New Beginnings

There have been many new beginnings lately. We have begun to build our barn and beginning to learn more and more that comes with that process. It is very interesting and full of hard work. JB has done SO well and he has great friends that are incredible with helping.

I had the chance to help out this past weekend. I helped him put up boards for the ceiling and then also lay pipe for the water line. Jace was getting sleepy while we were putting the pipe in for the water. So I strapped him on my back in my new Beco and he was out like a light! :) I NEVER imagined he would actually sleep in the Beco - much less for about an hour! I am TOTALLY sold on babywearing - its almost magical!

The biggest new beginning for me has been a new position at Mustang. I was working on the BP Thunder Horse project as the project secretary. I was told about an opportunity on Valentine's day to join Mustang's IT group. By the end of that week I was told they wanted me, they had someone to replace my spot on Thunder Horse and Monday I was training her. WOW! That was fast! I have to give all the credit to God. I asked for prayer about this on Valentine's day and boy were those prayers answered.....and answered QUICKLY! :) I started my new position today and so far they are easing me into it. There is a lot to learn but I am confident I will pick it all up. The other admin assistant I work with is great and has really helped me feel comfortable adapting. I hope the IT group becomes a family as much as the Thunder Horse group did and always will be.

Could This Be a Test?

Jace has become a climbing fool lately! If he can get his knee up on it then he is going to climb on it!

As impressed as I am, I am also very scared to watch him climb.

Could this be a test.....for me to learn to let him learn if he falls? Probably so....

While JB was in Lexington framing walls in the barn I stayed here at home with Jace. Patti came over on Saturday to hang out for a bit. Saturday was beyond a lazy day for us....especially Jace. He took a 4 hour nap!! He probably would have slept longer but I worried he would not sleep at night so I woke him up.

Once he was up he was BUSY!! :) Its days like Saturday that I realize how much he is really learning and picking up. I wish I could be with him everyday all day but its just not feasible right now.

He was playing with his golf club bag as he usually does. He doesn't seem to want anything to do with the golf club. Patti made a remark that he was going to end up swinging that club and hitting someone soon.

Sure enough, after she left that evening he was walking around swinging the golf club. I thought for sure she showed him how to swing it while I wasn't watching. HA! :)

Could this be a test.......proving me that I don't realize how much Jace really can pick up on? Probably so....

More of Jace doing new things......closing the door by the handle. I am NOT looking forward to when he can OPEN the doors by the handles. And Jace showing me his belly button :)

Today we went to the follow up appointment with Jace's epileptologist. After seeing Jace and hearing how he is developing and learning much better than he was last year. Also, his seizures are less intense, less in frequency and overall improved. With this she said she thinks we should postpone surgery. She said in the long run she thinks he will have epilepsy surgery but when his is bigger. The bigger he is the better he will tolerate the surgery. This should give his brain time to focalize the seizure even more so surgery is much more straight forward. With that having been said I started to wonder...Could this be a test?

A test of our faith that God WILL heal Jace in His time.

All I know is I can hear God telling over and over that I need to just trust Him. He will heal Jace just as he healed me of my seizures. I have been too private about my healing and the miracle I have received from His healing hand. I no longer want to be worried that people are going to look at me like I am crazy - well because I am....i am crazy for God. I want Jace to to be just as crazy about God! I want him to have a HUGE testimony to share. This little man has a huge life ahead of him to live out for God. I can't wait to watch his life!

While we were at the appointment, they suggested speech therapy. It is not that he is behind but since we know the tuber is in the language area we want to be proactive. It already seems that his brain is moving his language to another area since he can and does pick up new words. The therapy can only help at this point. As much as it seems like a lot of work to get him to therapy 2-3 times a week I will do it for him. I don't want anything but him to have the best chance at anything!

We were also suggested to have an orthopedic to see him. He is very bow legged. He always has been but from what I understand he should be starting to straighten out by now. I am going to add his multivitamin back into his routine and we will get this checked out. I pray this is not an issue. Please pray that we don't have anything else we have to deal with. Our pedi made a remark about him being bow legged at his 18 month appointment but never went farther than that. I am sure its just written down for her to keep an eye on it. But, Dr. Von Allmen thinks it should be addressed now and not later.

This could be a test........a test of our faith......and we are going to pass this test with flying colors!

I am going to claim it now - Come June we are going to go into that follow up appointment and Jace is going to have NO more seizure.....no more problems......no more negatives!

He will be healed and I claim this in the name of Jesus! AMEN!

