tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16747641870405597972024-03-13T09:36:44.841-04:00One Bad BugThe many adventures of Jake Maxwell CasdenBug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-77676094783504847602012-08-29T10:44:00.000-04:002012-08-29T10:44:34.081-04:00Rules With ClassCLASS RULES:
It's good to have a mind of your own.
If you don't agree, say so, and explain your thought.
Keep asking until you really understand.
Try!
Its OK to make mistakes.
Respect yourself and others.
Help each other.
Be safe!
Use calm voices.
Clean up after yourself.
Don't waste resources
Have fun!
A friend of mine's fourth grader came home with these rules from his teacher. Insightful and respectful and a great set of rules to live by! I love that they encourage questioning. If there's one thing I hope to teach my children it is to question. You can have all of the knowledge in the world, but unless you have the wisdom to use it, it won't do you much good.Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-43383627091855133932011-04-11T22:55:00.001-04:002011-04-11T22:56:10.928-04:00Knock, KnockJake: Knock Knock<br />
Me: Who's there?<br />
Jake: Me<br />
Me: Me who?<br />
Jake: Me POOPYHEAD!<br />
<br />
Now, where did he learn that?Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-34052562848558514592011-01-20T23:07:00.002-05:002011-01-20T23:25:34.114-05:00What Do People Do All Day?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jake's favorite book is <span style="font-style: italic;">What do People Do All Day</span> by Richard Scarry. The book is a classic, but just in case you haven't read it, its a collection of little stories about daily life in Busytown. The book has stories like "The New Road", "A Trip to the Hospital" and Jake's personal favorite, "The train trip".<br /><span style=""> </span><br />Jake stayed home from school yesterday (pink eye, again) and when I came home we played out our own version of what do people do all day.<br /><span style=""> </span><br />"Jake, did you have a good day with Daddy!"<br />"Yeah, Mommy had to leave today"<br />"Do you know where mommy goes when she leaves everyday?"<br />"Ummmm to work".<br />"That's right! And do you know what I do at work?"<br />"Ummmm...<br />"I make books!"<br /><span style=""> </span><br />Jake was very excited to hear this and gave me a huge grin. Later at dinner I wanted to see if he'd remember what I told him.<br /><span style=""> </span><br />"Jake, what does mommy do all day?"<br />"Make books!"<br />"And what does Daddy do?"<br />"Fixes cars"<br /><span style=""> </span><br />Now, I dunno about other kids, but Jake must feel pretty special knowing his parents work on two of his favorite things all day: books and cars! Can't get much cooler than that!</span></p>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-794916133186244742010-12-07T22:03:00.004-05:002011-01-20T23:07:47.330-05:00ConversationsLast week:<br /><br />Jake (as the furnace kicks on): That's the washing machine.<br />Mom and Dad: No, that's the heater.<br />Jake: No, that's the washing machine.<br />Mom and Dad: No, that's the heater.<br />Jake (matter-of-factly): That's the washing machine.<br />Mom and Dad: OK, it's the washing machine.<br /><br /><br />While making dinner:<br /><br />Jake: That's salmon<br />Dad: No, that's tuna.<br />Jake: No, that's salmon.<br />Dad: Ok, Jake, it's salmon.<br /><br />Jake: That's a lemon.<br />Dad: No, Jake, that's a lime.<br />Jake: No, that's a lemon.<br /><br /><br />At dinner:<br /><br />Jake (as the furnace kicks on): That's the washing machine<br />Mom and Dad: No, that's the heater<br />Jake: No, it's the washing machine.<br />Mom and Dad: (sigh)Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-49409579105334966862010-01-01T23:53:00.002-05:002010-01-02T00:13:26.310-05:00Putting My Money Where My Mouth IsYesterday, I did something that I've never done before: I made year end donations to the hospitals that have played a role in Jake's care and to another organization which helps families travel to Boston for the fetal cardiac intervention. I don't have a lot to offer, in fact, money is tight with the holidays and property taxes due, but it just felt like the right thing to do.<br /><br />The three hospitals I donated to have all played a role in saving Jake's life:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.childrenshospital.org/">Boston Children's Hospital</a> <a href="http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2021/mainpageS2021P4.html">Advanced Fetal Care Center</a> - designated for <a href="http://www.childrenshospital.org/views/feb03/fetal_cardiac.html">Fetal Cardiac Intervention Program</a><br /><br /><a href="http://childrensnyp.org/mschony/cardiology.html">Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Pediatric Cardiology Program</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.schneiderchildrenshospital.org/sch_pat_cardio.html">Schneider's Children's Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Program</a><br /><br />And the organization that helps families who find themselves in the situation we were in so many months ago:<br /><a href="http://www.elliannagracefoundation.org/"><br />The Ellianna Grace Foundation</a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-40086075874314681642010-01-01T23:32:00.004-05:002010-01-01T23:48:07.250-05:00New Years Resolution: To Update My Mommy BlogI failed miserably at mommy blogging in 2009. I tried, but time and energy were in short order for me these past several months. I don't see time getting anymore generous towards me, but hopefully the New Year will bring some new found energy and motivation. I could use a little of both, and not just for mommy blogging.