Here he is! This boy has really taken off! I procrastinated forever on getting Gabe his own walking shoes... you know the whole 2nd child syndrome... They were so expensive and I hated to bite the bullet... BUT, his size 5 wide foot was not going to squeeze into Jayce's 1st walking shoe which was a 3.5 wide... So, Saturday we took our trip to Stride Rite and let him try them on... He instantly started strutting around that store... too bad they didn't have him on camera, he could have sold some walking shoes for them! He really just took off once he put those power shoes on! He loves to wear them and socks too, which I think is kind of unusual... Jayce did not care for them so much... He is definitely giving me that I'm so proud of me smile now! It's so fun! Gabe has seemed even more happy than usual the past few days and I think it has made all the difference in the world for him to be able to get around more easily...
PS, I told Jay on Sunday morning, I could already tell he was losing weight, his belly was getting skinny... Jay laughed and said, not quite baby, he's got a ways to go!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Here Gabe Comes!
So, I went out of town this weekend for a girls weekend with a few of my best friends to Seabrook Island, it was SO FUN! Thank you again Molly for letting us stay at your place! It was so nice to get away and just get to talk to adults, without being interrupted every 5 seconds! It's amazing how refreshed a few days makes one feel and I felt SO ready to see my boys.
Anyhow, Gabe decides, just as Jayce decided when he was learning to walk, that a good time to start would be while I was away from him for one of two times a year... So, Jay called Sunday afternoon to tell me he had just walked to him... And, I said "define walk" because he has taken 2-3 steps to me, and he said this was a longer stretch such as 4-5 steps... I could not believe I missed it! He did walk a few to me once I got home and decided today he would take the day off... But, looks like it won't be long before he'll really be trying to keep up with Jayce!
When I asked Jay if Gabe was so happy and excited when he walked, he said no, that he was actually crying and screaming and mad... He said it happened when he put him down (at Nanny and Grandaddy's house) and turned to walk away. Gabe did not like it and responded by walking to him with his arms up, screaming for him to pick him up...This at least made me feel a bit better that I didn't miss his "I'm so proud I walked" smile. Anyhow, I AM so proud of him and look forward to the "toddler stage!"
Anyhow, Gabe decides, just as Jayce decided when he was learning to walk, that a good time to start would be while I was away from him for one of two times a year... So, Jay called Sunday afternoon to tell me he had just walked to him... And, I said "define walk" because he has taken 2-3 steps to me, and he said this was a longer stretch such as 4-5 steps... I could not believe I missed it! He did walk a few to me once I got home and decided today he would take the day off... But, looks like it won't be long before he'll really be trying to keep up with Jayce!
When I asked Jay if Gabe was so happy and excited when he walked, he said no, that he was actually crying and screaming and mad... He said it happened when he put him down (at Nanny and Grandaddy's house) and turned to walk away. Gabe did not like it and responded by walking to him with his arms up, screaming for him to pick him up...This at least made me feel a bit better that I didn't miss his "I'm so proud I walked" smile. Anyhow, I AM so proud of him and look forward to the "toddler stage!"
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Gabe is Good!
Our followup visit went well today and the tests all indicated Gabe was alright now... thank goodness! I told Dr. Whitehead that his fever has been gone for days but he still is super fussy and has been having these episodes where he screams like he is in so much pain and is basically inconsolable... He checked his ears again and after removing some wax from his left ear, saw that he has definitely had an ear infection... which has not been detected before due to the wax buildup in his ear. He said that despite our 2 shots of antibiotics already, it looks to still be there and he gave us some more antibiotics for that to be sure we knock this out for good... hopefully! I am so glad things seem to be ok for now, maybe I can finally sleep tonight :).
Monday, October 13, 2008
I am so thankful
I wanted to write an entry while it is still fresh on my mind... I might not make a lot of sense, as my sleep over the weekend severely was limited... Jay was out of town for his guys weekend... Thank goodness my sweet mom came to help and little did we know just how much she would be helping when she planned to come...
