Dear Jimmie- Happy 17th Month Birthday

Dear Jimmie,

Happy 17th Month Birthday!

This you right after you were born.


And this is you today!

Look at how you have grown next to your Rottweiler Puppy!

Look at how you've grown in your Father's hands!

Here is your special "Watch Me Grow Montage"!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You FINALLY made it on to the normal growth chart this month Jimmie! You achieved this feat in height.

You have gained 6 ounces this month in weight. You are 16 pounds & 6 ounces.

You have gained 3/4 of an inch in height. You are 29 & 3/4 inches long!

Your head circumference is 18 inches.

You have 117 followers on your blog that's 1 more than last month.

Your "Faithfulness" Video Montage has been viewed 11, 393 times. That's 682 times this month!

Your "Jimmie's Wonderful World" Montage has been viewed 875 times. And your "High Places" Video Montage has been viewed 533 times!

Your blog has been viewed 3,613 times this month for a total of 100,775 hits! You have a lot of very cool people who love to check on your progress Jimmie.

You are continuing to do well eating solids. Even though you are sick this week, you have not gone on your usual hunger strike. You are definitely taking in less than when you are healthy, but it's encouraging that you are still eating a little. Summer colds are NO FUN!

Your fluid intake is good. Your schedule right now is 1 pump feed 3 days in a row and then for 4 days no pump feeds at all. On the days that you have a pump feed you usually take in about 16 oz by mouth. On the days when you receive nothing in your pump you take in 16 to 24 oz! So you are making good steady progress away from tube feeds. It shouldn't be too long before there is talk of removing your g-tube.

Your Mommy bought you your first pair of hard sole shoes this month.

You have had no trouble adjusting and you need them because you walk or run everywhere!

Your mommy sets you down on the front porch and within a minute you are yards away from the house. You have a lot of land to run around on.

These photos were taken at a family reunion you attended this month. This farm is only about 15 minutes from your house.

You are now climbing up on the furniture. Your mommy showed you how to turn around and go feet first backwards to get off the bed. She only helped you a couple times before you caught on!

You have also discovered belly buttons this month. Your momma caught you pulling up your onsie last night. She was going to stop you because she thought you were going for your g-tube, but, nope- she quickly realized you were looking for your belly button!

Here you are touching your cousin Cole's belly button.

You are so precious Jimmie and irresistible!

You love to point at items and you seem to listen closely when they are named.

You seem to be trying to speak. Often you approximate words and mark syllables, but nothing is very consistent yet.

Last month I forgot to mention that you started "behavioral puking". Mostly at bed time or nap time when you get upset and want attention. You can puke instantaneously with little warning and you do this on purpose because you know mommy or daddy will come running. They have been combating this with a nice bedtime routine that includes reading books and rocking and snuggling. When/if you puke, mommy or daddy comes in and tries to clean you and your bed quickly with no excitement. Your mommy worries about your emotions and your behaviors sometimes. She feels you may have some psychological issues from all you've been through. Specifically "anger". You are so strong Jimmie and have been from the moment you were born, but we do not underestimate the effect such a traumatic early birth may have had on you in ways that are not just physical. I know that no matter what obstacle is in front of you, you will overcome and be victorious.

You had a really great visit to the lake this month.


This is the first visit that your mommy was really able to relax and have fun. She didn't declare it a disaster. (-: I'll do a special post for your visit with more pictures soon.

You also celebrated Independence day. You fell asleep before the fireworks, so your crazy mommy got you up. You were a little bleary, but you loved it. You smiled and pointed and were not scared at all. More about your Independence day, with pictures coming soon.

This month has been very very busy for your mommy and me. We do a big dance production every other year with our students. This takes a lot of time and effort to put together and is especially intense near performance time. Only a few more weeks and it will all be over. Whew!

Jimmie you continue to blow me away with your progress and by the force of your personality. You are always moving, always on a mission. In a room full of people who are all much bigger than you, you STAND OUT! Your voice is heard, you presence is known. We all marvel at your amazing energy. You are also very sweet with lots of hugs, kisses and pats. Well except for your Uncle David, for some reason you are terrified of him right now. This is funny because my kids (your cousins) have been scared of your daddy (their Uncle Justin) in the past.

Jimmie you are a very special little boy. I love you and am thankful for your life every single day! I could never express enough how heroic you are to me. Thank you for fighting like you have to live and bless us with who you are.

I'll love you forever,
Auntie Amber