Giving Back: Books for Babies

Our Story...
On September 11, 2011 our son Benson Borgen was born almost 4 months early weighing 1 pound 7 ounces.  He was originally due at the end of December and his early birth earned him the title of a micro preemie.  With underdeveloped lungs and other complications along the way he was hospitalized for over six and a half months.  With an abundance of prayers, love and support we were able to spend much time with him.  The time we spent with him was not the typical experience most parents of full term babies have.  We were unable to hold our son for his first 28 days of life.  He was on a ventilator in an incubator for almost 3 1/2 months.  At times we felt helpless.  However, from day one our incredible nurses and doctors encouraged us to speak to our son. We tried to do this as much as possible, in the form of normal conversation and reading to him. Not only did this help with our piece of mind, it helped Benson. In fact Benson was featured in a KING 5 Children's Health Link supporting a study that a mother's voice improves a baby's health and development while in the NICU. We were showered with support and feel it is our turn do something.

Our Request...
We would like all NICU families to have the opportunity to read to their babies like we did, so we would like to start a library at the UW Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. For the holidays we are purchasing Children's books to seed the library and we ask you to join us.  For a majority of families the NICU is the last place they expect to spend time with their baby.  They enter this foreign place so overwhelmed with medical information and heartache that trying to get a book is far from on their minds.  An example of a great book that my Aunt Robin gave us to read Benson was the "The Little Engine that Could."  If you choose to participate you may purchase books or send money.  If you know where we live in Edmonds please feel free to drop off your donations on our front porch.  Otherwise please mail books or checks to the following address.  Checks can be made payable to Breanna Borgen.  I plan to purchase books at the Edmonds Bookshop.

Radwick and Lightle
C/O Breanna Borgen
221 James St. Suite 100
Edmonds, WA 98020

Our son is thriving at home.  You can follow his story by checking our blog. 
www.togetherathome.blogspot.com

Lovingly,
Bre, Erik and Benson

We are hoping to create a large library for the UW NICU families.  Here is a LINK to a document with all of the above information that you can print and post at your place of work.  Or email to friends and family.  The more donations the merrier.

Below is the video we created in the spring of last year, just after Benson came home for the first time.  








Benson's Journey from Bre Borgen on Vimeo.

Feeling Very Thankful

We feel extremely thankful on this special holiday.  Reflecting on where we were a year ago is almost too much for me to handle at times.  I can only take small doses of looking back at the struggles we endured. However I often reread encouraging cards, caringbridge messages, emails, etc and I cannot express how thankful we are for the support we recieved (and still do).  Erik and I strongly believe we are at home raising our happy healthy boy because of you. We are deeply grateful for all the love and support that has surrounded us.  You are amazing! And so is God!

So much love, Bre and the boys

Pictures of our sweet B

Benson and Auntie Kass

Benson currently has 4 teeth on top and two on the bottom. They are sometimes difficult to get pictures of so here is a good one as they started to come in.

{ pumpkin patch }

Our neighbor grows pumpkins and kindly offered for Benson to have his own private visit. Benson eventually warmed up to the idea of sitting on a pile of pumpkins. :)

We have so much to be thankful for! xo bre and the boys