last week

I keep meaning to be a better writer in here but then another week or more passes and I haven't logged on.

I wanted to get on and thank everyone for your prayers regarding my mom, especially those of you who have prayed before even knowing what was going on. I am so happy to report that those prayers have worked!! We received great news at my mom's first CT scan last week. The chemo is working! Her tumors are shrinking and some of the smaller spots on her lungs have disappeared. PRAISE GOD!!! We never know what God has in store for our lives and sometimes when we are faced with these challenges it is hard to trust in His plans. But I know my mom is going to come through this and we are ALL going to be stronger people because of it.

My aunt came up to visit this last week which was wonderful. It was so great to see her and have her here to help my mom during her most challenging week thus far. I am only sad that I only got to see her I think three times during her stay. I wish I could have seen her more.

My 27th birthday was last Thursday. I celebrated by going to work. Haha. No, really, we celebrated with my family on Friday. We had pizza and my aunt made a chocolate cake. It was a nice, low-key celebration.

On Sunday (2.27) Jordan was baptized at church. He did really well and didn't cry. We are considering Jordan to be 5 months old today since there is no 30th of February. I will write his 5 month update later.

I don't think there's anything else to update on at this time.

birthday cake

Jacob showing off his messy hands and face

birthday celebration

Jordan's baptism

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Touchy Subject

I think I should create a blog called Things My Kids Do and Say. I swear, it'd be a riot. Take this, for example...

Jacob was talking on the phone to my mom (aka Lolo) She was asking him all kinds of questions about his day. Then the following happened:

Lolo: "Are you going to go to bed like a good boy tonight?"

Jake: "No (pause) Bye Lolo" and he hung up the phone on her

I haven't laughed that hard in awhile.

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Five Question Friday

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Yeah. If I don't wear it for very long I have no problem putting it back on the next day.

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?

I want to say San Antonio, TX because I used to live there and I love it there but I am sure it has changed lots from what I remember. So I'd say Greenville, SC since we were at one time looking in that area.

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?

I've never done either but I'd probably rather fly since it would take less time

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?

I really don't spring clean. I usually do my "spring cleaning" in the winter when I'm cooped up in the house more. But it involves cleaning out closets and cabinets, getting rid of stuff we don't need, organizing

5. What is the best book you have ever read?

Ever? Geeze, I don't know. I have liked LOTS of books. I'll have to think on this

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Jordan's 4 Month Check Up

Jordan's 4 month check up at the pediatrician was cancelled last week due to the weather so we went in yesterday instead. The appointment was at 2:50pm which was semi-disastrous as neither kid napped and the big one was in rare form. Next time I think I'll leave him with a grandparent :-)

Jordan weighed in at 14 lbs 8 oz. He measured 24 1/4 inches long which is way shorter than what we measured him at home. We'll have to check again to see what one is accurate. His head circumference was 16 1/2 inches. He is the 15th percentile for height and the 30th percentile for weight and head.

The doctor asked if he was smiling, cooing, and holding his hands together. (Yes, to all three) He was very impressed that he's already rolling over both ways... although he said it's bad because he's going to be a big mover. Then he checked him over. Everything looked great. No concerns. He said he's very strong, which we already know. He's got to keep up with his big brother! Jordan was laughing while the doctor was trying to listen to him with his stethoscope. It was cute.

Then the nurses came in and did his vaccines and we were done. We go back for his 6 month check up on April 13th.

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Dear Mom: I Won't Let Go

*Disclaimer: Mom & Dad - you may want some tissues before you proceed with this one.*

Have you ever heard a song and felt like it was made just for you? I have recently.

Throughout my life there have always been songs that have reminded me of my mom. If There Hadn't Been You by Billy Dean and I'll Be by Reba McEntire, for example. Whenever I hear these songs, I still think of my mom. A few days ago, I heard a new song that was made just for me - for my mom.

It was perfect. So perfect that I was in complete awe as it played on the radio. So perfect that I couldn't even find the tears that wanted to come because I was overcome with a sense of peace instead.

But, in order to understand why this song means so much to me, there is something I have to say that I have been keeping to myself. At first because I just couldn't write about it. And then because I just felt it wasn't anybody's business. In December, my mom, my best friend, was diagnosed with cancer. It tried to destroy us - but it won't succeed. We are all stronger than that awful disease.

So, without further ado... my mom's song:

Mom - I love you more than you'll ever know. And I will stand by you through all of this. I thank God every day for the blessing you have been in my life. My rock, my strength, my comfort, my best friend. You are a beautiful and amazing woman. Thank you for being you.

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Jacob Michael: 26 Months

Jacob is now 26 months old (as of 02.05.11).

Two years ago he was my sweet little baby who was just starting to smile and develop his own personality.

