My 2 year old son, Alex, is finally taking his nap. Now I have time to blog for National Prematurity Awareness Day which is today. It amazes me that almost 27 months ago Alex was born at 25 weeks and weighed 1 pound 9 ounces. His early birth was do to a condition that I have called a incompetent cervix. No one is to sure why I have it but I do. Alex had a tough road ahead of him. He spent eight weeks at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and seven more weeks at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The grand total was 108 days in the hospital and over a million dollars in medical bills. Thank goodness we had good insurance. During Alex’s stay in the hospital he was on the vent for four weeks, CPAP for two weeks, nasal canula for 9 weeks, PDA surgery on his heart, several blood transfusions, numerous x-rays, medications for reflux and no telling what else, several eye exams, and the list goes on-and-on. The first year medical cost for a full-term baby is over $2,000.00 but for a child born preterm is on average over $40,000.00. (www.marchofdimes.com)

That day that my husband and I took Alex home from the hospital was a wonderful day! He came home with oxygen for his feedings, and apnea monitor, nebula for his breathing treatments, medicine for his reflux, and iron. Today, his main issues are lack of weight gain, speech delay, and developmental delay. But he is being closely monitored for all of those issue’s.

Every child that is born premature faces issue’s that may stay with them the rest of their life. Sadly some babies do not even make it to their first birthday. I know that Alex is a miracle and I am blessed to be his mother. I can only imagine the heart ache that other preemie mom’s go through when they do not get the opportunity to take their baby home. According to the March of Dimes prematurity is the number one killer of our infants. I hope one day that we are able to find a cure so that every baby is given their 40 weeks. As a mom I will continue to fight for my son and others born just like him.

I was so blessed to spend the evening with so many wonderful people who all love our babies! I was given the task to model a 18k gold diamond necklace and sell chances to win it. While modeling the necklace I had the oppurtunity to meet so many people and share my son's story.

The evening was topped off by honoring Debra H. Fiser, M.D., Dean of UAMS College of Medicine as March of Dimes 32nd Annual Citizen of the Year. Closing the eving was a wonderful live auction and a video presention from the Goss Family, AR March of Dimes Mission Family.

I am con wait until next year's event! I am working hard to get this event in Fort Smith, AR. The great news is I already have two chef's who have committed!

On the evening of Thursday, October 22nd I had the wonderful oppurtunity to share the evening with some wonderful people who love our babies and the March of Dimes. The evening was kicked off with some great food provided by some of greatest chefs from Northwest Arkansas. It was followed by a silent auction that included items donated from local business and individuals. My favoriate was the autographed football signed by Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino. To bad I did not have the funds to bid on this. Once the silent auction was over they moved onto the live auction and honored the Booth familiy. After all was said and done this event was a success!

I arrived that afternoon to help set-up. During this time a had the chance to meet and work with some wonderful volunteers. The place the event was held in reminded me of an office building built during the 60's. It was hip and retro. I also created the Arkansas Preemie stories that were used during the silent auction.

I would like to thank Miss Arkansas International, Tressa Horton, Miss Teen Arkansas International, Kristyn Baker, and her mother for joining me this evening. We passed out program books and greeted the guest.

The weather and the company were so nice at the American Heart Association Golf Tournament. It was held at Chanel Country Club in Little Rock, AR. I was pleased to share this event with, Amberlee Haymen, Mrs. Arkansas International Robin Moore, Dana Wetzel, and Miss International Erin Golden.

The day started off nice and dry at Toad Suck Park in Conway, AR. I had a great time neeting so many people who were there to help the March of Dimes.Over 300 bikers from all of Arkansas rode for our babies. The biker who raised the most lead the pack and the chapter that raised the largest amount followed behind the leader.

After the bikers left the park they took the senic route to the Clinton Library in Little Rock, AR. After helping clean up the park I drove to meet the bikers at the library. I was so thrilled to arrive and see such a fantastic set-up. It amazes me that I did not take a picture of it. My parents were so kind to bring Alex to this event. About the time they arrived the rain came with them. Alex and I waited under the Mission Family tent and waited for the bikers to arrive. While we were waiting we met some wonderful famlies who also had a baby born to soon. Small world...one of famlies have a little girl named Alex and she shares the same birthday, different year, as my Alex. Then to top it off she was born premature  and her mother and I have simular names.

After about and hour I decided that the rain was never going to end. So we went back to my parents house. As you can tell Alex was worn out. Sometimes it is hard being popular. I am so thankful for all of the bikers that rode for our babies. One interesting fact...the Arkansas Bikers for Babies event is the third largest Bikers for Baies in the nation! Way to go Arkansas bikers!!!

I had such a wonderful time judging the Pope County Fair Queen Pageant. That evening Mrs. Arkansas International 2009-Robin Moore and Arkansas International Director-Bernee Thurow also joined me in judging. Congratulations to Katie Balentine for winning the title of Miss Pope County! She will compete for the title of Miss Arkansas Fair Queen in October, 2009.

Thank you to Barbera Jean Limited for hosting Charity Week. Each day they showcased fashions and a percentage of the proceeds for that day would benefit a charity that has been preselected. On this particular day the American Heart Association was the featured charity.

I had the oppurtunity to model with Amberlee Haymon and Miss Arkansas Tressa Horton.