SMILES

Eczema

Eczema is a disease in a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis.  The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions.  These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding.

Jacob has all but the last two symptoms!

These two pictures don't even begin to show the degree to which Jacob has eczema on his face. One day his face looked similar to a few days after a really bad sun burn on his cheeks, ear lobes and under his chin. It blisters and peels then starts again. He even has a small amount on his elbows. Poor kiddo.

I kept thinking Jacob had bad baby acne and was going to ride it out until his two month appointment next Friday.

Enough people commented on his "rash" that I called Dr. Wilkes yesterday. The nurse had us come right in and it took all of two seconds for Dr. Wilkes to say "he had dermatitis". HUH?? (aka eczema, pretty bad) I can document back to 6/30 when we took Jacob's 1 month pictures when I know for sure this started. So yesterday was 3 weeks that I had let this go... 3 WEEKS! What kind of a mother am I? I just kept thinking it needed to run it's course and would go away on it's own. I WAS WRONG!! Some days were better than others, but none the less it kept coming back and finally spread all the way to his little ears and to the top of his chest :(

So, Dr. Wilkes prescribed a skin gel that is to be applied twice a day. I stopped by Walgreens on the way home, dropped the Rx off and went back later to pick it up. Pat and I put it on his face last night and this morning... and this is what he looked like at 9am.

HIS PRECIOUS CHEEKS ARE BACK!! It totally took out the redness. His skin isn't smooth yet, it's been less than 24 hours and it has some SERIOUS healing to do, but it's on the fast track to recovery. His face is like one big scab, no wonder he's been some what fussy this past month. I'm thankful that he shouldn't be irritated any longer and that strangers won't look at him so sorrowfully any longer and comment on his "rash".

This might come across as vain but, as I told Pat last night... I never understood until the last few weeks how my parents looked at me when I had horrid acne and told me I looked beautiful. I get it now. Jacob now looks to others the way I have been able to see him the past few weeks. Perfectly precious and sweet. Now everyone else can enjoy it too.

Safety in the Kitchen

Kitchen Safety Reminder:

Keep a lid, baking soda, or a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen.

Laura was in town this weekend and I had asked her to share her recipe for a home made es special. Pat's favorite dish from his favorite Mexican restaurant in college. By the end of the cooking process Laura wanted to warm the chips... and then the chips caught on fire. I looked over and saw flames shooting out of the oven. We couldn't reach above the oven to turn it off, they were too big. So Laura and I proceeded to scream for Pat - who in true fireman like fashion ran in the kitchen, saw the flames, ran into the garage and stormed the oven with fire extinguisher in hand to put out the fire. Way to go Pat! Luckily nothing was burnt except the chips and the inside of the oven. Pat and Laura cleaned it out, but I still haven't used it again yet. I'll be buying some oven cleaner first and making sure all the fire extinguisher stuff is gone before we deem her ready to bake again.

It’s been a while…

Yes I know, it’s been a while… but we’ve had some great times recently.

Since I last posted we’ve experienced Pat’s first Father’s Day, Jacob’s first holiday: 4^th of July and Jacob’s first social smiles. Jacob’s gotten to meet more of our friends and family and had some nice little outings along the way. He’s only had one visit to the pediatrician and I’ve only made two phone calls. I figure we’re doing pretty good. He goes to the doctor next Friday for his 2 month visit and first round of shots!! I have two other posts coming today, so bear with me. Yesterday at the doctor he weighed in at 10 lbs 7 oz. Almost 10 ½ pounds!!! He’s a happy growing boy. I’ve returned to work, almost completely full time. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to bring Jacob with me for these first few weeks and the plan is for him to head off to daycare around September 1. Last week Pat was able to keep him 3 days while I got my feet under me at the office. This week I’m flying solo with Jacob and next week Nannie will be coming to stay with us for two weeks and help with J while Pat works a job outside of Ashland, KY.

