One Year Later

It is football season again which means our weekends include heading out to see the Taylorville Tornadoes take the field. Here we are, just one year difference!

Busy, busy, busy

Busy. That is the perfect word to describe our family right now. Aaron is busy continuing to work on the trim around the house, I am busy with school and trying to manage everything a Mom does, and Jayden is busy with everything he can get his hands into. I am hoping for things to slow down around here, but the September calendar is full with October nearly full. I have been so busy that I have not had a chance to blog since last Thursday, which is so unlike me.

Acree Update

Jayden is looking so much better after being on his new hypoallergenic formula which contains no milk. It will be interesting to see what the little man is actually allergic to which we should know very soon. We are hoping that it was just the change in his formula that caused this week long episode of hives. It will be a complete lifestyle change for all of us if milk and wheat are eliminated from his diet which means a big change for Aaron and I as well.

Aaron is feeling much better after his episode of the flu. He actually was able to get some work done on our house this week. We finally have door knobs on our bedroom and laundry room!

In the mean time, time is passing quickly with the hustle and bustle of school. I am glad that I am not taking any classes this semester because I would not make it! My brain is on overload from all the meetings and e-mails that come through on a daily basis. I think everyone at school is feeling the same way. This weekend is going to be a much needed break!

The Acree Boys--Get Well Soon!!!

I cannot keep up with these two Acree boys who live in my house! Jayden is still red with hives and Aaron came home on Sunday to stay awake all night, getting sick on the hour, every hour with the 12 hour flu bug (so did 2 of his other boat mates). Needless to say, Jayden and I have kept our distance from Aaron in hope that neither of us catch his nasty bug. That is the LAST thing we need for Jayden! I have sprayed anti-bacterial spray all over the house, used Clorox, washed the sheets, towels, and scrubbed down the bathrooms. Cross your fingers that the nasty flu bug is gone!

Jayden heads to the allergist on Wednesday. We hope to find out more about his hives-wish us luck. He has not had them as bad as he did last week, but his arms and legs are covered (90%). He is off the predisome and is still taking benadryl in the morning and before bed.

Maybe next week will be better!

A Bad Case of Red Patches

Poor little Jayden looked terrible this morning when he woke up. His body from the trunk up was covered in hives. I decided it would be best for me to stay home with him rather than send him to the babysitter because I was not sure if he would get better or continue to decline.

This is what worried me the most, his little face. He looked like he just finished a baby boxing match. We gave him his medicine and I called the doctor's office at 7:30 and made an appointment for the first open time.

However, by the time we made it to the doctor's office at 10:00 his face had cleared. Maybe if I would have not given him medicine and taken him in like this it would of worried them a bit. They said it is just running its course and he could be like this for the next four weeks. On the bright side, we have a referral to an allergist for next week and an epi pen to keep with us in case of an emergency. Hopefully, we can get some answers from our new doctors and here is to hoping tomorrow Jayden doesn't wake up with a blistered, red face. Poor little baby.

Sarah's Wedding

Sarah and Nik were united in marriage over the weekend. I had the privilege of standing up with them as a bridesmaid. With the wedding being at the end of the first week of school, I am looking forward to some R&R this weekend. I am sure Sarah & Nik are catching up on rest in St. Lucia--wish I was there!! Their wedding was perfect and we had so much fun at the reception. I can't wait to see some of the wedding pictures from the professional photographer. I am sure they are going to be great! Congrats to a very special couple!

More reaction

We visited the doctor again today because Jayden woke up with a rash all over his face. I stayed home from school today with him in order to track his food/milk/medicine intake. He will be with Grandma tomorrow and she will take him back to the doctor for the third day in a row.

Here are some more pictures of the little man. The time each picture is taken is under each picture. It just breaks my heart to see him like this. This was today around 3:00pm after he had a 8oz of soy milk. This was the best his face looked all day.

At 7:00 tonight he looked worse and this picture was taken right after his predisone medicine which was given at 6:45.

These two were taken around 8:00 right after a dose of benadryl.

We are not really sure what is going on, we just hope to figure it out soon.

Jayden's New Allergy

Poor little Jayden has developed some sort of new allergy. We are not sure what it is yet, but we now are cutting out milk and whole wheat from his diet until we can find the cause of the problem. This rash is nothing like the rash he had at the end of July--poor kid can't get a break! Above is a picture of Jayden on Sunday morning. He started with a few spots on his lower abdomen on Saturday night. Below is what I found the next day.

