MOM & ETHAN !!!

Here is a picture of Mom & Ethan about a month ago. He had his 9 month check-up (well now he's 10months) and He is doing very well. He is in 90 % weight, 75% length, and 75% head cir. He had 2 shot; one in his arm and one in his leg. As you can imagine he does not like getting shots! He gave the nurse a very nasty look. (almost like he wanted to beat her up)A few days ago Ethan took 3 steps by himself, he also stood by himself for oh about 10 seconds. (10 long seconds to Mom & Dad)
He is saying some words, light (and he points to the light),Balloon(also points to the balloon)sock, truck, hot, and he waves (sometimes) He now has 4 teeth up front and 3 below. He is still slobering alot so we thing another tooth is one its way.
My Mom has taught him a lot! I am truly blessed to have her watching Ethan during the day.

Alex McKinney Hirschmugl 9/23/07-1/21/08

My Nephew Alex passed away on Monday 1/21/07 at 12:24pm. He was born 3 months premature and had several medical problems to overcome. During the 4 months of his life he battled many illnesses such as phenomena (twice), lung problems, heart problems, eye surgery, bacteria infection in his blood, and numerous blood transfusions. Even though he had bad days he is truly a fighter and did have some great days that will never be forgotten.

His liver quit functioning and this put him in a lot of pain. The Doctors and Nurses did everything possible, including dialysis. They put him on morphine and told us it was just a matter of time until his little body could not handle it any longer. His parents (Sara and Jeremy) made the difficult decision to pull him off life support and sent Alex to heaven to be looked after.
My husband and I (Alex’s Aunt and Uncle) are in the process of setting up an account for Alex through US Bank. It is going to be called ‘The Baby Alex Fund’. The monies received will help Alex’s parents pay for the cost of the funeral, burial, casket and any unpaid medical bills. If there is any money left over they will make a donation in Alex’s name to Children’s Hospital of St. Louis.

We have been in contact with Paul Cook from the Local radio station Y98 who has been very wonderful. Over the past 4 months he has answered Sara's requests and dedications. He would play Alex's song ‘Up side down’ by Jack Johnson and spoke of Alex often over the air. He is going to mention ‘The Baby Alex Fund’ over the air so listeners can feel free to donate. Please keep listening to Y98 for more details and continue to check this blog for more updates.

We want to Thank all of our extended Families, Friends, Co-workers and very kind strangers for the thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU!

Baby Alex UPDATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex is doing better, He is truly a fighter. He has overcome so many things over the last month. The families received a miracle on Christmas Day from our new addition. He POOPED !!!!!! This was a true blessing because Alex did not have a bowl movement since he has been born. The Dr's thought they might have to do surgery !!! But, Thanks to his "present" he does not have to have the surgery !!!!! He has gained weight and he is about 6lbs now !!!!! Unfor, Alex did not come home for the Holidays, We hope to have him home real soon !!!!!!!
I will post more latter !!! Keep your thoughts and prayer about Alex as he continually fights !!!!!!!!!! Thanks !!!

Merry Christmas !!!!!

It's Ethan's first Christmas !!!! We finally found a hat that would fit his head!! Ethan is now 7 1/2 months old and his bottom tooth started to cut his gums about a few weeks ago. (as you can see in the picture) Latley he has been squealing, singing, bouncing and he loves to pull hair! He has not started crawing ..I really believe he is going to walk and forget the crawling all together. He loves to stand and G-ma's already teaching him to walk. I put him on his tummy and he scoots backwards.For the last 2-3 weeks He also has been rolling over and sleeping on his tummy.

Have a Wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, The Brinkman's
Elizabeth, Mike, Lauren, Erin & Ethan

Alex **Update**

HI ! I know its been awhile since I have post anything but its been a very busy time. Alex has had his ups and downs over the last month. He is a fighter and he has over come a lot including pneumonia (twice) he is still on the breathing machine and
just the other day his lung collapsed. My nephew has gone through a lot and he is getting better day by day. The doctors say he most likely will be in the NICU for another 6 months :( The family was praying he would be home for Christmas but his Doctors said that he is not strong enough to come home........yet !
I say soon enough he will be home running his parents all over the place !!! LOL
So Sara & Jeremy get ready the time will fly by !!!! Please continue to pray for my little nephew Alex and his recovery. Thank You all so much !!
I will have a picture of Alex and Santa soon.

Pumpkin Patch Time !!!

Sunday October 21st 2007 We took Ethan to the Pumpkin Patch. We had a great time although we did not stay very long. It was a nice day but, it was windy and the dirt was blowing around so we did not want him to get any in his eyes. We took pictures and walked around and went through a kids friendly hauted house. Ethan picked out his very first (mini) pumpkin.(as you can see in the picture above w/ his sissy Erin.)

UPDATE ON BABY ALEX !!!!

Here is a picture of my sister (Mom) & baby Alex (my nephew)!!!! Sara got to hold her baby for about an hour then the next day Dad (Jeremy) got to hold his son for the first time !!! He has had is up & down days but all in all he is doing good !!!!!!!! HE HAS GAINED A POUND (so he now 2lbs 10oz)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!! I am goin to try and post more often but its been crazy at work and home. Have a wonderful day !!!!