Catch Up

So much to catch up on.

We kicked off November with surgery. Not for Jackson but instead for Carter. He had his tonsils and adenoids removed. This was the only picture I got the entire day. Don't let this peaceful picture fool you into thinking this is how recovery was. This was a rare, rare moment.

Once we got his pain controlled with medicine after surgery, and after the inevitable throwing up subsided, he was happy, energetic, and wanting to eat anything and everything. I figured this recovery would be a breeze. He hated taking the medicine. And I don't blame him. It tasted horrible. So we had battles with this every 4-6 hours. Him screaming and running away and then half the time having to hold him down to slip the liquid in his mouth. Finally he realized that the medicine did in fact make him feel better. So instead of 20 minutes of fighting, we were down to 10.

Then the real kicker: Roid Rage. You've heard of it right? Steroid Rage? Yup, Carter gets/got it. Everytime he has an allergic reaction he is put on a steroid for 2 days. This time after surgery he was put on it for 7 days. Side effects? He had all of them, in the worst way. Increased appetite, altered taste buds(nothing tasted good to him) trouble sleeping, mood swings(oh the mood swings). Several nights in a row he would be awake every 1-2 hours just crying and screaming. Bad part was that he wasn't fully awake and we physically couldn't wake him. It would take both of us to calm him down, finally get him back to sleep, and then he'd be awake an hour later. And during the day his temper was out of control. He would go from super happy, to devil child in about 3 seconds. And the day he went off the steroids was even worse, because come to find out, he was having withdrawls. So, next time he needs a steroid I will probably skip town for a couple of weeks. The tonsillectomy in and of itself was pretty easy. But 'Roid Rage, it's real!

November brought new foods for Mr. Jax. He now eats rice cereal, beans, peas, and canned turkey. Looks and smells like cat food. That stuff is horrible and the first time I made him try it he was gagging like crazy. Now I thin it out a bit with milk and he quite enjoys it. He is noticing us when we eat and really wants to join in. We also let him chew on licorice sticks, jerky sticks and crackers for a little texture and added flavor. He quite enjoys the jerky which is lucky since meats/proteins will be a huge part of his life.

Carter and Jax are developing a cute little relationship. I know Carter is anxious for the day when Jax can really play with him. Carter loves to talk to Jax and gets really excited when Jax smiles back and he always tells me "Ahh, he loves me."

Thanksgiving was a very special day for us. And not just because it was Thanksgiving....this was the first holiday we have spent out of the hospital since Jackson was born. We were so grateful for our little turkey this year and for his daily improvements!

My happy Turkey wearing his Thanksgiving get up.
He's finally learned to hold his own bottle. Which is so great for me if I need to do something else during eating time.

Our little monkey isn't really so little anymore. Do you see that double chin and that round belly? I have never been happier to see a little chub on a baby. He is gaining weight at a great rate now and we pray it continues. And in better news, Jax graduated from "therapy" today! They flagged him as a bit behind when it comes to playing and interacting with toys. But when they came and visited him today they were so impressed. He showed off his mad skills by picking up objects, passing them between hands and so forth.

He has rolled over several times but does not do this consistently. He has the capabilities to do so but chooses not to. He is just like Carter. Content, Lazy......whatever word you want to use! He can roll over but is just fine to lay on the floor and play in whatever position you put him in. I asked the pediatrician if I should be worried that he's not consistently rolling or sitting up yet and the pediatrician's words were: "congratulations." Congrats on having a slower mover which means you don't have to baby proof anytime soon. I am actually fine with having him stay in one place for as long as he wants.

Carter has really been a difficult child lately. Whoever said 2's were terrible obviously never had a 3 year old. Carter has really become almost a different child the last few months. We butt heads every single day. He is very emotional and seems to have a meltdown at the littlest things. I love him dearly but he sure keeps me on my toes.

We've been doing a few things to try and get his energy out. He's been to a gymnastics place twice and loved every minute of it. He's a cautious little boy but once he warms up to things he really goes at it.

Loving the trampolines.

This picture is a prime example of the drama this little boy brings. A simple request to have his picture taken turns into this. These are their Christmas pajamas that our Elf Simon left for them. Carter has worn them every single night since. I have to wash them and have them back to him by bedtime.
Here was the best shot of the night. Happy, go-lucky Jackson with Angry, sulking Carter.

Sweet Jackson getting ready to celebrate his first Christmas.

We've really been talking up Santa lately and Carter has been really excited to go and see him and tell him what he wants. He has been very consistent on what he wants for Christmas this year. A Carwash. He found this little car wash at Kohls months ago and has been asking for it ever since. And since he owns about 1 million cars, a carwash makes perfect sense.

When we first got to Santa, Carter got stage fright and refused to get close to santa. He didn't cry or anything but he kept telling us he was scared. I plopped Jackson down on his lap to show him that Santa wasn't scary at all. The first thing Jackson did was reach up and pull Santa's beard. Hard. I guess he was testing to see if this was the "real" santa or not. The beard and long hair are real. But I'm pretty sure Santa's suppose to have a white beard and hair. Not yellow like this guy.

Finally got Carter up to see Santa. He wasn't really scared anymore, just a little shy. He did speak right up and told Santa that he would like a carwash and maybe even a race track for his cars. They had a nice little conversation and Carter posed for a picture without any tears!

Is it bad that I secretly like it when they scream, cry and try to escape Santa's arms? It just makes for a better picture really. Maybe next year Jackson will be terrified. I can hope anyways.

I asked Santa for another holiday spent at home with my 2 boys and hubby. I don't need any other presents beside that.