Surgery

Surgery went really well for the little guy yesterday. We've had a few bumps in the road as far as pain goes but other than that he's been in really good spirits and is almost back to his old self. Here are a few pictures of the little guy from yesterday. He's a trooper that's for sure! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers yesterday. We're hoping to start seeing some improvement's in the next few weeks. We couldn't be more thankful for our ENT doctor for everything that she's done for us in the last 48 hours and the terrific staff at Children's Mercy. Will keep you all updated!

  Playing in the waiting room area. 

 

Few hours after surgery and already smiling!

 

A little swollen today, but ready to go home.

 

 Home sweet home! Swelling went down after our nap :) and we're eating!!

Dr. Appointment

Today I took Jackson to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist who has decided to take Jackson's tonsils and adenoids out. The surgery will only last about 12 minutes but in total will take about 45 due to the anesthesia. As scared as I am to have Jackson have surgery at such a young age, I am also relieved. For several months we've struggled with Jackson's weight and speech development. His weight has been in the 5th percentile for several months now and he can only say about 5-6 words. Since his speech has been limited, I taught him a few sign's so that the two of us are able to communicate. For a first time mother, it is difficult to watch your child struggle. Jackson is amazing with his motor skills and I couldn't be prouder of some of the things that he is able to do. But it breaks my heart that I still really haven't heard him talk yet. I know people say not to compare your child to others their age but that part of me has been a challenge. I'm hoping after the surgery we will start to see some results fairly quickly. Thankfully, this surgery isn't uncommon. Adam himself had his adenoids and tonsils taken out at a young age. I have faith that this will improve Jackson's development over the next few months and am excited to see the end results. Will keep you all posted when we find out more. Thoughts and prayers for us on Monday!

 My Little Monster :)

  

Easter

Can't believe our little guy is going to be 19 months soon! Adam and I had some family portraits done since it's been about a year since our last. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Sunday At The Park

Well my lack of blogging has returned. As usual, things have been crazy in the Baird household. Between working full time and then coming home to another full time job, I've been exhausted. Thankfully we've been having some gorgeous weather which has let us spend a lot of time outside at the park. Here are some recent pictures of our usual wild and crazy little man who is looking more like a big boy every day. Enjoy!

Playground

Today we got lucky and hit 65 degrees! Jackson and I decided to take a short walk over to the playground to play a little and enjoy this beautiful weather!

Jackson LOVES the tunnel

 Future KU basketball player :)

 3 Pointer

2012 Heart Walk

In light of what my cousin Andy is doing for our family by riding in my mother's name for the American Diabetes Association, I have also decided to give back. This year I will be walking on May 19th in my mother's name for the 2012 Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. Both organizations are close to my heart and I figured I would help do my part in trying to help raise money. My goal is to raise $1,000.00 in the support to fight heart disease for women. Please help me in my effort to fight heart disease for women by clicking on the link below for any donations.

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/kansascity/janetheyer

Thank you in advance for your help in fighting heart disease!

Tour de Cure

My cousin Andy is doing a very gracious thing for my family. This Spring he will be riding in my mother's name in the Tour de Cure which is a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. This is close to my families heart since my mother died of diabetes. Please see the link below, you can donate as little as $5.00.


http://tinyurl.com/6n34pjc

The mission of the American Diabetes Association: " to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes."

A Lazy Day

This weekend has been pretty quiet around here. Jackson hasn't been feeling well/teething so we've been laying low. Surprisingly enough, you would never be able to guess from the look of it that someone isn't feeling good :)

Reading time

Little bit of fresh air

New Year, New Start

So...my blogging has been M.I.A the last few months due to some unexpected life events that have happened. It's taken me a long time to be able to try and write about this and I'm hoping deep down that it is going to be therapeutic for me in a way. I've been writing this piece for about a week now and I'm going to skip over some details that are too painful to relive. So here it goes...

Three months ago, my mother died unexpectedly. I got a call in the middle of the night from my dad three days after seeing them for Jackson's 1st birthday party that my mom was in the hospital and had a heart attack. Of course Adam and I rushed to St. Louis but the entire drive there, all I could think about was "am I going to lose my mom?" Unfortunately, she never really improved, the doctors struggled to get her blood pressure to stay up and once one thing was fixed, something else would happen. My family and I lived day-in and day-out at the hospital for two weeks. After no improvement, we decided to let my mother go. The doctors had done all that they could and my mother wasn't responding anymore. As of recently, we found out that the initial cause of my mother's passing was that she had Type II Diabetes and didn't realize it, she was only 56 when she died. It has been the most difficult time in my life. Not only have I lost my mother, but I have lost my best friend and mentor. My mom has taught me everything I know about being a mother and it scares me to think that I don't have that anymore. Even though it's only been three months, it seems like she's been gone a lot longer than that. Just when Adam and I thought that things couldn't get any worse, we lost his mother on December 29th. She had been sick for some time, but it still came as a shock to Adam and his family. I'm not going to speak for him on the loss of his mother, only that he takes it one day at a time, same as me, and we try our best to be there for each other while we grieve. 

2011 was a year that I prefer to forget. It has been by far the most difficult year of my life. I've experienced things that I didn't expect to encounter for many years. I'm sad that Jackson will not get to know my mom or Adam's mom personally but only through pictures and stories that we'll share. As angry as I am with God that he put my family through this, I am also thankful. Without Jackson, I don't know where Adam and I would be right now. He gives us strength and happiness and is the reason I get out of bed each day.

My New Years resolution this year is to try and be healthier and a better mom to Jackson. Since Type II diabetes is genetic, and I had gestational diabetes, the possibility of me having it some time in my life time is very high. I have learned from all this that I want to start taking better care of myself so that I can live a long and healthy life to see Jackson grow up and have a family one day.  I am grateful each day I am alive and healthy.

I want to thank each friend and family member who has been there for Adam and I. It is amazing to have such and overwhelming feeling of love and support in our lives. I promise to all of you that I will blog more and keep you all updated with Jackson. It's amazing how much he's grown up in the last few months in a blink of an eye.

Rest in piece Grandma Janet and Grandma Susie, we all miss you so much.

Janet Heyer March 28, 1955 - October 5, 2011

 

Susie Baird 

June 28, 1951 - December 29, 2011