Snow Days!

Tuesday we were expecting some bad, cold weather so we made sure to bundle Jack up for school. Lately he has been so sweet with his animals...only problem is usually after snuggling with them for a day he wants to add them to his collection in his crib. Before long there isn't going to be any room for him.

Our little "bundle of joy"
Right before lunch the district announced that school would be dismissing. It was a bit crazy calling all the parents, having to get Jack because his school was closing early, and waiting around listening for students to be called over the speaker system for the 2 hours leading up to early dismissal.
Jack ate, played, pooped, ate, played, and pooped.
By the time we left at 3:30 he passed out, we pulled into the movie theatre because I was thinking real nachos would be good, and this is what he came out with. Jack napped in our bed and we pigged out while watching a movie...can we say-OBESITY KILLS!



The weather didn't start getting bad til around 7 (after Nick almost got arrested at Babies R Us-that's another post for another day) and as the weather dropped the sleet picked up and continued til late that night. School was delayed by 2 hours which would be perfect with warm up day too...but the phone rang at 6 (darn emergency phone tree that woke Jack up) and school was cancelled. The Relle Clan spent a great day at home hanging out playing inside...and outside too!

Jack was bundled up in sweats, jeans, shirts, sweatshirt, puffy jacket, gloves...the works.

He could barely walk and when he would fall down he couldn't get up...it was so cute!

He spent a long time investigating the frozen grass.

Icicles were his favorite. He would pull them off and just stare at them.

By the afternoon we wanted to get out the house and came up with a few ideas but couldn't decide. Megan from Northlake (Nick's old school) called to say they were at On the Border which we had a gift card for...so off we headed. He thought Lyn was too funny! Great food, great company, and even some super deals at Old Navy next door before heading home. Tomorrow is warm up day too so here's hoping the rest of the week goes by fast and we'll try to forget about having to make up today later too!

Jeremy & Jenn's Birthday-Family Karaoke Style

Jeremy (one of my best friends for 11 plus years) turned 29 early January and I turn 30 (EEK) early in February so we joined forces and had a kick ass joint birthday bash at Family Karaoke in the hood (Angela's great, great find). Karen and Aaron headed over for dinner Saturday night, Nick dropped Jack at Ms. D's (his former Watters teacher) house for his first paid babysitter in almost 2 years, and to Family Karaoke we headed with the doors locked.

Me being the party coordinator of course had to get cupcakes and pull out recycled party plates, hats, and napkins for the festivities.
While everyone trickled in Karen jumped right on stage...I knew this was going to be a great night.
All the North of 635 crew was there along with those South of 635. At first it felt like the line was drawn but once the drinks of courage started flowing the group came together to celebrate and sing.

For some getting up in front of the crowd was easy.

For others like me, it took a lot of drinks of courage and some roping in from the crowd.

Here we are at the end of the night. Karen made the second shot but it wasn't a becoming photo. I fear all the pictures that are out there from all the cameras and really fear all the footage from videos being taken by cameras and phones...these are only mine...if any great ones come by way I'll post because I'm sure there are some that are pretty entertaining.

Here is my sober hubbie by the end of the night. So much for picking Jack up by around 11...we didn't leave Family Karaoke til well after midnight, picked Jack up, and then a bunch of the North of 635 crew headed to our house til after 3 AM. They all had grandparents watching the kids. Not us....Jack woke up to get in bed with us around 5 then at 7:30 was ready to go. Pretty sure he kept telling Mommy to get up but with Tylenol in system and ice pack on head I didn't get out of bed til noon and the world didn't slow down spinning til around 4 when it was my turn to let Nick sleep while I tended to Jack. Worth it for sure!!



Here is footage of Jeremy singing....I mean really, who would want to go up after him?


Here are the suburban girls doing a little performance.



And since I know they are out there I will go ahead and post it myself...here is Jeremy and I doing our duet towards the end of the night. I wasn't fully ready to stand up with only one other singer, had just sliced my finger on something but not sure how, and well...we were missing back up singers and I didn't know which was the girl parts of Summer Nights...regardless great times and I think we sound pretty good together.

