Coming Home

We were released from the hospital on Sunday morning, and have been home since then. We had my parents bring Jack to the hospital on Sunday so he could make the return trip home with us as a family. So far he has shown zero jealousy towards Jason, instead showing extreme interest and curiosity, and even affection. While visiting in the hospital, Jack showed how much he loved Jason by- of his own free will- giving a teddy bear to Jason; he said "baby" several times and smiled coyly, shrugging into my mom's legs. When asked to give Jason kisses, Jack gave kisses to the closest adult. Another way I know Jack likes the baby? I gave him a chocolate chip cookie, which he LOVES, and instead of eating it, he insisted on sharing it with Jason. He never took a single bite, but just kept holding it for the baby to eat. Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Below is a shot of him with the cookie, and wearing his new "Big Brother" hat. I love the video of Jack making funny faces for Jason, and shrugging into my mom's shoulder. He was so excited to meet the baby; I just know once Jason's old enough, Jack will have him laughing all the time with his crazy faces.

Anyways, home from the hospital 1 day, on Monday morning I note Jack's forehead is feverish. Oh no, I think. Not now please. We give him alternating doses of Ibuprofen and Tylenol, in hopes it's just a little bug. Turns out, by 7 pm that night, his forehead burns your hand when you touch it and his temperature was 105! He went to the clinic Care Now and was diagnosed with strep throat! My poor baby. Not only do I feel terrible for Jack, but now I'm seriously concerned for Jason and that he not catch it. So basically, we've quarantined Jack/Jon from me/Jason the past 2 days and it's been so sad. I want Jack to play with his new brother, and we haven't let him touch him- I hope he gets over it and doesn't hold a grudge. Thankfully, after being on an antibiotic for the past 24 hours, Jack's no longer contagious and we can lighten up now. He's feeling much better, and Jason's fine.

Also on the agenda for Monday was taking Jason in to see the pediatrician for a weight check, and to make sure all was well. He lost 9% of his body weight while in the hospital, which approached the borderline set by dr.'s for maximum weight loss; luckily though he already had gained 5 oz when weighed at the doctor's office, so he's doing good. He has been a very good baby, and peaceful to be around. He will just gaze around, content to see the world. (Since starting this post on Tuesday, we saw the pediatrician again on Friday to check Jason's circumcision, and he had already passed his birth weight! Born at 7 lbs, 14 oz, he now weighs 7 lbs, 15 oz. I'm guessing he's going to be a strong little guy, like his big brother.)

Daddy with his two boys; Jack wants in on the cuddle action too The way he's sleeping here reminds me of how Jack used to sleep with his hands up by his face. You can definitely tell J & J are brothers.

Jason Kenneth

I'd like you all to meet our newest little member of our family: Jason Kenneth! We are so excited he's here and healthy- ecstatic actually. He was born on April 22nd, 4:46 a.m. He came about 1 1/2 weeks early and weighed in at 7 lbs, 14 oz and measured 21 inches long! He is a good size boy with a head full of black hair!!

Jack hugging my tummy (and little brother) one last time before leaving the hospital with my parentsMinutes after born, Mommy and Jason bond. This is most precious to me, since Jack and I missed this special time when he was born.Jason getting his first bath.
Swaddled and happy, life is good.

Happy Birthday Jason! We are so happy to have you here with us.

37 Weeks and counting...

So I'm still pregnant...just over 37 weeks to be exact. I figured I'd document with at least one more picture: I'm now 1 week past when I delivered Jack in my last pregnancy....and I'm genuinely shocked! I just figured I'd go early this time around too. I am totally unprepared mentally to go to my due date. I went to see my doctor 1 week ago today, and was excited to get checked, expecting to be dilated to a 1, or showing some type of sign of impending labor. Instead I get: "I'd say you've got at least 2 more weeks, maybe 3." HUH? You're kidding me, right? After spending the last month obsessing and worrying about delivering too early, I'm now one of those women begging to have the pregnancy over with? The irony is not lost on me. I am relieved to know that the baby is officially full-term and can come at any time, but I'm just so anxious for him to be here and know he's all right!

An interesting sidenote: 2 weeks ago today, I stopped by Quizno's to get a sandwich. The lady who worked there was older with deep-set lines on her face; she just seemed like one of those mid-wives you hear about with all the sage wisdom to dispense. She took one look at me, asked when my due date was (April 30th), and immediately disputed its accuracy, saying "you'll never make it. No, you've got 2 weeks." According to her, I was carrying low. Well, today it has officially been 2 weeks, and no baby. It'll be interesting to see who's more accurate in their prediction, the woman or my doctor. As for me, I'm pulling for the woman.

