Chubbette!

Jillian is now 4 months--time really flies! Jillian went in for her 4 month check today, and turns out Jillian is quite the chunky monkey! She weighed in at 15 pounds 9 ounces and 25.5 inches, which puts her at the 88th percentile for weight, and 90th percentile for height! We tell Joey practically every night at dinner that he better keep eating or else his sister will surpass him, and I think it may happen sooner rather than later! The doctor also said she looks very healthy and is doing really well. He commented on her strong trunk control and predicts she'll be sitting on her own by 6 months! We have been sitting her up a lot, but she can only sit unaided without toppling for a record of 12 seconds, but we have some time still! Jillian is so close to rolling completely over, she will roll on her side but not make the commitment to continue onto her tummy. I anticipate the last part of the roll to happen sometime soon though.

Jillian did fairly well with her shots. She cried more than both the boys, but I guess I'll give her a break being a girl (thank heaven for Motrin!), and the doctor commented on her behavior when he checked her ears--she tried pushing his hands away and complained a little and he told Jillian she was acting just like her brother Josh when getting his ears checked--he hated it! Josh was very patient with everything else, and barely ever cried with his shots, but hated having his ears messed with!

To give Joey a little credit in the weight department, he was born practically half of Jillian's weight and was a far reach from any growth curve, but he packed on the pounds fairly early on as well. Here are a few pictures of Joey (and one with Josh too!) at 4 months, and Jillian at 4 months. They sure know how to store the milk in their cheeks!
(Not sure why the one of Jillian showed up so small)




Here are some random pictures from the past week and a half.


And here is Jillian with Emma (almost 1 month!).

Jillian's Baptism

Jillian's baptism was a wonderful day. Auntie Trisha and Uncle Chris became Godparents again! Jillian didn't make a peep when she was christened, and Uncle Chris and Auntie Trisha did a great job with everything. Auntie Trish made a beautiful bib for Jillian (we knew it would be gorgeous since the one she had made Josh was so amazing!) and Uncle Chris did a good job lighting her baptismal candle. Auntie Trish came over in the morning to help dress Jillian in Nonna and Auntie Steph's baptismal gown and then after church we put her in Gianna's baptism party dress. Thanks for the dresses everyone! Thank you Auntie Trisha and Uncle Chris for all of your help at the church and with the party. It was a great day, thank you for sharing in her special day!

Joshua's Journeys- #34 Godparents

Josh had some of the greatest Godparents a child could ever have. Before he was even born Chris and Trisha were asked to be Godparents of Baby A (the baby that would be delivered first). They excitedly accepted and were there for me for the whole pregnancy...13 weeks of bed rest and all! Once Josh arrived they both were anxiously waiting to meet him and Joey. We told them that Josh had some abnormalities (this was before the CHARGE diagnosis) and they did not care one bit. They came to the NICU so happy and with so much love ready to share. At this point in time they could not hold him yet, but you could see the love pouring out as they stared at him in his isolette. They both made it on short notice to the NICU for him to be baptized before his first surgery. It was just Josh's parents and Godparents, but a very special moment for all of us. Josh gave knowing looks that it was a special day, and Auntie Trish had made a gorgeous baptismal bib to place over him which we kept in the NICU for him to see.

Once the day came that they were able to hold him, Josh knew that his Godparents were special. Josh was very comfortable in their arms and did so well with them. Trish took trips in from MI to see him, Chris dressed up for Santa so he wouldn't risk getting sick, and they both checked in on him with all of his surgeries and procedures.

I will never forget the morning that Josh passed away. In the very early morning hour, Chris was one of the intimate few that was called and came to the hospital. I will never forget the conversation I had with Trisha, all it took was for me to say hello and she said that my mom had called her in the middle of the night and she told her to sit down, and Trisha told me "I just knew."

Chris and Trisha both made sacrifices to be at Josh's services. Trisha had finals, and Chris had a big tournament. They had a very difficult job at the services of bringin the gifts up at church during the funeral mass, and being the pallbearers bringing Josh to his final resting place. I know it is something that neither of them would ever want to do again, but did so without hesitation because of the bond they had with Josh. From before he was born and to this day, well after his passing, he has been loved by his Godparents. Thank you for all the love you have given Josh, and know that he is still there with you.

Go Fish!

We have a lot of updating to do here, and I hope to get a Joshua's Journey up by the end of the week too.

