update

Last weekend when it was sooo pretty outside we went to the river and Dustin dropped our camera in the river :( So until tomorrow when we get out we are without a camera.

On a different note, please be praying for Jack. On Monday night he woke up with a snotty nose and I thought that he was just getting a cold, Mrs. Gail, his babysitter had a cold the week before. I kept him home with me on Tuesday and Tuesday night he started coughing. So Wednesday I took him to the doctor, and she tested him for RSV and it was positive. RSV in adults and children 3+ just presents as a nasty cold; however, in little ones especially 6 months or yonger it can be really dangerous. It causes the bronchial tubes to constrict and makes it hard for them to breath, it also causes really nasty ear infections. A lot of babies have to be hospitalized to recieve oxygen. So far Jack has been a trooper. He does have double ear infections so he is on a strong antibiotic and numbing drops for his ears. We have to watch him closely and listen for his breathing to become labored. His pediatrician said that if we can make it through today and tonight without him wheezing then we should be in the clear. Time will tell...

6 Month Checkup

We had a busy day on Thursday. We had to be in Winston-Salem at the Ear Nose and Throat doctor at 8:20 in the morning, and then at the pediatricians office that afternoon. Dr. McGuirt his ENT said that Jack was wonderful and he cleared him so we do not have to go back(mom on the otherhand wasn't so lucky, I will be having surgery on my ears in May). He also said that when Jack turned 18 months we could try giving him cows milk, but until then to keep him on soy. Then we went to the pediatricians office for his checkup. Jack now weighs 19 pounds and is 27 inches long. He is in the 75% percentile for height and weight which means he is absolutly perfect! Dr. Susan was very impressed with Jack, and his motor skills! She said at 6 months they only expect to see babies sitting with support or leaning over on their hands, Jack can sit unsupported and reach for and play with toys. She got to see this first hand as he sat on the table and ripped the paper to shreads! She eventually had to give him a tongue depressor so he would sit realtively still while she listened to his heart and lungs. She asked if he could push up while on his tummy and I told her that he could get on his hands and knees and rock, she had to see for herself so we laid him on his tummy and in no time he was up on his hands and knees rocking back and forth. She clapped for him and when he got excited and tried to clap to he went splat on his belly! She said that in no time he would be crawling and told me all the things I needed to do to get the house ready. She said that he was doing fantastic and that he is advanced in his motor skills (which I will admit makes a momma proud). She then asked if he was babbling and saying things like dadada, I said some, but he more says mamama, she squeezed him and said, "you would be the one to say the hard one first!" We then sat and talked for a long time just about development and what to expect next, what foods to start him on and how often he should be getting food. She did say that we couldn't give him ANY table food because he is already prone to allergies since we found out he is allergic to milk. She said for now only give the baby food, and we would slowly introduce table foods but not until much later, she added that it isn't only because of his allergy, but that it just isn't healthly to feed little ones table food with the added sodium and sugars.

Jack is just absolutly precious....when I am rocking him to sleep sometimes I just cry...tears of joy and thankfulness. Those quiet moments together are some of my most favorite times...

Well I do not like posting without a picture so the following is a cute one from his bath the other night. We bought the bath visor to keep the soap and water out of his face and ears...he is too cute!!

New Happenings...

Jack changes everyday and is really becoming quite the character, he can sure charm a crowd!

Dustin is very muscially talented. He can play the guitar, drums, banjo and piano! When Jack was still in my tummy we bought a device that I attached to my tummy and there was another piece that we talked into and it made it easier for Jack to hear us clearly. Every night we either read, played classical music or Jack's favorite, Dustin played one of his instruments. When Dustin played the piano or Guitar for Jack he would kick me like crazy! Dustin has been waiting for the day when Jack was big enough to sit at the piano with him and play and that day finally came. Jack played beautiful music for us...he sat with his daddy for a long time just playing and listening to daddy to play.

Also, now that Jack can sit up unassisted he is no longer content to lay back in his bath chair for his baths, but it is way to slippery and scary for mommy to sit him in the big bathtub, so it was back to the sink. He can sit up which makes him happy, and it is much safer which makes mommy happy. When we put him in the sink this morning he beamed! He was able to splash with his feet and hands, and could play with his toys. He loved this new freedom!

On the Day Jack Was Born

"On the day Jack was born.

On the day Jack was born

The angels sang and they blew on their horns

and they danced and they smiled

and they raised up their hands

On the day, On the day, Jack Nolan was born...

Today is Jack's Half Birthday, he is 6 months old! At exactly 7:09 this morning we sang him the song, "On The Day You Were Born"

He is absolutly precious and the most handsome little guy ever. He is so social now and loves to smile and talk to anyone who approaches, which these days happens all the time. Everyone comments on how friendly and happy he is. Unless they take him from his momma, he is just entering that stranger anxiety stage, sometimes when someone holds him he looks at me then to them, then back to me, sticks out his bottom lip and just cries. As soon as I get him he starts smiling and everything is fine. He is also reaching for us consistently now. It sure makes your heart melt the first time you put your hands out and your precious little one reaches up for you. He has also started snuggling, especially in the morning, when I pick him up he will wrap his arms around my neck and snuggle down in the crook of my neck, it is my most favorite way to start the day.

We go back to the pediatrician for his 6 month well baby check-up and shots next week . I will let you know how that goes and how much he has grown!

Till then enjoy the pictures....