The mystery culprit

The other day I put Jack down for a nap, and shortly thereafter I heard him playing in his room instead of quietly sleeping. Eventually he fell asleep, and I always like to peek in on him. I opened his door and spot my sweet darling's little face...glistening at me from across the room. Yes, glistening. A shiny sheen emanated from his cheeks and forehead. At first I thought maybe he was really sweaty. I wish. Noticing the curtains are askew, I investigate the window area, only to see the same shiny, greasy substance coating the window. There sitting on the window sill is a tub of vaseline. I swear that vaseline was on top of his very tall dresser, pushed all the way back; but leave it to Jack to figure out a way to get his little paws on it. Needless to say, the vaseline now resides in a different room.

In case you were wondering, the average time for a face full of vaseline to be completely non-greasy again= 3 days.

Puppy Jack

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well then, I'd say Jack is in love with anything canine! We took the car to get the oil changed, where the place's owner keeps his small dog at work; Jack loves to imitate this dog. Here he is sitting in the chair with his "paws" out in front of him. It's too bad the dog didn't have his tongue out too. If the dog got down, Jack got down. If the dog walked under the chairs, Jack crawled under the chairs. If the dog panted with tongue out, Jack panted with tongue out. Jack entertained everybody who waited for their car to be ready. Sometimes I think it'd be a great idea to get Jack a dog, but then I quickly realize that he's all the puppy our household can handle!

surgery and recovery

This past Monday, Jack had his 2nd CI surgery on his right ear. I'm thrilled and relieved to say everything went well and there were no complications! We checked into the hospital around 7:30 am, and he went behind the surgery doors at 9:30. Here are a few pictures to document the days of and after surgery.

This is actually before the surgery, but Jack wanted to lay down and cuddle his blankey and teddy. He had his blood pressure, temp, weight, etc. taken and was starting to get nervous with all the nurses, but he calmed down after a few minutes and started smiling for us. Then he climbed on the bed and I covered him with the hospital blanket and he stayed like that for about 10 minutes or so.

This is in the recovery room after surgery, he's cuddling Daddy. He woke up very sweetly, no attitude. The recovery room is an open room full of other kids waking up, and many of them do not wake up sweetly. When Jack's first ear was done, we heard a kid waking up in recovery angrily yell "I want Chuck-e-Cheese!!" He was mad. But Jack was very calm and just wanted to be held; the nurse commented on how Jack just let her hold him when he first woke up and she enjoyed the cuddles so much! That's our Jack.
We came home from the hospital the same day, and unfortunately Jack couldn't keep any liquids down without throwing-up, so it was a tough day. He napped on and off the rest of the day, and HAD to be held if was awake. He was very clingy which is very unusual for him, but I enjoyed that part secretly. Monday night was tough because we had him in our bed, that way we could make sure his head bandage stayed on (he had already pulled it off in the car). He was getting pretty cranky and wanted his Daddy, so Jon slept with him the WHOLE night, meaning Jack would finally fall asleep and Jon would wriggle a few inches away for some space, then Jack would wake up 30 minutes later screaming and jump on top of Jon to be held. He had to be held. Jon blessedly let me sleep in the other room so I could get some rest.

Then Tuesday morning arrived, and hallelujah, we could take off the head band! Jack was much relieved to have it off. Jon went back to work and Jack and I lazed around the living room watching t.v. Jack napped in the morning about 1 hour, and then crashed mid-afternoon for a couple of hours on the couch (pictured below).

And Tuesday afternoon Jack was acting more like his normal Jack self, playing with his cars and coming to Mommy every few minutes for a much-needed hug. He was still very clingy and loving (the best part about recovery). Oh, he also was no longer nauseous on Tuesday and was able to eat and drink normally, yea.

It's now Thursday, and Jack is back to complete normalcy in his routine and behavior. His ear is still healing and we've kept it dry the past few days, but it's now allowed to get wet. In a few weeks, once all healed, we'll visit the audiologist and "turn-on" the right ear! Having two ears will really help him localize sound and hear better in noisy environments. He's doing so well with just having his left ear, I'm excited that soon he'll have the surround-sound experience. On the subject of how well he's doing, he's now saying "uice" for juice and "moh" for more! Another sidenote- when given his initial dose of anesthesia, I was still with him and we were watching Curious George on t.v. Jack was starting to act pretty drunk from the medicine, but when he saw the monkey on t.v. he slowly slurred "ooo, ooo, ooo, ahh, ahh, ahh." Now if that's not darn cute, I don't know what is.

surgery #2

Jack is having his 2nd cochlear implant surgery this upcoming Monday morning. This time they will implant in his right ear. I can't say I'm looking forward to going through the surgery process again, but I am looking forward to putting this behind us. Jack did well with the first surgery, so I'm anticipating him doing well the second time around. We would appreciate any prayers on Jack's behalf! I know they make a difference- thanks for thinking of us!