Jackson's Baseball Debut

First of all, today is Aunt Betsy's 25th birthday so "Happy Birthday, Betsy!"

Saturday was Jackson's first baseball game. He is playing on the "Yanks" team. Their colors are white and royal blue.

Jamie got up early and went in search of baseball pants and cleats. He found pants but no cleats that would fit Jack's wide foot. Jamie even found a matching belt. Jack's tennis shoes match his team colors so we think we will just stick with those shoes for now. If he gets serious about baseball, we can invest in shoes later.

Jack got up to bat twice and made contact with the ball. We were so glad because he tends to be very hard on himself. Not hitting the ball could have colored his whole day.

Jamie's parents are taking care of our youngest niece, Meredith, this week while the rest of her family vacations in Disneyworld. We told Jackson that Meredith may not come since it was during her naptime. The night before he fervently prayed that she would be able to come.:) Nana and Pops came with Meredith. Jackson was so pleased. Since God saw fit not to give Jackson any sisters (he wanted both brothers to be sisters), he is enjoying his girl cousins.:)

While Jackson played, Pops took Jonathan to a nearby playground. I followed soon after with Joel while Jamie took pictures and video. I took Jono to this playground many times last year after picking Jackson up from school (the baseball games are on school property). I had to watch Jonathan like a hawk because he would either push other kids at the highest point or try to jump off himself. Yesterday, Jono lost his balance and went careening off the top of the slide (something I did myself as a first grader) and landed on the ground on gravel (as a child, I landed on pavement so his landing was an improvement). He kept signing that he wanted to lay down after that. I think it really shook him up. He had to have been sore! Sadly, if given the opportunity, he will probably do it again.:( The child knows no fear.

Jack has had drainage for the last two weeks. Saturday night he complained that his ear hurt. His drainage had stopped so it made sense he may now have an ear infection. Sure enough, the doctor confirmed it today. So, Jono is off antibiotics but Jack and Joel are on. Thank you, Lord, for antibiotics and co-pays!

Jackson in Yanks attire.

Jackson and Meredith.

Jonathan's dance moves.

The week after Spring Break

Jonathan had a zoo field trip today. It was quite cold - windy and 48 degrees. We bundled up and headed out after driving carpool and after Miss Cara came to take care of Joel. I have to prepare that Jonathan will not be obedient and will be on the run. So, I was not the cute mom wearing the latest style (that is not typically me anyway). I was wearing running shoes and was ready to chase my kid.
We got there and waited outside to enter. Then we waited to ride the train. As we rode the train, the Artic Chill was intense. Jonathan does not like the cold and was not particularly happy. After that we went to the Kangaroo Exhibit where he promptly jumped in water. His feet were not wet but his pants were. I just happened to bring a change of clothes (I was anticipating a bathroom accident) so I changed his pants and farmed out his socks to a friend who also had happened upon some puddles in the mining area.
After that we saw the gorillas - that was nice because it was warm. Jonathan watched other boys climb benches so he wanted to but I would not allow it. He fell yesterday trying to jump over some friends while waiting in the carpool line and had a freshly busted lip. I was not eager to add to his injuries although he appeared to be.
At this juncture, Jonathan was signing "bye-bye." He was ready to go and I figured we didn't need to stay. It was cold. It could have been worse, but it simply was not pleasant. After a few errands, we caught up with Jamie for lunch and then made our way home to relieve Miss Cara.
Tomorrow Jackson has his first baseball game. We hope he catches on to the rules and has patience with his outfield experience. We have also had to discuss etiquette while on the field (not conversing to us in the bleachers in a loud voice). This will be interesting!
Here are some pictures since Sunday...

Jackson and Bryan found a "Bamboo Fort" down by a creek near our house. As soon as Betsy and Bryan left, we came home and Jackson wanted to take us on an "adventure" to the creek. He and Bryan had visited this place earlier.

Jackson thought this chair was cool. Someone had cut out some bamboo in this "bamboo forest" and added old office furniture to make a fort.

While I cooked dinner, Jackson reconfigured our kitchen and dining room chairs to make a tunnel. The boys were busy crawling through it until Jamie came home.

