I watched your video and it made me cry. You're up $25.
I hope they can find answers. One of my friends threatened to go into premature labor for the whole second half of pregnancy. No one knew why. She made it to 36 weeks. They brought him home but a few days later he had apnea episodes that were, thank god, noticed by a nurse during a jaundice check. He was rushed to a hospital out of town and had a rough few days. Your girls went through so much more. It's not fair for tiny babies to have such a rough start in life.
Thu Apr 26, 08:28:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Hiya, I'm delurking to let you know that you are up another $25 (for all the times I've looked at your blog). ;) Your girls are absolutely beautiful and I have a special interest in Eden because she's deaf like me. =D
Thu Apr 26, 09:00:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
OMIGOSH BIllie!! I'm at work bawling!! I love your love for your family.
Sara S-M
Thu Apr 26, 09:18:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Your girls are beautiful, I have been following their stories for a long time now. I am also a supporter of the March of Dimes.
Can you post who the song in your video is by, I love it.
You know it was very hard to read the donation screens with tears swelling in my eyes!! The best of luck on Saturday!
Thu Apr 26, 12:25:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
What a perfect song for your video. Another lurker here, who just donated as well.
I do not think these girls could have possibly ever had better parents than you and your husband! You must be the most amazing woman!
Holland and Eden are just beautiful.
Good luck in the walk!
Mom of 32 weeker
Thu Apr 26, 12:40:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Congratulations! You have reached your goal for the Walk!
Thu Apr 26, 02:03:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Billie,
I had the most warm,loving feeling come over me as I watched your video. You & John are amazing: what may be difficult to convey in words, you have done through your video.
May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
Aparna
Thu Apr 26, 02:25:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Delurking to tell you that my starbucks money has been added to your list of contributions. Your blog never ceases to amaze me, and your video touched my heart. God bless you and your beautiful girls.
-janet
Thu Apr 26, 02:46:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Billie,
Thank you so much for sharing your girls with us. I always check to see new pics and updates. My 15 mos old was born very premature and we almost lost him. My eyes well up with tears at the very mention of March of Dimes, we are so in debt to them. Walk America does so much more than raise money, it raises the spirits of us preemie moms...as we battle the breathing issues, cold season, and everyday events in our "preemie parent" lives. Holland and Eden are beautiful and we all love them from afar.
Take care, best of luck in the walk and blessings.
Courtney
Thu Apr 26, 03:01:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Your video is beautiful, and so moving. Your blog inspires me as a parent. Best of luck with your walk! I have added a small donation. Sheila aka tripleblessings
Thu Apr 26, 03:41:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Made my donation....it was easy....I don't like Starbuck's coffee!
Congradulations on reaching your goal. I LOVE the video. The girls are adorable. You and John are so lucky to have them and they are so lucky to have you as parents. I think research is needed into all disabilities that affect children. I think research to prevent premature births is a great start. Although, I am Canadian, I donated $28 towards your walk because I know findings from research will likely benefit children everywhere, not just in the United States. I was not a preemie but I was born with Asperger syndrome (cause is likely genetic) and even though I consider myself to have a very good quality of life, I would like to prevent my future children from having to go through the struggles that I went through and still face today.
Thu Apr 26, 11:24:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
wow. that video is great. i am wiping my eyes and honestly, my heart is about to burst... they are great. you are great.
i'm so happy you made your goal. did my donation ever post or what?? well, no matter what the moeny all goes to the march of dimes, which is the point! love you.
Very, very touching video. Boy, did it bring me back to that hospital room. I can't believe how similar your girls and my girls NICU stay was!
We are gearing up for the walk this weekend too. Good luck with yours! God's Blessings to you all!
Fri Apr 27, 12:54:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
We've never been able to manage the local walk ourselves, it always falls on a bad weekend...so my donation this year is to you in honor of Holland and Eden and my own twins, 29 weekers who turned 5 this month.
I work with children all the time and I nominate Billy and John for parents of the year!!! Take this $100.00 for the walk.
Fri Apr 27, 02:34:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
WOW That was an amazing montage of all the things you guys have been through. It made me cry!
Mikayla
Fri Apr 27, 03:27:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Thank you for allowing us to share in your journey with these adorable miracles of yours. I've donated to this organization before, but will now donate through your walkamerica. God bless you. Connie W.
