Dear Max & Jake,

Happy birthday Max! I still cannot believe that you are 3 years old. You had a wonderful birthday party and all your friends were there! I had a hard time deciding what to do for your birthday, everything is so expensive and we really didn’t want to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, it was so hot that we figured having an outdoor party would be miserable. About a month before your birthday we discovered a new jump house in Southlake, you especially loved it since there was a Batman inflatable. When I looked into having a party I saw that it was going to cost at least $200 to have a birthday party on the weekend and that was only inviting 10-15 kids. After a lot of research I ended up booking your party at the Jump Zone for only $99 including up to 25 kids and all paper products and utensils included! I got such a good deal because we had your party on a Friday morning, it was actually great because it wasn’t crowded and pretty much all of your friends were able to come! Even Emery and Kade came all the way from Midland to come to your party. Robbie, Kenzie, Logan, Trevor, Kendra, Lauralie, and Oliver all came from church. Then Dani, Jessie, Avery, Alecksandra, Creighton, Catherine, Madolyn, Brenden, Grayson, LD, Grant, Cameron, Riley, and Bradford also came! It was so neat to see all of your little buddies that we do play dates with together at your party. You were also lucky that Aunt Joy, Uncle Bucky and Aunt Jojo also were able to make it, and of course Nona and Papa were there along with Mama, Dada, and Jake.

After all you kids jumped your heads off we headed into the party room to sing happy birthday to you and eat some cake. Did I mention how nice it was that I didn’t have to do ANYTHING! The Jump Zone set everything up and cleaned everything up, it was awesome. So anyway, you loved your Batman cake and blew 2 of your 3 candles out, you needed a little bit of help reaching the third one, so I helped you a little so that you wouldn’t spit all over the cake. After we ate cake you got to sit in this big blow up chair to open all your presents. So there you were, looking like a king ripping into each of your presents. You got lots of great stuff, including several Batman toys, it took you 20-30 minutes just to open everything! Your big gifts this year were your train table, the Batcave and Joker’s Fun House, and all of the characters that came with it. You are a lucky boy, and very blessed.

On Saturday we went with Nona and Papa to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner and then you and Jake got to get a stuffed animal at the Build-A-Bear workshop. Jake choose a black bear and you helped him choose the Buzz Lightyear outfit. For your animal you choose an owl and then put a vest and tie on him as well as a pair of glasses. When you and Nona went to make his birth certificate you decided to name him Hootie! Jake’s bear remains nameless.

Aunt Bethany and Emery and Kade came the week of your party and we got to go swimming with them on Wednesday. We had a lot of fun and then on Thursday we went the the Southlake town center and ate at the Cheesecake Factory. We had fun just walking around and the four of you loved the water fountain, but after about 10 minutes you were all red faced so we went to Barnes and Nobel to cool off and look at books. We managed to get a few pictures of the 4 of you, but it was difficult to get all of you to be still for more than 2 seconds.

We did a lot of swimming this month and I have made you two practice your swimming and floating so that you guys won’t forget everything you learned. We finally remembered to take our little 2-foot slide to Nona and Papa’s house and Jake loved going down it. In fact, Jake just kept getting out of the pool and going down the slide until I finally put it up so he would stay in the water. Jake, you are such a little booger. I must say that I’m really proud of you two little goof balls. Everything I have read says that it is impossible to teach really young children the concept of sharing and taking turns, but I completely disagree. I refuse to constantly referee things and you two have pretty much figured out how to play together and get along. If I hear crying or squealing I tell you guys that if you don’t work it out then I am taking whatever toy your are fighting over away and neither of you are going to get to play with it. So far it is working and you two constantly play together and I’m very thankful that you are buddies.

Everyone has now gone back to school, including me. I am teaching on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and Nona is coming over to watch you two. You guys are having a blast with Nona and I know that she enjoys spending time with playing with you. Last week she took you guys to “toddler time” at the library and you came home with little paper clocks because they were teaching how to tell time. Now Max is constantly asking me what time it is and what we do at that time. It goes something like this, “Mama, what time is it?” and I say, “It’s 1 o’clock.” Then Max says, “What do we do at 1 o’clock?” and then I say, “Well, it’s almost time for nap.” This goes on and on and on and on and on. Max, you ask a lot of questions and you pretty much talk constantly. I know I am just getting paid back because my mom and dad say that is exactly what I did. In fact, my dad lamented that once I had learned how to talk I never shut up. I was always very curious and inquisitive and I still am. Max, you are definitely the same way. One day in the car you were just asking me question after question and I was just so tired of it that I told you not to talk until we got home, we were probably two minutes from the house. After about 10 seconds you whined and said, “Mama, I just want to talk!” I laughed and told you to talk to Jake, you then said that you didn’t want to talk to Jake, so I saw your cup in your cup holder and told you to talk to your cup. You looked at me and smiled and then picked up your cup and said, “Hi cup, what are you doing?” It was funny. I figured if you can talk to Batman on the phone all the time then you can talk to your cup. Okay, I got off topic. So when everyone was talking about going back to school I asked you if you wanted to go to school and you replied, “No Mama, I want to stay home with you FOREVER!” It was so sweet. The way I see it, there are only a few precious years that I have to be home with you boys, you will be in school for plenty of years so why rush it? I think school is great and I know that it will be good for you, but right now we are making huge sacrifices so that I can stay home with you and it just doesn’t make sense to pay to send you off to school right now. You are around plenty of kids and I’m not worried in the least that you need help in that area. In fact, I think too many kids only know how to interact with one another and don’t know to interact with adults. Anyway, I could totally get off on a tangent here but I will save this topic for a blog post on my own website. Basically, I am not going to put you in school this year, enough said.

