Roll Baby Roll!

Jake rolled over (back to belly) for the first time at 1:10pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2009. You might ask why do we know the exact time. Well right now I am student teaching so grandma is watching Jake during the day. We are very thankful for that. One of the big bonuses is that she keeps detailed notes of what Jake does each day and the associated time. So while Erik and I missed Jake rolling over for the first time my Mom was there to take copious notes. Thank you mom for taking such good care of Jake! The next day Jake rolled from his belly to his back around noon. Here is video of his third roll and a picture of Jake and Grandma’s first solo walk together.

Jake gets baptized

Jake got baptized on Saturday. He slept through most of the ceremony and only let out a little whimper when the water was poured over his head. His god parents are Devon (Erik’s sister) and Pat (Erik and my college friend). Jake is a lucky boy to have these two people in his life.

On Sunday we were lucky to have a visit from the Blanco family just after all our house guesses that were here for the baptism cleared out. Jake and Vanessa got to meet for the first time. They had a good time checking each other out. At one point Vanessa was holding Jake’s hand (so cute and I hope it was captured by Juan). While the Blanco family was here the Manahan family stopped by while they were on their walk. All the dads were holding the kids. Jake was lucky little guy two of the cutest girls around here together. Jake already has a lot of “girl friends”.

One of Jake’s new favorite things to do is to suck on his hands. Sometimes he sticks his hand in his mouth so far that he makes himself gag.

All in!

Jake played some poker over the holiday with his father and cousins. He is not ready for Vegas just yet.

Crazy Aunt Lauren

This is Jake's aunts helping him with some dance moves.

First Christmas

We had a great Christmas. Jake got lots of gifts but was a little unimpressed by them. He got to meet some family that he had not met yet in Connecticut. Here are some pictures of him with his family.
Jake made it through his MRI. He was a real trooper. He did not get to eat for over 6 hours and did not start to cry until the just before he was allowed to eat. We got the results and the hemangioma is not interfering with his spine. However we are still continuing with the topical treatment.

MRI Update

Well I went back to the place Jake’s pediatrician recommended for his MRI. Therefore, it will be Dec. 22 at 12:30. Last week we took Jake to a dermatologist to get another opinion on his hemangioma. He doesn’t think that it is affecting his spine but still recommended Jake have the MRI. He also started Jake on treatment to shrink the hemangioma. So each night we put this cream (Aldara) on the area and then cover it up. In addition to the cream he will be getting laser treatment of the area periodically. The big side effect of the cream is that it will give him ulcers on his skin in the area of the hemangioma. I know we are doing the right thing but it is hard to think about seeing him with open sores on his back.
We are looking forward to hopefully seeing the Hardings next week when they are in Central New York!

Winter it finally here!

It is cold here in CNY but all it well. We are all feeling much better. Jake is still on medication for the next few days but seems to be doing very well, although he was never very cranky with his ear infection. Jake has slept through the night (11pm – 6am) twice in the last three nights. He is also almost able to roll over. From his back he can get himself to his left side but not all the way to his stomach. Twice he has rolled to his back during tummy time but I think it was totally by accident. He continues to make new noises and be very vocal.
Jake made it through his first set of shots, but I (Jess) almost didn’t. I had to give myself shots everyday during pregnancy but almost threw up when I saw the nurse give a shot to Jake. At his two month check up the doctor re-evaluated the hemangioma he has on his back. This type of birth mark is fairly common and usually gets bigger in the first year of life and eventually goes away. His has been growing, but appears to be growing inward more than outward. It is also close to his spine and the doctor wants to make sure it is not putting pressure on or interfering with the spine. Therefore, the doctor wants him to have an MRI. His doctor is not too worried and says that she is just playing it on the safe side. The doctor’s office scheduled it and then I began to worry and talk to people with a health care connection about it. After much talk and great advice I changed the appointment to be done at Upstate Hospital and not an outpatient facility since he has to be put under sedation. After a few sleepless nights worrying last week I feel much better now that he is having it done at Upstate. I can’t thank Cindy enough (a lady I play hockey with who works in imaging at Upstate and pulled some strings to get Jake in there quicker than normal) as well as all the others who listened and gave me advice (Colleen, Jenny, Sarah and Beth). Jake’s appointment is now Dec. 29th. We take him to the dermatologist this week (thurs. Dec. 11). I am feeling confident that things will be just fine. We will keep you posted.