Saturday, April 11, 2009

Dear Jimmie- Happy 2 Month Birthday!

Dear Jimmie,

Happy 2 month birthday! You have had a very exciting 2nd month. You have worked so hard and accomplished so much.

This is you right after you were born.


This is you at 1 month old.


And this is you today!


Look at how you've grown next to your Rottweiler Puppy!







You have hit the 2 pound and the 3 pound mark this month. You are 3lbs 15oz! You have gained 31 ounces in weight!

You have grown over 2 inches in length!

Your head circumference has increased 2 1/2 inches!

You were rocking the low flow nasal cannula for 3 days before your “Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day/week.”

You had what I’m now referring to as your “crash and bleed” and had to go back on the ventilator for 5 days. That’s the same amount of days you were on it after you were born. You were in serious condition Jimmie and both sets of your Grandparents, Mommy and Daddy and me- your Auntie Amber rushed to your side and prayed A LOT!! We love you so much and we are so proud of you. You were so brave and strong. We are very sorry about all that as it seems we have caused your nose to have some issues. The Doctors and Nurses have been doing their very best trying to help you breathe, but your teeny tiny little nose has been compromised. It started bleeding and you cried and inhaled the blood into your lungs.

After you were extubated you were amazing! You fought hard and achieved breathing without any positive air support blowing in your nose. You now hang out in an oxygen hood in your isolette.


And you just have some oxygenated air blowing in your direction when you are in Mommy or Daddy’s arms.


So now you have a sign posted on your isollette.


You have had 1 blood transfusion this month. You needed it, but it may have contributed to your “crash and bleed” so we are rooting (and praying) for you to make enough of your own blood from now on.

Your feedings have increased by 16 ml! You are now taking 32ml of your Mommy’s breast milk in a tube that goes in your mouth (NOT YOUR NOSE) and down into your tummy. And you have started learning how to breast feed! You love that special time with your Mommy and you are now working on it twice a day. You make improvements every time. You little eyes widen and you snuggle right in. You are becoming very aware and expressive Jimmie. Your Mommy can tell what you want when she walks in first thing in the morning.

The big news of today Jimmie is that you got moved to a BIG BOY BED! On your 2nd month birthday you have graduated to an open air crib. You are showing signs of holding your body temperature. So we'll see how you do tonight. This is so exciting!

You are now keeping your heart rate up and breathing without the help of caffeine therapy. You were weaned from that this month.

You had your first eye exam, but your eyes were still too premature to determine if you have ROP. So you'll have another exam in your 3rd month.

You also have started wearing clothes! You look like such a big boy in your tiny little onsies.


You have 80 (11 more than last month!) followers on your blog and many many more people who read it and pray for you every day.

You also starred in your first video and picture montage which was a big hit. It was set to music by your Pa. (Jay EuDaly)

That video has been viewed on One True Media and You Tube combined over 1000 times! Many of which are by your cousin’s Cole and Mckenna who can’t wait to meet you.



And by your Barkley cousins- who also will be very excited to meet you.


The Doctor’s and Nurses have reiterated this month how rare you are, how amazing you are. One said that your journey has been unbelievable!

I love praying for you Jimmie. There are a lot of people who love praying for you. We pray “fat prayers”, “crit prayers”, “poop prayers”, “oxygen prayers”, “eye prayers” and lots more! Jimmie, you know now the power of prayer, I’m sure you do! I know you feel them as you are completely covered in them.

Jimmie you have fought and won many battles this month and since the night you were born. You still have more work to do before you can come home.

"Blessed be the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge.

The Lord is your refuge Jimmie! He is your stronghold and your deliverer!

I love you very much and cannot wait for the day when I can touch you. I love coming to visit you to see your sweet face and to see your Mommy and Daddy’s faces when they look at you. Your tiny little room is so full of love. I also love coming to visit you because you are awe inspiring. I’m in the presence of real live miracle when I’m with you. Jimmie you are our Lion and our Lamb. You are both Fierce and Sweet. You Fight and you make Peace. I’ve never had a hero before Jimmie, but now you are most definitely mine!

Love you forever,
Auntie Amber.

8 comments:

  1. You rock, Jimmie!
    Love you,
    Aunt Leanne

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  2. uncle david says: can't wait until you get to leave the hospital. what a day that will be!

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  3. That was the sweetest letter Amber!!!!! What wonderful news that Jimmie is in his own bed now :) That's great!!!!!!! Continuing to pray...can't wait for the day he is able to go home!

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  4. Amber, you are the most awesome aunt! This is so incredibly beautiful. Rachael and Justin, the Lord has truly blessed you in so many ways, and Jimmie, too. He must have a very special purpose in this life. And Jimmie, dude, you really do ROCK!

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  5. Praise the Lord!!

    Adrian and Janelle

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  6. Yay, Jimmie! None of your family knows me, and it's sort of strange, but I read this blog and think about you everyday. Happy Second Month Birthday!

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  7. Jimmie, wow you are sooooooo amazing! Jesus has blessed you soooooo much. Can't wait until you can come home! We are praying for you! Our love is with you all!
    -Mary Gates & Family

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  8. Wow! Are you ever cute!! Your aunt has been doing an amazing job keeping us up to date on your every move. You are a very loved baby and I am thrilled that all of our prayers are working. You keep fighting because it is all going to be worth it!
    Kathy Barnes

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