<br /><br />It's easy to get into ruts, and I've been in one for several months now. Going through something traumatic is tough enough, but picking up the pieces of your mind, body, soul and spirit, when you've passed that "if we can just make it through" part and life returns to normal has been tough. It's the everyday challenges that get to me, the effort it takes just to wake up and get out of the house each day.<br /><br />I know I should be thankful for every moment, considering what we've been through, and believe me I am. I just wish someone told me how difficult everyday life would be once you've made it through hell, when things are good and you have to go back to normal.<br /><br />So I've been depressed, unmotivated and zapped of energy. I'm working on it, though, and resolve to spend some time doing something I love: writing about my little bundle of joy. And hopefully that will help to get me out of this rut...Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-87596203849937021632009-11-09T23:41:00.006-05:002010-09-25T11:29:17.952-04:00Dispatches from BostonWe had our 1 year post surgery check up in Boston at the end of September. Jake's echos had stayed stable following his last Cath in February, and he has just been soaring at home, so we were expecting good news. Still, there's always that brief moment of panic I feel just before they tell us the results. If Jake's behavior is any clue to how's he doing, I should have known we have nothing to worry about.<br /><br />It's always nice to see Dr. Tworetzky. He just has a way at putting us at ease. Jake certainly seems relaxed with him.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/4022660919_7042c65d63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 256px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/4022660919_7042c65d63.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Dr. T. had two fellows with him who were interested in the fetal intervention and we got a pretty thorough update on it from his explanations to them. Jake was the 14th two ventricular birth in some 5 years of doing the FI. They now have 20 successes. I'd say they're getting better at doing it and that number of successes is due to increase steeply as they do more and more FIs.<br /><br />Dr. T. illustrated some key things that they learned specifically from Jake's case, including that they need to give these baby's time for their heart function to improve. We were just about ready to have the Stage 1 Norwood surgery which would have joined Jake's ventricles, giving him the traditional HLHS anatomy. However, that plan was thwarted when he came down with Sepsis (a blood infection) in the ICU. We needed to wait until the infection ran it's course and the antibiotics did their work before he could have surgery. Fortunately, by the time that happened, his left ventricle was pumping enough blood to indicate that it might be ok without the HLHS surgery. However, we would be back for the EFE surgery (see early posts).<br /><br />Hearing Dr. T. explain Jake's case to these traveling fellows drove home the point that this treatment is still so new, so cutting edge, that they don't even have enough experience or successes to predict outcomes. This is trailblazing medicine and we are on the front lines with them.<br /><br />But I digress...<br /><br />Jake went to sleep for his echo, thanks to the sedative, so that they could get the most accurate pictures of his heart possible.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/4161905846_30bee4bde5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 399px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/4161905846_30bee4bde5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4161149405_3c58fcdee0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 229px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4161149405_3c58fcdee0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Dr. Lock and Dr. Del Nido made brief cameos in passing. Sadly, both Linda Zaccinini and Donna Morash had the day off, and we did not have the pleasure of bumping into Dr. Marshall.<br /><br />We stayed at the Yawkey House - which is kind of like a Ronald McDonald house for families. It was nicer than most bed and breakfasts we've stayed at. We were also fortunate to run into Mary Beth and Anne Louise Atherton, Jake's roommates in the step down unit from his first hospital stay.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4022658531_851e35dd40.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 257px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4022658531_851e35dd40.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />All in all, it was a good trip. Jake's heart has stayed stable since his catheterization from February 09 and we will not need to return to Boston for another cath in 6 months. We are so relieved and as long as everything stays stable, we can count on being home for a nice long while.Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-45343616321740166212009-06-15T21:36:00.002-04:002009-06-26T23:19:43.021-04:00Binky woesRight now: Jake crying inconsolably.<br />Reason: Removal of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">binky</span>.<br /><br />So we've decided once and for all to ban the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">binky</span>. I know many may think that's a little harsh, that he's only 14 months and still needs it, and why don't we just relegate it to use only at bedtime. I agree one hundred percent. However, when both our pediatrician and cardiologist suggested that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">binky</span> may be related to a slight behavioral problem we have been experiencing, it was enough to convince us once and for all to ban the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">binky</span> for good.