2 Brothers Layne

So today Jonah and Mommy went to Portsmouth to visit with Dr. Lee (the pulmonologist/lung Dr.). We discussed Jonah's swallow study and it was determined that we can again pursue oral feeds again. Jonah's OT will be so excited! As for his lungs, things look good! Dr. Lee set up a proactive plan to help us keep Jonah out of the hospital the next time a nasty virus comes our way. He told us that Jonah is exposed to more germs taking him to see the Dr. than he would in a casual social outing and to proceed (with caution) in allowing Jonah to experience the outside world. I asked him about what he thought of sending him to school in the fall. Dr. Lee felt like the benefits would outweigh the risks for Jonah at this point in time but that we would revisit this discussion at our next visit in August. We tried to go swimming this evening at our community pool but to no avail as the pool has a funny schedule this week and was closed today. So, with a bit of time on our hands Dad...

Today was a lot of fun. In the morning we went to Uncle Jason's house to play in his pool. We spent maybe an hour or so before Jonah started to ask for a rock-a-bye. Jonah wasn't quite sure what to think when we first got in but after a while he was tons of fun. We tried to help him learn to float on his back but that was a no go. The afternoon threatened thunder showers so we had an enjoyable time skyping with family!!! Jonah is tired. Trying to sleep on my head on the way to the car. Mom and Jonah chillin' in the pool. Jonah and I first thing in the pool. If I had an underwater camera when I was a kid, I would have gotten into a lot of trouble!!! Especially with a brother that is ten years older than me. So much for our afternoon showers. Jonah wanted to play in his "Dump Water" We couldn't wait for mommy any longer, she was gone maybe 30 seconds, so I stripped him down to his nothins and plopped him in his water. All of us had a great time.

What a day. We always enjoy our Sunday Skype sessions with family. The new talk of the town is how things are going for Tanya getting the ducks aligned just right to make a visit to Utah. We haven't mentioned anything to Jonah because it is still loosely solidified right now. Just waiting on the oxygen condenser. Today we enjoyed some more grilling on the Patio Oven. While Tan and I sat in our patio chairs and waited for the food too cook, Jonah braved the concrete and crawled around a bit picking up leaves and stuff. Another great day in an AWESOME weekend!!!

Pre-grill, strawberries and pineapple! YUM!! Tanya, in her new hat, with dinner. Chicken, tomatoes, onions, shrimp, and Zuchinni on kabobs!!! Jason at the Strawberry Festival Parade in Pungo, VA The fam at the Parade. It was a lot of fun. Jonahs first carnival ride. A banana ride that goes in circles and up and down. He wasn't sure at first but now that is all that he talks about. This is what dessert was supposed to be but the pineapple kept falling off the kabob. Every one was so proud of this truck. It was acquired in a drug bust, so they converted it to a police cruiser. Banana boat ride. This is the 4H animal show. This tent is about 25 feet wide and 50 yards long. Compared to what we are used to this isn't much. This is the Job I want. A police officer that plays the symbols. This is the only video that would upload tonight.

Today Tanya showed me how Jonah can run!! It was AWESOME!! Tomorrow we will try and catch it on video. Today was a fun day, well at least the evening was. I was at work until noon, got home and refueled my sleep tank, 3 hours just doesn't cut it any longer. When I woke up it was time for dinner. We decided to Grill. Hamburgers with shrimp, corn on the cob, and green beans!! Most excellent if I say so. Tomorrow we are going to try kabobs out. We should have loads of pictures tomorrow. We are headed to a Strawberry festival in a neighboring town tomorrow. Looks like a lot of fun. Until then. . .

Jonah has taken an interest in the baseball diamonds that are a few hundred yards away from our house. So most evenings you can find us watching a baseball/softball game. Tonight we watched young girls play softball. They sure played hard and had a great time singing funny cheers.

What fun we had today! Mommy's friend Carol Ann and her son Johnathan came over to play in the backyard! It has been really hot here so we filled up the tote with water and broke out the bath toys. These two cuties had sooo much fun! Both laughing so hard they're close to crying! Still stifling their laughter! Jonah's million dollar smile! I sure do love it when Jonah remembers to share. These two play so well together, it is always so fun to have Johnathan over to play!

