Jack and Juggles the Clown Bear

Just thought he looked so cute riding in the backseat with Juggles. I had to share. Hug your little ones close and give 'em all a big kiss. You'll never be sorry you did.

Update

Jack finished out the school week on a good note. Ms. Carolyn did confirm that Jack independently signed "More cookies please." He has really been using please a lot lately. It is such a cute sight to see a child spontaneously sign "Please" when he wants something. Jack is very entertained by his signing abilities lately and has been willing to show off a little bit. Maybe he just knows that it gives Mommy such great joy. He has been babbling quite a bit more too.

We have had a busy weekend. No, no pictures, sorry....it was great! We went to Homecoming at my old church but Jack was really tired and did not enjoy that. We did get to go visit Oma and Uncle Noah and Gran Beverly. That was awesome. Man I wish I'd taken pictures....Oma got to spoil Jack with Oreos. They both enjoyed that tremendously.

Well I gotta go get some sleep. There was something else that I was going to post but my sleepy brain can't remember what. Good night everyone!

Great Day at School!

Today Jack had a great day at school. He was a bit squirmy during circle time. Ms. Carolyn said that he teared up a little but never really cried. (His left eye has been running a good bit and I have never in the two plus years that I've known him seen Jack cry silently so I am thinking maybe she was talking about his runny eye and not meaning that he cried). Ms. Carolyn said that Jack signed, "More cookies please." several times during snack time. I'll clarify tomorrow whether that was with or without her assistance. I know he knows each of those signs and does them consistently. We've been working on putting sentences together so it would be supercool if he actually signed it all independently today.
Jack has really been doing a lot more babbling since Sid's visit over the weekend. Now he even varies his pitch and tone as if really trying to tell us something. It's great!
Last night, on advice from Sid's Mommy (and under the guidance of our family doctor), we started Jack on Singulair to treat any allergic component of his congestion. We may be too hopeful but we think we already see a difference. We plan to slowly wean some of the other medications as we see how well Jack reponds to Singulair.
That's all for now! Keep checking in to hear more news about the little prince!

More Fun with Sidney

Sidney left his book at our house so we just had to hunt him down on Sunday so we could return the book. We decided to meet up at the hospital so everybody got to meet Dave, too. The boys were mistaken for twins by two ladies in the cafeteria. I can see someone saying brothers but twins? Come on! They kind of act like brothers as you can see from the pictures. It was very hard to get a good picture of these squirmy boys! It was great. Two very big boys alternating between fascination, disinterest, and annoyance with one another. Can't you just picture the two of them wrestling out in the front yard?

P.S. For all of you out there wondering...yes, Jack's little outfit was retired after this wearing. He has gotten so big and his outfit is now too small. If it had been clean we could have sent it home with Sid.

Busy Day with Friends

Today we got to meet Sidney. He traveled in from out of state just to visit Jack. Well, he did mention something about his uncle who lives here having a birthday but I think we all know that he really just wanted to get together with Jack. I was only able to snap a few shots of the busy boys. I am hoping to see some better pics pop up on Sidney's page since his daddy, Kyle, took a bunch of pictures, too. Hmmm...what's Jack doing? Let's see it's spin, spin, spin....
That looks fun. Let's play together. Hey, Jack made this look easy. I can do it.
Another Maestro!
Look how great he is with his hands!!!
Sid and Jack rolled a ball to each other. I hope Kyle got a good shot with both of them.
Sidney was pooped! He's just one year old. Big two year old Jack played on...

After Jack got a nap, we headed out to Isabella's 1 year old birthday party. We were late because Mommy sort of got the directions turned around but we were still able to visit for a bit.
The Birthday Girl--what a cutie! Notice the toothbrush? This kid's got great oral hygiene.
Chivalrous Jack pushed the girls in the wagon.
Jack made a new friend at the party. She's a big three year old but she was very nice to Jack and played with him.

Jsut a Quick Note

I have got to get some sleep but I wanted to let everyone know that Jack had a much better day at school today. I met with the teacher just before school and I feel very reassured that the entire therapy team and David and I are all on the same page regarding making this work for Jack.

1st Day to Return to "School"

Today was Jack's first day back at The Bell Center since having to leave the summer program early for his ventriculostomy back in July. We call it school and we were excited and nervous because this year Jack will be going two hours a day four days a week and it's more like school because Mommy and Daddy don't go to class with Jack. The folks at The Bell Center are wise enough to realize that both the kids and the volunteer staffers don't need to dive in all at once and the first four classes are only 1 hour long. We have been telling Jack that he would be going back to school and we were getting him excited about it.
Jack did great when we arrived. I had already prepped the staff when we went in at the end of August to get measured for his chair and trike. They knew not to hover over him immediately or all shout out "Jack" as he entered the room. We arrived a few minutes early so Jack could make himself comfortable in the classroom. I walked him and let him start playing and then told him that Mommy was leaving and I would be back later and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Everything was fine! His helper went over to him and they played for a bit.
BUT the minute circle time started, the tears started and Jack just could not be consoled. I waited for five long heart wrenching minutes before going back in. There was just no recovering and he did not seem to enjoy any of "school" except when he was allowed to wander and do as he wanted.
He did go pee pee on the potty at school so that was great.
This will get better, right?

Happy Jack, Family Reunion, Happy Jack

Wheee! Don't drop me Mommy!
Getting together with some members of our family related through great great grandma Murphy. Too bad Jack never got to meet her because she really was great and they would have loved each other.
The youngest member of the family at the reunion. Such a precious little guy.
Hey, I remember you from last year. You see I'm walking now, right?

The happy couple--Rachel and Adam are still newlyweds and we wish them all the happiness in the world. They enjoy each other's company so much. They are really fun to be around.
Mmmm, ate all my snacks during the adults talking, ate a few bites off Mommy's plate, had a cupcake and now I must nap or I am just gonna explode!!!
Dinner! Hey look at me taking bites off of a piece of bread. It's a skill you know.
How you doin'?
I'm so serious.

Oh so you want the cute baby pose?
Swing!!!


Two fisted eater-why choose between a cracker and a teething biscuit when you can have both?

Little Things

No one told me that such little things would make my heart spill over with joy. Today Jack has started using those huge teeth of his to take bites out of a piece of bread. No longer is he just a muncher of crispy rice cakes and crackers. He has joined the rest of us in taking bites of softer foods. Who knows what will come next!

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