Can't wait to go back, the night was expensive as hell, but having all my friends (new and old-missed you Tavares Crew)together in one place for some adult fun is worth any price. Thanks guys!

No Title Post

A few shots from the past few weeks. Jack is feeling better, Nick is still sick, and we've been non-stop as usual. Enjoy!

Jack read a Happy Birthday book for his cousin Gabriella on her first birthday since he wasn't able to make it in for her party.
Jack has started eating pizza again but no longer cut up...just like Daddy.

Can you tell that Jack picked out his own outfit this day?

I couldn't let him go to the outlet mall like he was so we changed the boots for shoes but it didn't make things much better...he looks like he has robotic legs.

I made pancakes for Jack in the shape of an apple and heart...he thought it was super cool.

Friday was multi cultural day at Watters so The Nolan Crew sent Jack a Mardi Gras shirt from there day in the Quarter. He wore that, had beads, dabloons (probably mispelled, not looking it up, get over it editors), and a Mardi Gras Mask.

I am glove man!
Jack's Mickey outfit from Papa.
The shirt says it all...

Last update before the week begins

We saw Dr. Mathieu's. He said he hears some funk in Jack's chest but that steroids aren't needed. We are to continue the breathing treatments and slowly get off them over the next few weeks. He does not want Jack to have tubes while this is still present so we will go with the 2 weeks or pending his health at that point. He did confirm that the ear infection is gone and that there is still fluid but he might have noticed a small hole in the drum which could in turn act as a natural drain for that right ear so recommends another check up before going straight in to the surgery for tubes. Nick and I are thinking tubes regardless but I am not oposed to another check up. It is way past bedtime. We'll keep you updated.

Happy Apppointment Day-I Mean MLK Day

Jack slept the night through in his crib...2 Nights-Yes!



We are continuing with the antibiotics and breathing treatments every 4 hours and he seems to be doing a ton better already!



This morning we went to the new ent at 11:00. The ear infection is gone (due to the antibiotics) but the fluid is still there. He said that the fluid would be there until probably late Spring unless we put in tubes to drain it...if not it means the cycle of infections would continue because the fluid is sitting there and attracting germs. Jack had another hearing test and his sound is still muffled but this is most likely from the fluid in his ear.



We will see Dr. Mathieu's at 2:30 for a follow up on the ear and RSV so that he can give Jack a clean bill of health which hopefully will result in tubes this week upon making the appointment for the surgery tomorrow. If the RSV hasn't cleared up we will have to do a round of steroids and the tubes will have to wait for about 2 weeks.



We'll keep you posted.



And for the friend in Southlake regarding your flag comment (everyone knew what I meant by red flag...so sorry it wasn't the proper American Red Cross Association Red Cross Flag noted-should I have included a picture off the internet as well to clarify better?!?!)-People make mistakes especially when they are tired, over worked, under paid, and are worried about their kid. Those people that read the blog and leave kind comments or let us know by email or conversation that they appreciate updates on Jack via the blog are appreciated...those that only critique make me want to put a password on the blog and for obvious reasons I'm able to say...get a life...if you are reading the blog and have issues with grammar, use of words, etc...then STOP READING IT! There are predictions via software I use as to who you are and I know it wasn't likely to be meant malicious...but it still irritates me so please refrain.

The Red Flag is Hanging

A week of no sleeping, co-not sleeping, out of control coughing, nightly fevers, scream inducing ear ache-new as of Friday, RSV-new as of Friday, breathing treatments, and hoping to find any ent in the dfw area on Monday to get tubes in ASAP pending the fever goes away and it is alright to go under with low oxygen levels. Hoping to avoid steroids by keeping up with 4 hours breathing treatments. And Nick is down for the count too! The Red Flag is out but no one is coming to aid because the Relle Clan is on quarantine.

