The Monterey Bay Aquarium

As a part of our Carmel Valley Getaway, we often go to Cannery Row in Monterey. It's quite the street with loads of shops like the Rip Squeak Showroom (one of our favorite), the Ghirradeli Ice Cream Parlor, and of course the Aquarium. My Dada loves the Aquarium and all its cool ocean wildlife.

Everyone that heard we were going to the Aquarium thought I would just have the most excellent time there. I love penguins and whales and dolphins and water, so who would've known I would want nothing to do with the inside of that building. So we spent fifty bucks and about thirty minutes out on the observation deck before leaving to go back down Cannery Row. Here's a look at us on the observation deck, which had a pretty amazing view of Monterey Bay.





This place really was pretty cool. The open-sea tidal pool had all kinds of underwater life you could look down on and they had this awesome raised tidal pool where actual seawater would come rushing in and you could watch what happened in the pool with each wave. I found this area soothing, but didn't enjoy it as much as I would have normally because I knew lurking somewhere inside the building close by, there were hoards of screaming, obnoxious children I wanted no contact with. Anyway, here's a look at some of the wildlife we got to see.


You'll have to look close at the pic above to find the wildlife (other than the sea birds), but scattered about this rock outcropping are five or six seals. You can see one, the white spec at far right side of the rock, and the smaller rock out-cropping even further to the right, see how it looks sort of rounded. That's a seal as well. The others are pretty hidden, at least inthe picture. Maybe Mama will got Dada a camera like my Uncle Chris someday when life doesn't cost so much. On with the wildlife pics!



That last picture is of the open-sea tidal pool. The water was crystal clear and you could see a lot more than you can in the picture, but I can tell you everywhere you see a spec of orange, that's a STARFISH! Seriously, dudes! Way cool!


Mama and Dada finally got the courage to force me indoors, thinking that maybe a look at my most favorite animal in the whole world might get me interested in some of the other super cool secrets I hadn't yet discovered. I gave the penguins about two seconds before yanking Mama and Dada into the nearby giftshop where I found comfort with all the books and lifeless animal replicas. I'm sorry flightless bird friends, maybe next time. Alright, so that does it for the animal wildlife. Time to wrap this visit up with some of my favorite pics of the day.






So that concluded our Carmel Valley/Monterey trip. This is by far my most favorite vacation spot. Hope we get to go back soon. Choa for now, my peeps.

Hunter. Oh, and Merry Christmas!!

Carmel Valley Ranch Getaway

We celebrated Mama's birthday down south at Carmel Valley Ranch, one of our favorite places to go when we wanna just getaway for a few days. The condos are perched high up on the hillside overlooking the valley, and it's quite a view with wildlife always around (mostly deer and wild turkeys). Steelhead run the river that winds through the bottom of the valley and the beach isn't too far away. Oh, and of course there's room service (not that food is something I get all that excited about).

So here's a look at our weekend away from therapy and tutors and work and doctor's appointments. Here's us just having some fun. Okay, so I decided to start with a pic of some of the wildlife. There are lots of deer wandering the ranch but Mama wouldn't let me get out and chase them with Dada. She said something about him being crazy if he thought he would be able to ride one.


Other than some shopping and a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (which I'll cover in my next entry), this little organic growers market turned out to be the most fun of all.




And while I'd never seen so many wild, crazy-colored organic squashes in one place, the Secret Garden was the area that was hard for me to leave behind at the end of our chilly visit. Here are some of the pics my Dada got while we ran around in the garden.






There was a corn maze that had just been plowed back into the earth, but the giant TeePee was pretty cool. I really like being outside, outdoors, even when it's a bit on the cool side. It was an excellent trip. Hopefully, we'll get to go back soon.


Chat with you again soon, Hunter.

What my brothers did for Halloween.

I recently got an email from my brothers, sharing some of the pictures from their Halloween adventures. I mentioned in one of my earlier posts (Check the most recent Disneyland stuff for more details) that my brothers, Ethan and Caleb, had recently graduated from the Jedi Training Academy as Padawans. Well, it seems as if they have continued with their stealth and swordplay training by going out into the Halloween World as Ninjas. How cool is that?!

Anyway, thought I'd share their pics with all my peeps. Enjoy!


