This is the amazing journey of our two miracles. John Craig was born on November 30, 2005 at 24 weeks and 5 days gestation. He weighed 1 pound 8 ounces and was 12 inches long. John is a true miracle and an inspiration to all that meet him! Hope Amanda, our perfect little girl, is currently recovering from two brain surgeries to remove a 6cm mass from the center of her brain. Hope represents everything good in this world and she too is an inspiration to all.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29.11

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Popeye....(Updated)


....John's strong to the finish cause he eats his spinach, he's Popeye the sailor man!

I cannot say enough good things about the Blenderized diet. It has worked wonders for our little guy and we've just begun. Today is our very first day of 100% blended food.....AND, it may be the first time in John's ENTIRE life that he'll go to bed without being hooked up to any tubes, wires, or monitors..........that is, if we can get all of his food in before bedtime.
So, here is a look at his food he'll be eating today.
Not pictured is flax seed oil, yogurt, milk, and almonds.........we still need to introduce those foods to him but, before long that 1 tiny little can of Peptamin Jr. will be long gone!!!


Now, you'll need to sit down before you look at the next 2 photos because you'll be witnessing yet another miracle. John is doing something we were told HE WOULD NEVER DO!

SITTING.....all by himself and who cares that it's a "W" sit!


All by the grace of God......and a little help from the spinach:)

Update:

It is now 10:00pm, John is fast asleep......and, he's NOT hooked up to the feeding pump!

On top of having a fabulous day with the diet, John held his cherry popsicle in his little hand and all by himself took 5 licks from it. What a GREAT day!!!

14 comments:

Katie and Matt said...

Everytime I see him do something they said he wouldn't I get tears of joy in my eyes. You give that little champion a kiss for me.

And hey, can you send me some of his blended food - if only we ate so good huh?.

Love you.
Katie

Kellars Mommy said...

WOW!!!! No kidding, just today as they were going over Kellars "list" of things as they were checking off sitting I thought about John and wondered if he was sitting yet...Kellar has been known to "W" sit here lately as well...

Nicole said...

Hi, I just wanted you to know how much I am enjoying your blog! What an inspiration John is to me! My son is a 26 weeker, born in February, 2007. He suffered a grade IV and II bleed, and we too were told of all of the severe life long disabilities he would have. I am happy to report that he is doing awesome, he is meeting his milestones for his adjusted age of 3 1/2 months. I find myself so bonded to other preemie Moms...
Anyway thank you so much for sharing your story! Oh, ya, we live in Goodyear...I think that we may have the same Neurologist, I don't think that there are too many "she" neuro docs at PCH!!!

In Christ,
Nicole
nrobinson12@cox.net

Sarah Furlough said...

Wow, John! Your Mommy sure is working extra hard on the Blenderized diet. Your Mommy is so proud of you and all that you have accomplished!

I am so glad to see you sitting, in no time you'll be running around. You never cease to amaze me!

Tell Mommy to keep up the great work (Daddy, too)!

Anonymous said...

Way to go John! I am so happy that you are doing so great!

Mommy's Friend Mrs. B :-)

Anonymous said...

Go, John, GO!!!! You continue to be the little engine that can! No one and nothing can stop you!!

XOXOXO,
Linda and Reeve

Kellie said...

Wow John! Carson and Eli say "Great job sitting up!". It looks like the blenderized diet is going well. Eli wishes he could kick the Peptamen Jr. habit (thickened on top of that lovely vanilla/vomit smell and taste!) too....

Tell John to keep up the awesome milestones!

Shannon said...

Science doesn't hold a candle to the power of God. Seeing John accomplish one feat after another touches my heart and brings a smile ear to ear.

Oh, let's not forget his stellar good looks : )

Sheri said...

AWESOME!!! What a GREAT day for you guys!!!! NO TUBES- what a HUGE blessing! Congrats!

abby said...

I love it, love it, love it. The diet seems so much more healthy than yucky Peptamen, and, for the record, I STILL w-sit. Hallie's OT pointed out that it probably means that I have low-tone in my legs. Yet, somehow, I've made it to adulthood, I walk everywhere, and at least before the girls were born, it never kept me from working out or anything else.

Plus, I think it looks cute, too.

Anyway, I am pleased as can be for you guys.

baby james said...

I must say I am so jealous, and so happy for you all. You have also helped put my mind at ease in the chance we might be getting a feeding tube. It sounds like you can control so much more. Sure I know we wish our kids could just eat like other kids. But that was not gods intentions and our kids no no different. I wish we could get together sometime, we live so close. I myself used to sit like that when I was a child and still do to this day.LOL

Twinmommy2boys said...

This is so wonderful. I am moved by your dedication and faith in him, not that I would expect different but he is such a miracle. Way to prove the doctors wrong.

Anonymous said...

hi, i am a friend of michele popa. i have a 28 week preemie,noah. he is now 9 years old. he had a feeding tube and trach until he was 5 years old. he still only eats finely chopped food but he is a miracle. thank you for sharing and God bless to you and yours. i took noah to kennedy krieger institute in baltimore to get him to have total oral intake. it was a wonderful experience. noah just needs to learn to chew now. hugs to michele popa for me! aloha, sissy sosner

Kim said...

I finally caught up on the Adventures of John and I am so thrilled! Thrilled that the blenderized diet is allowing John tube-less sleep, thrilled that he isn't vomiting and thrilled that he is sitting! I have goosebumps!