Hits so close to home

Team Finn’s Fans grew by two feet today.  Unexpectedly.  And it makes my resolve to be a part of this amazing organization even stronger.  There’s a sweet baby girl 70 miles from her HOME getting settled into her temporary NICU home this evening.  She probably won’t be able to attend the March of Dimes Stillwater March for Babies this year, but we will.  And this year, we March not only for Finn, but for sweet little Lucy, too.

Let me tell you about them.  Momma is one of my dearest friends.  We share so many things in common.  We can finish each other sentences, talk without even speaking, laugh at nothing and know why, and pick up a conversation 2 days later without missing a beat. She is part of the Stillwater March for Babies Committee, and since she knew she would have a newborn at the time of the walk, she and her family joined Team Finn’s Fans to help us meet our fundraising goals! Her older daughter is almost 2, and Finn loves her.  In fact, this was our Transformation Tuesday picture today:

Baby Girl #2 was due the 2^nd week of September.  Scheduled C-section for September 8.  Until last week.  Thursday her doctor said she had high blood pressure and sent her to the local hospital.  Friday, due to pre-eclampsia, they transferred her by ambulance to the same hospital I had Finn at.  Yesterday they told her it was a waiting game.  This morning they told her it was BABY DAY!  What a ride!  Lucy was born at 4:07 this afternoon weighing 3 pounds 8 oz and 15.5 inches long. 

And it’s not fair.  NO ONE should have to go through the fear and questions they are going through right now – and what we did 3 years ago.  It’s scary.  It’s tough.  It’s life threatening.  It’s just not fair.  That’s why March of Dimes is so important to me and my family.  We want to see premature birth eradicated.  Figure out why it happens; figure out how to treat it; figure out how to prevent it.  Save the Mommas.  SAVE THE BABIES!

While she has a long row to hoe, Baby Lucy should do alright.  Girls fare better than boys in the NICU.  She has great support.  All the research from the last 76 years of March of Dimes are on her side.  She’s a fighter!  And she is LOVED.

Here’s how you can help Baby Lucy and other babies like her:

• Buy a Team Finn’s Fans T-shirt
• Join Team Finn’s Fans and raise money for the March of Dimes
• Donate to our team and help us meet our goal

We want all families to be blessed with big, full-term, healthy, take-me-home babies!  Don’t you? Join us!

Finn's Fans 2014 Team Shirt Information

Hello Finn's Fans!  

It is THAT TIME of year again!  Time to get geared up for the March of Dimes Stillwater March for Babies, and get our team outfitted in the cutest Team Finn's Fan shirts!  Put it on your calendar - September 20th at Theta Pond on the BEAUTIFUL Oklahoma State University campus!  We're a little further along in the process this year than we have been in the past...  2 year ago, we needed help getting a team name, and last year we had you all vote on the color combos.  This year?  Well, time is of the essence!  So, colors have been picked.  Design has been finalized.  All that's left is for you to get on board and order your shirts!

About our T-shirt:

We went with a blue and orange theme this year.  And threw in a bit of our beloved Oklahoma! Blue for the blue Oklahoma skies, and baby boys.  And orange of course for everything happy, joyful, and COWBOY true!

Finn's Fans March for Babies 2014

BUT!  We can't take ALL the fun out of it for our AMAZING Finn's Fans!  Before I get to all the nitty gritty t-shirt details, I want to announce a CONTEST! There's always room for a little fun when Finn's involved! If you'll notice, we used lots of  "F-words" to describe Finn over the last (almost) 3 years on this shirt.  Come up with your BEST F-word (KEEP IT CLEAN!) to describe out little miracle man, share it here (or email, text, Facebook, etc), and one winner will be chosen for a FREE Finn's Fans 2014 t-shirt!  WOOT!

Here are ALL the details you need to know--

Shirts are $15 each or 2 for $25 (all proceeds go to Team Finn's Fans)

*add $2 for plus sizes (2x or larger)

Shirts come in Adult (unisex), Women's Cut and Youth sizes (size chart below)

How do I pay for my shirt? 

*You can Pay by cash/check in person to Britt or Betsey before 9/6/13
*You can pay by paypal to betsey.weaver@gmail.com before 9/6/13
*You can call Betsey with a credit card payment
     YOUR SHIRT WILL NOT BE ORDERED IF IT IS NOT PRE-PAID!

How Will I get my shirt?

*If you need shipping, please add $6.00 to your payment and provide me with shipping address information
*Local (Stillwater, OK) shirts will be distributed the week before the March
*If we don’t get it to you before the March, you can pick it up there – September 20, 9:00am, on the Oklahoma State University campus at Theta Pond!

I want to be involved! How do I join your team? 

*EXCELLENT question!  You can go to our Team Website at March of Dimes and sign up to be a Finn Fan!
*All the tools you need to get started are right there on the website
*Join us in our goal to raise $1,084.00 for the of March of Dimes - honoring Finn's 84 day NICU stay.

