Jayden and Halloween

This was one of the best days ever. Jayden had a wonderful time at the Harvest Party. Jayden climbed to the top of the hay pyramid, shot the corn cannon, made a jack-o-lantern, rode the hay ride through the pumpkin patch, observed the kangaroo/wallaby mix, zebra, turkeys, pigs, goats, donkey, and goat. Jayden led us through the corn maze where we ended up taking "short cuts" and ended back at the beginning in time for a quick potty break. Jayden and I could have had fun in there for over 30 minutes to an hour... He loves the problem solving and he loves to be able to run freely. It is a great time. He figured out the hail bail puzzle one in one minute flat.

Halloween night was an absolute blast... running from house to house finding so much candy... then tackling cousins and watching a charlie brown halloween special, the great pumpkin.

I think that this tradition of hitting up these corn mazes and harvest festivals will continue in our family. Someday mommy and daddy will not be allowed to go because we will "cramp" his style and he will go after our bedtime,,,, but for now Mommy is the best friend a boy can have... and daddy drives him to Mcd's so that is cool too.

Click here to see more pics

Jayden and the Fall

Jayden has had a tough past two months. He has been inundated with many different ailments and has survived one of the nastiest flu viruses around. (Not sure if it was swine flu, but it sure felt like it to him). He has missed many days of school and has been ill most of the past two months.

But he is finally healthy and at the right time too. Because it is getting into the holiday seasons.

Jayden has been doing great at school and it has to do with his new classroom. His teacher are so good and have seen what Jayden can do and how smart he can be. They also recognize that Jayden has A LOT of energy and do not allow him to get bored.

Jayden likes going to school and especially likes Fridays when he can play with legos. He likes building thing and legos are right up his alley. Jayden is also becoming quite the cook, helping mommy make dinner many times and is getting to the point where he could start making dinner himself... in about 3 years or so..

Jayden loves also to ride his bikes as he is getting so good. He rarely falls now and he is getting to the point were we need to get our bikes ship shape to keep up with him. Though he is not quite ready for the training wheels to come off.

He has had an issue with the word No. He likes to say it alot. We are working with on that and not telling mommy No. He is getting better and that is all we ask. He is such a great brother as he includes Kallee in things and wants her to be happy. I will talk more later and add pics.

Here is to a Healthy November...

Jayden and His Fall

Jayden has had an interesting last month. We took Jayden to two different doctors this past month because of issues with his breathing and allergies. Their was some good news and bad news.

Jayden has food allergies. The allergies are in the Nuts arena. He has severe reactions to Tree Nuts and also has some reactions to peanuts as well. We have had to learn to use an eppe pin. We have had to leave them all over the place, at his school, his grandparents, anywhere he frequents a lot.

It is hard for a parent to see a child limited in what he can do or what he can eat. It is also something that you have to think about all the time. When Jayden gets older and understands this allergy it will get easier, but for now we always have to be on guard to make sure that Jayden is fine. The good news is that many of the schools and churches are aware of the severity on the allergy. The school has him sit with another person at lunch with a similar allergy and at church he is designated with special tag to show people his allergy.


The other issue for poor Jayden is that he is attracted to viruses and gets ill very easily. He got sick the first week in September and was down and out for a while.

When Jayden gets sick he rarely shows an outward appearance of being sick. We have to watch for the signs. This time the big sign is when he projectile vomited all over the family room at my parents. Not very subtle, but effective. He had weezing an coughing the next night and could not sleep. His breathing gets so labored and he chest fills with fluids very quickly. We had to get him a Nebulizer Machine and he has been prescribed steroids take for his lungs.

But with Jayden, something like this will not slow him down. He will not be upset by it or be affected by it. He will just go on living life as a happy little boy.

I do know that he is enjoying his day at school a lot more this year. He loves playing with the Legos and he seems to be transitioning into the standards set by the teachers well. At least I hope that is true.

As for playing, which of course is Jayden's favorite thing to do. He loves riding his bikes, he enjoys playing with his trains and he is starting to want Kallee around him so that he can play with her too.... They are starting to become quite a little pair.

Jayden time with the Animals and the Beach

Sometimes, you talk about something so much that there are these high expectations. And these expectations when making them with your family become HUGE. So huge that you are worried that it will fall well short.

