We're Home!

Here is some pictures of Jaron after his surgery. He is doing alright. We are so glad to be home. He is drinking better and we are also starting some foods this week to see how he does now that his palate is closed. He had oatmeal really watered down this morning and he seemed to like it. He was opening his mouth for another bite each time so that is a good sign. I hope this will help him gain some weight. Thanks for all your prayers. We are on the count down now for his lip surgery May 4th~59 more days!!!

Four Days Post Op

Well yesterday Jaron was 4 days post op and we saw his dr. again to check his palate. He said things looked good and we should come back again wednesday to check again before going home. So I am happy. Jaron is doing good. We just hang out at the hotel and try to rest when he does. Jacob has been having night terrors and thanks to a friend I talked with- last night was so peaceful. We talked to him about missing home and missing our beds and things like his bike and daddy's truck and mommy's car. We all said we miss home and when I asked him if he wants to go home he said "Yeah, I don't like the hotel". I could have cried. He was feeling this way and didn't know how to tell us. So we talked it out and he didn't have any bad dreams last night. He just got up once to pee. Man that was a blessing. Jaron is very gassy and is trying to get used to these new bottles we are using. It is definately a change. Oh and by the way, he has to wear the arm restraints 5 or 6 weeks not 4 like I thought. So pray for us. I take them off some and let him play and bend his elbows but he puts his hands right to his mouth so I have to stay right with him. Thanks again for all your prayers.

The First Surgery was a SUCCESS!

Well Jaron had his first surgery thursday and it last 5 hours. We spoke with the doctor afterwards and then went into recovery to see him. He had already woken up from the anesthesia but the nurses got him calmed down and back to sleep. We are very pleased with the result. Jaron's palate was closed and his front gums were turned straight, because they were badly twisted before. So now that his gums are straight his middle top lip is centered. I stayed in the hospital with him for 2 nights. He was on morphine the first night and we started tylenol w/ codeine the second night. He seems to be a little fussy but not like I expected. I am so glad we have one surgery behind us now. He is already scheduled for May 4th for his Lip/Nose repair. That is going to be a dramatic change in his looks. We will be going Monday for a post op visit and are scheduled to go home Friday but maybe we will get lucky and get to go home early. I came back to our hotel with him today and he is sleeping a lot. He has laughed some and has been clapping his hands too. The arm restraints are the hardest thing right now. He seems frustrated at times not being able to play with his toys that he is used to.
I handled myself better than I thought I would and he has done better than I thought too and I am sure it has a lot to do with all the prayers from all of you. Thank you so much for all the phone calls and prayers for us. I will post pictures once we get home. God Bless You!

This is a picture from last month when Jaron was still wearing his NAM. It is typical of Jacob at any given moment no matter where we are (church, walmart, home, doctor's office) to say "Mommy I need to hold him." He loves his little brother. And as Jaron is able to do more and play with him I hope they become very close brothers.

Handsome, Silly, Sleeping & Sitting Up!

Well this thursday is the big day. Jaron's first surgery. We will be out of town for 10 days and I will try to post something on his blog from our hotel. They have computers we can use. Here is a cute picture of Jaron in his GA Bulldogs outfit all fresh and clean and ready for church.
Jacob put this hat on him. He thought it was HILAROUS! Notice the shiny chin~AKA~ slobberbox
This is a new thing he has starting doing this past week. Sucking his thumb. It is so cute but he won't do it without his NAM and it really is bad timing because after surgery he can't have anything in his mouth for 4 weeks. He is not going to be happy...
And last but not least, Jaron starting sitting up pretty good this week. I am so proud of him. Jacob didn't do nothing at 7 months. Jaron holds his bottle and claps and sits up. What a handsome little fella!

Drinking from a cup

We are trying to encourage Jacob to drink from a "Big Boy Cup" and he seems to like it alright. He is very careful and does better than I thought he would. He is ready to get back on a plane again. We are counting down the days until brother's surgery.

Gaining and Clapping!

Well I got Jaron to the doctor last friday and in exactly 2 weeks he had gained 12 oz. I have been adding rice cereal to every bottle. And last Sunday in church while we were singing in the choir, he started clapping! I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He just kept doing it. And has been every day this week. I even caught him clapping in his sleep the other night. Well starting yesterday he was not drinking his bottles good at all and last night was worse so I took him to the doctor today thinking he might have another ear infection. She said his ear looked great, his breathing was fine and so it must be teething. I guess all this slobbering has a purpose. He has been slobbering for months and no teeth but maybe we will see some soon. Poor little guy chews on EVERYTHING! He must be hurting. Tylenol and Motrin should keep him happy.

Look at that!

