Monday, September 30

This day was seared into my mind.  Matt and I were leaving to take Jack to Vanderbilt for his procedures.  Kate was left in good hands with my mom.  (I did worry a little about her hairstyles for school).  First up...kindergarten school pictures.  We fancied Kate up for school and off she went with a hug and a kiss from mama and Jack.  

 Matt and I loaded up, dropped Drake off at the Mason's, and off we went.  Traveling with Matt is always "fun," because we are never late.  Not ever.  Early.  Always early.  Like an hour and a half early.  To a hospital.  In a different town.  With a toddler who can't have anything to eat or drink.  So, we hit the park.  Jack was happy.  He didn't know where he was going next, so the park is always a fun event.

 A bridge to walk across with Daddy.  New things to do.

 We got to the hospital and checked in.  Had to be there two hours early.  We waited.  And waited.  And played with the new animal pac Grandma and Grandpa sent just for this occasion. And Jack cried.  Not a whimper.  Not a typical quick storm.  Nope, a big tantrum.  Hungry?  Check.  Thirsty?  Check.  Some strange man checking my vitals?  Check.  Forty-five minutes later, we were taken to the holding cell.  Sorry, I mean the pre-op staging area.

 This is what a tantrum looks like after an hour.  And having nothing to drink (since he doesn't eat) since 6 a.m. and it is now 3:30 p.m.

 We had pre-op with all of the docs (Anesthesiologist, GI, Pulminologist, and ENT).  They would each do his/her part and then come out to tell what they saw.  Biopsies and fluids would be tested and those results would come later.  Jack woke just in time for them to carry him to the OR for sedation.  Matt and I, with apprehension, hustled down to the cafeteria to grab a quick lunch/dinner because we needed to be back up to hear.  Each doctor said pretty much the same thing...all looks great, no abnormalities.  We waited for Jack to wake.  We went back to see him.  Still sleeping off meds and with his no-nos on so that he couldn't pull the Impedance probe out of his nose.

 Jack had no interest in waking.  Matt left to check us into the hotel and return.  I waited and chatted with yet another nurse.  All of the medical staff were amazing and so calming.  WHen Jack woke, he had to drink some apple juice so his pH level could be established.  Remembering that my mom said Kate had been teary a couple of times that day because she was worried about Jack, I FaceTimed her so she could see him (and me).  I put the phone close to Jack and Kate started singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.  Jack started to open his eyes.  He looked for her.  She was on the phone...happy.  We talked about his arms, his tube, etc. and Kate seemed more at ease.  Jack woke, drank, and off we went.

 Poor guy wanted to watch the TV in the car on the way to the hotel.  Of course I let him have the remote.

 He drank a Pedia Sure and then wanted to try out the sippy cup the hospital gave him.  We took his no-nos off, and he never grabbed at the probe.  We put them on to sleep, but in the middle of the night, he had another Pedia Sure and fell asleep on me without them on.  So, we left them off.

 The next day we walked around Nashville.  Jack with his tube and probe.  Since it is such a large medical community, many strangers stopped to ask what he had:  feeding tube, probe, etc.  Each were curious, not being mean.  And each had a friend who had a child that didn't/wouldn't eat.

 We went to the mall because we didn't have many options.  He didn't want to eat and he couldn't go to a park with the tubes.  He does not like malls much.

 At noon the tube was removed.  These are my two happy boys ready to go home and see Kate.

 Ahhhhhh, a Diet Coke makes it all better.

We are still waiting for some of the test results.  We are continuing therapy with Jack three times a week and he is off any reflux meds, which is promising.  BUT, we still have no answers for what is going on.  So. We. Wait.

Aunt Fran!

We were lucky that Fran had events in Owensboro to attend every other weekend for three weekends.  That meant six weeks that we got to see her off and on.  This makes Kate's heart smile.  I could bribe her in so many ways with what could happen with Frannie when she was in.  It was awesome.  :-) Kate got to have a slumber party, got to see Ashley when she came in to visit with Fran, and the last weekend, she got to bake with her as well.  

 Mom and Jack provided the musical entertainment for the party.

 Jack had to stop and practice yoga.

And then Aunt Fran told them they could go out and play in the rain.  Because that is what Aunts do (that mommies don't).

farm-to-park living

 We spend a lot of time outside.  A lot.  We had a family picture taken and we were even able to take the Mule to the location.  How awesome is that?

Jack still enjoys playing in his impromptu sandbox that Carolyn made for him.  He has helpers, whether the four or two-legged variety.  Anyone who knows me knows I cannot stand sand, so this is NOT my favorite play area, but he does this daily.

I planted another batch of squash to see if we could have it for fall.  I also planted more lettuce and spinach, and we are enjoying that, so let's hope the squash makes it!  Jack helped me water the seeds daily.  He is not speaking a lot, and some of that has to do with his swallowing issues, it is thought, but he does get some of it out.  "wa-wa" being a big one, especially when he grabs the hose and heads to the garden.

