Happy Halloween

Okay, so it has been awhile....let's see if I can give you a quick update on the Black's Summer and Fall activities for 2010. Well, as soon as we got back from Colorado in late June, Jacob began walking and then running and therefore our lives have changed FOREVER!!! Jacob is all over the place most of the time and I rarely have time for checking email, let alone blogging. But we are loving Jacob's mobility and are blessed/thankful for his growth and development.

Things Jacob likes....ANYTHING ELECTRONIC. yes, my child is a GEEK!!! He loves the computer, TV, phone, remote control, camera - basically if it lights up and beeps, my child wants his hands all over it. I pray this is just a phase, but I'm not holding my breath. Oh yeah, he also loves Reeses Pieces. YUM!

Jacob now weights 25 pounds, 11 oz. (pre-Halloween weight) and is in the 50% for his weight but he is 33 1/2 inches tall which is in the 80 % for height. He is lean and mean!

Jacob also is doing better as far as his health goes. We checked his immune function again and his blood work all came back wonderful - THANK GOD! We finally have found the right meds for his allergies and asthma and he seems to have much better control. We are so thankful for his pediatrian who has worked with us steadily until we could figure out the right medication regimine for Mr. Jacob.

Okay, I will try and update more often but enjoy the pics below. Most are from this past week during Halloween but the last few are from this summer. Jacob is quite squirmy these days so taking pictures is a bit of a challenge. ENJOY-

The Black's First Family Vacation

Well, we just got back from our first family vacation up to Cedar Edge Colorado to see Granny and Gramps (Jonathan's parents). A great time was had by all. Jacob did GREAT on the airplane - actually better than his mother who hates to fly. And Jacob was spoiled rotten by lots of hugs and kisses.

Granny and Gramps live in a beautiful community, 1 hour southeast of Grand Junction and we all enjoyed the reprieve from this unbearable Texas heat. We actually woke up to temps in the 40s-50s and had to hunt down socks for our cold feet. NICE!!!! Jacob worked on his walking skills - yes, WE ARE WALKING NOW!!! We really have enjoyed watching Jacob learn to walk. Jacob's top half usually goes faster than his bottom half but he is starting to coordinate the two together and we are getting a kick out of this new development.

We ventured out to Black Canyon - yes, the Black's went to Black Canyon. We are so creative!!! But it is BEAUTIFUL up there and we have plans to go down the river on our next visit. Thank you Granny and Gramps for such a wonderful visit. We need to do that more often!

Quick update on Jacob's health: Jacob had his adnoids out and ear tubes placed on May 28th. Jacob was so sick when he had his surgery, apparently he had a double ear infection and had "pus everywhere", even dripping into his lungs. But, Jacob did wonderfully and has recovered so well. He passed his hearing test with flying colors and we are contributing his walking and babbling to this recovery process. We are very hopeful that we are on the right track to getting and staying well. We will keep you posted.....

Saturday at the Zoo and Sunday in the Bluebonnets...

Whew...what a weekend! Jacob and Mommy had quite the adventure as Daddy was STUCK in Atlanta working. YUK!!! But Jacob and I made the best of it. Saturday morning, our good friends, Vanessa and Ethan, came with us to brave the Dallas Zoo. It was the boys' first zoo adventure - and I would say it was successful. Jacob and Ethan were a bit overwhelmed at all the different animals and the noises that they made, but there were absolutely no melt downs so that is my definition of success! Jacob's favorite animal was Patrick, the gorilla. Patrick just came right over to Jacob and Ethan so that they could get a good look at him and Jacob just smiled. It was so sweet and I am so thankful that I got to witness that moment. Jacob also liked the pinguines - well maybe he just wanted to jump into the water with them but he was grinning ear to ear. But the boys really are enjoying spending time with one another and they play so well together! I am so thankful that we can go on adventures together.

And then Sunday, I loaded all the boys (Jacob, Rebel, and Ace) up in the jeep and off to TuTu's house we go! I enjoyed the company and they enjoyed my boys! Of course I had to take Jacob to get his picture made in the Bluebonnets - it's tradition to trample the beautiful wildflowers that grow on the highway! We had fun! Next year, we won't put Jacob right in the sun so he squints in all the pictures. LIVE AND LEARN!!!

Happy Birthday to our little Cowboy!

