Happy March!

Happy March!

Wow! March is already here...this year is flying by. Only a few more months until our family gets a little bigger. We have been as busy as ever with the end of hockey season, a move into a bigger town house, and getting ready for baby, on top of all of our regular activities.

March for Babies 2012 Kick-Off breakfast.

This morning I had the privilege of being the MC at the annual March for Babies kick-off breakfast. This is the second year I have been invited to the breakfast. This year's walk is in April and the goal is to raise $515,000 regionally. Jason and I haven't walked yet, but hope to be out there this year! Project: Cameron's story has put together a team of walkers and since we have become involved with the annual book drive...it just seems appropriate to walk with their team!

Oh and speaking of the book drive....the totals are in and we surpassed the goal of 2400 books. This year Project: Cameron's story will donate 2,456 books to local NICU's. Yay!

Covered in stickers...and loving it!

Finally, I am so happy to report that Ella is doing great. She has just grown leaps and bounds since she is feeling better. She is definitely growing out of all her clothes and shoes. Her vocabulary...and personality is growing too. She is a pretty funny little girl. I love hearing her talk and TELL me what she wants now. The challenge is just working on having a little patience (for both of us!).

As I continue to be amazed every day by the accomplishments Ella has made, I have also found myself thinking just as much about what her sister will be like....who she will look like, what her personality will be, how will Ella react?? Will I celebrate the new babies every moment as much as I have all of Ella's "firsts"? Just three months left until the big day! We can't wait....now if we could just agree on a name ;-)

Books For Babies

For the second year in a row, Jason and I have helped a local organization collect books for babies. We learned about Project: Cameron's Story two years ago after a news story I had done. A local mom started the foundation in memory of her son who was born very premature. Cameron spent more than 200 days in the NICU and at times his parents couldn't hold him. They turned to reading as a way to bond. After Cameron passed away, the family wanted a way to help other families in similar situations. Now they collect more than 2400 books every year to donate to our local hospitals. The goal is to make sure that EVERY baby admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has a brand new book.


Here's a shot of some of the books
we collected at the game.


I felt a bond with this mom as soon as I heard her story and knew instantly that Project: Cameron's Story was something I had to get involved with. Cameron and Ella were in the NICU at the same time. Although we never met during that time, there is connection that every parent that goes through this experience can relate too. It is a scary time and a situation no one ever expects or wants to be in. I know how important reading was for us while Ella was in the NICU. Jason would sit for hours next to Ella's isolate, reading her stories. They still share this special connection!


Jason reading to Ella in the Nicu...June 2009

 Every February, Cameron's story holds a book drive for one week...collecting new children's books at businesses and offices around the area. This year, Union's hockey team was kind enough to help us promote a big book drive at a game. We ran promos on News 10, the team emailed season ticket holders, blasted the event on the radio and hopefully really helped bring a lot of attention to the cause.

Sara Quartiers, the founder of PCS being
interviewed by News 10.

We collected lots of books (more than 2 big boxes). The Quartiers family (founders of Project: Cameron's Story) came out to the game to watch Union beat Princeton. It was a great night. Jason and I are so happy to be able to take part in this year after year and I look forward to a time when Ella is old enough to understand and be more involved herself.

I'll have an update soon on the total numbers for this year's bookraiser!