Monday Night

Our poor little Taco had another run-in with the ER on Monday night.  When Mommy got home from work, GranGran and Daddy had noticed a "rash" on Jackson's legs.  I checked it out, and immediately said "That's not a rash!  Those are petechiae!"  Jackson had a petechial rash (tiny purple dots that are caused by blood leaking from superficial capillaries under the skin).  This type of rash is not very common, and it really scared Mommy.  She called Dr. Krulla on call who agreed we should go to the ER to rule out any scary diagnoses.  When Mommy was in nursing school, she worked with an infant patient who had this type of rash and lost both legs within 24 hours due to meningococcal septicaemia.  Although Jax was happy as a clam, Dr. Krulla agreed with Mommy--Jackson needed to have blood work done in the ER.  Hence, we had a LONG night on Monday night.

But . . . praise the Lord . . . really . . . Jackson's CBC and Chem 8 came back normal, ruling out the most severe diagnoses--like cancer, ITP, HSP, meningitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome.  Although the ER doctors were puzzled over the rash, they all agreed that Jackson probably had a virus causing the rash.  His white blood count showed a slight left shift, consistent with a viral illness.  Sure enough, by the next AM . . . Jax was sneezing, coughing, and congested.  And . . . I was GLAD!  It was nice to see reassurance that he did have a simple virus.  Nevertheless, my little snotty boy is still giggling and playful.  Even the ER nurses and doctors got a kick out of baby Jax.  He had to get an IV and wear a no-no board, which made Mommy cry . . . but after the IV was in . . . he was back to his sweet self.  We even had trouble keeping him from chewing on it.  Enjoy!

You want to take my temperature where?

But I'd rather play with my IV!

Who says I'm slowing down?

Sunday Savior Salutation x2

For last week:

Dear God

My Grandpa says you

were around when he was a

little boy.  How far back

do you go?

Love,

Dennis

For this week:

Dear God,

My brother told me

about being born,

but it doesn't sound right.

--Marsha

Nighttime

Early every morning, Daddy and I have our "man time."

But . . .

Nighttime is Mommy and Jax's special time.

A glimpse into our favorite time of the day. . .

Here I am waiting for Mommy to run my bath water.  I know it's coming!

Before I hop into the tub, Mommy and I act silly in front of the mirror.  I just love that cute little guy in the mirror.  Wonder who he is?

Splish, Splash . . . it's time for my bath!

All upon a Wednesday night.

I had so much fun in the bathtub that I fell asleep before my bottle and rice cereal.

Mommy woke me,

And it was worth it!

Yuuuumy!

I love nighttime!



GOP Girl

So . . .

Don't want a mosque built on Ground Zero?

Don't want more dollars our country doesn't have poured into Medicaid without regulations?

Don't want your tax dollars paying for abortions?

Still unemployed after the $787 billion stimulus package?

Wondering why the national deficit continues to grow?

Not a big fan of Socialism? 

Asking what the CHANGE has been?

One word . . .

Love Sack

The Love Sack is a little old place

where we can get together

Love Sack "baby," Love Sack "baby"!

Love Sack, baby, Love Sack

Love Sack "baby"!



Heaths Hit Haymarket

Today was "Haymarket Day" in a little neighboring smalltown called Haymarket, Virginia.  We got up early to see what it was all about.  It was like a miniature version of Old Salem Days for all of you Roanokers out there.  There were organization booths, vendors, crafts, face painting, and food.  Justin liked the food a lot.  :)  There was also and little live music and a parade (we didn't see that part.)  It was just a great way to spend this beautiful Saturday.  As bought myself a very political t-shirt which I will share with you readers as soon as I get a photo of myself wearing it.  Gotta love smalltown Virginia.

This evening Jackson had a successful cereal feeding too!

(we've been working on this gradually each night)

He's getting the hang of moving it to the back of his mouth and swallowing now.

This bowl was FULL when he started.  He did so great!

I'd say he looks satisfied.

We were.



September 12th

I thought September 12th was going to be a date for Jackson's baby book.

Maybe not.

As instructed by Dr. Krulla last week, we decided to introduce rice cereal today.

Jackson meets cereal.

Does not look impressed.

Jackson tries cereal.

Does not look impressed.

Jackson tastes the cereal.

Does not look impressed.

Jackson is not thrilled with his highchair.

Clearly not impressed.

Jackson gets out of his highchair and tries cereal again.

Maybe?

Nope.

Does not look impressed.

We shall put it away for now and try again later.

September 12th is not the date.

Sunday Savior Salutation

Dear God,

How come you did

all those miracles

in the old days and

don't do any now?

Seymour

Home Sweet Home Staycation

This weekend, Justin and I took a miniature vacation/staycation together.  Early Friday morning, we took baby Jax to GranGran and PawPaw's house for the weekend.  You wouldn't believe all the things a little one needs for two nights away.  I don't know about you, but I think he looks mighty happy to see his grandparents.

So . . . to Grandmother's House We Go . . . while Mommy and Daddy go to the:

for two nights.  Well, ORIGINALLY for two nights.

What Jus and I thought would be a weekend of shopping, dining, dancing, and enjoying each other's company on the Marina (to which we had never before been) turned out to be not exactly what we expected.  It was more of a "day trip" kind of location rather than a full weekend extravaganza.  Honestly, I found it to be very "yuppie" and overrated.  I think I'm allergic to wealthy people, really.  For the first several hours at the National Harbor, we had lunch at Elevation Burger (the only place we could afford).

then visited the only Peeps store in the entire nation!

Inside the Peeps store, we had fun photo ops with a giant stuffed Peep, enjoyed competing to see who was "hotter" on the HotTamales gig (I won), and actually ate some Fire Tamales (liked them too).

After the Peeps store, we decided to go for some dessert at:

So, the dude that owns this cupcake bakery is famous, right?  He has books, etc . . . So, we were naturally expecting something really special (or at least edible).  What we got, after spending $6.50, was this:

The two most disgustingly inedible cupcakes either of us have ever had.  I literally look one bite and threw it away.  It was cold, dry, and utterly flavorless.  Justin didn't like his either and threw it away after three bites.  I left the place grumpy...who wants to spend that much money on poopy-tasting pastires?  I should have known they would be nasty as I was greeted by THIS:

As they say, "the apple (or, in this case, cupcake) never falls far from the tree."  They reminded me a lot of his policies: expensive yet worthless.  Yet...I digress...

After CakeLove (hate), we strolled around the Marina together, taking in some really cool art and browsing the stores.

Then, after seeing one too many $165 T-shirts, I said... "Okay, enough!"

So...

Justin took me to somewhere where the air was a little less clear:

Yes, a little 1/4 mile that I like to call "Heaven on Earth."

The Maryland International Raceway.

I traded the $1,500 baby strollers for $150,000 babies...

And I was on cloud nine *of burn out smoke

After a wonderful night at the drag strip, we retired to the Westin and checked out first thing in the morning (a day early).  We re-booked our second night at Tyson's Corner and enjoyed an evening of horror flicks, shopping, city lights, and Irish pubs.  It was definitely more our style.

At our Hotel that evening, we went for a late night swim in a great indoor pool (yeah, I braved a bathing suit for the first time since Baby Jax arrived in May.)

Unfortunately, Justin forgot his cell phone was in his swimming trunks pocket and jumped right in.  Woops.  Hello new battery from Amazon!

We ended up having a crazy fun time on our improv vacay.  But, who could resist coming home to this?

Jackson was happy to see Mommy.

But...maybe...just a little more excited to see Daddy.

Either way . . . that smile is,

Home Sweet Home