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WalkAmerica (Children Mentioned)

I walked to save babies this morning–what did you do?

We rolled into the WalkAmerica site at 9 a.m. since I am the type of person who follows rules and the rules clearly stated that we should arrive at 9 a.m. With a printed copy of our sponsor sheet (which it turns out no one wanted). The walk got started at 10 a.m. after the crowd was led through a long stretching exercise that everyone talked straight through while eating doughnuts. And then we were off! Five miles through a manicured and pristine development that gave us a bad case of real estate envy.

Probably the most amazing part of the walk is that my daughter gave birth to quadruplets between mile two and three. Unlike her mother who has issues with conception and carrying to term, my daughter seems to always be pregnant. And it’s never with a singleton. Most of the time, she is carrying twins. Sometimes, she is knocked up with triplets (all natural, of course. My daughter likes to remind me at inopportune times that “Mommy can’t have a baby in her belly, but I can!”). Two weeks ago, she announced when she woke up from her nap that she was carrying quints (at this point, you may be wondering who is impregnating my daughter. We try not to think about that aspect of her pregnancies). But somewhere between mile two and three, she told Josh that she couldn’t possibly hold his hand anymore because she now needed to carry her quadruplets because she just had them. We finally compromised and she put the invisible babies in her empty stroller and continued walking, loudly announcing to everyone passing us that her babies were all named Arielle.

All in all, we raised $1026.68 for the March of Dimes thanks to you. And it was so much fun that we’re doing it again next year. Though there is always the wish that there won’t need to be a walk next year because we’ll have found ways to combat prematurity this year.

But there are a few more people to thank!

This blogger has a PhD in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology. In other words, I bother her a lot with all of my questions 🙂 She also is in the unique position of knowing too much as she goes through treatments herself. She is currently in the 2ww for her third IUI so go wish her good luck for the beta. She is…

This British blogger is currently living in Denmark. Though she isn’t really “out” in her daily life, she recently told a friend what they’ve been going through–including two losses–in order to have an outlet in real life. She is also a scientist by training. She is…

Lastly, this blogger just found out that she is pregnant. And her beta came back at a whopping 1450 and is doubling nicely. She is being cautiously optimistic but is worried about the ultrasound later in the month. So while you’re on her blog thanking her for supporting the March of Dimes, also wish her congratulations. She is…

So add these to the twelve bloggers below and see how many you can now guess out of fifteen. Winners will be announced on Friday during the roundup!

Once again, thank you so much for supporting this cause that is close to my heart and affects so many families in the infertility and pregnancy loss community.

And while it may appear as if we were leading the pack based on the fact that there are few people around us and while I would love to let you believe this, we were so freakin’ slow that they were almost out of “I did it!” stickers when we crossed the finish line. And I cropped the Citigroup team that were walking next to us out of the picture. Take that Citigroup!

0 comments

1 TeamWinks { 05.06.07 at 2:16 pm }

Well done Mel!

2 reichmann { 05.06.07 at 2:42 pm }

Mazel Tov! We’re so proud of you and your amazing family. PS- I love that all of your quint grandchildren are named Arielle 🙂

3 Sunny { 05.06.07 at 3:24 pm }

YAHOO!!! I thought of you today. Your little one is cracking me up!

I LOVE THE PICTURE!

4 megan { 05.06.07 at 4:58 pm }

well done! it looks like a glorious day!

5 chicklet { 05.06.07 at 5:28 pm }

Nicely done, big pat on the back for doing it!

6 Bea { 05.06.07 at 8:39 pm }

Congratulations! Both on the walk and, er, grandkids.

Bea

7 Sara { 05.07.07 at 6:04 am }

Way to go!

(And congratulations on the “birth” of your grandchildren)

8 Larisa { 05.07.07 at 6:35 am }

Good for you!

GREAT picture. I suck at Name that Blogger….

9 ms. c { 05.07.07 at 8:25 am }

What a delicious picture (and great story about your daughter.) MAzel tov on raising so much money.

10 Matthew M. F. Miller { 05.07.07 at 8:54 am }

You mean while I cleaned my apartment, drank coffee, played tennis and grilled out, you were walking to save babies??

Makes my 5 mile walk to the Dairy Queen seem for naught.

Good for you – great picture.

11 Mary Ellen and Steve { 05.07.07 at 11:22 am }

Great picture Mel and congrats on the walk!!

12 serenity { 05.07.07 at 12:57 pm }

Well done!!!

And thanks for sharing the picture. Love it.

13 Reproductive Jeans { 05.07.07 at 1:09 pm }

Hooraah! So glad it was a great day! Was thinking of you….and I am loving Name that Blogger!

14 Josh { 05.07.07 at 3:26 pm }

Boy. That guy’s got a great ass.

15 MarchofDimesTeamYouth { 01.29.08 at 11:09 am }

Dear March of Dimes supporter,

Your help is needed!

You may have heard the news …WalkAmerica is now called March for Babies. Our new name makes it very clear who we’re walking for ― all babies.

Now we need your help in getting the word out. Whether it’s in a blog, an email to friends or by putting this badge on your website … every mention of our new name helps.

Visit our Web site at http://www.marchforbabies.org/SpreadtheWord for our new logo and other materials to help us spread the word.

While our event name is different, our mission remains the same. March of Dimes is still the champion for babies – raising funds needed for research and programs that make a difference in the lives of babies and their families.

We appreciate your ongoing support. Please don’t hesitate to e-mail us at marchforbabies@marchofdimes.com if you have any questions about our new name or our event.

One day all babies will be born healthy, but we have to walk to get there.

Thank you,
March for Babies Team

March of Dimes Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
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