This month Dada had to go out of town to Boston for work and we really missed him the week that he was gone. I took you both with me to pick him up from the airport when he came home and you both loved seeing all the airplanes! Dada brought home a new “bobo” for Jake (that is what he calls penguins) and he got a hammerhead shark for Max. The first night he got home after his trip Max was wearing his Batman pjs and he came in the kitchen and said, “Dada! I tooted in your chair!” Max, you were acting a little hyper and crazy and when Dada told you it was time to eat dinner he told you that you needed to calm down. You looked at him and replied, “Batman NEVER calms down!” You say the funniest things. Like when I asked you “Who do you call in an emergency?” and instead of saying, “911″ you thought about it and said, “Batman!” Okay, so anyway, I need to get pictures taken for Max turning 3 and for Jake turning 18 months old and we are planning on doing that over Labor Day weekend. The other day I actually thought about taking a picture on Sunday morning before church and I got a great one of my 3 favorite guys. I sure am a lucky girl!

Jake still drags his blanket around rubbing the tag and sucking his thumb, it is so cute. He also loves Bobo, his penguin, and lately he has been wearing sunglasses. It is really cute, even if he wears heart-shaped ones that he got as a party favor from a girl’s birthday party. Jake, you are such a funny little boy and I love your precious curly hair and your sweet smile. You are definitely a boy, but you do have a sweet side. You give such good hugs and sloppy kisses and unlike your brother, you only have to be asked once and you never deny your mama a hug and a kiss. I love to snuggle with you and just hug and kiss on you. Even though Max is 3, he is still very much a mama’s boy. While he might deny other people affection, he NEVER denies me when I want a kiss or a hug. If he accidentally steps on my toe or hurts me while playing around he will come hug me and say, “I’m sorry, Mama, are you okay?” You are such a sweet and caring boy. I’m so proud of you, Max, you finally stopped going #2 in your pullup! Unfortunately, your bowels are like clock-work and you’ve always pooped in the morning. I have taught you to stay in bed until I come get you, so you usually poop in your pullup, even though you are completely potty trained during the day. In an effort to get you to poop in the toilet I told you that you can get up and go poop in the toilet and then get back in bed and wait for me to come get you. We used fake money as a reward system and you can buy different privileges with your money. Well, it has totally worked and now you are pooping in the toilet in the morning and then getting back in bed and waiting for me to come get you. You earned a trip to the jump house and I even let you bring a friend, you chose to bring Robbie. We had so much fun and then we went to eat at Cici’s. I let you have a dollar so that you could “play games” and you bought a fake mustache. It was so cute and hilarious!

Summer is pretty much over and I am so ready for the fall. I’m ready for cooler weather, walks to the park, feeding the ducks, and visiting the pumpkin patch. You two are at such a fun age, and even though staying home is still challenging, I am truly enjoying it!

Love,

Mama

A little couch jumping

Dear Max & Jake,

This month I am changing my newsletter format. Instead of writing an individual letter to each of you I am going to start writing one letter a month to both of you. You two are such buddies that I feel like I am repeating myself a lot in your monthly letters. I think it will be easier on me to just write one letter a month and it will also be easier to categorize the letters by month and year instead of how many months old you are.

We went to the 4th of July Springfield meeting a few weeks ago. I must say, I was pretty nervous about taking the two of you. Not only was I dreading the 7 hour drive, but I was also a little worried about the 4 of us staying in a hotel room together. I must say, you two exceeding my expectations! The drive was really no big deal at all. The two of you watched movies on the portable DVD players, but Jake also stayed occupied by looking at books and eating lots of snacks! We had a great time at the meeting and I really enjoyed getting to see lots of friends that I hadn’t seen in years. I loved singing out of the new song books and the singing was nothing short of amazing.

When we came back from the meeting you guys started swim lessons right away. I found out about this program by stumbling on the website www.infantaquatics.com. This program is incredible. They teach what is called survival swimming which is called swim-float-swim. The first day you and two were swimming under water. The lessons are one on one but only last 10 minutes, but it is an intense 10 minutes. After the first day you both were hesitant about coming back and the only thing that you looked forward to was getting a sucker afterward. Jake, you pretty much cried the entire swim lesson and Max, you were constantly trying to bargain and ask if you were done every 30 seconds. We went to swim lessons Monday through Thursday for 3 weeks. The program usually takes 4-6 weeks, 5 weeks being the average. After the first week I could tell that Max was making more progress and kicking a lot while swimming. Max, you are great at floating, but for some reason you hate it. Jake, you absolutely hate being on your back and you first started trying to float while holding onto your feet, we have no idea how you maintained your balance enough to do it. After only 3 weeks of swim lessons you both were ready to graduate! I couldn’t believe it, and neither could miss Jennifer! She told me that having a student finish in 3 weeks is rare, and it is really amazing that both of you finished in 3 weeks. Jake went from not floating very long, to flipping over on his back and floating the instant he hits in the water. Jake, you still don’t kick much, but I’m no longer worried about you falling into the pool and drowning because you know to flip over on your back and just float so you can catch your breath. Max, you have done absolutely awesome with swimming and I am so proud of you! You are swimming underwater longer and longer. You will try to hold your breath and swim as far as you can just so you won’t have to flip on your back and float, but I still make you sometimes just because I don’t want you to forget what you learned. The other day you swam 3/4 the length of the pool! Your breath control is getting better and we have been swimming almost every day since we got done with swim lessons.

