What a difference a year makes...

Jack is sleeping soundly, and Raleigh and I are in bed, snuggled tight and ready for rest.  But this time a year ago was  a very different time.  May 26th, 2010 was the day that Jack had his open heart surgery and his surgeon inserted a BT shunt and opened his closed pulmonary valve.  All without using a heart lung bypass machine.  I don't think most people understand what a big deal that is, but as it was explained to me, it was a huge deal.  Jack was only 4 pounds at the time of his surgery and his heart was about the size of a grape. 

Remembering back on that day and its stress and fear, I have been very tender all day.  I cried when I saw him in his crib this morning and if he hadn't switched quickly from his joyful smile to his confused and fearful pout, I may have cried and rocked him all morning long.  But I didn't want to scare him.  This day was just another one in which he would play with Mommy, and try to grab Raleigh, and eat lots and lots of delicious new things, including a leaf that he found in the living room.  And that's such a wonderful gift for Jack.  He has no idea what danger he was in a year ago.  He only knows that today, like yesterday and tomorrow, are for enjoying and playing and loving.  That's a pretty healthy way to live, I think.  I continue to learn from him and hope he always has the same healthy outlook.

I remember all the scary times, and I know that the future won't be without setbacks.  I know that he will have another surgery soon, probably this year.  And I know that as my baby grows into a man, he will have valve replacements long after I am no longer on earth to make sure that the doctors and nurses have all the information about his health history.  And as I continue to struggle with the truth that I can't keep Jack safe, I am comforted by the progress he's made and the strength he has.  They warned me that he would be on the feeding tube for months, he may fail to thrive, may have significant developmental delays. 

But none of that was true.  And as I look at this baby who still doesn't hold his own bottle, I know it's not because he isn't able to do so.  It's because he doesn't want to.  Because he knows that Mommy will do it for him.  Because I spoil him.  And that's okay.  I'm going to keep doing it until he's ready to do it on his own.  I've pushed him to just keep breathing, pushed his heart to just keep beating, and he's done all the hard work.  So a little coddling is okay.  He's already stronger than most other people I know.  He's allowed to relax.  And so am I.

Below are two photos of Baby Jack.  The first on this day a year ago, following the heart surgery.  The other, today.  A year later and a world apart from that tiny, frail baby in the hospital.  And what a blessing it is!

 Happy Anniversary!
Maggie

Last week was wonderful!  Rather than celebrate the anniversary of Jack's birth on just one day, I felt he deserved a whole week to celebrate his life.  And so we did!  The celebration continued this weekend with a visit to Columbus for a birthday party with the family.  We had such a lovely time, and it was wonderful to see so many of the loved ones who had helped me, prayed with me, and loved on me while Jack was going through the first week of his life.

I went with a "Superman" theme, since no one can deny that this kid is pretty super!  The cake was from Publix, and they also give a free "smash cake" for the first birthday.  Photos of that event are a little later!

Jack seemed to really enjoy the party.  He is absolutely enamored with his cousins and crawled after them, and smiled and grabbed them whenever they came near

Jack loved his car, and Lizzie and Frankie made sure he had an exciting first drive.  I kept an eye on them, and it was a good thing, becuase they almost flipped Jack over backward, which he loved, of course.

 It didn't take him long to find the horn!

Doesn't he look precious in his birthday hat!?!?

SMASH CAKE!!!  I was pretty uncomfortable during this part of the festivities, but being Jack's mother is teaching me to let loose.  I resisted the urge to clean him up after every bite, and he had a ball!  He almost looks like he's challenging me to relax!  "Mommy, it's no big deal, you know."

Here he is blowing bubbles and crawling around the party.  Jack had a great day, loved on some folks, opened some presents and ate some cake.  Pretty good day!  He slept the whole way home, then had dinner, a bath, and went to bed again for the whole night.  Big day for my little boy!

One-Year-Photos!

Mr. Bob did another amazing job photographing Jack on his birthday, and I've already received the link to go look at the pictures.  They are so gorgeous!!  And cute!!  And wonderful!  Now the hard part begins...

Which ones to order?!?!?!

