Where Do We BEGIN?

Well, it has been over two months since I posted last. I have really good reasons. I just don't even know where to begin to explain. I will start with two months ago.

Jake had been struggling with a knee injury from October. He had an MRI to see if his ACL was torn and it came back as "negative" according to the Dr.'s in Portugal. That was good news to us. They did find that his MCL was partially torn. The recovery for that is about six weeks. Not too big of a hurdle, so we thought! Jake did all his rehab and worked out every day. As six weeks approached, he started to run and began to practice. Things were looking great! He practiced hard with no problems for three days in a row. The team then traveled to Lisbon and Porto for games and Jake had been cleared to play. He was SO excited and SO ready to be back! He gets into the game. Very first possession, Jake gets a steal, outlets the ball, sprints the length of the floor, gets an offensive rebound and a put back. Next possession on defense, Jake was fronting his guy, the player back cut, Jake planted to go back with him and his knee gave out. Completely out.

I get a call from Jake back in Funchal and knew he was hurt as soon I answered. After talking with the coaches, Jake knew that it was time to go home because there was something going on with his knee that wasn't being treated the way it needed to there in Funchal. They all were very optimistic that he would be gone for six weeks, (since we thought it was a partially torn MCL) and then be back to finish up the season. SO sure enough, we packed our lives up again and headed home! We left on December 15, traveled for 32 hours straight! Nikko is an amazing kid because he held up better than his mom! Flying with a toddler is not fun. Flying with a toddler while being 29 weeks prego and dealing with jet lag is awful. It was one of the LONGEST days of our lives. We survived and were SO happy as soon as we landed in SLC.

First thing we did when we got home was had my Dad check out Jake's knee. He did the Lachman's test and checked everything else out. It all looked pretty good. He did think his knee was a little unstable but Lachman's test was negative. An MRI was ordered to find out just what was going on. We had brought the MRI that was done in Funchal back with us to review. Jake had the MRI done and the results were in. My Dad was stumped. It reported a torn ACL and a chronically torn MCL. After having 8 different Radiologists look at the films, it was confirmed 100% torn. They looked at the MRI from Portugal and all agreed that it was originally torn back in October in Funchal! YEP, Jake had been running, working out, practicing and even played on a completely torn ACL. What luck is that?

We had a busy December and January. We got Christmas over with then Jake had a wonderful time recovering from surgery. It's been a crazy couple of months. We just can't believe the difference in medicine between the States and Portugal. I actually had my plane ticket to come home on January 20 to get back in time to have the baby here. Going to the Dr. was always an adventure over there! We are SO happy to be here with awesome Dr.'s and facilities.

That is what is going on! Jake is pretty frustrated because we left with the intention of Jake recovering from a possible knee scope and rehab, then go back to finish up the season. That is no longer an option! 6-9 months is his new time frame.

That is Jake's news. Nikko's news is, tons of teeth. 12 to be exact with 4 on the way as we speak. Super skinny, he is no longer in the 8th percentile for weight. He moved DOWN to 3rd! That's our boy! He speaks his own language. He is trying to figure out the whole jumping process. He hasn't left the ground yet! The biggest change for him would be the fact that he is now surrounded by other kids his age! He loves his cousins and wants to play with them all the time. He is such a happy little guy. I can't believe he is going to be a big brother soon.

My news, just being pregnant. It's getting really uncomfortable. I went to the Dr. today for my 36 week check up and turns out I'm dilated to 1 and 50% effaced. I'm so hopeful that she will come soon because my body is done being pregnant. Out of the past 24 months, I have been pregnant for 18 of those! I am ready for this little one to come! We will update as soon as there are any changes!

This is why it has taken me so long to post anything. Plus, I'm pretty lazy. Blogging is the last thing on my mind. I will try to be better!

Here are some photos with proof of our hectic lives!


Every main street in the city was totally lit up for Christmas. They even had speakers hanging in the trees playing Christmas music! It was fun! This was right in front of our apartment.

I took Nikko to our park for one last time. It was a bittersweet moment. Happy to be going home but also sad to be leaving such a fun place.




We had our Christmas tree up and decorated. We gave it to the Church for the lobby.


Jake and Nikko by the Palace.


BACK IN THE STATES.

This kid was in HEAVEN when we got home. He was so happy to see his Grandad and Noni.


He was also very happy to get crayons from Grandma and Grandpa Chrisman. He thought they tasted delicious. Especially the green crayon.


He was totally spoiled. Christmas was fun. He actually wanted to open his presents and play with them. The only problem was he had too many presents to open and play with.



This horse is his favorite. He still can't figure out how to get off and on.



Now this is a beauty! Check out those incisions! Yummy! This was taken about 3 days post op. Don't worry, it looks MUCH better now.