Friday, March 29, 2013
Tulip Fest
Today began the Tulip Fest at Wooden Shoe in Monitor. We love this festival and were anxious to be there on the first day of a 5-week run. Our great friends met us there and the weather even cooperated. Here are a few pictures to make you all yearn for Oregon.
Rocks and Flowers
Taevin found a "map of Africa rock" today. I found pretty colors of flowers. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Why We March - Repost
I march for many reasons. Taevin entered our lives successfully on September 25th, 2009 at Silverton Hospital. He needed no lifesaving measures, no NICU visit, just love. I march in thanksgiving for him and in hopes for more babies to have a safe and healthy entrance to this world.
Rieve has grown up to be quite the trouble making, opinionated, sweet and delightful 4 year old. I march in appreciation for all we were given to save his life. He is our miracle.
I march because I know how lucky and fortunate we are to have Denavae in our lives. Denavae is a vibrant, beautiful, and intelligent 4 year old. Because of her experience in the NICU, she survived and thrives. Thanks to March of Dimes, NICUs were established in 1976 (the year I was born).
We will never forget our 2 months in the NICU. This is Rieve next to a Beanie Baby Bear (yes, a regular size Beanie Baby) on St. Patrick's Day.
Rhett holding our tiny miracle. You can see the fear and hesitation in his eyes. I cannot imagine what this time would have been like without a NICU for our babies.
Rieve was born weighing 1lb 5oz. In utero, the perinatologist discovered Rieve's blood flow out to 0f the placenta was compromised and sometimes reversing. This is a fatal condition if not resolved. I waited in the hospital on bed rest for 9 days until he started to show signs of failing. At that point, we knew Rieve would expire within 24-48 hours if not delivered. We delivered. It was probably the most frightening day of my life. After I was gutted, I waited for Rhett in the recovery room. I was afraid to ask him how they were, so I didn't. 
Denavae weighed 2lbs 2oz at birth. She struggled more early on because her body (unlike her brother's) was not preparing itself for delivery. Both babies were given surfactant, a drug developed through MOD research to help the lungs open upon breathing. This, along with numerous other technologies, saved their lives.Why do we march? For babies, ours and those yet to be.
Please support our efforts to raise money and awareness for this organization. Visit our pledge site at marchforbabies.org/mickistwins
March of Dimes Milestones - Repost
Here is a condensed timeline of significant accomplishments of the March of Dimes. You can find the entire timeline at the MOD website. I am blown away by how much this organization has done and continues to do to help every baby have a healthy start.
March of Dimes Milestones and Timeline
January 1938
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt establishes the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis - a unique partnership of scientists and volunteers - to conquer polio.
Eddie Cantor creates the first grassroots fund-raiser for the National Foundation, asking the public to send dimes to President Roosevelt at the White House. The effort was called the March of Dimes, which later became part of the official name of the foundation.
1939
March of Dimes first chapter is established in Coshocton, Ohio.
1941
March of Dimes provides first iron lung to assist polio victims.
1950
First Mothers March launched in Phoenix, Arizona., to raise emergency funding during a serious polio outbreak.
1952
Virginia Apgar, M.D., develops the Apgar Score, a clinical system for evaluating an infant's physical condition at birth. By the end of the decade, it becomes the standard practice in obstetrical care throughout the world, and remains so today. Her scoring system was the crucial first step in the evolution of medical subspecialties focused on newborns. Dr. Apgar worked from 1959 until her death in 1974 for the March of Dimes.
1954
March of Dimes runs field trials of Salk vaccine with 1,830,000 schoolchildren participating. The test is the largest peacetime mobilization of volunteers in history.
1958
March of Dimes initiates the first concerted efforts to save babies from birth defects.
1962
Oral polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Albert Sabin with funding from the March of Dimes is licensed.
1970
First WalkAmerica events take place in San Antonio, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio.
1973
March of Dimes researchers discover that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes birth defects.
March of Dimes funds first in utero treatment for a birth defect.
April Murphy is first baby to be successfully treated in the womb for birth defects
1976
March of Dimes calls for creation of a regional system of newborn intensive care units to save sick babies.
1984
March of Dimes funds development of a newborn screening test for biotinidase deficiency, which can cause mental retardation and death unless treated promptly.
1985
March of Dimes funds research leading to the use of surfactant to treat respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Danielle Cofey is one of first infants to be treated with life-saving surfactant therapy.
1989
March of Dimes grantee performs the first in utero surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia in an unborn baby.
Blake Schultz is first baby to undergo lifesaving fetal surgery to correct a diaphragmatic hernia.
1991
March of Dimes funds research showing that delivering babies with spina bifida by cesarean section may save them from paralysis.
March of Dimes grantees identify genes responsible for Marfan syndrome -- an inherited disorder of connective tissue, and fragile X syndrome -- the most common known familial cause of mental retardation.
1994
March of Dimes launches nationwide campaign urging women to take the B vitamin folic acid to help prevent neural tube birth defects.
1996
March of Dimes-supported research on nitric oxide leads to a new treatment to save premature babies from persistent pulmonary hypertension, a deadly lung disorder.
March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the Mothers' and Newborns' Health Protection Act, guaranteeing a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours following delivery.
1997
March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), to provide health care coverage for up to 5 million children.
1998
March of Dimes research leads to one of the first successful surgeries to treat spina bifida before birth. Noah Kipfmiller is one of the first babies to undergo this pioneering open-womb surgical procedure.
2002
The March of Dimes promotion of folic acid fortification and awareness contributed to a 21 percent decline in the occurrence of neural tube birth defects between 1995 - 2000.
2003
March of Dimes launches a multimillion dollar, multiyear campaign to prevent premature birth and raise awareness of its serious consequences.
