old news

Well, as of Dec 3, 07 Kaden was 4 months, 12 lbs, 10 oz. He was 24 inches and head circum. of 42 centimeters. He is babbling quite a bit in the mornings, and doing well all around other than the skin issue. Our dermatologist and pediatrician disagree. So we are going down to u of m in ann arbor in jan to see a pediatric dermatologist. Here is his latest:

here we go again...

After my last post, we woke up Wednesday morning to Kaden's infection coming back. By Wednesday night it was on its way to what it was like before. Thursday we went back to the dermatologist and he put Kade back on the oral steroids. So far it is the only thing working. Right now at least it is not getting worse, but they don't know why he isn't responding. It appears that as soon as he is off the steroid, it comes back. It is a staph infection, but not the "Mersa" that every thing has been shutting down for. We are going to be trying to set up an appointment at U of M down in ann arbor. We shall see. Just spending lots of time praying right now. His general health and spirits are good. Dr's are surprised that this hasn't bothered his eyes more, but they are clear.

Kaden is doing much better!

I am so relieved to say that Kade looks so much better! Not just that he looks better, but that he is doing better. The infection looks like it is on the run!
We went to my niece and nephew's violin recital tonight! So amazing what 5 and 7 year olds can learn!

Progress!

I am happy to say that Kaden is looking much better after only two days of new treatment. Monday morning is the telling point, but we shall see. It has been clearing up and the red underneath is almost all gone. Thank you Lord!

bumps in the road...

Wow Halloween was over a month ago... well here is Kaden! My brother's church was having an event and it is only down the road from us so we stopped by

Grandma also got in on the action!

Thanksgiving has come and gone and we spent the first part of the day at Jaron's Aunt and Uncle's house in Fenmore, MI. Then we headed over to my brother's house for the rest of the day. Little did I know that I would not get home until 5 in the morning. Shaunda and I, along with Gabrielle, went to the midnight opening of the outlets. I got 2/3rds of my shopping done... (I only need 3 gifts) It was nuts, don't think that I would do that again... sales were no better than later that day.

Monday we got together and made 5 different kinds of cookies! Needless to say they are all gone already!

now to Kaden... My poor boy has had a rough 4 months of life. He started to develop skin issues 2 months ago and although they bothered him, they weren't too bad... when we went to get some help for what we were seeing, that cleared up, but then spots appeared other places... and now we can't get the infection to go away... We are trying one last treatment starting today and then Dr.s are telling us that he may just need to be admitted to the hospital to be treated.

This is what he looks like before treatment and then below is after, but the infection just keeps oozing...

just updating

well, I have been going through the Genesee Intermediate School District Sub. program and finishing up the orientation period Monday. Jaron has been with Kaden during the day so it works out fine. not much else going on lately.

Fall Season

Fall is such a beautiful time of year and even with no trees on our property, there is still an abundance of leaves for Jaron to rake into a pile for Kaden. He wasn't sure what to make of the pricklyness, so we couldn't get him to smile.
It seems like every time that I put Kaden down for a nap and try to take one at the same time, he wakes up early. So when I got home and found this, I thought I'll just work on the computer for a few minutes until he wakes up and well it has been almost two hours! What a nap I could have had!!!

Friday nights we play a friendly game of poker with friends and we knew Kaden would not stand to miss the action by being in his bouncy seat... so we came prepared and we were right! He stayed up most of the night.

As of today...

Well, we went for a "weigh in" at the dr.s on Monday and Kaden weighed 11.14 lbs and was 23 1/2 inches. It is a wonderful service that we can just pop in and get him weighed to make sure we are on track! Not three months yet, but we put him in his bumbo chair and he did really well, not long term though. Still not fond of being on his tummy so have to work with the boppy still.

I was up at Kindred Spirit last week and Jerod gets really excited when Kaden is around. He was already to hold Kade. I'm exhausted... Loving my time, but still need to watch what else is going on. ...

Finally got Frankie a bed and well what does he do... a picture was the only way to describe it.

We went to the apple orchard on Saturday and picked raspberries... Kaden slept the entire time. Yesterday Shaunda and I made Jam... Can't wait for breakfast tomorrow.
Well I can't upload any of my images, so I'll post those later!

Lately...

Well, the fishing trip didn't take off like they had planned. Weather set them back a week and then they were on their way...

Jaron and Dad putting the cowling back on.

Kaden waiting for his turn to go fishing...Pretty bird!

