Our Little Bear is a Vigorous Gulper

Jake developed this horrible cough over the last week or so. Sounds like he's had 2 packs a day for 20 years, so I took him back in to see the peditrian and he referred me to a gastro doctor. That doctor said it still could be acid reflux but he wanted Jake to get a swallow test done. This was really cool. They strapped Jake in a seat and pulled this huge x-ray machine up next to his shoulder. We could see every gulp on a TV monitor and the nurse tried 5 different bottle nipples and liquid at different consistencies. Come to find out, Jake is a really strong sucker and he takes in too much liquid with each gulp which causes him to aspirate. The nurse kept calling him "little bear". She said he eats so "vigorously".

We found out that my breast milk is too watery so no more nursing unless I pump, add a thickener then give it to him in a apeical bottle. So now we just use special "slow-flow" nipples and give him formula. After just one feeding I could see a total improvement. He's not coughing as much, the congestion has almost disappeared and he is sleeping more peacefully -- no more squeeking. Thumbs up, Jake! Now we have to go back to the ENT for another scope to see if his esophagus is still swollen.

A quick Henry update: Henry can count to 20 now. Has been singing the ABCs for a few months and is very polite -- always saying please and thank you. He's good at sharing and only fights with Taylor. Those two together are so cute. Henry tackles Taylor and pulls him to the ground.

Melinda took some great pics of the family at the Dallas Arboretum just before Easter. Sorry there are so many of the same, but that's the only way to get a good shot with a 2 year old and a newborn. Taylor, Mike and Erin are in a bunch too. Enjoy!
Click here to see pics>>

Dog Gone
We’ve officially said bye-bye to Shack-Shack. I’ve been asking people to take him since right after Henry was born. My efforts kicked into high-gear when baby Jake arrived. It felt like I had three babies so Shackleford had to go.

My mom’s good friend Nancy emailed me and 30 of her closest friends asking if we wanted to buy some furniture. I replied telling her I didn’t need furniture, but did need to find a new home for Shack. She apparently forwarded my email along to a bunch of people including her sister-in-law, Diana, who proceeded to pass it on to her co-workers. And that’s how we found Lisa. She had a bulldog growing up and lost her dog about a year ago. Her 3 boys were achin’ for another dog. They were going to go buy one that weekend, then the pics of Shack arrived in her inbox. We got 4 or 5 other people offering to take him but I just had a feeling Lisa’s home was the right place for Shack.

A couple days after the hand-off I was feeling especially sad for being such a bad dog-parent. I prayed God would send me a sign that I’d made the right decision. The very next morning this email from Nancy arrived:

"Actually, I had dinner with Dianna last night. She works with Lisa. Lisa had an English bulldog growing up and they lost their dog about a year ago. Dianna says they LOVE the dog....there is a big fight every night on whose bed he sleeps on. Says the kids didn't sleep the first two nights for playing with him. Lisa said he never whimpered or cried or acted like he missed home - so I guess it is a good fit for everyone. Certainly think he is getting plenty of attention. I will tell Dianna to tell Lisa to send pictures."

I’ll post those pics as soon as they arrive. For now I’m taking comfort in knowing Shackleford is getting lots of love and attention.
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Now for a Jake update -- We’ve discovered a preemie problem. I noticed Jake’s throat sinks in really deep with every breath. His sides also go in a lot under his lungs. His constant stretching and squeaking are keeping me up at night, so I decided to make another appointment with the pediatrician. He said I needed to see a specialist – an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. The ENT slid a tiny camera in Jake’s nose and down his throat and found that his larynx is swollen and covered with lots of mucus. The pediatrician and ENT agree Jake has Laryngomalacia.

The good news:
"In more than 99% of cases, the only treatment necessary is time. The lesion gradually improves, and noises disappear by age 2 years in virtually all infants. The noise steadily increases over the first 6 months, as inspiratory airflow increases with age. Following this increase, a plateau often occurs with a subsequent gradual disappearance of the noise. In some cases, the signs and symptoms dissipate, but the pathology may persist into childhood and adulthood. In those cases, symptoms or signs may recur with exercise or sometimes with viral infections. "

Read more here:
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic1280.htm (The first part is very technical, so just keep scrolling down and read the other stuff.)

He’s on acid reflux medicine and a nasal spray for 3 weeks. Then we’ll go in again for another scope. If the swelling hasn’t subsided, the doctor will have to trim the skin around his larynx. I’m hopeful the meds will work but will keep you posted.

Henry (and Taylor) are warming up to baby Jake. Henry will help by getting me diapers, trashing the dirty ones and sometimes, on a good day, he will even hold his baby brother.

Busy season is in full-swing. Matt's been working 60+ hour weeks and getting to bed around 3 am most nights. And I'm waking up every 3 hours for feedings, so a full night's sleep is looking to be months away.

Due Date
My due date was March 2nd, so Jake is officially full-term. I'm guessing he's over 8 lbs now. Unless something comes up, his next doctor's appointment isn't for another month. So far two kids isn't that bad. I've even told people it's easier than the first one. Only because I know what to do this time around. I'm not as clueless and frazzled. Ask me in another month and I might say I'm pulling my hair out but for now, Jake sleeps alot and is really a good baby. We've even been getting out of the house just about every day for the past few weeks. I've learned babies are especially mobile at this age.

I sent out Jake's birth announcement this week. If you didn't get one, here ya go...
Our little squeeker doesn't squeek quite as much when we lay him propped up a bit. This bouncey seat has made a great bed the last few nights. I think he likes having his legs all scrunched up by his belly. I guess it's womb-like.

Jake still wakes me up every 3 to 4 hours. He's a good eater just like his big bro. Here are a few of my favorite new pics. Click here to see more >>