A SICKLY Spooky Halloween!

By bedtime Jack's temperature was back down to normal. That doesn't mean we had a good night...but it was a positive. This morning he was better but would have coughing spells. Dr.Guettersloh saw us at 10:35 and Jack had no ear infection, he didn't hear any fluid, and overall he had "clean bill of health". We are just monitoring him for a high temperature again and any wheezing. He said it is just a upper respiratory funk and that a lot of the symptoms might even have been teething related.

Since he had no fever we went ahead to Gymboree so Jack could get his picture with his friends in their Halloween costumes. I think he was the cutest by far.

Here is the pumpkin himself with his two best friends from Gymboree Olivia and Cora. Leave it to a Relle to be a Ladies Man!

By the time we got home I think our little man had been pushed too far. He was in pretty bad shape and I didn't want him to get worse or make the others sick so we decided to skip The Parnell's Halloween Bash. It was a hard decision but I know it was the right one...especially when Nick came home from school covered in an itchy rash. So the Relle's turned their porch light off and this is how our Halloween went...

EARLY HALLOWEEN EVENING

I did make the traditional Halloween Sloppy Joes since we were staying home...although I wouldn't call ground turkey, whole wheat buns, and fat free American cheese slices completely traditional...but Jack got the point...I think....him and Nick both slept through dinner. Nick headed out to the local Care Now (aka Doc in a box). The results according to them is that Nick had an allergic reaction to something. After a shot in the ass he came home to Jack passed out in my lap, put him in his crib, and as I type...their looking about like the picture below....looks like after Jack is back in good health we are going to have to do our sleep training all over again.

We'll take pictures of Nick and Jack in their costumes this weekend for ya'll.

LATE HALLOWEEN EVENING

Happy Halloween!

All in a Day- The Good and The Bad

Jack woke up in our bed this morning with a crusty nose and a mild cough after a night full of crying. Since he was already under the weather we figured....what could going to a germ filled elementary school hurt-So we headed to Northlake to have lunch with Nick.

Lunch was fun! We brought Nick Chick-Fil-A and hung out in the teachers lounge with his lunch crew. When we went to see the Principal (not for being bad-for being so cute of course) Jack's nose got cut on his booksack (don't ask) and we had to make a haste exit due to his screaming. Since I forgot to take pictures during Nick's lunch I snapped one of Nick sneaking out of school to feed Jack his bottle that he didn't drink inside because of all the activity. Since we were already "in the city" Jack and I decided to stroll around Northpark Mall.

Jack slept for the first hour of my power walk...but enjoyed the end of the walk...especially our visit with his Aunt Miley who he hasn't seen in FOREVER. It was nice catching up with her and looking at the skinny jeans that her store sells...if we keep up with our points counting and walking...one day she'll be able to hook us up with a discount on a pair of skinny jeans for me...til then...we'll just visit for motivation.

On the way home we stopped off to bring some borrowed goods back to Lisa but Jack was just in general doing worse...his nose had snot bubbles crust, his cough was kinda flemmy, and his voice congested, so we headed home to bring the day to an end-although he was having fun playing with Ethan and probably would have loved to stay. When we got home though there was a ray of sunshine in the mailbox.

There is nothing like snail mail but it's especially fun when it is a package from PARIS. Marie, Margaret, and Gerald (Jack's French Family) sent Jack a postcard that said, "He was made in Italy, Born in the USA, but will study one day in France". So they gave him a University of Paris shirt and a children's CD in French. That was such a nice surprise...I can't wait til we get to listen to the CD tomorrow...the shirt is big so it will be like the one from Papa C when he went to Quebec....a great buy because it will last him til he is 4.

By the time dinner rolled around Jack just still wasn't himself so I checked his temperature. It was 100.7. I called the on call nurse and she said to watch him...if he had another screaming fit or was really having troubles breathing to take him to the Pediatrics After Hours/ER. Otherwise, she wants us to call tomorrow morning so Dr. Guettersloh can make sure he doesn't have an ear infection (I mentioned that he grabbed his ears a few times this afternoon). Other than that we have the humidifier going, did Saline drops with the suction bulb, are giving him Tylenol every 4 hours, and are keeping his cut on his nose lubed up with Neosporin. I'm afraid that Jack will not be able to go to his Gymboree Halloween Party or Nathan's Halloween Party that we have been looking forward to unless Dr. Guettersloh says it is alright...but with him having fever...it isn't looking good. Let's hope he is all better for our photo shoot on Saturday for our Christmas card pictures. We'll keep you posted.

