Grandma and Grandpa

This weekend we traveled up to Rocklin, just north of Sacramento, to visit Kc's parents. Grandma and Grandpa Jackson were so excited to spend some time with Noah, and his parents, of course. It was a busy weekend filled with great food (Roger's famous steak), playing with the little man, and a parade of friends coming over to meet the new grandson.
We finally got a picture of three generations of Jackson men, Roger, Kc and Noah. How special!

Five Months

I cannot believe that Noah is five months already. The time has gone by so quickly and our little man has grown so much. I am so excited to announce that Noah is currently:

Weight: 15 pounds 5 ounces
Height: 25 inches

He is holding his head up so much better now days is smiling and playing quite a bit more. This was the easiest monthly picture we've taken so far. Noah sat up (well actually leaned back) and never once fell over. For Father's Day, Noah got Daddy a Handycam - how did he know that was exactly what Daddy wanted?!? We're finally able to take respectable videos of our little man. This morning, Noah was playing on the floor, rolling from side to side and "tap dancing". He was SO happy!

P.S. Thanks Freddy (a student in my class) for the blanket Noah is playing on. He absolutely LOVES it!

We're Speechless

This past week has been a pretty busy one filled with doctors appointments and procedures. We've received some fairly good news as well as extremely disappointing news. Last Monday, Noah saw Dr. Hodge who checked his G-Tube as well as his bottom. Fortunately, everything is looking great. We see the doctor again in two weeks and if all is well, he'll schedule the reversal of Noah's colostomy. I look forward to not having bags that leak and come off on a regular basis, but I'm afraid that will be replaced with poopie diapers.

On Thursday, we saw Dr. Kaji, Noah's urologist. She told us that Noah's kidneys look even better than when he was first born. Noah has strictures in his urethra, so rather than having a straight tube, it looks like several sausage links. Dr. Kaji assures us this can be corrected surgically and we anticipate that to happen some time in November.

Today, Noah and I headed back to Children's Hospital for a trachioscopy. Noah was not very excited to be back at the hospital.Dr. Dunham used a scope to look at Noah's trachea. Unfortunately, it has gotten significantly worse than when he was born. Noah's trachea has completely fused shut. Dr. Dunham looked at it from the top through his mouth as well as from the bottom through his trach hole. Noah will need extensive reconstructive surgery in about a year to open up his trachea and allow him to breathe naturally. Along with the fusing of his trachea, Noah's vocal cords have fused together. Dr. Dunham does not think Noah will be able to vocalize once the trach comes out. While we are devistated by the news, we are always looking for the joy and humor in every situation. God has placed us on this path and the amazing people we have met along the way have greatly touched our lives. We're excited to see what God has in store for The Jackson family as we all learn sign language.

What Daddies Do Best...

Daddies can take you in their arms, throw you up in the air (not too high), and play airplane with you. Daddies can help you do sit-ups to practice keeping your head up, hold you while you practice standing and roll you from side to side on the floor. They can lay you down for tummy time and pick you up when you start to cry. Daddies can give you a bath, laugh when you become stiff baby as you come out of the water, and wrap you up tight in a towel so you don't get cold. They can read you a story and use cool voices for all the characters. Daddies can get your suction machine and pump ready every every night before bedtime. They can give you your medicine, snuggle with you and rock you to sleep in their strong arms. But most of all, Daddies can give you lots and lots of love. Thanks Daddy for being the best Daddy a little guy could ask for. Happy Father's Day!

Overstreet Wedding

Noah attended his first wedding Saturday night. Chris and Lindsay Overstreet tied the knot in a glorious, family filled event on a beautiful golf course in the foothills. The unbelievably glorious day was filled with laughter, a few tears and gorgeous flowers.Noah was all decked out for the wedding and so was his Daddy who was a groomsman.Thanks to our wonderful friend Mary, Kc and I were able to get dinner while the two of them snuggled.We are so excited that two awesome people have decided to embark upon the adventure called marriage. They're in for an amazing ride.

Adam Smith, D.D.S.

This weekend we headed back up to San Francisco for a very special event. We got to watch my little brother (who towers over me) graduate from UoP Dental School. He has worked very hard over the past three years to achieve his goal of becoming a dentist. Adam, Melissa and Hunter are now on their way to Susanville, CA where he will be working in a private practice. Congratulations Dr. Smith! We're so proud of you!

My Cousin Arrived...

I want to give a shout-out to my new cousin Jonah from the great state of Iowa, born at 7:43 this evening and weighing in at 8lbs 4oz. Which incidentally, is exactly how much I weighed! That's so awesome cousin Jonah! I am so happy he is finally here and to commemorate this monumental occasion, I'm wearing my "Jonah and the Whale Jammies" in his honor. I thought they were so cute. It's now official, I'm no longer the baby of the Smith Family! I love you Baby Jonah. Welcome to the family, it's going to be a wild ride!

Sleeping

Poor guy. Because of the bar between Noah's braces, sleeping on his side is a bit more precarious than sleeping on his back. If you want to learn to sleep like Noah, wear a snowboard to bed.

Relaxing Week

This past week has been a pretty relaxing one for the Jackson family. Noah is recovering from pneumonia quite nicely. He has been doing a lot of sleeping, eating, pooping (due to the increased amount of eating) and playing. Noah has recently found both his ears and his hands. He loves to grasp his hands, in front of him, and pull as hard as he can. We like to think that Noah is praying...without ceasing.He has also started to roll from side to side. When we take the bar off that is between his legs, he is able to rock back and forth. He thinks it is the greatest thing! We haven't been able to catch it on video, but I did shoot Noah on the changing table. Sorry that it is a bit out of focus, but once again, I used my camera.

Not again

Noah was discharged Monday evening from Children's Hospital and we were all SO happy to sleep in our own beds. On Tuesday, he was a bit grumpy and uncomfortable...we chalked it up to post surgery pain. When he was even more crabby on Wednesday, Nana took him to the pediatrician. With a quick listen to Noah's lungs, Dr. Fields declared he had post-operative pneumonia. This is Noah's second battle with pneumonia – he is becoming a seasoned veteran. The antibiotics Dr. Fields has prescribed are truly doing their job and Noah is feeling MUCH better today. Even with all the drama this week has thrown at Noah, he is able to smile, tap dance, and pack on a few ounces (now that he is not vomiting, our monkey is surely going to be chunky).

NG Tube Out

On Friday, the day of Noah's big surgery, he was NPO. Seeing as how he would not need his NG tube anymore, we let him pull it out. Generally, we had to watch Noah's little fingers because they LOVED to grab his tube and pull. It was considered a good day if we didn't have to put his NG tube back in because he either pulled it out or he puked it out. On Friday morning, however, I pulled the tape off his cheek and let a very hungry Noah pull.

In order to watch the movie, you're going to have to rotate your computer counter clockwise...or just tilt your head. I used my digital camera to video Noah and cannot figure out how to rotate the movie. Sorry.