<br /><br />What behavioral issues could be caused by a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">binky</span>? Try breath-holding spells. What is a a breath-holding spell? According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breath-holding_spells"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wikipedia</span></a>, breath holding spells are the occurrence of episodic apnea in children, possibly associated with loss of consciousness, and changes in postural tone that occur in 5% of the population. Basically, Jake wakes up in the middle of the night, sits up and begins to cry inconsolably, we rush in and pick him up, he cries so hard he can't catch his breath, he passes out, goes into a "seizure-posture", and looses <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">consciousness</span> for up to a minute. He's had about 15 of these such episodes since March. The episodes are terrifying and the hardest part is that they are benign. Despite that they have still resulted in me performing CPR, calling 911, and spending 3 days in the hospital.<br /><br />When these episodes started to increase in frequency, our cardiologist became even more convinced that these were behavioral. She instructed us to put Jake back into his own room (we practically were sleeping in shifts with Jake in between us), and when he woke up crying, not to do anything. You mean like not even go into his room to make sure he's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">OK</span>? I asked. Nothing.<br /><br />It was incredibly difficult to stomach, but like clockwork, Jake woke up crying at 4am. Greg and I hovered outside his door, wringing our hands with concern and peaking through the open crack. Sure enough, when neither of came in to settle him, he lay back down and went to sleep. Amazing!<br /><br />So problem solved, right? Wrong. It's incredibly hard not to run to your child when they are crying, regardless of the cause. So somewhere along the way, we started running back into his room to stick the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">binky</span> in his mouth as soon as we heard a peep. It was a gradual progression but a few short weeks later he was back to his breath holding episodes again.<br /><br />This time, our pediatrician concurred. Get rid of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">binky</span>. So here we are again, though this time we're sticking to our guns. So far, it kinda sucks, but as I finish typing I hear the cries softening and am hopeful that as I peak in, he will be sound asleep and stay that way until morning.<br /><br />Jake and Binky: A HistoryBug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-58398959035471863592009-06-09T22:31:00.006-04:002009-06-10T23:25:11.782-04:00Hey You With the FaceMy son has the uncanny ability to make the most ridiculous faces, and by ridiculous, I mean ridiculously cute.<br /><br />Check it:<br /><br />Poopy Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2540955625_d29da94808_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/2540955625_d29da94808_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2636659502_d7c350250e_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2636659502_d7c350250e_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Happy Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2575846723_6c56000535_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2575846723_6c56000535_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2798425972_21338ddc6d_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2798425972_21338ddc6d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mischievous Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3088231142_496cd2b0d8_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3088231142_496cd2b0d8_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3088229470_be9a2eda90_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3088229470_be9a2eda90_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Crazy Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3067480433_2e7753340f_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3067480433_2e7753340f_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3068314192_f1182b6b07_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3068314192_f1182b6b07_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sleepy Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3136330621_e343f5d706_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3136330621_e343f5d706_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3136316815_2dc028f246_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3136316815_2dc028f246_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/3136330621_e343f5d706_m.jpg"> </a><br /><br />I can't believe I'm sitting Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3263342658_e00a54dd90_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3263342658_e00a54dd90_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm in the tub and having fun Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3364575844_acf47de961_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3364575844_acf47de961_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3373720023_2de781cd6c.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 159px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3373720023_2de781cd6c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Whoa! Weee! Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3374543258_4ac4cf6ce3_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 162px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3374543258_4ac4cf6ce3_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3373728339_62b8e3e10c_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3373728339_62b8e3e10c_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I blink for pictures Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3456201944_0bfbe43119.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 365px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3456201944_0bfbe43119.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Please stop taking my picture Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3432485700_711d095f7b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 377px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3432485700_711d095f7b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm the man Face<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/3538398745_215bedcf39_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/3538398745_215bedcf39_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-24855078938214597592009-06-03T13:26:00.002-04:002009-06-08T23:20:24.992-04:00Nature BoyWe've finally had a chance to spend some time outside these past few weeks. It seems like this year winter didn't go on forever as much as summer took so long to come. Some people might call that "spring", but it was far too dark and dismal for spring. Some might call it seasonal purgatory, or rather, San Francisco.<br /><br />Luckily the rain has stayed away on the weekends and we're spending tons of time enjoying our new yard. Jake seems to enjoy it, as long as a blanket is underfoot. He's not quite sure what to do with this thing we call grass, besides rip it up and stick it in his mouth, but then he does that with everything. Here's some pictures from his first outing.<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3505721073_2ba2c97a5b_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 571px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3505721073_2ba2c97a5b_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3505714187_3d6811233a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 254px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3355/3505714187_3d6811233a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3506533568_ca436bd50c_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3506533568_ca436bd50c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3506532438_432b4dd1e6_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 575px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3506532438_432b4dd1e6_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3505716373_eb95dcc3a5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 255px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/3505716373_eb95dcc3a5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div> </div>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-3225895023373279382009-05-25T21:14:00.002-04:002009-05-25T21:25:33.856-04:00Would the real Jake Maxwell please stand up?Jake Maxwell Casden meets Jake Maxell Shufro.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3432845753_b2851bfa60_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3432845753_b2851bfa60_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Greg's brother's good friend Lee Shufro had a baby about a week or so before us. His name... Jake Maxwell. Fortunately, we didn't find this out until after Jake was born, not that we would change the name we had picked out for months. Jake got a chance to meet the other Jake Maxwell at his cousin Nicky's 3rd birthday party. I don't think either one was too phased by sharing a name.Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-10019111376684154802009-05-04T00:26:00.003-04:002009-11-02T23:08:45.826-05:00Mother Nature got one sick sense of humor<div>Nature has played yet another cruel joke on this family. As if it is not bad enough that the events of Jake's cardiac arrest are forever be etched into my mind to relive over and over again in my imagination, we will now have to suffer through a set of very similar events as a part of a benign condition Jake apparently has called "Breath Holding Spells."</div><div> </div><br /><div>We're in the hospital again, this time after Jake's fourth such spell in a three week time period. Jake had an echo on April 14th. The results were good, not normal, but still good, with no change from his last catheterization in February - overall, positive news. That night Jake awoke about an hour after we put him down crying. As I picked him up to comfort him, his crying became more intense. After a particularly hard sob, Jake could not get his breath back, and proceeded to hold his breath of close to 20 seconds. After he finally took that breath he went stiff, the color drained from his face, his eyes were open but rolled back. He was out for close to a minute.Then, just as quickly he snapped out of it with a couple more cries and went back to acting completely normal.