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

Jimmie's 17th month post is coming...

Rachael left her camera in town and has a new computer. Both of those things have delayed our post today. Jimmie is 17 months old and doing great. Hopefully we'll have his post for you tomorrow evening.

Love,

Amber

Posts Coming Soon

Jimmie's latest trip to the lake, Independence Day and a Family Reunion coming soon.

I'm sure you've noticed the posts are less lately. This is not for lack of fun Jimmie news, it's because Rach and I are crazy busy. Every other year we put on a big production with our dance students and the show is coming up the last weekend in July.

I'll make up for the infrequent posts after the show. (-:

Love,
Amber

Down At The Lake And Fleas

Justin, Rachael and Jimmie are down at the lake this week with Rod and Kathy. Rachael has called twice to say they are having a great time!! This is the fourth time I think they have taken Jimmie down there and every other time has been very stressful and not much fun for Rachael. Jimmie is doing really well. He's eating and drinking a lot. He's napping well and enjoying their outings. I'll tell you more about their trip later when I have pictures to go with it.

Last weekend Rachael was completely horrified to discover their house was infested with fleas. There seems to be a HUGE flea problem on their land and the flea treatment "Frontline" they were using on Mack (dog) and Misty (cat) stopped working. She has literally waged war and in her words, "I WILL NOT LOSE"!! She cleaned and then bug bombed and then washed everything washable and wiped down every dish and surface. Mom and Kathy helped her with Jimmie and with cleaning. Mack only ever comes in the garage, but he is now barred from that. And she kicked Misty out. Misty is 19 years old and deaf. She had a nice cool place on the deck with food and water and her litter box, but the morning they left for the lake she was no where to be found. )-: Rachael is sad, but swears she is never having indoor animals again. Picking fleas off Jimmie is THE LAST STRAW. Justin has also treated the yard around the house. This has just been a nightmare for Rachael. She keeps everything so nice and clean for Jimmie and to pick fleas off of him and out of his crib really freaked her out. Mom said she was in tears a few times.

Anyway, pray that situation resolves. Rachael and Justin's home is beautiful and their land is beautiful, but sometimes beating back nature out in the country has it's trials.

Love,
Amber