This is Caleb, AKA The Gold Ninja, trying out his best "I'm Scared" look. It must be hard for a ninja to look scared.


And here's Ethan, AKA the Red Ninja, trying on his scared face for the camera. You can see both my Ninja brothers had a hard time showing true fear. Ninjas are so cool!


A picture just before they left for their Halloween expedition. You can see Ethan and Caleb are now fully dressed and ready for action. They are accompanied by Seth the Lion (their little brother) and Kaya the Pirate (their little sister). The two in the middle I am unfamiliar with, but they appear to be quite comfortable in the presence of my Ninja brothers.

And for your viewing pleasure, my brothers in Drew Carey glasses.



I must say, the thing that caught my attention the most in these photos are the surfer-like hair-dos my brothers are sporting. Wow! That is some huge amount of hair on their heads. But it's cool, bros, can't wait to see you at Christmas. Keep the pictures coming.

Love Ya. Your little brother, Hunter.

Halloween Fun! Sort of...

Most recently in therapy, I've been learning about some of the fun holidays kids my age get all excited about. Days like Easter, Christmas, and Halloween. I've got the academics of the those particular holidays down (as usual, I was quick to learn the differences between each holiday and how to recognize someone celebrating it), but having just come of age to really start enjoying these days, I haven't had much experience with any of them. First up on my To-Do list was Halloween.

Experience. If that was the thing I lacked for understanding this strange and unusual day, then I'm not sure I want much of it. In fact, I think I've had quite enough of it, which began with a trip to the Spirit Halloween store.

I figured, like any other day, this would be another trip to another store where I could wander, trying to find something I wanted to take with me to a better home. Then the doors opened on Spirit Halloween. It was dark, the entryway sealed off on both sides by enormous stone walls. There were great firey creatures on the walls, goblins and spooks and the scariest things I think I've ever seen. Eerie uninviting music played in the background. And after only two steps into the store, I ripped my hand from my Mama's and bolted out the doors and into the street, running in no particular direction, as long as it got me away from the store. Mama was quick on my heels, catching me before I ran out into the parking lot, but it took me a minute to calm down enough to realize Mama had no intention of taking me back into that evil place. Dada went back (crazy man) but Mama and I got in the van and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Dada wasn't in the store long and seemed rather disappointed.

So that was Thursday the 30th of October. Friday, the 31st and Halloween Night, would be the ultimate test. Mama and Dada had the night off, and this is how it went.

Therapy ended and mintues later, Mama and Dada were packing up the van. I knew we were off to someplace good, cause they packed food and my supplements. Then I saw my costume and I had a pretty good idea what was in store. I voiced my disapproval with a loud growl and then we were out the door and headed to the Jacob's homestead in Concord.

Within the hour, I was dressed and out the door in my Halloween costume. I was okay for the first house we visited, then the jig was up. Houses with lights and decorations were the worst. Mama did most of the work, to her credit, reciting the required 'Trick or Treat' for goodies at most of the doors we visited. I got out a couple 'trick or treats' and lots of 'bye byes', but for the most part, the only thing I liked about this holiday was the rain. It wasn't heavy rain, just enough to keep you aware of it. Halloween, so far, is not the holiday for me, but, of course, there are some pictures I thought you might enjoy...


We got things going pretty quick. No time to mess around when it's getting dark at 1830 hours. Rain wasn't much of a factor, present, but as you can see, I've got a covered spot on wheels near the front of the entourage. I'm followed closely by Grandma, Alice, Minnie, Wyatt Earp, a 50's version of my cousin Miranda, Aunt April, and a winged unicorn. Somewhere in the darkness beyond is my Dada and Uncle Jeremy.


So, at our first stop, a relatively undecorated spot with very friendly people, I got out of my chair for about 30 seconds, then tried climbing back in. The first few houses went pretty much the same, although I quickly decided I wanted to be walking rather than riding.


Here, Mama has me in arm and that was as close as I let her get to the house where we were. My cousins, as you can see, have no problems at all with this holiday. The one house I did let Mama take me up to the door was one I found particularly inviting, and went on inside to see their dog. Luckily, Mama and Uncle Jeremy knew the family very well.


