Oh Jacob.
Oh Jacob. Jacob. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob.
(He's not in pain, he's smiling. Sweet, isn't it?)
Happy 2nd Birthday Buddy!
Now that I'm finally getting around to posting this you're two years and 1 month old and what an exciting two years and one month its been. You've definitely kept us on our toes - even since conception. And in honor of your birthday lets do a little reminiscing, shall?
*Well who can forget the fact that you weren't even supposed to be conceived? Less than two weeks after having a garage sale to sell off all things baby that Bree had outgrown we discovered that you were on your way.
*Since we weren't expecting you to join us in the first place, we decided to take an optional pregnancy screening to see if we'd have any more surprises awaiting us. As luck would have it, I failed the Triple Screen test which landed me in the hospital awaiting the 16 inch needle that was to pierce over halfway through my body to extract those marinading juices to be sure all was well with you. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration but the test wasn't pleasant in any way. However discovering that everything was developing as should be brought us a great sense of relief.
* After that fun had been had I prepped myself for the one hour glucose test which I promptly failed resulting in a three hour test of drinking syrup grossness. The test results weren't as great as they should have been but minor diet changes and close monitoring at all doctor visits let me narrowly escape the horrible regiment of what would have been gestational diabetes.
* Then came labor. Even though my water hadn't broken yet the amount of pain I was in during contracts was almost paralyzing so we headed to the hospital. And I'm glad we did. Shortly after getting hooked up to monitors, they lost your heartbeat. The nurses frantically were giving me oxygen, rolling me from side to side, doing everything they could to get you back all the while another nurse was ready to give the call for an immediate c-section. Soon enough they found your heartbeat but the scare was enough to call the doctor in immediately in case you tried to play some more tricks on us. And its a good thing they did.
* In four hours flat and with no time for pains meds you were here, broken blood vessels and all from "coming down the shoot too fast."
You were/caused/had:
- a tummy sleeper which caused lots of lost sleep for me.
- because you were a tummy sleeper you favored turning your head one way leading to under developing muscles in the other side of your neck. Every diaper change we were instructed to work with you by forcing your head to turn the other way or else it was off to physical therapy or possibly even surgery to fix said muscles. Thank goodness it worked. Surgery 1 avoided.
-lactose intolerant or something of that sort which lead to us having to trying formula after formula trying to find something that would ease the discomfort you had after every bottle. Finally we settled on sensitive stomach formula but even then the constant whining and crying continued.
- had acid reflux. You would have been a projectile puking champion had been a contest.
- had food sensitivities to any veggies leading us to start you on fruits instead. Oh what fun that was trying to get you to eat any vegetables after that.
- a choker. Any food that went into your mouth you were bound to gag or start choking on. We had to keep a very close eye on you at all meals.
-had and still have a great desire to put EVERYTHING into your mouth. Toys - Barbie shoes - golf balls - if you could pick it up, it went in. I'll never forget the day that Daddy was working on bagging parts form Bunting Bearing when you decided to put a little vinyl part into your mouth. When Daddy went to pull it out, it went further down your throat. Daddy grabbed your leg, turned your upside down and pounded on your back to get it out. I cannot thank God enough for having Daddy home that day. I'm really not good in high stakes situations.
- at your one year appointment the doctor noticed that your little testies weren't dropping as they should. If they didn't drop on their own, it would be off to surgery. Thank goodness by the next appointment, they had come down and surgery number 2 was avoided.
- you also had continuous ear infections which lead to antibiotic after antibiotic for almost 4 months straight. The best route to take was to visit the ENTs for tubes. But by the time we got in spring was just around the corner and the doctor and I chose to wait on getting tubes hoping that you'd have a growth spurt over the summer and ear infections wouldn't be an issue the following winter. You didn't have a growth spurt but ear infections this past winter didn't happen either. Thank goodness. Surgery number 3 avoided.
-Then who could forget the hugging incident? A fun game of hugging Bree turned ugly with a topple and a very noticeably hurt elbow. Xrays didn't show a break but if you didn't start to use your arm it would be a possible surgery to fix an internal break that can't be seen on xrays. By the grace of God a few days later you returned almost to normal and surgery number 4 was narrowly avoided as well.
-Of course no retelling of your life would be complete without the infamous TV remote in the toaster causing a fire incident, now would it? On the bright side, I have you to thank for speeding up the kitchen remodeling.
Well that pretty much sums it up. A lifetime's excitement crammed into two years. Its time that things settle down now, right?
No?
Oh that's right. We can't forget to mention our latest adventure.
Lice.
Twice.
Yeah. It wasn't fun for us either, little buddy.
Even through all the rough times of your short life, you've brought us great joy. You love cars and trying new things - food or otherwise. You're a laid back, go with the flow type of fellow who knows what he likes and doesn't like.
I love watching you develop into a little man. You're talking more, dressing and undressing yourself and even showing interest in the potty. You love doing artsy things with Bree and playing ball with Daddy. Playing with play-doh can keep you entertained for hours. But every now and then you get this little glint in your eye and that adventurous spirit of yours comes out. I can't help but ask the one question that you are never. Ever. supposed to ask. However whether I ask it or not, its bound to happen.
So....
Whats next, Jacob?
Whats next?