Take a look for yourself at the link below.  When you get to the website, scroll to the bottom and enter "jlaton" into the box below the words "View Previews Online."

http://www.shapirophotography.com/

Enjoy!
Maggie

What a day!!

Today we celebrated Jack's first birthday and what a day we had!  We began the day early, as usual, and then headed to Newnan to have Jack's one-year photos taken at Bob Shapiro's studio.  Mr Bob does wonderful work and Jack was a wonderful subject.  He flirted, he smiled, and he even waved "bye" when we left.  Such a cutie!  I'll post the link when those pics are posted.

After the photo shoot, we headed to Chick-fil-a for Jack's first chicken nugget.  This was quite the event and Jack was initiated into the long running "fried chicken afficionado" class that is our family.  He was skeptical at first, but soon realized the genius that is the chicken nugget.  Soon he was reaching for them faster than I could cut them up...

If you listen really closely, you can hear him saying "OOOOOHHH!!"

Below you can see Jack cutting his eyes to the side, but to look at what, you wonder? 

Well.....  It would appear that Jack has an admirer...

This cutie-patootie refused to sit with her own family, choosing instead to stand just away from our table, and smiling like a loon at Jack.  Every so often she'd come up to his high chair and smile sweetly, occasionally touching his foot or hand.  It would appear that Jack is going to be very popular with the ladies.  At least crazy little ones at the Chick-fil-a!

After lunch, we went to work to visit with our accountant friends and give them a brief respite from tax season.  Then we had an afternoon nap, and then a Skype date with Gramma and Granpa Laton.  Jack was given the package and card from them that came in the mail, and upon opening them, threw the gifts to the side and loved on the envelope and box.  So predictable, Baby Jack!

Finally, we wrapped the best day ever with dinner at Church.  Uncle Amos wasn't there, as he was attending the Braves game, but Jack and Aunt Marian had quite the dinner date!

Then we went outside for the Easter Egg hunt, and Jack also went on the slide.  Such a daredevil!

So ends another wonderful day with my little gift from God.  Jack sleeps upstairs and I'm wrapping up a few things downstairs, before turning in myself.  Tomorrow we begin again, to live, love and enjoy life, together.  What a wonderful boy, what a wonderful life...

Love
Maggie and Jack

Happy First Birthday!!!!

Today, I woke up the mother of a one-year-old.  Jack is no longer a baby!!  He is growing into a toddler, and a strong and happy one at that!  Below are the first photos of him in this, his second year of life:

He loves to see me in the morning.  It's the best part of my day, by far.  Here he is peeking through the slats in his crib...

And here he is from above.  Notice that there are three pacifiers within reach of his mouth.  That may, in fact, be why he's so happy.  I will continue to believe it's me, though!!

The petite prince getting his bath!  He loves it when I do his hair up like that!

And finally, here he is in his birthday outfit!  He wants to make sure that everyone who sees us has the opportunity to dote on him and fuss over his hard won first birthday! 

So, now we are on our way to Mr. Bob's studio to get Jack's one year photos.  They will be precious for sure.  We will also enjoy this day together for all the struggle and blessing that the past year has brought us. 

Love

Maggie and Jack!

Where Does the Time Go?

April 7, 2011

I haven't posted in quite a while.  When I logged on today, I didn't realize that it had been such a very long time.  But it seems that it has.  The past few months have swirled around us and swept up all the stuff we have done and carried it along with the wind.  I continue to be amazed at how quickly time flies once you have a child.  Each day is precious, and brings a new accomplishment, and I have to remind myself each afternoon not to be too eager for bedtime.  For even though I will return to the bed for some much needed sleep, if I rush there each day, I will miss so much of the life that Jack is living.  And what an amazing life it has been so far. 

This time next week, Jack will be "1-year-old" and I simply cannot believe it.  Beginning this morning, we have been trying to enjoy every moment of the last week of his first year.  We slept late, thanks solely to Jack's desire to sleep late, which I really appreciated!  Then we went to work for a little while.  Now he's napping and once he's up, we are going to Zaxby's for a birthday cake milkshake.  It's as if they knew Baby Jack was approaching this milestone and brought it back for a limited engagement just in time.

