8 Months Old

Wow! Jethro is 8 months old. I can't hardly believe it. I am so thankful that not only has he made it this far, but he's thriving!

His nutritionist was here yesterday and he now weighs over 17 pounds. He has been gaining weight well, even though he really hasn't been eating much the last couple of weeks. He has continued to be his happy, contented self, and continues to improve in physical strength by the week, so we weren't too concerned about his eating, but it was reassuring to know that his weight gain has been good as well.

He can almost sit up by himself. He can maintain an upright position for a few moments once you let go, but not for long. It's coming though! He is getting stronger all the time, and for as behind as he was, I think he's doing a pretty good job of getting caught up. Night before last I gave him his almost empty bottle, and he managed to get it turned in the right direction and into his mouth. That was pretty exciting! :-)

Jethro has been going to contata practice with me on Sundays, and he loves to lay on his blanket and listen to the singing. He plays contentedly on his blankie, and squeals and kicks to the music. It is such a joy to watch!


Here he is a couple weeks ago at a football game. :-) He loves his Wubbanub!

He just completed another Holter monitor and hopefully it showed that everything is fine with his heart rhythms. Today his in-home therapist will be coming and she'll be bringing someone from the Idaho infant/toddler program, so I'm hoping that we'll be able to figure out some way to get him more therapy. We were traveling into Spokane every week for therapy, but those out-patient clinics got closed down, so, we just have our sweet gal that comes to the house. I trust that God has it all under control, and when the time is right, if Jethro needs the extra therapy, he'll get it. Although it was very disappointing to lose our Spokane therapists, I am thankful that I know God is in control, and I don't have to fret about it.

How would you feel?

tal If your child had the #1 birth defect, and then you found out that not only there was not hardly any research going on, but there is very little funding for research? That the one organization you would assume is putting money toward research is only putting .01 of every dollar toward research of Congenital Heart Defects?

Everywhere I look, there is funding for childhood cancer ~ there is much awareness. **Please understand** I am NOT belittling what children with cancer go through ~ or their parents. I know it's bad. My point is awareness. Not "competition" of things wrong with our children.

More children die from Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) than all childhood cancers combined. And there is little research happening. There is little being done besides playing defense and palliative care ~ and I am very thankful for the excellent Drs, surgeons, nurses and therapists that care for Jethro in this way.

1 in 85 babies born have a CHD. If 1 in 85 children were getting the flu, or the chicken pox or some other illness...it would be considered an epidemic.


I'm including a video done by an amazing young woman that I have had the priviledge of meeting. Jessi just turned 21 and she has HRHS ~ the right side of her heart didn't develop like it should have. She has had several surgeries, and has a heart full of love and compassion for her fellow CHDers. Jethro is in this video. It's long, but those shown in the video are just a miniscule fraction of the number of CHDers out there.

If you ever give money to the American Heart Association, would you consider earmarking it for the Zachary Brooks CHD Endowment? 100% of all monies donated to the Endowment go toward CHD research. The AHA also has the Legacy of Life Endowment , which provides funding for CHD research (thanks, Lisa!).

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

If it were your child ~ how would you feel?

Jethro showing off his "zipper" and his "button".

Quick Post...

for a quick game! The boys played Mullan yesterday afternoon, and less than 2 minutes into the 3d quarter ended it with the 45 point mercy rule. 46-0 Knights. Way to go, boys!!

Garth running in the winning TD

Jethro had therapy appts before the game. He is doing well. The therapists are very happy...we are seeing improvement in his physical development week to week...just as you would with a healthy baby. :-) We are so very thankful that God is not merely sustaining Jethro, but He is causing him to thrive.

Once again, thank you so much for your prayers. They are precious to us!