Sheesh

Jaylynn: Can Jacob have chocolate pudding too?
Me: Yes Jay, in a minute, I'll make a box.
Jaylynn: Well, when I ask nicely, you don't need to yell, ok?

Um, I wasn't yelling and uh, are you really two?

Jacob's Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

Today was the big day for Jacob. The day that changes how he breathes forever. The day that changes his heart from being stressed out while he breathes and sleeps. We were so scared and nervous but Jacob was a rockstar. He's such a tough guy. He was scared about the being asleep part but other than that, he was ready for it.

This was before, listening to music. Poor kiddo didn't have surgery until after 3 pm and couldn't eat or drink after midnight. How is he smiling?? He's so awesome.


When we went back to get him gowned up, the nurses, techs and everyone else loved him. He's such a little charmer and doesn't even know it. He even walked back with the anesthesiologist to the operating room!! The surgery was quick and everything went great. He was however in a great deal of pain afterward. He tried to act tough and say he was ok and then the nurse left for a second. He lost it and cried and cried. Some morphine took the edge off and he was able to sleep. Some more morphine and popsicles and he was doing much better. Still very sore but better. We stayed until 5 the next morning (because of his heart, he has to stay a bit longer).

Sleeping soundly afterward with his pillow pet from Favorite Aunt Janice and Uncle Tom. It was AMAZING listening to him sleep. Just a quiet, gentle snore. I commented about him snoring to the nurse and she assured me that would go away. I giggled and told her, no, you don't understand; I'm used to listening to him choke and cough and stop breathing. Listening to him was amazing!!


Two hours after surgery, eating a banana!!!


About an hour after we got home, knocked out. You can tell by his face that he's still in pain but he was happy to be home.


He is doing great and sleeps absolutely silently. We watch him like a newborn baby.

Happy 8th Birthday Jacob!

Jacob's ENT appointment

At Jacob's (almost) 8 year old check-up, I expressed my concern that Jacob was a very noisy and disrupted sleeper. It's horrible listening to Jacob attempt to sleep. Snoring very loudly, choking, not breathing. 

She noticed that his adenoids and tonsils are extremely large. She ventured to guess that he has sleep apnea. Obviously he is not getting proper sleep but the bigger issue is the stress it puts on his heart. His body is working so hard to get in the oxygen it needs that it is overworking his heart.  

She suggested Jacob be seen by an ENT. We scheduled an appointment with one a few days later. 

The ENT asked us some questions and based on those answers and seeing his adenoids and tonsils, he was quite confident that Jacob has sleep apnea. He didn't want to subject Jacob to the sleep study test since his recommendation is to get his tonsils and adenoids removed. Jacob's cardiologist will have to approve the surgery before we can proceed. 

Jacob has an appointment with top doctors at Children's, because a very wonderful friend, helped get us appointments with them. Jacob will see another ENT for a second opinion and another cardiologist to make sure what his current cardiologist sees is indeed how severe Jacob's heart is. 

Update on Jacob's heart

Back in 2009, Jacob went in for his regular 5 year check-up. The pediatrician noticed a heart murmur. She also noticed that the left side of his chest was growing abnormally. Not too noticeable but still there. Because of those two factors, she felt it would be best that Jacob see a pediatric cardiologist. 

We scheduled an appointment with the cardiologist a few weeks later. Jacob was given a couple of different tests and was diagnosed with aortic stenosis. Jacob's heart condition was a bit more advanced for a 5 year old than the cardiologist thought it should be. At that time, the doctor wanted to see Jacob back in 6 months and his only limitations at that time were contact sports, like football.

At his 6 month check-up, his heart had worsened some which concerned the doctor because Jacob is so young still. He was hoping to go to yearly appointments (which Jacob will have the rest of his life) but thought it would be best to stay at 6 month check-ups. 

Jacob's heart will never get better. It will get worse. It's just a matter of when. For now, we pray and monitor him.

Jenna's car

Jenna loves to draw. Loves! And we love her pictures as much as she loves to draw. Here's another one of her adorable pictures.

Quote of the Day 1/23/12

Jaylynn (demanding voice): Get me a drink.
Me: What do you say?
Jaylynn: You're pretty. You're smart. 

I ♥ her.

The Pouting Tween

Jasmine hiding behind the couch, listening to her iPod and texting her friends.

She knows what to say!

Jaylynn (demanding voice): Get me a drink.
Me: What do you say?
Jaylynn: You're pretty. You're smart.

 I ♥ her.

Getting pushed around...

Jaylynn dear, you really are only 2 years old. Wouldn't know it with the way you talk though!

Jaylynn showing off our meal prayer that Nana taught us. Good job JayJay!

Conversations with Jaylynn

Me: Come on, Jay, let's go change your diaper.
Jay to me: Hold on a minute. I'm talking on the phone.
Jay to her phone: Hi. Mommy bothering me. So what are you doing?
Jay to Jasmine: Be quiet Jazzi.
Jay to Jacob: BE QUIET JACOB! I'm talking on my phone!!
Jay to her phone: Hi Fofado (her baby doll). What'cha doing?
Jay to me: Hey lady, get me my purse.

What am I going to do with this girl?