We will probably enjoy our milkshake outside, for spring in Atlanta is a thing of beauty, and today she is wearing her finest garb.  Tomorrow, we are heading to Columbus to order a cake and food for the birthday party next Saturday.  I was going to do a "Doctors and Nurses" theme for the party and get scrubs and doctors kits for all the kids, but I think I am ready to begin letting go of Jack's difficult start to life.  I find comfort in all of the hospital memories, but I think that together, we are going to begin to move forward and find comfort in the future. 

Recently, we travelled to St Simon's Island to visit Jack's cousins Lizzie and Frankie, and Aunt Titi and Uncle Bo.  We had such a great time!!  Jack got to eat sand at the beach and drink pool water!  He has no patience for my OCD and germaphobia and insists that I just loosen up, and he'll be fine.  Below are a few photos of Jack on his big adventure!

I will endeavor to write more regularly and ask that if you are following this blog, please become a "Follower" by clicking on the followers button on the right of the page, near the top.  And if you feel like it, please leave a comment.  We'd love to know who is checking in on Jack's progress!

Have a great week, we sure will!

Love
Maggie and Jack 

"Is this John Laton's Mother?"

January 26, 2011

Everytime someone from Egleston or Sibley calls me, that is how they greet me.  This morning, I was waiting for the call.  At our last cardiology check-up, Jack's heart looked great.  The pressures were lower, the right ventricle was thinned and pumping better than before, and the shunt was still open and functional.  Everything looked so good that the doctor said that she wanted to send the data to the "Cath Conference" so that the doctors could evaluate it and determine whether Jack needed his next surgery in February.  But she said that she thought that they would conclude that he didn't need it.  I crossed my fingers and prayed, but dared not plan on avoiding another heartbreak.

When the phone rang, I was at City Cafe and Bakery, enjoying the first breakfast with a friend that I had had in I can't remember how long.  I recognized the first few digits in the phone number as belonging to Sibley, and I caught my breath for just a moment.  When I answered the call, I felt confident that the news would be good, but I had trained myself not to hope to big, and so I braced myself, saying "Hello?"

The nurse who spoke was sweet, and delivered the results like an angel anchoring the evening news in Heaven.  "The doctors believe that Jack's heart is operating well at this time, and they see no need to do a cath at this time."  Aaaaaahhhh.  And then I breathe again.  Slowly at first, to calm myself.  Then I begin to barrage the poor nurse who drew the short straw and was assigned to call "Jack's Mama," for now the interrogation begins.  I was thrilled that Jack wouldn't need a surgery in the near future, but since I had planned on it, I needed to know the reasons, the risks, and what the new plan was. 

In short, Jack's heart is recovering from the months of damage it endured while the valve was fused closed.  They have no idea why (my words) but it's positive, and the pressures are lower than they were a few months ago.  Without the cath, they can't tell for sure how well the valve is opened, but the echo's show that the pressures are low, and so it's open enough to allow sufficient blood flow to support his organs.  If they went in anyway, they could damage the heart, or the valve.  Types of damage include opening the valve too much, causing leakage back into the right ventricle, (which would necessitate a valve replacement sooner) all the way up to rupture of the arteries or chambers.  Plus, in order to even do the cath, Jack would have to be put under and intubated, both of which are dangerous for a baby.

Now, in the meantime, they will "manage his case medically, in the clinic until circumstances warrant further scrutiny at the cath conference."  This essentially means that we will continue to visit the cardiologist regularly to have ekg's and echo's done on Jack's heart.  Our next appointment is in early March, and at that time we will assess the heart function and determine how frequently Jack will need to be seen.  The nurse couldn't tell me how frequently the doctor would want to see us, but I suspect that it may be every other month or so.  The changes we will look for are increased pressures in the heart, specifically the "gradient" across the pulmonary valve, which is how fast the blood speeds up going through the bottleneck that the narrowed opening causes.  Also, I will monitor his oxygen saturations at home to look for signs that the blood flow is not supporting his growing body, as well as monitoring his appetite, weight, mood and appearance. 

