This is very personal...I wasn't going to share.

I wasn’t going to share this but then I thought… this is one of the most important things in my life!

On July 17, 2001, my first daughter, Sydnie was born. This was my first pregnancy, my first baby. When my water broke at 36 1/2 weeks, I was not necessarily too concerned, but scared, none the least. Sydnie was born at 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was a healthy baby (except for the spitting up!). We were so thankful she was healthy!

Here is her picture at 3 months old:

Before Sydnie was born, I had the opportunity to get involved with the March of Dimes. The company I was working for had started a team for the Walk America event (now the March for Babies) and I immediately signed up to participate. I knew the March of Dimes was all about research to stop prematurity. And, I wanted to get involved.  Then, Sydnie was born, and I was so glad I did!

My husband and family continued our support and participation with the Walk America event, knowing we were helping raise money to support an amazing organization… and it was FUN too! Then, I became pregnant with my second child and was immediately concerned about being able to carry a baby full-term (since I had Sydnie almost 4 weeks early)…

To make a long story short, my second daughter, Kendall, had zero patience. My family and I were on a little weekend vacation up in Marquette, MI, and guess what? My water broke in the hotel room on Sunday morning, March 26, 2006. I was only 34 weeks pregnant. This could not be happening. Is my daughter going to be okay? Upon arrival at the Emergency Room (not even remotely close to my doctor, who was over 400 miles away), I could not believe what was about to happen.

We did not have a car seat, baby clothes, diapers, NOTHING! This was not the schedule; this was not the plan. The doctors attempted to slow the labor (they were going to keep me in the hospital and try to contain the labor for at least a few more days, if possible); however, this was not for Kendall. She was determined to be born that day… and she was.

Kendall Petoskey was born on March 26, 2006, and weighed 5 lbs. We got to see her for a moment, but then she was whisked off to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Here is a picture of her at 3 days old… she was pretty tiny.

Kendall was hospitalized for 14 days in the NICU and was continuously monitored by machines, nurses, and doctors. She was very strong and did not need any type of support, but she did need to learn how to eat (how to take a bottle). We were so blessed that our daughter was healthy, but small.

After 2 weeks in the hospital, we were able to bring Kendall home. However, she was hooked up to a heart monitor to ensure her heart rate did not drop. If her heart rate dropped below a certain level, the monitor would alarm (very loudly, I might add). There were a few times that the monitor did alarm, which scared us at first, but she was fine. Today, she is a healthy (kind of small), 5-year old little girl. Thank you, God!

Thanks to the March of Dimes for all you do for babies, moms, dads, families, doctors, nurses, and more. Each and every day, there are many babies that are born too early, are too small, and also are very sick. I am involved with the March of Dimes because I want to do something about this. The mission of the March of Dimes is this:

“To improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.”

But, I need your help! Can I count on your support?  CLICK HERE!

Thank you, in advance, for helping me help babies… including my own.

Here are my kids today… happy, healthy, AND part of the March of Dimes!

It’s time to take action! The 2011 Holland March for Babies is on Saturday, April 16, 2011, and I thank you for your support. Let’s help all babies be healthy!

Let’s Build YOUR Dream Together,

Andie Petoskey
Phone – 269.941.3843
http://www.andiepetoskey.com

Chat Skype: andiepetoskey

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re Braver than you Believe, and Stronger than you Seem, and Smarter than you Think.” ~Christopher Robin to Pooh

I am asking for your help...

I wanted to share a special part of my life with you today…

I typically don’t ask for help (which, in the past, has been a serious downfall for me), but here goes nothing…

Almost 9 years ago, I was pregnant with our first daughter.  I was 36 weeks pregnant and had just visited my doctor.  Due to high blood pressure and concerns from my doctor, she put me on bed rest for a few days.  Within a couple of hours of that doctor appointment, my water broke.  What??? I am only 36 weeks along… I can’t be having this baby, she is not fully developed, what is going on, I have never done this before (were the thoughts going through my mind).

Within 11 hours, our first daughter, Sydnie Frances Petoskey, was born.  She weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was a wonderful, bundle of joy!  We could not have been more blessed.  Even though she was almost 4 weeks early, she was born healthy and we were able to take her home after a day and a half in the hospital.

Fast forward 5 years…

I was pregnant with our second daughter.  Things were going great, I felt pretty good, but was slightly concerned about carrying my child full-term (based on my previous experience).  At 32 weeks of my pregnancy, my family and I traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for my niece’s birthday party for the weekend (this was a 7-hour trek…).  We had tons of fun, visited an awesome Children’s Museum, and all in all, had a great time!

Well, early Sunday morning, I woke up and all of a sudden, my water broke in the hotel bed. I could not believe what was happening to us again! AND, we were over 7 hours from my doctor, my hospital, our home, etc. We did not have baby clothes,  a car seat, nothing!  This came as a total and complete surprise.  As my husband and brother took me to the hospital (thank goodness we were in the largest city in the Upper Peninsula which had an amazing hospital), I prayed and prayed.

Being 6 weeks away from my delivery date, my husband and I were very scared and could not understand why this was happening again. What did we do wrong? At the hospital, the staff was going to attempt to stall or stop the labor, but this baby was ready to come out and experience the world!

So… Kendall Corinne Petoskey entered this world as a Yooper! Kendall weighed 5 lbs. and had stay in the NICU for 14 days. This was the longest 14 days of our lives…

She was strong, never needed any machines for support, but did not know how to eat and had to be taught. As we experienced these two weeks, we saw so many tiny babies hanging on… I will never forget this experience and thank God for how lucky we are and how thankful we are for the doctors, nurses, counselors, family and more.

I have been involved with the March of Dimes for over 15 years (have walked the “walk), but their support and research never became more personal to my family until we experienced our own premature babies. The March of Dimes is committed to helping all babies be born healthy… and so am I (and my family). This is a personal commitment that my family and I have made and we will continue to support the March of Dimes for the rest of our lives.

I am the Chairman for the Holland March for Babies Event which is going to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. How can you help (I am asking for help, remember?)?

Please help me reach my goal by making a donation to my walk. It is so easy and completely secure.  Just click the banner below!

Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!

CLICK BELOW TO HELP OUT!

The video below is from a few days ago, our family celebrating Easter. My daughters are now 8 and 4 and are happy, healthy children.  They are our life! Thank you March of Dimes for all you do!