Eventually, we made it to Great Grandma June's house where we stayed and played a bit. Grandma June read us a Halloween story and then I was ready to head out. Uncle Chris had asked us to stop by around 1930 hours, so he could snap some pictures of us in costume.


Well, that was Halloween. I was an astronaut, NASA endorsed, and I can only hope Christmas is a more tolerable holiday. But, one thing I can get excited about is it means a visit from my two older brothers, Ethan and Caleb. Christmas is already looking a whole lot better.

Hunter out.

A Visit from Grandpa Jacobs

Not long ago my Grandpa Jacobs came for a visit. I don't see him very often so it was fun to get together at my Uncle Jeremy's house for a big family visit. My Uncle Chris was there too. (I usually only see him on the weekends when I'm at Grandma's house.) And then, of course, my Aunt April, Miranda, Logan, Haylie, Hannah, and Lauren. It was a fun day. Everyone (everyone but me that is) ate pizza and talked (I didn't do much talking either. Eating and Talking, not my favorite things to do, although I am getting much more into that whole talking thing.)

I spent most of the time outside in the backyard with my Dada and cousins. I like to throw things over the fence into the pool next door, but don't tell the neighbor about it. She's kinda cranky.

Anyway, that was the visit. More later. Halloween is coming and I'm not sure how I feel about all the spookiness just yet.

Mama and Dada take a Night Off.

So when Mama and Dada got invited to Matt and Angie's wedding, they decided it was a good opportunity to get away on a Saturday night. Matt and Angie are good friends from work. We went to their house once, ate dinner, and swam in the pool. They also watched my older brothers, Ethan and Caleb, for a night while I was in the hospital for my second ph probe.

While at their house for dinner, I tried a tortilla chip for the first time. And they have dogs! I like dogs, but I don't think Mama will ever allow us to get one. I bet if I actually asked for it, she might run out that moment and buy one.

Anyway, Matt and Angie have always been willing to help a fella (or his parents) out, so I thought I'd give them some space on my ramblings to the cyber-world.


Here's my Mama and Dada on their night out, celebrating with their friends. Don't they look good together? Bom chica wow wow!


Oh, and there was the cutting of the cake. That was an exciting moment. My Dada and a trio of other fine men were asked to move the cake while on it's table to an area suitable for an audience. Can you imagine the pressure? Well, it all worked out nicely in the end. It was a pretty cool cake, so I heard.


And there was dancing, of course. Singing as well, but we probably don't need to go there. Here's a pic of Matt and Angie Switzer's first dance. The wedding took place in a quiet municipal park in Danville with a big open field surrounded by the most amazing houses and a creek my Dada probably could have pulled some nice fish out of if he'd had his stick with him.

Anyway, after the celebrating was done, Mama and Dada were off to the movies. That's they're favorite thing to do. Me, well, I got to hang with Grandma Jacobs. I think I got the better end of that arrangement.

Me and My G-Tube.

So the day my parents have been fighting to avoid finally came September 8, 2008. It was a Monday morning. We left home just after 0800 hours and drove to Kaiser Oakland Main Hospital. Dr. Kim and his surgery team met us in our little waiting room where Mama, Dada, and I waited for the frightening reality of today to sink in. It would, eventually, as my Mama dressed me in my little blue gown and yellow sticky-feet socks.

The hour finally came, 1230 hours, and I was wheeled off to the OR in a wagon full of pillows and carrying two of my rubber ducks. For my Mama, it must have been the longest hour of her life. I know I couldn't wait to be back in her arms.

The OR was all flashing lights and beeps and dull stainless steel and blue. And then suddenly I was drifting deep in a beautiful dream. I couldn't tell you much more about anything that happened after that, not until I woke up to a large white man in a light blue shirt covered in Winnie the Poo images. No, not my father you silly people, my Recovery Room RN. Nice fella, in his own way. Dry sense of humor, though.

It took a bit for me to wake after the surgery, but I did eventually, although I had some trouble getting oxygen into my blood just after waking and then again later that night. Mama called Dada (who'd had to go home to sleep) at about 0400 hours when they had to start me on some oxygen. I have the best parents in the world in case you were wondering.

