Post-Christmas Post

I'm hooooommmmeee! Yip-ee! Right now there are bags in every room of my house staring at me.

That one in kitchen says, "I'm melting!! Come put me up."

The ones in the playroom are daring me to just try and find a place to put the new toys.

The bags in my room are laughing because after a week at home those clothes just won't fit for a while.

And then there's the Christmas tree. So pretty. So peaceful. So a pain to pack up.

For now I will ignore them all and show you what a great Christmas we had.

First, I am not a picture-taker. I am also not a photographer, a video journalist... I can't even sketch. Take the pictures for what they offer and imagine it ten times better.

Christmas Eve was spent up on the mountain with Dave's family. I'm ashamed to say...guess what? Not one picture.

Jake played with his cousins. Walked the house a hundred times over. Racked up on good stuff and came home exhausted.

Christmas morning... guess what? I didn't take any pictures. WHAT???!!!!

Calm down, my family did and I have those pictures.

Look... here's Jake ripping into one of his many presents.

This next one makes me laugh out loud. The look on his face is hilarious.

He can be a very serious little boy when he's "working". He was working hard trying to get this one unwrapped.

And here's Jake riding on one of his many presents.

He's just adorable.

Next on the to-do list. Steering. He's hit walls, chairs and even my sister's dog. But it doesn't stop my boy. He just keeps hitting that button....banging into the same wall or chair or dog over and over again until someone comes and rescues him.

Yep, my boy needs driver's ed the toddler's edition.

So here I sit... among the bags and by the glow of the tree. Happy that all that work is over. Sad, that all the work and laughter and family time and birthday celebrating is over.

It's on to resolution time.

Resolution numero uno. I, Jenny White, will try to improve my unpacking skills. Becoming more efficient and speedy at returning my house to a normal state after a trip.

The good news. Resolutions don't start till Friday. Guess I'll ignore those bags for another 24 hours.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

What would we do without cheese?

My boy won't eat. Never really has. These days are worse then usual.

He will eat a slice of cheese, cheetos and sometimes carrots and chicken nuggets. That's it.

Meal times are difficult and very frustrating. We do mental cartwheels when he actually eats a decent supper. Oh.. I forgot... he won't eat anything before 10:30... so no real breakfast.

If it wasn't for pediasure... we'd be in trouble.

Jake also has some texture issues. If you go from cheetos to carrots, you're gonna have to give him about three bites of carrots until he will actually swallow it and not gag.

We have a feeding therapist but haven't seen her in a while because things had gotten better.

Now, I can't wait till after Christmas to see her. I just want to walk in... and say... "Here... YOU do it!"

Today for example. He didn't eat his veggies, his fruit or even a bite of pizza I bought just to get him to eat. Jake had me hopeful for a few brief moments. The bite would get in his is mouth.. I would think, "ah.. success!!!" and then he'd spit it out.

For lunch he had a piece of cheese, goldfish and a pediasure.

Tonight: no mac, no carrots, no cheetos.... just two pieces of cheese and pediasure.

Guess what?? Jake is constipated. Hello miralax... meet cheese....and pediasure. I think you all are gonna be buddies for quite some time.

Yep... what would we do without cheese?

Too Cute!

He's so good.

Jake never fails to surprise me. Just when I think I know his limits, his challenges and his strong points.. he proves me wrong.

For about a year and a half the White house has struggled with bedtime. He is extremely hard to put to bed. He figets. He squirms. He fights it. I mean.. we would rock him for two hours some nights. I always wanted to let him put himself to sleep, but because of his heart condition we couldn't let him cry. So...Dave and I took turns. Whoever felt most calm each night got to put JAke to sleep.

That is until... this week.

Mama bear had enough. Daddy bear was gone. And baby bear's heart is fixed. So the sleep training began. Jake and I read our books. Said our prayers. Rocked for 1o minutes and I put him to bed. Do you know that little booger was asleep in about 45 minutes with only crying once?

The next night it took him 30...and the next 20.

I can't tell you how much happier this house is at night. Seriously, I feel like I've got my Christmas present already. Thank you Lord for letting my little boy succeed.