The good news is that he doesn't need surgery next month.  The bad news is that his heart isn't really "healed" and he will still need surgery at some point.   But the longer he can wait, the bigger he will be and the better able his body will be to handle the sedation.  They warned me a while ago that the worst part of this defect was the waiting.  That the repairs would be slow and deliberate in order to avoid doing damage that would make the life-long management more difficult.  So I'm prepared for the waiting. 

Really, I am......

But it's still hard.  I just keep looking at this sweet, fat little baby with the rosy cheeks and know that everything is alright.  He's amazed everyone with how well he's done thus far.  If it's okay with everyone else, I'm going to keep hoping to be amazed again, and again.  It never gets old, does it?

Love
Maggie and Jack

Hey! I'm here, too, you know....

January 23, 2011

If you'll notice, the title of this blog is "Maggie and Jack."  But as you'll also notice, most of the posts are about our dear boy, Jack.  He has seemed to monopolize the blog, much as he has my life.  And for the past nine months, that was completely as it should have been.  I have taken brief respites here and there for a doctors appointment, or a solo visit to the coffee shop, but in great, large swaths, my life has been turned over to Jack and his needs.

All over the world, there are women and mothers who give everything they have to the love and caretaking of those in their lives.  And from firsthand experience, I can tell you that there is no greater joy, worthy calling, or exhausting, thankless job.  But in the long term, I, and these women begin to lose something of themselves.  We become "someone's something."  I have become "Jack's Mom."   I am no longer Maggie, the MBA in marketing, or the sales rep who grew sales in her territory by X%, or the go-to gal for writing SOP's or job descriptions.  I am someone's something.

That is all changing.  I know, in my heart, that in order to care for someone with special needs, I have to take care of myself, as well.  There's no one here to back me up if I collapse from fatigue, or injure myself.  No one to get up in the middle of the night if Jack is crying, or in the morning with him, so that I can sleep late.  I haven't slept late in over nine months.  So in order to make sure that I don't lose me, I am "Bringing Maggie Back."  I will again be known as Maggie, (insert awesome knowledge, skill or ability here).  I will always be Jack's Mama, but I also need to be my own person.  It'll make me a far better mama.  It already has.

Since the beginning of the year, I have been making big changes in my life.  I have found a sitter to keep Jack so that I can go to work a few hours a week, alone.  I am working in an accounting firm, and have been able to focus on my projects, completing them more rapidly and with better clarity.  This feeds my need to be focused and capable.  By exercising my mind, outside of reading children's books (which are really boring after the 27th time you read them) I am excited about work, and learning again.  I will gradually increase the number of hours we are apart, so that I can work and not have separation anxiety.  I know I'm not the only one who can keep Jack safe, but my gut hasn't gotten the message yet.

I have also begun running.  This is something I never thought I'd ever do.  Who runs for fun?!?  You run because a bad guy, or an animal is chasing you, right?  But I absolutely love it.  I have had a recurring dream for years.  In it, I am running.  I am running in a city, in the country, all over the world.  And I feel free.  I never feel tired, or winded, and I'm always enjoying the dream.  So I thought I'd give it a try, and aside from the wonky gait and chest searing shortness of breath, I am the beautiful vision in my dream.  I even bought cute new shoes (which a running expert fit me for ;-) and a matching headband.  I am training for a 5K now, and hope to combine my philanthropic efforts and running in the near future. 

Jack has also been "sleep trained."  Two weeks ago, Atlanta had an ice storm and we were shut-in for several days.  Since I had nowhere to go, I decided that after a lifetime (his-actually, mine-seemingly) in my bed, it was time for him to begin sleeping in his.  I braced myself for hours, even days of crying, on both sides of his bedroom door.  But this amazing creature took to it like a fish to water.  The first night, he took about an hour and a half to finally fall asleep.  I'd let him cry for 10 minutes at a time before going in and soothing him.  Then he woke up twice during the night.  The next night, he took 20 minutes, and the third night, he took 4 minutes.  FOUR MINUTES!!  Now he is regularly going to bed at 7pm, waking for a bottle sometime before midnight, then sleeping until morning.  This has given me back HOURS of my life!

So there you go.  It is a start, and I have big plans for the rest of the year, too.  You only have to start somewhere in order to make a huge change take place.  And me being me, I have a big list of things I want to do, and how I can get them done.  I think 2011 is going to be one of Maggie's best years ever.

