Grammie's In Town, Jalen's Getting Better & We're Moving to OK!!!!

So it has been a very busy week for all of us...Grammie got in town last Sunday and has been watching Jalen while Jason and I are at work & clinical rotation. She's doing great but is learning that 16 lbs is heavier than it seems and that as good as Jalen is, he still wears you out at the end of the day.

Since I last posted, Jalen is doing a little better, the fever has been gone since last weeknd but his cough, sneezing, running nose, and congestion got worse later in the week and seems to be slowly getting better now. I took him to the doctor just to make sure it wasn't anything and it wasn't, just recommended that we keep doing what we're doing, Little Noses Nasal Spray, suctioning his nose, teething gel and lots of fluids. Jalen has 4 top teeth in and now both bottom middle teeth have poked through, he does bite now (on accident) and yes it does hurt! Nursing him is still going fine though, knock on wood he has yet to bite during his feedings, thank God :)

Lastly, I think everyone knows but I accepted a position with the Chickasaw Nation in Ada, OK and we will be moving there in September most likely. We are going to miss everyone here so much but we are both very excited too and will be flying out there after the fourth of July to hopefully get our living situations worked out. We'll keep you updated on everything as we know more but as of now, we still have to figure out a lot of things, our house here, when I can take my board exams, where we're going to live out there, where Jason will work, etc etc. So plan on coming to viist us in OK next year! It's a cute area and from what we saw it is not flat at all, it is green and hilly and yes there are tornados but from what we've been told, not as bad as OK City. As far as where Ada is located...it is about 1 hr from Norman (OU), 1 hr 15 mins frm OK City & closest airport and 2 1/2 hrs from Dallas. Here's a link to the city's website if you're interested: http://www.adaok.com/

Enjoy the most recent pictures!

Jalen rubbing his nose...he's got a little cold right now :(


Sitting on Auntie Jen's lap on our back patio


"Giddy-up Laila"

Taking a bath in my new bath seat, almost to big-boy-bath stage



6 months old!

Bathing in the kitchen sink

Look at my 2 front teeth


Looking very innocent & pulling Grammie's hair

Pictures with my new camera

Yesterday we went to a graduation party and Jalen got to play with Logan and Aila and had lots of fun too. It's so cute to see him at the stage where he can start to play with other babies! Last night when we got home right before bed Jalen felt really hot so I took his temp, 102.5, then soon after it got to 103.5! We gave him more fluids, Motrin and placed a cool washcloth on his head and legs while he was nursing to cool him down...it worked and he went to bed at his normal 99 degree temp. At 3:30 he woke up not happy, 102 fever again, coughing, congested, etc etc. By the time I changed his diaper, nursed him and got him cooled down a bit it was too late to make it to an overnight pediatric office so we took him to the ER. Since he is teething and just got vaccinations it could be from a number of reasons and the doctor thought so too, he said Jalen sounded good, looked good and he was happy that Jalen was fussy and alert (mom and dad...tired and not so happy..ha ha) He told us to alternate Motrin and Tylenol until his fever regulates and just keep giving him plenty of fluids so that is what we've been doing all day. Today was rough! Jalen has never been to the point that he is fussy all day and almost inconsoleable but today he would pnly nap for 20 mins ata time and wake up very upset, the only thing that seems to calm him is going outside (which we can't do much of considering the 105 deg weather) and nursing so that is about all I feel like I've done today.

I have split up his vaccinations in the past but this time thought 3 pokes wouldn't be that much more than the 2 he's had in the past...I was wrong...from now on out we will be splitting them up even if it means coming back a week later for 1 little poke! Not that we know it is the def reason he isn't doing well but we all agree it is probably a good chance and the dr. recommened we call our pediatrician Mon morning and tell him what's going on in case the vaccinations were a bad batch and had some additives that are giving Jalen the bad side effects. As far as the upper respiratory issue he is having, that would be separate but probably is being heightened by the vaccination side effects and teething. By the way he has his top 4 teeth in...none on the bottom yet! Well, since he's sleeping, I'm off to bed now too. My mom gets in tomorrow morning and I can't wait, she'll be here for almost a month and will be watching Jalen while Jason is at work and I'm at my final rotation.

Jalen playing with Aila and Logan

Trying to get the blocks in the shape sorter, he got one in too and was so excited!

Thinking about what to play with next...

Sharing a toy with Aila

Stealing Aila's flower after she took his toy






Laila giving Jalen kisses...she loves him!

Jalen's 6 Month Update

Jalen had his 6 mth check-up today and got his 6 mth vaccinations, he did great but still has a good sized knot on his right thigh that we keep massaging where they gave him a couple of his shots. He has also cut some teeth, the top 2 have came through and the ones on either side of the top two are on their way in too but he is being very good and still sleeping through the night so no complaints here. He is loving the new veggies and oatmeal cereal too but they're just for snacks, he is still mainly on breastmilk and some formula and is growing big and strong! Here's his stats from today:

16 lbs (25th percentile)
26 inches (35th percentile)
Head size, can't remember but 25th percentile also.

I'll put up more recent pictures this weekend, so check back later.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day was great, it started off with french toast made by jason that was very yummy, then presents, a necklace with Jalen's name engraved from Jalen and a very nice digital SLR camera from Jason...this is also my b-day, anniversary and graduation present considering the cost of it! It is awesome and I'm also getting a free lesson from a prof photographer that Jason knows through dj-ing...also who did Jalen's prof photos. I just started taking a few pictures today but hopefully will get better as I learn and practice.

After, we went to lunch at Garcia's for mexican with the whole family...see all the pictures below.

All the girls (+ 2 baby boys) after Mother's Day lunch...clockwise from Jalen, Me, Sarah, Chris, Julie, Grandma B, Grandma O, Kaylynn, Dottie, Wendy, and Baby Gavin (11 days old)

All the guys after lunch...clockwise from Jalen, Jim, Brian, Dustin, Jason, Grandpa O, John Michael, Baby Gavin, Jeff, Larry, John, and Matt

4 generations of O'Neal men...Jalen, Daddy, Grandpa "Boompa" Jim, and Great-Grandpa John


wearing daddy's hat

eating his first veggie...carrots





Out for sushi with the fam while Brian and Julie were in town


Wearing the onesie Auntie Julie and Uncle Brian got Jalen in France

Pictures taken with my new camera