One year ago he stopped being my baby after his first hair cut. He was now my big boy. He looked completely different.

And now... now who is he? Now he's a 32 lb 6 oz ball of energy that stands 35 3/4 inches tall. He loves to play with cars and trucks, do puzzles, play hide-and-seek, read, play kitchen, talk on the phone, and imitate anything we do or say. He repeats everything. he's got a great memory and often thinks of really random things from the past.

He loves to eat. His favorite foods lately are deli ham, cheese, and crackers. He still loves any and all fruit and dislikes almost all vegetables. He adores frozen peas though so at least we can still get some veggies in him. He has a huge appetite.

He sleeps about 10-12 hours every night. He usually goes to bed good. He likes to rock with Mom before bed. We usually both end up falling asleep in the rocking chair. Naps are another story. He fights naps most days. He is still required to at least have "quiet time" if he doesn't want to nap but he usually ends up falling asleep. These can vary from about 30 minutes to 3 and a half hours!

He loves to take baths and showers. He hates to have his teeth brushed but he loves to have them flossed (crazy, right?) He loves to wash his hands. He loves to help out... when he wants to. He's crazy about his baby brother. He tortures his dog and cat, but only because he likes them so much that he doesn't want to ever leave them alone. He loves to give kisses and watch other people give kisses. He's started doing somersaults. He can tell you his name is Jacob Michael and his baby's name is Jordan Matthew. He likes to pretend to change diapers on his friends. We had our first cloth diaper get ruined (the waterproof lining in the PUL pulled off, there was NO saving it!) so we gave that to him to use on his monkey.

He's definitely a two-year old stinker but he's also a lot of fun.

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Jordan Matthew: Four Months

Jordan turned 4 months old on Sunday, January 30th. He now weighs 14 lbs 7 oz and is 25 inches long. I didn't measure his head circumference but he goes into the doctor tomorrow for his 4 month check up and they will do that there. He still has very little hair and it is still a red color. His eyes are still blue. The fuzz on his ears is gone. He wears mostly 0-3 month clothes. He wears some 3 month and some 3-6 month. He has officially outgrown all his newborn sized clothes now. He has just about outgrown his newborn sized diapers (thirsties fab fitteds, kissaluvs fitteds) but he can just barely fit into them still.

Jordan is still 100% breastfed. He nurses about every four hours and usually takes both sides. He's been doing really well going back and forth between nursing and taking a bottle of pumped milk while I'm at work. He still likes his soothies pacifiers. He drools constantly and his hands are almost always in his mouth.

He sleeps about 8-12 hours depending on the night. He still sleeps swaddled in his bassinet in our bedroom. Our next project is going to be getting him to sleep unswaddled. He can turn over to his stomach in his swaddle and then cannot get back to his back. We also plan to transition him into his crib in the nursery at some point in the semi-near future. He is starting to outgrow is bassinet now.

This month Jordan learned how to roll from his back to his belly. I first thought Jacob pushed him over because he never even attempted to do it. Then I saw him do it a few more times. Now he can roll both ways. He also started laughing this month. The first time he did it was when Matt was tickling him. We were both home which was nice.

It's been kind of a rough month for Jordan. He had his first cold on the 5th, a yeast diaper rash on the 11th, and his first real sickness (stomach flu) where he vomited for the first time on the 30th. He also had his first of I'm sure many, injuries from his big brother, who pulled his bouncer off the kitchen table. Jordan was fine, just a bit scared!

He was babysat by his Papa for the first time on Thursdays while Mom & Dad are at work. He also rode forward facing in his Moby Wrap for the first time, which he liked.

He still enjoys tummy time most of the time. He can hold a rattle or other small items for a short time if they are put in his hand for him. He hasn't yet picked anything up on his own or grabbed for anything. He can sit supported and he can stand supported (hold his hands) for a short time. He's very strong. He loves his big brother and watches him constantly.

Here are some pictures from last month:

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Sickness

Well, the stomach flu made it's way through our house. After Jake's rough night of vomiting, he woke up the next day (Saturday) with diarrhea. Then when he woke up from his nap, he started vomiting again. We called to get some more zofran for him and they called in one pill (gee, thanks). He felt great after taking that. He's been feeling fine but having diarrhea, until last night when he threw up again twice. He took the second half of his one zofran and he's been okay since.

Jordan started throwing up Sunday evening and into the night. He threw up a total of 3 times. He never had diarrhea and he appears to be better now.

Matt got the bug shortly after Jordan did. And I got it late Sunday/early Monday. Jake had it the worst of us all and I had it the least, as I never threw up or had diarrhea, just felt like total crap. We are all doing better today. I still can't eat/drink anything without feeling sick but I think we're over the worst of it now.

I don't think we've ever done so much laundry as we have this weekend!

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