Jake, you are talking more and more! You say lots of words, here are some of the words I can think of that you just started saying. Drink, truck, Jojo, bird, airplane, baby, eyes, mouth, Batman (even though it sounds like batba, we know what you mean), and you also say “batba” for Spiderman. You love Spiderman. Just 2 nights ago you said “Max” for the first time. I was putting you to bed and Max wanted to help me tuck you in and you were saying “night-night” and then you reached your arms out and said “Mama” and I hugged you. Then Max gave you a hug and I asked you, “Can you say, Max?” At first you just kept saying “Mama” but finally I repeated it one more time and you said it, clear as day, “MAX!” I cannot explain the look on Max’s face when he heard you say his name, he was beyond excited, it was absolutely precious. In the past month you have started to really enjoy books, you even try to “read” them to yourself. You also still love penguins and we got a penguin book at the library the other day and you have made me read it to you at least 15 times in the past 2 days! I can tell that you are learning so much by being read to. You point to the pictures and what to know what the names of things are and your vocabulary seems to be doubling every month. Watching you and Max acquire language has been one of the most remarkable things about watching you grow.

Max, you are getting so excited for your birthday. You know it is coming up soon, but you have no concept of time. You will tell people that your birthday is August 8th and when people ask you how old you are you tell them, “I’m going to be 3, but I’m just 2 right now!” Even though it’s not your birthday yet, you just got one of your big presents, a train table. You and Jake love it and I’ve already had to break up a few fights over playing with a certain train or you being scared that Jake is going to break something, which I don’t blame you because that is definitely a legitimate concern. You are having a Batman birthday party at Jump Zone in Southlake and you are very excited about it. I’m excited too because this will really be your first birthday party with your own friends. Even though we are having it on a Friday I think we are going to have a good turn out.

In the last month, Max, you have started making a “mean” face. It is pretty funny and you are very expressive. Jake has started to take notice and now he makes a “mean” face too, it is really cute and not mean at all. Max, we have started practicing writing your name and you want to practice writing letters and stuff all the time. We have also started memorizing Bible verses and working on some pre-reading activities to help you learn new words and letter sounds and things like that. At first I thought it would be hard to get you to focus and do some of the things with me, but the first day we did it you asked if we could do more. You just love learning and I am taking advantage of that. I hope you continue to love to read and learn, I sure do! I am staying very busy with my class and everything, but this summer has been great and I have had a blast with the two of you. This summer has been the best one yet! I remember last summer being kind of difficult. Jake, you were still pretty little and I couldn’t do much with you. We didn’t really get to do that much last summer, I’ve definitely enjoyed all the time we’ve been able to spend outside enjoying the sun!

You two little boogers are my best buddies and my constant entertainment. You are both so sweet and I’m having a blast being with you and playing with you everyday. All the money in the world could not replace the time I get to spend with you two and watch you grow.

Love,

Mama

Jake Swimming

Jake’s Clothes Test

Max Swimming

Max’s Clothes Test

Man I love these boys!

Dear Jake,

I have decided that this is the last month that I am going to write individual letters to you and Max. I just cannot keep up with it anymore. Even though I am not going to write 2 individual letters, I am still going to write a monthly letter that will be to both you and Max. I am almost half way through my masters program, so this time next year I should be done. I’ve really enjoyed the classes so far and I am learning a lot. You would think that staying home with you and Max I would have time to work on my class during the day, but that is just not happening. I pretty much have to wait to work on my class while you and Max are asleep because the two of you will just not leave me alone long enough to get anything done. You always want to play with my highlighter or flip through my books or bang on my computer, I pretty much have to hide all of my stuff from you because you are drawn to it like a bug to light.

So you and Max have been doing a lot of coloring lately since I got you this little plastic lego table that also has a hard cover. You just seem so grown up for such a little guy because you pretty much do whatever Max does. Speaking of growing up, I still cannot believe that you are already in a toddler bed. About a month ago I found out that our crib had been recalled. After looking further into it, I also found out the manufacturing company was out of business so in order to be refunded I had to take the crib back to where I got it, which was Target. Amazingly enough, all I had to do was bring the crib in to get refunded, despite the fact that it was three years old and had teeth marks in it. I almost peed my self when they told me I was getting $270 back. For a 3 year old crib, WITH teeth marks. They asked me if I would like the money on a gift card, which would have been fine, but I had found a bunk bed set online at Walmart.com, so I asked for cash. That was all it took for the girl to hand me $270 IN CASH, for a 3 year old crib, with TEETH MARKS!!! Can you tell how excited I am?

Needless to say, I wasn’t planning on putting you in a toddler bed at 14 months old, but it just seemed stupid to buy another crib when we aren’t going to have any more babies. The plan has always been that you will get Max’s car bed and then we would buy bunk beds to go in Max’s room for when you are a little older. I found bunk beds that have a full size bed on the bottom and a twin on the top, they can also be 2 separate beds. We decided to put the twin bed together for Max, since he will be the one sleeping on the top bunk. We left the full size bed in the box so that we can save it for when you get a little older. I really want you to get to use the Lightening McQueen bed for at least a year or two. The day we took the crib back was the day Daddy put Max’s bed together, so when nap time rolled around we had already put the car bed in your room and we just set the pack-n-play up for you to sleep in. Trying to have you and Max nap in the same room together didn’t work out so well. We kept hearing you two laugh and when we heard a bang Daddy came in to see what was going on. I guess you two thought it would be fun to throw your stuffed animals at each other, so Daddy took them away and threatened the two of you and told you to go to sleep. An hour and a half later Jake was still giggling and we knew you were both STILL awake. By that time Max’s bed had been put together so we just put him in his room and you both finally went to sleep. That night I decided we would just let you sleep in the toddler bed and see what happens, we did leave the pack-n-play set up in your room just in case. To my surprise you did great and it has been no big deal at all. I just couldn’t believe how smooth the transition went, and I am still amazed that you are not getting out of bed!

