2 Brothers Layne

After being here with us in VA for 6 weeks Grandma flies home tomorrow.  It is, of course, with mixed emotions that we part ways.  I'm very thankful for all her help and patience in waiting on me hand and foot and for taking care of Jonah while Daddy's been at work.  Dave has the next 2 weeks off work to continue caring for me before we enlist the help of the ward members and friends. Jonah's room has been turned upside down and put back together better than before.  He is so proud of his and Caleb's matching dressers.  He is also excited that we've filled his dresser drawers from the bottom up so that he can access his clothes independently.  He is growing up so quickly! Bright and early tomorrow I go to into Portsmouth to visit with Dr. Thompson and check on Caleb.  Also tomorrow I'll be 29 weeks along!!!

Jonah has had a good day.  His class was scheduled to have their "water day" today but unfortunately they got rained out thanks to tropical depression Beryl.  They have rescheduled for next Wednesday.  Hopefully they'll have better weather. Grandma and I have been talking of some major organizational projects for a few day now and yesterday we started a major chair reaction.  Today it's been an explosion in Jonah's room and after buying some big totes and lots of organizing, it is starting to look better.  We found matching dressers at the thrift store that needed some minor repairs.  Grandma was hard at work this evening and by morning they'll be ready for Jonah's and Caleb's clothes!!!

Jonah went back to school today after the long weekend.  His teachers said he had a great day.  Daddy and Ms. Maureen took him to feeding therapy.  She was impressed with his feeding but did have a couple of concerns.  She asked us to request a follow-up video swallow study to see how he's doing.  We should hear from the GI doc in the next few days as to when we'll be able to schedule the study.

The highlights of today were...  We had a big game of Yahtzee this morning and boy was it cut-throat!  Jonah helped Daddy play against Gaga, Grandma, Ms. Patty, and Mommy.  There were lots and lots of laughs! Then in the afternoon Jonah went with Gaga and Grandma to the airport and while they waited for Gaga's plane they had some fries and a chocolate milkshake at Burger King.  Jonah had to call me and tell me how yummy the chocolate shake was.  When he and Grandma arrived home I showed him the delicious treat of dunking the fries in the shake.  He wasn't so sure that was such a great idea.

It's been a nice relaxing Sunday here in VB.  We've tried to soak up every minute of having Gaga here with us since he flies home to Utah tomorrow.  It will make it slightly easier to have him go and Grandma on Friday knowing that they already have flights booked for September to be here for Caleb's blessing. Attention Friends and Family: I know this is well in advance but We'd like to invite you to Caleb's Baby Blessing (the Mormon equivalent of a Christening) on September 16. It will be here in Virginia Beach so if you need to arrange a flight, airfare on Southwest is as cheap as I've ever seen it. We'd love to see you here!

What a busy day it has been at our house!  Daddy started off his day with some canoeing with the young men.  While he was away Jonah, Gaga, and Grandma went to the Ocean Front. Jonah was very excited to have Gaga bury his feet in the sand. Not so sure by his face that he is loving it... Jonah and Grandma had a blast playing in the water.  That was where he preferred to spend his time. Then after a much needed nap by all we went to Racco and Gianna's birthday.  They are Ms. Patty's 3 year old twin grandkids.  She was so kind as to invite the whole family to the party. We all enjoyed some yummy food and great company.  Jonah thoroughly enjoyed having Ms. Patty an extra day! Riding the tractor while the adults talk up a storm.  Notice Mommy in the background laying on my new reclining chair. The kiddos sure had fun with the pinata. After a day in the sun (with his shirt on, mind you) Jonah's little back and shoulders ...

 Not a lot on the Jonah Toad today.  He continues to progress with his eating and walking! It's a good day for puppy snuggles.  We have a house guest for a little while.  This is Scarlet, Molly's best friend!  Mommy had her weekly Dr. Visit.  Dr. Thompson was again excited and encouraged since nothing has changed.  Today marks 28 weeks, the first week of the 3rd Trimester.  This is uncharted territory for me.  We are 4 weeks and 1 day farther than we ever got with Jonah.  Some days are harder than others to stay down but I'm giving it my best.   I'm so grateful for Dave and Grandma taking such good care of me while I'm incapacitated. 

We have been working hard to increase Jonah's toleration of bumpy foods.  The one we're working on this week is "Chunky Applesauce".  It has a lot of texture and Jonah has been very averse to it.  We found a way to help remove the anxiety this afternoon.  For every bite he took I'd arm him with the squirt bottle and he'd decide who he was going to spray.  We all got really silly and Jonah was having so much fun he ate a half ounce! Baby Caleb is staying put and I go to the Dr. at 1:00 tomorrow.

