The Journey of James Weston

Sunday, November 20th, 2022 Today is Aunt Robin's Birthday! 🥳🎂🎉 In the afternoon, Dad's family from New Jersey stopped by as they were nearby at Disney World. James got to meet his Aunt Debra, Uncle Frank, Cousin Abigail, Cousin Gabrielle, Cousin John, and Baby Jordyn. Jordyn is technically James' cousin 1st cousin once removed but most people would probably just say 2nd cousin. 😂 James and Jordyn played nicely together sharing toys and even dancing to some music. Cousin Gabrielle gave James a much needed haircut 💇🏻‍♂️ and showed Mom how to use the clippers. ✂️ So cute! Afterwards we went out to dinner and James really needed a nap.  When we got home we still had about an hour of packing up before getting on the road to Jacksonville. Mom noticed that the pulse ox alarm was going off and James sounded and looked like he was having trouble breathing. We noticed that he was pulling at his 2x2 split gauze under his trach and it was bunched up in a ball lifting his trach u...

Saturday, November 19th, 2022 Today Dad watched James for a few hours. He loved typing on the keyboard and scooting around his nursery. Then he napped while Dad watched a documentary. 🎥 It was a lazy Saturday.  Tomorrow Dad's family visits from New Jersey! P.S. You can email James your love and support as often as you’d like. Mom and Dad read these email to James as they come in. We all love them! JamesWestonAbramowitz@gmail.com

Friday, November 18th, 2022 After a long day of playing, we decided to do Family Dinner Night tonight instead because it worked better with Dad's work schedule. We ended up at Bonefish, because it was just one of those weeks and we deserved it. James was dressed for the occasion in his sweet sweater embroidered by Aunt Robin. James was off the vent for his 3 hour trial, so we just carried him in and sat him in a highchair. It is the most amazing feeling to leave the ventilator in the car and just carry your baby. We don't know anything different with James being our first. Sometimes difficult experiences make it much easier to find gratitude! James was such a big boy playing with his crayons! Thank goodness the table cloth is just more paper. James was great at first and then he didn't want to sit in the highchair anymore. Mainly because it was just getting too late and he was tired. Once we got home James joined Mom and Dad for some Gin Rummy. P.S. You can email James your...

Thursday, November 17th, 2022 World Prematurity Day! ❤️❤️❤️ James Day 687 (Today!) 20lbs 29inches James Day 1 1lb 11inches Video of his first night in the NICU. Mom was on the other side of the hospital on a magnesium drip recovering from surgery and was not allowed to visit. ***** Today, James had physical therapy in the morning. We focused on standing and walking. We raised up his crib rails to the very top and the therapist actually stood on a small ladder to hold James up while Mom maneuvered his feet to walk. He likes to stand but only in certain places or areas where he feels comfortable or safe to fall. Once out of the crib we had James standing at the nugget cushions. However as soon as James realized he was out of the crib and off the ventilator his immediate reaction is to lie on the ground and start scooting to freedom. Since he is now strong when he throws a toddler tantrum it is impossible to control him. The most important thing is protecting his head from slamming on the...

I'm going to start off this post by saying this may be TMI for some. So whether you want to call this a trigger warning or sensitive post, there ya go... The last two weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions from being on cloud nine and feeling so blessed to being heartbroken and angry. I think Mike put it best when he said, "When are we going to get a break?!". There have been a lot of tears over the last few days. We had positive pregnancy tests and confirmed blood test results from the clinic. The embryo had implanted in my uterus and was growing! We were so excited to share the news! 😁 They typically have you come in every few days for blood work. After my second blood test I received a voicemail from the nurse just telling me to call her back. 😢 I already knew my HCG had dropped because she wouldn't leave a voicemail. The doctor said he didn't want to throw in the towel, so he had me continue injections and retest a few days later. Not only do these inje...

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 James had fun in the morning with Dad pulling himself up to reach the tablet. It is his strongest motivator. What's funny is that he isn't even reaching for the tablet. He really wants the thing holding the tablet. James is really interested in the mechanics of how things out. In the afternoon, James had EI Therapy and Uncle Patrick stopped by to say Hello. 👋 During therapy James showed off by stacking the cups and making towers.  For Mom, today's blood test confirmed a second drop in HCG and she was told to stop injections. She would be miscarrying over the next few weeks. 😭 The next as step would be to do another blood test in a week to see where the HCG is and for Mom to have a virtual consultation with the doctor. At this point, after 5 years at the same clinic and not being really thrilled with our doctors bedside manners she asked to switch to someone else. 🤞🏻 P.S. You can email James your love and support as often as you’d like. Mom...