sincerely, KENNAN: February 2006

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Milestone

JUDE LAUGHS!!!! It's always sad for me each time Jude reaches a new milestone. I really don't want him to grow up but at the same time it is sheer joy to see his new developments. I could eat him up.

Laser Treatment Update

DAY THREE

Nap Time = Car Seat

DAY FIVE

DAY SEVEN

Thursday, February 16, 2006

A lot of you already know but for those of you who don't Jude was born with a Port Wine Stain birthmark. It is on his chin, neck, cheek, and the top of his chest. Port Wine Stains are VERY rare and happen in about 2 of every 1000 births. There is no known cause for Port Wine Stain's and they can sometimes be very dangerous. We are very fortunate because of the location of Jude's PWS and as of now there are known dangers to his birthmark. Although Jude's birthmark is faint and only pinkish/red now if we were not to seek treatment it would become a very dark purple (hence the name Port Wine Stain) and it can also possibly thicken and grow blebs that are something like blood filled warts. A Port Wine Stain is defined as a vascular malformation and is a mass of dilated capillaries.

Treatment consists of using a Pulse Dye Laser that is shot onto the birthmark and breaks up the blood vessels under the skin. The treatment yesterday was for test patches so Dr. Vanderhooft could see how Jude’s birthmark would respond. We will go in again in May for a complete treatment that will cover his entire birthmark. We will continue to have a treatment every 3 months until the Doctor sees the fading she is hoping for. This could mean anywhere from 4 to 20 treatments, probably being done when Jude is close to 3 or 4. We are told that the procedure is not too painful something like a rubber band slapping against your skin and afterward it feels like a bad sunburn.

We started treatment yesterday at the University of Utah Hospital and below are pictures after his surgery. It looks worse (more painful) than it is and Jude is doing great, he acts as if nothing has happened. I will continue to post pictures of his progress and it will only stay dark like this until the bruising ceases (about 1-2 weeks). If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact either me or Trevan, we are both becoming experts on it. For more information about PWS click on the Port Wine Stain Information tab to the right.

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

Our First Family Trip (2-9/2-14)

We officially needed a vacation. We decided to lose the 30 degree drab and depressing Utah weather and drive to California's 80 degree BEAUTIFUL weather. Trevan's brother Cameron and his girlfriend Melissa (also Jude's girlfriend) joined us and really made the trip possible with entertaining Jude in the back seat. We first when to San Diego (SeaWorld) and then went to see Trevan's family in Los Angeles. Scott and Dina were kind enough to let us stay at their house in Redondo Beach (near L.A.). We had a great time!

These are REAL Oscars! They had a exhibit at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood with all the Oscars that will be given out and we all got to hold one. (P.S. they really are heavy)

At the Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego

Jude had a couple of new developments on our trip. He hold his own bottle and plays with his fists constantly.

SEAWORLD!!!!!

Jude liked what he was seeing! (Mr. Walrus)

Fun w/ Grandpa's Toupee

We can all agree Jude looks good with Grandpa Mike's toupee. He didn't like wearing it much but it was great for laughs (even Grandpa Mike got a few laughs out of it)! I feel bad for babies born with this much hair it makes them look too old but even Jude can pull off a little excess hair.