Our little patient

So Jack hasn't gotten any better...last night was horrific and involved (the "clean version") multiple pairs of pjs, multiple baths, and multiple sheets resulting in a sheet shortage and us having to sleep on random bedding borrowed from Presbyterian Hospital when Jack was born. This morning we visited Dr. Mathieus and were given supplement pills, instructions on drinks/food, and formula for when he is well enough to slowly reintroduce dairy.

The clean house from the housekeeper yesterday has turned once again (lost count this year) into Baby Shambles and when we are able to surface in the real world I fear how our skin and eyes will react. Our little patient likes to sleep touching you and when he is awake he is crying in the kitchen because he is so hungry so we've done a lot of napping (Jack that is with us laying with him) and that is about it.

The last pair of pj bottoms that were clean and a random t-shirt while Dad is changing our bed for the second time-at around 1 AM.
I was able to transport him from my chest on the couch to our bed (after attempting to put him down in his) but in my room I sat because if he woke up it could result in a whole other injury. He lost a pound this week...poor baby can't afford that...look at his ribs poking out. Now this is a site you don't see often and no he doesn't have the mange, although it does look that way. Had to capture this to show him that I didn't always have his hair perfectly gelled to the side.

Here is hoping for a better night. Off to shower...Nick is calling me pig pen!!

Our Little Tike

Finally got a Little Tikes 8 in 1 Adjustable Playground! All Summer I had been stalking Craigslist for one (they are a HOT item and sell QUICK) because they retail for so much- but are worth it if you buy one used, in good condition because you can later resell it for the same price, if not more. I had finally given up until the Fall, but when listing our kitchen table and guest bed Monday night I decided to see what Little Tikes items the nice DFW Craigslisters had to offer. It was fate that we were able to get this for such a great price because the title was for a picnic table (which it clearly wasn't-glad I was the first to see their mistake), for some reason I clicked, and here is Jack having a blast on his new toy.

I knew Nick wouldn't be able to wait til after Jack went to bed to clean it and put it together. When I got home from my appointment they were playing away in the backyard. Here are some pictures of Jack on his new toy.It can be configured in a bunch of different ways...can't wait til the Fall when we get home after he has been stuck at Daycare all day to let him get some fresh air in the backyard. Now I'm off to research what big kid backyard equipment we'll get once he is a bit older.

Thanks Tavares family for letting us borrow the Titan to pick it up. When can Ethan come over to play on it?

Playdate with Morgan

Yesterday Jack and Morgan had a playdate that was long overdue. Despite our family being way over served by life- which included Jack throwing up all over the carpet in the hall right before she came...they had a great time together (and so did I catching up with Morgan-although we did a lot of shop talk since both of us will be teaching First Grade next year-EEK!).

While Nick was getting lunch stuff out of the fridge Jack so kindly opened the drawer and took out cheese sticks...one for him and one for Morgan.
Jack was showing Morgan how technologically advanced he is with his new laptop...it was on clearance and although it is a bit advanced for him, he loves to type on the keyboard and move the mouse...keeps his precious little hands off of our laptop.
Before Morgan left- her and Jack read the book Pat the Bunny that she gave him at his birthday party. He is able to participate a lot more now and he for sure made her read it to him more than once.

Thanks for coming over Morgan (and for Jack's cute Tiger flashlight)...let's do it again once we are both settled....so around May probably :) Although I know we'll be in touch sharing ideas and lessons....RIGHT?!?!?

All Work and a Little Play

Yesterday after Jack's nap he and I headed over to the Tavares House to play with Ethan (& Jonah). The boys played in Ethan's room for a while then it was time to get to business.

Our little CEOs in training. Ethan is taking notes while Jack is typing away on the laptop. Hope they are working on a project that will make us RICH!!!
Nothing like a little fun after a hard days work. The little back part was a perfect seat so Jack could take a ride with Ethan...although they never actually moved from that spot.
Not sure if I would trust a driver with a face full of trouble like Ethan has here...but Jack doesn't mind...he likes adventure.

Jack's Baptism

On Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 10:30 AM Jack was Baptised by Reverend David at Ingleside United Methodist Church. Nina is a member of this Church and it is where Nick and I were married in June of 2004. Sadly the sanctuary where we were married burned down so the Service was held in the room where they have been holding Services while waiting patiently for their beautiful Church to be rebuilt.

Jack was so well behaved (with the help of Wub and Cheerios) before and after his Baptism.
Here we are at the front with the Reverend.
Jack kept turning around to wave at the congregation-he knew it was all about him :)
Not to sure about things once it was time for him to leave our arms but did great considering the little sleep he had at night on this trip, missing his morning nap, and being held by a stranger in a room full of people staring at him.
Our little boy has been blessed!
Jack with his Godparents- Deborah and Eric
Back at Papa and Bebe's house everyone was ready to chow down on Jambalaya, Caine's, and finger sandwiches. Even though Jack ate a bunch of Cheerios and only had a 10 minute power nap on the ride to the house...he was ready for some more food and lots of fun!

Jack and Mimee busted a move in the living room!
Why we thought he would sit patiently while we got all the materials for the cake to the table...not sure...he wanted his cake!
Since the pictures from the Church didn't come out great I made everyone suffer though a few more shots in the miserable heat. After this Deb had to head back to Birmingham since she had work on Monday...Thanks for making the drive in Deborah!
Opening presents is always fun. Jack got some great gifts in celebration of his Baptism. Thanks everyone!
Once things slowed down all the kids (and a few adults) put on their suits and headed to the pool to cool off. Towards the end we totally forgot we had gotten a birthday cake for Nana (sorry Eric...we wanted all the boys to be together but remembered after you left) so out to the pool for some Happy Birthday Wishes and more cake.