We’ve had a lot of birthday celebrations in the past few months, including Papa’s, Nona’s, Emery’s, and countless more in the near future. You had a lot of fun at Emery’s birthday party, and you and Max were so excited when you got balloons at Razoo’s when we had Nona’s birthday dinner there. Max is really getting excited about his birthday party, and as long as there’s cake I know you will have fun.

Max has loved books since he was about a year old, and you are following right in his footsteps. Almost every morning you and Max will drag books onto the couch and just sit and look at them, Max will sometimes “read” them to you. You really look forward to us reading books to you before bedtime and you will point things out and try to repeat what we say. I really think your vocabulary is growing faster everyday. You say ball, dog, blankie, baby, shoes, book, fish, cup, bye-bye, hi, night-night, bite, cheese, chips, juice, and probably more that I am forgetting. Your most common word is still “mama”, but sometimes you will call whoever is taking care of you mama. You are such a goof.

You are getting so big. At your 15 month check up you were in the 90% for height and around 75% for weight. You have big wide bricks for feet, and you are quickly growing into Max’s old clothes and shoes. You may even catch up with him before too long, I kind of think you are going to be bigger than him. You had a little virus last week and you were being clingy and you wanted to be held. I hated that you were sick, but I sure did take advantage of all the cuddle time. Max was so sweet to you and kept asking you if you felt better, I think he was getting lonely playing by himself. He even got on the couch and asked me if you could sit in his lap. You two are so precious, well, most of the time.

So the other day Nona was watching you and Max while I went to a doctor’s appointment. You were playing with something and when Max came and took it away for you, you got so mad that you wound up and slapped the back of his head with all your might. Nona told me that she couldn’t help but laugh, she said the look on your face was priceless. Apparently it shocked Max and he just turned to Nona and said, “Jake hit me in the HEAD!” I guess Nona’s laughter was contagious because she said Max started laughing and then you started laughing, which I guess egged you on to do it AGAIN. Uh-oh, we’ve created a monster.

You and Max are both good eaters, but I always feed you strategically. For example, you both eat a sandwich for lunch almost every day along with some Baked Lays and fruit. I don’t let you even SEE the chips or fruit until you’ve eaten the majority of your sandwich because then you won’t eat it. So you pretty much have the routine down and you have started to just whine when I give you your sandwich and not eat it and then say “chip”. Yeah right, buddy! That’s not happening! So eventually, after about 10 minutes of fussing you finally ate your sandwich and then got your chips and fruit. You can’t trick Mama, you little booger! You and Max have learned to eat what we give you because we aren’t going to give you something else. If you end up not eating your food at the table, then we will put it on a plate in the living room so you can take bites while you are playing, it ALWAYS works. The thing is, eventually you get hungry, and when you don’t have a choice of something else, you will eat what we give you. Max did convince me to make cupcakes this week so we just let you have at it. You seemed to really enjoy it, but it’s hard to tell.

We’ve been taking advantage of our zoo pass this month and you are really enjoying it. You LOVE animals and you are so fascinated with all the animals we see at the zoo. You have branched out by calling all birds “duck” all furry animals are still referred to as “dog” and anything that swims in water is a “fish”. For some reason you have taken a real liking to penguins. It all started at Nona’s house. She has a little stuffed penguin that has kind of a leathery nose and you’ve always enjoyed chewing on it and you always go find it when we go over there. We also have a penguin calendar on the side of our refrigerator and you always point to it and smile. You are trying to say “penguin” but it usually comes out as “peegwee”. The other day when we went to the zoo we went to see the penguins first and you were totally enamored watching them swim. One penguin just kept swimming back in forth right in front of the glass where you and Max were standing. As we were leaving the zoo we decided to look in the gift shop and find you a penguin, we ended up getting one on a stick. I know right, a penguin on a stick? Basically it has a little harness you can put on your penguin that attaches to a stick so you can take your penguin for a walk, absurd I know. Of course you love it and you drag him around the house, or you take him off the stick and then use it as a weapon. So of course Max wanted one too and picked out an elephant, even more absurd than a penguin on a stick, I know. So this last time we went to the zoo we rode the train and you and Max rode on the carousel. You were obviously thrilled.

You randomly got a fever last Saturday and I kind of thought you were just cutting the rest of your canines. You already cut the bottom two, but the top haven’t come all the way through yet. You wouldn’t really eat anything and you just wanted to suck your thumb, hold your blankie, and sit in my lap. Your fever ended up getting up to 103, and I knew something else was going on besides teething. A day later you seemed fine except that you got a rash over your whole body. Thankfully you had your 15 month check up the next day and I was glad because I had no idea what to do about the rash. Your appointment went well, you are growing like a weed, so far you weigh about the same as Max did at your age, 25 pounds, and you are a little tall than he was, 32.5 inches. The doctor told me that your rash was just viral and would go away on its own, and then you got two shots. Nona told me that it sounded like you had 5ths, and I think that was it because Max pretty much got it right after you. You both are fine now and the rash is gone. I hate it when you and Max are sick, but I must admit, I do really enjoy the cuddle time!

It’s been a busy but fun month. This week we are headed to Oklahoma for a night and then on to the Springfield meeting in Missouri. We are excited to be going and I think you and Max are at a good age to go. We will be totally off “schedule” and staying up late, but it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m excited to hear some good preaching and see old friends. I’m sure you and Max are going to make lots of new friends and I know you will both enjoy the beautiful singing!