Gabe started with a fever on Saturday afternoon, so we kept some tylenol and motrin in him, and hoped to keep it down that way... Saturday night, or actually Sunday morning at 2 am I woke up and heard him crying and went to check on him... His temp was 104.8, which was higher than my boys have ever had... my boys have not had many fevers at all actually, and when I saw this number and felt his body on fire, I pretty much freaked out... I woke up mom to get her to ride with me ( in case Gabe needed someone in the back.... my nephew had these febrile seizures and I was so worried about that). So we loaded Jayce and Gabe in the car to go to the urgent care (which was closed) and then to the ER... I thought we would be there maybe a few hours to check things out and that Jayce and mom could sleep in the car and then we'd head back home... Little did I know that we would be there nearly 12 hours... yes, we checked in at 2 am and arrived home at 2:30 pm the next day... still in my pj's, still no makeup, no deodorant, or tooth brush... NO SLEEP, and all of us utterly exhausted...Nanny and Grandaddy did come pick up Jayce and he took a nap at their house, thank goodness!
It was a crazy night in the ER and I kept thinking, why am I here, should we just leave? Gabe is only a sleeper in his crib, and he was wide awake for all but a 20 minute nap at 12:30 Sunday afternoon after shots and blood work had him worn out... So, I held Gabe for 12 hours straight, afraid to put him down in there, and boy did my arms get a workout... Anyhow to get to the point... I kept thinking, we should leave but the nurse at the desk did say it was really high and she would hate to miss something, and since it was Saturday night... and we'd have to wait until Monday to see our doc., might as well stay... I am so glad I did... We finally were able to see a dr. at 8:30 or so that morning once the shift change occurred and they took an x ray of Gabe's chest and did bloodwork... they found that it looked like the beginning stages of pneumonia and the bloodwork showed evidence of bacterial disease rather than viral... we are still waiting to see what the cultures show on Wednesday, after 3 days of growth... Also his white blood cell count was elevated to show he is fighting infection. Gabe was given a shot of antibiotics to fight the infection and the Dr. told me that it was very good we had waited in the ER and caught it early, because something bacterial that is not caught, and especially bacterial pneumonia can be highly dangerous and even deadly if left untreated...This made me shutter to think how close I was to going home so many times that night.. Dr. Whitehead had a call yesterday from the ER lab saying Gabe's cultures are growing bacteria and we are not sure if it is indeed pneumonia, something else, or if the tests were contaminated by possibly bacteria on his skin... He wanted Gabe to have another shot of antibiotics to be safe until we find out for sure, so we did that yesterday afternoon...
I believe Gabe is going to be fine, his temperature was down so much both yesterday and today and he really only had a fever once during both days. I believe the antibiotics are working... BUT, Please pray for him for complete healing and that nothing serious is going on. We will find out results tomorrow at our follow up visit and also check is white blood cell count again.
Gabe was such a sweet boy in the ER... I could not believe that he missed an entire night's sleep, was poked and prodded, and in between crying hysterically from the pain, he would still smile and flirt with the nurses...They all loved him and several absolutely refused to try to give him his shots or draw blood because they said they could not bear to see him cry... He was trying so hard to be himself... even with a 104 fever...Even last night, he would try to talk to us and laugh and smile, and then just put his head down on our shoulders because he was so exhausted he could not hold it up anymore... Gabe truly is SUCH a sweet baby...
Every time something happens to one of my children, or I hear about something happening to someone else's child, I think to myself that I DO NOT thank the Lord as I should for the blessings I have in our children. This has been another reminder to me of what really matters and how wrapped up I can get in the most insignificant of things sometimes... such as 3k snack time! So, I just wanted to post this as a reminder to myself to not let a day go by without thanking God for all my guys and to make sure they know how much I love them every single day.
Gabe started with a fever on Saturday afternoon, so we kept some tylenol and motrin in him, and hoped to keep it down that way... Saturday night, or actually Sunday morning at 2 am I woke up and heard him crying and went to check on him... His temp was 104.8, which was higher than my boys have ever had... my boys have not had many fevers at all actually, and when I saw this number and felt his body on fire, I pretty much freaked out... I woke up mom to get her to ride with me ( in case Gabe needed someone in the back.... my nephew had these febrile seizures and I was so worried about that). So we loaded Jayce and Gabe in the car to go to the urgent care (which was closed) and then to the ER... I thought we would be there maybe a few hours to check things out and that Jayce and mom could sleep in the car and then we'd head back home... Little did I know that we would be there nearly 12 hours... yes, we checked in at 2 am and arrived home at 2:30 pm the next day... still in my pj's, still no makeup, no deodorant, or tooth brush... NO SLEEP, and all of us utterly exhausted...Nanny and Grandaddy did come pick up Jayce and he took a nap at their house, thank goodness!