Kaden has really been rooting around for his thumb and doesn't take a pacifier much. He works the swaddle until he can get to his thumb. This is what I found this morning when I went in.

Kaden spent his first full morning in the nursury at Church and aparently we are told that he wasn't fussy! It was really nice to be able to focus on the message and not worry about him maybe bothering others! He is really getting animated and it is the best listening to him coo and giggle!

Family walk

We went for a walk today... Frankie got worn out and decided that he didn't want to walk anymore. So he joined Kaden in the stroller.

growing so fast!

I am amazed at how fast time flies! Well first off naps fly by- whether for me or Kaden! Morning comes oh so fast, then it's night again and then well, morning follows again and well it is amazing that I don't seem to get much done. Well I guess half the time I find myself just gazing in wonder. Last Friday, the 14th he weighed in at 10lb 7 oz. We can go weigh in any time and since his dr.'s office is only 6 blocks or so away, we like to take advantage of stopping in. We have his checkup this Friday though so I guess we are going ahead with immunizations since we have not really taken the time to research like we wanted to.

Kaden has been sleeping at least 7 hours for the last few weeks and well it was seeming that he might be colicky, but today he has been smiling most every time I have gotten him up.

Kaden has found the mirror on his swing and just stares! He doesn't even seem to blink.

Frankie is still jealous of Kaden and tries to see what is going on.

Jaron, My Dad, and brother Joel are headed up to Canada to go fishing this weekend! After all my parents have been through, the plane is on floats and the guys are headed out... It's not Alaska, but it's a start!

Family Tree

Four generations of the Montague family- Great-Grandma Montague (celebrated her 90th birthday), Grandpa (Jim) Montague, Jodi (Montague), and baby Kaden.Great-Grandma Montague, Kaden, Jodi, Grandma (Lois) Montague

Very excited to finally be Aunt Shaunda and Uncle Joel!

Grandma Montague

Uncle Jerod

Grandma Arnst- (Grandpa's picture is still on the camera)

Here is Grandpa!

Uncle Derek moved back to Michigan just so he can be Uncle!

One Month

Amazing how time goes by so quickly! Exhausted yet somehow still functioning. I can't even imagine living this pace for anything else. Nothing could so motivate me to be up at the times of night and putting my body through the depravation. Yet through it all, the blessings of being a mom can not compare.

Kaden has been able to hold his head up and look around for a bit... It doesn't stay up long.

And then there are the moments where you can sit back and laugh...

It was a wonderful feeling to put on my rings again. Sunday I wore a dress from college! Yeah!

Kaden McAlister Arnst

We welcomed Kaden to our family on August 1, at 3:04 pm. We went through 30 hours of labor before being scheduled for a c-section later that day! All in all, things went well. Kaden weighed 8 lbs and was a long 21.5". We were happy to come home on Saturday and have been doing well. Can't imagine life without him!

okay already!

Well, It's after midnight so it's Monday morning... and well, I have submitted my main assignment and well, my cousins in from Greece are leaving in the morning, other friends from Washington were here and gone, and well... other than Jaron's softball game Monday night... I'm really ready to go! I guess we shall just have to wait and see. I had Mom take another picture, but it's on her camera... along with all of my pictures from our baby showers. I guess it'll be a big post one day when I can get ahold of her camera. well, I'm going to wrap up a few loose ends then off to bed.

Due Date!

Well, it's here... sorry Curt and Jen, both were off on the date! And well although the baby is moving like crazy, that doesn't mean anything else is happening! Jaron did finish painting the nursery, and put the crib together. It will take a bit to make it girlie if we have a girl, but no big deal. I still have to finish my power point on Cerebral Palsy and then I'll finish my case study after the baby comes. I know that God prepares us to want this baby out! Heartburn is still rampant and well still getting up every couple of hours through the night... may as well have help and the baby on the outside! 2 of 12 at church have had their babies... two boys so far. Don't know anyone having a girl. 3 of us don't know and two haven't found out yet. Well, pictures...

and just for good measure... Frankie! He doesn't like to leave my side.

nothing yet...

As of my last appointment... nothing is happening and since my Dr. will be gone on vacation... we shall just wait and see what happens! The baby's movements feel much more deliberate now! :) Especially with no more room! Well, I am making some headway on projects for class so that is helpful and feels promising...It helps to have things pressing to do so I am not just at home WAITING. After 3-4 people mentioned facebook, I looked it up and joined and it has been fun seeing what other people from high school and college and beyond are doing. Well, I have taken a longer break than I planned on, but haven't moved from the chair and well, my body is not happy about that! Oh yeah, if nothing happens on its own, we go in on the 31st at 7:00am.

