Some other cute pictures over the last few months...

Fun and not so fun times

We have had several other boughts of high fever without any other diagnosis over the last couple of months.  So, we have done some research, pushed for some tests and referrals to specialists.  Last week we met with a Rheumatologist at Phx Children's Hospital and he thinks Jake has PFAPA (Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis).  Long story short, no reason why it happens (ie no particular virus, or infection to cause the fever), no test to prove that it is that either.  Children who have this typically outgrow it by 5 and almost always by 10, but we can't wait that long because Jake and we can't live with these fevers every 3 weeks.  So we started him on a treatment of Tagamet, the acid reflux med (no idea why it can work, but it can).  This won't solve the problem, but can help lessen the number days of fever and widen the time between episodes.  So we started that and will see where it goes.  The only way to get rid of it is a tonsilectomy, which is too radical for a first step in my opinion, and the reasons why it works, the professionals do not know.  I am hoping that the tagamet helps manage it and we can avoid surgery. It is so hard feeling helpless and not being able to "fix" Jacob.  But I feel better now that we have a plan of attack and not getting the crud from the ped saying "it is just daycare". 

We almost cancelled our San Diego trip because of Jake's fever last week.  However, it went away "quick" and we needed a vacay big time.

Here are some pictures of the San Diego trip.  We had such a great time.  We didn't plan anything per se and just had fun.  Jake loved the sand on the beach, but not the water all that much (it was REALLY COLD).

Maaaaaaamma, Daaaaaaa-D...

This is what I heard at the wee hours of the morning this morning. I open my eyes, it is pitch black.  I look at the clock.  It is 3:12 a.m.  What the heck??? I think to myself, and perhaps some explatives mumbled under my breath...This is Jacob's new thing and it was cute once, but not anymore.  He did this off and on until 5:30 a.m. when he became cranky.  He fell asleep inbetween, but EEEE GADS! 

Then the morning got even BETTER than major sleep deprivation...Went to throw his diaper bag in the car, he was behind me.  The door shut behind me, and he was not in front of it.  and DOOR LOCKED.  Oh yeah.  Every bloody door was locked in the house and I started to panic.  How can I break the door down?  Should I break the arcadia door glass (I've been wanting a new door anyways)?  Could my bum possibly fit through the doggie door?  I decided that I had to give the door a try, and I fit.  Jake just stood at the door looking at me like I was nuts (I had just reprimanded him from going through the other week).  I crumbled to the ground and just started to cry!  HOW insanely stupid was I to lock the bottom knob?  I never do that!  HOW insanely stupid was I to not have Jake walk out to the garage with me?  Apparently pretty insanely stupid.  As I was sobbing, Jake came up to me, with a sad look on his face, patted my shoulder and sounded like he said, "okay".  Needless to say we got to school late, as I spent extra time telling him how sorry I was for the 2 minutes he was alone and for being so stupid.  Just one more thing to add to the stupid mommy mistake list...

On a happier note, we had Jake's 18 month pictures taken this Saturday.  Here are the few that Leanna posted on FB.   

It's been a loooong time...

Sorry all.  I have been a huge slacker on this whole blog thing.  We have had a rough couple of weeks.  Jake was recently sick for quite some time, but we are over that!  He is such a good boy.  We have been working on potty training him.  I know it is traditionally early, but he started showing an interest, and it is going quite well.  He does better at school than at home, but we are working on it.  He says a lot, even though Derek disagrees.  From what I can recall at the moment, he says, bye-bye, hello, shoe, put shoe on, where did he go, I brush teeth, Momma, Daddeeee, doggie, fishy, light, outside, cheese, bottle, please, thank you, boom...The best part is how much he understands.  You ask him to get your other shoe, and he gets it.  Crazy. 
He had his 18 mo appointment today, of course Derek doesn't remember his stats...but at last Dr's sick appt he was 23.5 pounds. 
Anyways, here are some pictures.  We have his 18 month photo shoot this weekend.  I am excited for them.  I am sure Leanna will post some teasers, so I will update soon.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeze!

Two Sundays ago, Derek and I took Jacob to the Butterfly Exhibit at the Botannical Gardens. It was fun and Jake was a ham. He loves saying "CHEEEEEEZE" to the camera. Here are two pictures I snapped from my phone of him. He even snatched my phone out of my hand and was walking around pointing it at people and saying "CHEEEEEEEZE".  Hoot and a half. 

Easter Bunny came!

Hey all.  Jake here.  Last night the Easter Bunny came to see me! He was much cooler this year than last. I was so excited to see him that I fell asleep early last night and I decided to give Momma and Daddy a Easter present too.  I let them sleep in until 6:30!  And then Daddy gave Momma an Easter present too, she got to sleep until 8:30!  Daddy made us all blackberry pancakes and then we went outside for an egg hunt!  It was lots of fun, though I really wanted to pick up rocks and play in the muddy soon to be garden instead. Hope you all had a great Easter as well.  Here are some pics that Momma took of my Easter egg hunt.

 Can't... open... egg...