Caleb and Matthew best friends for life

This week has been very busy. We really didn't have much down time between Disney and getting prepared for another full week of school and work. Before we settled into bed Sunday, I snapped a few pictures of the boys playing together. As you can see Caleb adores Matthew and of course Matthew, as sweet as he is, loves his baby brother.
Caleb still has not started crawling forward but somehow he manages to push himself backwards. Needless to say every time he wants a toy, rather than getting closer to it he gets farther away:)
Matthew preformed in a school chorus show for the PTA meeting. He is so handsome in his suite, his friends told him he looked like a lawyer, so he thought that was funny.
Matthew is doing very well in school and got an outstanding certificate for completing a mathematics worksheet in less than 3 minutes, it was pretty impressive.
Josh found last week he made the chiefs board, he scored very well on his chiefs exam. This is his third time up for Chief and if you ask me, 3's a charm so I'm certain this is it, he will finally put on his khaki uniform. However, I am pushing him to apply for the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program. I really think he is much more fit for the officer ranks and believe he would set an extraordinary example for either Chief or Officer.
As for me, I"m still getting by in school. I just finished a paper for my entrepreneur course, its entitled "Feeding Babies and Opportunity". We had to examine our every day lives and focus on one way to improve it, its based on a theory that "people don't change/create products/services until things drive them to create". So with the hassle of feeding Caleb while in the grocery or during tasks with school and home, I created on paper a mechanism that is shaped like an animal with chewable ears (for teething babies) that could hold a bottle for you and feed the baby, brilliant.
Josh and I finished mulching the floor beds and decided it would be nice to have a gazebo that would shade us from the Florida sun, so we got one and its fantastic! I just realized its not 100% water proof but its still really nice to have for the summer when Matty wants to play in the pool. I could even do my work outside on the table out of the sun, so neat!
Until next time!
Jo

Disney World's Magic Kingdom

After going to the zoo last week I decided that we had to take Matthew to Disney World. Spring break started for me so I figured this would be the best time. March in Florida tends to be nice and breezy, not too hot and not too cold. So after talking with the Spencer's about watching Caleb we made a plan and stuck to it. Josh made reservations for the Shades of Green hotel located "in" Disney World across from the Magic Kingdom.

We picked Matthew up from school early on Friday and started our journey to Deland. We got to eat dinner and visit with Grandma Sheila and Grandad Dan. We even got to see Great Grandaddy who wasn't feeling so swift because of his allergies and recovery from some medical testing. Its always so great to visit with him, we love him so much.

Saturday we woke around 0600 and started our drive to Orlando at about 0715. We arrived at our hotel around 0815 and dropped off our things with the bell boy. We took the bus to the Magic Kingdom, we were so excited. We rode the monorail into the magical kingdom at Disney. We pulled right up to Cinderellas Castle, so amazing. Our first stop was the restaurant of course. We immediately walked to Space Mountain were Matthew rode his very first roller coaster...This was a good thing and a bad thing all together. Matthew seems to be more and more like his momma. Josh told us that it wasn't a roller coaster. He said it had no dips, boy was he wrong. It was redone and opened just a few months ago so he did not know it was as scary as it was. Poor Matty, we had to sit three to a car and each seat sat only one person. Needless to say Matthew sat alone and screamed "I don't like this" the whole way. I told him loudly to close his eyes and relax his head, it was scary for me. He got off and said "that was scary, I'm never doing that again", but "I can't believe I rode on Space Mountain":). On our way to another section of the park we walked by Cinderella's Castle were we got to watch the opening musical act, including Cinderella and Mickey Mouse, soooo cool. I had tears in my eyes because all I could think of was all the little children so happy, this one moment made so many people happy, including me:)
We ate lunch at a neat restuarant that served us tuna sandwiches, fried shrimp, and chicken nuggets. Afterward we walked around to the flying dumbo and the mad tea party ride. I was actually a little anxious on the dumbo ride because I'm afraid of heights. Matthew thought it was funny that I told him to stop making us go so high:)
We got to ride the go carts and Matthew drove with Josh. Unfortunately, our fast pass for Peter Pan was not honored because they were having issues, so we never did get to do that.
We stood in line to ride Pirates of the Caribbean for about 30 minutes. We got all the way to the front and Matthew with tears in his eyes said "I don't want to go Momma", so I of course did not want to push him too much. The whole time we were in the line he was anxious but I thought by the time we go to the front he would be okay. Nope. We walked all the way back through the cave trying to weave in and out of people saying "ohhh, its okay its not scary". Poor Matty, he was so scared from Space Mountain that he was not willing to try another possibly scary ride.
We waited for Josh then got to go on the ferry around the park. Amazingly right after we got off the ferry the parade was right on the money and I finally got to see Cinderella, sleeping beauty and other fun characters up close. We decided we needed to rest so we had an old fashion ice cream, there is a neat story involving this stop.
Apparently, when Josh was about 6 his family went to Disney. He had a strawberry ice cream cone from this exact ice cream shop. As he walked out of the shop's doors his ice cream slid right off the cone onto the ground. His father had to purchase him another but it was something he remembered all these years. Ironically, Matthew had a Mickey ice cream cone and as he walked out of the shop with a big smile on his face, the ice cream slid right off the cone, but.....Matty caught it with one hand right before it hit the ground. Like I said he is more and more like me, we have a great hand eye coordination, I guess that is why he is so good at baseball and catching things.
Matthew got to pick one item to bring home with him and he decided on a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal, very classic.
We rode the monorail back to the lot and arrived at the hotel. We ate dinner in the hotel's restaurant and shortly after returned to the Magic Kingdom for the Magical firework show. Matthew and I browsed the shops and purchased some candy for the Spencer's and of course us! We looked at some beautiful Disney art pieces and found our spot for the fireworks show. We stood in the middle of the road, Matthew on Josh's shoulders and I watched in amazement the fireworks that we had dreamed about (or maybe that was just my dream since being a little girl). Afterward with happy and tired bodies we left the park to return to our hotel room. This time we decided to ride the ferry back, it was windy but beautiful. We are excited to go back to Disney again but for now our memories will forever be cherished.