6 years

Can't believe that it has been 6 years we have been married! Well, the day is almost over and it was my hope that Baby A. would not decide to share this day with us. Can't wait yet, just want to celebrate on their own day. :) Well, I should get to work on my class homework... don't want to get caught with assignments due while I'm delivering! Baby is still moving around a lot... harder to stay focused on papers and projects.

countdown continues

God designed our bodies so amazing to think about the life that is about to meet the rest of the world. How He gives us the time to grow and prepare and acclimate to the changes we face now and will be facing. For instance... I only sleep for two hours in a row at a time, and Baby does not take a vacation even when I am under the weather. Allergies started acting up! But everything is a reminder of how much God knows our needs before we do.

Had the opportunity and permission of my doctor to travel to Wisconsin over the weekend to see Jaron's roommate from college and family! It was a nice break and travel wasn't to hard... just stopped enough and moved around. Went to the Milwaukee Zoo and again marveled at God's creation and how scientists can look and study yet miss the picture. Each animal so unique and every odd function for a purpose. Like it really is a coincidence? It was really fun but I was feeling sore by the time we were done! Amazing how extra weight can slow you down.

The nurse said that the baby has dropped, but really is there any space for the baby to go anywhere? Amazing! Nothing yet! Well that is about all for now... at least that is all my brain can recall!

one month

Well, one month from today is our "Due Date"! There hasn't really been much to update... I finished my first grad school class. Don't know what the final results are... I am done working at Kindred Spirit on a daily basis. Still get phone calls though. After this week all of our showers will be over, childbirthing classes will be completed and we are headed to visit Jaron's college roommate in Wisconsin.
My feet are swollen, but that is really the worst of my symptoms. I am generally uncomfortable, but hey, my body is not my own. Sleeping is a task in itself.
Well, as of last night the count of pregnant couples at our church is up to 10! Starting with July 5th, up until February, there should be a new baby every few weeks. Well, I think that is all. I start my next grad class July 5th. Should keep me busy until the baby comes.

not much to add...

Well, since the breakdown of what was new last post, not much has been happening since. Last Friday had friends and family shower... which we can start to put things into place to make the room into a nursury. Of course I can't be around to paint so Jaron gets the job. Well here is an updated picture too...

My mom thinks it's a boy. My sister-in-law says it's a girl (Isabella in fact). Jaron has voiced at one time or another that it may be a boy... I really have no idea. My right side is the target for the feet. Haven't been sleeping real comfortable either. Wake up still exhausted. Well, that's all for now! jodi

changes

Well, I couldn't believe that it has been a month since I last posted. Things have been going fine so I haven't thought about all of the changes. We have moved back to our house in Flint. It has been so wonderful just "GOING HOME"! I never realized how taxing it is to live at work. Now we are just commuting back and forth for a short term. My parents have moved into the apartment and are working to learn all of the responsibilities.

Frankie is adjusted to the house after living short term at the apartment. Our neighbor took her house off the market shortly after moving in. We are glad that she is staying. Jaron has helped her out by mowing and I know she is glad not to have the house empty especially after our break in.

I start my first grad class tonight. I don't think that this was the best timing to start when I can barely remember my own name... but it helps open doors for the future. We shall see if I can concentrate enough.

Softball started and the team seems to be off to another great start. 16-1 win by the 5th inning last night. Finished my pottery class just in time for the season to start. I don't play just keep stats. I feel busier than ever right now and just feel like I'm trying to keep my head off the pillow. :) I know life doesn't stop come the end of July. In May and June we have scheduled programs 5 days of the week! Fridays are just together with friends so it will be more relaxing! But all of the sudden... well, I think that is all that I can think of since last post. I'll get some updated pictures soon.

Enjoy God's reminder of spring time that He can make all things new again.

~Jodi

Feeling at home...

Well we picked up Frankie from Windsor airport on Thursday and he is already at home...

We stopped over at Joel and Shaunda's house and he played with my nieces without any problems so we don't anticipate any baby/dog issues.

He is a big fur ball and hasn't had much brushing or attention to his massive hair. We shall see what it takes to take care of that. All for now... jodi