</div><div> </div><br /><div>We placed him on the pulse/ox immediately and his vitals were normal. His coloring came back immediately, and he sucked down 5 ounces of milk like nobody's business. It was as if that event never happened, which is why the cardiology fellow on call wasn't too concerned when I called him to tell him what happened. </div><div> </div><br /><div>Fast-forward a couple days to Friday Night: We have a repeat of the exact same sequence of events as I describe above, right down to the timing - about an hour after we put him down. Only this time when I get to him he looks like he's having a seizure. His back is arched, eyes rolled back, hands and arms twisted up by his head and feet curled in. Then he slumps into unconsciousness again. We were terrified and called 911. By the time the ambulance arrived Jake was back to acting totally normal. We decided to take him in anyways so here we are - all of Jake's vitals are normal and he's no worse for the wear. It's hard to say the same for his parents, however. Quite frankly, I just don't know how much more we can take.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-38847458386885092422009-04-22T22:14:00.004-04:002009-04-22T22:22:23.970-04:00The making of a tear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3432843425_5823b51f70_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 250px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3432843425_5823b51f70_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3433654528_ceaaef6bcf.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 255px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3433654528_ceaaef6bcf.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3433655238_5a5ba93a6e_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 254px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3433655238_5a5ba93a6e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3432844127_ed6a6f0dbb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 259px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3432844127_ed6a6f0dbb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3432844925_5ac8a6d325.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 260px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3432844925_5ac8a6d325.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3432845319_2a8bb19f46.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 261px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3432845319_2a8bb19f46.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-56623921003455577342009-04-19T22:24:00.002-04:002009-04-19T22:38:05.268-04:00I've got wings, but I can't fly...I'm talking about Jake's hair. I always knew I'd have a little rugrat running around rocking some badass hair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3456201364_b558eaf4de.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 240px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/3456201364_b558eaf4de.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3455380597_1844f3b2e9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 238px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3455380597_1844f3b2e9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3456200372_ce35bae601.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 239px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3456200372_ce35bae601.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-82792722731148717452009-04-19T12:24:00.002-04:002009-04-19T22:24:04.456-04:00"I Love Presents!"If I ever get around to updating the blog to recap our Christmas, you'll see the adorable onesie I got Jake that has a mischievous looking Christmas Tree on it with the voice bubble saying, "I Love Presents".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3088231142_496cd2b0d8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 227px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3265/3088231142_496cd2b0d8.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jake was flush with presents for his birthday, too. Check him out on his new ride-on toys:<br /><br />A new hot-rod from mom and dad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3433652420_94611809e3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 225px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3433652420_94611809e3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3433651992_5a0b055f00.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 222px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3433651992_5a0b055f00.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And a "Race Day" ride-on from Cousin Nicky and his parents<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3433653180_54db6ebe2a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 211px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3433653180_54db6ebe2a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3432842719_12fa0001c9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 472px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3432842719_12fa0001c9.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jake loves to ride around on both of them!Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-21282450130438089022009-04-19T12:12:00.002-04:002009-04-19T12:24:29.951-04:00Psycho-Mommy Photo ShootAn overzealous photo shoot the morning of Jake's birthday produced 80+ images. Here are some of the best ones:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3432502450_dd9ef65fa1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3432502450_dd9ef65fa1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3432497400_840f806c68_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 288px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3432497400_840f806c68_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3431689077_b0ede7f62b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3431689077_b0ede7f62b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3432503692_865cc657cb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3432503692_865cc657cb.