It was a crazy night in the ER and I kept thinking, why am I here, should we just leave? Gabe is only a sleeper in his crib, and he was wide awake for all but a 20 minute nap at 12:30 Sunday afternoon after shots and blood work had him worn out... So, I held Gabe for 12 hours straight, afraid to put him down in there, and boy did my arms get a workout... Anyhow to get to the point... I kept thinking, we should leave but the nurse at the desk did say it was really high and she would hate to miss something, and since it was Saturday night... and we'd have to wait until Monday to see our doc., might as well stay... I am so glad I did... We finally were able to see a dr. at 8:30 or so that morning once the shift change occurred and they took an x ray of Gabe's chest and did bloodwork... they found that it looked like the beginning stages of pneumonia and the bloodwork showed evidence of bacterial disease rather than viral... we are still waiting to see what the cultures show on Wednesday, after 3 days of growth... Also his white blood cell count was elevated to show he is fighting infection. Gabe was given a shot of antibiotics to fight the infection and the Dr. told me that it was very good we had waited in the ER and caught it early, because something bacterial that is not caught, and especially bacterial pneumonia can be highly dangerous and even deadly if left untreated...This made me shutter to think how close I was to going home so many times that night.. Dr. Whitehead had a call yesterday from the ER lab saying Gabe's cultures are growing bacteria and we are not sure if it is indeed pneumonia, something else, or if the tests were contaminated by possibly bacteria on his skin... He wanted Gabe to have another shot of antibiotics to be safe until we find out for sure, so we did that yesterday afternoon...
I believe Gabe is going to be fine, his temperature was down so much both yesterday and today and he really only had a fever once during both days. I believe the antibiotics are working... BUT, Please pray for him for complete healing and that nothing serious is going on. We will find out results tomorrow at our follow up visit and also check is white blood cell count again.
Gabe was such a sweet boy in the ER... I could not believe that he missed an entire night's sleep, was poked and prodded, and in between crying hysterically from the pain, he would still smile and flirt with the nurses...They all loved him and several absolutely refused to try to give him his shots or draw blood because they said they could not bear to see him cry... He was trying so hard to be himself... even with a 104 fever...Even last night, he would try to talk to us and laugh and smile, and then just put his head down on our shoulders because he was so exhausted he could not hold it up anymore... Gabe truly is SUCH a sweet baby...
Every time something happens to one of my children, or I hear about something happening to someone else's child, I think to myself that I DO NOT thank the Lord as I should for the blessings I have in our children. This has been another reminder to me of what really matters and how wrapped up I can get in the most insignificant of things sometimes... such as 3k snack time! So, I just wanted to post this as a reminder to myself to not let a day go by without thanking God for all my guys and to make sure they know how much I love them every single day.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
banana cupcakes vs. brownies with sprinkles...
OK, so Jayce has a little boy in his class named "my friend Jacob." I put this entire phrase in quotations as his name because Jayce only refers to him as such, never just Jacob... Well, I am not even quite sure who Jacob is, as Jay drops Jayce off for school and I pick him up from a car line... but he is SOME KID, whoever he is! And, his mama is super mama, whoever she is! I look forward to meeting them both...
