10 Little Ducklings

At last count tonight, we had 10 little ducklings.  Aren't they just the cutest thing ever.  I sure hope momma duck keeps them around for a few days before taking them to the pond. 

Hospital Trip #2

Jax had his seond surgery last Thursday  to gently expand his esophogus so that he could take in food better.  The surgery went great, but we did have to stay in the hospital for one night to make sure he didn't run any fever.  After waiting in recovery for 5 hours for a room to come available, we were finally admitted.  Clearly, Jax had no side effects and was quickly increased from clear liquids to a soft diet.   He learned the layout of the 12th  floor and would take himself from the our room to the play room independently.    He found a car to ride and acted like he owned the place.  Since then, we are slowly increasing his diet, and he has yet to throw up anything.  We couldn't be happier.  We go back in four weeks for a check with our GI Doc. 

 In recovery. 

 Friday night, we found the play room.  Jax drove and drove and drove the cars until they closed down for the evening.

 Even in the hospital, he sucks his thumb.  IV and all.

 Check out all the Potato people Jax made. 

Menawhile, last Saturday, as previously mentioned, Abi had her dance recital and came home with a whopping 104* fever.  The fever continued Sunday and on Monday she tested positive for strep.  Oh, and did I mention that Eric had left for Washington on Sunday.  Luckily my parents were able to step up and help babysit.  Poor kiddo, she slept sooooo much those first few days.  On Thursday, while we were waiting to go see Jax in recovery, I called the Dr. to tell her that Abi was still spiking fevers.  They asked us to bring her back in.  So, while Jax and I were in one hospital, Eric and Abi went to another hospital across town  for blood work and chest xray to rule out mono, strep, and flu.  We came back negative for all--guess the antibiotic we had been on took care of the strep, but tested positive for pneumonia.  Julie gave Jax and I a ride home from the hospital and then Jax went to stay with grammy and papa so that Abi could rest and not transfer her germs.  Skip forward to Sunday and Monday and she has major cabin fever.  The two ginormous shots she got along with a new antibiotic have worked wonders.  Finally, my kids are on the mend.  Abi will return to school this week for the last three days of first grade.  So much for a longer countdown.  Oh, what a week it has been!

The Babies are Hatching, The Babies are Hatching

Can you tell I am so excited.  I have been waiting, watching,  feeding and talking to momma duck for 5 weeks now.  So far we have seen 6 hatched eggs and four babies.  She is keeping them tucked under her wings pretty tightly, but has let us glimpse them a few times.  We even got to see one egg rolling around and then watch the duck fall out of the egg.  It was soooo totally cool.  Here is what we have so far.

This one was when Abi got to close and she stuck out that beak to warn us that she would attack if needed. Simmer down little momma, we are not going to hurt you. We just want to observe the beauty of nature and your precious little ones.  I mean, really, how many people get to watch ducks hatch in their front yard?

Bluebonnets

A Texas Tradition!

Growing Up Together

I am so exited that Abi and Jax are going to get to grow up with my friends Brian and Kerry's kiddos.  These four are going to be quit a crew when they get older.  Liam (2), Ava (5), Abi (6) and Jax (4).

Hospital Trip #1

I was recently told that because I never post about Jax's eating difficulties, that they thought everything was OK.  For the most part, things are great.  However, about 3 months ago, we started noticing that he was throwing up at almost every meal.  As time progressed, it because harder and harder for him to keep his food down.  A bit of history--When Jax was born, his esophagus ended in a ball, if you will, instead of attaching to his stomach.  Within the first month of his life, he underwent major surgery to connect his esophagus to his stomach so that he could take in foods.  He actually had numerous procedures/ surgeries while in China.  We always knew that he would have to have treatments after coming home, and alas the time as come.  We took him for an upper GI and it was discovered that his esophagus was approximately 60% constricted.  He has been on a very soft diet for over two months now--lots of mash potatoes, yogurt, pudding and soups.  So, about a week ago, he went in for an endoscopy (to explore his inners as there is only so much you can see on x-rays) and to put a balloon in his esophagus to gently expand it.  The surgery revealed that a shelf of scar tissue had also built up in the esophagus (not unexpected), but this does compound his issues.  Jax was a trouper all throughout the day until he threw up his purple popcicle on the way home. 

 He watched very carefully as the  anesthesiologist unhooked all the wires.

We go back in next week for another procedure, but this one is going to require an overnight stay.  Prayers and positive thoughts for both Jax and his doctors would be greatly appreciated. 

A Lazy Afternoon

That's how we roll around here!

Disney Princess on Ice

Several weeks ago, my friend Kerry and I took our girls, Abi and Ava out for a girls night to see the Disney Princess on Ice production.  We were treated to the stories of Cinderella, Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel.  What a great night we had. 

       Anyone ever see a horse on skates before???  Maximus was really cool.

    Ok, how about an allaigator on skates????

                                       Birds on skates??????    The costumes were beautiful. 

Rockin' Through the Ages

Abi dance in her first recital this afternoon.  Her class performed The Conga.  

 Getting ready back stage.

 Can you squeeze those teeth any tighter in that smile.........Faker......

Jax presented Abi with flowers for dancing so pretty. 

So, after we had been home for less than 30 minutes, Abi starts tugging at her costume trying to get out of hit and fussin that she was so hot.  104.0*--i'll say she was hot.  Poor baby girl.  We broke the fever, but she has slept most of the evening.  Not a clue how she made it through the recital feeling as bad as she must have.  And not once did she complain.  Abi, sweet girl, you made us proud this afternoon.  We love you.

Grammy J, this is for you!

So, I am not really a sweet potatoe type girl, but in looking for new things for Jax to eat, I bought some prepared mashed sweet potatoes.  I told Jax they were fun, orange 'tatoes' and he loved them.  Come visit Grammy J and you can make him some fresh ones!  Sweet Potatoes, mini pancakes and pudding--what a great dinner.  Can't wait to get to the specialist on Monday. 

Feathers, Feathers and more Feathers

Momma duck is still incubating her eggs.  When I fed her bread tonight, she stood up so that I could catch a glimse of the eggs.  As I have never hatched ducks before, I had no idea the amount of feathers they shed.  I guess it makes for a nice, warm nest for her babies. 

Grammy and PaPa, this is for you.....

Grammy and PaPa put these fun plants in Abi and Jax's easter basket.  You plant the seeds and wait for the 'hair' to grow.  SUCCESS!