Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Jaxson's belated birthday post!

Jaxson's birthday was the Saturday we were driving down to California, so I missed his birthday post. Thats ok because we are going to do it today!
This last year started off rocky, like most years do for him. The end of January brought 12 days in the PICU with a respiratory virus. We went days without seeing his beautiful eyes, and we wondered if this would be the virus that his lungs wouldn't be able to recover from. Of course he did, because he is the most amazing little boy I know!


We also lost a lot of dear friends this year. All right around the same time. One, sweet baby Carter, I had the pleasure of kissing his sweet face before he earned his angel wings! Our dear Carly, and Ben, also earned their angel wings. And of course our beautiful Kristen, after battling leukemia almost her whole life. I had the honor of attending her funeral!

Despite growing respiratory problems and high pulmonary pressures, we enjoyed every day. And played in the sun as much as possible!


The adoption of baby Arina consumed life. We committed to her in April, and in August, finally had our dossier submitted. While we waited for our SDA date, Jax crashed and burned big time!
He was ambulanced from our peds office to the PICU with heart failure and respiratory failure. He required IV heart meds to keep his heart pumping effectively and keep his blood pressure stable. Thats when they finally started him on PH meds, and the ventilator at night for home. It was a scary thing to have happen when we knew we'd be traveling out of the country soon!

But after getting the vent at home, his health greatly improved. The vent was just what his little lungs needed to function properly, and he was our happy boy once again!

We went out of the country in September, and Auntie Boo took on all of Jax crazy daily cares!
Of course he had to keep her on his toes as well, plugging his trach, causing him to stop breathing, landing him another ambulance ride. Thank goodness auntie Boo was there, and his girlfriend Kayla, her daughter, was there to comfort him! We also discovered Jax crush on Kayla this year. I'm not kidding, he smiles and goes ga ga like I've never seen before. When she talks to him, he melts, its the most amazing thing to watch!
Sorry for the poor quality, these are cell phone pics!


Jax got his baby sister the first of November! A baby sister that shares not only his extra chromosome, but the same beautiful almond eyes, and same sweet disposition!



Mickey Mouse, his favorite character, was the highlight of Jax birthday week. Happy belated 5th birthday to my amazing, miracle boy!!

On Jax birthday we stopped to see grandma on our way to Cali. They all look so lovely because we had been in the car forever, in jammies, without showers!

Arina had her first time in a hotel room,

and her first trip to Disneyland! Of course we had to get her a first visit pin to wear proudly!

Mary Poppins and Burt were the first characters we saw, leaving first aid to drop off a tank. Arina's first picture with characters! She loved Mary!

She also loved all the rides. She never cried, and was looking around wildly at all the bright colors and pictures!

She also thought the tram was pretty dang cool!

I was amazed at all the beautiful Christmas decorations. Tomorrow I'll post pics of those. I embarrassed my poor kids, freaking out about the Christmas tree, and all the beautiful lights!
Sorry boys!

I just discovered that another dear friend was lost while we were away. Our sweet friend Jonas lost his battle to SMA last week. I'm so angry that I wasn't here to attend his funeral. I used to work at the childrens hospital with his amazing daddy. I can't imagine their pain, and their sweet new baby girl has the same disorder that her big brother did. Please go to their blog and leave a comment for his grieving parents!

23 comments:

Becca said...

I love this recap! Happy, happy birthday, Jax! xoxoxo

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

I love all these pictures!! :) Your Jax truly is an amazing guy.

Amy said...

Happy Birthday Jax!!!! You are an amazing little boy- with an amazing family. Looks like you all had a great trip.

Colleen said...

Beautiful pics! Happy Birthday Jax, you are one special little guy and an amazing fighter!

Rochelle said...

Happy, Happy birthday Sweet Jax! Glad you had a wonderful Disney celebration!

Alison said...

Happy birthday Jaxson!!! Looks like you had a great birthday trip to Disneyland.

Unknown said...

I love the pix!! Jax is so darn cute and very busy!! Happy BIG BirTHday...Happy Holidays to all of you and your family...smiles

DisneyRose said...

Happy Birthday Jaxson!! Arina looks so happy with her brothers!

The VW's said...

Happy 5th birthday Jax! Looks like you had a great birthday! Hugs!!!

Stephanie said...

Belated Happy Birthday Jax! You are an amazing guy! Prayers for an uneventful year this year....Sending you all our love!

Steph and Christopher

Kristin said...

Happy birthday big boy!!

Dawn said...

Happy 5th Birthday Special Boy! Jax you are awesome.

DevonLeah said...

LOved this post! Thanks for sharing! Happy bday precious boy!!

Unknown said...

You guys definitely look complete now with your baby girl! How wonderful. Happy Birthday jax! Love you sweet boy!

Grizzly Bear said...

Happy Birthday Jaxson! :)

Alicia said...

Happy Birthday, Jaxson, you handsome devil!

Meghann said...

Happy Birthday Jax! It's been an eventful year, glad you had such a fun trip!

Tina said...

Happy belated Birthday sweet Jax...what a big boy! And what a wonderful birthday week you had!

I loved the pictures of the family with the new addition naturally! Arina must be having such a blast, from being confined to practically the same few rooms to the huge big world now. So happy for you guys.

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday Big boy!!!

Lacey this is the most beautiful post ever,

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Jaxson!! So glad you and your brothers and sister had fun in California!! Lacey, I hate the cold too. If it weren't for having to leave so much family I would be headed somewhere warmer too!! - Maureen

Deqlan said...

Happy Happy Birthday Jax, hope its a fantastic wonderful magical healthy happy year ahead! God Bless, love and hugs Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday Jax!! Arina, glad to hear you enjoyed your first Disney visit. :)

Kelly said...

Happy Birthday Jax!! Looks like you had a super fun road trip and an WONDERFUL birthday celebration!! Keep on fighting Jax.........you sure are one AMAZING little boy=) xoxo