Love,
Mama

PS) You do the silliest things and I am trying to get it all on video, you know, for future use…

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Dear Jake,

I love you so much. I would do anything for you and your brother. I am so thankful and blessed that God has given me two healthy boys and after this past month I will never take that for granted. I don’t even know how to explain the emotional roller coaster I’ve been on this month and how worried and upset I’ve been. Thank God, everything is fine now and you will never even remember everything you went through.

It all started on Thursday night. After dinner I noticed that you would not walk and it seemed like you were really trying to keep your weight off of your right leg. You are always climbing on to stuff and falling down but I didn’t see you do anything that would warrant you not wanting to walk. The crazy thing is, when Max was 13 months old he went down a slide at the park and kind of twisted his leg and he wouldn’t walk on it. It was like deja vu. The next morning when I came to get you out of bed you were burning up. I checked your temperature and it was 103 and you still would not walk. I wasn’t sure what to do but my mama instinct told me to go ahead and take you to the doctor, I didn’t want to wait and then end up at urgent care over the weekend. Since Nona was busy that day Max accompanied us to the doctor’s office and kept telling me that he didn’t want you to go the doctor because he wanted you to play with him. I think he knew what was coming.

At the doctor’s office they watched the way you were kind of limping and crying when you would put weight on your legs, especially the right one. They told me they wanted to do a flu test, a strep test, and do some blood work. They took you into another room to draw blood and it was probably a good thing I didn’t have to watch. All I know is that you came back with a bandage wrapped around both of your arms and you were crying and saying, “mama!” We were then sent to have x-rays done of both legs and your hips. Thankfully there was a sweet nurse with a basket full of stickers that entertained Max so that I could be with you while you were getting your x-rays done. When everything was done we went home just in time for your nap and waited to hear x-ray and test results from the doctor’s office.

Around 4:30pm a nurse from the doctor’s office called to inform us that the flu and strep results were negative and that the x-rays didn’t show anything. Just as I started to feel relieved the nurse told me that your blood work showed that you had a low platelet count and that we needed to take you to Cook Children’s ER right now. I was terrified. I asked the nurse a bunch of questions and she kept telling me that they didn’t know what was wrong or what needed to be done so that is why they wanted us to take you to the ER. In a complete panic I began to cry and immediately called Dada. Thankfully he was already on his way home. Then I called Nona and she immediately headed to her house so that we could drop Max off at her house. As soon as Dada got home we dropped Max off with Papa and headed to the ER. I made sure to bring your blankie, your cup, and some snacks since I had no idea how long we were going to be there. I was a complete mess thinking about the different diseases and illnesses associated with a low platelet count. When we got to the ER we were seen almost immediately. When the nurses started taking your vitals and asking us questions in the triage I completely lost it and started crying. I know that Dada was worried and upset but he was strong and kept it together for my sake and yours. We got put in a room and the you put on a little baby hospital gown as we were waiting for the doctor. The ER doctor was very sweet and explained that they needed to do some more tests to see what was going on. She explained that they were going to give you an IV in case they needed to administer medicine and that they also would do more blood work along with an ultrasound of your hips. We were checking for fluid in the hip joints and redrawing blood to check your platelet count. Since we didn’t know what your actual platelet count was they wanted to check it again. She explained that saying that your platelet count was “low” could mean that it was one lower than average or that there was a mistake made when drawing your blood. She assured us that they would rule things out and determine what was going on.

After that two nurses came in to give you an IV. It was horrible. They checked both arms and legs to determine the best place to the put the IV before poking you. They found a good vein in your foot but it collapsed as soon as they inserted the needle. At this point you were past crying and I was just rubbing your face as you whimpered. I did really good for the first 15 minutes or so but after that I began to cry and just stroke your cheek. Then the other nurse tried your other foot and she was able to find the vein. I had no idea how they were going to secure an IV so that you wouldn’t pull it out but they got it secure and you finally stopped crying. So after 45 minutes you had an IV in your foot that would work for delivering medicine but would not work for drawing blood, which meant that they were going to have to stick you again to take blood.

Next we were taken to an ultrasound room. You actually did really great while the technician did an ultrasound of your right hip. You were very still and you didn’t even cry. The bed that you were laying on had a little mobile that lit up and played music, it was a great distraction.

When we got back to our room a nurse told us that the phlebotomist was coming to draw blood and not to worry because he was very quick and great at drawing blood. Sure enough, a guy came in, poked you once in the arm and drew all the blood they needed. He was literally in our room for 2 minutes and I was very thankful for his competence. We were told that it would take 10 to 15 minutes to get all the results back, so now we were just waiting. After all of the trauma you had just been through we were still able to play with you and make you laugh. I found a sucker in my purse and you were delighted to have it. I would have given you whatever you wanted at that point. Dada and I said a prayer for you and tried to keep you occupied and happy while we were waiting.

Finally the doctor came back in our room. I was so nervous and worried and just praying that everything was going to be okay. The doctor informed us that they were looking to see if you had something called an aseptic joint. It is basically an infection in the joint that would warrant a hospital stay and rounds of antibiotics. Thankfully there was no fluid found in your joints, ruling that out. The doctor told us that what you had was toxic synovitis. It is basically an inflammation in the lining of the muscle sheath. It is more common in boys and usually happens after having a cold or being sick. We were told that the inflammation would go away pretty much on its own and you would be back to normal in no time. She gave us a prescription for Naproxin and told us just to give it to you if Motrin didn’t work. Your blood work came back fine and your platelet count was completely normal. Basically the doctor’s office just had a bad draw cutting some of your platelets in half therefore lowing the amount of whole platelets. All of this to say, you are healthy and everything is fine. On Saturday morning you woke up happy and you were back to walking and climbing on everything. I can’t explain how relieved and thankful I am that you and Max are healthy boys!

