Blogging for Babies: Prematurity Awareness Day 2010

Today is Prematurity Awareness Day, and bloggers have been asked to blog about our experiences with premature birth in order to raise awareness. Did you know that 1 in 8 babies is born too soon? Did you know that African-American women are more likely to deliver prematurely? Did you know that being pregnant with multiples increases your risk for a premature birth? Did you know that in the US premature births are actually on the rise? Do you know anyone who has delivered prematurely? Do you love someone who was born too soon? Did you know that the beautiful brown boys who this blog is all about struggled to live each and every day for the first few weeks of their lives?


Ryan and Evan were born approximately 15 weeks early. Not due until September 16, 2009, The Parker twins were born on June 8, 2009 at 6:28am and 6:29am. They weighed 1lb 12oz and 1lb 11oz. They relied on a ventilator breath for them because their lungs were underdeveloped. They were fed through a NG tube because they could not suck and swallow. Nobody knew what their future would hold. We didn't know if they would live, walk, see, hear, or talk. All we knew is that we loved them, we wanted them, and that we knew the One who controls all things.

If you look at the Peas today and you didn't know our story, you may not even realize any of this. As you watch these two healthy, happy, smart, funny, rambunctious, sweet, adorable, observant, and feisty toddlers walk, run, climb, dance, talk, and play you would never know that their mother used to sit and think, "Will my babies ever___________?" In those early days, I truly didn't know that any of what my babies can do would ever be possible.

Everyday that I chase them around our home is a blessing. The climbing on the couch that I mentioned the other day? Well, that's a blessing too. The screaming and whining you're sure to hear if you are ever in our home? Music to this mama's ears. I remember a day when they couldn't cry because of the breathing tube that was down their throat. The food that I have to I pick up from the floor when they've had enough to eat? I don't mind at all, because my babies can eat by mouth and I do not have to feed them through a tube. The gibberish mixed with real words that I hear throughout the day ? A sigh of relief for me. The attitude that I get times two every day when they don't get their way? I smile because I know that those beautiful brains of theirs are in those beautiful brown heads working as they should, and not having to figure out how to compensate for a brain bleed. The fact that Nick Jr. has taken over every TV in my house? Not a problem, because the Peas can see, hear, listen to and understand their favorite shows. Chasing two babies around the house? Changing two diapers? Giving two baths? Wrestling two toddlers to get them dressed? Absolutely exhausting, but so worth it. I carried two babies into Yale New Haven Hospital almost 18 months ago, and I walked out of that NICU for the last time 89 and 95 days later with my two babies in my arms. Now if I choose to, I can take them back and they can walk through those doors all by themselves.

Sadly, some mama, somewhere can't say the same things. All because of prematurity.


The March of Dimes is an organization that has taken a stand against prematurity, and because of its research, babies like Ryan and Evan have benefited from life saving medicines and treatments. Ryan and Evan had to fight, but babies shouldn't have to fight. All babies deserve nine months. All of them. Please support The March of Dimes in its efforts to help make this possible.