It's hard enough to take arm pictures with two, much less three and a sun

Meeting Gramps

One of the coolest things that happened this Christmas is that Jack met his great grandfather:

I think Jack fell in love:

He looks just a little TOO relaxed

Do you think he's faking being sick just so that he can sleep in the big bed next to Momma?

More sickness! So soon?!

Sick again, sick again. Baby Jack is sick again. This time he has a major cold. Poor Baby has enough mucous to fill up an entire nation which means he can't breathe through his nose because it's stuffy, he can't breathe through his mouth because it makes him cough; he can't eat for the two above reasons, and he can't sleep.

We're doing everything we can think of: Elevating his head, saline nasal drops, Vicks Baby on the chest, back, and neck (and even on the feet because I heard that helps), humidifier (which nearly burned the house down), distraction, etc.

If Jack actually gets to sleep, he wakes up every couple of hours from not being able to sleep. When he's awake, he is constantly crying or moaning. Poor kid.

I'm trying not to be angry about the fact that he just got over the stomach bug and now he's hit again. I'm trying not to think about how long this will last. I am trying to pretend that Rich and I are immune to it all and we won't be the next victims. I'm trying not to think about the fact that this is Christmas break and at least we have that so we're not missing more school, but that it is supposed to be a "break," NOT like the Thanksgiving one when we had to tend to the stomach bug.

I think I'll go try and lay down some more. Jack is tucked in with Rich right now. Rich has his arm under Jack's head to keep the mucous flowing south. If I didn't know how uncomfortable and tired they both are, I would think it was a really sweet scene.

I am grateful for Rich who has a higher lack of sleep tolerance than me. And for the fact that none of us has to do this alone.

Please get well, Baby Jack. Please. Soon.

In the Christmas Spirit

How Momma single handedly put an end to all Christmas carols

Sweet, angelic Baby Jack sings, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. My two front teeth.."

Cranky Momma growls, "You freaking got 'em, kid. Believe me. If you haven't noticed them by now, then you've been sleeping your life away. Oh wait. NO you haven't. And it's because of your two front teeth! Quit wishing for them!

"Thanks, Santa. Thanks a freaking lot."

6 Months

Dear Jack B'Hat,

Oh. My Gosh. We made it to 6 months. This is HUGE. Not only does it mean that your dad and I have kept you alive that long (and believe me, our track record with plants and cats isn't great), but you are happy and thriving and wonderful. Also, it is a really big deal that your dad and I are still alive and (somewhat) sane. We weren't sure on some days.

It is December (a really nice relief temperature-wise) which means that we get to come home everyday from work and have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You and I stand in front of the tree and have a drum roll and count down; "Five..four...three.. two..one........" and then the tree "magically" comes to life and we squeal and clap and then sing, "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas treeeee, Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree." You're too little to sing all of the real lyrics so we just repeat the same line.. because I'm silly. But we have a great time.

And then we go to Mommy's big bed and play Zombie Baby Attack until you and I both are squealing. Zombie Baby Attack is a game where you lunge toward me with your mouth open as wide as it goes, you raise your eyebrows, and then attach yourself to my face like a big slobbery suction cup. I fall backwards flail around and groan, yelling, "Noo! Not the zombie baby. You got me!! You got me!!! arghrrhggg!!" And you laugh so hard and let go. Then we sit up and hug each other until you lunge again, this time attaching to my other cheek or my chin or even my forehead. You're crafty. But it's fun, and we love each other so much.

You and your daddy are hilarious. I often quip that I'm glad that I made a pal for your dad. He loves to hang out with you, and I don't even exist when you guys are together. But that's good. And I'm so glad that you are friends. He really has taken such good care of you, especially since you've been sick. He wants to hang out with you all of the time, but we both have to work right now. But maybe someday.

Here are some things that have happened for you this month:

* You can sit up

* You went on your first major road trip

* You tried your first baby food (squash - you LOVE it)

* You had your first stomach virus (scared me to death) and it took you 2 1/2 weeks to get over it

* You got your first tooth (bottom right) and more are coming

*You decorated your first Christmas tree and I made my first Jack ornament the way that Momo made them for me.

I love you. I'm so glad I'm your momma. You need to know that I will always love you, no matter what. I'm especially sappy because this week has been tough at work, and there are things that have happened that make me need to hold you close. You are my baby - you will always be, and I want what's best for you no matter what. I love you, Jack.