Just when we thought we were out of the woods, the next weekend we ended up at urgent care, AGAIN! Saturday morning you climbed up on the couch and then took a face dive right into the chair. Of course you managed to hit your forehead right on the hard part of the couch, you couldn’t just hit the cushion because that would prevent another trip to the doctor. Needless to say, you bled like crazy and of course cried. After putting pressure on it for a while I saw how deep the gash was and immediately knew that you needed stitches. You didn’t cry long and I managed to get a bandaid on your head so that we could at least get you to the doctor’s office without getting blood on everything. You ended up getting two stitches and screaming like crazy the whole time. I felt so sorry for you that I gave you a sucker while we were waiting for a prescription for antibiotics, just to prevent infection.

Having two stitches in your forehead didn’t seem to slow you down because you continued being the little daredevil that you are. We had to watch you like a hawk so that you wouldn’t hit your head and reopen your wound. After a week we were able to get your stitches out ourselves and now it has almost completely healed. I’m sure you are going to have a little scar, but I fear it is just going to be one of many. I’m just praying we don’t have to go back to the doctor or visit the emergency room for a LONG time.

Sorry that your whole letter has been about doctor visits but that was pretty much the “theme” of this past month. On a different note, you and Max are starting to play together more and more and your relationship seems closer and stronger everyday. If you wake up from your nap before Max does you get anxious and you will go bang on his door so that he will wake up and come play with you. You are such a little booger. I got a cute video of Max cracking you up on the car ride home from church. While Max makes you laugh a lot I think you make him laugh even more. You are such a little character and you are always being silly and making us all laugh. You head bang to music in your car seat all the time and when you hear music playing from your little Elmo toy that Max got you for your birthday you start high stepping and dancing around, it is VERY entertaining. You are talking a lot more and it seems like you say a new word almost everyday. You will mimic and repeat words and sounds that you hear. If we ask you what a duck says you will go, “WACK WACK WACK!” You and Max were recently given some little play dinosaurs and you will pick one up and come right up to me and say, “RAWRRRRRR!” Of course you still get your plastic snake and hiss whenever you are holding it. If you see anything round you point and say, “BAWL” and pretty much every animal is still a “DAWG!” You are really beginning to love books and you get really excited when you see books sitting by the lamp because you know that we are going to read them to you before bed. It is truly amazing watching you acquire language. You take direction and understand so much and you are starting to be able to tell us what you want by pointing and saying words, or trying to say words. You are still very attached to your “bankie” and we always know you are sleepy when you grab it and start sucking your thumb.

In Max’s letter I wrote about taking you and Max to the Kids Club at the gym. You have started to have a little bit of separation anxiety when I leave you but it has gotten better and you’ve started to go the ladies there and watch me leave without crying at all. It’s good for you and Max to get used to being away from me and you both enjoy playing with other kids.

I can’t explain how emotional I’ve been in the last month with all of the scares we’ve had. I thank God everyday that you and Max are healthy, happy, beautiful boys. I adore you curly headed boys!

Love,
Mama

Dear Jake,

The past month flew by so quickly that I completely neglected your letter! We’ve been really busy since your birthday party. We’ve been playing outside a lot and the weather has been pretty good for the most part. You are so funny when we go to the park because you just roam around. You want to climb everything and I know that you wish you could keep up with Max. Just wait, one of these days you will be able to do all the things he does. Most of the parks we go to have those little wood chips all over the ground and you pick them up and throw them, occasionally putting some in your mouth. We usually go to the Boy’s Ranch, which is right across the street, or we go to Chisholm park which is close by. At Chisholm park there is a hill right in front of the playground and you kept walking up to the top and then seeing if you can go down the hill quickly without falling down. Your balance is getting a lot better!

You are talking so much now and pointing at everything. You are trying to repeat what we say but sometimes you are just babbling your own language. You say “mama” all the time. It’s really funny when someone tries to chase you because when they get closer you will start to yell “mama” in a distressed tone. Of course you still say “ball” all the time and you call any animal a “dog.” You really love your blankie still and you will walk around saying “blankie” when you are looking for it. When you wake up in the morning or after your nap you will usually hold on to your blankie so that you can bring it with you in the living room. Every time you see a tag you will grab it in your hand and start sucking your thumb. It is so cute. You have also started saying “keys” and anytime someone has keys you want to play with them. We have a set of toy keys but of course you know they aren’t real and you would rather have the real thing. You also have started saying, “books.” You usually point to the library books but I don’t usually let you play with them because I am afraid you will tear them up. You have started to like playing with and looking at books, but I usually have to hold you at the library because otherwise you will start to tear every book off the shelf.

Right now your favorite game is when we chase you around and hide from you and then suddenly pop out. Many times you will start yelling while you are being chased. You have stared to try and “sing” at church. It is hilarious. Speaking of church, you are still so squirmy and talkative. You like the lift the flap books and your attention span seems to be getting a little longer. We had a meeting with Barney Owens this past month but unfortunately you and Max were both sick almost the entire time. You both had a high fever and I’m just guessing it was some sort of virus. It has been a rough year as far as colds and things go. It seems like you have had a snotty nose your entire life. Not to mention you have all your teeth except for the incisors.

You are all boy. You want to climb on everything and you have no fear, which is frightening. Max was not like that at all at your age, you are such a little booger. We love you so much!