Jonathan and Joel enjoy playing together. Last night we heard them banging on the piano together, having fun, making each other laugh.:)

This is not really an accurate picture. Jonathan took apart our chair and both boys were bouncing on it, laughing. There were pillows strewn all over the floor and Joel was having a big time coasting on Jono's creatively placed chair cushions.

Spring Break

Jackson and I made "Monkey Pizza" Monday night.

Aunt Betsy and her boyfriend, Bryan, came to visit during their spring break. She and Jono were wrestling on our ottoman.

Driveway Art by Betsy, Bryan, Jackson, and Jonathan.

Breakfast today. Betsy and I went to the Lego Store last night to reserve a spot for Jackson's birthday in April. On the way home, we stopped to get doughnuts, coffee, and milk. This morning we had leftover doughnuts and crepes that Aunt Betsy made.

Yum!

Betsy and Bryan. They are on staff at NC State with Campus Outreach. They work with college students, introducing them to Christ and then discipling them. They are not at all like some of the staff and students from Campus Outreach I remember at Furman.

We ate lunch today at Cocina Superior right before we took Betsy and Bryan to the airport. It was so good!
Aunt Betsy and Bryan again.

Joel eating lunch. His nose is raw from being wiped so much! He is still quite congested. I am praying this lifts soon.

I took Joel to the doctor again on Tuesday, convinced he had an infection but his ears were clear. He has not been his sweet little self. I fear missing obvious signs of infection for any of our boys and that they will endure sickness unnecessarily.

I went back on Thursday. This made three times in five days. I was going to make an afternoon appointment and then cancel if Joel seemed to improve throughout the day. He kept waking up with a very foul disposition and green pouring out of his nose. It would last until about noon then turn clear (I know you want to know these specifics...). However, the boys' pediatrician was not going to be available later that day so we went that morning. Again, no infection. I said to the doctor, "Fill in the blank for me. Don't come back unless...." and the doctor said, "he has raging fever and green snot." When we were little, green mucous meant infection. Now, if you are fever-free, you have to have a green nose for at least ten days before they consider it possibly infectious. I don't want to make a mistake at the expense of my children's health. So, I spent $60 this week on my own peace of mind.

This week was spring break and Jamie's company shot 14 spots in five days for a client. Needless to say, he was unavailabe so it was just going to be me and the boys. I can handle them and I have difficulty asking for and accepting help. I want to be able to say I do things totally on my own. Pride. My sister had mentioned she was thinking about visiting that week and I took her up on it. Betsy and her boyfriend, Bryan, decided to visit and I was so grateful! I lived for Wednesday, the day of their arrival. It was a secret from the boys but I told Jono. I figured he wouldn't betray me.:)

Jackson spent time with Nana on Wednesday. When he came home, Betsy and Bryan were here. He jumped on Betsy and hugged her. He was so excited! While they were here, Betsy and Bryan took the boys on a walk to Samford University and had an "adventure", ate a picnic lunch, drew with chalk on the driveway, played baseball, cooked, played Wii, played Hide and Go Seek, and just hung out. It was so great! I wish they lived here in Birmingham - not just to help me. They are a fun couple and we enjoyed them thoroughly.

All three boys have had green noses this week. I am debating as to who will attend church tomorrow. Church is like daycare - for some reason, people come even though their kids are sick. My kids, if they have contracted something, often feel poorly by Tuesday. Often Jamie and I swap services to avoid illness. We will keep Joel home for sure. In addition to his runny nose and cough, he seems to be cutting both eye teeth. He needs to stay home.

A new way to get Jonathan to eat his food...

Joel loves to explore in the fridge!

Life is never dull here...

Joel got croup Friday night. He got up around 9pm and stayed up until midnight. We took turns taking him in the bathroom with the shower going. Jamie stayed up with him to make sure he wouldn't have a tough time breathing. Jonathan's lingering cough developed into a chest cold. I took both boys to the doctor Saturday morning. Joel got a steroid and Jonathan got a different antibiotic. Once home, both were not quite themselves.

