign on Saturday, April 4, 2009. If you would like to join our family in this year's March for Babies, please let me know. It would be our honor to have you participate with us in a cause that is so important to our family. We had the best time walking with our friends last year and we hope that you can join us this year!

March for Babies 2008
We are so thankful for our healthy babies!