Let me explain... ever since the first week of school, Jayce comes home at least once a week telling me what "my friend Jacob's mom" sent to school today... sometimes it's stickers, sometimes cookies, sometimes donuts... the list goes on and on... So, of course I begin to feel a little behind on my motherly duties and wanting to be a great mom, I call Mrs. Rogers and ask her if it's ok to just send snacks anytime or has Jacob been bringing these upon special request... basically trying to figure out if she has been assigned like classroom mom or something... Mrs. Rogers said that anyone is welcome to send something anytime and to feel free... So, a few weeks back Jayce and I made applesauce cake with cream cheese icing and sent that and that was a big hit! I let a week slide and Jayce comes home again talking about what Jacob had brought last week... So I decided I had to get back in the game and this week we made banana oatmeal "cupcakes" as I call them, but they are actually more like muffins (a slightly healthier option with the 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour ya know)... I am thinking Mrs. Rogers will really appreciate a nutritious snack without having her kids bouncing off the walls...Also, we added some cute bright orange napkins for the holiday (careful not to get anything to scary as to not offend anyone of course). So, as soon as I see Jayce today, I ask, how did the class like our banana cupcakes and orange napkins? He said they were pretty good... I said, well what did they say? He said, "they said they were good, but guess what mom?... MY FRIEND JACOB brought BROWNIES today WITH SPRINKLES... AND COOL ANIMAL PLATES... Of course my next question was, well did you use your orange napkins? "No mom," he replied. "We had cool animal plates to use." I've been outdone again!
My guess however is that "my friend Jacob's mom" either does not have another child, or a job, or 2) she is superwoman... I am impressed... and a wee bit jealous!
Let me explain... ever since the first week of school, Jayce comes home at least once a week telling me what "my friend Jacob's mom" sent to school today... sometimes it's stickers, sometimes cookies, sometimes donuts... the list goes on and on... So, of course I begin to feel a little behind on my motherly duties and wanting to be a great mom, I call Mrs. Rogers and ask her if it's ok to just send snacks anytime or has Jacob been bringing these upon special request... basically trying to figure out if she has been assigned like classroom mom or something... Mrs. Rogers said that anyone is welcome to send something anytime and to feel free... So, a few weeks back Jayce and I made applesauce cake with cream cheese icing and sent that and that was a big hit! I let a week slide and Jayce comes home again talking about what Jacob had brought last week... So I decided I had to get back in the game and this week we made banana oatmeal "cupcakes" as I call them, but they are actually more like muffins (a slightly healthier option with the 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour ya know)... I am thinking Mrs. Rogers will really appreciate a nutritious snack without having her kids bouncing off the walls...Also, we added some cute bright orange napkins for the holiday (careful not to get anything to scary as to not offend anyone of course). So, as soon as I see Jayce today, I ask, how did the class like our banana cupcakes and orange napkins? He said they were pretty good... I said, well what did they say? He said, "they said they were good, but guess what mom?... MY FRIEND JACOB brought BROWNIES today WITH SPRINKLES... AND COOL ANIMAL PLATES... Of course my next question was, well did you use your orange napkins? "No mom," he replied. "We had cool animal plates to use." I've been outdone again!
My guess however is that "my friend Jacob's mom" either does not have another child, or a job, or 2) she is superwoman... I am impressed... and a wee bit jealous!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Jayce at 3 1/2
Is he really almost 4? So wild to think about that, but yes, 4 is right around the corner... I am really enjoying Jayce at this age... Now, we still have our days, but over all I have seen such a change in him from what I'd call a baby, to a little gentleman... He is saying the sweetest things to me.
Yesterday, Jay and I brought he and Gabe some punch balls back from our one night trip back to PC for our college homecoming... Jayce loved them and said again and again, throughout the night... "thanks so much mom and dad for bringing me these beach balls (he can call him those if he wants to, as sweet as he was) :)... He did not have to say this, was not prompted... but just out of the blue would say it!
Then, today I was telling him how proud of him I was for getting another stamp at school and for staying in his bed all night last night... He responded, "thanks mom for telling me that, you're the best mom ever!" This might not have meant much to him, but it meant the world to me!
And, he's doing this thing where he'll thank me for dinner and tell me it was "delicious" and I need to make that all the time for him! Wow! I kind of don't know how to handle all this sudden gratitude! I must say that it is SO NICE to hear! As a mother, with young children, I think we go such a long time, doing things for our children who are too young to know how to thank us, that sometimes we just feel like we are not appreciated... Well, Jayce has really made me realize lately that he does notice and does appreciate it and it is such a great feeling. I figured I had better get this in writing quick because who knows how long this little phase will last, right?! But I am sure loving it while it does!