Those were the expectations of our last family adventure. An Adventure to Portland and the beach. And I have to admit I was very surprised how it went.

First our Daughter Kallee who is not a fan of trips, did awesome and slept most of the way. Next our son who travels awesomely, did is normal awesome best. We stopped at the McD's in Troutdale which was great, big toys and had a good time. Then we went shopping at the outlet mall. (Boring for everyone but Grandma Lee and Mommy). And then hit the hotel. We ate at BJ's Pizza. In Janzen Beach and it was great food, I love their Pizza and their atmosphere and I love that the have Pizzokies. Good stuff... But Kallee, who thrilled all by saying hi and flirting with everyone in the front was losing it in the restaurant, so I had to take her out. Jayden, who did not get a nap in was also in hyperland.. so both went down when we got back to the hotel.

It was Alison's Birthday so Kallee and Jayden got her Starbucks cards and Money for a new Purse... they are very smart Children. She also got Ann Taylor from the Lee's as well as cake decoration supplies and a chance to take classes.

The next day was the Portland Zoo. It was awesome.

Jayden had a blast as did Kallee and Mommy and Daddy. The animals on the other hand looked like many of them could use a big nap. Speaking of missing naps... Jayden did lose it at about 2 and was ready to go. He was over stimulated and started crying, but came around and was back to his ole self by the time we left. He use the potty a lot at the park and was very good about going now in public places. He is getting trained... yea. A big thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Lee for hanging out with us those first two days... They were saviors to my sanity.

Jayden and Kallee both fell asleep on the way to Seaside OR. That was a good thing because by the time we got settled in at the hotel. (The Rivertide Suites.. Check out the size of our room!! )

It was time to hit the road for dinner... or was it..... Opps...

Jayden was hungry so he got up on the counter in the kitchen and ate a raisin, oatmeal cookie with walnuts.. The problem was he is allergic to walnuts,, the other problem. we did not know.,

Opps.... so he started to cry right of f the bat and then he started to slurr. Then Alison look at his mouth and it was starting to blister... that is when Jayden, Mommy and I hit the road to the emergency room. Thank goodness for the Providence Heath Hospital in Seaside.. They saw that it was a food allergy reaction and Gave our son Benadryl, and respiratory services, an epie shot, steroids, and an IV... Dr. Opie,,, who was on staff at the time was awesome as were the nursing and specialist there. I cannot thank them enough for all they did in making us feel important and taking such great care of our son.

I have to say they were also very impressed on how cool and tough our son is. Alison was a little frightened and going crazy on the ride there.,.. But Jayden was calm saying things like... My mouth is swollen... I like the Doctor,,., Yes mommy I can still breathe,,, see.... He was drooling and breaking out everywhere and was very tough. Daddy was smart enough to get the movie player out of the car and he watched Finding Nemo, and get this, the room he was in... was decorated in Nemo stuff and he got Nemo stickers. He did not cry with the shots or the breathing of the steriods or having to drink all the drugs.. he only said he was cold when the saline went into the IV.. yes no crying with the IV,, in fact when they took it out, he wanted them to put it back in so he could wear the bandaging again... I love my son...

Grandpa and Grandma Gebers saved us with Kallee as we were at the Hospital for 3 hours. It was a scary expereince... but we so lucky it happened there with so much help and so quickly the nurses and doctors worked, it was a blessing how it worked out.

Jayden recovered in great fashion and we were off to the beach. That was so much fun Kallee and Jayden just played and played. Jayden played with some trucks we picked up at Safeway and he drove them here and there and near and far and into the surf and out of the surf and threw them into the surf and watched them come back to him. One day he wanted to jump waves with me and we could literally go out over 60 yards into the Ocean and it did not go over Jayden's Shoulders. We jump and splashed and got pulled around by the waves and had a blast.

Jayden loved the little train that he could drive and ride and he wanted to much to ride the carousel and just stay down in Seaside forever. The food was good and fun, though one of the best places to eat was very slow, but the food was very good. The Hotel was a perfect place to go for naps and hang out. Grandma Gebers and Mommy went shopping while Kallee, Jayden and I took naps to get ready for the nightlife.

The whole trip, even the bumps, was a complete success. I cannot wait to go to Seaside again. I Love our time there. I know that Jayden did and I know that Jayden wants to go back and we will, he had a great time.

