March for Babies

This Saturday was the March for Babies, a fundraising walk hosted by March of Dimes.

It was amazing.
I couldn't help but get involved in raising funds for an organization that champions the cause of tiny preemies like mine, but it ended up being a huge blessing to me.

A few minutes before the walk started, Josh and I were sitting on the sidewalk in the shade while Phoenix napped in her stroller. A beautiful little girl with curly blond hair walked up to the stroller, curious to see the baby inside. Her dad gently nudged her away, but I assured him that she was welcome to peek at my girl. I asked if this little beauty had been premature, and he said "Yes. She and her twin were born at 29 weeks."
"Mine was a preemie too! She was 28 weeks ..."
It was amazing how quickly you connect with someone on a heart level with that kind of a shared experience. We only chatted for 2 or 3 minutes, mostly about how chunky Phoenix is and how desperately they fight to get their 2-year-old twins to gain weight. But, to me, there was this depth to the conversation that an onlooker wouldn't see ... an undercurrent of "you understand."
A couple of other family members wandered over to admire my girl, and one remarked on how she is a miracle. Hundreds of people have called her that before, but he said it differently. The word, miracle, was colored with experience -- a man who had witnessed the divine before was seeing it again in our girl.

There are few times in my life that my heart has felt so full.
It was amazing to see the way that friends and families rallied to support the babies they love so dearly. There were groupings everywhere of people wearing matching t-shirts boasting pictures of little babies in isolettes, fighting for life. And it was heartbreaking to see the number of shirts that said "Walking in memory of ..."
Sometimes I forget that not every mommy goes home with her preemie. I was in tears as the walk began, feeling infinitely blessed to be pushing a stroller with a healthy baby, surrounded by people who understand our fight and triumph.

 It was a beautiful day to be walking with my two loves, and Josh made it extra fun by weaving in and out of all the slow walkers. We walked the 4 miles in under 40 minutes ... not too shabby.

Here are some more pictures from the day:

You guessed it ... she is wearing my t-shirt as pants.

Thank you so much to the grandparents, the Silvas, Joel & Sandra, and the O'Mara's for donating!
This will definitely be an annual event for our little family!