Love
Maggie

The Archer

January 20, 2011

I am a Sagittarius, or at least I was before that professor decided that there were thirteen astrological signs, and I became an Ophiucus, whatever that is.  I have decided to remain a Sagittarius, in part because I have begun to visualize a particular metaphor regarding Jack.  The Sagittarius is also known as "The Archer," possessing the body of a horse, and the torso and head of a man.  He is always shown with a bow and arrow, and that is the crux of the metaphor.

I am intimately, inexorably, completely bonded with Jack.  It's no wonder.  Since the very beginning, it's been us against the world, or at least a very scary heart defect.  I stayed in his hospital room with him for weeks, and we're still together nearly 24/7.  While most of this is wonderful, I realized that I had convinced myself that by being with him all the time, I could protect him from any pain or ill.  I thought that if I stayed home with him I could ensure that no small warning sign would be missed.  If I obsessively monitored his oxygen saturations, breath rates and pulse, then no change in his heart function could ever progress to heart failure, or even heart attack.  But I was deluding myself.  I can no more protect Jack from every risk of hurt and fear than I can protect airplanes I see flying above my house by willing them to just stay up there.

I am but an archer, carrying a bow.  And Jack is the arrow in my quiver.  I have merely been entrusted with him.  By God, by the Universe, by the Fates.  He has been put in my care, but I do not own him.  I can't protect him from pain, bullies, or even heart failure.  All I can do is love him and prepare him as best as possible; drawing back the bow.  I can provide him food and shelter, and remind him frequently that he is loved and secure; further back I draw.  I can provide access to the best education and exposure to the arts, athletics and travel; aiming towards the Heavens.  And then, eventually, I have to release the bow.  Sending him out into the world.  Alone.   

Certainly, I have hopes for the path that the arrow will travel.  I have trained and researched the best way to shoot an arrow in the proper direction, and with the speed intended.  But here is where the metaphor must end.  Jack is not an arrow.  He will not always follow the path I have prepared and cleared and made safe for him.  Sometimes he will take a wrong turn, or someone or something will enter his path and cause him pain.  But all I can do is hope that I prepared the arrow in the best way I know how.  That I have made it strong and flexible, and able to fly far and strong.  And if not, if instead of soaring to his dreamed destination he falls short and crashes, what can I do?

I will pick him up, dust him off, and remind him that he is the strong, true, capable arrow that I spent a lifetime polishing.  But that the strength is inside, and it is intact, and he can fly again, confident that should he fall from the sky again, the Archer will be there to check his path and ready him to fly again. 

Love
Maggie

A Boy and his Dog...

December 5, 2010

As you may know, I love dogs!  And I had two miniature dachshunds, Raleigh and Rivers, who had been staying with my Daddy since I went into labor.  Along Jack's path through the many hospitals and doctors, we were told that he shouldn't be around people, crowds, or animals.  This is due in part to his prematurity and the resultant lung immaturity.  The airways in his lungs (and most preemies) will be about half the size of a child his age who was carried to term until his 2nd or 3rd year of life.  That means that if he gets a respiratory infection, or has an allergic reaction, his breathing may not just be difficult, it could very quickly be impossible.  So at Daddy's house they stayed.  And I had begun looking for new homes for the boys, with a heavy heart, to be sure. 

But then!  But then!!!! At a visit with his cardiologist, I asked if we could try to introduce a dog into the home.  After some discussion where I pointed out Jack's amazing proclivity to thrive, against the predictions of numerous doctors, and his overall "pink-ness" and health, she agreed that it would probably be okay!

I was nervous about the added responsibility, so we have only brought Raleigh home.  He's the older of the two.  He's much quieter and needs very little exercise.  Rivers, on the other hand, is a Jack Russell Terrier in a dachshund body.  He barks at everything, and since I prefer to sleep the 17 minutes a day that Jack lets me, we thought it best to leave Rivers with Daddy for  a while longer.  Good idea, too.  When we introduced the dogs to Daddy's house, Raleigh sniffed him, then walked off bored, but Rivers hopped in Jack's bassinet and began kissing him all over the face and head!  Sweet, sure, but maybe a little too loving for this special baby!

