Wednesday, November 10

Final Plea

Okay, so today is the last day to get a vote in for Bryce as Super Preemie...and it's the easiest vote you'll ever cast! Promise.

Literally two clicks is all it takes. No sign up, log in, survey or any of that junk. Just click the link and then click the "Vote" button.

You don't have to have a Facebook account and you can vote from every computer, cell phone, Ipad and Iphone you can get online with. But you can only vote from each once per day and today is the last day.

Bryce was stuck in 8th place for the first week or so and then bumped up to 7, back to 8 and now has been steadily in 6th for the last couple of days. But there are winners for 3 age categories and those categories are all jumbled up in the ranking on the website so we're not sure just how close Bryce actually is to winning.

Please take a second to vote for Bryce and raise awareness about prematurity at the same time. Heck, it can even be your good deed for the day!


Here's the link:

http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/65899/voteable_entries/9898644?ogn=website&order=votes


And finally, here is your prize for your much appreciated vote(s):


Monday, November 8

Bryce's First Year in Images

I'm working on a video for Graham's Foundation to demonstrate the meaningful work they are doing to support the parents of micro-preemies. A lot of organizations do work for children, babies or other worthy causes but few, if any, concentrate only on micro-preemies.

Needless to say, as Bryce himself was a micro-preemie, this is a cause near and dear to my heart. And I'm so happy to have the opportunity to do something for them.

While familiarizing myself with the cool online software they have available to them, Animoto, I took the opportunity to quickly put together a short video about Bryce's short life.

Bryce Alexander - Bryce's First Year in Images

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I tear up a little every time I watch it. It's funny how time heals even the deepest wounds. I think I've mentally blocked so much by patching up those wounds with the sweet kisses and toothy grins I'm blessed to now be able to enjoy every single day.

Sunday, November 7

NICU Reunion


Well Thursday marked Bryce's one year anniversary of when he finally came back to the place he was born - home.

Man, time flies.

The NICU seems all at once a lifetime ago and just yesterday. And we've come a long way in that time. Bryce was on oxygen, a pulse oximeter to monitor is oxygen levels and a nasal gastric feeding tube to supplement breast feedings with tube feedings. We were on strict lock down - no visits out unless absolutely necessary and few visits in but no children (aka little germy people) inside our home, period.

All of that is a thing of the past and although we have many struggles and hurdles yet to face we can look back and see that whatever it is, we'll figure it out. I'm one proud Momma of one amazing baby boy.

And what a better way to celebrate all of this than to attend the Dell NICU reunion yesterday? Bryce commemorated the event with his first tattoo - a "Proud to be a NICU graduate" tat on his bicep, of course.


It was a beautiful day and we had a great time visiting with all of our old nurses, respiratory therapists, neonatologists and friends of the NICU. It was really awesome to see some of Bryce's old NICU-mates too. Jaden has gotten so big that I thought at first he was someone else's kiddo - way to go Joanna! And Luke was sans helmet and as cute as ever! The Whitakers are one amazing family!

I also finished up my training to be the Dell NICU's March of Dimes parent-to-parent volunteer. I need a TB test, shot record and badge to finish up preparation for this exciting new role. I'm planning to make weekly visits to the NICU where I'll visit with any family on the unit and offer an "I've been there" ear. I just know that this would have been a priceless asset while Bryce was in the NICU and I'm so looking forward to the opportunity to do that for someone else!

There are only three more daily opportunities to vote for Bryce and spread the word about prematurity. Then we'll find out if the celebrity judges also agree that Bryce is the super hero we think he is at the Preemie Power Family Celebration on Saturday.