2 Brothers Layne

While Mommy was taking a much needed nap Jonah decided to show off a skill that has suddenly Clicked!  We've worked and worked at helping Jonah to be able to move himself when aboard his "minivan".  While playing with Grandma today he suddenly got it!  He had to sport his new fireman hat he got at school yesterday and you'll notice that he is buckled up.  He is our seat belt enforcer.  In the background you'll notice Molly is sporting a new do!  We found a new groomer and we LOVE her! When I woke and Grandma told me of all the taken place while I was sleeping I was grateful for the pic and video.  Jonah was also eager to put on a show for Mommy so I did get to see it first hand.  While playing with Grandma Jonah rode into the kitchen near his play kitchen and he quickly told Grandma that he was going to "Shop-O-Rama" (AKA Walmart).  Funny boy is getting quite the imagination!

Jonah had a great day!  He has again refused a nap... little turkey!  Grandma made some major progress toward getting my house clean.  We tackled the long overdue floors and some organizing in Jonah's room.  HOORAY!  Thanks Grandma Raine!

 Can you say HYPER!?  That is the one word that best describes Jonah today.  I was amazed at the energy this kiddo had all day, especially with no nap!  He was glad to have Nurse Patty back and to be able to go to school.  His teachers said he did great coming back and that he ate very well.   This is Jonah buckled up on the bus that brings him home from school. Jonah and his wheels!  His crocodile is his sole mode of transportation at school!  He is getting so much stronger and more independent. This is nurse Patty.  She is with us 4 hours a day 5 days a week and Jonah couldn't be happier!

Last night we switched Jonah to a toddler bed.  it was his idea so we jumped all over it.  He did very well with it.  He slept all night and when he woke he did his usual yell for mommy.  Even when his nap came he did not get out of bed unless mommy or daddy came to get him.  Today we enjoyed a wonderful stake conference, went for a walk, and just hung out around the house. 

Jonah eating some chocolate Jonah has taken to photography lately.  He took a self portrait, but it was so close to his nose you couldn't tell what it was, so grandma helped take a picture. Jonah climbing up and down the stairs all by himself. Motivation: Getting to mommy Jonah was chasing me all around the dinner table.  I got him to crawl under a chair, but he hit his head the first time.  Each time after that he was very careful to duck his head. Jonah and Johnathan playing guitars the D.C. Temple above and below are at the visitors center in d.c. Tanya and I enjoyed a temple trip this morning, then came back to the home we were staying at (thanks to the Premonts for letting us crash at their home!!!) to pick up Jonah and Grandma.  We were planning on going to see some of the stuff in D.C. but it was too cold so we drove on home. A couple huge discoveries were made on our little impromptu trip.  1....

So today we made the trek up to Maryland.  The drive wasn't too bad except for the nasty rain storm we had to drive through.  The plan is for Mom and Dad to attend the temple in the morning then the 4 of us will go out sightseeing in DC.  Daddy, Jonah, and Grandma are in a state they have never been in and we're all excited to see the sights tomorrow!

 Standing outside the "Virginia Zoological Park"  The elephant statue is totally created with little butterflies.  It's pretty amazing! The weather today was mid 70s and GORGEOUS!  We all had a little cabin fever and the Zoo sounded like tonz of fun!  It was!  All the animals were up and active and enjoying the sunshine.  Jonah and Grandma being otters.  So much fun! The mommy giraffe was enjoying some grass out in the open.  We've been able to make some last minute plans to go to Washington D.C. Tomorrow!  We'll drive up tomorrow after Daddy wakes and spend the night with my friend's parents who live 10 minutes from the Mormon temple.  Then in the morning we'll go to the temple (Grandma and Jonah will hangout in the visitor's center next door).  Then we'll have a few hours to sight see downtown before we come home.

Every couple of hours today Jonah would stop, look at Grandma, and squeal.  Then he says, "I'm so EXCITED!  Grandma is here at Jonah's house!"  He couldn't be happier.  Today I've also heard things like, "Bye Bye Momma!  I play with Grandma now." and "No! Grandma take me potty."  Jonah needed 1/4 liter of O2 last night just after midnight.  He has played hard and seems to be feeling pretty well.  To error on the side of safety I'm not planning on sending him to school this week to ensure his immune system has had every chance to recover. 

We're home!  We got Jonah home about noon.  He was so excited to be home and to be able to play on the floor with his toys.  Mommy's back to full health minus a bit of energy and Daddy is nearly there!  He has been banished to the bedroom today while Jonah was awake due to his continued respiratory illness.  The doc told him this morning that he needed to give it one more day before coming in contact with Jonah.  They enjoyed being able to chat from the doorway.  I'm not planning on sending Jonah to school this week due to needed recovery time and all the extra medications he's on.

