2 Brothers Layne

Today ended up being a full day!  We started with some house cleaning, Jonah was super excited to help Mommy rinse the dishes!  Next was grocery shopping round 1, then a nap.  After nap time it was time to hit the pool! Jonah loves the water and playing with Daddy! Jonah is getting brave enough to fall into Daddy's arms from the side of the pool. SPLASH!!! The water felt so wonderful!  Mommy really enjoyed the water and some fun family time! Daddy's self portrait underwater!  After the pool we finished up grocery shopping.  Daddy came home and mowed our back yard and 2 other yards for some neighbors.  Jonah played on the patio with his hammer and wood while Mommy got the groceries all put away.

 Jonah had a very memorable afternoon with Daddy.  They spent some manly bonding time on the patio with a hunk of wood, a hammer, a nail, a saw, and a crowbar!  Jonah couldn't have been more pleased and neither could Daddy.  Jonah got to where he could get the nail out by himself using the crowbar.  Nothing like pounding a big ole nail into a piece of wood! Jonah was facinated with the maintance man's crowbar that he used to remove the base board in Jonah's room on Tuesday.  It was a MUST for tonight's manly tools night.  Jonah actually was pretty accurate in his swinging of the hammer.  He hit the nail 9 times out of 10! Last but not least was the saw.  The only downer of the night was the extreme heat and humidity.

Jonah has spouted off a few funny quotes this week. Over the weekend Jonah and Daddy saw a forklift while they were out shopping.  Jonah was mesmerized and had talked a lot about it.  As Daddy and Jonah were rocking in the La-Z-Boy Jonah suddenly looked up at Daddy and said, "Daddy, if you buy me a forklift I will be such a good boy!" We had some visitors for a little bit one afternoon and the 5 year old started taking down Jonah's manly tool pictures off the wall.  Jonah quickly made his way to the boy and said, "You need to leave those alone.  Do you understand!?"  (Mommy can be heard to say Do you understand to Jonah multiple times a day).

We had a busy morning today.  Jonah had an appointment with Dr. Zintz (cardiologist) at 8am in Portsmouth!  That meant we had to be out of the door and on our way no later than 6:45.  I knew it was going to be a challenge but I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  When he got home at 1am he saw the note I'd left for Ms. Patty and he went ahead and packed up Jonah's tube and oral feeds for us and then he took the time to tidy up the house and do the dishes.  I'd fallen behind yesterday because I was so desperately in need of a day of rest and Dave was more than happy to help out!  Thanks LOVE!  So with Ms. Patty's help we made it to the hospital on time and Jonah was met very warmly.  The pulmonology team spied us sitting in the waiting room and whisked Jonah away to visit with the rest of the team.  He, of course, loved the attention and turned on the charm.  We started the appointment with a heart ultrasound to check Jonah'...

Jonah and Patty had a very busy morning!  They started out with some breakfast.  The deal was that Jonah had to eat 1 oz of freshly mashed bananas before they could start on his car.  Ms. Patty even drew a happy face with Strawberry Jam!  Jonah shuttered, and wretched with every bite but he did it!  Let the fun begin!  Jonah's car in the middle of detailing and decoration!  Bless her heart Patty brought over a whole slew of crafty things for Jonah to use! Passenger side  Driver's side  Front complete with clothes pin wipers and star headlights! Sorry the video is sideways but check out this boy's progress in walking independently!!!

Jonah started his day off with a paint party with Mommy and Ms. Patty.  Jonah chose burgundy to paint his cardboard car. We learned a good lesson... When allowing Jonah to paint make sure the surface you're painting has a few layers of newspaper beneath it, and be sure Jonah is wearing nothing more than his pull-up.  He was such a mess that we determined a nice cool outdoor bath was in order.  Jonah thought that was fabulous and enjoyed playing in the water for a good half hour. Jonah's afternoon was a wild one.  There must have been something in the air as a few of my Mommy friends reported their kiddos were having a tough day as well.

It was music to this Momma's ears to hear Jonah say, "I'm so excited to go to Primary all by myself!"  Oh boy is he growing up!  I must say that it is a relief to know that He and Daddy have got this all figured out.  It will definitely make church easier when we are ready to take Caleb later this summer. Overall the day has been uneventful and relaxing, just as a Sunday should be!

