Be Aware.

Every year worldwide over 15 million babies are born too soon...

over a million of those are here in the United States...
over 1,400 babies will be born today premature.

and premature birth is the number one cause of death in infants.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and today is National Prematurity Awareness Day.

What can you do?

March of Dimes is a foundation that has raised awareness and helped to save MILLIONS of babies through many programs and tons of research.

Being the mother of two premature babies I speak so passionately about this foundation, because I have lived it. I was healthy  I ate what I was suppose to, avoided what I should. I didn't drink, I didn't smoke, I didn't use drugs. I was active, and pregnant with twins. Many people have twins, triplets and even quads these days without complications, so I didn't go into labor early because I had two. SO WHY? Why did my boys come so early at 24 weeks? Unfortunately we may never know, but that is what research at the March of Dimes hopes to do. They hope to find more reasons why women go into preterm labor, and research and develop medicines and procedures that can prevent or help to lengthen the time pregnant. Ever day counts, and every day increases the chance of survival of the baby. I've been on both sides in my journey.

The side of heart break.

The side of survival.

Knowing that research and funding can help to develop new medicines, procedures, and much more makes me want to do something. ANYTHING to help prevent my story from happening to another mother. To prevent another mother from losing their precious little one is so important to me, because I know how hard it is. I know that some days I wake up and miss my son so badly I can hardly breath, but I have faith and family to support me and help me to breath again. Some women may not have that support, may not be able to come back from a loss of their child. So today I ask that you just become more aware. I ask that you donate. If you are broke- DON'T WORRY you can still do something to help! While we were in the NICU a group of ladies donated knitted prayer blankets to every NICU family, and if you follow our blog, you know, Blake snuggled with the whole time he was in the NICU.

 Also you can donate preemie clothes, or hats. It was a great day when we would get new hats for Blake to wear when he couldn't even wear clothes yet. It was our little bit of normalcy. Also, keep in mind that next year I will be SEARCHING for new volunteers to walk with Zach and I at the March for Babies Walk in honor of Blake and in memory of Conor.

Conor's footprints at birth.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God upon every remembrance of you. ~Philippians 1:2-3 

Blake at his lowest weight of 1 lb 1oz. 

To my little chunker... at 11+ pounds.

Miracles happen everyday...We are just blessed to have given birth to one.

7 months.

November 11, 2012

At one point time was passing so slowly. We watched clocks as minutes felt like hours, hours felt like days, and we waited, watching everyday slowly pass by, and hoping for the day that we would come home. Now I blink and my son is 7 months old. It has been a long journey from 1lb 6oz, 12 inches long my baby fought through 9 surgeries, many procedures and 139 days in the NICU. Blake hit his lowest weight of 1 pound 1 ounce the week he almost lost his fight. It has been a long journey. Since April 4th there have been 97 blog post, with followers from the US all the way to France, Australia, Malaysia, and many more countries around the world, as time has passed we have grown as a family and we believe we are here today due to many prayers and LOTS of love sent our way!

 Today I can proudly say at Blake's is now weighing 11 pounds, and he is 23 inches long! And this Mommy could not be more happy at how far our little miracle baby has come! 

We bleed blue in our household 

Blake is learning quickly that on Game Day we sport the CATS wherever we go!!

Blake has a new favorite toy, his doggy we call Blue. 

 Blake doesn't always like being on his Boppy 

 But when he does...

We make sure to take pictures!

Blake is a ham these days and loves to smile...capturing them though is another story!

So we do our best to trick him in anyway possible to capture these precious grins!

Who needs a paci? My sweet lil' boy has now discovered his hands and arms serve more purpose than just to look at, he has learned that he can suck his thumb and its "ALMOST" as good as a bottle. 

(Note the word almost!)

 Look at those eye lashes! I know your not suppose to call boys pretty...

 but forget that I cant help it he is one PRETTY baby!!

This past week our little Blake got to meet his best friend Cohen, 

who came all the way from Murray to come and introduce himself. 

Blake however wasn't too impressed he just kept pushing him trying to wake him up!

 Had to have his fingers on him.

 Cute little boys!

 I think Blake bored Cohen!!

Coming soon...our newest pictures! Check out the outfit, yes he is that CUTE!

Here is a riddle...

What is cuter than a sleeping baby?

 A cute baby that sleeps completely through the night!!

 The most exciting news!!! I didn't want to mention for the past two weeks, worrying that I might be speaking too soon. But it is official Blake has graced Zach and I with the best gift. 

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!

YAY!!

Nerd Alert.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, 

far away.... 