So we were told that within 24 hours Jonah could possibly be going home.  He is off oxygen, except for when he sleeps.  He was excited to see mommy this morning, and excused Grandma.  But when Grandma came back Jonah was happy to have Grandma all to himself.  Tanya arrived home this evening tuckered out.  She is feeling better but doesn't have all of her strength back yet. 

So, big news today.  Jonah was sent from the ICU to the floor.  Ok, in a literal sense, but to the pediatric floor, on level four.  A big plus to this is that we can actually sleep in his room.  Where in the ICU no sleeping was allowed in his room.  Grandma went to sit with Jonah today.  She had Jonah all to herself.  Antie Angela went to hang out with Jonah this morning too; but when grandma arrived Jonah told her it was ok for her to leave.  I hope that didn't hurt any feelings.  A huge thanks to all of our friends and family that help us when we are lacking!!!  Jonah is doing well today.  He took a pretty good nap.  So good that grandma was concerned about how low his heart rate should get.  In the 70's is still ok.   Poor little guy was tuckered out.  Jonah is on a slow mend, but still winning the hearts of everyone who takes care of him.  It was kinda funny today.  We were skyping with Jonah...

Jonah has perked up over the course of the day. He is a little more talkative and smiley. His O2 needs very between 3-6 liters but he is still on the high flow nasal cannula. It is definitely pneumonia in the right lung and with a stethoscope he sounds horrible. This has all been reported to me via his nurse as Dave and I are still battling a nasty GI bug. Grandma Raine arrived in Virginia safely and will be spending the day with Jonah tomorrow. Tonight Jonah has our dear friend Erin chillin' with him.

So Jonah is not doing any better today.  So bad that he went back to the hospital today on 1.5 liters of O2.  It was a quick trip in the ER.  They were ready for him at least.  As of 8 pm EST, Jonah was in some sort of respiratory distress so they are looking at intubating him to help him keep his oxygen saturations where they need to be.

Poor Jonah just can't seem to shake this flu.  He seems to have overcome the vomiting but now he's loosing everything out the other end.  between the diarrhea and the tummy cramps we've had a long day.  I'm excited to have Daddy home starting tomorrow for a 4 day weekend! 

My poor boy has survived the day without vomiting!  Our trip to the ER last night was overall uneventful.  I was impressed with Jonah's level of understanding as to why he needed to get a "poke" and he tried so hard to be brave.  The first 2 pokes failed due to a blown vein and then to Jonah's moving (even though we had Mom, Dad, and 2 nurses hold him still while a 3rd nurse tried to get the IV in.  They called one more nurse in and we finally had enough adults to keep Jonah still and the IV went right in.  After the IV was taped in place Jonah was really careful of it and intrigued with it and asked the nurse a few questions.  After a fair amount of fluid, some anti nausea med, and his hydrocortisone had passed through the IV he was comfortable enough to fall asleep.  All of Jonah's blood work came back fine with the exception of one elevated number that indicated he was dehydrated. None of us got much sleep last night but Jonah was content to take 2...

Jonah has the flu... we may be headed to the ER in a few if he doesn't turn a corner soon! Daddy was able to come home from work and we went to the ER.  Jonah got IV fluids and meds and stopped vomiting.  I'll post more tonight... just wanted to make sure I didn't worry you too much.

The special Valentines hat Jonah made at school today! Happy Birthday to the BEST Daddy/Husband in the world!  Daddy opened his gifts last night... 2 original picture creations/masterpieces from Jonah and a box filled with Kisses (not the candy kind the real deal!)  Jonah spent 2 days blowing kiss after kiss into the box then he told me, "Momma, It's all FULL!" and we wrote a cute poem and sealed it up.  We had so much fun getting Daddy's special gifts ready!  Hope your day was extra special Dad! With Valentines Day tomorrow Jonah and I worked diligently on his class valentines for friends and teachers, and an extra special surprise for Daddy!  Can't wait!

not sure what to write about today.  We went to church this morning.  Jonah was so excited to help sing the Sun Beam song today, he was chosen to hold the sun during singing time.  We had a family nap, skyped with family and boom before we knew it, it was bed time again. 

Today was daddy's surprise birthday party.  We had some friends come by and ate some pizza, wings, and played a game.  We all had a fantastic time!

Here is the video I promised from yesterday.  Jonah having a great time feeding himself. We got to have Daddy home today!  Hooray! 

We had a FANTASTIC morning!  While taking a routine bath this morning Jonah suddenly decided it might be fun to lay in the tub on his belly.  I've never seen him attempt this before.  So while he was laying on his tummy with his head held high out of the water I asked him if he was going to blow bubbles like a fish.  He thought that it was a good idea and this is what we got for the next 20 minutes!  Enjoy the video! I've been trying fruitlessly to load a second video from tonight.  Jonah was so excited that Mommy brought home bananas from the grocery store that he just had to have some for dinner.  We videoed him feeding himself but apparently I'll have to put it on tomorrow's blog!