2006
March of Dimes advocacy leads to passage of the PREEMIE Act to bring together experts from the private and public sectors to speed development of prevention strategies for preterm labor and delivery.
2007
March of Dimes volunteer efforts lead to increase in newborn screening. Nearly 90 percent of all babies born in the U.S. – more than double the percentage in 2005 – live in states that require screening for at least 21 of 29 life-threatening but treatable disorders.
March of Dimes Milestones and Timeline
January 1938
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt establishes the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis - a unique partnership of scientists and volunteers - to conquer polio.
Eddie Cantor creates the first grassroots fund-raiser for the National Foundation, asking the public to send dimes to President Roosevelt at the White House. The effort was called the March of Dimes, which later became part of the official name of the foundation.
1939
March of Dimes first chapter is established in Coshocton, Ohio.
1941
March of Dimes provides first iron lung to assist polio victims.
1950
First Mothers March launched in Phoenix, Arizona., to raise emergency funding during a serious polio outbreak.
1952
Virginia Apgar, M.D., develops the Apgar Score, a clinical system for evaluating an infant's physical condition at birth. By the end of the decade, it becomes the standard practice in obstetrical care throughout the world, and remains so today. Her scoring system was the crucial first step in the evolution of medical subspecialties focused on newborns. Dr. Apgar worked from 1959 until her death in 1974 for the March of Dimes.
1954
March of Dimes runs field trials of Salk vaccine with 1,830,000 schoolchildren participating. The test is the largest peacetime mobilization of volunteers in history.
1958
March of Dimes initiates the first concerted efforts to save babies from birth defects.
1962
Oral polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Albert Sabin with funding from the March of Dimes is licensed.
1970
First WalkAmerica events take place in San Antonio, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio.
1973
March of Dimes researchers discover that alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes birth defects.
March of Dimes funds first in utero treatment for a birth defect.
April Murphy is first baby to be successfully treated in the womb for birth defects
1976
March of Dimes calls for creation of a regional system of newborn intensive care units to save sick babies.
1984
March of Dimes funds development of a newborn screening test for biotinidase deficiency, which can cause mental retardation and death unless treated promptly.
1985
March of Dimes funds research leading to the use of surfactant to treat respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). Danielle Cofey is one of first infants to be treated with life-saving surfactant therapy.
1989
March of Dimes grantee performs the first in utero surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia in an unborn baby.
Blake Schultz is first baby to undergo lifesaving fetal surgery to correct a diaphragmatic hernia.
1991
March of Dimes funds research showing that delivering babies with spina bifida by cesarean section may save them from paralysis.
March of Dimes grantees identify genes responsible for Marfan syndrome -- an inherited disorder of connective tissue, and fragile X syndrome -- the most common known familial cause of mental retardation.
1994
March of Dimes launches nationwide campaign urging women to take the B vitamin folic acid to help prevent neural tube birth defects.
1996
March of Dimes-supported research on nitric oxide leads to a new treatment to save premature babies from persistent pulmonary hypertension, a deadly lung disorder.
March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the Mothers' and Newborns' Health Protection Act, guaranteeing a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours following delivery.
1997
March of Dimes volunteers help secure passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), to provide health care coverage for up to 5 million children.
1998
March of Dimes research leads to one of the first successful surgeries to treat spina bifida before birth. Noah Kipfmiller is one of the first babies to undergo this pioneering open-womb surgical procedure.
2002
The March of Dimes promotion of folic acid fortification and awareness contributed to a 21 percent decline in the occurrence of neural tube birth defects between 1995 - 2000.
2003
March of Dimes launches a multimillion dollar, multiyear campaign to prevent premature birth and raise awareness of its serious consequences.
2006
March of Dimes advocacy leads to passage of the PREEMIE Act to bring together experts from the private and public sectors to speed development of prevention strategies for preterm labor and delivery.
2007
March of Dimes volunteer efforts lead to increase in newborn screening. Nearly 90 percent of all babies born in the U.S. – more than double the percentage in 2005 – live in states that require screening for at least 21 of 29 life-threatening but treatable disorders.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Baked Ravioli - Yum!
I don't know how you are "supposed" to make Baked Ravioli, but here is what I did. I cooked the ravioli in boiling water for just a few minutes. In the PC Deep Baker, I covered the bottom with a mix of EVOO, homemade marinara sauce, and pesto. Then, I added the ravioli on top of the sauce, covered it with more sauce (same as above) and added a little extra bottled spaghetti sauce. Feta cheese and Parmesan cheese covered the dish. Baked at 325 for 10 minutes, then 375 for 15 minutes, then lo broil for 2 minutes. It was tasty.
The best part: the twins finished their plates!!!!!
The best part: the twins finished their plates!!!!!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Report Card Time
I am so proud of Rieve and Denavae. They each received awards today at the school assembly. Denavae received the Playground award and Rieve received the award for Respect. Rhett was able to attend the assembly and recorded it. If I can figure out how to add a video to this blog, I will.
On the report cards, Mrs. Ballinger wrote, "Denavae is mature, confident, and assertive. She is always doing her best work and is a model student. We are blessed to spend each day with her." "Rieve continues to be a total delight. He always has something positive to say, and encourages others to do their best. He is an outstanding listener, and makes the most of each moment." Wow! I am thrilled to hear such kind words from an amazing teacher. Thank you Mrs. Ballinger.
On the report cards, Mrs. Ballinger wrote, "Denavae is mature, confident, and assertive. She is always doing her best work and is a model student. We are blessed to spend each day with her." "Rieve continues to be a total delight. He always has something positive to say, and encourages others to do their best. He is an outstanding listener, and makes the most of each moment." Wow! I am thrilled to hear such kind words from an amazing teacher. Thank you Mrs. Ballinger.
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