And what a party we had!!! Our dear family and friends sure know how to show Jacob that he is loved!!! I think we had about 50 people crammed-packed in our small house to wish Jacob a very happy 1st birthday on Saturday. Cowboy Jake was a bit overwhelmed but he sure did turn on the charm as everyone sent him wonderful birthday wishes.

Jonathan and I would like to thank everyone for coming to Jacob's party and for being so flexible as many different kids (very tiny babies included) came to enjoy the festivities. Jacob racked up on new toys, books, and clothes. This little boy is definately spoiled rotten. and again - Jonathan and I are so very thankful for all of Jacob's loot.

The little guy did not disappoint when it came time for cake. Jacob just picked up his cupcake and started shoving it into his mouth. I was a bit surprised at his efforts but hey---it is HIS PARTY and he can eat cake however he wants to! Enjoy the pics....we sure enjoyed the party.

Thank yall for coming!

Happy Birthday to our Jacob!!!

Well, one year ago to this very moment, my life was changing right before my eyes. Our son came into this world at 10:44pm - ONE YEAR AGO! Where did the year go? I just can't believe it!!!! My baby is ONE!!! What a journey this year has been! I am SURE that I have felt every adjective that Webster lists in his dictionary during the past year. The mountain tops...and the valleys...boy what a journey!!! (And I know it is just the beginning!) But, what a privledge it is to be Jacob's Mom. I am so thankful for the blessing that Jacob is and how he completes our family. He brings such joy to this house. I never knew what was missing...until Jacob came. God is Good!

Tonight Jacob got his first "handful" of cake. And, let me say, he is MY CHILD!!! He loves cake!!! So, practice round #1 - I will undress him for future icing adventures.

And, just like the rest of us, once the sugar high wears off - it's sleepy city!!!!!!

I think back to this time last year and I am amazed at just how much Jacob has grown over the last 12 months. It's a true joy to watch as he develops his personality and all of his little mannerisms. Jacob's cousin Noah came over tonight with his old tricycle and gave it to Jacob for his birthday, which Jacob fell in love with. He was pushing it all over the house with a little help from Noah of course.

One of the things that Jacob has come to love over the last two months is water!!!! It doesn't matter where the water is coming from, if he sees it he is going to make a mad dash for it. He especially loves bath time and as you can see from the pictures below....

Let it snow and spaghettios???

Oh boy....has Jacob learned the joys of eating junk food. Jonathan and I are having so much fun watching Jacob enjoy the comforts of grilled cheese and spaghetti. I try not to cringe when Jacob reaches for me covered in food goo....but I can't help myself. At least I am learning to relax a bit as I watch my kitchen table get smeared with all kinds of food debris and drool. But, never the less, Jacob is getting to experience the finer things in life....REAL FOOD!!!!

Not only has it been fun to watch Jacob enjoy the food on Mommy and Daddy's plate but it has also been fun to watch him crawling all over the house. I sit and wonder sometimes what he is thinking when he is off scurrying across the room. For the first time this weekend Jacob was able to pull himself up and play with the telephone. So if your phone happens to ring and all you here is some squealing, you know who it is...

And, an update on Jacob's health: Jacob is doing SO MUCH BETTER!!! He is still waking between 4-5 am with coughing spells but in general, he is doing remarkable well considering it has only been a week since our terrible asthma/pneumonia scare. I watched him PLAY HARD for hours today at TuTu and Pop's house and was just amazed at the joy this little guy has for simple things like little dogs and jingle bells. Jacob has such a fun-filled spirit and unfortuately, it has been dampered by illness for 2 months. But I'm so hopeful that we are getting on top of his health issues as he is really enjoying the art of play.

Well I'm sure most of you know the miracle that happened this week as it snowed more than an inch here in Texas. In fact, we had a record snowfall of 12.5 inches and needless to say, it brought out the kid in all of us. So of course we had to take Jacob out to play in the snow for a few minutes as Mommy was still freaked out that Jacob was recovering from pneumonia, but I think he enjoyed the few moments we gave him. And yes, Rebel and Ace loved playing in the winter weather as well. My carpet is ready for sunny days however!!!

We've learned that Jacob (like his Daddy), is very determined and somewhat stubborn because if he wants something he is going to try and try until he gets it. We are anxiously awaiting what fun adventures this determination will bring, but either way it should give us plenty to blog about...