A day at the zoo.

What a crazy weekend we had last weekend. Caleb had been sick for a few days with diarrhea and then Josh got seriously ill. He had to go to the ER and get two saline bags plus anti-nausea meds. He was rough big time. Matthew and I ended up getting it at the same time Friday night, it was so sad. I took some meds from France that helped kick it right away but Matty was not so lucky. Poor little man was out all day Saturday, he did nothing but watch movies and drink Gatorade (he couldn't drink for the first few hours when it hit).
Sunday we decided to go to the zoo with the boys, Caleb's first zoo visit. It was so much fun. Caleb did not make a peep the entire time, he was totally involved in looking around. Matthew was excited as always and was interested in different animals this time. He seemed most curious about the rhinos, flamingos, the gold fish and the monkeys. He made his first stamped coin, he choose the ape stamp. On our way out he picked up a really cool airplane pencil sharpener and a zoo pencil, he had fun. We got to see the Florida red wolf get fed some type of red meat, super cool! We got to visit the Komodo dragon for the second time, the first time I was pregnant.

I enjoyed just being in the open air, having a picnic and just being with the boys and Josh. The animals are so sad to me. I especially feel most emotional over the silver back apes. I actually got teary eyed just looking at them. They added more electrical fencing around the trees and other structures in the apes cage. Its so sad to me.

Later on that evening Matthew finished up his second project. This one is an animal project, the Panda. We already talked about this but I wanted to share the finished project. I give it an A++.

Hopefully this weekend we will have more adventures to share:)