Episode 1

A NEW TOY

 It is a period of poopy diapers, lots of eating and at times a peaceful sleeping baby. A cute baby, Blake was minding his own business practicing the art of using a jedi light saber, when he discovered he was being pursued by the Empire's sinister agents. Blake races aboard the starship, when he meets the evil Darth Zach. It was then he was faced with the biggest battle of his life. To save the people and restore freedom to the galaxy.... 

Little did the baby Jedi know Darth was his Father!

Thankful and Blessed.

This morning I settled into my same ol' routine as always. 

1st things first....my drink, Coffee- check!

2nd thing...Blake's drink-check!

Music playing in the living room-check!

Playtime with Blake-check! 

 Daily morning Facebook-check! 

I was surprised to see today, that in replace of the funny morning drama I usually read on this social media site I instead found people posting "30 days of Thankfulness". 

For November in loo of thanksgiving people everyday are listing things in their life they are thankful for. As I am reading through the various post I looked down at my snuggle bug lying in my arms.

How could I possibly explain the things I am thankful for this year? 

I am thankful that my son is alive.That after 4 long months fighting for his life Blake pulled through, and is doing so well. I am thankful that every morning I get to lay on the floor playing with him. That everyday I can play patty-cake with him and his smile takes my heart and makes it melt. I am just so honored to be his mommy, and so thankful to be able to watch him grow.

I am thankful to be at Zach and my home, on our couch, watching our tv, sleeping in our bed. I am thankful that after living in the Ronald McDonald house for so long that we can be at our home with our child, while so many others still sit at that house waiting to bring their child home. And even more heartbreaking some may never get to bring their child home, so I am thankful everyday that I was able to bring Blake home.

I am thankful that God blessed me with the opportunity to be the mother of twin boys. Such a miracle in itself to carry two boys... even if only for a little over 6 months. I am thankful I was able to feel both of my babies kick, and move inside my belly.

I am thankful that I was able to spend time with Conor, and that we were given time with him, though it was short some people don't even have that. Some babies born that premature never even take a breath, our son was able to spend a short amount of time on earth, he was able to feel his mother and fathers touch before hearing the call of the angels. He was able to hear us, see us, be near us. We were given the opportunity to see him before he gained his wings. Although short, I will always be thankful that time, and I am truly blessed to have had it. 

I am thankful to have the loving and supporting family.

I am thankful to my mother, who above all else has ALWAYS put her kids above everything else. She took the time every Saturday that we were in Indianapolis to drive 7 hours round trip no matter what. She always knew on my bad days what to say, and sometimes knew not to say anything. I am very blessed to have not only the best mother in the world, but a mother that I can truly call my friend. 

I am thankful to my step-father for coming and staying in Indy and always being there for me since I was a little kid- its rare in life you can have 2 fathers and I have been so blessed to have Mike as one of them!

I am thankful to have had my father and step mother in the NICU the nights Blake wasn't doing well, a long drive for them, and yet they did it time and time again while Blake was in the NICU at Deaconess.

I am thankful for Mark, my father in law, for coming up to Indy and taking us out to keep our minds off of the hardships, helping us to laugh, and stay positive. Sometimes the best medicine for a broken heart is laughter and he is always the first to break the tension.

Thankful to Monica, my mother in law for taking off work to make it for every one of Blake's surgery. To hold us when we were lost, for always staying a prisoner of hope, and guiding us back when we were losing our way. Thanks for standing on that rock when I so graciously skipped beside it. 

And Lastly, and mostly, I am thankful for my husband. From the night my water broke, and our hearts broke together he stood strong for us both- it was us two above all else and no matter what we would still have one another.  I am thankful to have someone who so completely loves me for me, faults and all. Thankful that I have someone in my life that supports everything I do whether it's crazy or not. I have someone who is not only the love of my life but is my best friend. I am thankful that even now, after saying goodbye to our precious child, going through what will be the hardest thing in our whole life, that we pulled through. We grew stronger in love, and stronger in faith together. And most of all I am so thankful that he is the wonderful father I knew he would always be. 

I am so thankful for my life, through loss, growth, love, and faith. 

I am thankful that this is my story and that I can share it with everyone,

 because I am BLESSED and that alone is something to be thankful for. 

"Three things will last forever: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

Introducing...

Today we said hello, for the first time, to our newest member of the family- 

my nephew Kollin Walker!

6lbs 6ounces of joy!!

Look at them big Ol' feet!!

Aunt Katie and Kollin!

Uncle Zach and Kollin.

Cousins.

Daddy, Kyle (my big brother), and son Kollin.

Congrats to my big brother, Kayla, and big sister Kaylee!!

He is so sweet!

What Is That Up There?

It's a bird....

Its a plane....

Its....

SUPER BLAKE!!

Happy Halloween!!! 
 From the Hargis'  

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