Tuesday October 20th

Well, Josie continues to amaze us.... She is rolling all over the place, and hates to sit still. She hates going to sleep, so therefor she fights her sleep ALL DAY LONG!!!!
She is almost 15 pounds now, growing like a weed, and looking more and more like her brother everyday...
We had our Chef's Auction last night for the March of Dimes fundraiser in Akron. It was the first time I had told Josie's story in public..... It was great, believe it or not, I help myself together, it was a little iffy at one time..... The crowd was in tears....... As so was Daddy, Grandma, Nan and Pa!!! They did a slide show of Josie from day one until now, she has came such a long way!
She is coming off her oxygen, slow but sure, I still don't wanna rush her.
She's just perfect.........
Well, that's all for now, update you all more later, she is needing my attention right at this moment, and she has NO patience...... LOL
Love to you all!!!!

Sunday

Well, Josie continues to amaze us all. Almost 13 pounds, and is just a joy. She is wound for sound the moment her eyes open, just like her big brother Easton. Had her appointment with the pulminoligist Friday, and he wanted to take her off the oxygen completely, but I, as her mother, did not feel that she was ready for that. I don't want to rush her. She does great when it's off, but there are times that I KNOW she needs it. I have decided to just slowly ween her off, I let her have as much freedom as I think she need with it right now.
I have become a very active person with the March of Dimes since the birth of Josie. I guess I just feel that if I can help prevent one baby from going through, and fighting, like Josie did, then I will be happy. I have been working with Nikki from the Canton March of Dimes, and her and I are meeting with the corporate people next week, and getting a walk in our local area. I have set up our first support meeting for parents and family members from our area that have dealt with prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality. Our first meeting is scheduled for Thursday. I hope it's a huge success. We will be organizing the walk here, working on fundraising, and letting people know what they can do when there are faced with these certain obstacles.
Other than all that, we are all doing great. Just enjoying life with my children, and watching them grow and learn new things everyday.
I am asking for special prayers tonight, for a little baby boy that was born a week ago at 30 weeks. His name is Boston and he weighed 2 pounds 3 ounces and was 15 inches long. He was transfered to another NICU today, because he has to have surgery in the morning for a bowel obstruction. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We ALL know that the POWER OF PRAYER is amazing!

September-

Well, hard to believe that Josie is 7 months old now. Where has the time went? She is doing great. Still using the oxygen when she eats and sleeps,and sometimes if she wears herself out. She is on the go all the time, and her and Easton keep me on my toes.
She is just a little over 12 pounds now, and is growing like a weed. Crazy to look back at how much she has grown in the last few months.
Still getting her infusions once a month, but now that she has had the med port put in, it is much, much easier. It was hard to have to have her go through that but it really has benefited her the last couple times. She doesn't even know that she has been stuck with that HUGE needle, she just lays there smiling, sucking her fingers.
She loves to roll around, and loves to sit up, with a little help still, but that's ok, she is definitely getting the hang of it. She amazes me more and more everyday.
I have been working on my speech for the March of Dimes fundraiser coming up in October. It will be the first time that I have told her story to anyone other than family, but I am really looking forward to it. Also, we are working with the March of Dimes to have a walk in our local area. We are just starting, so no dates have been set yet, but as soon as they are, I will definitely post them. Also, a friend and myself who both have had preemie babies are thinking of starting a support group locally, not only for preemie parents and their families, but parents who's children have birth defects, and also parents and families who have lost their little angels. We are hoping that this will be a great success! The March of Dimes needs to be recognized, and we are hoping to help. I know deep down that if it had not been for the courageous strength of little Josie, the wonderful staff at Aultman hospital and the March of Dimes, Josie would not be with us today, and we as a a family will FOREVER be grateful to them all.
I have been looking through my pictures the last few nights getting them in order, and to this day, I still find it hard to swallow at times. I look and just think how in the world did we get through that. It really is a distant memory, until I look at those pictures.
She is absolutely amazing, and grows so much day to day. She looks and acts so much like Easton. They are going to be great buddies, I just know it. Hopefully they don't gang up on Dusty and I too much. LOL
So, we hope that you all are doing great, and we will update more as we get it. Thanks and Love to all who have been there with us the last 7 months, you know who you are, and we will always remember you all.

Big Day- - - -

Well we went for Josie's infusion today at the pulminoligist in Akron, and we also hed her monthly visit while we were there, and much to our surprise, the Dr. told us that Josie only has to wear her oxygen when she eats and sleeps now. We are thrilled, it is so weird to see her without anything on her face. She has done great today without it. She just amazes us more and more everyday....
She is almost 12 pounds and growing like a weed. Won't be long and she will be going all by herself... I will post pictures soon, just wanted to give everyone the GREAT update....
Thank you for all your prayers and continued support...

6 MONTHS OLD~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well, In 53 minutes Josie Lynn Marie will be 6 months old. Where has the last 6 months gone. She is doing absolutely amazing. A little over 11 pounds and has rolled over, coo's, and smiles all the time. She is just such a miracle. It's hard to believe that she is the same little girl that fit in our hand 6 months ago. I remember the first time I held her, I actually was nervous, my heart raced, and my palms were sweating like they never had before, by the time we left the NICU, it was an old routine. Since we have came home, I have been her Mom, friend, nurse, and Dr.. I have learned so much in the past few months. Trust me, I never wanna repeat it, but it has made me a stronger and better person. She and Easton are my world. They are what I live for each and everyday!
So, she went to the eye Dr. the other day, and got a clean bill of health. Her eyes are perfect!!! No more visits for 4 months!!!! Her yes are 100% PERFECT, A REAL DREAM COME TRUE TO US!!!
Thank you all for your prayers. We really appreciate it!!!

Tuesday...

Wow, hard to believe that little Miss Josie will be 6 months old in a few days. Where has the time gone? She is doing great since her port placement surgery, she is almost up to 11 pounds. Monday she rolled over for the first time, she loves to smile, and just sit and talk (coo) with you.... She is just absolutely amazing! Things are just great, she has even started to help hold her bottle, she can do it by herself for a few seconds, and then she lets me take over again. Everyday she does so much more. Easton and Josie are so funny together. He loved her soooo much, he has to hug and kiss on her all the time. He always checks her oxygen, and says "Mom, she is OK..." It is so funny. He too has learned so much in 6 months. He has grown up so fast it seems, it is just great to see them together!
Easton is in transitioning for school, he will start pre-school in January, that's if I can let him go. I just hate it, he has grown up sooo fast. Seems like only yesterday he was the size of Josie, now school? Ughhhh, makes me old. He is so smart, and funny, he gets that from me... He says he is going to be a fireman.... Time will tell......
So, everything is great, and we are all getting along just fine.... Love to you all.....

Surgery Day

Well, it's about 4:30 in the morning, and Josie and I are just sitting here! Today is her surgery day to have her med port placed. I have been dreading this day for a week now. I just wish that she did not have to go through this, I would give anything to trade her places and do this for her. I swore to myself and her that after 100 days in the NICU, I would never leave her again, and now, I have to hand her off to some stranger to do this surgery to her. Honestly, I am just sick... Her and I have been up for a little while, and I just get this huge lump in my throat whenever her little blue eyes look into mine. If I could just make this better for her!
Soon, it will all be over and she will be back to being the happy little princess she is... I will update you all as soon as I get access to a computer, but I have one more favor to ask.
Please as you have all done sooooo many times in the past, please, please pray for her. I know that my grandfather will be watching over her today, but the prayers of others are always helpful...
Thank you all so much...