This is the 2nd year in participating in the Baby Steps 3k event.  I encourage you to donate to this special cause.  It will benefit so many families who will have an unexpected journey having the their baby or babies in the NICU, ICC and the Special Care Nursery at Children's Hospital.  This fundraising event will help with education for parents and the staff, donor breast milk (for mother's who unable to nurse), meal vouchers (you spend a lot of time at hospital-very convenient to just get food there), parking vouchers (5 passes are $20 for comparison-), memory items (for those babies who have passed-i.e. cameras, photo books, imprint items, for hands and feet, and more), books for parents to read to their babies and a NicView cameras for families that are unable to visit as often as they like i.e. live too far way, work commitments, having children at home.  Last year, we raised $125,000.  WHOO HOO!!!  Just to add to the parking vouchers-Joey and I would visit with Russell  2-3x a day. Parking fee would be a around $6 depending how long you there.  We were very forunate that my insurance covered the parking fees.  Some families don't have have that luxury!!

Our story:

Russell was born Wednesday March 20th 2013 @ 6:09pm-13 weeks early @ 26w 6th day due to him being in distress.  I had an emergency c-section because Russell's was breach. He weighed 1lb 7oz  12" long.  He was born anemic because I started building antibodies to iron.  We also learned that I had a maternal fetal hemorrhage.  This is where the blood was reverting back to me therefore, Russell was born with 50% less blood volume.  If we had waited any longer; we would have delivered a dead baby.  God was watching over us! I was orginally admitted because my blood pressure spiked dangerously high due to my renal failure.  Although my renal failure did not impact the outcome of my deliverly but it was a sure sign to be in the right place at the right time.  Russell was born very sick. He was born bronze and to continued to be bronze for another 3 day.  During that time they were treating him for his blood pressure.  He was on 3 blood pressure meds with a 50% chance that one of them would leave a hole in stomach.  It was later that they were able to control it.  During that time, we also learned that Russell had a grade 4 IVH (intraventircular hemorrhage-bleeding into the fluid-filled areas (ventricles) inside the brain).  Very Scary!! Which Later would result in a VP shunt.  Russell spent 2 months in the NICU-transferred to ICC on May 20, 2013 and would spend another 6 weeks there.  His complete stay was a total of 111 days.  He was discharged on Thurdsday July 11th 2013.  That was a glorious day!! Russell did have his VP Shunt placed on Friday Nov 16th 2013.  His shunt continues work with no issues so far.  His head circumfirence still remains at 48 cm/19.5".  His is growing into his head.  His head size is in the 44th percentile, which is remarkable considering it was always in the 99th percentile.  Russell is continuing to do well.  He is 2 now.  Weights 24.8lbs and is 31" tall.  He is rolling, sitting, walking with assistants, crawling on all fours, pulling up, pushing into a sit from a crawl, saying some sounds, knows some sign language, communicates well, loves his car toys, eats exceptionally well and is such a happy baby boy.  We are very blessed that Russell continues to do well and surprises us and his peers each and every day!  But again......it's all on Russell's time!!!!