March of Dimes

I had always heard of the March of Dimes, and have donated a couple times when asked if I wanted to add $1 to the end of my purchase to help the cause....but I never really took the time to understand what the March of Dimes was or what they raised money for.  Until now.

I remember sitting in the NICU on one of the many nights with my baby Katea and I ran into one of the other moms in there who was asking me if I was going to have my own team for the March of Dimes.  I was a little confused because I didn't know what she was talking about, and then she explained it to me.  She didn't even have to finish the explanation....I already knew it was definitely something I was going to do, and something that I would dedicate myself to doing every single year from now on!

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

So I will do what I can every single year to help raise money for this great cause, for two main reasons:

1- For my baby Katea

2- For my baby Cindy

This year, with it being our first year, we created our March of Dimes profile page and set a goal to raise $500.  I'm so thankful for such great and supportive family and friends because without even getting any sponsors, before the day of the walk even came to Salt Lake, we were able to raise $535, more than our original goal, and we had a lot of people who signed up to walk with us!  Thank you to all who helped support TEAM KATEA in this great cause!  :)

I created some shirts for everyone who came to walk with us, and I made some specialized outfits for my girls.  For Lautala, I wanted her to wear a little skirt...so I headed to the store and bought some material to make her one.  I just used one of her other little skirts as an example and I sewed it from there.  I must say, it turned out pretty cute!  Here's the skirt I made her:

I also made her a little tank-top that says:

I'm walking for my baby sisters

Katea 24 weeks 1 pound 12 ounces

Cindy Ki Hevani (with angel wings)

One of Ova's cousins came over to help Makai show his support....he shaved Katea's name into Makai's hair

I made a little outfit for baby Katea to wear.  I was pretty happy with how it turned out considering I've never worked with tulle before.  My first idea was to make a little tulle skirt for her, but then I thought it would be cuter if the tulle was sewn right onto the onesie, like a little ballerina!  :)  Unfortunately it was way too cold that morning to take her out of her stroller for everyone to see it...

The morning of the walk, it was really cold.  I wasn't sure how many people would actually come out and walk with us, but I was overwhelmed with the support we got.  There were so many people there to support us....my family, Ova's family...lots of our friends....the nurses and other NICU moms.  It was amazing!  I got lucky with the shirts because my brother in law hooked it up, so I had shirts made for everyone that came to support.  There were tons and tons of people wearing Team Katea shirts....I was loving it!  :)

My friend/fellow NICU mom Allie...her precious little Ivy was born a month after my baby Katea

And a shot with some of my nurse friends :)

The walk was a little intense for someone so out of shape like myself...lol.  It was only 1.5 miles, but I swear most of it was uphill.  I was pushing Katea in her stroller, with her oxygen tank and an extra one in her basket underneath, her diaper bag and some extra shirts we had left over, plus all her blankets....and I thought I was going to die.  Lol  I was ok at first, I was even ok after the first little hill, but once we turned the corner and there was another hill....OMG.  Let's just say that I was so proud of myself that I made it all the way, huffing and puffing and all.  Lol. 

Afterwards they had tons of activities and fun things to do for the kids.  There was some jumpy things and an obstacle course....face painting...a photo booth...a man making balloon animals.....Chick-Fil-A provided lunch for everyone and there were various other vendors.  I think me and my euntorage were the last ones to leave the park.  It was so much fun!  We all got in on the fun too...even us adults!  :)

They also had drawings where they were giving away tons of prizes, gift baskets, gift cards, golf sets...and the grand prizes were brand new bikes!  Guess who won!!  ME!!!!  Thank goodness to the nurses who heard my name, because I didn't....and thank goodness to my sister for claiming it for me!  My kids got a brand new Mongoose bike with pegs!  Not too shabby!

It was a great time and a great turn out!  I just want to thank everyone who was a part of our TEAM KATEA this year!  Whether you walked with us, or donated....or thought and prayed about her.....THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  When all was said and done, we were able to raise a little more than $1000 for this great cause!  We really appreciate you!

It's all for this little girl, my miracle, Kalolaine Katea Fangupo