This year I became not just a mom again, but the mom of another preemie. Charlotte Corrina was born on November 12, 2011. She weighed 5 pounds 2 oz.

Her birth both reopened and healed some of the wounds of Robbie's birth. She was born at 35 weeks and spent only 1 night in the NICU. But seeing another of my babies in an isolette was not an experience I ever wanted to have again.

Fortunately she has done very well. She is now 4 months old and approximately 13 pounds. She's eating, growing and developing well. We are beyond grateful for her good health.

Last year also brought amazing progress with Robbie. In May, just a week before his 3rd birthday, he was able to have his feeding tube removed. He has now been eating and drinking 100% by mouth for just over a year. He was also discharged from all therapy. We know that he may need services again some time in the future, but for now, he's a relatively healthy, typical nearly 4 year old.

We know that both of our children have the March of Dimes (amongst others) to thank for that. Both pregnancies I was able to receive steroid shots to help mature their lungs and prevent brain bleeds. Neither Robbie nor Charlotte had a brain bleed. Robbie does suffer from asthma now, but I shudder to think what would have happened without those life-saving drugs.

We thank everyone for supporting us and the March of Dimes. We truly hope that some day no family will live through the trauma of watching their child poked and prodded, or heated and ventilated in a tiny box. Thank you for helping us achieve that goal.

--Trish

"From the tiniest acorn grows the great oak."

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.