 It was another great day!  Jonah went to see Dr. Reynolds (his dentist) this afternoon with Daddy.  Daddy reports that Jonah did cry some but this time he was brave enough to allow the dentist to use the electric tooth brush!  They still didn't attempt to use the suction but Dr. Reynolds was impressed with how Jonah's teeth looked.  This afternoon Jonah ate an entire snack pack container of chocolate pudding (3.24 oz) in one setting.  Amazing!  Notice the new tray and pretty red seat back... Jonah's new "Rifton High-Low Activity Chair" arrived today!  This is the chair Jonah's Dr. ordered when I told her that he was outgrowing his highchair but not ready yet for a regular chair at the table.  We are so grateful for Tricare shelling out the $3,500 to make this purchase.  It's so user friendly.  I wish I'd have had a few of these while I was teaching at the School for the Deaf and the Blind.  This is at mid height. ...

Today was a fun day at the Layne Residence.  We let Jonah play hookie from school since he'd have had to leave early for an eye appointment anyways. We decided that with Jonah creating an aquarium at home it would be a great morning to take Gaga and Grandma to see the aquarium.  Here are the boys checking out the seals in the outdoor tank. The first room has loads of turtles, fish, birds, and other critters.  The great thing about this room is that there is only a rope between you and the animals.  It makes for some good pictures. This is the overhead tank.  It's like walking through a tunnel where there are fish are swimming overhead!  It also has some beautiful coral. Ahhhhhh! the boys have been eaten by a shark!  This is a mock submarine with loads of buttons, lights, and beeps.  This is one of Jonah's favorites!  I love it because it is part of the shark tank.  You can see the sharks swim overhead and  th...

Jonah had a good day at school and lots of fun with Gaga and Grandma.  Tomorrow will be a trip to the Aquarium and the eye doctor.  Should be fun! Caleb is growing and growing!

The highlight of the day was the big Sunday dinner we enjoyed with the Preston Family, Uncle Jason, Gaga and Grandma!  The food was fantastic and the company superb!

This weekend was the annual Pirate Festival at the ocean front.  We had wanted to go last year but didn't make it.  This year we made sure Jonah went with the proper gear, his sword, a hat, and an eye patch! Jonah and one of the Pirate re-enactors who was kind enough to pause for a picture. There were lots of shows.  Jonah enjoyed watching the sword fighting! Throughout the day Jonah collected more pirate attire.  Here he is sporting a headband that Daddy free handed for him and some pirate beads that hang over his shoulder. Of course there were Stocks! Oh, NO!  They got Gaga! Jonah was able to tolerate having a pirate beard painted on.  If you look close you can see the red solo cup that Daddy and Jonah made into a pirate hook. Here we are with the end result!  ARRRRRR!  

Today Caleb is at 27 weeks!!!  Hooray!  Thank you for all your prayers, love, and concern. Jonah has had a great day today with his nurses.  Daddy took him on base to get a military ID and this evening they went for a bike ride!  Jonah is still stoked about the sand dollars and his aquarium.  In the last two days Jonah has used the potty 14 times!  Jonah's feeds are going well also.  He is eating 2-4 ounces by mouth 3-4 times a day!  That's a huge improvement!

 Jonah has had such a busy and fun day today!  He started his day off with a "Silly Hat Tea Party" with Ms. Patty and Grandma.  Jonah is getting the dishes all set up.  The group enjoyed some Poppies (Oyster Crackers), Crumpets (Cheezits Crackers), and Ice Water.  The whole group enjoying their early morning party!  Molly is longingly looking on wishing she'd have got an invite! We finally came up with a new idea to help Jonah stay motivated with using the potty.  This is the poster hanging in Jonah's bathroom.  He is so in love with the fact that I was able to put his face and Molly's on he scuba divers.  These are Jonah's Sand dollars that he earns when he is successful in using the bathroom.  Once he's earned 5 or 6 sand dollars he gets to go to the...  Layne's Fish Store! (AKA the game closet in the entry way.  This is what is on the opposite side of the door.  There are 5 tanks....

Jonah got along well with Nurse Maureen while she trained with Ms. Patty this morning.  He was excited to show her his room, toys, and toddler bed.  He sang her loads of songs and was quick to reassure her that he would help her learn all the fun stuff he and Ms. Patty do everyday.  Ms. Maureen will start tomorrow afternoon! It was Dr. day for Mommy.  Dr. Thompson was happy to inform me that there were very minimal changes today and we'll shoot for another week!

Jonah showed off his best stuff at feeding therapy this afternoon.  He wowed his therapist, nurse Patty and Daddy.  We learned a few new tricks to help Jonah continue progressing with his oral feeding.  We're anxious to meet our new nurse tomorrow morning.  I just finished updating Jonah's daily schedule poasters so that we can all be on the same page. Caleb and Mommy are well.  I have an OB appointment tomorrow at 1:00 EST or 11:00 MST.  Hopefully it will be more good news!