Powder Room Fun

I was wrapping up a ton of leftover newborn diapers for a friend that just had a baby and Nick and I couldn't believe how tiny they were. And to think that at one point they were practically too big for our little boy and now he is in a size 5.

For once I was neither the brains nor the offender in the pics you are about to view. I said to keep one out for Jack's baby doll but Nick said it would be funny to see how the newborn fit on Jack...
And you guessed right...us Relle's always have "What Ifs"and often test them out. Here is baby Jack with his diaper briefs from the front.

Doing a little side angle shot for us.

And my favorite-Eat your heart out ladies!

But of course it was just a one time thing, fun for all, but Jack wanted to make sure that ya'll knew how much of a big boy he really is. (Don't be fooled...he asked to go, read a magazine, and flushed...but didn't make any deposits...we're here when he's ready).

And after all these "dirty" pics I thought I'd leave you with a little clean fun...

"Don't mess with a boy that has a mohawk...no more bathroom pics Mom and Dad unless I get financially compensated for my embarrassment, or a date or two out of it."

Allen Village

Allen is becoming its own little "big city" more and more everyday. The shopping center a few exits up where we took pictures with Santa has a great little play area that Ashley told us about. The other day after school it wasn't too cold so Nick and I picked Jack up and decided to try it out.

How perfect would this have been last year as a stay at home Mom. Not nearly as "dangerous" as the mall play areas because there isn't really a ton to climb on...more creative play. Parentals can sit on the side at the tables and view all the houses. It's all fenced in and the bathrooms by it are super clean with cool electric hand dryers...because I know you were curious about that.
There is even a maze made of fake bushes. The whole Relle Clan took this adventure on. I'll upload video one day...it was good times.

Jack was in heaven. He took off and didn't stop til we caught him to do what else...head across the parking lot to hit the stores...a little Home Goods post Christmas sale stuff...just what we needed.

Ironically while we were laughing at this sign in the "Train Station" there was a song on the speakers in the playarea playing that was full of curse words.

Hard at work...can't wait til it warms up and we can go back.

Made my list...

Those that know me know that I am the most indecisive person EVER. Making a selection off a menu can take forever, causes much anxiety, and usually in the end I regret my choice. No one dare offer me advice in fear that it will come back to get them later. My negative side usually takes charge which result in a very small list of things obtained in life that I am truly happy with. We're not talking about me hating life...we are talking about obsessing over a decision, finally making it, and being happy from that day forward of my purchase. So with great pleasure I can say that Jack's surprise gift (impressive that it was a surprise too-I usually blow those too) has made the list-my new camera...it is there with the Calvin Klein bedding from college, the Pottery Barn blanket, and Nick & Jack.

The Saturday before we returned to school the weather was absolutely perfect...not for January...but perfect for outside adventures before Winter sets in (if it does), keeping us indoors for days upon days. It was sunny and 85. Nick and Jack were outside playing with the hose while I went to a funeral for a friend's step son. I feel for their family and selfishly must say that all I could think all day was how lucky I was to have left such a healthy, happy boy. Conner the few times I met him was such a great boy that had a long life ahead of him. I do believe though that he is in a wonderful place and is in great hands. You can see how much he touched every life he encountered on the website they have dedicated to him. http://www.conneryeager.com/

With that said the rest of the afternoon was all about family and friends being grateful for what we have and capturing it all on film. Nick took the majority of the pictures that afternoon when we met Ashley and Nathan at the Arboretum. We walked around, looked at the waterfalls, threw rocks in the fish pond, ran around, rode reindeer, played parachute, almost got kicked out, then finished the day off with Bubba fried chicken...which for the record I had grilled strips. There is no need to comment on these pictures...they are so great they speak for themselves. Sorry there aren't many of Nick and Jack...apparently even with Auto Focus I am in need of those 15 classes that came with the camera...I'll get there. Must apologize for the pasty legs...what do you expect in January after a Summer indoors with a baby. And the final picture was me watching my heart before calling it a night and being grateful that we are all together as a family. ENJOY!