March for Babies

This is a video documenting my pregnancy and the birth of the dynamic duo. Remember this?

They were so fragile and tiny. They were so, so sick.



It brings it all back when I look at those pictures--the happiness, the excitement, and of course the fear. The tears well in my eyes. Those were tough times, for sure. Our boys had such a rocky beginning.

They really have come so far in these 4 short years!

Sure there are some obstacles, but they are here. They are healthy. They are smarts as whips. They are HILARIOUS! :-)
I am incredibly thankful for the dedication and skill of the NICU team which cared for the boys in those early days. I am also thankful for the March of Dimes. Without the funding and research provided by the March of Dimes, several life saving advancements (surfactant is one example) would not have been available to help our boys survive their early birth.

That is why I am participating in this year's March for Babies. Our boys are here, in part, because of them.

The March for Babies walk is only 4 days away. Te.am Lo.pez is proud that we've raised $625.00 so far for this important charity, but we still have a ways to go before we hit our goal of $1000. We would love it if you'd consider supporting Te.am Lo.pez and the March of Dimes. It really is such a worth cause!


Please consider donating to this very worthy cause. Anything will help!

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I was floored to find out that our team is among the top 10 family teams for our county! Woo hoo!

March for Babies

40 days from now, I will participate in my first March of Dimes March for Babies. I have to say that the prospect of participating makes me nervous. I've done pretty well with the whole bury your emotions and move on so you can function thing, and this...well, it just makes me worried that some of that crud will come rushing back. In public. And make me cry. In public. I do not like to cry, ESPECIALLY in public.

But it is time for me to focus on this worthy cause. I am quite certain that without the work of the March of Dimes, it is very possible likely that Shawn and Jason would not be here with us today.

Just thinking that thought makes me tear up. It reminds me just how many times we actually did think we'd lose them.

I am endlessly thankful to the March of Dimes. I want to give something back to the very organization that gave me SO much.
So many of you were here when we struggled through those very dark days. You have watched my boys beat some pretty serious odds and continue to fight on like the rock stars they are...

So I am asking for your help.

Our team goal is to raise $1000 to support the March of Dimes' research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and give babies the chance to begin healthy lives. It will also be used to bring comfort and information to families with a baby in newborn intensive care (NICU), something that is very important to me.

Please consider donating to this very worthy cause. Anything will help. If you're not sure how much to donate, how about:

• $90.00? - to represent the length of Shawn's NICU stay
• Or $100.00 - to represent the length of Jason's NICU stay
• Or $12.00 - to represent the number of weeks early they were born
• $232.00 - to represent the number of weeks they've been a part of our lives!
• Anything you can contribute is welcome :-)

For more about why the March of Dimes March for Babies fundraiser is important to me, please read this post.

National Prematurity Awareness Day

Today is National Prematurity Awareness Day.

There's never a day that goes by when we don't remember how incredibly blessed we are that our MIRACLES, born too early and so tiny, are alive and thriving! They amaze us every single day with their strength and determination. We are so very proud of our little men.

Please take a moment to support the March of Dimes and contribute to the fight against prematurity. Do it to celebrate our boys...do it for all babies.

Together let's work to eliminate prematurity!

Click here to help!

Shawn on the day he was born, 10/27/07.

2 pounds 14.5 ounces

Shawn on his 2nd birthday, 10/27/09.

A whole lot heavier! (my guess is close to 29 pounds)

Jason on the day he was born, 10/27/07.

2 pounds 14.5 ounces

Jason on his 2nd birthday, 10/27/09.

A whole lot heavier! (my guess is close to 30 pounds)

The March of Dimes helped make these moments possible.

We are FOREVER thankful!