These (scrawny) legs were made for walkin'

Early intervention ( a govt. program) comes to see jacob several times a month. The last time the physical therapist came, she brought a couple of walkers for jacob to try out. The doctors have said that even though he can "walk" now, that as his upper body grows, his legs won't be able to hold up his weight anymore.... it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. BUT! Jacob has done sooo much more than we ever thought he would - so I've learned to be cautious when I'm told he "won't" or "can't" do something.

This walker that he's been using is ancient -- it looks like one of those old ford pickups from the 1950's. It doesn't turn without a big heave-ho but he can't turn anyway! This is a little video of him using his walker -- he looks like he's limping because his left leg is like 2 inches shorter than his right. SO sweet!

it's finally here

Well, we finally have Jacob's wheelchair - after 5 months of wrangling with the insurance company (such fun!) He's getting better and wheeling himself around and is starting to grasp that he can move in it - (it's not like the other chairs he sits in!). We're super excited to finally have it and I loooove being able to take him places and not have to sit him on the floor.... now the next thing is to get a monstrous van so I don't have to lug this chair around and put it on my front seat~!

Jacob's "real" ladder

These are pennies that I put between jacob's toes - then he did it himself and he was SO proud of himself! Aren't those just the cutest little feet ever, even if they are a bit crooked!

The steps I've been anxiously waiting for have finally arrived. It was soo cool to finally get to see them and touch them -- and oh! they're soooo beautiful. I told Loal I wouldn't brag, but...................... He just did an amazing job and I couldn't be more grateful! So, here's a few pictures of Jake 'getting to know' his new "best friend" --

His favorite thing so far is to sit on the top step and just be "king" - he yells at the kids if they try to get on with him -- he knows it is his! He just sits there and lets his scrawny legs just hang out -- he's finally at the kids' level and he LOVES it!

Here's a little video of him testing them out -- I love how he can sit his little buns on the step and just stay there!

So, again, a million thank you's to my brother for his kindness and generosity; -- and, uncle Loal, this is especially for you ( in the only way Jacob knows how):

Jakey's new wheelchair

So I got a call from shriners on friday and Jacob's new wheelchair is almost done -- we get to pick it up on the 30th of march. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself! He's so ready to get mobile and wants so badly to be up with the other kids - at their "level". Unfortunately, his little legs just won't let that happen! Plus when we go out to public places, I really REALLY hate having to put him down because he scoots everywhere -- sometimes it's so dirty and gross I just can't do it. It'll be so nice to have him off of the floor!

Also, this week I should be getting the steps that my wonderful brother made, for Jacob. Jacob's going to love the freedom those steps give him to move around; to get up and down from things by himself and at his own will. Im so grateful to my brother, Loal, for making these steps -- they're beautiful and the craftmanship is unequaled with anything I've seen. Thank YOU LOAL!

Jacob is scheduled for another surgery (so much for wishing he was through for a while) on May 8th... the little man has a lost teste (someday he's going to be SOO glad I wrote that) that the docs have to surgically move down. Then he'll have another surgery after that with shriners - the work on relaxing his feet - not the heels this time, but the tendons on the tops of his feet... hopefully after this surgery, we'll be able to put shoes on him. I am so thankful though, that both of these are out-patient surgeries and I won't have to be in the hospital again with him. I love that baby boy, but I hate those hospital beds!

He's growing like a weed though -- he's also starting to talk a little more which I LOVE. I've been so worried that the boy wouldn't ever talk! He say's "mi-mi" for bye bye and is making more sounds. He gets frustrated sometimes because we don't know what he wants, and there's only so much sign language an 18 month old can learn. :D

I'll post pictures when the steps come, and when he gets his wheelchair!

jacob's steps

My oldest brother, Loal, is SO awesome. I told him that I was hunting for steps for jacob so he could get up and down from my bed. Loal graciously offered to make them and they have turned out absolutely beautiful. It's the kind of quality craftmanship that is a rare find and I'm so grateful to him and his wife, Paula, for doing this. They are both so talented - I mean AMAZINGLY talented... I just have to brag -- I can't help myself :D

On another note, jacob gets his wheelchair in about two weeks... I am SO excited!!! Every time I put him in his stroller he tries to "roll" it himself --plus, the boy is getting heavy! It'll be nice to not have to carry him around everywhere we go.