Jayden hanging out the the Gebers

Jayden got to stay with his grandparents (the Gebers) last week as Alison and I went on a trip to Vegas. Jayden had a wonderful time with the Gebers. He went to pools and played at his cousin's. Jayden drew and etched letters and all in all had a wonderful time (and pretty sure he did not miss us too much).

He has been fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with his cousins this summer. Madeline, Jonah and Dawson treat Kallee and Jayden very well, and they all play together great. We are fortunate to spend a lot of time during the summer with Boyd and Emily's family as they always entertain very well.

Madeline had her Birthday last week and it was perfect. I was still feeling the effects of the 100 plus weather, but not Jayden. I think he spent 4 hours outside and only 20 minutes in. He was running and playing and getting wet and having the time of his life.

As for potty training, well it is getting easier and easier. I have to thank my mother and father for all they have done. Dad and Mom got Jayden to go to the bathroom at parks and at restaurants and I have had him use the urinal at Barnes and Nobles and he is getting closer. He still has problems with number 2, but the poop on the yard is lessening and he is starting to go to the toilet without prompting much more.

Grandpa and Grandma Lee also did me a huge favor Tuesday as I got "a day of rest" while they had Jayden and Kallee and had lots of fun. Jayden came home and said he was very happy and liked it very much.

His vocabulary is getting better and he definitely has no problem making quick friends at playgrounds and the water parks.

Today is mow the lawn day and Jayden will drive his lawnmower and I will drive mine.

Time for more fun...

Jayden's Time to Shine in July... Biking and Playing

Jayden has had a full summer so far. It got even better when his father (that is me) turned 40. Yep a big 40... He got to ride on his new bike... not me but Jayden....

As a forty year old I was supposed to fell different, well too late for that. Trying to do Tennis with a one year old and a three year made me old about 6 months ago. Today I feel not a day over 50..... that is what Kevin Howes son thinks my age is... it is okay.. I feel old... so that is why I get nice young presents like a bicycle for myself.

The next day Jayden went over to Grandma and Grandpa Lee's and Jayden got to ride all over Richland and loved it.

Click here to see a great Video of Jayden riding his bike Complete with a FIRETRUCK!!

The day after my son gave me another present by vacuuming the downstairs.

The 4th of July was fantastic as we went over to Uncle Boyd and Aunt Emily's house to play with the Gebers, the Sargents, the Biglin's, The Howes, The Youngs and of course The Looney's.

It was a time for water and play and eating and laughing and talking. It was very fun. We also had a fire near our house and Jayden was afraid of the fireworks he had bought, so was his mother... I think I am done with fireworks...

For Pictures of the 4th Click Here">For Pictures of the 4th Click Here

Jayden and a day with Thomas the Tank Engine

Jayden, Alison and I traveled to Hood River to see someone very special. Someone that Jayden has lived with for many years. Starting with movies at Grandma and Grandpa Lee's to our friends Kevin, LeAnn, Nolan and Mason starting Jayden with huge train set... to Daddy going crazy on E-Bay.

Jayden loves trains Thomas and Percy are his friends. So a couple of Saturdays ago Jayden got to ride on Thomas. He was very happy.

They had many things for Jayden to play with and it was a wonderful experience. The downtown part of Hood River was fun to explore and so we did. The shops were fun to window shop on and Jayden found the toy store very enjoyable.

We then headed down to the train station for our day with Thomas. We started with a Nice tattoo session where Jayden picked Percy as his tattoo of choice (Percy is my favorite, Alison likes Salty). We then blew bubbles and headed over to the haybail maze. Jayden solved it with ease, including cheating a little to go faster.. We then hit the jumpy castle and ended up at the animals petting zoo.

Jayden fed goats, sheep, cows, rams making sure that all of the animals were being fed.

We then took a 30 minute tour on the train... We stayed in Claribel. It was nice, Jayden stuck his head out and saw Thomas. We took pictures of Jayden with Thomas and I have to say, they trip was a nice little ride.

Jayden then took more pictures with Thomas and then Sir Toppenhat.

This was one of the better adventures we had with Jayden and we cannot wait till next year.

For movies of the trip click here
For the Pictures Click Here