So now, Raleigh is a part of our home again.  When he first moved back in, he was skeptical of the hairless dog who screamed a lot, and got to sleep at the top of the bed with Mommy.  He stayed away, and when I placed him near Jack, he scooted just out of reach of Jack's grasping hands.  Once Jack cried or screamed, Raleigh was gone to parts unseen to try to recover his previously quiet life.  But slowly, gradually, they have become buddies.   Once, a friend from tae kwon do came over to help me catch up on some things I had missed.  When he came in the house, Raleigh got between him and Jack, and growled at him.  Normally, Raleigh would have growled, then retreated to safer environs, but he resisted his instinct to stay near Jack.  I was so touched!

During Jack's crying jags that seem to be caused by nothing in particular, the only thing that will calm him is when I carry him to Raleigh, and say "look at your puppy!"  Jack immediately quiets, and stares at his puppy.  When he gets close enough to grab, Jack will paw at Raleigh, and sometimes clench his soft ears in his tiny fists.  I'm sure it bothers Raleigh, but he patiently waits until I free his ear from Jack's hand, and then just lays back down next to his boy. 

One of the sweetest things I've seen is at bedtime.  I place Jack on the pallet in the middle of my bed, then reach down to pick up Raleigh, gently placing him at the foot of the bed.  He sits, only for a moment, and then slowly walks towards Jack.  The first time this happened, I thought, "Oh no!  He's going for him while he's asleep!  He's going to bite him!"  But you know what he did?  He sniffed Jack's head, then curled up at his feet.  I nearly cried.  This tired, ornery old resuce dog, who has been abused, and growls at nearly every person who comes near him (out of fear, I'm sure) loves his boy. 

And so it is every single night.  I place the "new puppy," who has usurped Raleigh's position as bedtime cuddle puppy, in the place of honor on the bed.  Then I put Raleigh in the bed, and while understanding perhaps that he now occupies a lower status in the pack, we are a pack, none-the-less.  And this new hairless puppy, that Mommy loves, is his brother.  And so he loves him, too.

Love,
Maggie and Jack

First Few Weeks:  Raleigh was nearby, but safely out of "grabbing range" of Jack's little fists.

Soon enough Raleigh was close enough for a nice photo.

And now...  The boys are fighting for Mommy's lap space.  Notice that Jack has his arm around Raleigh.  Could you just melt!?!?  Of course, right after the picture, Jack was strangling Raleigh, but I just "released the hound" and all was well!

How's my boy, Mama?  Raleigh always accompanies us to the diaper changing table.  Just to make sure Jack is okay.

Hey!  Are you done yet?  See Raleigh's eyes shining in the lower right of the photo?

Jack was crying, and so I put Raleigh next to him on the bed.  See next photo...

Jack has calmed down and is peacefully checking his puppy out. 

First Halloween

December 5, 2010

For a many years, I hadn't enjoyed holidays.  I guess that happens when you grown up, start working, have other responsibilities.  For the most part, I spent a lot of holidays alone.  Whether literally, or figuratively, the heart only knows that it's lonely, so it begins to dread the holiday.  But now, I am seeing the holidays in a whole new light!  I get to see the wonder and excitement at all the new sights, smells and even energies that surround us now that Jack is in my life.  For me, Halloween was going to be a big coming out party!  The brief slip of time between the oppressive heat and RSV/cold and flu season, the only time I could take Jack out around a group of people. 

So as for Jack's costume, drum roll, please............

DRAGON!!!!  Notice the white claws on the feet, and the white teeth.  And there was also a squeeker in the nose!!  AND, I found it at a thrift store for $4!!!  I'm thrifty! Gotta save for this kids college!!

We had a great day!  We started with a drive to Columbus for the annual Bickerstaff Halloween party.  They are Aunt Katie's in-laws and they throw the best parties.  Jack's cousins are there, as well as lots of family and friends and their kids.  We had a great time, and then headed back to Fayetteville. 

