My New Favorite Pics...

Here are just a few (ok more than a few) of my newest favorite pictures from our recent photo shoot with Laycee Lemons. She did an amazing job--there are about 80 more great shots if you want to see more! And if you want any in print let me know!!

Video links. Let's hope these work!

I didn't want any of you to miss out on 2 of the cutest things I think we've caught on video in a long time...Jax dancing and playing guitar and Camren playing patty cake. Hopefully both will put humongous smiles on your faces!

To Breathe or Not to Breathe...

***warning***For documentation purposes...this is Long!***

That really doesn't seem like it should be a question, should it? But right now it is a part of our reality (well a less dramatic form of the question but still)

Early last Sunday morning (about 6am) I heard Jax coughing from his room and then heard him scream my name. I got him out of his room and figured we would cuddle in bed (since Daddy was at work) until a more decent hour of awakening. Instead what I found was a little boy who was struggling severely for breath. I immediately called Justin to listen to what we thought was a croup cough. Justin left work and came straight home. Luckily, we have rescue inhalers for Jax and I was able to get him some of that medicine. While Camren slept, we called our pediatrician as well as our best friends to come Camren-sit. We were headed out the door to Valley Children's Hospital (I thank God we are so close to such an amazing facility) when his breath pattern and activity level returned to normal!! Operating on the assumption that it was croup we decided to wait it out at home for a bit.

After consulting with our doctor and trying to piece together the details from my caffeine deprived memories of the morning, we have determined that Jax did not have croup but was instead having a full blown asthma attack (probably caused by a cold or allergies). We walked out of the office with a whole new bag of goodies!

Along with his "rescue" inhalers (there were 2) we now have a back up set of rescue inhalers, a nebulizer (a machine that uses room air to vaporize his medications) and two more medications to use with it. So that would make his total count; inhalers-4, nebulizer meds-2. Granted they are all the same 2 medications (Xopenex and Qvar) just in 2 forms of delivery...but it still looks like a whole lot! Each nebulizer treatment takes about 25-30min and these happen 3x daily for now(that's an hour and a half every day!).

At this point we don't know what exactly caused Jax' first asthma attack, nor do we know what could possibly cause another one. His inhalers now go where he goes. Justin and I check the air quality daily. (He can't play outside for long periods of time on Red days.) We will be meeting with a Respiratory Educator soon to discuss possible causes and allergy testing, as well as management and any lifestyle changes that we need to make. Over the next few months as we get more answers, Justin and I will be making decisions on our dogs (hypoallergenic yes--but they go outside and bring pollens/allergens In) and our location. Fresno and the Central Valley's (while I love them dearly) air quality is deteriorating yearly. IF we can positively say that his asthma and breathing issues are local environment and allergy related...we will trial living elsewhere (Perhaps the coast or bay area) to see just how much of a difference it makes. None of these are decisions that we had ever wanted to make...we love our dogs and really do love our life here in Fresno. That said--our children's health comes first. And since breathing is non-negotiable...we will do what ever is necessary to make breathing the easy activity it's supposed to be.

The Hulk

Jax loves bubbles. And he's actually getting pretty good at blowing them on his own (thankfully cause being on the brink of hyperventilation isn't my fav) So when I saw that Crayola had come out with "New, Improved, Colored" bubbles... I thought---aawwesome, Right? Uh...not so much. What the label misleadingly failed to include was "Colored with Paint and will stain not only your Kid and His Clothes But your Cement too!" Which is a little wordy for the front label, so I get their reasoning for leaving it out--but still. A little warning next time please! Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The Hulk! ;-)

TWO!

Ten things to know about 2 year old Jax...

1. You make THE best noises ever...animals, trucks, cars, fire engines...they all have their own sound and you copy them well! You have even begun to copy Camren's screeches and growls. For a while there I was worried that you would never actually use words--you love noises and sound effects That much!

2. Speaking of trucks...you love anything with wheels and my house has become overrun with tractors, monster trucks and trains! But I love the way you take your tools and "work" on your trucks just like your Daddy.