Oh how grateful we are for Skype! It is so nice to know that every night before Jonah goes to bed we have a standing Skype appointment with Gaga and Mamaw. Then, every once in a while we catch another person/family we love and miss. Tonight we got to Skype with Dave's oldest brother Andy and his family! Jonah has been asking for Auntie Peggy for well over a week and tonight was the first time we were all available at the same time. Jonah was in heaven to have cousin Shaeli play the guitar for him and to have Uncle Andy play and sing for him as well. Jonah graced Auntie Peggy with his very own rendition of I've been working on the railroad. Jonah (all by himself) sang "Someone's in the kitchen with Auntie Peggy!" It was soooo cute!

Daddy was able to capture Jonah's "Wife Song" aka The Farmer in the Dale. What a silly boy! As for the goings on here, well not a whole lot. Jonah and Mommy did some cleaning and lots of singing!

As you can guess we made a visit to the ER today. Jonah has had a rash for the last few days and last night showed us he had a fever. The doc determined that it must be a viral bug, and if anything changes to bring him back. Other than the ER visit, it was a very enjoyable day. We decided to grill dinner this evening, chicken and green beans. We wanted to try and grill some of the strawberries that were picked yesterday but lacking one ingredient we decided to hold off for a day or so. One funny thing that Jonah loves to do is sing the "wife" song, or as the rest of the world knows it, "The Farmer in the Dale." He is thinking logically and groups his activities together (i.e: eggs pan, oat meal, waffles). He even associates things with going bye bye. It is a lot of fun and once we get laughing to hard he changes the logic of the items taking one with another. Hopefully we can catch this on video to share with every one.

Today started with the strawberry patch out in Pungo. Micah and Carla joined Tanya and Jonah. All had a great time in the patch. Although on the way home, Jonah had a melt down as long as he was not touching Tanya. Jonah started to cry, then Micah, then Jonah would cry louder, then Micah would match him. Tanya said that the only thing she and Carla could do was laugh. After a well deserved nap we went for a family bye bye to walmart for some groceries. After a walk, Jonah was invited by the neighbor boys to play in their air and water play house. Tanya and Jonah in the strawberry field Carla and Micah

Jonah says some of the most amazing things. Today we went for a family bye bye in Jonah's language. We had to run an errand to the NEX, the navy shopping store, to get a few things for my uniforms. On the way home he said, "I love family bye bye." It brought mommy to tears. It was great. Today was much of the same. Fun with Jonah. Carla and Micah came by for a bit to play, which was a lot of fun. Jonah loves Micah and Carla!!! Tomorrow we get to go back and pick strawberry's again. This time we will remember the camera.

Today Jonah learned what a popcorn popper was for. He was pretty nervous at first, but by the end he was ready to play. Earlier Mom had a photo shoot with toady in which she found he had a rash developing. It was fun with the photo shoot. At the ENT today we learned that Jonah's tubes look great. Other than that, it was an outstanding day. Enjoy the video of popping popcorn.

Today we went to the park today for a while in between the torrents of rain storms. Carla and Micah Joined us for dinner tonight. It was a lot of fun. Tanya wanted some treats today so they made no bake cookies. When Jonah was asked who he wanted to share them with he said, "Lawla." So after dinner, they had no bake cookies.

Today was about like any other day with the exception of this evening. Our neighbor and friend Carla and her darling son Micah invited us to join them for an evening walk. We weren't gone too long but it was most enjoyable.

The highlight of Jonah's day today was swinging at the park once with Daddy and once with Mommy. Jonah loves how the swing makes his tummy tickle and he announces to the entire playground that he has a "tummy tickle". It's very cute. After swinging a while we decided to try the slide. Jonah had to climb up 5 stairs and across a small platform to get to the slide. By the 3rd and 4th times he was nearly independent using the stairs!!! What a guy.

not much really happens on Sundays when Jonah is home. They are pretty low key for us. However, we did go out and play soccer with the neighbor boys. They were AMAZING!!! With out being asked they would involve Jonah, be patient enough for him to kick the ball a little to them, and then they would be on their way again. Church went well. We attended sacrament meeting as a family, then Tanya dropped Jonah and I off so she could go back to church. Tanya and I played yahtzee after Jonah went to be. She officially kicked my butt 3x's in a row. Dang Yahtzee's anyway.