On the way, we stopped at the Brooks United Methodist Church for their Fall Festival.  One of our friends, Marilyn, was bringing her horses for pony rides, and I was hoping Jack could meet his first horse, which he did:

Then, Marilyn asked me if I wanted to ride the horse, WITH JACK!  Now, in my previous life, I would have absolutely not gotten on a horse, especially with a 6-month old baby.  But, you know what, when you watch a 13-day-old baby go through open heart surgery, stop breathing several times, have to have his heart restarted three times, and then come home and absolutely THRIVE, you begin to "live a little!"  I completely trusted Marilyn when she said that her horse was calm, and I also trusted myself to protect Jack and keep him safe.  So below, you will see us riding a horse!!!  I'm so glad that I'm capturing so many of Jack's "firsts" on camera!!

Don't we look like naturals?  :-)

After that, we visited Nurse Nancy (from the Egleston NICU) and her family.  She has two daughters and we were planning to go trick-or-treating with them, but after such a long day, Jack had had enough, so he had a meltdown.  So we headed home, and waited to greet our own trick-or-treaters.  And as a bonus for Jack, I dressed up his puppy, Raleigh!!  Below you can see Jack trying to get Raleigh to quit scowling at me!

Come on, Dude!!  You look awesome!

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the Grandmothers sent some super-cute outfits, so take a look below!

JACK-O-Lantern!!  Get it?  JACK!!  HA!!

Spell it out!  It's his first! 

I know this one is blurry, but just imagine Jack laughing so hard that he can't keep his body from dancing with joy.  I love this one, it really shows the joy that fills this child up!!

Love,
Maggie and Jack

Health Kick!!

December 5, 2010

The Health Kick fundraiser at Master Shim's Tae Kwon Do was a big success!!  The event raised over $7000 for the Sibley Heart Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  We were so honored to be able to help direct funds towards the people that saved Jack's life.  As you saw in a previous post, our good friend, Kay Lynn, made Jack a tiny dobok (uniform) for Jack.  Below are a few shots of the amazing finished product:

The Dobok:  Can you believe how awesome this is?!?  Kay Lynn tried several different fabrics before finally cutting up one of her husbands doboks!  So it had the adidas logo on it and everything.  We made Jack a black belt, but added the baby blue accent.  She even put an American flag on the sleeve and embroidered his name on it!  Isn't it amazing?  She's great!!!

At the table:  We brought the album I made of Jack's journey, from NICU where he was born, to NICU at Egleston to CICU and recovery from open heart surgery, all the way to today.  I think it helped a lot of people see what a dangerous road Jack has travelled.  Many of our friends had only seen him once we got home, or even more recently, and so the understanding of just how tiny he was, or all the medical interventions were lost.  It was a great tool to have with us.

Master Shim:  Our fearless leader.  He was mighty impressed with Jack's dobok!!

Ninja Mama and Baby:    Could I be any more proud of this baby?

Tuckered out:  It's hard work being the cutest spokesbaby in the world!  A well earned rest for the trooper after a long day of charming the masses.

 

Love,
Maggie and Jack

We're Baaaaaack!!

December 5, 2010

Well, well, well....  What have you been up to?  I believe that it's been about two months since my last post, but this parenting thing is wearing me out.  But rest assured, I have been recording Jack's life in pictures, and written diaries, and so I will fill you in on the happenings in La Vida de Jack!

Since the last post, Jack and I had the Health Kick fundraiser, his first Halloween, first call to 911 for a fire, first Thanksgiving, first solid food (!!!), and now we're getting ready for his first Christmas!  And through it all, Jack takes it in stride, while I watch on in amazement.  He's such a strong baby, and a blessing in my life, and the lives of those with whom he visits, plays and loves.  So as a gentle welcome back, I give you.....

Baby Fashionisto!!!

Beautiful boy.  This is one of the outfits Jack wore for his 6-month photos.  He was such a good sport!

Cool Dude:  I believe that he knows that he's cool!!  He is such a happy baby!

Petit Garcon:  A friend of ours gave Jack this handsome jumper.  It says Petit Garcon (little boy) and had a hat, which Jack refused to wear long enough for me to get a picture.  He had just thrown it off the table, which is why he is smiling so big.  Durn his improving motor skills!

Mama's little bear:  This is the soft blue outfit I wrote about in one of the posts from Jack's carepages site.  It is so, so soft!!  I just hugged on him all day in this one.  And I love anything that has a hood and animal ears.  Just so precious!

