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
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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
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
Thursday, January 20, 2011
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
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
Sunday, December 5, 2010
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.
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 has calmed down and is peacefully checking his puppy out.
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!!
Love,
Maggie and Jack
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?
Love,
Maggie and Jack
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!!!
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.
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
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!
Maggie and Jack
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