Jonathan started screaming later Saturday. We could not tell what was wrong. Jamie wondered if he swallowed something but he was coughing so fiercely, we concluded that he was in pain. His throat has got to be raw from all the coughing he has been doing. Saturday night,

Jonathan fell asleep at the foot of our stairs around 5:30pm and had a tough time waking up so we put him to bed. He kept signing "sleep" so we just let him go. Joel followed soon after. We enjoyed a relatively quiet dinner with Jackson who enjoyed the quiet, too. The boys camped out in a tent on their floor all week. So, in conclusion to a camp out week, we "roasted" s'mores over our gas stove in the kitchen. Jackson thought it was great.



Joel again got up around 10pm. I got settled and held him so he would sleep better. I ended up "sleeping" on the couch in his room with him. Jamie got up with Jonathan around 1am. Jonathan was screaming bloody murder. Again, it seemed like his throat was hurting - he could not stop coughing. So, Jamie ran the shower and let it take effect. We had already maxed out the cough meds so we could not give him anymore. We gave him Motrin to ease any inflammation and administered his inhalers to help open up his lungs. Later, he fell asleep with Jamie holding him upright.

This morning I got up with Joel and Jackson and Jamie slept a little with Jonathan. Jamie took Jackson to church and I stayed home with Jonathan and Joel. I changed Jonathan's diaper and what did I find but a Lego Storm Trooper helmet. THAT is why the boy screamed so much! He was in terrible pain passing the thing! That is why he coughed so hard yesterday - he swallowed it. It is a wonder his insides aren't perforated from all the things he has swallowed. Ugh!!!

What exciting thing will tomorrow bring? Nothing, I hope!

Today begins our spring break. We have no plans so I am trying to think of fun things to do this week. My sister and her boyfriend plan to come later this week and I am so grateful. Jamie has a full week and will be super busy. I am going to be glad to see some other adult faces!

Jonathan has been coughing for about three weeks. He has had an antibiotic and steriods. One might think he has TB or CF. The kid cannot stop coughing! I give him a cocktail of meds every morning and evening and nothing is touching this. He just came off of an antibiotic and steroid last week so his pediatrician mentioned going back to the allergist. I have been praying fervently for relief for him (and us at night:)).

I met up with the director of the baseball league Jackson is a part of and he gave me a helmet with a face mask. Jackson got hit in the face last night with a ball and was scared of the ball after that. The director also let us borrow a bat and ball - we have been using plastic. Now that I saw practice, I can start pitching overhanded to Jackson and use a real ball. I thought he would be having underhanded pitches and it would be easier. Not so! We have to get him up to speed because most of the other kids are far beyond him in skill. He outright refused to do sports these last two years and now he is paying for it. I am going to have to coordinate naps for the other two so I can get outside and do some serious throwing, catching, pitching, and batting with him during the week. I love doing stuff like this with him - I hate pretending so I am thrilled to be playing sports.

Joel got up at 4am so that threw off his schedule today. He only napped once. I thought he would sleep more soundly tonight but I hear him yelling right now... Okay - I just checked on Joel and he has croup. Nice. Eleven o'clock at night. I don't want to get too excited but I think this is going to be a fun night...

So far in March 2010...

Since August, I think we have had the stomach bug four times. It has been a battle with illness for us this winter.

Joel is still not sleeping through the night. The other two slept through the night by six weeks. I don't get this! Jamie and I have decided it is time to tough love Joel. We have done it a couple of times and then Joel sleeps through the night as a result. What happens is then he might get a cold, wake up, and then I feel sorry for him.:) Then, the nasty cycle begins again!

Joel is pulling up on everything and everyone. At this point, Jackson was walking and we thought Joel might be. While he is quite the monkey, he does not seem interested in walking. We shall see!

Jonathan, it seems, does well when he is healthy. No shocker there. He has difficulty remaining well because he mouths everything in sight. We started him, about a month ago, on using chewy toys. He will chomp all day long on these things suspended around his neck and it has greatly reduced him mouthing other inappropriate things (toys, furniture, etc.:)). I would say he is even healthier, too. Right now he has a weird cough he can't shake. He is so patient with it - I would be going mad. He just coughs up a lung and keeps going.:) I feel like I have a good handle on him right now and am really enjoying him. For a while, he was so destructive, I felt like pulling my hair out constantly and felt wildly out of control. He has calmed considerably. I began praying over him about a month or two ago and that is when I saw the difference. It may seem nutty, but I realized we were going to all these experts, consulting with them, and I wasn't asking "The Expert" for help. I think the Lord is using these other doctors to help us and He is also working to calm me down as well.