Little Monkey:  Jack came home in a smiliar outfit, but much, MUCH tinier!! 

Dang, Mama!  Why?:  This is the outfit Jack wore to meet Santa Claus.  He seemed stunned to be wearing jeans and a sweater.  I found it kind of weird, too, but hey, it's Christmas, so Christmas-sweater it is!

Love,
Maggie and Jack

So very sleepy.....

October 10, 2010

Jack had another big week last week.  I can't believe how exhausted I am, but things keep going well for Jack and his development, and health, so I keep powering on.  I can't remember anymore what Jack and I did in days past, so going forward, I am going to keep more in my calendar.  But rest assured, the basics are being covered!  Meds, physical therapy and vitals checks always occur, as do meals and sleep (for Jack, anyway) and dry diapers.  But I can't remember, for the life of me, which friend kept Jack last Monday while I went to tae kwon do.  I know it was a capable person, whom I trust (no one else is allowed to be with him, unsupervised) but seriously, if you kept Jack last Monday, let me know!  ;-)

On Tuesday of last week, we went to the hepatologist (liver doctor) for a follow up.  Dr Vos has been treating Jack for an enlarged liver and jaundice since before he was discharged from the NICU .  It is believe that his liver was enlarged, in part, due to the backward pressures in Jack's heart, and that since a repair had been done, the liver would be much improved.  And so it was!  It felt much smaller and soft, which it is supposed to, and so Dr Vos allowed me to cease two medications, and begin to wean off a third!  The office will call me this week with the blood results, and they may show that one of the meds will have to be returned to the rotation, but I am praying not.  I am hoping that this small step forward will not be paired with a step back.   Unless something happens to change the plan, Dr Vos believes that she won't have to see Jack again.  One doctor off the rotation!!  Yay!!  Half a dozen more to go...

While we were at Egleston, we visited the NICU, and got to visit with doctors and nurses who were there when Jack was admitted and discharged.  Dr Hamrick, the neonatologist who was with Jack the day he was admitted to Egleston, was amazed at his appearance, and said she would never have picked him out of a lineup.  And Nurse Kathy, who made sure I watched the videos on "Back is Best for Sleeping" and the "Period of Purple Crying" was there too.  Jack charmed everyone and I was so proud he was able to show them how hard he was working since he'd left them.

It is now almost midnight, and I seriously can't remember what I did yesterday, much less last week, so I will close, and leave you with the pictures below.  Jack had another fashionable and cute week.  Enjoy!

Baby Fashionisto:  Plaid jumper with bull dozer.  How sweet!!  And his socks match the dozer!

"Boy" onesie.  I love this onesie, it's so cute, with the male sign on the chest!  And the blue pants, I just bought, and he's already outgrowing.  He clearly loves having his picture taken every morning!

This outfit is just a white onesie with striped pants, but he looked so familiar to me.  Then I realized, he looks like my Great Uncle, "Papa" who raised my Mother and her siblings, and several cousins, too.  I always remember him in a white t-shirt, or tank top, stretched tight over an ample stomach, with either slacks or pajama pants.  Also notice Jack's band-aid.  That's from where they took blood at the hepatologist.  I wanted to take it off, but he said "leave it Mama, chicks dig it."  Hee!

One pouty puppy.  Here I had clearly overstepped my bounds.  I thought that a hat that looks like a puppy face was precious, and very appropriate for our errand running.  Jack disagreed and scowled quite a bit.  However, as soon as the first woman coo'd at him, and said how cute the hat was, he perked up and turned on the smiles!

Jack and Aunt Katie enjoying a lunch, al fresco.  The weather here has been just beautiful, and so we had lunch on the patio.  Aren't they cute together?  Jack loves Aunt Katie!

Jack Laton has custom made clothing.  Yep!  That's Kay Lynn, a good friend of ours, and his seamstress.  She is making Jack a teeny-tiny dobok (tae kwon do uniform) for the Health Kick fundraiser this weekend.  This is actually the second one she's made.  He outgrew the one she made just a week ago!!  She is going to trim it in black, with baby blue.  I can't wait!