Hello and Bye Bye 'lello!

Thanksgiving- For the most part it was a huge success!  It was a little stressful a few days before because I could not find my specific pumpkin anymore in the grocery but luckily the Wednesday market near our place saved the pie.  Paul woke up early to get a last few ingredients plus two 6.5kg turkeys we ordered (that was as big as they could come).  Unfortunately, they were frozen- this was not the case for Christmas last year so we were surprised but it worked out just fine.  I made sweet potato casserole, one of the turkeys, gravy, and a pumpkin pie.  A friend hosted and cooked the other turkey and we had one huge table with about 25 of us.  It was so great!  We had all the major foods and more and I couldn't have asked for a better Thanksgiving with friends.  The only ify part was little dude...

Thanksgiving morning I had to wake Jakob up at 9am because we really needed to start our day.  He was a little sluggish but still took his normal morning feed.  As he was finishing, a volcano of milk erupted from his tiny mouth.  I had never seen anything like it.  Jakob never vomits.  He didnt have a fever and was a little fussy and looked kinda tan.  That day he didnt have an appetite for solids, had a tiny amount of blood in his urine, and was very sleepy but still was happy hanging out with everyone.  Needless to say, by the end of the evening he threw up a little bit of saliva and we were worried.  He had finally started looking really yellow- skin and eyes.  The next day we went to the pediatrician and he sent us straight to the children's hospital.  After tons of needles, blood taking, and crying (baby chub makes finding veins very difficult) that night we were told they suspected Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.  From what I understand, a toxin (linked to E Coli) gets platelets to start clotting which makes openings smaller which rips up red blood cells as they try to pass through.  The broken red blood cells leak bilirubin causing jaundice and the clogging makes capillaries bust forming red pin pricks on the skin.  Red blood cell and platelet counts can drop dangerously low and I believe this (along with trying to clean out the toxin) is what can make the damage to the kidneys so massive- damage that can lead to dialysis and sometimes transplants.  The range of devestation this disease can cause is huge.  And in a huge understatement, we were incredibly scared for our little dude.  There is no medicine, no antibotics that help because if you attack the toxins they break apart and spread worse.  We just had to wait.

Jakob stayed in ICU for observation that night.  We were told things can get bad fast.  I slept in a mommy room for a few hours and was back with him bright and early.  Saturday his red blood cells were so low he needed packed red blood cells (fyi- we now realize first hand the importance of giving blood and will be making more of an effort from now on).  Jakob was extremely sleepy with very little energy and no appetite but was still flirting with all the nurses.  He had a small allergic reaction to the blood and got a steriod shot to stop its progess and that afternoon he was stable enough to be moved to the dialysis floor in our own room where I could sleep too.  We then realized we were in isolation- basically no leaving the room except to get food.  They were worried he still could be contagious but Sunday the top doctor was called in to look at Jakob's case and see if we could be taken off isolation and we passed!  Horray for the first step!  Each day he had blood taken, some days had a new test (ultrasound of his organs, echo cardiogram which he fell asleep during, eye exam), and eventually his platelets and kidney levels returned to normal without dialysis (thank God!).  He was on an iv most of the time because fluids help flush everything and there is no way (even on his best day) that he takes in a liter of fluids!

By Friday we met with the doctor for an overview of our case and we were headed home!  Everything was back to normal except his red blood cell count which was about 75%.  We were told it could take weeks to months to normalize.  Unfortunately, this disease will be following him hopefully only until he's an adult.  So nephrology appointments will happen next week, in a month, maybe 3 months later, and then probably every year til he's an adult.  When he's older the kidneys will grow and work harder and sometimes problems will appear.  We are optimistic though!

SO!  That was a crazy week.  We really didnt think going to the pediatrician would lead to a week in the hospital but we are so thankful for the Kinderspital!  It was amazing, the nurses loved Jakob so much (he flirted back and had his favorites!), and we really couldn't have asked for a better experience during a terrible time.  Great friends stopping by to keep us sane and bring us food made us feel a lot better too.  And now we are back to normal.  Thankfully.  Jakob eats a ton, sleeps great, talks alot, and is on the move.  We love him so much and love his fighter mentality!

And in 2 weeks we are off the states!  Christmas, time with family and friends, and a certain 1 year old birthday party!  Could not be more excited!  Now to start Christmas shopping...  Oh and these are our Christmas cookies we made with friends (plus my fudge that's not pictured).  :)  And our view from the hospital room.

Tenth Month Adventures

I know it's time for another blog when my pictures start backing up!