Father’s Day:For Pat’s first Father’s Day Jennifer had fresh Maryland steamed crabs flown in. All the grandpa’s were able to get together the Saturday night before Father’s Day and we had a crab feast. This was Pop’s first time to see and hold Jacob, and he seemed to be a very proud Great-Grandpa. John and Rebecca Gilbert joined us and also got to meet Jacob. I have a few pictures here, but out of all the pictures I took that night, there isn’t ONE picture of Jacob and his Daddy. I’m not quite sure how that got missed. :(












Fourth of July Weekend:
We had a busy 4^th. It started off with a day at the Lodmell’s followed by game playing at Chuck E. Cheese. I’m pretty sure this was the first time Pat had stepped foot back in a Chuck E. Cheese since his glory days there. Jacob seemed to enjoy himself, but was definitely over stimulated by all the lights and sounds. Once we finally got him to sleep that night, he slept for 6 hours!!! He was WORN OUT! For the Fourth we ventured to downtown Lexington and spent the morning strolling around checking everything out. Once Jacob gets bigger there is kids area all set up, and I’m pretty sure we’d have hours of guaranteed fun. We watched fireworks from the car in the rain that night. Sunday was John Lodmell’s baptism. Pat cleaned up nicely for the event and is a very proud God Father.



Jacob and John together and quiet (not something we're expecting to last very long...)

New Faces: Jacob has gotten to meet his fair share of friends and family in the last month.

David and Granny Nell with Jacob

Jill, Jeremiah and Emma came down for a Saturday in Lexington

Alice with Jacob


Exercising with Daddy:
Jacob and Pat have an exercise routine. Pat says they work on bicep curls, squats and then go for walks together…

2 week doctor visit...

Jacob went to visit Dr. Wilkes yesterday. He is 8 lbs 4 oz now (for those keeping track that's 1 lb and 2 oz OVER his birth weight) which is the 25 percentile. He's growing out of his newborn clothes at 21 3/4 inches which is 75 percentile. And they measure his head... it's 25 percentile as well at 34 cm. His umbilical cord came off Tuesday evning, boy was I glad to see that go! It was rubbing a raw spot on his little belly, and we were having a time keeping it from getting any worse.

Jacob did pretty well Monday while I had surgery. By pretty well, I am mainly refering to his eating, he took a bottle like a champ and has returned to nursing with no problems. He was rather cranky most of the day - I'm sure he knew something was up, his mom was MIA all day - which provided for an exhausted little boy that slept for 5 hours Monday night! I'm aware this is a one time thing, but was thankful that Pat was able to catch some much needed rest. I slept through most of Jacob's crying but was able to return to Mommy duties on Tuesday morning, with the help of Robert, aka Unlce Bob. My recovery has gone better than I had hoped, and I've almost got my feet back under me. Jacob and I have enjoyed a day with out any appointments to get to and any visitors at the house. VERY RELAXING and great for recovery. Hopefully tomorrow will follow suit until we head out to meet some friends for dinner.

I'm backtracking...

Saturday Aunt Brownie Paige came to visit. She was VERY happy to meet Jacob. He was sporting his Baby Brownie onsie that Aunt Brownie Alice had made for him.Gracie and Mimi stopped by last week after Gracie's soccer camp. She's been working up to holding Jacob for more than just a minute or two... And last Monday Papaw stopped by to visit on his way back to Bowling Green. I was able to snap this picture of Jacob with both of his great grandparents.

LONG Story

Even though my doctor put me on bed rest, I did manage to beg her enough to let me go to a bridal shower Saturday night.  I was just headed around the corner from my house and PROMISED I'd sit during the event.  I had a FANTASTIC time getting to catch up with friends from college. The stories told brought back some great memories, and I think we laughed most of the night.  At one point I remember someone telling someone else not to make me laugh so hard, my water might break.  I assured them this was NOT the case as I was being induced the next night and that Jacob had waited this long, he would surely be waiting another 24 hours. BOY WAS I WRONG!  

Below: "Ladybugs" - my KD pledge class - missing Lizzy, she was in the next picture. Please note the “orb” in front of my belly, think what you want… but I’ve been told it was Jacob’s guardian angel. (About 1 hour before I went into labor.)

The Rest of the Story...