Caleb Daniel Spencer's Birthday

July 22, 2009 was one amazing day. I had been in the hospital going on about 3 weeks when God decided the day had come to bring my Caleb into the world. I had been doing some stretching and light lifting when I started to bleed. Yes, another placenta previa episode. I immediately called my nurse "Betty" to come to my room (room number 300 at Baptist Medical Center, Downtown Jax). I share the room number, because that was a room where I learned a lot about myself, my faith and the ones who truly care for me the most.
I laid down on my awesome hospital bed and called Josh as my nurse called my doctor, Dr. Boyd. To be more precise I was seeing the entire practice; Doctors Barnes, Boyd, McIntyre and Stenklyft. I had a schedule c-section for July 25th with Dr. Stenklyft (Dr. S passed away unexpectedly in December 2009).
I called Josh and he came out to see me immediately. Matthew was at the CDC on base where he had been going during the day so Josh could work.
After the bleeding seemed to be progressing they prepared me for delivery and wheeled me to the labor and delivery pre-operating room. There I drank a concoction that helps your stomach relax for anesthesia. Josh dressed in his blue man suite (it was so funny, he looked like he had on skinny jeans with combat boots, he had come in uniform). During this time Dr. Stenklyft was so kind to come and and give me words of encouragement and told me I stood him up for our date (c-section) on Saturday:) Soon I was pushed into the operating room. It was freezing and everything was medal. I'll never forget the white wash cloth I had in my hand. They gave it to me to squeeze when I got my IV, I never let it go in the operating room. Josh wanted to take it and I said "no"! It was a very scary feeling for me. They proceeded to do their medical checks while some weird woman shot me up with anesthesia through my back (ouch). Did I mention the anesthesialogist was a crazy Russian guy, he was actually very funny.
They found Josh and in came my doctor, Dr. Boyd. He was so witty and made me feel so comfortable. He knew I was ready to go home and tired of waiting for bleeding episodes. I think he was relieved as well. I remember I kept saying I feel lots of pressure and I started feeling as if I was going to pass out. They put another drug through my iv so that my heart would pump a little faster(I have a very very slow heart rate). Dr. Boyd told Josh get your camera ready its almost time. I could hear them loudly describing what they were doing and what they could see (feet, arms, etc).
Finally, at around 11:14am, our youngest son Caleb was delivered at 36.5 days, 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long. With a loud scream and gurgling, my son was safe, I closed my eyes in relief. Josh turned to me and said "Joann, he is big, can you see him?". We were so concerned that he was not going to be a healthy size. My mom even sent us premature baby clothes by my request. Josh quickly walked over to the table where they were checking Caleb over and announced him to be very healthy (minus the undescended testicle which we are still watching). Josh brought Caleb to me but I could not hold him. I did not cry I just smiled.
After the last 4 months of doctors appointments every day, living at the hospital, having high risk ultrasounds every week I finally got him within 2 days of full term, I was proud and I was tired. Caleb was my miracle baby in every way.
Him and I had been through so much together already and I had no idea we would have another week to overcome.
The nurses had more things to do and took Caleb to the nursery. Josh went with me to recovery and left to call our family and give them the announcement. I was so out of it from the morphine when Dr. Stenklyft came to see me and told me everything went perfect. I did not have much blood loss either, this man did not even do the c-section and waited to get confirmation everything was perfect. I had been very scared of major blood loss since it can easily occur with complete placenta previa (blood was drawn every day in the hospital to prepare for a blood transfusion) ended up loosing less blood then a normal c-section, thank God.

After being in recovery I was wheeled to my room where a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my sister and a box with a necklace, picture frame and magazine sent from my mom. Ironically, they had no idea he was to be born this day.
There was a knock at the door and who could it be, but Tia Lovett a great woman I met during Matthew's kindergarten year at ACPK. Her son Bradley was in his class and she was pregnant along with me, she had a baby boy only 3 weeks earlier. Her whole family waited in the hall way. She too brought me the most beautiful carnations I have ever seen in my life and a big brother button for Matthew. Tia was so funny, she took one look at me and says "did you have the baby", yayayayay. She left soon after we talked, I truly can not remember what she and I discussed, I just remember trying to talk with her. Soon, a nurse came to my bedside and told me they took Caleb to Wolfson's NICU which was a few floors below. Apparently, they did a standard feeding procedure with a syringe and water and he started grunting because he could not breath and drink at the same time. Because Caleb was considered premature and c-section he was at high risk for a breathing issues which he indeed had. He needed to have more time transitioning on his own to breathing air. Later that evening grandma, granddad Spencer and Matthew came to meet Caleb for the first time. I was not supposed to go to the NICU that evening but after building a relationship with the nurses they agreed I was honest and would abide by their rules so they let me go. After washing our hands for 2 minutes, I was ready to introduce Matthew to his best friend for life, his brother Caleb.