Today we had to go to the pet store to get some more food for Java. We like taking the kids along to look at the fish, birds, hamsters, etc. Joey is always very intersted in the birds, and tweets back at them, and points to all the fish and makes bubble noises at them. Phil and I always joke about getting Joey some fish or a bird, but today when we went we both decided, why not? So...Joey officially has his first pet(s). We got 6 goldfish (at 13 cents a pop how can you go wrong? Plus we asked for 5, but the guy threw in one for free!). Joey is having a lot of fun feeding them, pointing to them, and counting them. I asked him how many fish there were and he said "4, 5, 6." He was right there were 6, but didn't start counting with 1. He'll get there. In the meantime, here is Joey with his new friends. We also have some pictures of Joey getting his fish at the store but are on Phil's phone so we'll have to add those later. (There are also a few of pictures of Jillian too.)

Welcome Home Emma!

Here are a bunch of pictures of the sweet and petite baby Emma. She is so tiny, it is hard to believe that Josh and Joey were still a few pounds lighter at birth (3 pounds 14 ounces, and 3 pounds 11 ounces respectively to Emma 6 pounds 2 ounces). She is so adorable, it is hard to take your eyes off of her. Here are some pictures from the hospital, and then her homecoming and a few from her first week at home.

Big Brother Andrew

Andrew spent a couple of nights at our house when his baby sister was born. Joey and Andrew had a lot of fun together. They loved playing outside, and Joey loves to tackle and rough it up with Andrew but Andrew is still a little unsure of the whole idea. On Saturday, before Easter, we went to th e park district for "The Bunny Bash" where we made some Easter crafts, saw animals in the petting zoo, listened to music, did an egg hunt, potted flowers and more! Sunday was Easter, and the Easter bunny made a stop at our house! Andrew and Joey had a great time, but Andrew also enjoyed going to see his parents and baby Emma too. Here are some pictures of Andrew, Joey, and Jillian over the weekend.

Dance Joey Dance!

Joey showed us an awesome move the other day while he was dancing. Put his daddy to shame.

Tik Tok Dancin' from Phillip Kurby on Vimeo.

Emma Rose has arrived!

It is with great pride and love we welcome Emma Rose! Born yesterday afternoon (4/3/10) at 4:32 p.m. weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces and 19 inches long. She is a gorgeous little girl! Mom, Dad, and big brother Andrew are doing great!

Mary Berg

Last night we heard the horrific news that Mary Berg, a dear friend of ours (and one of my sister Christy's best friends) had passed away. It was a very sudden and completely unexpected event, where Mary left behind her loving husband Brian, and beautiful 2 year old son Ben. Mary was to be Emma's (Christy's baby that is due to arrive at any time now) Godmother. Mary was one of the most kind-hearted, genuine, and friendliest person you could meet. In taking her Godmother duty, I know her soul has gone to heaven and is passing Emma's soul into our world. There will be glimpses of Mary in Emma, and Emma will have another guardian angel on her side.

It is completely unimaginable to know how Brian is feeling at this time. Our hearts and prayers are with him every moment. It is also unfathomable to know how Ben is doing and feeling and how he will understand where his mommy has gone. In the past year with Josh's passing I have learned it is not up to us to understand or to begin to understand, it is moreso a test of faith. We need to believe with our hearts that God is good, and trust in the Lord. I have found great comfort in knowing that Joshua passed away during the Easter season. It is a constant reminder to me that God is good, that Jesus sacrificed for us all so that we may be reunited with Him, and all our loved ones in an eternal place. It does not take away the pain, and at times I want to be selfish and ask for Josh back, as I know many are asking to have Mary back right now. We must believe, trust, and love.

Mary is now reunited with her mother and father, and I know is looking down on us with her bright, contagious grin. When Josh passed away last year Mary was there to help us at the wake. The evening of the wake she took Joey and Andrew home so they could rest in their own cribs and keep some sort of "normal" routine. This past March 14, Mary remembered Joshua and our family. She sent an e-mail with some of the most appropriate words. It is heartbreaking to have to relay them back to her friends and family. Mary wrote:
I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you (and your family) this weekend. For me personally these "anniversaries" (for lack of a better word) are always bittersweet as they remind you of all the grief and sadness you have in your heart because a person is no longer there, but then how lucky you are for having experienced all that love. Anyways I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you all.
Love
Me

Brian and Ben, we are thinking of you, holding you very close in our hearts and in prayer. May you find comfort in each other and hold each other tightly. As I lied awake last night I envisioned Josh meeting Mary again, taking Mary's hand, Mary scooping Josh into her arms, and rocking him to sleep. Until we see you again, we love you and miss you Mary. In using your words, we are lucky to have experienced all your love.




God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3