We went to the World's Largest Aquarium in Atlanta yesterday and this is how Jacob was the whole time. "Look at that mommy!" He absolutely loved it. We saw Nemo fish and Dory. He knew so many of them from that movie. We saw a HUGE shark whale and an octopus. It was a good day. He was very tired and slept all the way home. No more runny nose. Now we are just counting down the days until brother's surgery. Jacob is excited too!

First Biter Biscuit

Well Jaron had his first Biter Biscuit and he liked it ok. I mean by the looks of him he had a lot of fun with it. But never got to finish it because he dropped it on the floor and broke into 3 pieces. But anyway if you haven't already noticed he is not wearing his NAM anymore. I just put it in for him to drink a bottle. He is getting ready for surgery now only 15 more days! Wow it really is going fast. He is all better now. No more coughing or congestion. Jacob either. I think we are past that. We go to the doctor tomorrow to weigh him and see if he has gained anything. I have tried several things in the last few weeks to give him more calories but anything with milk in it "tears him up!" Severe stomach aches. It is not just the lactose in the milk it's the caesin (cow's milk protein) also. He can't handle it. So I have just been putting rice cereal in every bottle and on my scales at hom he has gained a pound but I don't know how acurate that really is. I can't wait for tomorrow.

Just plain silly!

Jacob seems to be doing much better. His cough is almost gone but his nose still runs all the time. He is getting his appetite back too. He actually lost a pound while he was sick. I need to post another one of his works of art. He is getting good at writing his name and drawing little smiley's with legs. Jacob is getting a little hard to handle at times though, with his saying no to everything we tell him. I think it must just be his age. When we tell him to do something he repeats it back to us and it takes all we have not to laugh. Last night I told him to lay down in the bed and no playing and waving his hands he said "Okay okay that's enough". I had to walk out. He is too cute!

Jumping and Lovin' It!

Jaron is jumping so good in this thing. He just laughs and smiles and jumps so high. In the picture above he is actually in motion I can't beleive it didn't come out blurry. Anyway, he had to go to the ER Friday night. He was majorly dehydrated. I could not get him to drink anything. He has no tears, pea or slobber. So they put an IV in his tiny little arm and we stayed for a while to let that get in him. They also did a blood test to check his electolytes and test for infection. He got a chest xray too and they didn't find anything there. There was no sign of RSV but it could come back. The blood test showed low electrolytes but that was before the IV solution and also revealed he had a viral infection that we just have to wait it out. So that was Friday and he is still coughing and congested. The doctor gave him acuhist for his symptoms and I have given it to him religiously to help subside them but it's just not going away. We have to get him better before surgery. Please pray.

Not up to par...

Well I thought I would get a cute picture of the boys in their new matching PJ's...but Jacob is just not up to it. He has been so sick this last week. Coughing like a dog and running 103 fever. I feel so bad for him. I guess it was just a virus. He layed on the couch for 2 days doing nothing and that is not like him AT ALL. He just started playing again but he can't seem to shake the cough. I have tried everything. We are using Jaron's nebulizer for Jacob and vicks vapor rub and robitussin and a vaporizer in his room at night. What else can I do. He doesn't have much of an appetite either. The fever last two days and he also had some diarrhea but that has passed. And did I forget to mention the nose that is running A MARATHON. Please say a little prayer for him to "Get Well Soon". Anyways, he didn't feel like smiling but I still think the Pj's are cute.

Sick & Tired...

Well Jaron got over the RSV in Florida and when we got home Jacob was sick-coughing, fever & runny nose. So I couldn't get him to stay out of Jaron's face and he got Jaron sick too. So Jaron has been sick-coughing, fever and diarrhea. He only drank 3oz. during the whole day yesterday and I finally got 2oz. in him before putting him to bed last night. And today he did a little better drinking 3 oz. every 2 or 3 hours and fever & diarrhea is gone. Jaron however is still coughing his little head off as I type....poor guy. Jaron's surgery is coming up on us so fast. I am getting a little nervous about it. I am also ready for it to be over with. He is getting so smart pulling all his tapes off pretty much DAILY. When I used to only change the base tapes once a week. So I have been keeping his NAM out a lot just putting it in for feedings. He has almost mastered the art of sitting up on his own. He laughs so much now. Jaron is unfortunately still underweight. He doesn't even register on the chart for the national average. He only weighs 14 lbs. 5 oz at 7 months old. I have ordered a calorie booster to add to his bottles so pray for weight gain. He surely can't afford to lose any weight after surgery. But, what a blessing he has been to us. Thank God for our little miracle baby.

Oh so Happy!

We went to Florida last week Wed-Sun to visit family. Jaron was sick with RSV the whole time we were there. I think the humidity was good for him though. He is over the worst of it. Just a mild cough now. This is a good picture of him daddy got while he was relaxing in his walker. He is so happy! He laughs so much now and is going to jump out of his jumper soon. He is getting very good at it. He still wakes up every 3 hours at night for a bottle and he is not gaining weight much at all. He only drinks 4 oz every 3 hours. He is 14lbs. 4oz. now. He still holds his bottle, which is so great for me. We have 37 days until surgery!!! Wow time is flying!