 Kate's class went on a field trip to one of the local farms where she got to bring home a pumpkin she picked.  Once home, she focused on washing it well.  It took about 30 minutes to reach her level of clean.  And now it resides outside.  Ahhh, the mind of a 5 year-old.

I had been trying to get Jack to watch more TV or at least to sit still longer because of the upcoming procedures and I didn't know what would be asked of him (and me) in the hospital.  He likes the first six minutes of the Chica Show - until it goes into a cartoon.  When he hears the chicken squeaks, he goes into the family room to see.  Kate was sitting on the couch and he crawled right into her lap to watch.  These two are going to be huge buddies; that much is certain!

 I went to pick Jack up from school early one day and the kids were outside playing.  He didn't even notice me and just kept playing.  Prior to this day, he whimpered or cried each time I dropped him off.  After this day, he just waved "bye-bye" and I was out of there.  This kid loves the outside.

 Kate had a day off from school at the end of September and Jack had Kindermusik, so it was a great day to hit the park early.

 Kate wanted to pose with the turtle at the park.

 Jack has becoming interested in watching the boats travel the river.  He ventures out of the park to see what is going on.

 Back at home, Jack has begun riding with Kate again.  It isn't all about running up and down the road anymore.

 She is such a good playmate for Jack.  I want to scream at her a lot, because of her attitude, but the sweetness and love she shows Jack is something I can't even describe.  She is constantly watching him; she is constantly making sure he is taken care of; she is constantly putting his needs above hers.  Something I did not teach her.  Just Kate being Kate.

 Kate wanted to pull up some of her carrots to see if they were ready for harvest.  Not quite, but they are getting close.

September Morn

This guy wants to be outside all the time.  Jammies, clothes, diaper...it doesn't matter.  As soon as he thinks SOMEONE...ANYONE...is going outside he brings his shoes and starts his sounds to get outside.  Sometimes it works.  Othertimes, the tantrum reigns.  Jack is happiest outside exploring.  And since I know this is a temporary living arrangement, I want him to experience all of the country life.  It is almost like living in a foreign country.   HA!

 Jack has been better about school.  For a month, he cried at drop off and I walked out knowing he was in safe and loving hands.  Lately he has said "bye-bye" and gone to play...even before I am ready to leave.  Check that off the social skills list!

 He has been playing more and enjoying the VW Bug that doesn't run.  The radio and horn work, and that is all he needs to enjoy sitting in it.

 Miss Shannon sent a new box of goodies for Jack and in it were these boots.  Dude had to put them on and walk around in them right that minute.  A tad wobbly, a bit slippery, but he was rocking the look (in his surfboard shortall).

 Jack is working hard to use words.  I don't know how affected his speech is with his non-eating.  We hope to find that out soon and already are in therapy, but for now, grunts and some sounds are part of his world.  He often goes to the corn, points and says something that sounds like corn.  I get it...not sure others do!

 My two babies don't have the day to play, so when they are together, they enjoy each other far more than I imagined Kate would with a brother.  The picture below is one close to my heart.  Jack was on my lap and he was holding Kate's hand.  Kate's other hand is holding my hand.  So intertwined, so connected.  I love my sweet girl something fierce!

 The weekend of homecoming, Matt had the pace car home to drive. Since I LOVE cars, we changed everything over to this one and were headed downtown to the art fair.  Such a gorgeous day for it.

 And it started out well.  Both kids smiling and enjoying the sun.  A little squished, but it is a CAMERO convertible.  What could we expect?  We got out on the road and Kate is complaining about her feet being squished and how she doesn't have anyplace to put them and the seatbelt is hurting and...While Kate is throwing all of this out, Jack is just crying.  Each increase in mph is a louder screech.  So...we turned around and came home.  Dislodged the car seat, moved it back to my SUV, moved Kate's, got all LATCH system clips in place, switched the stroller and bags and got back on the road.  The next day Kate was sad we were giving the car back.  Really????

 Yep...Ez has treats daily because Jack feels it is very important to watch him eat.  This is every day.

And Drake gets his bones.  Daily.  Sometimes more than usual.  Because Jack says so.

 Carolyn feels that Jack MUST be a boy.  And must get to play in the dirt, mud, water, and rocks.  So, she brings him a boy toy every week and they play...in the mud...dirt...rocks...sand...water.  And I leave.

 A new boy toy from mama.  CHIPS!

 This is Captain.  Captain lives down the street from my mom.  Captain howls daily and we have to visit when we are there and take a Milk Bone. Jack now howls like Captain.  And he says Captain.

 Silly.

 Utica Beach

 Mama, take my picture.  Notice the earrings, necklace, ring, and bracelet.  All for waffles at mom's house with fran.

 Sweet, sweet goodness of mine.

 Not so sweet.  Welcome to the world of Jack.

 Sassy pants headed to school for Shades Day.

 Helping water.  Thank you, Carolyn.  Otherwise I could do it in half the time.

 Silly faces.

 Sweetness on the slides.

 Waiting for sister to get home on the bus.

 Harvest time!