March for Babies 2011

What a fabulous day yesterday was!  Hailey and I woke up at 6am, got ready, and were out the door by 7:20am to participate in the March for Babies (March of Dimes walk). The two of us drove up to Seattle chatting the whole way up about various things we saw, what we were going to do that morning, and remembering (for me) and explaining (for Hailey) what it was like when she was first born.  We arrived at Fisher Pavilion in Seattle around 7:45am and made the trek to find our walking team: Team Pitter Patter from Valley Medical Centers Birth and Level 3 NICU center. I was honored to have the opportunity to walk with this group, as this is where Hailey called home for the first 16 days of her life (but who's counting right!?!) Once we found our team we were able to check-in, get my team shirt, have some pancakes, and then hide in the pavilion until the absolute downpour stopped.  Funny thing-last time I did the March for Babies(3year ago) we had some pretty crazy weather as well from rain to hail and snow.

 Anyhow...I digress.  There was so much to see and do at the walk. While we waited for the rest of our walking team to show up, Hailey and I decided to take a leisurely stroll around the area and look around. We walked down one particular area in which they called "Baby Boulevard". This is where they had many signs with pictures of children/babies that people were walking for-some were babies that people were walking in memory of.  Well the announcer started to talk on the mic and so I turned around.  When I did I saw such a precious sight....Hailey's picture on one of the signs.  We walked over and looked at it (of course had a photo op too, lol).  Hailey was so excited to see herself on the sign.  What a treat to have our little girl on a March of Dimes sign.

 We decided it was probably time to head back and see if the rest of our team was there.  Boy what a surprise we had upon our arrival.  There were about 4 nurses (including Hailey's very first nurse), 1 doctor, and 1 of the Children's Therapy nurses that Hailey had had at Valley.  And an even bigger surprise...they actually remembered her!!! It was a great reunion. Our team had all finally arrived and we went and got our team picture taken. It was almost time to start the walk, so we all continued to congregate near the start line.

The MC announced that it was time for our group "warm-up", so we did our exercises and then-the walk began.  We even had a police escort complete with a marching band to lead us out to the street!  What an exciting start to the walk.Before we even had gone 1 mile of the 3 mile walk, the rain stopped, clouds parted, and the sun began to shine.  What a great day, and cause, for a walk in downtown Seattle!! :-)

nearing the finish line

 We completed the 3.1 mile walk in about an hour and a half and arrived back at Fisher Pavilion. (I had forgotten just how hilly downtown Seattle was in this area, lol).  Hailey and I walked around the area again and participated in some of the booths.  Hailey made a crown, colored on some paper, and I had another treat:  When I had first signed up to do the walk, the MOD website asked for volunteers to write up their "story".  I had done this, but thought that I hadn't gotten it in under the deadline.  To my surprise, at the MOD booth, there it was hanging with the rest of the "stories".  Some of these stories were absolutely heartbreaking.  It made me that much more grateful for Hailey's well-being. 

I'm truly honored that we got to be a part of this walking team this year , and I am extremely grateful/thankful for all that the March of Dimes does.  I can't wait to walk again next year!