Wild Hair!

Here he is looking so silly. I wet his hair and spiked it up for the picture. It is getting long and ready for a cut. He went to NH with his daddy last wednesday on an airplane and flew back Sunday night. He was coughing and runny nose the whole time. He is still a little sick but getting better. We are glad to be home. I love that handsome face. I just want to squeeze it off!

Smart Little Man

Here he is eating Arby's. Jacob is getting so smart. Learning Bible verses for Sunday School and writing all his ABC's now. We are so proud of him. He writes his name and his brothers name. I caught him sitting on the couch the other day "reading" his little bible. He stayed there about 15 minutes. I was so proud. He loves church and loves to quote verses. We are working on teaching him all the books of the Bible. He has memorized from Genesis-Ecclesiastes. We are still working on the rest. He is going to New Hampshire with his daddy today on an airplane and he is so excited! Maybe he'll get to see some snow. Mommy and Jaron are going to Florida on an airplane too. We are all flying back home Sunday. Have a good weekend!!!

I know I'm cute!

Jaron was sitting up in the Boppy Pillow playing with his toys and next thing I know he was asleep. He must have been pretty tired to go to sleep like this. (notice the bib) He has been sick the last few days. It started out as a cough Thursday. So Friday I took him to the pediatrician and he said it is the beginning stages of RSV. (Respitory virus) Then Saturday night he started wheezing a little so I went to the ER because RSV can be serious if you don't monitor their breathing. So the tested him for RSV with a nasal swab and it was positive and also did a chest x-ray. He had some streaking in his right lung which is caused by RSV. Since it's viral they can't give him any medicine it just has to run it's course. So we went home with nothing but a diagnosis. But it's contagious to babies and elderly so I didn't go to church Sunday and then Monday his breathing was worse so we went back to the pediatrician and they gave him and breathing treament and gave us the little nebulizer machine to bring home. Also one of his ears is infected AGAIN! He has to have 4 treatments a day for the wheezing. And antibiotics for his ear. He is not gaining any weight. I have been adding more calories to his milk and he still lost an oz. over the weekend. He is burning all his calories trying to breath. Poor little guy. Please say a prayer for him.

Superman!!!

Notice his bib is turned backwards. I thought he looked like super man. He is really getting good at this jumper. We are counting down the days now, 49 more days until surgery....Thank the Lord!

Leaves & Cheetos

We finally decided to rake our yard and get rid of all the leaves. Jacob was having a blast!!! We piled them higher than his head and he was laying down in them hiding from us.
Jacob was eating cheetos and this is what he looked like when he was done! I had to capture the moment. :-)

54 Days until Surgery!!!

Well we got a new surgery date with Jaron's new doctor and it is set for February 23rd. I am so ready. We will keep everyone posted on how things go. We will be out of town for about 7 days and I will be sure to post pictures when we return home from his surgery. Hope everyone had a good Christmas. God has been so good to us. Jaron is doing good. Holding his own bottle and growing so good. He is really trying to roll over and pushes up when he is on his belly. I can't let him stay on his tummy because he could bump his mouth so I take the NAM out and let him play a while then I put it back in. He won't drink without it now. He has gotten so used to it. He got it at 4 weeks old so when I do take it out he seems lost. Won't take his passy or anything. He still loves to chew on his fingers though. We had to get him bibs for Christmas. This boy goes through about 7 or 8 bibs a day SLOBBER. No teeth just lots of drool. Anyway let me see if I have another cute picture to post.

Ok this is Christmas day same as the last picture I just took out his nam to get him smiling/laughing without it. I just had to share this one. Enjoy!!!

Christmas was great!

Here is a good one of Jacob holding his brother. He was having a good time. We made sure he knows that Christmas is Jesus's birthday and he doesn't know who santa is. We don't feel like we should lie to our kids about that. We also told him that Jesus was the best gift ever. We want to make sure he understands the real "Reason for the Season".
Here is a cute one of him watching his new DVD player he got. It was intended for the car but he enjoys it much more in the house everyday. Notice the popcorn can in the floor. He was chillin'.

1st time in the high chair

Well I put him in the high chair to see if he would like it and he did. I put these toys up there that he got for Christmas and he played and love it. It looks like he is waving at the camera. So cute. Jaron had a good Christmas. Got toys and diapers and clothes.

Here is a good one of him smiling in his christmas outfit. It was late and we had a long day. He was still happy. He was actually cracking up laughing in this picture.

