Kristi Runyon’s Baby Blog

Did you know that in an average week in Kentucky, 169 babies are born premature? My sons were two of them….babies who simply came into this world too soon.

The Reasons Why I'm Joining the March for Babies

Now my twin boys have celebrated their 2nd birthday and thankfully they are healthy and strong, but that’s not always the case. I’m blessed my children are among the fortunate success stories of premature births, but my heart goes out to those who lost the battle just to survive In our state each week an average of seven babies die before their first birthday. These are staggering statistics that the March of Dimes is working hard to change. The care my children received in the neonatal intensive care unit and the resources and support my family was given is the result of the countless hours of research and education at the heart of the March of Dimes mission.

The March of Dimes is inspired by all babies-those born healthy and those who need help to survive. They are the millions of reasons behind our urgent cause! I started volunteering with the March of Dimes and participating in the March for Babies years before my children were born, I had no idea how important March of Dimes would become to me and my precious little ones. From advice on information to help me through a pregnancy at high risk for premature delivery. . . to the simple support of being able to see other families’ stories as I struggled with the challenges of having babies in the NICU, the March of Dimes provided just what I needed. Please consider supporting the March of Dimes so the work can continue for other families and children.

As we begin our 2010 March for Babies campaign in the Greater Lexington area, we invite you to join us in our mission of being a champion for all babies.

The facts:
• Each year over 540,000 babies in the United States are born prematurely.
• In nearly half of all cases there is no known cause; but no one is working harder to find the answers than the March of Dimes.
• Last year, the Greater Lexington March for Babies raised nearly $90,000 to support the mission of the March of Dimes.
• The funds are also used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick.

Please join us in the fight against prematurity. Start by forming a team now through your workplace, church, community group, family or JOIN ME as a walker on my team at the March for Babies.

The Lexington area March for Babies is Saturday, April 24th.

Make a donation to support or join Kristi Runyon and the ABC 36 team here.

To learn more about the March of Dimes and the March for Babies click here.

U.S. Gets a “D” and Kentucky Gets an “F” in March of Dimes Report Card on Preterm Births.

As a mother of preemies myself I hope more mothers realize that healthy babies are worth the wait.  Even with bedrest and medical assistance my sons were still born 6 weeks early (3 weeks early for twins when full-term is usually considered 37 weeks ).

Maclaren Stroller Recall Due to Hinge Danger: 1 Million Strollers Recalled - ABC News.

This is pretty disturbing to hear about the danger.  I know a lot of moms with these strollers.

We started what I hope will be an annual tradition last year with a trip to a local pumpkin patch to pick out our Halloween/Fall pumpkins.  It’s shopping with built in entertainment and so far the kids have loved each trip!  This year joined my parents for a trip to Baldwin Farms in Madison County. 

Here’s a look at our photo album of fall fun at the pumpkin patch!  Keep clicking on the photos to see the slide show. 

I start planning Halloween….oh about August.  My husband is convinced I start talking about costumes way too early each year, but come on fellow moms support me on this one….the good costumes in the correct sizes can go quickly right?!?  Especially if you need to order something online you have to plan ahead.  Not to mention in our case we have to think about two costumes that so far I’ve tried to coordinate.  (You may remember the Batman & Robin photos from last Halloween)

This year long before I had made up my mind what Jordan and Kristian would be donning for trick or treat I picked up these cute sweatsuits 

(festive but practical) on sale and decided they were the perfect fit for the Lexington Parks & Recreation annual Little  Goblins event.  They stayed warm outside on the trails at McConnell Springs and what’s great is they were much easier to get in and out of car seats than regular costumes would be.  Have you ever tried squeezing a dinosaur tail or spider legs into a rear facing car seat??????? 

So what did I decide for the big event on the 31st? 

As we like to say in TV…….stay tuned!

Our Classroom

OK…I admit so it’s not really Jordan and Kristian’s first day of school but it sure felt  like it earlier this month.  We have enrolled our sons in a one day a week “Parents’ Day Out” program at a local church preschool. 

We were interested in giving them a chance to interact with other children in a structured environment. I thought it would just be time to play away from home…

Kristian in the Kitchen!

 but I was pleasantly surprised to find out it really is structured like a school day for toddlers. We even had to get them backpacks and lunchboxes!

Ready for a Day at "School"

Jordan's Artwork

Because “Parents’ Day Out” is an ambitious phrase for toddlers we tell them each week they’re going to “school”, and they look forward to it, declaring: “go school” and “backpack on” “get lunchbox.”  It’s pretty darn cute and I do feel like they’re learning and growing from the experience.  Of course I can’t help but think they’ll really be in school and talking about midterms and report cards before we know it!

It's not all work and no play....

Kristian says "I wanna write" a lot!

My last post explained why I’m a little hesitant to let Jordan and Kristian run free in a playground or the great outdoors.  This weekend I managed to figure out what can help them sit still almost as well as an extra set of hands….FOOD! 

Perfect for a Picnic

Mommy Can We Get on the Swings?

I’m going to go ahead and admit it…and I really hope this doesn’t make me a bad mother…I don’t like taking my kids to the playground.  Well, maybe “don’t like” isn’t the best way to describe my reluctance,  I think I may actually be more afraid to take my kids to the playground, at least when it’s just me.  There are just some things that will always be a little more challenging when you have multiples and chasing around two toddlers at once certainly is not easy. 

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The last entry chronicled our first extended road trip with Jordan and Kristian.  Here’s a look at all of the fun that was waiting for us along the way as we made our first stop for a cousin’s wedding in Richmond, VA and then headed to Myrtle Beach for some summer fun in the sun!  Here’s our family photo album:

Red Carpet Stars

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Here they are....the cutest guests at the wedding!