Jackson really enjoys school. It is so neat to see how well he is reading. He can read fluidly now and it is fun to watch and hear. He is trying a sport out this season - baseball - for the first time since soccer when he was four. After watching him tonight, I am so glad. It will be good for him to learn how to be patient, supportive, and learn the game.

Jack is quite foul upon his return from school in the afternoons. I am still trying to figure out how to help him release tension from trying to behave all day. If I were gung-ho on homeschooling, I bet he would enjoy it.

Next week is spring break. We don't have plans and I am trying to come up with fun things to do during the day so it is memorable despite the fact that we are staying home. Luckily, we had stories on CD Grandpa gave us, one of which talks about a family that stayed home for vacation and had a great time. Jackson actually referenced this and is looking forward to our time home even though some of his friends are going out of town.

Everyone is asleep right now so I am going to wrap this up, do another load of laundry, and go to bed.

Good night!

February 2010

Jackson ran 25.2 miles in PE this fall. He ran his last mile this morning to complete his first marathon.

It snowed again so we made the obligatory snowmen again. This time we had a pirate and Obe Wan Kenobi.

Betsy and I gave Mom a 60th birthday party this month. Her friends came and celebrated by giving her books to donate for promoting literacy.

Lori and I have known each other since the womb. Our moms were pregnant with us together in Chicago. Lori and her family moved to SC and we joined them later (after a short stint in Ohio) when Lori and I were seven years old. Small world.

January 2010

Do all kids like to play with toilet paper rolls?

Daddy's birthday.

Guitar Hero at Jamie's party.

The four boys in my life.

Using a straw - Jono started at seven months so we just went straight to the straw with Joel.

Joel crashed Jackson and Jonathan's fort underneath the table.

December 2009

It snowed!

We made the obligatory snowman.

Joel liked the lights on the tree.

Three brothers in the tub!

Jackson loves to build with Legos.

This is Jack's gingerbread house he made at school.

Jono and his class at the mall with reindeer hats on their heads.

Jono's class with Santa.

This is Molly, Jono's buddy. We have decided that they are betrothed. Molly's parents are in agreement of this union.

Joel started walking around furniture. These are the PJs that Jack was wearing when he started walking. The magic didn't work - Joel is not yet walking but he is close!

Crack happens.

ONLY LOOK AT THIS IF YOU HAVE A STRONG STOMACH!!!

Jonathan was in agony one night and we thought it was the stomach bug. Little did we know he was passing six rubber tires he chewed off a model SUV. Jamie took this picture for me. It's Jono's diaper. Gross, I know. But, it is our life as we know it for the time being.

Jackson at his Christmas party.

Jono's Christmas party with his classmates, Miss Katie (he LOVES her), and Jamie.

November 2009

Here are pix from November...


Jackson and his friend, James, at Edgewood Elementary's annual Turkey Trot.

Jono enjoying the old days of sitting in the Tot Wheels. He is adorned with orange marker. No surprise there.

Twins separated by six years.

Nana's birthday - Pops was a very creative wrapper.

Jono's fourth birthday!

Joel likes to rummage around in the fridge, pantry, and our bag of recycling.

Granny and Jonathan.

Nana, Pops, and Jono.

Doc and James.

Friend, Joel, Sarah, and James. James and Joel are about a month apart.

Jackson and Daddy on Grammie and Grandpa's trampoline at Thanksgiving.

Gigi.

Aunt Nancy and Joel.

Jack lost his first tooth. He has been waiting for this!

Jonathan wanted to help Joel wash his hair.

Grammie calming Joel down.

Jack and Grammie decorating the Christmas tree.

Grandpa taking movies of candid moments.

Jono and Jacko taking a break on the tramp.

Grammie and Jono pruning.