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.