Can I donate to your efforts without buying a shirt?

Of course!  You can go directly to the Weaver's March for Babies Fundraising page and donate any amount directly to the team!  

This is a lot of great information, but I still have questions! Now What? 

*Feel free to comment here on the blog
*Email us at sixdreamweavers@gmail.com
*Call, text, Facebook, Tweet, Pin, Instagram or whatever! We will answer you! 



SIZE INFO - click for larger



Don't forget to add your "F Word!"

Special thanks to Fantoga for finalizing the design and being our printer!

If you read this far, you get to know about the BONUS CONTEST! Anyone who can correctly identify the significance of the orange cross AND the orange heart will win a March of Dimes Prize Pack!  (*Family not eligible for this one!)  Again, comment here or get your ideas to me anyway you choose!

DAY 26! 26 Days of March of Dimes

WE MADE IT!

Today was Walk Day!  26 posts in 26 days! SO happy we made it!

So, Let me recap for you.  It started raining about 6:30 this morning.  Registration for our walk was set for 9:00am; the walk was to begin at 10:00am.  It rained. And the wind blew.  And it rained.  And it rained harder.  Then it rained.  And it RAINED.  And the wind blew.  And it rained some more.  It was still raining at 11:30 am when we left.  It was a lot of rain.  (Got it?)

So, we had to scramble late last night for a rain location since we knew the rain was in the forecast.  SO THANKFUL that worked out.  Even though we were super bummed we had to forgo the walk, and simply do the "program" part of it indoors.  Somewhat surprisingly, we had a GREAT turn out!  And it was a lot of fun!  I'll let the pictures say the rest.  I'm tired.  And ready for bed...

Emma & Lara showing off our banner before we head out

Wet. Wet. Wet.

Lisa and Britt ditched their shoes and socks for the parking lot lake

This was a common site by every door

Super AWESOME Super AMAZING cupcakes from the BRAND NEW Bella Maria bakery!

Recognition Beads and color chart

Team Finn's Fans & Roman's Empire banners

My VERY special and thoughtful gift from my Sister-In-Love!  (those are my 4 kids' birthstones!)  And, those are rain spots on my T-shirt.  'Cause it was raining.

Me and My Miracle! (Sporting my parent and committee member beads!)

Back of Finn's Shirt: Team Finn's Fans- 26 Weeks, 84 Days in the NICU, 860 Grams, OUR ADVENTURE

Back of Team shirt: "As soon as I saw you I knew an Adventure was going to happen." Winnie the Pooh

Pistol Pete is a Finn's Fan!

Did I mention it was raining?  Jake, Lara and Emma loved it.

Presentation time!

Team Finn's Fans!  Grandpa, Nana the Wonder Sitter, Me, Finn, Britt, Lara, Emma, Jake and Aunt Paula

It was really a good time.  Team Finn's Fans won awards for the most money raised over-all, the most money raised by a family team, and 2nd runner up for T-shirt design.  The Six Dream Weavers also received a nice plaque for being 2013 Ambassador family, and Britt & Betsey each got recognized with small gift for being on the MFB Committee for this year.

We want to thank all of YOU for helping us reach our goal!  As of bank day on Thursday, we had raised just under $2600 dollars.  Based on feedback we received from the Adorable Affordables sale, the March of Dimes cut outs are selling like HOT CAKES!  I bet we reach $3,000 before we are done!  SO EXCITING!  The babies love you for loving them!  See ya next year!

Day 25: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Volunteers

2012

More than 7 million people get involved in our largest fundraiser each year. March for Babies® raises awareness and $108 million to fund lifesaving research and community programs. 

1973

The first March of Dimes walkathons took place in 1970, setting the stage for the growth of WalkAmerica®, which became March for Babies in 2008.

1963

Even the youngest volunteers understand the importance of helping others. Today, thousands of young people, from elementary school to college, help the March of Dimes, often inspiring a lifetime of volunteering.

1950

As polio epidemics grew more widespread, volunteers went door to door to collect dimes so researchers working in labs could develop a successful vaccine. The campaign was known as Mothers March®.

Source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Team Finn's Fans had "BANK DAY" yesterday.  We turned in all the cash and checks we had collected, and reconciled the on-line donations.  Our goal was $2575.00.  At yesterday's event, we turned in $2,579.00!  And still counting!  We are so blessed that Adorable Affordables is not only a corporate sponsor for the March tomorrow, they are also graciously selling March for Babies "cut outs" at the registers during the sale this week.  here is a picture of the "Wall of Babies" from friday morning!

 

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for supporting Team Finn's Fans and most importantly, March of Dimes and the mission they have for healthy moms and babies!  My dream is that SOMEDAY, no baby will have to be born prematurely!

 

 

Day 24: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Presidents

2012

Presidents have always supported the March of Dimes and its mission to improve the health of America’s youngest citizens, including Barack Obama who met with Board of Trustees Chair LaVerne H. Council, and March of Dimes president Dr. Jennifer L. Howse.