I got a note from Ms. Bayer today and Boy was I excited!!!  It reads, "During O.T. today, Mrs. Katrina (the O.T.) reported Jonah stood on his own and clapped for 15-20 seconds while a 2nd grader stepped (A type of dancing).  WOW!"  How great is that!  Jonah was so pumped about it when he got home that was all he could talk about!  I'm so grateful for my church and military family I have here in VA.  I was pleasantly surprised with an afternoon visit from Ms. Kristen Preston.  She came to visit and as an added bonus she asked to be taught how to feed Jonah and replace his tummy tube.  She wanted to be prepared to be able to step in at a moment's notice if I were to need some help.  SO GRATEFUL!!! 

So today I was given strike 2 as far as Jonah's school snack was concerned...  I decided that since my "bumpy" snack was too bumpy I'd opt for something different.  I sent him some green Jell-O that he helped me make.  I asked him when he got home if he ate his Jell-O. He told me, that he told Ms. Seebree (the classroom aid), "No Jell-O just Goldfish time!!!"  Maybe next time I need to leave out the fish when I send a new food.

We told Jonah over the weekend that he was going to be a big brother because there is a baby in Mommy's tummy.  It seems to be sinking in today.  He had to kiss baby goodnight.  When I ask him if he thinks it's a baby girl or boy he goes back and forth between the two, however, when he is talking to the baby it's always sister and she...  So it seems Jonah's vote is a Sister.  Dave and I think that would be great but HEALTHY is most important.  Our due date is August 17th. Now for some funny stories from today.  I asked Jonah how school was today and the first thing out of his mouth was, "I didn't like snack you sent me!"  I was a little taken aback so I asked him what part of snack he didn't like.  He says, "The bumpy snack was too BUMPY!" Then this afternoon Jonah was drawing faces with his new Monday nurse (Patty).  They draw a picture of Mommy and as they got all the facial features in place Jonah looks at me and says, "M...

Last night Jonah and Daddy worked on learning the scripture that Jonah was to recite for Primary.  He had it nearly memorized before bedtime.  This morning they practiced some more and all through sacrament meeting Jonah wanted to go to the microphone and say the prayer... and everyone in a 3 bench radius knew it.  Finally it was show time.  Jonah said the prayer with no help at all then he only needed a one word prompt to say the scripture.  Hooray for Jonah!!! In the afternoon we went to our friend Jerome's house for lots of yummy food and to watch the game.  We stayed until partway through the second quarter and by then Jonah was getting really sleepy.  All in all a great day!

 Today we were invited to the Children's Museum in Porstmouth. It was fantastic!!!  We were invited by the Caddell family.  Jonah had a great time and walked almost for two hours straight.  Although we did not take his walker he wanted to pocket walk, grab our pants pocket with one hand, his inside one, and then with his outside hand he holds on to our hand.  He fished off a boat, got to drive the boat, be a farmer in the farmers market, and a fireman.  We also had a great time in the train area, library.  The mechanical room, music area, fire house, and police station were a little loud for him, but he did great.  Enjoy the pics and video.

The day started today with a big breakthrough.  Jonah was all ready for school and we (Jonah, Nurse Kristen, and I) were sitting around watching for the bus.  Jonah crawled over to me and said, "Mommy I need a scooter."  I told him I'd buy him one when he could walk all by himself really well.  He then told me, "I need to practice."  So I grabbed Nurse Kristen and we attempted to help Jonah "Practice" walking.  He took 1-3 independent steps numerous times!  What a FANTASTIC day!  It's going to take a 3rd person to get it on video so we'll see what we can do this weekend.

Jonah brought home his report card today and I'm one proud Mama!  Jonah had made so much progress since he started school and maybe especially since he started going in the afternoon with the big boys.  His teachers report that he has passed off 4 of his goals and as a result we're going to hold his IEP a little early to give him some more things to work on.  He is doing great getting around school in his walker, he has improved immensely on tasting different textures of food, he insists on feeding himself both with his spoon and finger foods.  Jonah can identify his shapes and colors and identify objects in pictures.  He still needs help staying on task and needs frequent redirection.  Overall... FANTASTIC!

According to Jonah's teacher note today he had everybody cracking up.  The story goes that Jonah was cruising the room and would periodically stop and loudly say, "What in the world?!" then laugh.  I guess this happened numerous times and provided some fantastic entertainment.  When Jonah got home I asked him who taught him to say what in the world.  He tells me that it was Ms. Bayer.