On Monday morning, this is what Jayden looked like when he first woke up. As you can see the red patches grew and covered his little body. This is also with a dose of benadryl before bed.

Above is another picture of his rash on Monday morning. I really wanted to stay home from work with him and listen to what the doctor had to say, but Grandma and Daddy did a good job.

The doctor gave him a prescription for prednisolone and told us to continue to give him benadryl. One good fact we learned at the doctor was that he now weighs 21 lbs and 4 oz. We are looking forward to a speedy recovery for our little man and hopefully no more reaction to food.

First Day of School 2010

Today was the first day of school for the 2010-2011 school year. I am now in my sixth year of teaching, which doesn't really seem possible! My very first class of fifth graders are now sophomores in high school and my current students are millennium babies. I am looking forward to the school year and getting to know the different students in my class. I do miss my kids from last year, but I am sure they are loving sixth grade! Only 179 more days to go until summer break!

Playing Around

Where there's a will....there's a way!

Nana moved the bench in front of our stairs to keep Jayden from climbing them a few weeks ago. This has worked great until now. Jayden discovered how he can easily get around the barricade and up the stairs. I guess this means it is time to put some railing on the stairs and get a gate!

Saying bye and yeah

Summer is OVER

It's official. Summer is O-V-E-R. Tomorrow is my first day of school with students starting on Wednesday. I am really going to miss staying home with Jayden and all that goes with it.

To end our summer of fun, we enjoyed a shopping trip on Friday, dinner with friends on Saturday, and hanging out together on Sunday. This summer, by far, has been the fastest summer ever! I am already looking forward to next summer and all of the fun that we will have!

New Babysitter

Jayden started his new babysitter on Thursday. I took his picture before his first day at the new place. He was pretty happy when I told him that his friends Layne and Henry were going to be there, but he wasn't too happy when I left him. After a few minutes he settled down and enjoyed his day at Bobbi's. Thanks, Sarah for finding such a good sitter! We are so lucky!

Walking Boy

Jayden has been walking all over the place, playing with all of his toys, and getting into everything!

Our Little Dare Devil

A video of Jayden captured on my phone. He is quite the dare devil at age 1!

My New Camera

I have been dying to get my hands on a new camera for the past year and finally I have one. With birthday money from my Dad & Marcy, David & Susan, Grandma & Grandpa Acree, and Aaron, I was able to get the perfect camera for my picture taking obsession.

We headed out to the lake after dinner on Sunday evening so I could finally try out my big purchase. I still have A LOT to learn about the camera and taking pictures, but I had a lot of fun snapping these pictures of the boys.

Next step is learning how to edit my pictures, but that is going to have to wait. I've got more important things to tend to right now!

Walking Boy

Jayden has been practicing his walking! He also said the word duck tonight while we were at the lake. I didn't have a camera to capture his new word, but he said it several times!

Sarah's Bachelorette Party

Sarah is getting married in less than two weeks! Over the weekend we headed to Chicago to help celebrate her last fling before the ring. The weekend long party started on Friday with dinner and drinks at her cousin Abbie's house in the heart of Chicago. On Saturday morning, we took the train a few blocks to State Street and Michigan Avenue for shopping and lunch. Saturday night we got ready for a night on the town to celebrate with the bride-to-be. The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and drinks! Our limo picked us up at 10 and we only made it out until 2 before needing to head back home for the night.

Sarah and I before our big night out in Chicago!

I am looking forward to Sarah's big day. It is going to be great to spend the day and night with some of my best friends from high school and great friends from my first year of college!

Vroom, vroom!!

Jayden learned how to ride his 4-wheeler this week. We just thought it was so funny to see him go. It was hard for me to catch video of him, so this is the best I could get!

Happy Birthday!!

Today marked my 28th birthday which I enjoyed with my friends and my two boys. It also marked the day that Jayden learned to walk! As I was getting my hair colored, Jayden started walking at Jill's salon. I am not sure if it was the ease of walking on hard wood floors that allowed him to go, but whatever it was, it worked! He took about 20-25 steps in each attempt. It was a great birthday present and a sight I was happy to see!

