Mack-A-Fest Parade

This weekend is Mackinaw's town celebration called the Mack-A-Fest. Two weeks ago Shelby received a letter in the mail with sheet music she had to learn on her own in two weeks to be ready to march with the high school band in the parade. She was really excited about the choice of music. It was "Holiday" by Green Day. She practiced on her own for the last two weeks and then the band practiced together for four hours yesterday before the parade. We were excited because this is Shelby's first high school band performance.

It was also Jadon's first parade. We got there a little early so we could find a spot to sit in the shade and Jadon was watching the normal traffic come through and that was entertaining him. We had no doubt he would enjoy the parade once it began. Jadon did enjoy watching all the fire trucks, the ambulance he rode in last week, and all the people go by.

I took video of Shelby's performance. She is in the middle of the front row.


Smiley Boy waiting for the parade to start!


What are they looking at??


Mom why are you always looking at me through that thing?


Daddy and Jadon at his first parade.

Boating Fun

Yesterday (Saturday) we went boating with my parents. Nate, Rachelle, and Owen also went along. It was the first long boat outing for both of the youngest boys. Shelby and Jake were excited to get out on the water in Grandpa's new boat. His new boat holds all his kids, their spouses/significant others, and grandkids. We are very excited. It was a beautiful day could not have asked for better weather. Both Owen and Jadon did great. Jadon was so relaxed it was funny. He did not fuss once while we were out there. Owen and his mommy got in the water and Owen was not thrilled with that experience but I think it was the life jacket more than anything.
The most exciting part of the day for me was when Nate looked over at Shelby and said "Well, lets get you ready to ski". Later I told him good job. If he had asked her if she wanted to ski she probably would have said no but he just told her and she did not argue. It was brilliant. I had talked with her on the way to Clinton Lake about trying skiing. I thought she would be great at it because of her runner's legs and her strength. She was! On her second try she got up and stayed up for a long run. It was awesome. I was soooo proud of her and she was having a blast. You could see it on her face. She went a few more times but each time she would have a harder time getting up and going so we could tell she was tired. Jake got out there to try but right as he would get up the skiis would fall off so Grandpa said he was going to look for a pair of junior skiis. We went out on the water around 1 and came in off the water around 4. It was a great day. Shelby said how much fun she had the whole way home. Here are some pics from the day.

Back to Normal

Last night Jadon was getting some lovin' and attention from his brother and sister. I think they were glad to see him acting normally. I just thought I would share so everyone could see he is back to his normal happy self!



He did good last night. When we were discharged from the hospital they told us to find a way to prop the crib mattress so that his head was higher than his feet. I made a few phone calls yesterday and found a wedge that would work at Merle Pharmacy. We went and picked it up yesterday because he was not spending another night lying flat on his back again. Matt and I have also decided that he will be sleeping in our room for a very long time after the incident the other night. Last night he got his bath, then he had his cereal and nursed then I put him in his exersaucer and bouncy seat for about 40 minutes. We were told to keep him upright for 30 minutes after he eats. Then he was fussing and I could tell he was tired so I put him down in his crib and turned his beloved music toy on, gave him his lovey that was freshly washed because it was a casualty of the vomit the other night and by the time I was done with my shower he was fast asleep. I made Matt move the baby monitor to the head of the crib and took the listening end into the living room with me so we could hear if he started to choke or cough or anything. He slept peacefully until around 2. He got up and ate then fell back to sleep. Got up again at 4:30, and again went right back to sleep. Slept right through the storm and woke up around 6:15 just in time to tell his Daddy goodbye and give him some smiles before he went to work. So hopefully with the increased dosage of Zantac and following these other guidelines they gave us we can keep his reflux under control.

Jadon's New Trick

Jadon made a new discovery this morning. As you may or may not know he is finally sleeping in his crib for night and naps except when the daycare kids are napping. We have a music player in there that is jungle theme. I think there is a monkey and a frog that swing from the trees and then in the water part there is a fish that moves around. It lights up really pretty in the dark and he loves it. We love it too. We can now put him down awake and he will happily watch that thing until he falls asleep. Of course his lovey and his bink that we finally gave in to help also. :) Anyway....this morning about nine I heard him squawk to let me know he was awake. I was in the middle of something so I was going to get him in a moment. Then I realized that a moment had turned into 15 minutes and I had not heard from him again. I crept in the room quietly to see what he was up to and as I entered the room I realized his crib toy was on and playing music. It has a button on the front of it that you hit to get it going. Jadon had turning himself completely around in the crib and was using his feet to turn it off and on. I watched him to it several times and of course ran to get the camera but only got him trying to do it. No success. He is so smart though!

Grandpa Marion and Jadon

Grandpa Marion held Jadon for a little while yesterday afternoon. These moments are few and far between. Very precious. Jadon held still and was a pretty good boy for Grandpa for a few moments at least. Grandpa said he thought Jadon was heavier than him!! Very funny!