It Looks to be a Paternal Trait :)

Yesterday JB found out that the fever and yuckiness he was feeling is not just the Flu but Strep Throat on top of it! YUCK! He has been feeling BAD - especially when he hadn't taken tylenol or advil recently. His fever was ragin' every morning that he didn't wake up just to take something for the fever. He was prescribed Tamiflu and Amoxicillin. Along with those he is doing theraflu which seems to make him feel better. Poor guy! So far Jace and I seem to have been relieved from catching this one! I pray it continues that way!

It was finally warm enough today to wear shorts! Jace had been given so many new shorts and warmer clothes that I couldn't wait to see him in! So glad the warmer weather is coming!

This morning while getting ready for work and "school" I had the radio. We were listening to music while Jace was eating his oatmeal. He normally likes to dance and sing when we get ready in the morning.....he is so precious dancing and singing! 

Since the last time we went into Jace's 18 month check up he was very sick, we had to reschedule.

We went in today and was able to do the check up!

His stats are:

Weight: 28.5 lbs. (76th percentile) 

Height: 32.5 in. (48th percentile)

Head circumference: 20 in. (98th percentile)

The first 9 months of Jace's life he was always on the VERY bottom of percentiles for weight and height. Around 9 months he sky rocketed in the weight from 3rd percentile to 75th percentile. He has stayed there for the most part since.

His height was always in the bottom 25th percentile until this month. He really is growing as fast as I am seeing him grow. He has been growing through clothes like crazy and its been length that's be an issue. This is a first in his life for sure!

As far as his head......well that's has ALWAYS been on the large side....its looks to be a paternal trait :)

His Dr tested him for the flu and strep throat as well while we were there. Both came back negative!!! However, his does have a red throat and his left ear has fluid in it. We are back to doing the ear drops for a week. We have to follow up with an appt in 2-3 weeks with either the pedi or his ENT. Since we have not been back to the ENT for his 6 month post-op check up I will most likely return to him for the follow up. 

The barn has been completed on the outside! They put the tin up and it looks great - at least in the pictures I have seen. I can not wait to see it in person. JB is busy framing the inside this weekend. We sure do miss him and hope this doesn't set back him getting better.

It's Simply the Little Things

I saw this shirt and thought it was PERFECT!

 I HAD to get it for him for Valentine's Day.

I figured its great for today but also he can continue to wear it past today.

 Ok - I HAVE to brag and say he is so stinkin' CUTE!!!

He let me style his hair with mousse and all to get the fauxhawk going!

It's the little things that make me happy! 



Thank God he still has those baby cheeks or he would look TOO grown!



Its the little things about life AND Valentine's Day.

Its the phone call from Justin 2 mins after he left for work to tell me Happy Valentine's day.

 Its the realization that you have friends that just understand you being in that kind of mood.

Its being boxed in a parking spot to have someone step in and say they will get the owner of the car to move it so I can get into mine.

Its knowing that family and friends are always there even when their lives are so hectic.

Its Justin appreciating the Valentine's card I slipped in his lunchbox to find when he ate lunch.

I could go on and on......Its simply the little things :)

Friday Jace and his daycare had their Valentine's party. I signed up to bring the cupcakes. I have been wanting to practice making cupcakes since I will probably do those for his 2nd birthday this year.

Here is my work:

The white icing I used for the hearts was not easy to work with. As you can see some of the hearts look like they are melting down the sides of the cupcakes. They for sure look like an amateur did them! :) I also didn't learn how to make the frosting smooth on the cupcakes until AFTER the fact. I will have to practice more before Jace's birthday. Nothing wrong with making cupcakes to share with the daycare for all the "un-birthday's" right?

Speaking of food - Jace DOES like my spaghetti! He LOVES it actually.

He completely devoured it and wanted "MORE?"

Oh so fun but he is so messy with it!

Lil bit LOVES when Jace eats foods like this.

Last week we had the concrete poured for the barn and they put the doors and windows in the framing.

After concrete was poured

JB put our initials on the porch :)

Getting the windows and doors installed

Today they are putting the tin on the sides and roof up....then tomorrow the water and electricity will be started!

I found a STEAL on Amazon for new shoes for Jace. He has been wearing his shoes out lately and so I had been looking for some new ones hoping to find a good deal. I came across some Stride Rite shoes and they were $47!!! YIKES!! I clicked on his size and lo and behold they were $16!! Only Jace's size was being sold for that cheap. I jumped all over that deal and bought them! They are CUTE and wide width so they fit his feet MUCH better than his other shoes were.