Jack and Mom's Picnic Date

This morning Jack and I headed out to make a return at Kohl's and then go to the outlet mall for exercise/window shopping. We were pulling out of the garage when I literally stopped and went back for the picnic blanket. Although the outlet mall is open air...it was much to pretty of a day to be inside even if only for a bit.

Here we are on our blanket at a huge Lake style park in McKinney. Despite his face...we had a lot fun. I'd like to say we layed back and told each other what we saw in the clouds...but with Jack...laying just isn't something we do. Staying still in any form actually isn't something we do. After his bottle/my salad we were off to walk the lake.

Along the way we stopped to throw crackers to some geese on the path. Jack was talking up a storm to them. Once one of them started coming for my Big Mama Ass we quickly starting walking again.

Here we were throwing the rest of the crackers off the bridge for the turtles. By the end of the walk we were ready to come home and take a nap. We'd never been to this park before and we will for sure go back again..it was a nice afternoon.

Family Sunday

Jack is feeling much better. It was a great day especially since Nick was able to spend the whole day with us. We ran some errands, had lunch together at La Madeline where Jack "talked" a lot at the end...too bad his language is all screeching, and then we came home to enjoy the rest of the beautiful afternoon.

We bought Jack this swing a while back because he loves it when we swing at the park. Jack and I hung out on a blanket in the front yard while Dad hung it on the tree for him.

"This swing is pretty sweet. Do I look like cool, big boy in it or what? Maybe I should get hurt more often if I get biscuits like this."

"Push me again Dad, that was fun!"

What a perfect Family Sunday!

A little langiappe for ya-

Jack finally starting to enjoy the grass a little more.

You can tell he is still uneasy by his curled up little toes.

Jack vs. Coffee Table

So Jack and the coffee table have gone into the ring before...but normally the coffee table knocks him down and he gets right but up or the referee (aka Mom) steps in to break it up. Today the coffee table used a different swing (aka the ledge), knocked Jack down, but he didn't get up. I've heard his head bump a lot the last few weeks...but nothing like this. I've also heard him cry a lot in the past 7 months...but nothing like this.

Yes, he has a hair clip holding his bangs so I could see the injury!

Once he stopped crying (and I stopped crying) I called Lisa who has been through many head injuries for advice, Nick, and the pediatrician. Jack was squirming around and wanted to eat the ice so I turned on Baby Bach which is a sure way to keep him still for 20 minutes. The nurse called back and so here are the directions we are following now:

• Put ice on for 10-15 minutes
• Nothing but clear liquids for 2 hours
• Watch for instability, different behavior, and check on eyes for eye injury
• Wake every fully every 4 hours for 48 hours. Keep him up long enough to assess if he is unstable or not

We are to take him to the Emergency Room if:

• Vomits more than 2 mouthfuls
• Liquid coming out of nose and ears
• Unstable/off behavior
• Difficulty waking up from nap/sleep

Here is a picture of Jack before he went to bed about 3 hours after the "fight". The swelling had gone down considerably, the bruising had lightened, and what is mainly left is the branding that the coffee table ledge left behind to remind him who is the champ. Didn't work because while trying to ice Jack's bump...he kept crawling towards the darn table again.

There were many lessons learned from this....

• We've ordered tonight plug covers, cabinet locks, cute kid ice packs, and plan to spend a lot of time tomorrow moving things to make this place more Jack friendly.
• Jack's coach (aka Mom) might need to toughen up so that she can handle situations like this without tears-although I don't know if I'll ever get that tough and I am sure there are many more bumps in our future
• The best way to get Dad to come home from work is to call crying about a head injury

Jack's First Halloween Party

Today was Jack's first Halloween Party! Ashley and I loaded the boys and a TON of gear in the Pathfinder and headed to the party. Once there we had to suit them up for pictures. Here is a shot of "my little pumpkin" ready for his photo shoot.