Fri Apr 27, 03:39:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
billie - can we no longer go back and read previous posts or am i missing something?
i was telling a friend about you guys, and she wathced the video, and cried and cried.
Add me to the list of people who welled up watching this video. Your girls are miracles, you and John are amazing and all four of you are beautiful. Wish I could have donated more to you walk.
Sat Apr 28, 10:17:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Hi, I'm one of those stalkers who have followed Holland and Eden's story almost since they were born, but never dared to comment. But I totally had to delurk today to tell you that they are honestly two of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. Such joyful smiles...
Great video. I think you are going to have to start making more of them!
Sun Apr 29, 12:41:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Wow, Billie, the donation even worked from Germany!I wasn't sure at all if one could make the international donation! Great video, hugs and kisses to your awesome girls!
You and your family have inspired me and my family since I began to follow your story a while back. Thanks to your inspiration, Team Noelani (in honor of our own 24 weeker) raised over $2,800 for the walk! Your girls are so beautiful and they are in my prayers consistently. God bless you all. Nancy
Tue May 01, 12:03:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
We need to connect. I live in MI and I had 2 pregnancies after having preemie twins at 25 weeks. One of those pregnancies was a second set of twins. Email me maureenvh@comcast.net.
Just watched your video - how incredible. It was so neat to watch the girls and slowly be able to pick them out in the preemie pictures (don't all preemies look the same).
I also had a friend who's (full-term) son was recently diagnosed with PVL and hypotonic CP. I gave her your website. She's already told me how much it has touched her.
I just realized today that Holland & Eden were born on Tanner & Morgan's original due date. I hadn't made the connection before.
We do our March of Dimes this weekend - we don't have as hefty goals as you, but we're excited to have raised about $400 so far!
Tue May 01, 10:39:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
ok... i can't take it anymore. how'd the walk go? how are the girls? give us some love! :-) lisa
Thu May 03, 12:42:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
yhyh tel us ppppppppllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeee
Oh boy, lots of tears here ... both from this video and the one you posted on the CP list. Way to go Eden! Avery just crawled for the first time recently and the tears were unstoppable.
Your last month has been so much like our March/April last year, with both our guys taking turns in the hospital and the family being split up for so long. I completely understand how you were feeling and I'm so glad to see you are all home now.
When we were hanging out in the hospital, I brought my laptop and created a video similar to yours but I never took the time to publish it. I will have to do that soon!
You video is BEAUTIFUL and so are your girls. Just precious. I am in tears!
Sat May 05, 02:44:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
Amazing girls who have come from amazing parents! Thankyou for sharing their story with us that movie is beautiful.
I have a movie of my daughter Airlie Fae who was born 12weeks too early. If you like to take a look please go to www.momentbymoment.com.au and look in the our inspiration area.
Love can take you to some amazing places.
Mon May 07, 10:03:00 AM EDT
Only two more days left until the BIG day. I had such big plans this year, but due to recent events, was unable to do everything I had wanted to do in terms of fundraising.
I am so grateful to our friends, family, and blog readers, who have gotten us to where we are in terms of money raised so far. Thank you all so VERY much!
By my calculations, if everyone reading who hasn't already donated, would donate just $1.00, we could easily reach our goal! Just $1.00. That's less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks (a lot less). And it would make me so happy...
"WalkAmerica: Crunch Time"
40 Comments -
I watched your video and it made me cry. You're up $25.
I hope they can find answers. One of my friends threatened to go into premature labor for the whole second half of pregnancy. No one knew why. She made it to 36 weeks. They brought him home but a few days later he had apnea episodes that were, thank god, noticed by a nurse during a jaundice check. He was rushed to a hospital out of town and had a rough few days. Your girls went through so much more. It's not fair for tiny babies to have such a rough start in life.
Thu Apr 26, 08:28:00 AM EDT
Hiya, I'm delurking to let you know that you are up another $25 (for all the times I've looked at your blog). ;) Your girls are absolutely beautiful and I have a special interest in Eden because she's deaf like me. =D
Thu Apr 26, 09:00:00 AM EDT
OMIGOSH BIllie!! I'm at work bawling!! I love your love for your family.
