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.