Jack was such a trooper despite the sun making it a tad warm especially when you are padded all around and have a felt top covering your head. We were sure to discuss that this costume is the only time he'll have "junk in his trunk".

Below is a series of pictures of the group baby shot(s). I am including them all because it is hilarious to see in all the different shots taken one after the other the babies that go from happy to sad, sad to happy, and then there is sweet Jack observing it all so contently in every picture.(Be sure to check out Jack's best friend Nathan, the kangaroo, who slept on the grass throughout the whole thing-even babies falling off the haystacks causing a domino effect).

Click on each picture to make them larger so you can really see the kiddos.

There is for sure not one shot without at least one baby crying. Glad it wasn't mine...I was so proud of him...AS ALWAYS!

Overall the party was a lot of fun. There were tons of Moms, babies, costumes, diaper bags, toys, and food. Jack and Nathan were again the youngest so they didn't get to roam around like the others but I am glad that they weren't able to (our choice) paint their pumpkins. It was complete chaos...babies were eating the paint, covering their bodies with it, and covering the adults with it. At that point we grabbed our goody bags, picture frames with their names on it that one mom made, pumpkins, gear, and headed out.

This picture just doesn't do the situation justice. When we were walking out the house there were babies covered in paint crying all over the house....even multiple babies in the tub trying to get all the paint off. The house was a mess (note to self: never host a Halloween party for 22 Moms and their babies at our house). The boys both passed out once hit the road and the rest of the afternoon in our quiet house was a real Trick or TREAT!

Dad of the Year Award...

This was the scene when Ashley and I left Nick Thursday night so we could go to the Mom's Night Out Game Night. Nick didn't go to work at Genkins so that he could stay at home with Jack AND NATHAN!!! While Ashley and I were enjoying adult company, adult conversations, and adult beverages-Nick was back home bathing babies, changing diapers, and giving bottles.

At one point the other Moms got into a conversation about how their husbands weren't happy about having to keep the babies and how they never go anywhere alone with them...I felt so proud to announce that MY HUSBAND goes on all kinds of field trips with Jack and then when I told them he was not only watching our baby....but Ashley's too....they all almost fell off the couch. I already know how lucky I am to have such a great husband and Jack knows how lucky he is to have such a great Dad...but hearing about others makes me love him even more.

WE LOVE YOU NICK!!!

Grateful-Prayer

I found out this morning that a former co-worker's baby (one month to the day younger than Jack) had to be care flighted from the hospital here in Allen to Children's Medical Downtown last night because he has RSV. All I have heard today was that he had a rough night and that the doctor's are still concerned. I can't imagine what they are going through right now and I hope that Broc is alright...but I do know that hearing this makes me even more grateful that I am able to stay at home with Jack keeping him out of Daycare til he is a little bit older. It is a sickness that is usually spread at places like daycare and is often seen in children under the age of 1. Most cases do end up with the child in the hospital and it can be very serious. This year they came out with a vaccination that Jack has already gotten...but I am sure Broc got it as well, which is even more scary. Please keep them in your thoughts!

A few people have asked about our family re-takes with the Birth Photographer. Sorry I never posted the new link. It is the same slide show from before with the new family pictures at the end of it. Enjoy!

http://www.thebirthphotographer.com/slideshows/Jack2/

Party Pooper

The group at Gymboree decided to postpone the Halloween party til next Wednesday which does make sense because our next class is actually on Halloween Day. Jack wore his skeleton baby legs to go along with all the pumpkin themed activities we are doing this week and next at Gymboree.

Here is his teacher Linda rocking him on top of the air ball singing A Pumpkin song to him to the tune of Humpty Dumpty.

Here is our little "pumpkin" having a great fall!! He wasn't too sure about this...but stayed strong through his obvious concerns at falling from such a height.

Jack wanted that pumpkin up the ramp so bad. He crawled a bit but then the gravity and his lack of skills sent him sliding down. But it didn't stop him...he tried again until he captured it and into the mouth it went.

