Oh it’s been a week!

Got the new cast…red was our only color choice…so we’re re-casted! The doctor told us that he’s never had a kid swim in the toilet to get a new cast (I don’t believe him…surely it’s more common than that!).

My sister in law and my nieces came for a visit, which was awesome! We had such a good time…they played and laughed and just spent some good time together…it’s sad when they leave. Janson just loves her Tia Ronca, so she spent a good deal of time just cuddling with her. Bria, my eldest niece, had a wiggly tooth and so the Great Tooth Puller and his able bodied assistant yanked it out! The Tooth Fairy at my house was instantly here with money! Bria held Janson’s hand for support the whole time they were pulling. It was so funny!

Jack also got a kick out of getting his cast signed, so we let Bria and Dani sign, Ella signed, Alissa–Sebi–Ronca too! Anyhow, after we were done signing, Ella started walking around showing everyone her arm…she wanted her arm signed too! Thank goodness for Washable Markers…we all signed her too!

Bernie, our lovable lawyer, is writing an article about us for a publication here in Savannah…will post it when he gives me the final copy!

So, you know how I sent you those pictures yesterday of Jack playing in the toilet?

Well…he couldn’t leave well enough alone….

A little background here:

My sister in law is on her way here to visit, so I have been in super cleaning mode! This afternoon, I was scrubbing the floor in the kitchen, when I, once again, heard him splashing in the toilet. First, I kicked myself for not locking the door. Then I was all ready to fuss at him—then I looked in. All I saw was his back end–feet kicking in the air. He went swimming in the toilet! Which would be fine…if he didn’t have a CAST on his arm!

So…guess where we’re going tomorrow?

This is my second time writing this. Jack decided to play with the computer when I went for a cup of coffee…So, here we are in September….school is off with a bang. She loves her teacher. But more than that, she loves riding the bus! The first day she rode…it was a glorious morning. She was happy and bouncy—very helpful! We walked down the block to the bus stop. We wait. And wait…and wait some more. Finally, the bus shows up. The big yellow doors open and Janson hops on. I am waving and blowing kisses—when the bus driver comes down the step. She HUGS me and says that she wants my phone number in the morning, and not to worry “cause she’s gonna take care a- my bay-bay.” Then she introduces herself by name—you’ll never guess it—her name is Ms. Lovewine! I prayed the whole way home.The boy in the blue cast is doing fine. He’s hating the cast, but what can you do? He’s not eating well. He’s sort of on hunger strike. The only thing he wants to eat is potatoes. And sour cream. The birthdays were this weekend as well. What a zoo! The kids had a blast. We rented one of those bouncy things and they bounced themselves silly! Janson got swimming lessons (which she LOVES—she says swimming is better than soccer or basketball, so I think she’s found her sport)…so she also received a towel that looks like a hippo, goggles, swim suits, and a bag to carry it all in. Jack got lots of cars (since that’s his latest thing) and he got a car to ride in for when we get J at the bus. They had a really good time…and even though Jack was allowed to eat cake…he didn’t like it! As a super special surprise, Wendy the Wonderful showed up to the party! I was so excited. So was Jack! So…then there was the Big G saga. She came on Friday, and was very upset over Jack breaking his arm. First she asked if he did it on purpose (because lots of 2 year olds intentionally break their arms), and then she asked if I was actually watching him when it happened. She went on to insinuate that I just let him run wild and hope he doesn’t hurt himself. THEN, before I could be mean to her, she said she wanted to know if I called the neurologist because she thinks it’s time to medicate him. I didn’t know what to say. I mean, this lady works for the state, so I am sort of freaking out. When she finally vacated my house, I cried. I an not about to medicate him. I told Wendy all about it and she made me feel lots better. And she said if she tries anything, that she and Jenny will help me out. I have tried so hard to do everything I can to help this kid out. I have tried to be the best mom…I’ve done everything the doctors have suggested. I’ve read everything I can get my hands on. And, quite frankly, I am exhausted. I think that’s it for now. Janson goes to the dentist again today, and both of them go to the doctor for their birthday check ups tomorrow. Will let you know how it all goes.

So, Jack…well, he was sad because everyone is out of town for the long weekend….so he went and decided he needed to go to the ER again. This morning, he was playing in the yard with us…just kicking the ball around…when all of a sudden he tripped—fell over a ball, and broke his arm. Yes, broke. his. arm.So, for his birthday, he’ll be wielding a deadly weapon! Pray for us!!!

First, let me catch you up on our week….Monday–I spent at the doctor because Janson came down with strep throat! Tuesday, Jack had an ortho appointment (it went OK. Basically, they changed the settings on his night braces, and sent us on our way with a follow up next month). Wednesday, however, was wonderful!!!Our lawyer here in Savannah, Birney, he suggested that the paper write an article about us. So this reporter came out and she spent hours with us—literally HOURS—and then went on her merry way. Well, she wrote the most wonderful article today in the Savannah Morning News….http://savannahnow.com/node/511567

I really think it was super nice. Friday, Jack also met his new teacher, who for now, we’ll call the Gestapo. She’s a little on the brutal side, but I understand why. I have a list of things to do before she gets here this week…everything from getting rid of all the toys, to making books. She is sending him for a sensory evaluation (it’s only taken them a year to listen to me!), and she made me cry. She started talking about the future and how we were going to have to do things to make his life easier at school—and there’s still some part of me that isn’t ready to think about that yet. I have a hard enough time making it through day to day sometimes. So this afternoon, we’re spending time cleaning out the house of the “inappropriate” toys we have. Enjoy the article! Much love!