Poor Jonah is sporting 4 new goose eggs today.  The first two came when Jonah took a pretty good spill at school.  The 3rd came just after nap time when he was climbing up on the sofa to snuggle with Mommy and we hit heads.  His 4th and final bump came from hitting his head on the corner of the bathroom wall.  We got word today that our nursing company has found us a second nurse.  Her name is Maureen and she is coming to orient Wednesday morning and should start by the end of the week.  That means that Ms. Patty will be here from 6:30-10:30, then Jonah goes to school from 10:30-2:30, and Ms. Maureen will be here from 2:30-6:30.  That'll be the plan until Jonah's out of school on June 14th at which point we'll have to reconfigure. As for Caleb, he is growing and behaving himself.  Come Friday he'll be 27 weeks! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful women in our lives!  You are all such an inspiration to our family. Mommy got to enjoy a breath of fresh air this morning and a moment off the couch.  I've been doing really well and decided that I could probably sit at church long enough to hear Jonah sing the mother's day song with the primary kids.  It was nice to get out of the house for even 30 minutes and I was elated that I didn't have to miss Jonah's first opportunity to sing with the Primary.  He did a decent job singing.  The first few lines he was grumbling and upset because he couldn't see his daddy.  Once Daddy was in view he sang the rest of the verse perfectly.  The second verse Jonah's head sunk below our view as he had discovered there were hymn books on the stand near his knees.  Apparently hymn books are far more interesting than singing. 

Jonah got a good dose of "Man Time" (as Daddy likes to call it).  They started their day with a nice bike ride through the neighborhood then lots of rough house play.  Daddy attempted to get Jonah to play hide and seek but it only worked if Daddy did the hiding.  The time that it was Jonah's turn to hide he kept poking his head from under the blanket and yelling his location to Daddy.  Molly got a haircut today and Jonah has told her repeatedly, "I really like your new haircut Molly!  You look so handsome."  We got a good laugh when Jonah's creative juices got to flowing.  We were discussing Baby Caleb was growing bigger in Mommy's tummy and thats why it was getting bigger.  Jonah pipes up with, "Well, I have a baby sister in bum!"

My oh my has Jonah found some attitude over the last month.  He has taken to growling when he is angry, telling you no, and when he wants attention.  Definitely don't LOVE this phase but we're working through it.  As for the goings on with the rest of the family, we're all excited to see Gaga a week from today and Caleb is staying put!  He is officially 26 weeks gestitation today!!!

 What FUN!  Grandma, Jonah, Carla, and Micah headed off to Norfolk Base to see the USO Elmo show.  They arrived early but the line was already down the block and around the corner.  They came by and told Grandma that there were no strollers allowed and she replied that this was Jonah wheelchair.  That sure changed their tune.  Jonah and his group were escorted to a back door where they were the first people in the theater.  They were then shown to their 3rd row seats!  SCORE!  Jonah was excited to see Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Rosita, and a character named Katie. The story line was that Katie's family was being transferred to a new base AGAIN and Katie was so sad to leave her friends.  The Sesame Street gang helped her to see that there would be lots of new friends at the new base and that they (her friends) would keep in touch.  Wise words for a room of military kids.  Fun Self portrait!  Katie. J...

Jonah was on one tonight.  He was proving that he is truly his Daddy's son by making up his own wacky lyrics to songs he knows.  Grandma and I were rolling with laughter.  Jonah decided that his minivan was broke down and he recruited Grandma to assist in it's repair. They had a great time! Look how big this kiddo is getting!  I can hardly believe how much he has changed and how many challenges he has conquered in his 3+ years.  I'm so proud of this sweet, loving, determined, courageous little boy! Titi Carla dropped by to say hi and check on all of us.  Jonah, Grandma, Carla, and Micah are all planning on attending the Sesame Street show at Norfolk Base tomorrow night!  We'll see what Jonah thinks of that! I had my weekly Dr. appointment early this morning.  We are ecstatic that nothing has changed from last week.  Dr. Thompson said that I'm to continue bed rest and the weekly progesterone shots and be grateful f...

I got a call from our friend Erin this afternoon.  She said she'd found something that she thought would work for Jonah to push around.  She came a while later toting a little Graco stroller.  Grandma put a 10 pound bag of rice in the basket and Jonah had a riot!  We promptly buckled baby peanut (Jonah's Doll) and Jonah took him for a ride around the house.  Later Jonah and Grandma needed to go to the mailbox so Jonah walked the stroller and Peanut all the way there and back.  Grandma tells me that they had to stop 3 times to check on Peanut.  At one point the wind picked up and Jonah had to stop, walk around the stroller, and ask his doll if he was warm enough with the wind :)  We'll try to get a pic/video of it all tomorrow! Bright and early tomorrow I go in for my weekly shot and Dr. visit.

Jonah seems to have a new favorite food... Chocolate Pudding.  He has devoured a whole lot of it the last few days.  Nothing really significant happened today.  Caleb is still safe and sound and Daddy unexpectedly was presented an award at work today.  He sent me a pic and it looks pretty impressive although I don't know what it was for.  Go DADDY!

 It's always a little sad to see the weekend come to an end but without the craziness of the weekdays we'd never fully appreciate our weekend family time.  Jonah, Daddy, and Grandma went to church today.  Jonah got upset a couple times but all in all it was a good day.  Later this evening Grandma and Jonah noticed that Carla, Donavon, and Micah were out in he front yard playing golf.  Of course they had to go out and play too.