Now, If I could only get him to keep a blanket on at night. That just might take a miracle.

Let Me Introduce Myself.

Hi! My name is Jenny. I have a blog that I have ignore for a little while now.

Sorry. I was trying to think of excuses. Like my dog ate my computer. But I don't have a dog so that's not possible.

Or whatta about... I ran over my computer with my car. ( Nope... that was my cell phone)

So we'll go with the lame-oh excuse of it's cold and I get lazy when it gets cold.

We have been chugging along as usual. Jake is back in all his therapies. That's seven to eight appointments a week.

He just went through a 6 month review with the state program we are in. He is graded in five areas. His highest score was in cognition. He actually scored age appropriate. That means he is doing great. We always pray for cognition to be the highest because it's something you can't teach. Either ya got it or ya don't and Jake has got it!!

His lowest score was in communication. No surprise there. We have changed speech therapist and I AM IN LOVE WITH THE NEW ONE. Not only is she creative and organized, come to findout... she goes to my church. It means a lot when you know the people who work with your son have faith in THE SON.

I want to tell everyone thank you again and again. Your support during Jake's surgery still amazes me. I want to share the results of your gifts. Because you all went over and beyond, Jake's medical bills are PAID IN FULL!! Dave and I added it up and the total surgery experience ran NINETY THOUSAND DOLLARS. Of course because of our great insurance we paid only a fraction of that. We are so blessed to say that Jake's surgery is completely behind us.

OK...how about a picture? We put up our Christmas tree and Jake did this..

and this...

We lost three ornaments in the process... and Mickey is now crippled but he's "hanging" in there.

Mickey is hanging right next to this guy.

One little ornament. So many blessings.

Putting up decorations with a toddler is... well it's challenging.

Now I just have to get shopping. Maybe I'll go this week. Maybe not.

P.S. Uncle Bryan I got your message.

Heart Update

Hey all!! Just wanted to let you know about Jake's heart doctor appointment yesterday.

We were told Jake's heart looks BETTER then it did last month. The doctor even said she could barely even hear his heart murmur.

God is Good! We are so Thankful!

Thanksgiving Week

I feel like Jake and I have been gone for a month. Although it was only a week...we crammed a lot in it.

For some reason I didn't take a lot of pictures. So I'll show ya what I can.

It started last weekend in Knoxville. We visited my sis and went to the last UT home game.

Jake loved the band. (He's such a smart boy)

It was kinda cold so he went to go play with his cousins while I went to the game.

Skipping ahead a couple of days....Jake and I spent the entire Thanksgiving week at my parents house. We saw family, visited the teachers at mom's school and I tried not to over eat. (tried being the important word)

This past Friday we went back to Knoxville and got in the Christmas spirit. We started the weekend off at Knoxville's Fantasy of Trees. It's a huge room just full of decorated trees, music, and kiddy crafts. Oh... they also have some inside rides. Jake took a spin on the carousel. He was so focused that I couldn't even get him to smile.

Finally at the end of the night, with help from poppy, he flashed that famous grin.

Then on Saturday we headed to Pigeon Forge to make good on that Dollywood season pass I got back in the summer. This fall was way busier then I thought so I didn't get to use my pass much.

Once again.. not many pictures. Just know it was cold. That's why Jake traveled like this after the sun went down. We lost his cute hat so he had to wear this girly hat.
The lights were fun. If you've never been at Christmas give it a try. We would get so tickled at Dave trying to make it through the dollywood shows. Dave always has a "fun" comment at the most inappropriate time. I will just leave it at that.
So now it's Monday and I'm tired. Still not unpacked and ignoring my bags. Today is about baggy clothes and regrouping. We do have a heart doctor's appointment in a couple of hours.

Praying for a good report.

I

Caught Ya!

We Heart The Predators!!

Whether you are a hockey fan or not... it gets the upmost respect in this house. Hockey allows me to stay home with my Jake. For that reason I will always heart hockey.
Saturday Jake went to his first game of the season. Things have changed. Last year we would barely make it to the second period. This year I'm proud to say we made it through the second and into the third.