1986 

Ronald Reagan met with Scott Cunningham, the March of Dimes National Ambassador who underwent advanced surgery immediately after birth to close his spine.

1961 

John F. Kennedy, whose own son Patrick was born prematurely and later died from breathing problems, welcomed Linda Breese to the White House. The March of Dimes poster child suffered disabilities caused by spina bifida.

1941 

Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself stricken with polio, showed sincere concern for children at the rehab center he created in Warm Springs, Ga.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

We couldn't do it without your help!  CLICK HERE to show your support! 

Day 23: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Celebrities

2012

Dee Snider, front man for 1980s rock band Twisted Sister, the father of two premature babies and the national spokesperson for Bikers for Babies®, has raised millions of dollars for the March of Dimes.

1979

Robert Redford continued the longstanding tradition of supporting the March of Dimes National Ambassador program, meeting with poster children like Betsy Burch.

1958

Marilyn Monroe appeared with March of Dimes poster children at the annual March of Dimes fashion show at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. The event drew people from the worlds of entertainment, fashion and high society, just as today’s Beauty Balls® do.

1956

Elvis Presley was one of many stars who supported the March of Dimes by promoting polio vaccination. Louis Armstrong, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra also encouraged their fans to get the polio vaccine after it was licensed in 1955.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Be a STAR for March of Dimes yourself!   CLICK HERE to donate!

 

 

Day 22: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Nursing

1955

During polio epidemics, nurses played a vital role in patient care and found countless ways to comfort young children with the disease.

 

1967

As March of Dimes researchers expanded knowledge of birth defects, we armed nurses with education in prenatal care. Today we offer a wide range of nursing modules to help nurses translate the latest research into the care they provide.

 

1995

As the crisis of premature birth grew, the March of Dimes supported professional development for nurses caring for critically ill babies in newborn intensive care units. Babies’ lives depend on the quality of care that these highly skilled nurses can give them. 

 

2010

One of the ways the March of Dimes recognizes the outstanding work of nurses is through our Nurse of the Year awards. We also award several scholarships annually to nurses enrolled in graduate programs in maternal-child health.

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

Support March of Dimes with your Donation HERE! 

Day 21: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Prematurity

1976

Recognizing the urgency of treating critically ill babies close to home, the March of Dimes played a vital role in creating a regional system of newborn intensive care units (NICUs).

1985

The March of Dimes funded the development of surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress syndrome in premature babies. Danielle Cofey was one of the first babies to be treated successfully in the United States.

2003

The March of Dimes launched a national Prematurity Campaign to raise awareness of the serious problem of preterm birth and to help reduce the alarming number of babies born too soon in the United States.

2011

Dr. David K. Stevenson leads the research team at the new March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Scientists from different disciplines share their knowledge to find the causes of premature birth.

 

source:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/mission-75.aspx#

 

***TODAY*** kicks of March for Babies week in  Stillwater!  Some teams are getting together TODAY to make "Memory Boards" to be displayed along the March route.  We are getting ready to close out the "thirty-one gifts" party, but there is still time to shop TODAY by clicking here!  AND, of course, Team Finn's Fans needs your donations!  TODAY, we are still at 72% of our BIG goal and we would LOVE to surpass it! CLICK HERE to donate TODAY!

Day 20: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Day 20: NICU Nursing

Another weekend post about March of Dimes, another Pinterest Palooza!  This time, the focus is NICU nursing!  We would be so lost with out the warriors of this wonderful profession! Here is a GREAT article "Dear NICU Nurse" to read that we came across last week.  It really touched our hearts, and we hope it can give you a glimpse into the lives of NICU parents and NICU nurses.

And then, on to the PINS!  (Click on each thumbnail to see all the pinned goodness!)

NICU Nursing:

NICU Nursing:

LIFE AFTER NICU:

I'M A NICU NURSE:

NICU RESOURCES:

That's just a quick view into the lives and views of these amazing nurses.  We had the best of the best, and we are so grateful for it!  They are some of the March of Dimes GREATEST supporters!  You can be, too, by DONATING to Team Finn's Fans and help us Save the Babies!

Day 19: 26 Days of March of Dimes

Pinterest: March for Babies

I love Pinterest.  Can't help it.  I just do!  So, today's 26 Days post is a bit fluffier.  Today, I want to share with you a few of my FAVORITE Pinterest boards that have to do with March for Babies!

Take a look around!  Enjoy!  DONATE to Team Finn's Fans!

Click on each thumbnail below to visit the board!

MARCH FOR BABIES:

 

MARCH FOR BABIES FAMILY TEAM - PIRATE POWER:

MARCH FOR BABIES:

MARCH FOR BABIES:

and of course, the OFFICIAL MARCH OF DIMES MARCH FOR BABIES Pinterest board!

OK!  Now that you have wasted a little time on a Saturday, get back to your regularly scheduled day!  Stay tuned for more "fluff" tomorrow!