 We left our house this morning at 10:00 and got home at 6:30.  We had an all day adventure driving and having lunch in Richmond with Sister Jane Johnson! After a delightful lunch at Buz and Ned's Real Barbcue, we had to take time to document the occasion with a few photos!  Sister Jane with Daddy and Jonah!  An updated Family photo! We came to realize today on the way to Richmond that Jonah had outgrown his car seat.  We decided we weren't leaving for home without a new one.  He seems to really like his new booster!  Thanks Kristen for doing some quick research to confirm my suspicion that he'd outgrown it.

Jonah and Patty had a riot of the time making preparations this morning for next week's project.  They will be making a box car.  Jonah is Ecstatic! Mommy got a short break today from being stuck at home.  I've been researching cloth diapering and was wishing I could see the different kinds.  Kristen is a big time cloth diaper-er so she took me on a field trip to the cloth diaper store.  It was slightly overwhelming but very enlightening.  I think it will be worth trying with Caleb.  Now just to collect enough diapers to make it work! We have a fun adventure planned tomorrow.  We're going to take a ride up to Richmond to have lunch with a Sister Jane (a woman Daddy taught on his mission)! By the way Caleb is 32 weeks today!!!  Also I don't think I've mentioned it before (and if I have please disregard this) we've decided on Caleb's middle name.  We've created a name out of Dave's Grandpa Marion Andrew and Tanya's Dad Chris Selman....

To Jonah's dismay Mommy declared today a house arrest day.  Jonah was itching to go out on the porch and play in the water tote but the smoke from a wild fire in North Carolina had traveled to Va Beach.  To protect Jonah's lungs we decided to minimize his exposure to the bad air.  He and Ms. Maureen had to get creative with how to spend their afternoon together.  They ended up playing with Jonah's kitchen and having a blast. Hooray for Friday tomorrow!!!

So far our new summer schedule is working out well!  I think Jonah appreciates having a 2+ hour nap every day and Mommy appreciates that he sleeps during the time when it's just the two of us home.  I've discovered this week that Jonah seems to be of the opinion that there has been a drought when it comes to Momma Snuggles.  The last 3 nights when I've tried putting him to bed we've ended up snuggling in the rocker for 30+ minutes.  After a while of snuggling he simply look at me and say, "Ok, I'm ready for bed now!"  I've really tried to slow down and relish this time with my sweet angel boy!

Sorry the picture is sideways!  Daddy, Jonah, and Ms. Patty made an early trip to the Children's Hospital this morning.  A video swallow study was on the agenda and is the first of four tests to be conducted in the next few months.  We need to rule out the possibility that Jonah's difficulty with eating isn't caused by some physical anomaly.  The last time we did this Jonah refused to eat for Mommy so the technician took over and shoved syringes of barium laced baby food in his mouth.  TERRIBLE experience!  Daddy says that this was totally different.  Jonah was such a big boy and ate so well for Daddy!  The unofficial results are that Jonah showed no signs of aspiration of any of the food they fed him (thin liquid, baby food, and graham cracker!)  Hooray for Jonah!!!

Jonah's first Monday of summer break had him a bit confused.  He was sure it was a school day because Ms. Patty was here to get him out of bed and do his morning routine.  After a while it seemed to sink in that it truly was summer break.  Daddy, Patty, and Jonah went to the local library this morning and got us a library card.  Jonah had a blast and he and Daddy picked out 6 dinosaur books and one about pirates.  We're bound to have a blast reading this week.  This afternoon Jonah fell asleep in Daddy's arms just in time for Daddy to get him settled in his bed and head out for work.  Jonah awoke shortly after Ms. Maureen arrived and they played all afternoon.  Jonah's favorite was playing with his toys in the water bin out on the patio. This evening a friend from church showed up out of the blue with a loaf of pumpkin bread and a thoughtful card.  It made my night!  Sure am glad for kind hearted, compassionate people.

Hooray and Happy Fathers Day!  I am truly grateful for the father of my boys!  I couldn't ask for a better provider, husband, father, and role model.  This the paper tie that Jonah and I made for Daddy for Father's Day.  He was so gracious as to humor us by wearing it to Stake Conference today. Jonah with his HERO!  Jonah showing off his tie just like Daddy's. This evening Kristen and Dan Daugherty came over and picked up Scarlet to take her to their new home!!!  I think Molly might be a little lost for a while but surprisingly Jonah had no problems with waving goobye.

Today was a pretty chill day at the Layne household.  Daddy and Jonah delivered a special birthday present to Jonah's friend Darrion Caddell.  They attempted to go to the zoo but when they got there they were told that there was 0 parking spaces and that they'd have to park at the park and walk the half mile back to the zoo.  They decided to forget about it and came home.  The rest of the day has been very low key but most enjoyable! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the wonderful men in our lives!