3. Thumbs up. It's your new favorite gesture (only recently replacing the fists in the air ala Rocky). The thumbs are accompanied by a hearty "All Right!" or perhaps a "cool dude". It cracks me up and makes me shake my head every time.

4. Strawberries. To say you love them is an understatement. You recently stole an entire bowl that I was using to make a dessert! One minute they are on the counter, the next you are sitting watching a show munchin on my berries! They must be hidden from your site at all times or you will polish the entire box the minute we get them!

5. Your Doggies- Pike and Halli. Even though they've been here your whole life, you are just noticing them and appreciating their comedic potential. Chasing Halli with a ball (a little backwards) or blowing bubbles for her to chase are two of your favorite giggle inducing activities of late. Pike tends to stay out of your wrestling matches with Hal, but is always ready for his pre-bedtime snuggle with you on the couch. Their names are some of the first you learned and used regularly. (Halli Pike...NO NO!)

6. Ready...set...GO! Thanks to your Aunt B--you are a racing fool. Complete with the starting stance and everything. It's our go-to when you are stalling on a walk...throw out a race challenge and off you go again!

7. Bunnies--It would be a serious mistake to not mention Your Bunnies. (in case you don't remember) They are blue with white polka dots. You fell in love with one at 4 months old and we quickly purchased another for emergencies. You have slept with them every single night since then. And now you know there are 2 and need both to sleep. They are your loveys, your comfort items, your best things.

8. Your Guitar. It was a birthday gift from Russ and Ashley and you haven't let it out of your site. The day you got it you had to give "Guitar" a hug and kiss before taking a nap! Often the first word out of your mouth after nap time is Guitar. The funny thing is that you totally know how to hold it and strum on it. You can thank G-ma for your guitar exposure cause it sure didn't come from your Dad or I!

9. Dance Party Mania...I know that I have said you "love" many things during this blog...but no joke kid, you LOVE dancing! You reserve your best dance moves for B, Tia and Mamoo but will dance just about anywhere and to any type of music. I, however, am not allowed to participate in said Dance Parties. But we do tend to break it down with some amazing car dancing moves anytime we are driving! Black Eyed Peas remain at the top of your favs. Add in your new guitar and you are one cool kiddo!

10. I always assumed that any child of mine would be awesome. But you continually exceed my expectations. You are smarter, stronger, funnier and kinder than I could have ever hoped for. Your sensitivity and dashing good looks are a killer combination! ;-) You make every day an adventure (sometimes those adventures are more fun than others...thank you terrible two tantrums!) I love you more than I could have ever imagined and can't wait to see what you have in store for me this year!

*pictures courtesy of Laycee Lemons photography

2 cute kids

2 clean monkeys ready for bed

cool kids

a little chill time before bday events

2 cute diaper booties

5 months old

I'm a little late getting this post out--my apologies. There's been a whole lot of good stuff that's happened since our last visit with the Red Chair. At 5 months old Camren Grace is weighing in at 14lbs even and 25inches long. She's still a petite little thing. And if I ever had doubts about the "small but mighty" saying, I don't now! Little's is a strong girl! She isn't a fan of laying on her back much anymore and will crunch up trying to sit up. The crazy girl is rolling in both directions and has been for a while (or what seems to be awhile...) However, her newest trick (and one I'm still on the fence about) is scooting. Gone are the days of laying her in one spot and being guaranteed she'd be in the same place minutes later! Lay her down and then guess to see where she's headed. Her favorite items for motivation are any of Jax' toys and some soft brightly colored blocks. Luckily she hasn't figured out that she can use her arms to help get moving...and I say lucky cause once she puts that together there will be NO stopping her!

On the tummy front, I am pleased to say that I think we have finally found the combination for magic. She's been eating well, sleeping well and is finally the happy girl that we knew her to be! We've started the solid trials and she's successfully mastered oatmeal and is working her way through squash with other veggies next up. Until she is a year old, Camren's diet will still be milk and soy free (like her formula). This is just a precaution to make sure her digestive system has the opportunity to fully develop before introducing the two.

So far life with this 5 month old is great fun! I can't wait to see what the future months hold for this giggle girl.

The Smiley Girl's first time with toes in the grass.

Balancing act with Daddy