Today, my blog was going to be titled The Letter J, in the style of Sesame Street for Jake and Jesse, my twins. I haven’t been able to get very good pictures of them lately because they are 3. Well, they are three with delays. Jesse would be more accurately defined as 2- 2 1/2 years old. Jake has some severe devolpmental delays and is more in the 1- 1 1/2 year range. But, only Jake sat still long enough for a few pics.   

While reading other photography blogs, I realized that I have shared very little of myself here. I like learning interesting and amusing things about people whom I admire. So, I thought I would try to make my blog a little more personable. Today’s blog will be about motherhood, my daily life, and mostly about Jake. 

 Although I had given birth three times before, I was not prepared for the difficulties of a twin pregnancy. It was a rough one, but,thankfully, with lots of prayer, medications, and love, we made it to 36 weeks. The boys were healthy. Yay! I was able to nurse them for 5 weeks. (Ok, may a little TMI:) lol! We noticed that Jesse was progressing pretty well, but Jake was lagging behind. He was also developing a “flat head.” A trip to our wonderful pediatrician gave us a diagnosis of Torticollis. Several months of PT along with creative swaddling and sleep postions seemed to cure this.  

      Jake has always spit up and disliked baby food, but now he started projectile vomiting. An upper GI showed terrible reflux. So, we began meds. He still vomited. An abdominal ultrasound showed no deformities… Praise God! A blood test showed an allergy to milk.  Cutting the dairy stopped the projectile vomiting. Whew! The spitting up continued:( A gastric emptying scan showed reflux. Still!  hmmm.    

 We also had to see a Neurologist for his hydrocephaly, delays and hypotonia. A MRI was ordered. This was the first time he had to be put to sleep. I was a basket case. He went through wonderfully. The nurse told us that day that there was fluid. We were on pins and needle all weekend. The neurologist decided to “follow us.” We were sent to GI specialists, a developmental doctor, opthomology, therapists and a geneticist. Jake finally starting walking, but never crawled. He has been on numerous meds. He finally had to have a Upper GI that showed an unpatent muscle that allowed food to come up from his stomach and was burning his esophagus. We decided, since meds no  longer worked, to turn to surgery. Last summer, we were in the hospital for 4 days for the Niessen Fundoplication… a major surgery. While in his belly, they found a hiatal  hernia, which they also repaired. This “fix” in his belly will NOT grow with him. In 5-10 years, he will have to have it done again. I pray for complete healing of him. Jake doesn’t speak and he knows a few signs which he learned at Wolfsons Rehab in Jacksonville after going twice a week for a year. We still practice daily. He has been under anesthesia 4 times during various procedures. We have OT on Wednesdays and special ed on Fridays to which he is having trouble adjusting to.  

I tell you all of this, but you should know that Jake is one of the sweetest, most loving, happiest,  beautiful babies you will ever hope to meet. Yes, he has turned our lives upside down, but obviously God knew he was just what we need and we would not trade him for the world. We don’t know what the future holds for our little fella. We don’t know what he is able to fully understand, but he will always know love and acceptance from us. I want to share with you the BEST compliment I have EVER received… 

The conversation went something like this:
Paula- Hi Mrs. Spurlock, poor thing, back again? (Our 3rd visit in 6 days)
Me- Yes, ma’am. (to Jake who started crying once we got back) It’s ok, baby. (to Paula) Jake isn’t getting any better. If anything, he is getting worse. (to Jake) shhhh, It’s gonna be ok honey.
Paula- I have to say, you are always smiling and have the best attitude no matter what. God couldn’t have blessed those boys with a better mother.
Me- Thank you. I do love all my babies….                                                                         

       Paula- It’s plain to see that you do. You take care Mrs. Spurlock. Hope little Jake gets feeling better.  

To me, it’s not about having the most fans, shooting tons of sessions, creating the most memorable pose, or even having the best images. Don’t get me wrong, all those things are wonderful accomplishments that I would love to call mine, but at the end of the day, it’s all about my family. Are they happy? Did I do enough for them today? Was I “there?” So, in case anyone has ever doubted my mothering abilities or where my priorities lie, know this… my children always come first. God put me on this Earth to be a Christian mother first and foremost. I may seem extremely busy at times, but that’s because my world revolves around 5 adorable babies and a wonderful husband and we are quite active:) **The following are a few dark shots of Jake. Please forgive the graininess, the sun was going down, but he looked so sweet that I snapped away anyway. I didn’t even take the time to turn on a light. I didn’t want to miss this moment. Besides, these aren’t for sale;-)