Pain killer at first was 1mg of morphine. That kept me pretty doped up all day long. I didn't eat, didn't sleep, and pretty much just laid around all day in a tiny room with two other kids and their families. At least I had the middle space which turned out to be the biggest space of the three. The kid in the space to my right was Robert and his appendix had burst. He'd been in the hospital since Friday. The other Kid, the one in the window space, didn't get to know his name but apparently he was there after having a seizure. He'd been there since Saturday. There were a lot of kids in my hospital, but, like I said, I didn't do a whole lot that first day.

Day two went a lot better. They got me off the morphine and started me on Tylenol with codeine. It made a huge difference. I was alert, babbling again, and taking an interest in all the things around me. Dada ran errands, got Mama food, changed my videos, and did all the things Dadas are good for when Mamas need them. I started eating again through the new tube in my belly (my throat was still pretty sore from the breathing tube put in during the surgery). Did I mention the surgery was laproscopic? It was. They made a small incision in my belly where they placed the Mic-Key button and pushed the camera through my belly button so they could see what they were doing. Anyway, Day Two gave my Mama and Dada hope, hope that I was still gonna be the same little boy I'd been before going into the OR, only now with an easier way to get me nourished and healthy.

We met lots of nice people at the hospital and Kaiser hooked us up (the $200.00 a month Mama and Dada were spending on my food will now be bought and shipped to us by Kaiser. YA, baby, YA!). We checked out Wednesday afternoon and headed home. I took a five hour nap when I got home and still slept through the night.

Now that you've got the scoop, here's a few pictures documenting the day.


I swiped this Little Einsteins book from the Ambulatory Surgery Unit and kept it with me the whole time I was in the Hospital. When my nurse found it as we were walking out the door, she asked, "Where did this come from?" Ooops. He he.


My ride to the OR, pulled along by my anast, anestizi, the dude who gave me my drugs, and my OR Nurse. As you can see, my Mama wasn't far behind. In fact, the only time my Mama wasn't by my side was during the surgery.

Our room eventually had a view, when the family by the window moved to a different room. The view, you ask? Well, in the near distance we could see downtown Oakland. In the far distance is my favorite big city, San Francisco.


And finally, me at home, shirt off and feeling a little better about the whole experience (but very aware of the new addition to my little body). The "button" is kind of like one of those valves you use to blow up a floaty toy for the pool, only this one can spin around. It's kind of stomach churning at first, but we're all getting used to it and it has made feeding time a whole lot less stressful for everyone.


There's more coming. We've had some pretty crazy experiences already with the tube and getting food through it, but I'll save it for another day. Ta ta for now, my Peeps.

Hunter. 2 years 9 months.

A Day at the Zoo

The Oakland Zoo. It's not San Diego, but there is something special about this particular animal preserve. Tucked into the rolling hills east of Oakland, the Oakland Zoo is home to some of my favorite animals. And although my last visit to this zoo didn't go so well (I didn't eat well and then threw up what I had eaten, and then there was the discipline issues with my older brothers), I was very excited about this trip.

My ABA skills trainers (and Mama and Dada, of course) have been teaching me all about animals. I can identify fifty or more by picture AND know their sounds (or just make up sounds for the animals I don't know). So, when Mama and Dada pushed my stroller and all into the zoo, I was totally stoked! I had no idea how cool giraffes, camels, elephants, zebras, and monkeys really were!






And the day just kept gettin' better and better with giant lizards, alligators, and turtles all just feet or even inches away, but always just out of reach. Where does a guy have to go to get some hands on experience with animals?




And then there were the Meerkats (What a weird name! I don't even know if I have that spelled right! But would it matter with a name like that?) and giant fruit bats! Bats are Cool.



And then I found the place where we got to get hands on, or somewhat hands on. Seems the workers aren't real fond of close interaction with the "wildlife". I mean, come on, if you're going to put balls out for the goats to play with and you're going to let kids in to play with the goats, then shouldn't you be alright with kids using the balls to play with the goats? Anyway, I think the goats and I got along just fine...




We made a couple more stops before it was time for Mama and Dada to grab some grub from the on-site eating facility (animal friendly, of course. Nothing a lion wouldn't eat.)




And that was all she wrote, folks. I was out. But my day at the zoo was perfect for everyone, which is hard to accomplish sometimes around here. Maybe next time we can bring Grandma.


It was fun. Hunter out.