Dave got to "roll it up" with Jake for part of the night.

Then, Jake discovered the seats bounced. So that got us through another period.

Of course you never know who you will see at Predators game. One time Kenny Chesney was there. Vince Gill is almost alway there. But this evening I saw a different kind of celebrity. This guy... and yes my camera is zoomingly challenged. (we weren't even that far away stupid camera)

It's Jim Bob Duggar!! He has like 18 children and his own show on TLC. Yep maybe one day I'll get to ride the zamboni. A girl can dream can't she.

Monday.. Monday

You all know Rick Warren? He's the guy who wrote "Purpose Driven Life".

There's an interview he gave once that I received as an email a while ago. I loved it so much that I keep it with me almost all the time. I read it at least once a week for focus.

Here's just a portion of that interview.

Life is a series of problems:

Either you are in one now, you're coming out of one or you're getting ready to go into another one. The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character then your comfort; God is more interested in making your life Holy then making your life happy. We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ-likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife Kay getting cancer. I used to think that life was hills and valleys- you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore. Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life. No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are, there is always something good you can thank God for. You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain. But one of the easiest way to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

So whadda you think? It is so true. When your problems are bugging you... do something for someone else. Send a card. Make a meal. Close the blinds...turn up the music and praise HIM. Dance. It's so good to know that when everything seems too much.. that God loves you. Has a perfect plan for you and already has it worked out. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Jake's New Thing

What's the deal with this?

Four remotes. No backs. There's another in his room right now with the same problem.

As usual we find good in this problem. Jake's fine motor skills have come a long way to get the backs off. WHOO-HOO!! Good job baby! Now show mamma where the backs are... please?

New Friends. New Places.

The title was pretty much our weekend.

Dave and I went to a Williams Syndrome Support Group Saturday afternoon.

We met some wonderful families who have been there...done that.

It was so great to meet others who know what we are going through.

Can't wait to get to know everyone better.

Since we were downtown we dined at the fine institution known as the San Antonio Taco Company...SATCO. Oh yes I did get me some chips and cheese!! Top that off with a little Starbucks for dessert and I was quite happy.

Sunday... we headed out for some much needed family time. We needed something fun and free!!

We headed to the Trace. The Natchez Trace that is, for some time in the great outdoors.

I love being outdoors. Look at these beautiful places.

Jake had a good time. He just wanted to play in the leaves.

In the dirt. In the water.

In the acorns.

We got back from out little hike (really it wasn't a hike at all) and discovered David had a stow-away.

I made him take his friend elsewhere while I gave Jake his snack.

Can you tell what he's been eating?

I found these crunchy freeze dried blueberries at Trader Joes. They are delicious and Jake eats them like a champ.

So to summed it up. Good times. Good food. Good memories.

The Sleepy Dragon

Guess who didn't take a nap on Halloween?

Guess who stayed awake all day and then didn't hardly smile at all while trick or treating?

Hmmmm? Was it....?

CLOSE.. but nope... it was the this guy.


Jake's sleep schedule has been way off since surgery. So no nap means..not much smiling.

But check out that costume. The back is the cutest.

We hit the neighborhood with some friends and then called in a night. Jake was in bed by 8:30.

Earlier in the day we hit Pumpkinfest.

My little explorer checked out everything on the square. Check out my cuties. I mean my handsome men.

But the funniest part of the day is when Jake met Chewy.

The look on Jake's face was hilarious. Not excited. Not scared. Not anxious. Just curious.

I mean he stared him down. I could of stood Mickey Mouse of his head and Jake still wouldn't of turned to look. The zoomed in version still makes me laugh.

Hope everyone had as much fun as we did.

Guess Who Got Hold of the Camera?

Introducing the Fall 2009 Collection of a new contempary artist. He's young. He's abstract. He's Ja-COBY. WHIT-TAY!

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Today my Jacob is 2!!! Happy Birthday To You... Happy Birthday to You!!

We are thrilled to celebrate this day. It's been an crazy couple of years but I look back and see how many smiles Jake has brought to our family. I see how much joy there is in just the small things with him around. I look forward with so much hope in what God has for him.