As Matthew walked up to Caleb's side I said "Matty, meet your best friend little brother Caleb". He met his brother for the first time that day, attached to many machines and a face mask "cpap". However, Matthew seemed to look beyond all of that and just smiled with pride, he was finally a big brother. Matthew loves this little fella, its the best thing that has ever happened to the old family of three.
Matthew left with the Spencer's that night, so that Josh and I could have time to recoup. Josh visited Caleb in the evening and spoke with the doctors. They had taken chest xrays and believed it was only a matter of time until Caleb could come home, he was strong and healthy his lungs just needed extra time. I was not able to hold Caleb until the fourth day after he was born, it was the most amazing feeling when I got to hold him. I tried nursing him during his time at the NICU but he wouldn't, we tried everything. I'm a very determined person when its necessary, Caleb found that out soon in his life, I would not give in to "no" nursing. This is a whole different story but added to my anxiety, emotions and stress of having my newborn in the NICU.
There were several emotional days that we had after leaving the hospital without our baby boy. During one visit Caleb had an apnic incident where he stopped breathing. A nurse ran in to area we were in and nudge him, it was terrible. Days later as he was able to breath on his own, he would have to pass a car seat test before we could take him home. He failed the first time and passed the second. I was dealing with all of this while recovering from major surgery. We drove to the NICU every day to see him, do skin on skin with him and deliver pumped breast milk. I will never forget the stress leading me to break down at a local "famous Amos". I just lost it, crying. Poor Josh:)
the day finally came when the NICU doctor felt it was safe to let Caleb come home. On a rainy Friday July 31st, 2009 Caleb came home to start our bond as a family of four. This day was exciting yet scary. We had anxiety about his breathing but after the doctor reassured us she would not let him go home at risk, we felt a little better.
So after all my doctors visits, surgery, NICU visits, big time nursing issue we got our second baby boy.
Caleb we love you for the patients you have already taught us and the deeper faith we have because of you. Last but surely never the least, Matthew we love you even more for being the most loving, caring, and gentle big brother and son that you are. I always wanted a big brother like you, Matthew. I'm so happy Caleb has you, he is such a lucky little brother.
Until the next one...Just kidding.
These pictures are very personal to me, they illustrate Caleb's birth story.

March 2010

We are off to a racing start this March. I got a call about a job that I may take on the base. However, I'm very concerned it will take away from my many many duties at the house. This full time mom job is a lot of work. When I see Caleb and Matthew, when they are clueless at my glancing, I realize how much they mean to me and how much I love being here for them. I love that if something happens at school Matthew knows I'm right there. I'm happy that at home Caleb's cries are stopped when I hold him in my arms. Its very tough some days when I have things to do for me, like school.
Matthew had had two projects already. One was to create a valentines box. However, this is Matthew you are talking about, so of course his box had to have wings and engines:) His second project is an animal project. He was assigned the Panda Bear so we headed to Michael's and purchased clay and paint! One of the assignments to this project was to choose an interesting fact, one that isn't just your every day "how much do panda's weight?", etc. So we found that panda mothers usually give birth to only one cub but in cases of twins the mother leaves one behind and only takes care of one single cub. So, with this in mind, we decided to make a momma panda bear and a baby bear:) Matthew is in the Art club so his artistic side is really coming out every day. I just gave him a tracing pad as a gift for being so good at school, needless to say, everything is being traced.
Caleb....Oh Caleb... He is 7 months and still no crawling and no teeth. However, he is healthy and very chunky:) I wish I could just keep him at this age, perfectly perfect to me. He is so adorable. He makes these funny noises trying to communicate with me. We squeak at each other, he thinks its hilarious.
Josh is doing well as always. He never really has much to say, he just works and works and works. I'm still getting by at school but its a drag. I should have stuck with pre-med or nursing! Not because of the money but because I love learning about the body, more specifically the immune system, it totally fascinates me.
As for now, today in my life, God gave me the most precious boys to keep healthy and raise. Somedays this is the most fasinating experience and others it can be quite challenging.
Well, until next time.
Joann

Winter 2009-2010

I can't believe its almost Spring. It has been an amazing first few months of 2010. There has been many blessings, both Caleb and Matthew are growing into healthy boys. There has also been challenges, my grandaddy Bill has come very close to leaving us this year but God gave him more time with us until he takes him home. I have learned so much in these past few months with friends of the family passing way. Mary Hayes one of the family's once close friend passed away at 59, way to young to leave this earth. Through all these hard lessons I've learned that our life is so unexplained, the stepping stones we have in life encourages us to grow in faith and to cherish everything we are given.

On a less serious note, I'm finishing up the last year of college, thank you God! Matthew is doing fantastic in First grade and is in the art club (my little artists).. Caleb is growing at record speed and has put enought weight on to support two boys his age:) Josh has just transferred to a new position and really enjoys it. The new shift is tough but nothing we can't get through.
We started going to a new chruch, Celeration church. I like it! Its more different than any of the churches we have gone too, very neat. I hope to see my brother this week so he can go with us. I plan on posting more pics. I'm going to set a goal to post atleast once a week at night while Josh is gone. Until next time...
Jo
P.S. My friend printed a book of her posts, I def envy that and will try and do the same...thanks Jamie for the idea, your so savy!

Christmas 2009

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas 2009. We had an early Christmas dinner with my brother Chris then went to Christmas Eve service. We had a great Christmas with lots of fun gifts and friends.