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3431680341_ddc110328f_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 498px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3431680341_ddc110328f_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-29640553616490456512009-04-19T11:48:00.002-04:002009-04-19T12:12:18.878-04:00One Bad Bug is One Year Old<span style="font-size:100%;">Jake is one! He turned one four weeks ago. Make no mistake, I now suck at blogging. But rather than explain, I'm just going to share. Below is a letter that I've written to all of his doctors, and to anyone who has involved in his care over the past year. It sums up the emotion this occasion brings up for us. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >March 26, 2009<br /><br />Today is our son Jake Maxwell Casden’s first birthday and it's been an unbelievable first year. He's had more harrowing experiences than most people ever go through in a lifetime and has made it to this huge milestone no worse for the wear.<br /><br />Jake was diagnosed with aortic stenosis evolving into Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome at 22 weeks gestation. We underwent a fetal cardiac intervention at Boston Children’s Hospital. Jake was born in Boston on March 26th and had a catheterization at six hours old to dilate is aortic valve and create an ASD. Jake had a rough start but with time and medical management, he was able to leave the hospital without needing surgery.<br /><br />We eased into life at home with the knowledge that at some point surgery to repair or replace his valves and to remove scar tissue from his ventricle was probable. Eating, reflux, and weight gain presented problems, but overall, life was grand. We were so happy to finally have our little boy home.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >On the evening of August 3rd, Jake awoke from a nap with an intense cry. When he settled, he just didn’t look right to us so we brought him to the emergency room at Columbia/Presbyterian. An echo showed he was in heart failure. The next day, while awaiting transport to Boston, Jake went into full cardiac arrest. It took thirty minutes of CPR and several defibrillator shocks to get his heart rhythm back to normal. Fortunately no neurological, tissue or organ damage was sustained and we set about on the road to recovery. Another month in the hospital and Jake was able to make the trip to Boston.<br /><br />On September 9th, coincidentally our wedding anniversary, Jake underwent open-heart surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital for EFE resectioning, aortic and mitral valve repair and an ASD fenestration. There’s been no looking back since!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Today, Jake is absolutely thriving. In January, he turned a corner. At that time, he was barely able to sit supported. Now, just three months later, he’s cruising and climbing! His reflux issues have also subsided and mealtimes have become much less stressful and he is finally starting to gain a little weight. At just about 17 lbs, he is small but mighty and we find it difficult to keep up with his unrelenting energy. He's commando crawling, getting his teeth, babbling, pulling up to standing, cruising and learning more and more each day. He loves his books and toys and can entertain himself for what seems like hours without fussing. All in all, we’d say Jake has quite a normal, not to mention wonderful, life.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >As for his parents, well, we’ve learned a lot about who we are and what we’re capable over the past year. Strength and love go a long way but you have to arm yourself with knowledge, too. We’ve learned to believe in the power of science and medicine and to trust doctors who do not always have the answers. And we’ve been inspired to be better people by the remarkable example shown to us by our little fighter.<br /><br />As we reflect upon the events of the past year, we find it hard to find the words to thank you for the role you’ve played in helping Jake reach this milestone. Sometimes words are not enough; therefore, we have made a donation to the pediatric cardiology programs at both Boston Children’s Hospital and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York. Please know that you have played a very important role in this family’s happiness and our gratitude to all involved is unending.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Amy, Greg, and Jake Casden<br /></span><br /><br />We had an awesome party to celebrate with at least fifty people at our new house. It was the first time many of our friends had seen Jake since before his arrest last summer. I was so busy entertaining and showing Jake and the house off that I didn't get too many pictures. Here's a few...<br /><br />Bad Bug cupcakes decorated by the lovely Laurie Rudnick<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3432836669_61de71e298.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 334px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3432836669_61de71e298.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Make a wish!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3432838161_6530a820c0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 334px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3432838161_6530a820c0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jake's first taste of sugar!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3433650956_ce208c364f.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 419px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3433650956_ce208c364f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Cheers!</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3433650038_f17f3c2543.