Momma

Tree trimming and such

We took an hour to trim the tree so that Jack could have a Christmas tree for his very first Christmas. Actually, so that Jack's Momma could have a tree for Jack's very first Christmas. Here he is with Christmas Kermit:

And with a snowman that is the same size as he is:

And with both:

Friends!

New horizon

We called Nanny Delaney and tried to paint both an honest picture of Jack's condition (not well, yet) and a positive one. I think it came across as, "Please. Please. Please let Jack go to your house today. Please. Neither of us can afford to miss work today. Remember how cute Jack is? We'll pay double. Oh wait. We are, since we are paying for the days he's missing.. But please."

And she said, "OK."

And we were all like, "Really? Because we don't want to get the other babies sick.." I'm not sure how loudly we said it. But we said it.

So Jack went to Nanny's today for the first time in two weeks. And even though he did have dirty, dirty diapers, and even though he was "a challenge" since the last two weeks involved Jack having our FULL attention which meant he screamed everytime Nanny put him down to tend to the other kids, he made it through the day!

What a relief. Nanny said she'd take him again tomorrow. So back to work for two days in a row, we go. Whew.

We still need to get Jack well. Speaking of which, thank you for all of the emails, comments, calls, and suggestions. They are all very helpful and supportive. You are an awesome community!! You keep me sane, even if it's just to say, "Damn, this sucks." I'm going to try a combination of things to help Jack feel better or at least be more comfortable. Also, I should mention that Jack's first tooth is peeking through his gums. That could have something to do with the diarrhea.

Maybe there's hope.

It's not over.

The baby still isn't better.

I don't know what to do.

In addition to the explosive diarrhea, Jack is having an allergic reaction to __something__. I'm not exactly sure what's causing it. In the last week we've introduced yogurt (at the doctors suggestion), sensitive wipes for the diaper rash, and a new lotion for the horrible eczema. Rich is also having a reaction on his hands from changing the baby so much which tells me that it is probably the wipes. I haven't had a reaction other than I am so tired, and it is excruciating to hear Jack be so miserable. Jack hates having his clothes changed, and now we have to change him 3 and 4 times a day and usually one pajama change in the night because his diaper can't contain it all. It has been a week and a half of this. Poor baby!!!

And Poor Momma and Daddy. Apart form the extra loads of laundry and having to miss so much work, we are just nervous wrecks. What's happening to our kid? The doc says, "Wait it out."

Enough, already!

I'm taking another sick day tomorrow to stay home with Jack and Rich is taking Friday for another doctor appointment (6 month shots). I guess we'll have to farkle for the middle days if this continues for another week..

We're all exhausted

Jack is sick.

He has had a horrible stomach bug since Thanksgiving and he can't seem to shake it, no matter what. Rich and I took him to the doctor today after several concerned calls because we're worried that he is dehydrated and losing weight. Fortunately, the doctor said that Jack looks OK hydration-wise and reassured us that we were doing all that we can do for him. We will just have to wait it out. It may take another week or two.

Obviously, Jack is not allowed to go to daycare, not that we want to take him, but we are both missing a lot of work to be home. I'm at the point where I really don't care about my job, anyway, so it isn't a huge sacrifice, other than when I do go back to work it is hard to pick up where we left off. I'm lost. The kids are lost. They don't do what the sub asks. The sub may not ask them to do what I've assigned. So everyone is at a stalemate. Stress.

Rich has really been amazing, though. He has changed more dirty diapers than anyone should have to in a lifetime. He does this at all hours of the night - changed diapers, sheets, clothes... He has stayed home from work more days than I have. He has done so with the most happy, positive attitude I have seen anyone have in a circumstance like this. I believe him now when he says he wants to be a stay at home dad. He is far better at staying at home than I am. I think I add stress and anxiety to household. I need to be at work to stay sane.. except that work, as I've already mentioned, really sucks lately.

But on the positive, we're taking it one day at a time. Other than explosive diarrhea and a little bit of diaper rash, Jack is relatively healthy and has been sleeping through the night. Fortunately, I didn't have to take any maternity days since I had Jack in June, so I have a little stockpile saved up, and I don't think they will dock my pay for being out so much.

Poor Baby Jack. I just want him to get well. More than anything.