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

Friday, August 31, 2007

So Much To Say...

...So little time...because I need to go to bed:)

Things are still going FABULOUS in the Birtch home!
  • Today I was able to give John 6 ounces (180ml) of food in less than 20 minutes....AND, he kept it down! It used to take us a good half hour to give him 2 ounces (60ml) of formula...and then it would come right back up:(

  • He is a pooping machine! He has been pooping everyday (without meds) and some days even 2 or 3 times.....unheard of!!!

  • He is babbling A LOT more and he's even making new sounds!

  • He slept for 12 hours and 40 minutes last night! He has always been a good nighttime sleeper........poor guy could sleep through vomiting. He would just vomit and go back to sleep...but, now we are ALL sleeping 100% better. And, we don't have to worry about him getting tangled in his feeding tube (around his neck.....which has happened numerous times.)

  • In the last few days he has eaten (and swallowed) a few things.......

1. 1 pretty big bite of a shortbread cookie

2. 2 big bites of a piece of paper

3. 1 small bite of a pretzel

4. And today..........LOTS of bites of Daddy's ice-cream!





Notice the couch? This is exactly why we aren't buying new furniture in the play room!

So, as you can see we are still loving the Blenderized diet and we're extremely glad we went with our gut feeling and made this decision..........even though GI isn't supportive.

Anyhow, I'll leave you with this...

BD (blenderized diet) gone bad!


I had to laugh because as Daddy was cleaning off the ceiling, I glanced over and saw some of my protein shake splattered on the adjacent wall (ceiling.) FYI, don't stick a knife in the blender while the blender is on!

4 comments:

Shannon said...

Yea John!! I'm so happy that the Blended diet is working. We can't wait to see you guys when we get home.

xoxo
Shannon

baby james said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
baby james said...

To funny you are, I am so happy to hear how well things are going with John. I feel your excitement. James has been placed on new meds for his reflux, Prevacid, Zantac and Mylanta, so I feel like medicine woman AKA mommy, but he is constantly getting something to hoepfully keep his reflux at bay and let the kiddo enjoy eating and hoefully gain some signifcant weight. He has had a week of great eating, keep your fingers crossed. I thought of you this morning when James was having vanilla ice cream with ovaltine for BREAKFAST, what a life. Tracy

liz.mccarthy said...

ha, My ceiling looks the EXACT same way!! Only a fellow BD parent can understand that! I'm sooooooooo very happy the BD is working!

Great to see John taking some bites orally also, all those textures, so much better than Miss Kaitlyn!

It's been awhile since I've checked in. I'm so glad you followed your gut and went with the BD. Have you made a batch of Margaritas yet with your Vita-Mix? (the most expensive blender around - you can brag to all your friends). Ha! a little BD humor for you!

Anyways, again, I'm thrilled for you guys! Email me off list if you want for some time saver BD tips.