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 334px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3433650038_f17f3c2543.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-67425849807368015792009-04-06T21:42:00.007-04:002009-11-02T23:17:56.294-05:00Present and Future Posts on the Past<div><br /><div><div>I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long... (see previous post!)</div><br /><div>It's true, I've lost momentum. Blame it on being overworked and overtired. Blame it on stress. Blame it on moving and unpacking, and getting my house in order (oh, yeah, we moved to the burbs and bought a house - details to come in a future post, or not). Blame it on wanting to spend my idle time spending time with Jake. Blame it on spending my idle time watching American Idol. Blame it on Facebook. Blame it on the rain that was slowly falling. Whatever the reason, it would seem that my daily schedule and motivation are not aligning to send me to the computer to update this here blog. Do I feel guilty? Hell yeah I do.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>For now, I'm going to work on backtracking a bit to cover all the milestones and pitfalls we've had over the past few months. There's been a-plenty of both.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Merry Christmas</strong></div><br /><div>Christmas is my favorite holiday. At one time I tried to make myself sound cooler by falsely claiming New Years was my celebration of choice. Afterall, that fit in better with my party-girl image. But who was I kidding. How can you compare blowing a few horns and <em>maybe</em> kissing someone at midnight with presents? C'mon, <span style="font-style: italic;">presents!</span> There's not much competition, is there. </div><div></div><br /><div>In keeping true to my well intentioned philosophy of indoctrinating my beliefs upon my child, I went out and purchased this lovely onesie for his Christmas photos: </div></div><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 500px; height: 334px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/3088239142_99f59cf308.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>By the way, did I mention that Jake is half Jewish? Regardless, Christmas calls for celebration. Decorating, presents, food, and more food. And then, more food. My Aunt Jo makes three dinners for Christmas - Egg drop soup, followed by ravioli, meatballs and sausage, followed by smoked ham and turkey - a sort of deconstructed Turduckin, but better . But before we even get to that three dinners for one, there's Christmas Eve and The Feast of the Seven Fishes - not one, not two.... but SEVEN different seafood dishes. And then there's the appetizers and desserts and cookies and cookies and desserts... It's insane. The first time Greg came home with me he went and laid down on the couch away from everyone. When I went in to check on him he said he just couldn't be around food anymore.<br /><br />However, this year we're staying home. It's just too early to travel with Jake. It's too close to his surgery and there's just too much at risk. While I'm sad and will miss my family, I must admit that there is something special about spending tour first holiday with just the three of us.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to presents and to giving Jake lots and lots of presents for many years to come.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-77626235471755020522009-02-26T21:15:00.004-05:002009-02-26T21:48:56.715-05:00Excuses, excusesI'm not even going to start this post with "I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long...". So I haven't updated. I've been a little busy. We've moved. My living room is still stacked with boxes. The house is halfway painted and we have an entire room without furniture. Then there's the regular household chores like scrubbing toilets and doing dishes and doing laundry (although those last two are a helluva lot easier with a sweet dishwasher and washer and dryer). Then there's work. My company laid off around 100 people. I'm pretty happy to have my job - let alone a job I love - but it's been stressful. Oh, and did I mention I now spend 3 hours a day commuting.<br /><br />But enough of the excuses.<br /><br />I feel guilty as all hell for not sharing Jake's stories for so long. I have a backlog of posts swimming around in my head but I have to move on with the current tales. Maybe I'll get around to getting caught up someday, but with an 11th month old, a new house, and a stressful job, maybe I won't.Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-19070154762593133412008-12-22T22:41:00.002-05:002008-12-22T23:21:40.762-05:00Home Sweet HomeI have never appreciated the true sentiment of "home sweet home" more then returning home after spending weeks and sometimes months in the hospital with Jake. We have been through so much with him and to return home, physically and mentally exhausted, gave deeper meaning to the phrase. <br /><br />Now, "home sweet home" has taken on yet another new profound meaning because we have just closed on our first house today! We bought a modest yet cute 1940 ranch home in the 'burbs. It's in a quiet neighborhood, has a good yard, a garage for Greg to work on our cars in, a washer and dryer (no more laundromat!) and Jake will have his very own room! It's structurally sound but needs some updating, and we intend to return it to it's mid-century modern splendor with some hard work and time. You can read all about our retro renovation at <a href="http://31sherman.blogspot.com/">31 Sherman</a>.