I called Pat at 10:15 to let him know I was headed home from the shower and hungry! He fixed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I managed to scarf down while talking to Laura.  As soon as I got off the phone with her I turned to Pat on the couch and proceeded to tell stories from the night. About that time I felt a little pop and excused myself to the bathroom.  After a few minutes of contemplating I came to the top of the stairs and believe my exact words were, “Um, Guy,” (talking to Pat) “I think we might have an issue” Pat, unaware of what was about to happen, just asked what that issue was.  I informed him I was pretty sure my water had just broken, and was going to call the doctor.  The on call doctor said, yes indeed it sounded like my water had broken and told us to head to labor and delivery. I wasn’t as convinced. I was sure I was making this all up and this was false labor. I never had a big “gush” as I had been told to expect.  Pat and I calmly made sure we hadn’t forgotten anything and packed up the car with our hospital bags.  Soon there after I started having contractions 5 minutes apart. By the time we got to the hospital a little after midnight they were almost 3 minutes apart.  After about an hour of being hooked up to monitors and being examined, the nurses decided I was indeed in labor, but my water hadn’t broken completely, it had just sprung a leak.  I was 3 cm and 100% effaced, Pat and I were told we might be able to expect some pushing in 9-10 hours and so, we made the phone calls to our parents.  By 3 am I was crawling out of my skin in pain and asked for an epidural, by 4 am I was almost 100% pain free.  The doctor was worried that my contractions wouldn’t be strong enough to push Jacob out and with the combination of the epidural she was worried my labor would slow down, so she ordered pitocin.   The next time I was checked – around 5 am – I had progressed to 6 cm.  By the time I was given the pitocin I was to 8 cm.  At 6:30 am the doctor and nurse came running into my room and asked if I could feel any pressure.  I couldn’t.  Turns out Jacob’s heartbeat was dropping with each contraction which indicated it was time to start pushing. I was checked again and was “complete” 10 cm and 100% effaced.  We called our parents again to let them know that things had moved along MUCH faster than expected – so much for starting to push around 10 or 11 am.  When my mom, grandmother and sister showed up they were breaking down the hospital bed for me to begin to push.  After two practice pushed I got sick to my stomach and the nurse informed me that some people could get sick all the way through this part… great! I wasn’t one of those people and managed to push for only one hour and 15 minutes.  Jacob arrived at 8:51 am.  He was taken to the nursery shortly after he was born because his pediatrician was in the hospital at the time.  About the time Pat brought Jacob back my family was allowed to come into the room.  Mom, Nannie and Sarah had been waiting.  Dad, Jen and Gracie had just arrived while Jacob was in the nursery and Papaw and Laura shortly followed.  I was thankful everyone made it, but didn’t have to wait through the labor process. 

We came home Tuesday, the 2nd, and I have been attempting to recover and take care of Jacob.  Pat stayed home the rest of last week with me and didn’t return to work until this Monday.  He has been FANTASTIC, as I knew he would be.  Changing diapers, feeding, changing clothes, cleaning Jacob's umbilical cord, doing the laundry, cooking... there isn't anything he doesn't do.  This week my Nannie has stayed at our house with us to help me as best as possible.  Jacob’s been a great baby and only had a few times when he was inconsolable.  He’s been eating well and was already back to birth weight at his “weight check” appointment on the 4^th. 

I, on the other hand, haven’t faired as well.  Things weren’t “right” with my recovery from delivery and I had to go to the doctor Wednesday.  Turns out there are some issues that need to be resolved and I will have outpatient surgery on Monday to fix them.  LUCKY ME.  So Monday morning Pat, Jacob and I will head back to the hospital for what should be a short procedure and then I will be back to square one in the recovery department.  Because of the anesthesia I will not be able to feed Jacob for 24 hours and he will need to take a bottle.  I do worry how he will react once I can feed him again after taking a bottle for so long while he’s still so young.  Hopefully he won’t give up on me and will let me feed him once this is all over. 

Other than that – all is well and went well.  Thanks to everyone who’s been checking on us and sent kind words our way.  We’ll appreciate the continued support through next week as I venture through the first week with just Jacob and I at home.

We only made it 2 days of the 3

Stats:

Jacob Thomas McKew

born on: May 31, 2009

time: 8:51 am

weight: 7 lbs 2 oz

length: 20 1/2 inches

At home Tuesday evening
Getting ready to head home from the hospital

First night, family photo

First family photo

I'm trying to catch up with everyone, and it all just seems to be taking much longer than it used to. I'll get to the entire story, but I went into labor on my own Saturday night around 11 and Jacob came Sunday morning - it all went much faster than we ever expected. We never made it to be induced!   We got to come home on Tuesday for my birthday.  What a great present.  I've uploaded some pictures here to get us started...