We had a great morning as a family today. We went to a local farm and picked strawberries! It was perfect weather and great picking. Dave and I walked half way down one row and filled our bucket to the top. We picked 10 pounds of berries and paid $14.20 for them!!! AWESOME!!! We'll probably go again next weekend although I think 5 pounds will be plenty! -Bummer I forgot the camera for this outing-

This morning was cute. As usual Jonah and Tanya get up and going around 615 ish. I had to be at work today first thing so I too was awake. When Tanya asked Jonah what time it is he replied all on his own, "Daddy Time!!" We think he misses his dad during the week because I am not around much. We had fun today. We had the great idea of buying a soccer ball to help Jonah stay motivated in his crocodile. By the time we were finished playing outside he was pretty good at kicking the ball, well as good at a 2.5 year old in a walker can be. We invited Micah, the cute little neighbor boy who is 1 to come and play. We had a great time. Micah Jonah and Micah teaching Jonah how to kick the soccer ball.

Jonah has decided that Popsicles are his new favorite food. He has has 2 today and would have made it three if I'd have let him. Jonah is still struggling with his separation anxiety. Daddy and I had to run an errand and Jonah screamed himself to sleep with nurse Kristen. Can't wait till we over this again!

Before Grandma left we had a photo shoot! This is a glimpse of what we got. Jonah is getting so big! We had been pulling silly faces for quite a while when Jonah suddenly give us the perfect smile... too bad Mom and Dad look so goofy! The "Oh No!" face. Jonah's "Chocolate" face Our cute little family! Just got a text that Grandma made it safely to SLC. We'll sure miss her round here!

Jonah has had a nice low key day with LOTS of Grandma time. Jonah worked hard for the OT and then took a 3 hour nap. He indulged in more chocolate and attempted to bite, chew, and swallow some Cheetos. While Grandma gave the munchkin a bath Mommy sewed Jonah a new Apron. I'll get a picture of it tomorrow!

Jonah is such a chocolate fiend! He is so fond of it, in fact, that today he tried to store some in his hair for later... Jonah has this funny face he makes when eating chocolate. Grandma tried to elicit said face by saying "Pull your chocolate face". Jonah promptly grabbed hold of his face and pulled! Ha Ha Ha, reminds me of the old Amelia Bedelia books I read in grade school! My handsome kiddo. As Jonah would say, "Messy, Messy, MESSY!" Daddy and Jonah had a riot this morning playing with Daddy's Slinky. Jonah enjoying the strange feel of the slinky leaving his hands. Daddy was wishing for some stairs to walk the Slinky down so Mamaw suggested using the DVDs. It worked like a charm! Jonah asked Grandma to rock him to sleep tonight. I tried to explain that tomorrow would be Grandma's last night to put him to bed but I don't think it sunk in. Oh, Well. We'll just have to make the most of the next day and a half!

Today was a great day in the life of Jonah. He had oatmeal and chocolate for breakfast. Jonah asks for what ever we are eating to be in his bowl so he can pretend to eat it with his spoon. Mamaw watch Jonah so Tan and I could go to church. It was wonderful being able to be there as a couple. I bet it will be awesome to attend as a family one day!!! We had a great time skyping with family and friends. Jonah Enjoying some oatmeal for breakfast. s'more oatmeal.

Today Jonah had a great time at the Big Sandy, the beach. Tanya had a lot of fun spinning circles with Jonah. It was neat to hear of Jonah liking the free floating spinning circles. I, dave, did not go with Tanya and Loraine to the beach. Jonah experienced some yard sales today. He walked quite a bit in his crocodile. He is sooo much fun to play with. Mommy dug a hole that went up to her knees so that Jonah had a place to stand independently. It worked really well! Jonah got new sand toys for Easter and a new beach chair at the yard sale. Such a CUTE smile! Putting the little man in the hole. His initial reaction was to be terrified but once I explained what was going to happen he was ok with it. Just having fun with Mommy.

There were a bunch of neighbor boys out playing this afternoon and Jonah wanted to join in so Daddy got him all prepped in his crocodile walker and out he came. The boys seemed a little intimidated with we 3 adults walking up to them with a cutie in a strange contraption so Mommy ran into the house and got some Popsicles. The group was quick to warm up. Jonah enjoyed watching the boys eat their treats and it so inspired him to consume his own banana flavored Popsicle. Jonah is doing great in his walker and can really move when he wants to. The PT liked what she saw from him today and is encouraged that he may reach the goal of independent walking by his birthday. -How cool would that be!- Jonah almost looks his age here. The visit to see the nutritionist went well. We are not making any changes at this point. Last December Jonah's BMI (body mass index) was in the 100th percentile meaning he was short and squatty. Today his BMI was in the 50th percentile which is exactly whe...