Jimmy at one month

There's not a lot of hockey news from Meissner Central until we move to Michigan in August, so here's another Jimmy update for you. Normally, I do a bit of re-writing of the emails my wife sends out, but this time I'll let her do the talking, so you won't think I'm saying all those flowery things about myself! Take it away Dear....

Can you believe it? Little Jimmy was 1 month old yesterday(Friday). He celebrated today(Saturday) by going to watch his Daddy umpire a baseball game in Kenesaw, about 45 minutes away. He had been having a bad case of the fussies since yesterday--I think it may have been gas pains--and the car ride knocked him out. He did wake up a little bit to eat but didn't even stir when I changed his diaper. He usually complains when I do that little job. He did get a little fussy toward the end of the game ("I don't wanna be put down! Hold me!) but fell asleep on the way home. We left there around 5:45 and he's still asleep. It's past his feeding time so he'll be hungry when he wakes up. We had a good time and it was nice for me to get out of the house and do something fun. The baseball wasn't very good (American Legion, teenagers) but it was still fun.

We are all doing pretty well and getting adjusted to life with a baby. I'm having a rough time right now with postpartum depression but I'm being treated for it and John is being incredibly supportive. I'll get over it in time but right now it stinks! John keeps me grounded, especially when my patience wears thin. Thank God for him. He is an amazing father to Jimmy. He just seems to know instinctively what to do with him and how to play with him. He has no problem acting silly in front of the baby whereas I am having to learn how all over again. I guess that's the advantage of having a husband who harbors an overgrown kid in that body. It's just so sweet to see the two of them together. Even though Jimmy's eyesight isn't that keen yet after the game today when John came over to the stroller and called his name, he responded to the sound of Daddy's voice. I love it when I hold him and he just stares back into my eyes. I think we're going to have a little blue eyed blond or strawberry blond. Whatever he looks like he sure is a cutie pie!

As soon as we know our new address in Michigan we'll pass it along. Only 1 month left in Nebraska! We're movin' out of Tornado Alley! Can you tell we're excited? Especially after another trip to the basement when the sirens sounded this week. That wasn't for a tornado but we had 80 mph winds in advance of a cold front. I thought the windows in the house were going to break but they didn't. Give me a hurricane any day over this crazy weather. At least with one of those you have at a minimum several hours of warning, you know how big the thing is and approximately how long it will last, you know how strong it is, and if you need to you have a chance to evacuate. I'm not saying that they're fun (because they aren't) but at least you can be better prepared for one.

Okay, time to wrap this up. That's all from the Meissner home for now.

Love,
Kim, John, Jimmy, Snoopy and Smoke



Here I am with Jimmy before the big game.









Jimmy Baseball takes in the action.









Daddy calls a strike.









Jimmy, the future umpire in his crib, signaling "safe at home!"

Jimmy update

Jimmy had his three week check up today and he's doing very well! This new formula for sensitive tummies seems to be agreeing with him; he's gained 10 ounces in the past week! He now weighs 8 lbs. 13 oz. and is growing, well, like a baby. He still has occasional periods of being fussy but it never lasts too long.

Jimmy is 3 weeks old today and he is such a joy. We never thought we could love anything as much as we love our baby boy. We are noticing that he is more alert and wants to stay awake longer after feedings. He's lifting his head and pushing up on his arms ("baby pushups") when he's on his tummy and a couple of times he's almost managed to roll over onto his tummy from his back. That usually happens during bath time or diaper change when he is NOT happy with his parents. He doesn't like being wet and naked. He is a snuggler and would rather be held than anything so we always have a little fussing when we put him down to down to sleep. It doesn't last long and then he's usually down for a couple hours. He's now going about 4 hours between feedings and every once in a while he'll go 5 hours overnight. Yes, we're looking forward to the time when he sleeps through most of the night. But all in all, he's a very good baby and the delight of our lives.

We don't have to go back to the doctor for another month and that will be for his 2-month immunizations. We want to get that done before we move to Michigan. That is set to happen around the first of August. Keep checking Jimmy's Photobucket album for the latest pictures of the cutest baby in the world (in his parents' humble opinion!)

http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn243/jimmymize/.

Love,
John, Kim, Jimmy, Snoopy and Smoke




At the doctor's office.



Having a quick snack before seeing the doctor.



Dr. Howe checks out Jimmy.



"Wanna go home Jim Jim?"



Jimmy holds Daddy's finger.

So....

....Do you think Jimmy looks like his Daddy and his Grandpa?

Jimmy update

Mr. Jimmy had his 2 week check up Tuesday and he is right smack on target with his growth and development. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz., a gain of 7 oz. from his 1 week check, and he's gained 1/4" in length so he's now 21 inches. We are having tummy issues though and playing formula roulette. We had switched from milk-based to soy-based and he was starting to have gas and colic after a week so now we're trying the sensitive tummy formula. We hope this works for him since it just tears us up to see him hurting when he has those horrible gas pains and neither of us can do anything to comfort him. He just ate and he's still fussy. We're using Mylicon drops afer every feeding.

Jimmy is now eating more each feeding and the time interval between feedings is starting to stretch. He's now feeding every 3-4 hours instead of every 2-3. It will be greatly appreciated by his sleep-deprived parents if he continues this through the night! But other than his tummy problems he is the perfect baby. At least we think so. And we wear baby spit as a badge of honor. We're parents!

To view all his latest pictures go to http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn243/jimmymize/.
There are pictures of him with his Daddy at Relay for Life from last Friday. In case you missed the TV news story about it that featured him you can still see it at www.khastv.com in the archived videos. At the end of the section of recent videos click on "More local stories"; at last check the video was on page 5.

Now for Kim's good news: She's lost 25 lbs. of pregnancy weight and can now fit into her B.C. (before child) jeans again! Of course once she starts eating on a regular basis again instead of what she can grab whenever that will probably change. Then she'll have to go on a diet(Her words, not mine--You look great sweetie!). Until then she'll take what she can get!

We'll check in as often as we can. It looks like the little man may be going to sleep soon. He's doing a lot of stretching and yawning. His daddy says that the way he waves his arms around he's going to be a conductor. That's fine with Mommy! She hopes he'll have her love for music and his daddy's love for sports. Whatever he does though he'll be very much loved. He truly is our little miracle and we thank God for him.

Love,
Kim, John, Jimmy, Snoopy and Smoke

2008 Relay for Life

The Buffalo County, Nebraska Relay for Life was held this weekend at Kearney Catholic High School's Miles Field. I was honored to be the event's MC for the second consecutive year. It is always an inspiration to be amongst other cancer survivors, hear their stories and tell them mine. (I am cured of Stage One Colon Cancer.) Our son Jimmy was on stage with me and walked the Survivor's Lap with me and the Caregiver's Lap with me and Kim. This year's Relay has (so far) raised over $85,000 for cancer research, with more donations coming in. One day, we hope to be able to tell our son that cancer is a disease that used to be, but is no longer fatal. With everyone's efforts, we expect that day to come sooner, rather than later.


On stage with Jimmy as the MC.


Preparing to walk with Jimmy.


On the backstretch.


"Feed me! Feed my mouth!" Mommy feeds Jimmy.


Daddy and Jimmy.