Holding his bottle

Jaron is doing great holding his bottle. What a relief for mommy now that he is also over the ear infections and drinking much better now. Here lately he has been taking 4oz every 2 hours instead of the normal 4oz every 3 hours. He is doing great! I can't wait to see how much he is gained next time we go to the doctor.
Here he is out like a light. He was laying on my chest sleeping with me and I woke up and layed him down on the couch like this and he didn't budge for a while. He was obviously very tired.
Here is my sugar with his daddy. He is a cuddler. He likes to lay on our shoulders and grab our faces with both hands like a hug. He is starting to laugh a lot and much happier off all the meds.

Here is the boys all dressed up for church last Sunday. They are so handsome....
Jacob really does love to hold his brother. He always gets in the position and holds Jaron then says "Mommy can you get the camera?" He is so hilarious. Then after I take it he says "That was a good one".

Jumping and Smiling!

Oh how he loves to jump! I hope this will help him to strengthen his legs since he won't be able to crawl until after surgery. We can't even let him roll over because he will bump his mouth and believe me that does not feel good. He is gaining weight and drinking more on his own now. We are still trying to get over the ear infections he had. He is on his 3 dose of antibiotics. Please God heal his little ears. He has been sleeping in his carseat for the last week. He prefers sitting up to sleep rather than laying down with the ear ache. Thanks for reading.

My Two Boys...

Jaron was holding his bottle and Jacob wanted to be in the picture holding his cup. Look at that face. He loves to lay with Jaron. Man how time flys! They are both getting so big too fast.

Big Smile w/o his NAM

I love this precious smile and I know that I will miss it after surgery. He has truly been a blessing to our family. What a cutie pie!

Love~Holding his bottle~Mommy & Me

I just had to get this one. What a perfect saying for a beautiful little boy.
He has been trying to hold his bottle and sometimes he does better than others. I think his double ear infections have cleared up. After discovering the Amoxicillan wasn't working and he is allergic to Cedax. We finally made it through all that.
Here is one of me and Jaron. He is precious. He is smiling more and more and just loves to touch my face. I think he looks so much like Jacob did at that age.

Growing up so fast

Here is a good one of Jacob in his carseat. He is getting over a bad cold/cough. I think he has bad allergies like his daddy. I love those eyes.

Loving his brother

When I lay Jaron on a blanket like this Jacob can't resist him. He just loves to kiss him and talk to him and make him smile. He gets right in his face and says "Hey sugar, he sugar dunklins" Jaron loves him too. They will play good together when Jaron gets bigger.

Teether & Jumping

I gave Jaron this frozen teether to see how he liked it. He licked it a few times and I guess decided it was too cold cause he didn't want it anymore after that. I don't think he is teething his gums are not swollen or anything. But he always sucks on his fingers.
I had his NAM out in this one trying to let a sore heal. He loves to jump in this thing that hangs in the door way. What a great invention! Jacob loved it too. He will jump there for an hour before making a peep. I think it puts pressure on his belly and relieves the gas pains.

Adorable Moment

Here is another adorable moment. Jacob loves to hold his brother. He is so proud when he does. I can't wait until Jaron can crawl around and play with him. Jacob wants to take a bath with him but it's too soon. So maybe one day Jaron will be able to sit up and they can play in the tub together.

Diaper & Swinging

Here is a cute one of Jaron in his diaper. He loves to play with his toes and this picture was posted for all the grandparents out there who just want to squeeze him but can't get here. We know you would be here if you could. We get lots of comments on his eyes and how serious he is. He will stare at anyone right in the eyes just like this.
This is a cute one of him swinging. He loves it! He is learning to shift his weight and make it go faster than it is set on. He was hitting the wall with the swing yesterday. What a cutie!

Feeding his brother

Jacob was trying to feed Jaron. I had to capture the moment. Jaron is trying more to hold his bottle on his own too.

What a little Man

Well here he is, our handsome little man, all dressed and ready for church. He was doing great there for a while drinking on his own. And he does it still sometimes. But he will only drink like half his bottle for me and I usually squirt the rest. I am getting frustrated~wishing there was another way or a better bottle or something. We went to the GI doctor and he said Jaron was growing good and I needed to lower my expectations and try not to compare him to Jacob. It is so hard because Jacob was a big baby and Jaron is so little and feel like he is not getting enough. The doctor was very nice and made me feel better. He suggested adding some stuff to the breast milk to give him more calories. We are trying it but I think it tastes bad. Jaron isn't very interested in drinking now. I don't know what to do. I will be so glad when he can suck a bottle on his own and I know he will drink when he is hungry and I don't have to force him. Let's see, we have 75 more days until surgery!!! Thank God! This has flown by. He has been wearing the NAM for 121 days, can you believe it?!?!?! I think going to NY every week keeps me busy so time is flying by. Thanks for all your prayers.