Love,
Mama

Dear Jake,

It has been a very busy month to say the least. Your birthday was on a Thursday, but we decided to have our little “family” celebration on Friday. Dada took the day off work and we just had a day of fun with you and Max. First, we went to “Safari Park” in Southlake. It is a little indoor play facility that has a little train that you got to ride, these big mechanical animals you got to ride, and a big ball pit, slide, and trampoline. You and Max had a lot of fun, and we cracked up when Max decided he wanted to ride the big chicken. You ended up riding the zebra, but you weren’t too sure about the whole thing. After that we got you and Max some chicken nuggest from Chick-Fil-A, which you both love, and then we went home so you boys could take a nap. I got us a reservation at the Rainforest Cafe at Grapevine Mills Mall for dinner. Thank goodness I got a reservation because we would have had to wait for probably over an hour and it just isn’t worth that. You and Max really enjoyed the atmosphere and watching all the animals and looking at the fish. We got you and Max an icee drink in this big frog cup and you both loved it. After we ate we took you to the Build A Bear Workshop. We picked out a really soft monkey for you and Max picked out a panda bear. We then decided that your monkey needed a shirt so we bought him an OU t-shirt. They had all these little accessories that you could give your stuffed animal, you were pretty insistent on giving him a ball, so we did. Max picked out a Batman suit for his panda bear, it is hilarious. Before we left the mall and called it a night, we stopped and got you boys a cookie from the Great American Cookie store. You both devoured it and had chocolate all over your face by the time we got to the car. It was a great day.

We would have had your birthday party on Saturday, March 20th, but my volleyball team that I’m coaching had a tournament that day. It ended up being a good thing because it SNOWED that day and your party was at the park. I really have no idea what I would have done. So the following weekend Uncle Ty, Aunt Bethany, Emery, Kade, and Aunt Joy all came for your party. On Friday we went to the zoo and had a great time, the weather was perfect. Saturday morning we got pictures made, and then we had your party on Saturday afternoon. Your cake was adorable and the little “smash” cake they made for you was too. When we got to the park the wind was awful. It was so bad that your smash cake got blown off the table and ruined. I was so sick about it and ended up calling the cake place to see if they could make another one. Thankfully, they did and Nona went to pick it up. It wasn’t as cute, but I was just glad you still got a cake. You didn’t really eat that much of your cake, you were more interested in smearing it all over the high chair and floor. Unfortunately, the wind pretty much ruined the party. I helped you open your gifts as quickly as possible and I have no idea who got you what, but you got a lot of neat toys that you and Max have been playing with.

I would have never thought that I would have a curly headed child. I thought it was definitely a recessive gene, and when people see Max’s curly hair they always ask me if I think you are going to have curly hair too. I have always thought there is no way you are going to have curly hair, but I was wrong. At first just the hair in the back started to flip up a little. Now you have curls in the back and the top is starting to have wave to it. It reminds me of how Max’s hair started waving like that when he was 6 months old. You still don’t have a lot of hair, no where near how much Max had at your age, but I do think it’s going to be curly. After we get you out of the bathtub it is very wave and curly. In fact, I dare say that your hair is curlier than Max’s.

There is a reason we had a monkey themed birthday for you and bought you a monkey stuffed animal. I call you “monkey” all the time because you climb on everything. You can climb onto the ottoman or the couch, you climb on top of the toy box and then stand on it. You are such a little daredevil and very different from your brother in this way. You are so mischievous. When ever you get something you know you are not supposed to have you will try to run away from us. I think it’s funny now, but it’s definitely not a behavior that’s going to be allowed. Your life will be much easier if you learn to obey now. Trust me.

Like all children, you love technology. If you could have anything you wanted you would have 1) my laptop, 2) my cell phone, 3) the remote control- in that order. This last class I just finished was such a beating. Every waking moment that I wasn’t busy with you and Max I was working on it. I am very sleep deprived from staying up late too many nights in a row. This past Wednesday Dada stayed home from work to watch you and Max so that I could finish an assignment. You came to visit me and you got very excited to get your chubby little baby hands all over my computer, you also liked my highlighter.

Have I mentioned how cute it is that you suck your thumb any time you feel a soft blanket or a tag of some sort. Lately, when we come to get you in the morning you won’t let go of your blanket, so we usually just let you drag it around in the living room. It is pretty much the most adorable think ever.

At around a year old was when Max started to like Sesame Street. You and Max get to watch one “show” in the morning, which lasts about 30 minutes, and one show in the evening. We have this DVD with Ernie in it called “Count With Me” that Max has been watching lately. It has lots of songs in it and lately it has caught your attention. Sometimes you even dance to some of the songs.

So I mentioned the fact that we got pictures taken last weekend. I didn’t get as many of you as I would have liked, but we did get some good ones. I also got one of you and Max together, you two love each other so much. You always want to play with him and when you can’t find him you say, “Bubba?” We NEVER call Max that so I have no idea where you came up with it. When I told Max I was going to take you to the doctor for your 1 year check up he told me that he didn’t want you to go to the doctor because he wanted you to play with him. (By the way, you were 22.6 pounds and 31 inches tall! In comparison with Max who, at a year old, was 23 pounds and 30 inches tall) I really love that you two are so close. I also think it is really cool that you and Max have cousins your age. We attempted to get a picture of you, Max, Emery, and Kade. It was an absolute circus. Below is the best picture we got, you can tell how challenging this task was. We also got a big group shot taken and I think it turned out really well, except for the fact that I look like a cow. MOOOOOOOO!

