Count your blessings- no pictures required

So while we were in Knoxville over the weekend, Clay was sick, like sore throat, cold kind of sick. It got worse as the weekend went on with his throat swelling more and more. So on Monday morning we went to the Emergency Room in Ktown. They diagnosed it as bronchitis and sent us home with amoxilcillin and loritab (a pain killer). We drove back to Atlanta last night but Clay still had a fever, chills, sweats and his throat seemed to be getting worse. He was up all night and this morning couldn't even swallow the pills. He tried to swallow water and it came out his nose. That is how swollen his throat was, all the way up the side of his neck and to his ear.
So we went to see his doctor here. He was awesome and immediately sent us to St Joe's Hospital where we saw an Ear, Nose and Throat guy who diagnosed that Clay had an abcess behind his tonsil. Pretty much like a having a big big puss ball back there that has to be popped b/c the fluid build up was what was making everything swell. So he put a large needle in Clay's throat and numbed it as best he could. Then, he took a knife and made an incision and all the stuff came out. It was disgusting and horrifying and I would rather give birth again than watch that! Clay was a champ.

We then sat at the hospital while he got a couple bags of IV fluid since he hadn't eaten in 3 days. To get the iv fluid, we were sent to the St Joe's Cancer Center in a large room with lots of recliners and IV machines. It is where people come to get chemo on a regular basis. All day long I had been so worried about Clay's throat, who would take care of Jack if we had to spend the night in the hospital, how I would pump and get it home and how tired I was b/c of the last few sleepless nights. Sitting in one of those recliners, looking at these frail people, realizing that we were only there to replenish fluids to a healthy body was very humbling. Clay and I both realized how blessed we are. It put things in perspective in a big way. While Clay is still in pain, the vicodin is numbing it (making him quite silly) and he will heal in a couple of days. We came home to a happy Jack (thanks to the Shaws) sitting up all by himself (this is a first) and laughing and smiling at us. That is priceless!

Count your blessings!
Love- Clay, Jennie and Jack

More pooltime in Knoxvegas

We relaxed by the pool this weekend. I found it quite enjoyable as you can see. Then, someone switched my hat with Maeve's. What am I doing in pink???

Pooltime in Knoxvegas

We played every day in Mimi and Goose's pool. I LOVE THE POOL! I love to splash. I think it is a big bathtub. I really liked my new friend, the crab, too.

Playtime in Knoxvegas

We had a great weekend in Knoxville. I got to play lots with Maeve! I also visited with my friend Katie Kohl and my mom went to a wedding shower for her high school friend Clarice Berry. Here are some of the BHS girls above.

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day from Maeve and Jack!

Booster seat

I sat in my big boy booster seat tonight for the first time. My parents decided to forgo the high chair since our kitchen isn't very big and try this thing out. I love being able to reach for the bowl. In fact I tried eating the bowl and the table. It was all very entertaining for Mommy.

Seersucker

So I broke out my seersucker pants this weekend! My blazer doesn't quite fit yet but we rolled up the pants a little and I looked very cute!!! Here I am dancing with mom before church. We had a busy weekend with the highlight of my dad being called to be in the bishopric at church. This means that he will assist the Bishop at church with the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation. It is a big honor and a big job as all the positions at our church are lay ministers and volunteers. We are nervous and excited but know that God will bless us for our service! I am very proud of my dad!

Laundry boy

Mommy didn't have enough hands to carry me and the laundry basket up the stairs so she did what lots of moms do and improvised by putting me in the basket!

Applesauce, scriptures and playgrounds

The top picture represents how I feel about applesauce. I am a rice cereal and sweet potatoes man but my mom keeps trying to get me to eat other things. I also DO NOT like formula. She thinks she can stop feeding me but I won't have it! I want the real thing. She is just gonna have to put away all those cute summer shirts she wants to wear b/c I need her to look like a porn star for a little longer. Ha Ha!
This morning we made blueberry muffins for dad while he was running at the river. When he got home, we ate the muffins and read our scriptures. Here I am listening intently.
My mom built a playground with my Aunt Ann and 200 other volunteers yesterday in downtown Atlanta. The kids at East Lake Elementary now have a great, safe place to play!

Sunbathing dude

My first trip to the pool! I went with my mom and Aunt Ann for some sun time in my lobster shorts! The water was too chilly so I just splashed around with my feet but I really liked it and can't wait to go back!

Mother's Day

We had a great Mother's Day. Dad and I gave my Mom a pretty necklace and let her sleep late until it was time to go to church. Then we had my Uncle Jay, Aunt Jen, Aunt Ann and future Uncle Ryan (pictured above) and my cousins Keller, Chandlyr and Bayli and our friends Deanne and Garth over for lunch. Our meal was yummy- grilled pork tenderloin with mango chutney and a blackberry reduction sauce over cocunut rice and grilled asparagus. For dessert we has grilled apples with vanilla ice cream! Yeah for Dad and the grill! And big thanks to Jay and Ryan for doing all the dishes! Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!

Ranger Day in Dahlonega

Yesterday we went to Dahlonega to the army base where my Uncle Jay is stationed. Army Rangers go there for the mountain training phase and we went to an open house where they did lots of cool stuff like jump out of helicopters and let you go in a room to use night vision.

Six months

I turned six months old yesterday. I went to the dr weighing in at 17.5 lbs and was 28 inches long. Some updates on me: I have started eating fruits and I love sweet potatoes. I am sleeping pretty well, although I have a bad night every now and then. I grab for everything including mommy's hair and jewelry and daddy's nose. I can almost sit up by myself- mommy can't wait for that. All in all, I am a great kid! I am so fun now that I have almost made mommy forget about the first three months!

After Bath time

Do you think Muhammed Ali wore a robe like this when he was young? Thanks to my friend Nancy for the cool after bath attire!

Cinco de Mayo

My friend Steve came to visit from NY so we celebrated Cinco de Mayo on the Marietta Square. Here I am having Mexican with Steve and Caroline. Notice my Cinco de Mayo shirt with the donkeys. Then we walked around the arts festival and I tried driving the firetruck with my dad. A very fun day!

Celebrating Betsy and James

My Mom and Dad went to a party for Betsy and James last night. The Varsity catered it- yummy! I can't wait til I get to eat at the Varsity.

Fun Family Visit

Mimi, Shannon and Maeve came to visit us today! We had a great day playing, eating and shopping. Maeve and I love to play together and we did not like to be separated. It gets more fun every time we see each other!