Jackson and Brooks riding a camel at Jake's birthday party at the zoo.
Jackson and his friends dress up for Jackson's birthday party (Jackson told everyone it was a costume party which it was NOT).
Jackson and his friends in the treehouse.
Jackson's elaborate birthday cake made by Mom. Instead of "Happy Birthday" it says, "May the Force Be With You."
Playing with their light sabers...
Darth made an appearance...
Jackson celebrated his sixth birthday on Wednesday, April 15. We cannot believe we have a six-year-old! I guess had we started earlier, we could have a kid that is 12, but still...
It has been a challenging three weeks. Jamie left for India on March 26 and returned April 3. We did well while he was gone - we stayed very busy and Jackson cried only once. Jonathan, however, was puny most of the time Jamie was gone. Initially, I thought he missed his daddy. Then, I wondered if it was something more...
Friday, April 3: We went to the doctor. Jono had an ear infection - I felt so badly! He often has recurring fever viruses every few weeks so I chalked it up to that. In my defense, he would be fine one day and not so great the next. Mother of the Year Award right here, please. He didn't seem himself every other day. There was no fever so I was not sure what was going on.
Tuesday, April 7: His stomach was ripped up from antibiotics and he would lie down on the floor and suck his thumb. He would climb on me and ask me to hold him. While I appreciated the mild behavior, I knew something was wrong. When I took him to the doctor, the culprit appeared to be the antibiotics.
Sunday evening, April 12: By the evening of Easter, he was moaning and grinding his teeth louder than I have ever heard him. I knew his ears must hurt or he was having drainage. We held him, gave him Motrin, and he fell asleep. I felt the fool calling the doctor because I didn't have anything concrete. The nurse I talked to said to just watch him.
Tuesday, April 14: Jonathan had a fever of 102.7 degrees and was no better. The doctor said to come in the next day if there was no change. Both Monday and Tuesday I found Jonathan in his crib, moaning, with tears streaming down his face. He NEVER does that and I was worried.
That evening I hurried into the kitchen to turn off the stove while Jamie bathed the boys. I stepped on a shirt in the kitchen as I rounded the corner, slipped, fell on my knees, and crunched my abdomen very hard. It scared me and I screamed (I am 33 weeks pregnant). Jamie came in and I could not stop crying. I called the doctor and couldn't get my name out I was crying so hard. Jackson got scared because he has not really seen me cry before. The doctor on call said I could come to the hospital and get checked out. I drove myself while Jamie tended to the boys. I got hooked up to a machine that monitored the baby and me. The nurse noticed I had contractions (I could not feel them) but everything looked good. She gave me something to stop the contractions and I was on my way. I had to stop by the grocery and Toys 'R' Us and then headed home.
As I pulled into the carport, the house was pitch black. I assumed Jamie fell asleep with the boys. I opened the car door. As I climbed out, I heard the click of a door and a long red light. I got a little nervous and "crept" out of the car. I saw a dark form advancing toward me and my heart took a lurch. Then I heard this heavy breathing... Ah, it was Darth Vader! Jamie had purchased this Darth Vader outfit to wear at Jackson's party the next day and he was practicing it on me. I couldn't believe he was trying to scare me after I had just fallen down! He said, "I thought you could use a good laugh after tonight's drama. " He was right!
Wednesday, April 15: Jonathan and I hit the doctor's office. He was diagnosed with strep and pneumonia. He got a big shot there in the office in his little thigh. He kept holding it and turning his little face up to me, all twisted with pain. I kept reminding myself that heart surgery was harder than this... After two hours in the doctor's office, we switched cars with Jamie and he got an inflatable for Jackson. We came home. I prepared food and Jamie got the backyard ready. We had a plan. He would disappear at 4pm into our toolroom. I would rap on the door at 4:10pm. He would rap back if he was ready.
Now, Jonathan is much better. Jamie put the costume on Craig's List. Jackson is enjoying his toys. I am in high gear, trying to scratch things off my dwindling "Before the Baby Arrives" Checklist. The Voelkert cousins are arriving this afternoon. Ryan is in Kenya on a mission trip today. Monday night we are excited to meet Brad Hennefer, the young man with DS who can play golf. He is in town for our PADS Annual Golf Classic.
That's all for now!!!
Julie