Jayce is doing great in school and loves going!
He loves to bake muffins, cookies and cupcakes with me to take to his class!
He loves to play the "loop game" with Jay. I am really not sure how this game got this name, but here's how it goes... Jay gets home from work and puts Jayce on his shoulders (if he has had a good day, most days)... They go around the house and say "loop d loop d loop d loop".... it's really cute and Jayce absolutely loves "looping" as he calls it.
We have had some sleepless nights in the past month or so from Jayce waking up and wanting one of us to get in his bed with him... Much of this has happened since our riding lawn mower was stolen from our garage... I think I mentioned before that Jayce was really bothered by this and would say things like "are those mens going to come back to take me?" It made me so sad that he was so upset and really MAD more than anything that he was so fearful now.. But anyhow, I think this has all contributed to him not sleeping well... But, we have made some adjustments... let him have a flashlight in his room and really make a big deal when he makes it through the night and he's done very well the past few nights... hopefully it continues...
Jayce is such a sweet big brother to Gabe... When Gabe cries he will say, "it's ok Gabe, bubby's here." He said the other day to him "I love you Gabe, you're my best friend ever." It's funny how he can be so tenderhearted and then the next minute they are rolling around on the floor, wrestling... Gabe, just as much as Jayce though likes to rough house... he thinks it's hilarious... They know the rules though, mommy doesn't wrestle, they can only tackle daddy!
Yesterday, Jay and I brought he and Gabe some punch balls back from our one night trip back to PC for our college homecoming... Jayce loved them and said again and again, throughout the night... "thanks so much mom and dad for bringing me these beach balls (he can call him those if he wants to, as sweet as he was) :)... He did not have to say this, was not prompted... but just out of the blue would say it!
Then, today I was telling him how proud of him I was for getting another stamp at school and for staying in his bed all night last night... He responded, "thanks mom for telling me that, you're the best mom ever!" This might not have meant much to him, but it meant the world to me!
And, he's doing this thing where he'll thank me for dinner and tell me it was "delicious" and I need to make that all the time for him! Wow! I kind of don't know how to handle all this sudden gratitude! I must say that it is SO NICE to hear! As a mother, with young children, I think we go such a long time, doing things for our children who are too young to know how to thank us, that sometimes we just feel like we are not appreciated... Well, Jayce has really made me realize lately that he does notice and does appreciate it and it is such a great feeling. I figured I had better get this in writing quick because who knows how long this little phase will last, right?! But I am sure loving it while it does!
Jayce is doing great in school and loves going!
He loves to bake muffins, cookies and cupcakes with me to take to his class!
He loves to play the "loop game" with Jay. I am really not sure how this game got this name, but here's how it goes... Jay gets home from work and puts Jayce on his shoulders (if he has had a good day, most days)... They go around the house and say "loop d loop d loop d loop".... it's really cute and Jayce absolutely loves "looping" as he calls it.
We have had some sleepless nights in the past month or so from Jayce waking up and wanting one of us to get in his bed with him... Much of this has happened since our riding lawn mower was stolen from our garage... I think I mentioned before that Jayce was really bothered by this and would say things like "are those mens going to come back to take me?" It made me so sad that he was so upset and really MAD more than anything that he was so fearful now.. But anyhow, I think this has all contributed to him not sleeping well... But, we have made some adjustments... let him have a flashlight in his room and really make a big deal when he makes it through the night and he's done very well the past few nights... hopefully it continues...
Jayce is such a sweet big brother to Gabe... When Gabe cries he will say, "it's ok Gabe, bubby's here." He said the other day to him "I love you Gabe, you're my best friend ever." It's funny how he can be so tenderhearted and then the next minute they are rolling around on the floor, wrestling... Gabe, just as much as Jayce though likes to rough house... he thinks it's hilarious... They know the rules though, mommy doesn't wrestle, they can only tackle daddy!