I tried to post a picture of the steps Loal's making but seem to having problems doing it! I will try later-- time for jacob's sleepies!

bang bang

I have a serious addiction to court tv. and investigation discovery channel. I'm a cop show freak - maybe it's from growing up with a brother in law enforcement.. I don't know, but it's there. So the other night marshall calls me into the living room to watch Jacob - he is usually doing something superbly cute (jacob, not marshall ;) ). Marshall sticks out his thumb and index finger in the shape of a gun, goes "bang! bang!" - then jacob, totally on cue drops to the floor. Then he sits up, points his finger at marshall and goes "ba-ba" and marshall fell. It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen him do - and this is coming from a baby who will point to his feet and then put them into his mouth .. he can still do that because he has no hip sockets so those legs bend like nothin' else! so here's a video of him doing the bang bang thing

The other thing he's doing is this crab crawl thing I've posted about -- here's a video of him doing that

I'm just so in love with this baby!~

those legs are a movin'

Jacob ceases to amaze us with the things he's doing with those tiny legs! He's got this new thing where he does some kind of "crab- crawl" -- his version of crawling I guess. It allows him to keep his left leg straight (it doesn't bend anyway!). Although, he's still MUCH faster when he just scoots.

Tonight he just "walked" while holding on tight to daddy's legs -- maybe he WILL be able to make it around the house with just a walker. That would be so cool! he still "walks" on the outer side of his feet because they curve under, but it's a start!

Jacob movin' about

So the little man is finally starting to feel a little bit better -- yeah! The top of his mouth is finally closed up - even if there's still gross looking stitches there! I cannot wait for him to start talking - that's next... Here's some video of my little happy man playing with his sisters...

Here's another one - he's such a sweet baby!

AND THE REST OF the crew- this one (at the end) shows how jacob moves about (hence the name "scooter"!

home again

***The pictures are upside down - the first one is the morning of surgery - in the recovery room; the second picture is actually the night before surgery (can't you tell? he's happy!).***

You know, Shriners hospital is just the most clever hospital ever! They just take such good care of all these kids who have a myriad of "issues" affecting their health.

Jacob's surgery went really well and he is finally beginning to show signs of healing. He is even smiling a little bit, and the swelling in his mouth is going down enough now that he can close his lips. I do so wish he could take his pacifier though - that's been the biggest loss. It's been so MUCH harder to get him to sleep (and he's used to it and wants it!)

I am so thankful for modern medicine and being able to have great surgeons to take care of his palate... however, I am REALLY hoping that we are done with surgeries for a while. He's only 16 months and has been under anethesia 4 times (3 of those being for surgeries) - and each time he goes "under", I gain 10 pounds and lose 2 nights sleep. I do love that little boy though - so, in spite of all my complaining and murmuring, he is so worth it!

Next up for him is his wheelchair -- I put him in his stroller the other day and he tried to "roll" it with his hands... right idea, wrong chair! Hopefully soon though!

today is the day

So today is the day! I'm getting ready to head out the door to portland - up on that beautiful hill where Shriners hospital sits. Jacob is getting his cleft palate fixed and mommy is very, very anxious. I just hate how after his surgeries he's so cranky (yes, I know I know - it's natural and their in pain) - it's just mommy being a bit selfish and wanting my happy baby back. On the plus side, it's like a mini-vacation from the house, and the piles of dishes and laundry... and the hubby has to play mr. mom! Here we go!

its wheelchair time

Yesterday the disability seating company came and measured the doors for accessibility - it's time to get that little wheelchair made and sent to my baby cakes.  The wheels are only like 16 inches tall and the seat is tinier than a car seat, BUT he rolls that sucker around and makes my heart melt and makes me cry a little bit.  I'm sure if he were older he'd tell me to knock it off and that I was embarrassing him!  I can't wait though - it's so tiny and he'll finally be able to get around with the other kids (like getting up to the table).

One week from today is Jacob's cleft palate surgery - again at Shriner's hospital in portland.  I have a bit more anxiety about the palate than I did for the lip -- that involves breathing and the lip didn't.  Plus we have to go back to the arm restraints and I hated those - he wasn't to keen on it either... I am trying to focus on the benefits and blessings though - instead of how hard it'll be at first.   I'll post pictures and an update next weekend after the surgery.