What a perfect day! Thanks to everyone that helped make it special!

Baton Rouge

Jack wasn't feeling good the majority of the time we were in Baton Rouge...his stomach just wasn't well.

Can you guess why it might have been uneasy? I think the Oreo stains on both their clothes and faces sums it up pretty well. Poor Papa some how was on diaper duty the whole trip and between Jack and Gabriella...he was quite busy!
For our slumber party Bebe bought Jack and Gabriella matching monkey pj's from Gymboree (we were there so I could use my Gymbucks...Got some cute things for Jack this time next year).
Jenny and John Patrick Hall stopped by to visit with us. Jack was pretty much everywhere, but I enjoyed catching up with Jenny and meeting precious John Patrick...he was so tiny and sweet!
After dinner one night we loaded in the car while it was "cool" to go see Mike the Tiger. When we got there the stadium was open for a Football 101 event for lady Tiger Fans so we took advantage so Jack could experience Tiger Stadium (it will be awhile before he is there for a game...kiddos aren't discounted so he is going to have to be a bit older before I forfeit my ticket for him to go in)
"Dad, how could you bring me into Tiger stadium with no LSU gear on? I'll just have to take your hat."
"OK...now I have something on LSU...looks like you are the one that will be on the blackball list."

"Soooo Papa...I hear that you are the man to come to for tickets...got any extra for the Bama game-I wanna see Nick Satan loose in Tiger Stadium!"
"That is your Hero Dad? Mine is Mr. Plump!"
Jack had fun playing with all the toys Bebe and Papa have accumulated from others. He loved to play store with the cash register...he even knew how to swipe the credit card with no help from us....wonder where he learned how to do that?!?
Can't say all the fun was good ole clean fun...Uncle Brian helped set up his play corner in the kitchen and it took all of us a few days to notice his great spelling abilities...That's what Uncles are for I guess :)
The majority of the time in Baton Rouge was spent in the pool. Jack was uneasy at first but got more comfortable every time he went swimming. He loved it when Nick would swim up to us and pop out of the water!

All that swimming made our growing boy hungry...here he had Bebe's lunch in the pool...right after he finished his whole lunch. Jay's Bar B Que is good though...I can't blame him for finding room for more.
Our little fish loved riding in Gabriella's blow up turtle and using cups to pour the water in the front pocket back and forth from cup to cup...and over our heads.
Our little man was worn out! This swing was like magic....in August when Papa comes up while Nick and I are camping we are going to have him put one in our backyard for those days when Jack needs a little help catching some ZZZZs.
Saturday night while Papa and Bebe were trying to get the house ready for the Baptism party Nick finally decided to put the magnetic locks on the chemical cabinet in the kitchen. Unfortunately they worked so well that once he closed them they wouldn't open back up. Our option was take out the dishwasher or the sink to get them open...Thanks to Deb's idea of trying a coat hanger Nick was able to get them open. Wonder if Nick did it on purpose so Papa would stop having a to do list for him whenever we come into town?!?
What will we do if the Nolan's ever cut down our photo backdrop? Had fun...see you in November for LSU Football!!

Photo Shoot

Last time Jack and I were in town we tried to arrange a photo shoot with him and Gabriella, but it didn't work out. This time we were determined! Thursday morning Betsy and Gabriella drove in from New Orleans to meet us at Portrait Innovations to get pictures of the two of them taken. They were running a $9.95 special (no sitting fee & a huge package of prints of the pose of your choice).

No photo shoot is enjoyable...you have to stress about naps, meals, outfits, and for us the hardest stress-making Jack smile. It doesn't help when the place is full of people with children, things are moving way too fast, and Jack has a fever. When has he gotten professional photos without a fever?!?

By the time we left we were all in need of some therapy, medication, and drinks. Good thing Betsy was there to deal with the ordering aspect because by the time we made it to that part...I was DONE! And of course we went WAY over the $9.95 package just as they hoped we would.

This was pretty much the precious smile that Gabriella had on, as usual, in all the pictures. Jack was the opposite-no smiles, trying to crawl towards us, and even a few tears. We did manage to get a few cute pictures of them together though.

I love, love these close ups of Jack in his Baptism outfit.
My little angel!
Can you tell that Jack is so not into this photo shoot...the props were brought out in hopes to make him smile...didn't work-only yawns!
Gabriella was such a trooper...she kept producing those smiles just in case Jack decided to join in so they would both be ready. Again...no smiles...but lots of more yawns!
Yikes! We asked Jack to give Gabriella a kiss and this is what the photographer captured on film. Although it looks like he is pulling a Mike Tyson and biting her ear...the ear is still there...it was just an awkward kiss.
Now this is a first- Gabriella was not smiling in this picture...pretty sure it was because Jack pushed her. Even her pout is cute. Sorry Gabriella!
Despite biting at her ear and pushing her- we were able to get a few sweet poses of the two of them. Jack was giving her a kiss here.
And how sweet...they were holding hands.

Glad we survived and for sure need some time to recoup before our next photo shoot. Mom probably needs to go ahead and start putting money into savings account for it too. :)