SuperBaby Brendan

Brendan.  He is an active 5 (FIVE! when did that happen) year old and will be starting kindergarten in the fall.  He loves all sports, Wii, Berenstain Bears books, the Detroit Pistons, Lions, and Tigers, and being silly.  He knows how to make us laugh and says the funniest things all the time.  He never slows down and I'm not sure he knows how to walk.  He runs!  He's a great big brother and Lila lights up when she sees him.  He's confident and smart.  He is definitely a mommy's boy and says things like, " I love you one million." and every night he prays, "Dear God.  Thank you for mommy, daddy, and lila. Amen."

He is our miracle baby.  The baby that just was too busy to cook for nine months.  The baby that was "done" with being on the inside and wanted out.  He came into the world pink and screaming which is normal except he was 10 weeks early.  We were prepared for a baby that was not breathing and a baby that would be whisked away immediately to the NICU without us seeing him.  That is what the doctors told us.  Instead we were surprised to see this teeny little guy looking at us and breathing well on his own.  We even held him before he was whisked away.  I remember my doctor saying, "Well this is a surprise."  He was even able to surprise both grandmas by having his eyes open and looking at them.  He continued to thrive and needed no oxygen his entire stay.  He passed every test with flying colors.  He was the exception to every preemie rule.  He came home after only 31 days in the NICU.  He was only 34 weeks and 4 pounds.

It wasn't until over a year later that what actually happened started to set in.  We were blessed with this healthy little guy and then when he was just over one he ended up in the hospital on oxygen for four days.  He had pneumonia and his lungs just couldn't handle it.  One night the Respiratory Tech came in to administer his breathing treatment.  She said we looked familiar and I told her he was a preemie and had been born the year before was in the NICU. 
She said, "Now I remember!  He was a 30 weeker and never needed oxygen."

I said, "That's right."

She goes, "I always remember the little ones that just don't need it.  30 weekers are either really good or really bad."

Then it hit me.  It could have been so much worse.  I prayed that we were blessed with this healthy baby and I prayed for all the babies who needed extra help to thrive.  I think to this day I am still in awe of the situation.  The NICU is unlike any other place when you have a new little baby.  The feelings you get when you are discharged and you leave empty handed or when you have to say goodnight to your baby and leave for the night and then wondering if they will call you to come back.

This is why I walk.  So many babies are born every day too soon and many women do not know why they go into labor.  I don't.  I had an easy pregnancy and then just went into labor.  It is so unexpected and scary.  I want to help give all babies their nine months.  Even babies born just a few weeks early are at risk.  We have walked as "Team Superbaby" since 2006.  We have raised thousands of dollars to help babies and walked many many miles for these babies. Last year Brendan walked all three miles!  Our team continues to grow each year and we are so blessed that so many family members walk with us.

Team Superbaby 2006

Our team tshirts and logo!

Our second walk

Team Superbaby 2007

Our third walk

                                     

Team Superbaby 2008

Team Superbaby 2009

Our fifth walk plus Lila's first...our full term baby! 

Team Superbaby 2010

Please consider donating for this special cause and help us give babies their nine months!

Every Monday until the walk I will post "March for Babies Monday" with information about our team and March of Dimes!  Stayed tuned for a "Blossoms for Babies" fundraiser!