Jackson's Tball pictures

Jackson was on the A's tball team this season. Jason was the head coach. These are some pictures from his last game!

Here are a few pictures of the boys after the game enjoying their snacks:

After snacks, we were awarded trophies for "Sportsmanship"! Way to go A's.

Summer is here!

It's been too long since my last post. I'm trying to do better. Since March, Drew has been doing great, Jackson started playing tball, and I went back to work part-time. Here are some pics of what we've been up to.

Easter with Jason's brother and his family:

Drew trying out some baby food:

Some crafts I made for Liz's graduation (choc covered oreo cakesters) and end of the year teacher gifts (goody bags with hershey's kisses & hugs chocolates):

Glad To Be Home

We had quite a spring break. Let me tell you about the week leading up to it. Jackson and Brayden both came home the Tuesday before Spring Break sick. Jackson with fever and Brayden with a terrible virus. So after both home for that week from MDO, we went into another week at home for Spring Break. It would have been fine, but on Friday, Jackson started with "the virus" and Brayden, Drew, & I all started a terrible cough. By Monday, Drew & Brayden had fever. We went to the doctor on Tuesday and were sent home. Brayden tested negative for the flu so they assumed we all had the same respiratory virus. Wednesday, Drew just seemed to be struggling too much for my comfort so I took him to Cook Children's Pediatric Urgent Care in Hurst. Once they finally called us back for his vitals, we were rushed to a room and he was immediately put on oxygen. Come to find out, he had an ear infection and influenza with secondary bacterial pneumonia (most likely Mycoplasma pneumonia). He was transported by ambulance to Cook Children's hospital where we spent the next week.

He was such a trooper. Only cried when putting in the IV after the 2nd try. :( I just felt terrible for him. Here are some pictures from his stay in the hospital. You can tell when he starts to feel better. He loved getting his breathing treatments and was even caught holding the mask when the Respiratory Therapist was there. They also did CPT (chest physio therapy) where they "beat" on his chest and back to loosen the mucus in his lungs from the pneumonia. He was the best patient and all the nurses, doctors, and paramedics loved our boy!

While we were in the hospital, Brayden was also diagnosed with pneumonia and I was treated for walking pneumonia as well. The only two to not get it was Jackson, who was already on antibiotics for his ear infection, and Jason. Thankfully, my mom came up right away to helpSave Now keep the house going while I stayed at the hospital. Jason did a great job taking care of the boys also. Needless to say, it was a spring break we won't forget. We are all home and doing much better.

Way To Long

I had no idea I hadn't blogged since Drew was born 3 months ago. Wow. I'm just a little behind.

Well, Drew Peyton Banks was born 12/14/2010 weighing 7lbs. 2 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. He is just beautiful, sweet, and we love having him in our family.

Jackson and Brayden (more so, Brayden) are loving having a little brother. Life with 3 little boys is definitely busy, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

38 weeks

Well, only 5 days until we can meet Drew! I'm so excited to meet this new little addition to our family. We have been so blessed to have these children. I try to remind myself of how Jason and I were told we would probably never have children after his 6 months of chemo. What a wonderful example of how God can do anything!

I'm scheduled to deliver on Tuesday, December 14th at 7am. Of course anything can happen between now and then, but hopefully I'll just continue to hang on until then. It just makes things so much easier when it's all planned out.

At my doctor's appointment yesterday, we received some wonderful news. Cord Blood Registry, one of the company's that collects newborn cord blood, had advised us to apply for the Designated Treatment Program. This would allow us to collect Drew's cord blood for Jason if he were to ever relapse at no cost. This would save us about $2000. Well, yesterday, we were approved and they are going to collect it for free. I almost couldn't believe it. After 5 years of shelling out so many thousands of dollars in medical expenses, this was like an early Christmas present. We had planned on collecting Jackson's cord blood, but when his umbilical cord tore off during labor, there was no blood to collect. Then we didn't have the money to do it with Brayden since I wasn't working, Patrick's blood was not good, so this could potentially be our last chance. It's like an insurance policy for our family. They are also going to store it for us for 10 years for free. Jason and I are so excited and thankful for this gift.

