Elizabeth Monahan

Sam, Emma, Bryan, and I are excited for this year's March for Babies, which is being held on April 27th at the Meadowlands. This year is particularly special for two reasons: this year we have a new addition, Zoe, to introduce to the walk, and because we're the mission family this year! We're very honored to be able to share our story at the event and support the March of Dimes with their important work for preemies and their families. We hope you can join us!

Sam and Emma's extremely early entry to the world changed my life in ways I can't adequately describe. A NICU stay of the length and severity that comes with two 24-weekers inevitably changes you and your outlook. Now, 3.5 years out from their birth, a lot of the hardest days still feel so recent while others have faded as new memories have replaced them. Seeing Sam and Emma overcome so many challenges and go off to preschool and do so many “normal” things is something I literally could not have imagined during our NICU stay. Especially given the world's climate today, when access to healthcare and support for families facing medical challenges is in true jeopardy, it feels all the more important to share our story and show that these tiny one-pound babies can grow to be bossy toddlers with more personality, spunk, and courage than you could ever imagine. And now, having had a full-term, healthy baby, I see how much I missed out on a normal experience with the twins. It's healing and heartbreaking at the same time - but we each have our unique stories and hopefully sharing ours can help more families see their one-pound babies grow up, go off to school, become big brothers and sisters, and drive their parents crazy in the best way.