Our trip to Bernex, France was beautiful and more fun than I've had in a long time here.  6 adults and 3 kids piled into 2 cars and headed off the Friday evening before last pulling in around 10pm.  Jakob fell asleep for the last half hour or so and was the perfect car buddy.  Our friend's chalet was tucked away in the mountain countryside and had gorgeous views.  The next day the men ran out for some freshly baked french pastries for breakfast and we had a feast.  We then made our way to grocery where Benno and Jakob rode in the cart together.  It was so cute.  I was pushing them around and it was so fun trying to entertain 2 tiny boys with things we were buying.  But we got tons of food and went back to the chalet for dinner for lunch- the norm around here.  So pork chops, ratatouille, and salad for lunch made by our french friend!  Later we took a little hike along the mountains to a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva.  We made it there right at sunset too!

After the babies were in bed, we played games late into the night and had so much fun.  It was so great hanging out with genuine people with no internet and no smart phones.  SO relaxing and nice!  The next day after another delicious fresh french pastry breakfast (this time including eclairs!) we cleaned up and headed to the city with Evian's headquarters on the lake.  We ate lunch on the lake and grabbed a quick dessert before our road trip back.  I had a chocolate meringue type that was so rich and amazing!  I wish I remembered the name and had taken a picture.

Not too much else has been going on.  Last weekend we bought a desk type thing for Jakob.  So the last bit of space we had is used.  I really dont think anymore furniture can fit in our apartment.  This piece was necessary though because now Jakob's toys can go under the keyboard and he cant stand on my keyboard anymore!  Plus he now has his own space that he can do crafts at later.

The Friday of our chalet weekend Jakob turned 10 months old and I actually got toblerone pics that same day!  He might have eaten through the cardboard and tin foil but I had to get pictures.  Here's a little bit about our 10 month old (holy cow!):

- Weight:? maybe around 22 lbs?  Length: about 30 inches
- Weaning himself off breastmilk- his interest decreases as the day progresses
- Takes 2 great naps now- one in the morning and one in the late afternoon- and still sleeps amazingly at night (until after 9 some mornings!)
- Has stood a few times unaided!
- Is starting to feed himself with utensils
- LOVES when he hears daddy come home and rushes over to him
- Does not like veggies anymore (Im trying any idea to remedy this...) but still thinks cardboard is the greatest snack
- Waves 'hi' allllll the time
- Screaming has come back full force and is used anytime he is extremely excited or he senses that we are or whenever we leave the apartment (I think he likes the echo in the stairwell)
- Climbs like it's his job
- We think 'baba' might actually be 'dada' but we still arent sure.
- Loves emptying cabinets and drawers especially in the kitchen and bathroom
- Babbles constantly
- Sits on his knees to play in his toy box and find the good stuff ;)

Here and There!

Quick post before we are off on our weekend getaway!

A couple weekends ago we went to a friend's family's vineyard and it was spectacular.  We woke up so early that we had to wake up Jakob and we jumped on a train with a group of friends and arrived a few hours later to begin our hike.  We went to the Vallis (French) region and it was beautiful.  We hiked through the different vineyards and at the end had a great wine tasting with raclette feast.  Jakob didn't get to sleep much but he had such a great time.  At one point he was being passed around the table as peope's plates were being served raclette one by one- the table having at least 30 people.  He loved all the attention.  We kept him up way too late (almost 11) but up until his head hit his matress he was laughing and all smiles.  I don't know how we got so lucky but we love him.  Anyway, Paul and I bought a few bottles of wine and we're going to bring home one of them for Christmas for people to try!

Last weekend, for Halloween we didn't do much.  Unfortunately my dear camera broke the day after we got back from the vineyard (so thankful it waited to break) so I couldn't take pictures on Halloween.  I really felt naked without a camera and even went to the Nikon service center here to fix it and they even told me it wasnt worth it.  The shutter needs replacing.  So I found a great deal on a new one- I tried to downsize but couldnt bring myself to- and it came a couple days ago!  I could not be more excited to learn all about it.  I love it already.  But I put Jakob in his costume- or skeleton pjs- on Monday and took him to show it off to Paul's group and then when my camera came on Tuesday I put him in it again and we took fun Fall pics!

Tomorrow we are off to Bernex, France in the Alps!  We're going with Paul's german card night buddies and Jakob is going to love playing with our neighbor's kids.  He loves babies.  Im really excited to go on a short vaca.  Here's to hoping it snows and doesn't rain!  Jakob would love to eat the snow!  My parents sent a great package with some new pants, socks, and shoes (including my old shoes!) for Jakob (plus some much needed candy corn) and I can't wait for him to wear it all.  Little Timberlands could not be any cuter!

Anyway, that's about all for now!  Days are getting colder and wetter but Im looking forward to the snow, probably just in time for Jakob to start walking.  Should be a very fun/interesting time or him.  :)