I'll try to update some fall pictures from the camera. I feel bad every time I don't add new pics on here. Hope all of you are doing well and look forward to sending you pics of our new family next week!

Hugs,

Lisa

Happy Friday!

Well it's been too long since I've updated the blog. A lot has been going on in the Banks household. Jackson & Brayden have been busy this summer. We've had pancake parties at our house almost every Monday with our friends. It makes for a great and messy time for the kids and mommies. I will have to take some pics at our next PP. They have also had a great time swimming at the gym. It is the most amazing pool and just perfect for kids. It has a beach entry with a mushroom waterfall and little fountains that "bubble" up. They have come such a long way since we the spring. They will both get their faces and heads wet, so swimming lessons are in our future. We are thankful they have a heated indoor pool so we can do lessons anytime of year. When we can't make it to the gym we head to the backyard for some needed cool down time.

They also had MDO during the month of July which was a nice break from home. They had a theme each week and lots of crafts, fun food days, and parties. They came home and passed out for 3+ hours each day.

In July, I also celebrated my birthday with my friend Lindsay. We had a party at our house with all of our friends. It was a lot of fun! Here are some pics from July 16th.

Jason and I also found out on my birthday that we would be adding another little boy to the family. Drew is due 12/22, but we will be schedule for a c-section about 2 weeks prior. I can't believe I will have 4 boys. I thought for sure that this one would be a girl. Either way, I am excited to hold this baby and bring him home to meet his brothers. They are already wanting him to "come out" as Jackson says.

The next week, Jason and I jetted off to New Orleans/Baton Rouge for a small vacation. We knew that with Drew on his way, it may be a while before a vacation will be back on the radar. Thankfully we had my family there who were the most gracious hosts. It was so relaxing and we had a wonderful time. It always goes by fast, but we came back refreshed and the boys were happy to see us. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching them while we were away.

August has brought hot temps. Just the other day, Jackson asked if he could go outside at 5:30 and when I looked on the temp, it said 109 degrees. Obviously, the answer was no, but that makes for some long days around here. We've been lucky to have friends on the same schedule and time with their cousins, Joshua & Rylee before school started. We also celebrated our 7th anniversary on August 16, followed by Patrick's first birthday on August 18th. We planned a small gathering with our close friends to celebrate his short but very touching time with us. The boys know he "lives" at church, so we brought him a balloon, some flowers, balloons for the kids, and had cake back at the house. It was a perfect way to celebrate his birthday. I had been feeling emotional about it for a week or so prior to his birthday, but am very much at peace with it and love to think about what he is doing up there in Heaven.

As far the last few weeks, I've been sewing nap mats for some friends as we get ready for Mother's Day Out to start. I also made a table runner for our dining room table and am getting ready to hit the craft show circuit with diaper wallets. On Monday, I start sign language classes at TCC to get my certification. I will either interpret on the side or go back to working in the schools. It should take me about 2 years to finish, but it will be right in time for Jackson to start school. We'll see how it goes especially since I'm supposed to have this baby a week before the semester ends. Maybe I can get my c-section postponed a week. :)

Hugs everyone!

Lisa

It's Summertime!

Whew! There is only 1 reason why I was trying to wait until October to have another baby, TEXAS HEAT!! I just realized I hadn't posted since April. Anywho, everything is going well around here.

Jason started his new job as a detective yesterday. It's weird to actually see him in the morning and then to have him home later. I got used to seeing him at 2:05 everyday. I'm looking forward to the boys and I seeing him and having real family time on the weekends.

The boys and I have been trying to figure out what we are going to do this summer. They get me up around 6:15 and on most days we've packed in a full day by 10:00 with breakfast, a movie, playing outside, coloring, puzzles, computer games, snack, and it's not even time for lunch. I'm looking forward to July when the boys will be in MDO again on Tues/Thursday's. We've been taking them to the pool after naps and it's been a great way to end the day. I'll have to get some pics posted soon!

Hugs and kisses!

Lisa