March for Babies

We walked in our second annual March of Dimes, March for Babies walk on Saturday, April 24. Last year, we did the Portland walk but this year we decided to do the Vancouver walk instead. Our team name was the 'Marching Miracles' and combined we raised over $800!! I'm so proud of all of our friends and family for coming together and raising so much money for such a special cause. Without the advances in medical technology (and funding for those advances), who knows where Tyce and Shay would be today and for that we are forever grateful.

From left to right: Steve, Emily, Christopher, James, William, Jean, Mandy, Cade, Grandma Dawn, Me, Tycen, Scott, Shaylie, Oma, Kai, Nancy

The other babies that walked with us are very special friends of ours. The triplets, Christopher, James and William were born at 29 weeks and had a similar NICU experience as we did. Cade is such a special little boy who, like Tyce and Shay, was born at 27 weeks gestation. He had IUGR and weighed just 1 lb 7 oz. He is now 3 years old and is doing amazingly well. His mom, Mandy, shared his story with us when Tyce and Shay were in the NICU at Legacy Hospital during a twice monthly family night support group and we drew a lot of strength and inspiration from them.

My friend, Jennifer, was also signed up to walk with us with her son, Tyler, but had an unexpected conflict come up last minute. Tyler was born at just 23 weeks gestation. As you could only imagine, he had a very long and challenging experience during the first few months and probably years of his life. He is 9 years old now and is also doing very well. Their story was another one that brought us much inspiration during our first several weeks in the NICU when the unknown seemed so unbearable at times. I'm so very grateful to have such wonderful friends who can relate to what it was like having children born prematurely.

After the walk, my mom, Aunt Nancy, Oma, Kai, Scott, Tyce, Shay and I all walked over to the farmer's market and then to Starbucks to enjoy a nice lunch and afternoon coffee together:

Shaylie and Kai holding hands :)

I want to give a special thank you to my mom, aunt Nancy, Oma and Kai for showing us your love and support by walking with us in this special event. It means more to us than you know!

We continue to praise the Lord for how far Tycen and Shaylie have come since entering this world just over 12 weeks prematurely. Without Him, we know we would not be where we are today. We make a commitment to continually support and pray for other families who have also experienced what it is like to have a child or children born too soon.