Brief Update

So Noah's first birthday flew by - he had two fantastic family parties and one quiet "real" birthday night with just Darren and I. He has some new favorite toys and some new adorable outfits and we have many new memories to make us more thankful than ever!

I know that I am terrible about posting pics on here, and that is partly because I don't really know how to post more than one at a time (also partly because I am just a slacker). But I have uploaded a bunch of photos to our shutterfly family page, so you can always check them out there. The link is http://noahourlittlepumpkin.shutterfly.com/ (it is also listed in our blogroll on the right side of this page.)

And I hate to be a pest, except that it is for such an amazing cause - PLEASE help us with the March for Babies on May 3rd. You can join our team or donate anything you have to spare. My team's goal is $2000 and we are currently at $1250. My personal goal was $500 and I am up to $260 (if you count pledges made specifically to me and the ones friends of mine made to the team overall. I am taking credit for anything I can ;) !). That means if I can just find 7 other people to donate $20, I will have made my goal, and they will have helped future babies to be born healthy! You can pledge at http://www.marchforbabies.org/michelleybelle or if you would like to walk with us you can sign up here http://www.marchforbabies.org/teams/640050

A very special thanks to my friends Sarah Jamison, Abby Ellingwood McPheters, Jesse Fish, Susan Strout, Melanie Hickey, and Robin Miller for their generous donations!! Darren, Noah, and I (and all the babies out there) thank you!
*edit* Let's add Uncle Tom to the list of donors we are so thankful for too!

Happy First Birthday Pumpkin!

Today is Noah's first birthday. One whole year since the school bus dropped me off on the side of the road, I walked myself into Maine General in Waterville, and I found out that no, I was not having Braxton-Hicks contractions, I was going to have my baby boy much, much too early.

I was so excited last night and this morning, thinking about the post I would get to write, wishing Noah a happy birthday. It was going to include all of my most vivid memories - from the absolute terror we had wdonering if he was going to make it through those first days, to the excitement of seeing him breathe on his own for the first time, the pure joy we had when we finally took him home, and of course all of the giggles, frustrations, and milestones we have experienced since. Instead, I am sitting here sobbing as I write this, having just found out that the beautiful 17 month old daughter of another preemie mom blogger passed away last night. I never met Heather or her gorgeous daughter Maddy, but following her blog and Maddy's exploits always left me feeling more excited than ever about my family's futute with Noah. Unfortunately, like many preemies, Maddy's lungs were just not as healthy as she needed them to be, and she passed away last night, soon after being admitted to the hospital.

So instead of being able to enjoy this moment for what it should be, a momentous milestone, and the first of many more to come for my beautiful baby boy, I am reminded again of just how terrifying the ride is for a preemie and his family. I know that Noah doesn't have the same lung issues Maddy had (thank GOD), but I am reminded of how excruciatingly fast life can take away what matters most to you. At the same time, Maddy's passing also reminds me of just how lucky I am to have my baby.

More than ever, I wish I could do something to help all of the Maddys and the Noahs to be born healthy and to stay healthy. As some of you may know, my family is planning on walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies this year for the first time. I have been meaning to send out letters, asking friends and family to donate or walk with us, just like I have been meaning to find some students at school interested in getting involved too. Unfortunately, meaning without action doesn't accomplish much. And so today, in honor of all 365 days Noah has been with us so far, and the thousands and thousands of days he will continue to be with us, I am turning my intentions into action and I am asking you to please help babies everywhere and support the March of Dimes.

http://www.marchforbabies.org/michelleybelle

Walk with us, cheer us on, donate, or just forward this message along - whatever works for you! And when you do, know that you are helping another Noah, Maddy, etc. spend one more day with their loved ones.

Love,
Michelle

One more week!

One more week and Noah will turn the big 0-1! ;)

Spring is moving right along, now that it is finally here. We are looking forward to both of his birthday parties, and we are so thankful to have made it through cold and flu season relatively unscathed (croup last fall and a nasty chest cold following February vacation - and YES, I am knocking on wood as I type this).

The funny thing is that the college visit field trip that I was chaperoning last year when I went into labor with Noah is happening again this year - the day before Noah's birthday. Nothing like a big reminder, huh?

Not much more to say tonight, I'm hoping to make it to bed early, but I wanted to get at least a little update in. I especially wanted to finally get a picture posted. Try not to be overcome with the cuteness! ;)