March for Babies with the March of Dimes

This year marked the sixth year that I have participated in the annual March of Dimes March for Babies event. What started out as a community service effort with some co-workers, handing out water and snacks to walkers, has become a very special day for our family!
When Clayton was born, I decided to leave my post at the water station and join the walkers, and the 3rd year, I started fundraising. Clayton was a full term, perfectly healthy baby boy and it pulled at my heart to see so many families walking in support of their little ones who were born very premature, some weighing only a pound or less. Why were we so fortunate and others not?

When Cole arrived a month early, he was considered a late-preterm infant and due to labor complications, he spent a week in the ICN. What a wake up call it was for us that sometimes, things are just not perfect and do not run smoothly, no matter what you do. We were So fortunate that little Cole was only "early and just small", with no problems or complications. Again, we considered ourselves extremely fortunate and will return to support the March of Dimes each year.

Clayton was so excited to be able to walk down the middle of the street!

After the walk, we met up with the DeKleva Family Team! Kyle is a friend of Chris' from high school. He and his wife, Sarah, are the proud parents of 2 year-old triplets! They were born at 29 weeks and all weighed approximately 2 lbs. They had a much longer road than we can imagine and it's always fun to see them!

Thank You for helping us raise $1,425 for premature babies this year!

Bringing our grand total to over $3,700!

The boys enjoyed some play time at the park before we headed home. Clayton had a great time with Logan, Owen & Ryan... I wish I could have grabbed some pictures of them!

Thank you so much for your support the past 3 years. We are blessed with so many generous friends and family members, and we can't thank you enough! We are thrilled to be helping such a special cause, and be able to share it with the boys! Clayton has already asked about next year... "Us a-go on dat walk again nex time, Mom?" Absolutely, little buddy! Absolutely!