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His Middle Name is Featured!

11/21/2011

Wow – the month of gratitude continues! With tear filled eyes and a gracious heart I am proud to share that His Middle Name is now featured as a recommended resource site on Graham’s Foundation, one of the premier nonprofit support sites for parents and families of preemies. Founded in 2009 by Jennifer and Nick Hall in memory of their sweet son, the Graham's Foundation (http://grahamsfoundation.org/) mission is to offer support to parents of micro preemies. The foundation supports the parents of extremely premature infants by sending care packages to them during their infants' stay in the NICU, and the foundation's website and Facebook page provide a place for parents to share their stories and find support. When I stumbled upon the Graham’s Foundation Facebook page, I immediately felt a strong sense of community. It was a homecoming of sorts. Who else will ever understand the day to day challenges, all the frustrations and joys, like other parents of preemies? In addition to their online support, each Graham’s Foundation care package is sent directly to the hospital, and has contents that range from the everyday and practical, like snacks, hand sanitizer and baby blankets, to such special goodies like cameras, journals and educational material. They even include thoughtful discount vouchers for services that parents of NICU babies just don’t have time for – like food delivery services and even house cleaning! Has Graham’s Foundation thought of everything, or what?
In the simplest way, Graham’s Foundation is taking one of the most overwhelming experiences in these parent’s lives, and offering a thoughtful and uplifting gift that will definitely come in handy. His Middle Name is honored to be associated with this beautiful initiative! If you would like to learn more information about Graham's Foundation, attend a fundraiser or donate any products or services that can be included in the gift baskets, I encourage you to visit their website or Facebook page. If you feel so inclined, you may also donate here:

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The First International World Prematurity Day!

11/16/2011

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The Empire State Building lights it up!

Can you believe it? It's finally here - a day dedicated to the smallest fighters! In about four hours it will be midnight EST, and it will be the very first International World Prematurity Day on the United States shores. November 17 marks World Prematurity Day, and the March of Dimes is asking everyone to help spread the word and advocate for the tiniest miracles. Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States, and our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That means that as many as 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely, and that’s certainly cause for concern.
Babies are considered premature if they are born before 37 weeks gestation, although new research is considering moving that time frame to incorporate all babies born before 39 weeks. The cause for my son being born 14 weeks premature was a placental abruption due to a large fibroid tumor that was 11 cm at the time. For up to 40 percent of parents, the cause of their child's premature birth is unknown. Can you imagine welcoming your child into the world, weeks early, without any idea as to why? The March of Dimes researchers are seeking the causes as a step toward developing ways to prevent it. By funding lifesaving research and speaking out for legislation that improves care for moms and babies, there are positive strides being made everyday. The next steps include implementing and expanding community education and medical outreach, and that's the exact same cause that is behind the His Middle Name initiative!
As a tribute to all those born too soon and to those who will never make it to their first birthday, His Middle Name has joined the fight and is making it even easier to give back. Just click the logo below and you will have the opportunity to donate to the March of Dimes in honor and celebration of Sutton's life, or create a virtual bracelet of your own! Together, we can raise awareness and help more babies start healthy lives.

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A Little Gift of Thanks

11/6/2011

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Tis the season for giving thanks! As my son naps in his crib, sound and healthy, I am so appreciative of all I have been blessed with. I don't need a special holiday to have a thankful heart, but it certainly helps to quiet my mind and reflect on all I have. I am thankful each and every day for my preemie son and his not so preemie fighting spirit! I look at him every day and realize how far he has come in one year's time, and how God has bestowed his mercy on us with health and abundant happiness. We have more than we could ever ask for! I am also grateful that Sutton inspired me to start His Middle Name, as maintaining this website and blog is a labor of love and helps me feel whole as a person. His Middle Name has allowed me to make connections with all of you, and I love reading all of your emails and learning of your own powerful stories. For that, I give thanks.
November is also Prematurity Awareness Month, so how fitting that an entire month dedicated to gratitude is also the same month that focuses on the fight for preemies? Prematurity Awareness Month honors the 13 million babies that are born too soon each year and struggle to survive. As a way to say thank you to all of the friends, fans and followers of His Middle Name - I have a little treat for you! With the assistance of Dr. Carly Molloy and our friends at Preemie Help, we are making available a redeemable voucher for Preemie Help's ebook "The Complete Preemie Guide to: Surviving the NICU." With over 130 pages of expert information, "The Complete Preemie Guide to: Surviving the NICU" is targeted to help parents become more familiar with the new and foreign environment of the NICU, find ways of coping with a preterm birth and empower parents with knowledge. Packed with everything from valuable insights from other preemie parents, tips from experts and extra features like progress charts and printable checklists, this book has it all! Lord knows how my husband and I could have used this book when Sutton was in the NICU!
How it works is anyone wanting to redeem the voucher just has to email Preemie Help at promotions@preemiehelp.com with the subject line, "Surviving the NICU" and their helpful team will respond with a link to receive a 30% discount. Easy! The details are on the voucher below, so if you'd like, print one for yourself and share one with family, friends, parent groups, nursing clubs or NICU staff. It's an easy way to educate yourself and get involved, as all proceeds go to Preemie Help and their fight to educate and advocate for the tiniest babies! Go preemies go!

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His Middle Name is Featured!

The First International World Prematurity Day!

A Little Gift of Thanks

I’m a southern gal to the core who lives for my family, has a serious weakness for chocolate, a penchant for anything that can be monogrammed and loves to craft and sew. Thank you for your interest and welcome to His Middle Name!

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