Gabe at 14 months
Gabe is OH SO CLOSE to taking off... it won't be long... he has taken several steps on several occasions to both Jay and I, but is still not wanting to let go of a hand or wall for longer than it takes to take a few steps... I had said before that I was ok with him not walking, but it is starting to get a little trickier... He is in a stage where he does not want to just ride along in the stroller for too terribly long... he likes to move and wants to get down with "bubby"... this can be a bit tricky when you are in say a doctor's office... or the mall food court... not the most sanitary of places to let your child crawl around... but I must admit, I have let him down in both places... we just wipe him down like crazy after the fact... This is another thing I would have NEVER done with Jayce... funny how much more laid back one becomes with the 2nd child! Anyhow, so I am ready for him to be on his feet instead of having black hands and knees!
Gabe loves to give me hugs, and LONG ones! I don't want this phase to end!
Gabe LOVES music these days, and loves to dance... He does this funny little "jig" where he leans his head from one shoulder to the next when he hears the abc song on his leapfrog ball... I will try to get a video to put on here, it's too funny!
He is a climber... Jayce was a climber... but Gabe even more than Jayce was at this age because he is watching EVERYTHING Jayce does and tries to imitate it all! Today, I was getting ready to give them a bath, and Gabe hikes his leg over the tub and starts to dive in, diaper and all... and he would have gotten in if I was not right there... I have a feeling he might escape the crib before Jayce did... yeikes!
Gabe has a new word he likes to say, "Bible." I think he learned this at church, it's really cute!
He likes to say "uh huh" when I ask him things...
Gabe STILL does not like to travel and riding in a car with him even to Columbia is quite a test of the patience... he cries mostly the whole way there and back... he does not like to be confined for that long! I SO admire my friends who are able to take their children on these LONG trips! We are supposed to go to Dollywood with the family in November... 6 hours! Jay says he is not riding with us, he'll hitch a ride with his folks... we'll see about that! I'm going to purchase a really good set of head phones... BUT, this might be my only complaint about my sweet baby Gabe... other than this, he is one easy going kiddo!
Oh one last thing he LOVES... he likes to put his head between his legs, as if he is going to tumble... I think this is once again a Jayce imitation... he thinks it is SO funny, it makes me just a WEE bit nervous... I keep catching him before he goes over... but I'm sure it won't be long...
I can't believe how fast he is growing and changing daily, I so wish I could just press a button and put him on "pause..." It just goes way too fast. Yet, on the other hand, the bigger he gets, the more he and Jayce are able to interact and that is so neat to see as well!
Gabe loves to give me hugs, and LONG ones! I don't want this phase to end!
Gabe LOVES music these days, and loves to dance... He does this funny little "jig" where he leans his head from one shoulder to the next when he hears the abc song on his leapfrog ball... I will try to get a video to put on here, it's too funny!
He is a climber... Jayce was a climber... but Gabe even more than Jayce was at this age because he is watching EVERYTHING Jayce does and tries to imitate it all! Today, I was getting ready to give them a bath, and Gabe hikes his leg over the tub and starts to dive in, diaper and all... and he would have gotten in if I was not right there... I have a feeling he might escape the crib before Jayce did... yeikes!
Gabe has a new word he likes to say, "Bible." I think he learned this at church, it's really cute!
He likes to say "uh huh" when I ask him things...
Gabe STILL does not like to travel and riding in a car with him even to Columbia is quite a test of the patience... he cries mostly the whole way there and back... he does not like to be confined for that long! I SO admire my friends who are able to take their children on these LONG trips! We are supposed to go to Dollywood with the family in November... 6 hours! Jay says he is not riding with us, he'll hitch a ride with his folks... we'll see about that! I'm going to purchase a really good set of head phones... BUT, this might be my only complaint about my sweet baby Gabe... other than this, he is one easy going kiddo!
Oh one last thing he LOVES... he likes to put his head between his legs, as if he is going to tumble... I think this is once again a Jayce imitation... he thinks it is SO funny, it makes me just a WEE bit nervous... I keep catching him before he goes over... but I'm sure it won't be long...
I can't believe how fast he is growing and changing daily, I so wish I could just press a button and put him on "pause..." It just goes way too fast. Yet, on the other hand, the bigger he gets, the more he and Jayce are able to interact and that is so neat to see as well!
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