Today was a very busy day! We had therapy, then we had an appointment with the GI. Jack gained a whopping 0.2 pounds. Or as they say in all the reports, not clinically significant. So, we are going to feed him more overnight and hope he gains some weight. And, we got magic medicine to make him poop. He’s got this constipation thing going on, and I feel really bad for him…. Anyway, this medicine is called MiraLax. Why do they name things that make you poop have such awful names? MiraLax (the Miracle Laxative). OR how about the one they give you to prep for a colonoscopy…GoLytely. It’s true. Actual names. Trust me, I am a nurse. Somehow I got off the subject….so we go back to the GI next month, and if we haven’t gained any weight, we change the formula to something more high calorie. And, in case you were wondering, NO, the volcanoes haven’t erupted. They are still here. Actually, I thought one was going to burst, and I saw the magic string that I was told to pull on…so I pretty much sterilized the living room, donned my nursing best, and went to work…and I pulled the string. And I waited. And waited. And finally, after a good few minutes, a single drop of blood flowed. There was no eruption. This does not bode well does it? He’s also been running a fever since Sunday. I’ve treated the fever to no real avail. The doctor said she doesn’t want to give him antibiotics since he’s pretty much been on them his whole life. They want me to do nebulizer treatments and see how the weekend goes. He sounds awful. SO, please send up extra prayers for him. Then we went and got his new overnight braces. This should be fun. They are indescribable. I will take pictures…after he goes to sleep and we sneak them on him…. (can you hear me laughing….?)Janson got her report card today too. She did awesome. No problems…she was mad because they didn’t have the honor roll certificates done yet, so she didn’t get to bring it home. I told her I trust that she got one…and it will get here eventually.

This one is going to be really quick, because J is on spring break and that means I have NO time to myself! Not that I really did before, but she’s being extremely needy for some reason…SO, yesterday Jack had his orthopedic appointment. It sort of went well! The doc said his hips aren’t any better really, but that the problem is not with the bone, it’s with his muscle tone. He wrote a prescription for braces for overnight that will try to help with the problem…and we go back in 2 months. We had to have X-rays done and when we went into the radiology room, Jack started signing “eat, more, please”—he seemed to think that it was time for a swallow study! That’s my boy, Lover of Barium! We also had our first OT appt with Wendy the Wonderful at her new office. He did awesome! He was so happy…and he was the only kid there, so there weren’t so many distractions for him! I was so proud of him! I need to get some pictures on here, but the camera is in the diaper bag, which is somewhere in the disaster, formerly known as my car. Keep us in your prayers this week. We have some family/personal stuff going on that could use a little push to God’s hands. It’s good stuff, but we could use a push. And I promise to spill the beans as soon as I can.

So, we got the new braces…and surprisingly, they are working! Houdini still has them on! Jeff, the new orthotics man (definitely not as favorite as Mr Ian), fit them and worked on them and padded them—then he put them on Jack. Jack promptly decided he was broken and refused to stand. So, we left to go get J from school (Jack takes nap). When we get home, he walks! Like 3 steps, and then he fell, (picture a baby fawn or a horse or something—first day with the new legs) but he tolerated it well. I took them off then and his skin looked remarkably well. We have special cream to put on him so his skin doesn’t get sores from the braces.

Anyway, so this morning we put them on (everyday we increase the time on by half an hour–timer is set). He actually sat still for me to put them on! Then he wandered around the living room a little and fell a lot, but he’s not upset like he was with the old braces. So God willing, this will do the trick! It won’t fix the fact that he trips over his right foot, but it will provide him a little more stability!

Don’t you love that he’s holding Mumble the Penguin. That’s Jack’s mascot. Have you seen Happy Feet? I cried the entire first 20 minutes of the movie. Like, I did the UGLY cry. It’s awful! The mom goes to get food and trusts the dad to hold the egg. Well, Dad drops the egg, so the baby comes out not being able to sing like the other penguins…and they make fun of him. BUT, he can dance! So, we call Jack “Mumble” all the time.

He’s 1????!!!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday to my little man! He had such an interesting day….

Janson started back to school this week, so we have to drive 40 minutes to drop her off and pick her up…which is just lovely. But she loves it, so it’s worth it! Non is here too, so at least I have company to talk to !

Therapy is going well. Jack is starting speech therapy next week, since he’s a big boy now! And on his birthday, he got to see his favorite person, Ian the Brace Maker, so life was just about as perfect as it can be!

We’re having the birthday extravaganza today–Janson’s birthday is tomorrow, and Jack’s was yesterday. It’s the Darth Hippo Vader (yes there is such a thing) meets Elmo birthday party! Pictures to follow—and I am sure there will be lots of stories to tell!

Just wanted to get some new pictures on here. He tried to climb the stairs the other night…we followed him…he thought he was big stuff! The other ones are from his actual birthday. Janson took hippo cookies to school!

More after the party……