Giving the Gift of Time

Everyone has known a family member, close friend, or co-worker who has gone through a difficult time. As a by-stander, it is hard for us to want to help those we care about and we constantly wonder "what more can I do? How can I truly help?" We can make meals, we can give gifts, we can call on the phone and chat to lift spirits.. And all of this, especially thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. But what if we could work together, to each give a little and have it amount to a lot?

This GoFundMe page is to raise money to give the gift of time to Elaine & Patrick Poblocki, to spend at home with their son, Eli. Eli is all his mother and father ever wanted and so much more. Their journey to becoming parents started soon after their wedding in February of 2012. They knew they wanted a family, and they were hopeful that they would be able to get pregnant soon after the wedding. After months of trying, in July of 2013 Elaine's OB-GYN did an Ultrasound to look for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, but found large fibroid that went through her uterine wall instead. Surgery was performed in October to remove the fibroid.  In January of 2014, Elaine started her first round of Clomid... Five rounds of Clomid, two rounds of Intrauterine Insemination, two rounds of injectables, two miscarriages, followed by one round of Invitro Fertilization, which finally gave Elaine a successful and sustained pregnancy. Elaine and Patrick were over the moon excited. They had gone through so much, and waited so long for this pregnancy, for this baby. Elaine felt great, she was on cloud nine. On June 1st they had an ultrasound. Elaine and Patrick found out they were having a baby boy. They also found out that she had a high risk of pre-term labor. Two weeks of bedrest followed, and then Eli was so excited to meet his incredible parents, that he just could not wait any longer...

Eli was born on June 14, 2016. His due date was October 5th. He was at the gestational age of 23 weeks, 6 days when he entered this world. He weighed 1 pound 5 ounces.

Now that he is here, he is fighting and will continue to have a road full of trials ahead of him. He has come so far over the past month, weighing in now at 1 pound 13 ounces, but he has a long way before he will be able to go home. He is currently in the NICU where his parents, grandparents, and close friends are able to visit. Elaine and Patrick drive to Hartford every day, multiple times a day, to see their sweet baby boy through the isolette. 

Elaine and Patrick are both teachers in Glastonbury. Elaine teaches 5th grade and Patrick is a high school English teacher. Elaine is currently planning on returning to her classroom at the start of the school year and when Eli is able to go home, she will take Family Medical Leave to be at home with him. How long she is able to stay at home is not determined yet. Eli is not allowed to go to daycare for a year because of his immune system. Please consider helping Elaine and Patrick -- give the gift of time. Just a little can go a long way, and could help Elaine stay at home with Eli as long as possible, which is exactly where she needs to be.

By helping to ease some of the stress that comes along with balancing finances, Elaine and Patrick can focus on their little miracle. Elaine and Patrick feel like so many people around them have do so much for them already, and they are so thankful. Even if you are unable to donate, just reading this and keeping them and Eli in your prayers would mean the world to them. Thank you, in advance, for all that you can do to help these wonderful new parents enjoy their beautiful baby boy.