Captiva Island, FL

We're on our way to Edisto so I thought I'd post a few pictures I have on my phone from our trip to Captiva.

It was all work for Mark. His conference was all day everyday and then he had to do more work on the computer at night but we were able to pull him away 2 evenings for a quick dip in the beautiful Gulf and to collect some sea shells. We stayed at South Seas Island Resort on the northern tip of Captiva Island. It was a beautiful place with lots of family friendly activities. It's the off season there right now( for good reason because it was SUPER HOT). Jacob and I went to the pool or beach in the mornings and late afternoon and usually found an indoor activity during the middle of the day. He took great naps which were much needed after our previous week, and the resort had a huge children's center with a toddler playroom that he loved. There were many fun pools for us to enjoy and Jacob liked the beach if he was playing in the sand or in the water with Mommy and Daddy. He was not a fan of sitting in the sand and surf with the water coming up and touching him.

We also enjoyed some yummy food and the last evening returned to The Mucky Duck. I cute English Pub right on the beach that's a very popular location to watch the sunset. Jacob's bedtime is much before sunset these days but the beach was still beautiful and dinner was fun.

We also had a fun time riding the resort trolley to and from the pool and the last evening before dinner we took Daddy on a round trip trolley ride to show him all the cool places on the resort.

Wednesday morning before we left we went to the beach to collect some shells and watched two huge beautiful great blue herons walk down the beach and pass right by us. It was amazing to watch them passing by people on their morning stroll, just like humans.

Now we're almost to Edisto for some much needed R&R for all of us. It's exciting to be bringing Jacob here for the first time (out of my belly). We've been coming to Edisto for at least 20 years with my family and I'm excited for Jacob to experience all of the things we enjoy there.

Have a nice weekend!

A first we would have rather avoided . . .

This week was exhausting! As I posted before Jacob hasn't been feeling well and every time we take him to the pediatrician they say it's teething. Monday when we went back they even tested him for a UTI which was negative. Tuesday he stayed home from school again and in the evening we noticed his foot was swollen and he wouldn't put weight on it. We called the pediatric after hours clinic and they told us to being him to the peds ER so they could do x-rays. We got to the ER at 7:30pm and to make a long story shorter after numerous blood tests, and x-ray, 3 doctors, and an IV they admitted Jacob to the hospital. It was a very long night with NO sleep for Mommy. ( I guess I shouldn't have complained about the little sleep I was getting for the past week). Once they decided they were admitting him to the hospital he wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything in case he had to have surgery. They put him on ibuprofen every 6 hours around the clock and diagnosed him with Viral Synovitis. They admitted him to watch closely for any more signs of sepsis because his symptoms were also consist with a bone/joint infection when we got to the ER.

The outside of Jacob's feet when we got to the ER.

Tops of his feet in the ER.

The blue car tape they used for his IV bandage.

What is Viral Synovitis you ask? From what we understand Jacob had a virus last week, it could have been any type of cold/ sore throat/ runny nose ( that explains his fussiness). His body reacted to the virus by attaching his ankle making it very swollen and tender. The doctors said that it was fairly common but the reaction usually occurs in the hip and not the ankle.

Daddy went home for a few hours once we were admitted to the hospital.  Someone was happy to see him return.

So, we stayed in the hospital all day Wednesday while they monitored him. He began responding to the ibuprofen and putting some weight on his foot again so they discharged us Wednesday night with strict orders to look for any signs of negative change. I was nervous about things on Thursday but Friday morning Jacob seemed to turn the corner. We are much more confident in the doctors diagnosis now and he seems to be improving. We had a check up with his pediatrician yesterday and she reiterated what they told us in the hospital. It will take a while for the swelling and tenderness to go away but he seems to be improving. His demeanor is better, he's acting like Jacob again, sleeping (some) and starting to put weight on his foot. He's found plenty of ways to get into everything he shouldn't without using his left foot so we know he's on the road to recovery.

Playing to pass the time.

Silly kid

Showing his doctors that he could put weight on his foot again.

So, with the pediatrician's approval we're on vacation for almost 2 weeks ( minus a quick stop in Gainesville next Thursday), and we'll follow-up with an orthopedic doctor for Jacob's foot when we return.

His left foot the morning after we got home.  Still very swollen.

But I'm still Mr. Smiley and am feeling better every day!!

Entertaining Jacob . . . or maybe it's Jacob entertaining

Well, Jacob's still not himself but the doctor still thinks it's teething.  Ugh, he's been teething for 7 months now and only had 2 teeth to show for it right now. Poor kid!  Today was a bit better than the last few, but last night was another rough one.  Sleep deprivation after finally getting sleep again is rough for Mommy! 

This weekend, we tried to keep Jacob busy, which usually distracted him from whatever teething pain he's in and we were able to get a few smiles out of him.  Saturday night we went to dinner with friends and Jacob had fun in his new chair because he gets to sit at the table and eat just like us!  Sunday he played in the new pool we got him for the backyard and enjoyed his many many bath toys.

Dinner on Saturday night.  Look at Jacob in his cool new chair!

Pool time

Bailey had fun too!

Teething much?

Love his smile!

He is becoming very adventurous and everyday I get glimpses into our future of Jacob climbing on EVERYTHING!  I see a lot of fort building in our future as he things crawling under the tables, chairs, his jumparoo, etc, is a lot of fun.  This morning while I was making him breakfast I turned around to find him standing up IN the cabinet.  Then, a minute later standing up holding onto his highchair with his knee on the first step trying to figure out how he could climb it, then holding onto the stroller wheel trying to push it.   That was all within about 5 minutes.   

Oh, Hi Mom.

A little morning play time.

Hmm, how can I get up here?

This looks fun. 

Here are a few pictures to get you through the week, and a longer video of Jacob cruising.  Hopefully Jacob's teeth decide to chill out for a little while so we can enjoy our upcoming family vacations.  I'll try to post from my phone but we're headed to Captiva for a long weekend Saturday and then to Edisto for a week with my family.  I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos to post when we return! 

First ride in the Ergo on my back.

Reading with Daddy before bed.

I caught them!

My loves!

Jacob eating dinner tonight.  Before and after.  He picked all of the peas out of the chicken and orzo twice and ate them.  He loves his veggies! 

Cruising

Despite not feeling well Jacob started "cruising" on his 10 month birthday. He has been pulling up on things and standing for a while but Friday he decided it was time to hold onto things and start walking. Here is a video Mark took while I was at work yesterday of Jacob cruising around the coffee table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k0w8ed_kkk

We had a little pool time at home this afternoon. As you can see from some of the pictures Bailey had fun too. Have a good week.

10 Months

Yesterday was Pops birthday and Jacob was 10 months old! He had a very rough night the night before which we were originally relating to teething and hoped he would wake up yesterday with his top teeth. He didn't, and now I think he may be getting sick. Poor little guy! I snapped a couple of pictures of him yesterday which do depict well what he's doing at 10 months but he wasn't up for picture taking. Fortunately he did sleep some last night with the help of Ibuprofen but he hasn't been his normal smiling, chatty self for the past few days. Hopefully lots of cuddles and rest this weekend will make him feel better.

Here are a couple pictures. He sat at the big kids table at school yesterday to eat his breakfast. And the pouty lip generally sums up how he's been feeling.

Have a good weekend.