Sara S-M
Thu Apr 26, 09:18:00 AM EDT
Your girls are beautiful, I have been following their stories for a long time now. I am also a supporter of the March of Dimes.
Can you post who the song in your video is by, I love it.
Thu Apr 26, 09:42:00 AM EDT
My donation is on the way.. thanks!
Thu Apr 26, 10:42:00 AM EDT
The song is "Lullaby" by The Dixie Chicks. I love it too!
Thu Apr 26, 11:02:00 AM EDT
You know it was very hard to read the donation screens with tears swelling in my eyes!! The best of luck on Saturday!
Thu Apr 26, 12:25:00 PM EDT
What a perfect song for your video. Another lurker here, who just donated as well.
I do not think these girls could have possibly ever had better parents than you and your husband! You must be the most amazing woman!
Holland and Eden are just beautiful.
Good luck in the walk!
Mom of 32 weeker
Thu Apr 26, 12:40:00 PM EDT
Congratulations! You have reached your goal for the Walk!
Thu Apr 26, 02:03:00 PM EDT
Billie,
I had the most warm,loving feeling come over me as I watched your video. You & John are amazing: what may be difficult to convey in words, you have done through your video.
May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
Aparna
Thu Apr 26, 02:25:00 PM EDT
Delurking to tell you that my starbucks money has been added to your list of contributions. Your blog never ceases to amaze me, and your video touched my heart. God bless you and your beautiful girls.
-janet
Thu Apr 26, 02:46:00 PM EDT
Billie,
Thank you so much for sharing your girls with us. I always check to see new pics and updates. My 15 mos old was born very premature and we almost lost him. My eyes well up with tears at the very mention of March of Dimes, we are so in debt to them. Walk America does so much more than raise money, it raises the spirits of us preemie moms...as we battle the breathing issues, cold season, and everyday events in our "preemie parent" lives. Holland and Eden are beautiful and we all love them from afar.
Take care, best of luck in the walk and blessings.
Courtney
Thu Apr 26, 03:01:00 PM EDT
Your video is beautiful, and so moving. Your blog inspires me as a parent. Best of luck with your walk! I have added a small donation.
Sheila aka tripleblessings
Thu Apr 26, 03:41:00 PM EDT
Made my donation....it was easy....I don't like Starbuck's coffee!
Thu Apr 26, 05:29:00 PM EDT
Congratulations! You have now raised more than your goal!
I'll keep my fingers crossed that the weather is good for your walk.
You are an inspiration to moms everywhere, even if they don't have a preemie!
Thu Apr 26, 06:22:00 PM EDT
Congradulations on reaching your goal. I LOVE the video. The girls are adorable. You and John are so lucky to have them and they are so lucky to have you as parents. I think research is needed into all disabilities that affect children. I think research to prevent premature births is a great start. Although, I am Canadian, I donated $28 towards your walk because I know findings from research will likely benefit children everywhere, not just in the United States. I was not a preemie but I was born with Asperger syndrome (cause is likely genetic) and even though I consider myself to have a very good quality of life, I would like to prevent my future children from having to go through the struggles that I went through and still face today.
Thu Apr 26, 11:24:00 PM EDT
wow. that video is great. i am wiping my eyes and honestly, my heart is about to burst... they are great. you are great.
i'm so happy you made your goal.
did my donation ever post or what?? well, no matter what the moeny all goes to the march of dimes, which is the point! love you.
lis
Thu Apr 26, 11:36:00 PM EDT
Very, very touching video. Boy, did it bring me back to that hospital room. I can't believe how similar your girls and my girls NICU stay was!
We are gearing up for the walk this weekend too. Good luck with yours! God's Blessings to you all!
Fri Apr 27, 12:54:00 AM EDT
We've never been able to manage the local walk ourselves, it always falls on a bad weekend...so my donation this year is to you in honor of Holland and Eden and my own twins, 29 weekers who turned 5 this month.
Fri Apr 27, 06:43:00 AM EDT
Okay...I cried, I couldn't help it.
They are so precious, so special.
I'm glad you have them, and that I get to visit your site almost every day.
Love to you all.
