Thursday, February 28, 2013

Busy, Busy

I feel like I'm in a whirlwind right now.  Actually, let me rephrase that.  I always feel that way about my life, but right now it's on major crazy tornadic whirlwind mode.  Home, work, husband, kids, dog.  You know the drill.  But now that March For Babies is in full swing, things have really heated up... 

I am part of the Family Teams Committee for the Dallas event and we have been having some conference calls and plans are underway to make this year's March the most successful ever.  I was then asked if I could be the guest blogger on BOTH the Dallas March For Babies blog AND the Texas March For Babies blog.  I've already done my first one for the state.  Check it out HERE

In addition, my friend Vi (infant daughter Taryn died in 2009 of an undiagnoed heart defect) and I went to the Capital in Austin a couple weeks ago with March of Dimes to ask Senators and Representatives for support of various bills that would be coming across their desks in the upcoming months.  One such bill, HB 740, is trying to change a statute in order to ensure that babies can be screened for CCHD, Critical Congenital Heart Disease.  This is obviously an issue that is near and dear to our family.  If the bill passes, all babies born in Texas will not be able to leave the hospital without doing a pulse oximetry reading (the little clamp they put on your finger to check oxygen levels).  By doing this, the doctors can detect CCHD before a baby shows signs of the condition, allowing for the proper treatment to be given to prevent disability or death.  Now Texas must add this screening to ensure the safety of our babies. 
A couple days ago, we got an email saying HB 740 is being pushed ahead and is going to be discussed in the next couple weeks.  They are asking us both to come back to Austin to testify during the hearings regarding this bill.  Can you believe it?  We're just a few moms.  Two ladies that met by a common bond... the deaths of our little babies from undiagnosed heart defects.  I am so blown away that our voices are about to be heard.  For Nash, for Taryn, and for all other babies that left this earth much too soon. 

I'll keep you posted on what's going on.  Say some prayers for us to get through to the legislators, so that HB 740 will pass with flying colors.  Let's save some babies!!!

Love to y'all,
Tracy

 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Oh Knox!

Okay, first off, I should formally apologize to my little Knox, for consistently writing things on here that he will, undoubtedly be embarrassed about when he is old enough to read this himself.  But, he's so stinking funny that I cannot help myself. 

I swear I don't know where he gets these things from.  I can assure you, it's NOT from his mama... not that I'm pointing any fingers...

Yesterday, my mom and Knox had the following conversation after a trip to the potty (in which he insisted on standing while he peed... without a stool... so his "stuff" was resting on the seat... ew...so he used his entire hand to wipe off any stray drips... double ew).

Grandma: Knox, you need to wash your hands.
Knox: No, I don't.
Grandma: Yes, you do.  You touched your peepee when you went potty.
Knox: I don't have to wash them.
Grandma: Yes you do.
Knox: No... I don't have to wash my hands when I touch my peepee.  GIRLS have to wash THEIR hands when they touch my peepee!
 
What the heck? 

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Let's Do This!!!

This is a post that some of you have seen year after year, while for others, it may be the first time… I’m writing today to ask for your help.  Every winter, our family begins our campaign to raise money for an organization that is near and dear to our hearts: the March of Dimes.  In April, our team, Heart’s Content, will walk five miles in the March For Babies event held in Dallas.  The goal of March of Dimes is that someday all babies will be born and stay healthy.

We got involved with this charity in 2009, less than one year after we lost our five month old son, Nash, due to an undiagnosed heart defect.  We walk each year in memory of our little boy who touched so many people in such a brief amount of time.  This is our way of trying to save other families from the heartbreak of losing a child.

Over the past four years, our team has raised close to $30,000 for this organization.  Last year our team was one of the top ten teams in the entire state of Texas, raising just shy of $10,000.  Brad and I have been honored two years in a row for getting third place in the Dallas Family Teams Division (of over 400 teams!).  And this year, I was given a Top Walker Award, because I ended up in fourth place of all individual walkers in Dallas (over 30,000 people).  We want to keep our streak alive and raise even more money for this amazing cause.

So here is where you come in.  There are so many ways you can help us out… Most importantly, if you would like to donate, please click this link www.marchforbabies.org/SieversFamily and go to our Team Page. It’s super easy and only takes a few minutes.  In addition, please feel free to spread the word.  Put our link up on Facebook or Twitter.  Forward this email to friends or family members you think would be willing to help.  Maybe they already know our story, maybe they have one that is similar, or maybe you’d just like to introduce them to our baby.  I am blown away every year by who donates.  I can’t tell you how many times I have spent days tracking someone down to say thank you, because a friend of a friend of a friend decided to donate.  It’s unbelievable to me and I am humbled by the generosity and kindness of everyone who helps us out.  No amount is too small – every penny counts.  If everyone that reads this donates just ten dollars for every child they have, that would add up very quickly.  If you have a business that would like to receive a tax break, look at the attachment, which explains “Family Team Sponsorships.”  Many of you try to donate to a good cause every year, and I am asking that the March of Dimes be that cause for you.

Even if you are not able to donate, please visit our Team Page to read our story and see Nash’s sweet face.  It means so much to us to know that people are thinking about him and remembering his short, but very meaningful life.  There is not a moment that goes by that I don’t miss our little boy.  But this journey has taught me so much that I am grateful for.  And every year at this time, we ask that our friends and family join us to remember Nash and help prevent other families from having to say good-bye to their babies much, much too soon.

Some of you we have known for years and others are new friends.  Some of you we've never met, but you've stumbled upon this blog one way or another.  Some of you we talk to regularly, and some it’s a FB message here or there.  Some of you we know because of our kiddos and some of you we know because of we share the same grief.  But all of you are people who can say Nash’s name without a second thought… you speak it clear and loud… you don’t cringe if we bring him up… you send us a note or a message on the most difficult of days.  We could not walk this road without each of you.  Thank you all for your continued love, support, and blessings.  God Bless.
Tate, Knox, and Brady at last year's March.
With Much Appreciation,
Brad, Tracy, Tate, Knox, Brady, and always Nash