Jack's 6 month doctor appointment - Double Ear Infection and Hand Foot and Mouth Disease!

Jack went in for his 6 month doctor's appointment last week. He was 21 pounds and 27.75 inches long! Just like his sister 90th % for height and weight. The doctor found that he had another double ear infection! No one would have been able to guess. Other than waking up once or twice more over night during the last week, he was his happy self. Paul and I just figured it was teething. He was put on some antibiotics and seemed to do well over the next day. Then started running a pretty high fever and we took him back to the doctor. This time, the doctor diagnosed Jack with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease! What?! That sounds like something an animal would get!

Over the weekend, Jack seemed to feel pretty crummy. He's actually been pretty fussy, won't eat very much, and has been up several times at night. This disease is not fun. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease usually starts with a high fever and then followed by a rash of small red bumps which turn into painful blisters on the hands, feet, and in and around the mouth. Jack does not show a rash on his hands or feet, and I don't see any blisters in his mouth. The doctor told us that he had some at the back of his throat which is probably preventing him from eating. Poor guy!

Today he has been doing better. He ate some of his bottles and doesn't seem as cranky. However, he has been pretty finicky about going to bed. Hopefully he gets better very soon! He is such a sweet little guy. He just started sleeping better at night (before the HFMD). He falls asleep at about 6:15 and is up at 2 am and then up again between 5 and 6 for the day. I can't wait for him to sleep a full 12 hours! It will be AWESOME!

Addison takes a BIG Bath

I don't know why I didn't think of it before... She LOVED our big bath. Addison was in sooooo fast and didn't even wake up Jack!

What? Is There Something on My Face?

He decided to have a yogurt bath before his real bath.

Jack's Eczema

Poor Jack... Over the last two months Jack's skin has gone from inflamed to finally under control. Jack caught strep about a month and a half ago and that is when his skin problems really started. After he was prescribed some antibiotics for the strep his skin looked a little better, but never looked healthy. One night Jack's skin became so inflamed that he was up 4 or 5 times crying because he was so itchy and uncomfortable! I felt so bad for him! Plus, Paul's work has him traveling a lot so waking up with Jack was taking it out on me.

Finally, I found a forum on www.babycenter.com that helped immensely. This forum on Babies and Children with Skin Problems had some awesome information! We got him on a routine with a bath every night without soap. The non-soap "cleansing bar" from cetaphil is great! Plus we started lathering him up with CeraVe lotion. This lotion is AMAZING! I tried all different kinds of "eczema" lotions (with his medicine) that did nothing for his skin. I definitely saw a transformation over night with this lotion and the steroid cream that the doctor prescribed us.

Jack is doing MUCH better now that we have him on a good routine to keep his skin hydrated. Check out the photos.

The morning after that very hard inflamed, itchy, and uncomfortable night! Poor guy, this was all over his back and a little on his tummy too!!




The day after we started him on "the routine" ... his face is much better and he is able to catch up on some rest!

Two days after starting on the "routine" ... his skin is doing even better!



Now Jack is doing great! We use a lot of CeraVe lotion... I think I may buy some stock in it.

Sea World Trip!

Paul and I took the kids to Sea World on Saturday. They had a great time! Addison really loved all the animals and sites. Paul got an awesome video of her hugging "Shamu" (or a guy dressed up like Shamu). I was shocked that she wanted to hug him! I thought she might run away scared, but she hugged him over and over and waved... it was very cute. Until..... about 5:00 that evening. We skipped her nap, it was warm out and Addison was ready to CRASH. We left the park with a screaming toddler and a hungry infant. Lesson learned... next time... we will start earlier and leave earlier. Regardless, it was a GREAT time and I can't wait to do it again!

Jack Sticking Out His Tongue

I think he may be starting to teethe. At least his eczema has cleared up! More pictures and info on that later when I have more time to write. Paul has been out of town for the last week and I can't wait for him to get back home!

Church auction dinner

Addie grabbed this tutu off the table at the end of the auction in front of everyone! We didn't even win it!! The lady that dis win it let me buy it off of her, thank goodness.

We have a girly GIRL! She is wearing it to bed tonight.

Painted Toes

I painted Addison's toe nails and she wanted to return the favor! Thanks Addie they are beautiful!