Kendra
Fri Apr 27, 10:32:00 AM EDT
Billie - I posted my donation to the site -- I hope you exceed your goal!! Love to you and yours, Kathy Wallace
Fri Apr 27, 11:29:00 AM EDT
I love your blog, and as someone else said I love the love you have for your family. The photos don't do justice to how beautiful you all are.
Fri Apr 27, 12:32:00 PM EDT
Yes, I'm crying at work. You've got $10 from me!
Preemies are so special :)
Fri Apr 27, 01:53:00 PM EDT
I work with children all the time and I nominate Billy and John for parents of the year!!! Take this $100.00 for the walk.
Fri Apr 27, 02:34:00 PM EDT
WOW
That was an amazing montage of all the things you guys have been through. It made me cry!
Mikayla
Fri Apr 27, 03:27:00 PM EDT
Thank you for allowing us to share in your journey with these adorable miracles of yours. I've donated to this organization before, but will now donate through your walkamerica. God bless you. Connie W.
Fri Apr 27, 03:39:00 PM EDT
billie - can we no longer go back and read previous posts or am i missing something?
i was telling a friend about you guys, and she wathced the video, and cried and cried.
love you guys.
lis
Fri Apr 27, 04:00:00 PM EDT
Add me to the list of people who welled up watching this video. Your girls are miracles, you and John are amazing and all four of you are beautiful. Wish I could have donated more to you walk.
Sat Apr 28, 10:17:00 PM EDT
Hi, I'm one of those stalkers who have followed Holland and Eden's story almost since they were born, but never dared to comment. But I totally had to delurk today to tell you that they are honestly two of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. Such joyful smiles...
Sat Apr 28, 11:05:00 PM EDT
Great video. I think you are going to have to start making more of them!
Sun Apr 29, 12:41:00 AM EDT
Wow, Billie, the donation even worked from Germany!I wasn't sure at all if one could make the international donation! Great video, hugs and kisses to your awesome girls!
Sun Apr 29, 09:11:00 AM EDT
your video was beautiful :)
Mon Apr 30, 02:06:00 PM EDT
You and your family have inspired me and my family since I began to follow your story a while back. Thanks to your inspiration, Team Noelani (in honor of our own 24 weeker) raised over $2,800 for the walk! Your girls are so beautiful and they are in my prayers consistently. God bless you all.
Nancy
Tue May 01, 12:03:00 AM EDT
We need to connect. I live in MI and I had 2 pregnancies after having preemie twins at 25 weeks. One of those pregnancies was a second set of twins. Email me maureenvh@comcast.net.
Tue May 01, 05:19:00 PM EDT
Billie -
Just watched your video - how incredible. It was so neat to watch the girls and slowly be able to pick them out in the preemie pictures (don't all preemies look the same).
I also had a friend who's (full-term) son was recently diagnosed with PVL and hypotonic CP. I gave her your website. She's already told me how much it has touched her.
I just realized today that Holland & Eden were born on Tanner & Morgan's original due date. I hadn't made the connection before.
We do our March of Dimes this weekend - we don't have as hefty goals as you, but we're excited to have raised about $400 so far!
Tue May 01, 10:39:00 PM EDT
ok... i can't take it anymore. how'd the walk go? how are the girls? give us some love! :-)
lisa
Thu May 03, 12:42:00 AM EDT
yhyh tel us ppppppppllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeee
Thu May 03, 12:17:00 PM EDT
Oh boy, lots of tears here ... both from this video and the one you posted on the CP list. Way to go Eden! Avery just crawled for the first time recently and the tears were unstoppable.
Your last month has been so much like our March/April last year, with both our guys taking turns in the hospital and the family being split up for so long. I completely understand how you were feeling and I'm so glad to see you are all home now.
When we were hanging out in the hospital, I brought my laptop and created a video similar to yours but I never took the time to publish it. I will have to do that soon!
Take care!!
Andrea
Thu May 03, 11:33:00 PM EDT
You video is BEAUTIFUL and so are your girls. Just precious. I am in tears!
Sat May 05, 02:44:00 PM EDT
Amazing girls who have come from amazing parents! Thankyou for sharing their story with us that movie is beautiful.
I have a movie of my daughter Airlie Fae who was born 12weeks too early. If you like to take a look please go to www.momentbymoment.com.au and look in the our inspiration area.
Love can take you to some amazing places.
Mon May 07, 10:03:00 AM EDT