Nick came home tonight and laid on the couch to watch Pardon the Interruption (Stupid ESPN show where grown men ague about sports and at times use masks to pretend they are different people....I cringe when it is on)...so anyway, when he tried to start it....the Oxygen Channel had taped instead (don't know why the TV was ever on the Oxygen Channel...surly not to TIVO Tori Spellings reality show). He was so pissed off and couldn't figure out why it didn't tape....UNTIL

I showed him the pictures from today and he saw Jack trying to stand up while playing with the TV equipment on the "Entertainment Center". Right when he saw it he knew what had happened....Jack had moved the little sensor thing that tells the TV to change channels for TIVO. Then he was upset with me for not putting it back...I didn't know that that thing was...just thought it was some wire he didn't put in the right place.

No worries Jack...you're not going to be in trouble tomorrow when Dad sees you...Once he saw this face...all was forgiven. Now might not be the case with me because I told you, "No" when you were climbing and it caused me to miss Private Practice tonight.

Tomorrow Nick is coming home after school and keeping Jack so Ashley and I can go to a Mother's Night Out Game Night with some Moms we met. A night away after so many nights with Nick working til late will be nice.

"Timber"

Jack and I had a great day. We did the usual stuff around the house, ran an errand or two, and walked to have dinner at Lisa and Patrick's. He's not used to bundling up, but does a great job of keeping his hoodie on and snuggling under the blanket in the stroller. It was especially chilly walking back because the sun had gone down.

After his bath (which he misses Daddy giving them to him- I just don't do it right), he had his bottle, and did his usual....fell asleep sitting up. I guess after a busy day today though he didn't have the strength to sleep sitting up and went TIMBER. Doesn't look comfortable to me...but doesn't seem to bother him too much.

Tomorrow is our Halloween party at Gymboree in costumes and all....You'll have to check back tomorrow to see our Little Pumpkin and his friend Gymbo.

Fall is Here!

We woke up this morning to 50 degree rainy weather. Fall is officially here!

A Play Group Ashley, Nate, Jack, and I joined held a private class at Gymboree today. Jack and Nate were the "babies" of the group so as the others ran around chasing bubbles on the parachute...Nate took a little nap and Jack played with my jeans. Good times!

As usual Jack passed out in the car on the way home from Gymboree. Since it was during his entire nap time I wanted him to sleep a little longer so I transferred him to his crib. 5 minutes later I could hear that he was up to no good and literally walked in to find this. Actually when I first entered the door he was leaning over trying to grab his tag blanket on the floor.

As I was trying to talk to him about what a crib is for...this is the face he kept giving me. I guess we are going to have to maybe lower the crib more, remove the bumpers that he is using as stairs, and move the crib toy to the other side so he doesn't use it as a springboard.

Here we go....Can you tell how he feels about avocados?

Guess avocado goes on the list with peas!

Crawling 101

Today after we got home from the pumpkin patch we were playing around with Jack on the floor and sure enough...he wanted his music playing toy cow so bad he CRAWLED to get it. The crawl was slow and a little rusty...but he was able multiple times to make it across the room. I figure by the end of the week he'll be a pro and I'll have found a million things he can get to that I wasn't the slightest bit concerned about before now. We'll post another video when he fine tunes things.

The Pumpkin Patch

Today the Parnell's and the Relle's loaded up and headed to the Dallas Arboretum for the afternoon. We started out with a picnic in the grass which included Nick and Wayne tossing the football around.

We'd never been to the Arboretum before after all this time and it was absolutely beautiful.

Jack and Mommy!

Jack did great in the pumpkin patch. He was so curious about them.

Look how cute our little pumpkin is!!!

I heard Jack tell Nathan..."I know Nathan..but the Arboretum was your Mom's idea! Hang in there."

Mommy and Me Picture!

Getting a perfect family picture is a challenge...to get us all looking, Jack smiling, and his tupay in place...it's exhauting and hilarious at the same time.

The rest of the afternoon we strolled around checking out the scenery. Jack had fun!

At one point we cooled off at the fountains. Nick thought it was funny because it looked like Jack was peeing.

We took so many pictures of the babies and us with the babies that we thought some couple poses would be nice too.

Definetly mantle frame worthy!

After an afternoon outside walking around we loaded everyone back into the car and before pulling out the parking lot the two boys were out. What a great day!