Saturday I went to see Baby Tanner that was just born last week. He is SO cute and his older sister Kylee is so good with him. Staci and Adam make having two children look so EASY! 

I didn't want to go to visit the new baby empty handed so I made him a hat.......which was WAY too big but he will grow into it :) 

Jace was loving up on Papa Bryan big time this weekend! :)

Saturday night we took the Schumperts out to dinner since Derek has been helping us big time with the barn!

We went to JW's Steakhouse in Carmine, TX and it was GREAT! We had 3 toddlers at dinner and everyone's eyes on us! Kids will be kids and I think older people forget that! Grrrrr.....oh well it was quite entertaining to see some of the glares we got.

Yesterday Jace and I went to his cousin, Ryker's birthday party. They had it at a place called Itty Btty City in Katy. It was so cute! The whole place was childproof, nothing but playing area, and the kids had a BLAST! It was like a McDonald's play area with the tunnel slides and jungle gym. There were a few small slides and climbing areas for the smaller/younger kids. Jace went down the big tunnel slide once but kept to the small slide, hula hoops and the cars. I wish I had taken pictures but I didn't. I know some people at the party did.

I hope they share them with me!

This Friday we have Jace's follow up appointment from him being sick and its also his 18 month check up that we had to reschedule since he was SO sick last time.

Then the following Monday, Feb. 21st, is our appointment with the epileptologist. It seems like time flew by yet its dragging to get to this appointment. I am tired of not know when or how they are going to do surgery. Its so hard to plan for things to do this year when I don't know when we are going to have to do this.

Jace's run is SO cute....he tries so hard to lift those little legs and get going.
This isn't the best video of it but it will do for now :)



Since I can't just leave the end of this post without more pictures I must point out how much Jace is starting to look SO much like Justin!!

Recruiting for Jace's Posse

There is an annual walk for TSC Alliance every year and since learning about it I decided this year we have to do it! I want to raise money to assist in finding a cure and I want to get more support in and knowledge about the disorder out! I set up my fundraising page Saturday and in this short period of time from then my goal has been not only met but exceeded with only 2 people donating! I was being fairly modest about my goal since this was my first walk for TSC. All I can say is WOW! I really am meeting and having people that really love God being brought into my life!

I have full intentions on going and participating in the walk I do have to point out that it is all dependent on Jace's surgery. If he has surgery before and around this date I will not make it. I still encourage anyone else that would like to walk and/or donate to do so. It would be great to still have a team there to represent for Jace's Posse! :)

Step Forward to Cure TSC - Houston TX May 14th

Click on the widget below to see my fundraising page or to join Jace's Posse

Friday we had a "snow day"........I wish we had snow but all we had at our house was ice! :(

I am glad that I didn't go into work because Justin said he hit ice on 290 headed to work and it was pretty scary. There were many wrecks due to the ice on the roads. I wish JB wouldn't have gone in but he made it there and back safely so no use fretting about it now.

Since I got to spend the day with Jace I wanted to test out a new recipe I heard about that was incredible - for adults and babies alike!

Here is the recipe:

Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Nuggets

Ingredients:

1 16-oz Package frozen broccoli, cooked, drained, and chopped

1 cup Seasoned bread crumbs (you could try using baby cereal if you want, we know it works well with "baby meatballs")

1 ½ cups Shredded cheddar cheese (please use real cheese and not a "processed cheese food" product. Try tomato & basil cheddar.)

3 Large eggs or 5 egg yolks - Most pediatricians say it's ok to use whole egg in a baked good when baby is over 8-9 months old without allergies. We would recommend that you substitute 5 egg yolks for the whole eggs if serving this to those under 1 yr. Ask YOUR pediatrician.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375

1. Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.

2. Combine all remaining ingredients and mix well.

*Add seasonings if you like - garlic powder, pepper, extra basil & oregano for example. Add a fruit or veggie puree to substitute for the eggs if desired.

3. Shape mixture into nuggets or fun shapes such as squares or squigglies etc..and place on baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, turn nuggets over after 15 minutes. Serve warm. Be sure to crumble these if your baby needs.

 

Jace would not touch them but he was not wanting to eat hardly anything this weekend so I could not gage anything based on that. The most amazing part of these healthy snacks is that JB liked them! He NEVER likes veggies....so this was HUGE!!! These are very yummy and I will make them again for sure!