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Well just like Suzette said below it has been one of those weeks and to top it off getting into an argument with the pediatrician did not help matters. Now I don't mind voicing my opinion as most of you all know, but I at least I stay on one side of the issue. As Suzette mentioned below Jacob's doctor did disagree with the specialist, but would later agree with the treatment regiment. Now I am not about to say that I have any medical background but to me that make absolutely no sense what so ever. Obviously he agreed with something and I think in the end he was trying to cover his backside in the event Jacob did get pneumonia.

I think though the nail in the coffin for us was when we went to the the doctor's office yesterday and were treated with a little bit of an attitude. I can understand being a little rattled at having to work people into a very busy schedule and that they office is only open for three hours on the weekend. However, that is no excuse for taking that frustration out on the patient and or the nervous parents. At the end of the day though Jacob got what he needed an antibiotic and is thankfully on his way to recovering from the infection.

I will be the first to stand in the "don't doubt the mothers instinct" line after this week. I know when Suzette first said that she did not agree with the Doctor and wanted a second opinion I felt she was over reacting. Thankfully SHE WAS RIGHT and I was wrong......
I was very glad that she trusted her instinct and took Jacob for a second opinion, if it weren't for that who knows what might have happened.

I may still not always agree but I will definitely listen more respectively when it comes to medical issues. You can take the nurse out of the hospital but you can't take the nurse out of the person!!!!!!

I also love the picture below of all the boys looking out the window. Its fun to just sit there and watch how the three of them will interact with one another. I love how Ace has just taken to Jacob and will let him just do whatever he wants to him with out a care in the world. Rebel on the other hand not so much but he is a spoiled brat so what can you say. I can't wait till Jacob is running and can chase after those two oh the messes they will make.... :-)

whew....WHAT A WEEK!

Well, to start this update....I'm exhausted. As everyone knows, Jacob has basically been sick since he started daycare on December 14th. And we had just about recovered from that horrible RSV episode when Jacob came down with yet another cold. After a very long Monday night of up and down...coughing attacks...screaming....off to the pediatrician we went. I was told, "babies just get colds Mom. hang in there. There is nothing we can really do. Just keep up with those respiratory treatments. And if he doesn't get better in a few days, come back." Are you kidding me? Something told me that this just wasn't right. I did not feel comfortable doing breathing treatments for over a month without being seen by a pulmonologist. So I asked the nurse practitioner, should I take Jacob to an allergist or a pulmonologist for a work-up? "No mom, babies just get colds." Thankfully I had already done my research and I knew who I wanted to take Jacob to and they were very accomodating and worked us in on Thursday. Jacob was wheezing like a freight train by that point and after getting a thorough history, Dr. Meiser said that it looked like Jacob has asthma. (THIS IS WHERE THE DEBATE BEGINS, BUT WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A SEC). So, Jacob and I came home, got started with a new medication regimine and hoped for the best. By Friday evening, we were worse. Jacob was vomiting, had fever, and was working so very hard to breathe. I was so scared!!! I probably should have taken him to the ER but I kept thinking that sitting in an ER would be terrible for Jacob right now. He just needs quiet rest and breathing treatments. So Jonathan and I worked and prayed and we made it back to the pediatrician on Saturday morning for the third doctor's visit of the week. Tada....now we have an ear infection and probable pneumonia. Now we are adding antibiotics to the medication regimine. BUT....WE ARE A LITTLE BETTER. Jacob's fever has broken and he is finally resting comfortably and I can't hear the wheezing through the monitor - THIS IS A HUGE IMPROVEMENT!

So, back to the debate. Does Jacob have asthma or not? My pediatrician did not seem to think so. Actually, I think he was offended that I took Jacob for a second opinion. But my pediatrician said that he would never diagnose a baby with asthma until they were at least 5 years of age. Okay....that is all the information I needed. Basically - he was going to let my child struggle and repeatedly get sick without intervention for 5 years. I DON'T THINK SO!!! label or no label...asthma or no asthma... Someone please help my baby get well and stay well! I really don't care what the diagnosis is at this point. Dr. Meiser was willing to help us and was genuinely concerned about Jacob's well-being. My pediatrician was concerned over covering his backside. So now the hunt starts. I need to find a pediatrician that will work with Jacob's specialist.

okay, on to fun stuff....Jacob loves the boxers and he loves to look out the window with them. I love it!!! I love watching the three of them interact. How lucky am I that I get to watch my three boys and appreciate their different personalities and interactions? Now, let's pray that Jacob doesn't think he is a boxer! Enjoy the pics!