Gideon

Jimmie's 18th month post is almost done and that's what I was going to post tonight, but Leigh (Gideon's Auntie) sent me a sobering update. Gideon is very heavy on my heart and I just want all of you to intercede for him and his family. He is *really* struggling. He is at 100% oxygen on an Oscillating Ventilator which is extremely critical. This is the maximum amount of support they can give him. If he crashes or needs more . . . there is nothing they can do. They started him on a steroid yesterday to try and help his lungs develop, but as of this afternoon they were not happy with it's results so they are giving him their "big guns" steroid which they explained - because of the side effects they only use in the very worst case scenarios. He also had another brain ultrasound this afternoon. I don't know the results though...

Pray that Gideon's lungs will start working as needed and that there will be no major side effects from this steroid. There is hope! Where there is life there is hope. Gideon can fight back from this. Pray pray pray! And please remember his loving family in your prayers. As you may imagine this is beyond agonizing for them. He is a beautiful boy and has opened his eyes the last few days. He stayed fairly stable today while Reghan (his mommy) was there...

Jimmie's post can wait until tomorrow evening.

Thank you!

Love,

Amber

18 Months!

Wow! Jimmie is 1 1/2 years old today... His special post is coming . .
Keep praying for Gideon. He has a hard fight ahead of him.

Love,
Amber

Independence Day- By Jimmie Gravitt

So this post is a really long time comin... My mommy and auntie have been super busy this past month with their ballet. Don't worry though I have not been neglected. I have some stories about what I was up to while mom was at the ballet, but first I'm going to tell ya about my 4th of July day!

We went to my Uncle Eric and Auntie Rachel's house.

We all sat around outside eating and visiting.

Mommy and daddy were grateful that backyard is fenced in because they didn't have to worry about me escaping. They still have to keep a very close eye on me though.

I made faces! Auntie thinks this picture is hilarious. Somethin about my expression and my mommie's being the same. (Notice the eyebrows and forehead...)

Daddy made faces too...I don't know who daddy was makin this face at, probably Auntie Amber.

I ate pretty well, which always makes mommy very happy...

I thoroughly inspected everything interesting.

I rolled in the yard . . .

Cousin McKenna and I disagreed about some things. She's a stinker if I do say so myself.

I also played with the plants. I love plants! House plants get me in trouble everyday. I like to pull on them...

Mommy gives me a little more freedom with outdoor plants...

Here I am posing with the plant . . .

Auntie says I'm a natural at this modeling thing...

HA! I should be paid for this.

Later mommy put me to bed and apparently I slept right through a 1/2 stick of dynamite blowing up a trash can.

Then my mommy got me up after it was dark so I could see the pretty fireworks in the sky.

I wasn't scared of the loud noises and the flashing lights at all!


It was a fun evening.

Love,
Jimmie Jim Jim

P.S. Auntie says to tell you my fellow fighter and friend Baby Gideon is recovering from his heart surgery and doing well.

Get On Your Knees For Gideon!

Update- 10:20pm- PRAISE GOD!! Tears of joy and relief!! Just saw a post on Grandpa's facebook. Surgeon just came in with a smile. Gideon did well! The PDA has been sealed and blood flow immediately began improving!!! Thank you thank you thank you for lifting Gideon and his family up and fighting for his life with your prayers! Don't stop he still has a long way to go...

Update- as of 9:10pm (CST) they are just now starting the surgery! Pray for Gideon to stay strong and stable! Pray for everything to go smoothly and safely! Fight Gideon fight!!

Update: Just saw a note from Reghan- Gideon's mommy- that he stabilized sometime in the night. She said the doctors had no idea how as they had done everything they could! Praise the Lord!! Pray that he stays stable through the surgery!!

Update: Gideon is fighting... His surgery is scheduled for 4pm (cst) this afternoon. Pray that he fights hard. Making it through this surgery will be huge for him. I will update as soon as I know anything. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me..." Lord bring supernatural strength for Gideon . . . Thank you all so much for praying for this precious little boy.

I was going to do a Jimmie blog today, but I received an update this morning on baby Gideon.

He is not doing well. Reghan and Kaleb were called up to the hospital last night. He is very weak and they were not sure he would make it through the night. He needs heart surgery to close his PDA, but they are not sure if they can do it because of how poorly he's doing. Reghan's sister sent me a message this morning saying she hadn't heard anything since 5am. The surgery is scheduled for this afternoon.

Please pray for Gideon and this precious family!!! Fight Gideon Fight!!

I'll update when I hear anything.

Love,
Amber

Jimmie is doing good! Pray For Gideon!

Just a quick update to let you all know Jimmie is doing well. He did lose weight from being sick, but only about 4 oz this time. Pray that he can gain well. He is acting so big lately. He is really trying to talk, but you can't understand much. He is trying though. He points and gestures to get what he wants. He is very strong and continues to be ahead in his physical milestones.

Our big show is this weekend . . . Phew . . . Rachael and I are gone for long hours from our babies this week while we run the show. Pray for Justin, Rod, Kathy and mom (Andrea) as they put in long hours watching Jimmie. My mom jokes that when she watches him she saves his life every 5 minutes. (-: He is very very active and adventurous!

I will catch up on some blogging here next week! I have a couple of fun posts with pictures waiting...

One more prayer request for you all. Rachael and I grew up with a precious family who we lost touch with in high school. We have connected again this past week through mutual friends. The reason:? Our friend, a precious young women named Reghan and her husband Kaleb have had their first son. Gideon was born July 23rd at 23 weeks 5 days. He weighed 1 lb 4 ozs. He is fighting hard in the NICU. Reghan was on bedrest fighting for his life for 40 days. Gideon is doing well, but he has a very long road ahead of him. Pray for them!!

Love,
Amber

Driving!

Rachael sent this picture to my cell Tuesday. Jimmie thinks he's driving. Don't tell him he's not. (-;

Love,

Amber

P.S. I promise after next weekend my blogging will be back in earnest! Come see the ballet that has us so busy! It's July 30th and 31st. Email me for more information. deames4@kc.rr.com

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