 

 

I bought tickets for Justin and his friend, Buddy, to go to an event called "Born to be Wild: The Man Journey"
This was an event put on by the Christian radio station here in Houston, 89.3 KSBJ. My radio stays on this station almost 100% of the time. While they went out to that event Buddy's wife, Hannah and their 2 babies hung out at our house. Kaden, 2 yrs old, had fun playing with Jace and Jace LOVES having friend over! They also have a 2 month old who was a DOLL! :) She is such a great baby and makes having 2 children look easy!! Justin and Buddy said they really enjoyed the event and it was a good message.

I received my Valentine's Day gift in the mail on Saturday! I rented a Beco Butterfly 2 earlier last month and I was sold on it! I went through the same website and bought a BB2 of my own! The design is Lenka and is gorgeous! Not too girly but its not plain Jane either! I was able to use it a bit today while I was painting a board to make Jace's growth chart with. He was wanting to see what I was doing so I put him on my back and painted. :) I recommend the Beco Butterfly 2 to everyone! It is SO comfy and even my 27-28 lbs chunky monkey feels light as can be. Since the shipping took longer than it should have they threw in a little gift for Jace. When I opened the package I found a pair of Baby Legs. I have been wanting to get him a pair for the LONGEST time and now I have some. I have to admit - he looks so cute in them and he can be warmer running around the house without pants on.
Here are some pictures of us after I got it in the mail:

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!!? :)

TOUCHDOWN!!

Running to Daddy!

Jace playing on his Roller Coaster like its a slide.

Today we watched Super Bowl and had planned a feast. Thankfully we didn't eat everything we planned to make. About two weeks ago JB put together a menu of pizza, cheese dip, fried jalapenos, buffalo wings, cheese fries and potato skins!! YIKES that is a LOT of food!!
We only made the pizza, cheese dip and fried jalapenos before we realized we just can't eat like that anymore! We pigged out but not to the point that we were miserable!

I hope to see some of y'all in MAY!! :)

Nebulizer Newbie

We went to the doctor for Jace's 18 month check up. I knew part of this visit would be a sick visit but I didn't think that it would be THAT bad. After the nurse went through the general questions for his check up she said he sounded to be perfect! :) He weighs 27 lbs and is 31.5 inches tall.

The nurse said that the doctor needed to hear him breathing and would probably need to do a breathing treatment. This was fine and nothing scary since we had to do this when Jace had croup 2 weeks ago. The doctor said that he didn't sound bad but that his breathing appeared to be labored worse than he sounded. After his first treatment he really sounded to be wheezing. His lungs were so tight that they didn't sound bad and the treatment loosened them up to hear how junky they were. His oxygen levels were 95 before the first treatment and after hearing the wheezing she said we needed to do another treatment. That treatment worked. His oxygen levels only went up to 96 but the fact that he sounded clear and the O2 levels increased she was satisfied. We were sent home with a presciption for breathing treatments and an antibiotic for the secondary sinus infection he has as well. We were at the appointment for 2 hours! Getting his breathing to normal and then updating the doctor on Jace's history and medical events that had occurred since July when we last saw her. I love that she is genuinely concerned and yet doesn't seem to freak out or get worried to touch him due to the seizures and genetic issues. I am happy to be back with a doctor that knows his history from day one and I feel truly listens and thoroughly checks him. She also keeps in mind his seizure issues. She said no daycare until he is better and not because she is concerned about him passing on the bug but she doesn't want him to get another infection on top of this because illness can and will lower the seizure threshold. I scheduled an appointment 2 weeks later for us to do his 18 month check up and for her to follow up and see how well his chest has cleared up.

I was not aware of how difficult it can be to get a nebulizer! WOW!

I had always heard they were expensive....so I was concerned about getting insurance to cover it.

Come to find out insurance will cover a nebulizer but only if you get it at a medical supply company within network for our insurance. I was on the phone trying to find a nearby place until almost 5 pm. The store I did find told me at 4:30 pm that they could get it for us but it would have to be tomorrow. WHAT?? I am NOT waiting until tomorrow to get Jace his breathing treatments when he has to have them every 4 hours!
So I decided to just bite the bullet and pay full price for the nebulizer and get it from Walgreen's. I should have just done this to begin with but I was trying to get it to process through insurance. We have insurance for a reason but it seems to be more of a joke most of the time!

WOO - I am EXHAUSTED mentally after today. I admit it was hard to keep this chin up and remember I am enduring these little what seems to be pointless battles for a reason. A reason much greater than I will ever know. God has his hand in this all and I know that He will provide and protect. I think I need to start praying harder for a break though. LOL

To add in some good news.....Jace's ears are PERFECT! Tubes are still in place, working and his ears look incredible she said! WOOHOO!! :)