1 Year Old

Brothers

Cousins

The McAlister Families

I cannot put into words how much joy you have brought me. Even though it has been a tough year, you have made all of our lives better. March 18th, 2009 was one of the most wonderful, and traumatizing days of my life. It was a day that I will never forget. Even though your birth was rough on me, I would do it all over again 100 times for you. I remember in the hospital you would be sleeping and you would suddenly make the funniest faces and Nona and I would just crack up. You looked like a little old man when you were born, but you were my little old man. I am blessed beyond measure to have such a beautiful, healthy family. When we came home after your birthday party, it hit me like a ton of bricks that you were growing up. I could not believe that my baby was a year old. I cried because I’m so lucky to have you and because it makes me a little sad to think that you will never be this small again. No matter what, you will always be the baby of the family, even when you tower over me. As much as I crave time to myself, I always find myself missing you and Max when I’m away from you. Walking into the room and hearing you yell, “Mama!” as you waddle towards me is a precious picture in my mind that I will never forget. Words cannot explain how much love a mother feels for her children, it is the best feeling in the world. I am so proud to call you my son.

Love,
Mama

Look at how much my little monkey has grown, time really does fly…

1 Month Old

2 Months Old

3 Months Old

4 Months Old

5 Months Old

6 Months Old

7 Months Old

8 Months Old

9 Months Old

10 Months Old

11 Months Old

1 Year Old

I’m working on Jake’s letter, but I will probably wait to post until after his party next weekend. However, here is his 12 month picture with Rex!

Dear Jake,

Every week it has been something. Last week I took you to the doctor and you had an ear infection and upper respiratory infection. Seriously, I am so ready for Spring!!! Despite being sick or snotty nosed (which you still are, by the way) you are changing so much everyday. You are WALKING! Last month you did a lot of standing alone, and now you are walking! Sometimes you take 3 steps, other time you walk across the living room. Your balance is getting better and better, and I think by next month you won’t be crawling at all. Makes me a little sad. Soon you will be a toddler and not my baby. The past 3 days you haven’t been taking a bottle before bed. I alway give you a sippy cup during the day, but at bedtime we give you a bottle. I was planning on stopping when you turned a year old, but I guess you are ready now. Tonight I really felt like you weren’t my baby. After your bath, I brushed your teeth and read you a book and sang to you before I put you in your crib. You are just growing up so fast.

You have added waving and saying “Bah-bye” to your “bag of tricks.” It’s so cute! Sometimes if we do it then you will do it, and other times you will just randomly start waving. Either way, it is pretty adorable. You still say “ball” all the time and that is pretty much your favorite toy. The little end table that sits next to the couch has always been the snack and drink table for Max. We put his cup there with his breakfast or snack so that he can just take a bit and get a drink whenever he wants. We have done the same thing for you. We put your sippy cup on the edge of the table so that you can reach it, and we leave cheerios or whatever cereal or snack you are eating on the edge so that you can reach it. It is so funny because whenever you get thirsty or hungry you jus walk over to the table and start shoving food into your mouth. When you run out of whatever snack you are eating and you want more you start kind of yelling, “ehhh!” Max is usally the one that responds first and takes a handful of cereal out the bowl and putting it on the edge of the table so that you can reach it.

It snowed almost a foot a few weeks ago! It broke a bunch of records because it NEVER snow in Texas, and if it does it doesn’t snow much. Max and I built a snow man while you were taking a nap. When you woke up we went out in the front yard to play for a little while. You weren’t so sure about the snow, but I let you crawl around in it. We didn’t stay out for very long, I think you started getting cold! Who wouldn’t get cold if they were on all fours in the snow! It was just so neat for it to snow so much here!

This winter has been rough on you. Max has hardly ever been sick, and you haven’t been sick until now. Last month you and Max got RSV. Two weeks ago you and Max both got a fever and started coughing, AGAIN! I didn’t take you to the doctor right away, but finally, after two weeks, I did. You kept randomly pulling on your right ear so I finally decided to take you to the doctor. I’m glad I went with my instinct because you had an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection. You are still taking your antibiotics, but you still seem a little fussy, especially in the evenings. I have noticed that you keep putting your finger way back in your mouth and chewing on it. I looked in your mouth today and noticed your gums were red and swollen on the top right hand side. I’m pretty sure you are getting some molars. It has been a rough few weeks. I think you are finally well, just teething, again.

Max has this headband with bunny ears on it that Nona gave him a long time ago. The other day you discovered it in the toy box and we all took turns putting them on our head and singing, “Harry the Bunny” except we inserted our own names. It was really cute because when I started singing you started bouncing and “dancing.” Since then you have figured out how to get the bunny ears on all by yourself. You get this expression on your face when you do it and you seem so proud of yourself. You are so used to me singing the little song, “It’s Jake the bunny, he likes to act so funny!” that you automatically start bouncing around when you put the headband on. The cutest thing is when you leave the bunny ears on and continue to roam around playing. You are such a funny bunny!

You are starting to try and say more words. You say, “ball” all the time. You say it when you see a ball, or if you are looking for a ball. It is the main word you say. You still say, “mama” and this past month you started saying, “uh-oh.” You usually say it when you drop something or throw something. You are trying to dog but the “g” doesn’t usually come out so it sounds like, “dau.” You are responding to different things I say and I know you understand me by how you react. When ask where your cup is you will usually go find it. If I ask if you want a bite you will hold your hand out or go over to the “snack table” to find something to eat. Speaking of eating, you are a good eater! At your last doctor’s visit you weighed almost 23 pounds. You will eat pretty much anything but it depends on your mood. One day you will eat something and the next day you will push your tongue out of your mouth so I can’t possibly shove anything into it. I would still consider Cheetos as your favorite food. That’s what I give you in church to keep you quiet. You are still such a wiggle worm in church.

I love you so much. I’m starting to plan your birthday party. While it’s exciting, it’s a little sad to watch you growing up so fast. You will always be my baby, no matter how old you are.

Love,
Mama

(11 Months)

Video to come!