Jake's grandparents and close family members came over yesterday for a little party. Since we're just a couple of weeks out from heart surgery I didn't want to over do it.

So here's the official Jacob 2nd birthday party post. Let's party through the pictures.

First, there's the two adorable cakes my mom made.

Then, there was food and presents. Jake was so tired that we kinda rushed through everything to get him down for his nap.

Here's part of the party group. It was like a Michigan reunion.

And look, who's that?? Oh wait, it's the proud parents posing with the birthday boy!
Jacob, your mom and dad love you so much! Just the way you are!

"This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

We Went To The Doctor Today.

Jake had a two week post-op check up today.

Long story short....everything looks really good. We go back in a month to make sure things stay the same. A good report in November means we won't see another heart doctor till next Summer.

Tomorrow... we PARTY!!! Just wait till you see the adorable cake my mom made.

Oh my...Jake is 2!! It may be a sleepless night as I try to wrap my mind around that!!

Sweet dreams!!

Back Among the Living

Sorry everyone.

I am just now coming out of my hospital experience fog. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until my mom made me sleep. During the day. Hours at a time. Seriously I have been in love with my bed for five days. Today I woke and thought... hmmm... maybe I should make my bed today.

My parents are staying with us this week. They are simply the best. Let's just say I'm well loved.

As for Jake, take a look, he's doing great.
That's a pillow he's holding. One he got while in the hospital. It's homemade and priceless.

The whole stitch episode threw us for a loop but my trooper hasn't skipped a beat. The incision looks fine, it's not sore and doesn't bother him so ... there ya go. We'll just keep watching it.

He goes to his heart doctor here on Friday for a two week post op. Please pray all goes well.

Also... send your prayers up for another couple we know. I'm not posting their name because I haven't asked their permission. God knows who they are. Their little girl is having heart surgery on Friday. She's just a tiny sweet little thing.

That's it for the White House. We are getting ready for a big weekend. JAKE TURNS TWO!!

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!!!!!!!

We spent Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Children's ER. Jake's heart is fine but we had a little issue getting his chest tube stitch out.

It's just one stitch. One little stitch a little above his belly button. We took him to the pediatrician for her to cut it but when she did, she didn't get the knot and that little booger slipped out of sight.

Let me say this. She felt horrible about it and it was a little deep plus add it was a moving target with Jakey crying and his belly moving up and down. It just happened.

The Doc sent us the ER and after a 3-4 hour stay they decided it was best to leave it in and see what happens.

I know... can you believe it? Heart surgery goes fine and we can't get a stitch out? So I was a whole lot frustrated last night. I wanted to move to Michigan. ( on top of it all I had a migraine) We did call the doctors in Michigan and they agreed to leave it in and see what happens.

So this morning I have a little better attitude. God's has got it like always. So I might as well chill.

Jake is fine with it. It doesn't hurt or bother him so... there ya go.

Once again I'm asking you to pray that it doesn't get infected and the little stitch makes it way out. Oh my... can you believe this? A stitch!! You Gotta Be Kidding Me!!!

Home Sweet Home

The title says it all.

My goodness it feels so good. A huge thank you to our good friends the Camfields.

They picked us up at the airport and even cooked us dinner. I think I'll hang on to them for a while. You can't find friends any better then that.

Jake flew like a champ. He is so amazing. We call him trooper now.

The airline lost my bag. But they picked a good time because I simply didn't care.

This past week has been... well... I just don't think I have the words. So once again let me say these two little words. Thank You. We mean it from the bottom of hearts.

So before I start rambling and my writing gets any choppier I'll call it a night in my own house, with my own child, whose heart beats just as it should. Ahhh...

South Bound

Hey blog readers...we are headed back to the great state of Tennessee today! We're excited to go home but we wanted to make sure we left the great white north (it is cold today..as in 38) with a snapshot of color. Check out Jakey...a Volunteer at heart, but a Wolverine for a week. I guess there will always be a little Michigan in all of us after this trip.

Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes.

Next Stop...Nashville, TN!!!