Boat Run 2010

For a few years Aaron has been really wanting to go on the "Boat Run" which consists of boating from the Ohio River, to the Cumberland River, and then onto Kentucky Lake. You leave on Friday morning and get home on Sunday night just in time for bed and work the next day. I really did not want to go for a plethora of reasons, but after begging and pleading from Aaron, I caved. Luckily, we were able to go with Uncle John and Aunt Kim who are veterans on this trip. Our friends Doug and Amy tagged along with us as well. Needless to say, it was a good time and I had a lot of fun singing, dancing, and soaking up the sun with some of my favorite family and friends.

1 year Check-Up

Today Jayden and I headed to Springfield for his 1 year check-up. Our appointment was at 9:15 and we were actually early for the first time ever! Jayden wasn't too happy about getting check out by the doctor or the nurses. I think he remembers the horror he went through when he was a little guy, so I don't blame him. He did smile when they told him he was cute. Maybe that is the key to making him happy when he is there. He is right on track with his growth pattern. After much wiggling and squirming, Jayden weighed in at 19 lbs 11 oz which is in the 13th percentile, so basically he is skinny although he seems so heavy to carry around. He is now 30.5" long which puts him into the 67 percentile. So tall and skinny. Sounds like me when I was a child! However, he did hit a home run on head circumference. Jayden went from the 38th to the 85th percentile for head circumference. I guess that is why Aaron calls him "Big Head".

After he was checked, he had 2 shots and his blood drawn for lead testing. Needless to say, this meant I had no chance to let anyone, not even Aaron, know how much Jayden had grown. It was very sad to watch Jayden get his shots and blood drawn, but on the bright side, we do not go back until October.

Jayden was granted permission to start drinking whole milk from formula. We are going to keep him on step 2 formula mixed with a bit of whole milk for a while just to make sure he is getting all of the vitamins he needs.

His sleeping patters also need to be improved. Dr. Murrary (who some do not like) told us to put him to bed at the same time each night, but not fully asleep. If he wakes up and we know he is not sick or hurt, we are supposed to let him cry it out until he goes back to sleep. She said after a week, he should be back into sleeping patterns.

We talked about separation anxiety and she said it is completely appropriate for his age. We are supposed to gradually give him time to adjust to new surroundings and new people. I am going to try and send him to his new sitter a few times next week so he can adjust to a new surrounding. Unfortunately, we are leaving this weekend so I guess he will learn cold turkey for 3 days. At least I know he is in good hands, will be at his own home, and will get plenty of love while we are gone. I am sure he will survive. Next question is will I? To be determined.

May May Came to Play with J!

On Monday, I traveled to Chicago for a day of shopping in the big city. I loved being able to have a day for myself, but I sure missed my little man. Due to the fact I had to leave home at 5am, I had to get creative in order to find a sitter for Jayden all day. I could of had Aaron drop him off in Pawnee on his way to work, but that would have been TOO much for both of the boys to handle so early in the morning. Instead, Katie K. came over to watch Jayden until my Mom could get to town. Thanks, Katie! Needless to say, Jayden wasn't too thrilled that BOTH his Mommy and Daddy left him, all day. He cried a lot for Katie, but she was able to feed him breakfast, rock him to a nap, and even play with him (tears and all). He pretty much cried in heartbreak until May May came over to play. Jayden just adores Madeline as most little kids do. She just plays with him, totes him around, and makes him feel safe.

Thanks May May for coming to play with JJ!

Jayden's Birthday Party!!

Jayden celebrated his 1st Birthday on Saturday with family and friends. We had a nice turn out of guest who came to share in this special day with Jayden. Aunt Kim, Uncle John, and the boys made the drive up. It was so sweet of them to make the long trip. Jayden had fun playing with his cousins. Aunt Kay, Uncle Tim, and Sean made the drive too. Thank, guys for coming. I think next year we will have two parties for both sides of the family. Melanie will be getting married the last weekend in July, so it will work out perfectly!

Nana took care of ordering Jayden's cake and was kind enough to bring it up all the way from down south. It was perfect! We also had a baseball cake which I will use for Jayden's 1 year pictures.

After the rain stopped and the temperature dropped, we were able to head outside to the garage for cake and gifts. Jayden liked the cake and loved when everyone sang him "Happy Birthday".

He got me on the face with his cake afterwards so we headed inside for a quick bath and change of clothes!

Happy 1st Birthday, Jayden!