<br /><br />We want to give Jake the world, and though a house is not the world, it's definitely an upgrade from the one bedroom apartment we all share now. I can't wait to paint and decorate his room, to see him run around the yard, for family holidays together in our home and for all of the memories we'll make there together.<br /><br />Home, sweet home, indeed.Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-19938830848949156222008-12-20T22:38:00.004-05:002009-02-13T22:59:16.373-05:00The Many Moods of Jake Maxwell Casden Part 3One photo shoot. Many moods...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/3067491735_4325b461ed_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/3067491735_4325b461ed_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3068325610_51b3bdf043_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 187px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3068325610_51b3bdf043_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3068326780_b102fdc8d8_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 190px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3068326780_b102fdc8d8_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/3067487241_edd0c49a12_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 193px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3060/3067487241_edd0c49a12_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/3067482661_58b0aae9ed_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 196px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/3068322042_612f8c0f4e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 193px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/3067482661_58b0aae9ed_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3068314192_f1182b6b07_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 197px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/3068314192_f1182b6b07_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3067480433_2e7753340f_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/3067480433_2e7753340f_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3068310778_90cc770c08_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 212px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3068310778_90cc770c08_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-76310504646043019052008-12-15T21:49:00.002-05:002008-12-15T23:17:05.521-05:00Peek-A-BooJake plays peek-a-boo! We've played peek-a-boo for months, and Jake loves it, but this was the first time Jake decided to play along. I think he might just be the sweetest thing in the whole world.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyTXXSCrsqI7OWQS7lhJ9_rVyMWOV2MzKoU08-dUimOIzT3QoJB3ADqTkO96GeiLoA9BhtFPupuarLwr8xRgg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-39678488957998835812008-12-07T21:30:00.003-05:002008-12-08T12:46:00.186-05:00Jake Casden is a Wild Man!Jake is a wild man! He has more energy than any baby I've ever seen. He's so energetic that he actually broke his bouncy seat. Greg had to rig it up so we could still use it. Sometimes I think he may bounce right out.<br /><br />Check it out.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4P6WelWOlXmZn3bXv7itpwIhTG1EIFZHi7KvCSngggwDAt15i_p6_ZUaqL2efSoYY7ASr_6swVwCzPfWeSw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-72488366419840810432008-12-07T21:13:00.004-05:002008-12-07T21:27:58.071-05:00Plush Guts and MicrobesI found an awesome gift for Jake from <a href="http://iheartguts.com/">I Heart Guts.</a> They have great stuff including spleens, kidneys, the digestive system and even a plush uterus!<br /><br />Jake loves his heart and the aorta makes for a great teething toy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/3087380105_9d7d3b3b41_m.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 210px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/3087380105_9d7d3b3b41_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This reminded me of <a href="http://www.giantmicrobes.com/">Giant Microbes</a>, plush little cuties of all your favoriate ailments, including bed bugs, e coli, herpes and the common cold.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3NevnHiF3M8/STyFCS1R_kI/AAAAAAAAACs/1pbRLU2tV2w/s1600-h/bacteria.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3NevnHiF3M8/STyFCS1R_kI/AAAAAAAAACs/1pbRLU2tV2w/s320/bacteria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277239137832926786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think both <a href="http://iheartguts.com/">I Heart Guts</a> and <a href="http://www.giantmicrobes.com/">Giant Microbes</a> offer excellent stocking stuffers. Get 'em now for the holidays!<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1674764187040559797.post-79565242553733242382008-12-03T22:39:00.002-05:002008-12-03T22:48:12.292-05:00I Suck My Thumb, and My Fingers and Toes!Exhibit A<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3020465507_ab3dcb095a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 300px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/3020465507_ab3dcb095a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Exhibit B<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2990152791_c00ea8ed63.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 448px; height: 299px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2990152791_c00ea8ed63.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Exhibit C<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3021304046_eeb4669e23.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 446px; height: 298px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3021304046_eeb4669e23.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bug's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10525090570694529109noreply@blogger.com0