 What a GREAT day it has been.  Mommy's Dr. appointment went well.  There was no change with my cervical length nor dialation even though I've been up and around a little more these past 2 weeks.  I have one more regular visit on July 3rd, then a preop visit on the 13th, and my amnio on the 20th.  Then my repeat C-section will be July 23rd.  (This is somewhat tentative, in that if the results of the amnio shows that Caleb's lungs aren't fully developed then it will be moved to the 27th) Next came Daddy's work picnic.  We ate yummy food, visited with good friends, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and watched Daddy play volleyball! Last, but certainly not least, was the ward talent show.  Jonah had invited a number of our friends and a few were available to join us!  Ms. Erin came and so did Mr. Bob and Ms. Patty!  Jonah was second in line and fearlessly took the stage ...

Yesterday, Dr. Chartrand gave us a flyer for a brand new program for kiddos with mild to moderate disabilities.  It's called AMP (Adaptive Movement Programs) and they offer a class called "First Sports".  The class is ages 3-6 and they learn basic skills of numerous sports (soccer, basketball, t-ball, football...).  Part of the curriculum is the social aspect of peer interactions like teamwork, and the development of coordination.  The price is right and the class is taught at a time that Daddy and Jonah can enjoy it together!  We are so excited to give it a try.  Jonah's first class will be Tuesday. As for the rest of us tomorrow will be a big day for all of us.  I have an appointment with Dr. Thompson, and while I'm there the boys are going to Daddy's Command Summer Picnic.  Then in the evening Jonah and Daddy will be performing in the ward talent show.

I just realized that I  was a little premature with Jonah's last day of school.  It's actually tomorrow, as in Thursday the 14th.  Tomorrow Jonah's class is going to make popcorn and watch Finding Nemo.  Hopefully he'll stay interested enough in the move to not spoil it for the other kids. Today we had a family day at Portsmouth.  I had to get my weekly shot and Jonah had an appointment with Dr. Chartrand, developmental pediatrician.  Nothing major is changing.  She told us we can stop Jonah's multivitamins and she made him an appointment with the Portsmouth feeding clinic to get them to weigh in on Jonah's eating. We think we've got Jonah's care figured out for when Daddy returns to work on Monday.  He'll have Ms. Patty from 6:30-10:30 by 10:30 Daddy will be awake (he works til 2am most nights) and will care for Jonah from 10:30-12:30.  Jonah should go down for his nap before Daddy leaves and then Ms. Maureen will be here from 2:30 -6:30....

It's been a pretty busy Tuesday here at our house.  Jonah had feeding therapy with Ms. Wendy this afternoon and she was so impressed with his work that she called to tell me that Jonah was a "Rock Star"!  I so appreciate her thoughtful phone call.  After being on the phone for what seemed like forever I've got Jonah's video swallow study scheduled for next Tuesday at 10:20.  Hooray!  This evening Daddy made AMAZING chicken and we had some good Skype time with family! I can hardly believe Jonah's last day of school is tomorrow and that he's finished out his first year already!  He is growing up so fast.

The big event here at the Layne house today was the visit to Dr. Devito (GI Doc).  We had a pretty good list of questions for him so we decided to make it a family affair.  A few minor adjustments are being made.  First, Jonah's prevacid dose is being changed slightly so that we can change from a compounded Rx to a quick dissolve tablet.  We will also be increasing the size of his G-Tube button.  The rest of the appointment was spent making a game plan to help us better understand Jonah's eating and the aversion to thicker/chunky foods.  At the request of Ms. Wendy (feeding therapist) we'll re-do Jonah's video swallow study to ensure that Jonah's can safely swallow different thicknesses of food without aspirating into his lungs.  The next step is a barium swallow study to check out the anatomy of Jonah's esophagus, the nissen that was placed as a baby, and his stomach.  The third step is to admit Jonah to the Pediatric Floor at Portsmouth for 24 h...

Daddy was superman this morning and successfully got Jonah started eating, to his meeting on time, and returned home to find Jonah all dressed and ready for church!  SUCCESS!  For the first time ever Jonah attended both hours of Primary by himself!!!  He was proud of his accomplishment and says he only cried a little bit.  Jonah's three year old listening skills (or the lack there of) has been a bit of a trial today.  He needs so much guidance to stay focused enough to accomplish whatever it is that is required of him.  Poor Daddy had more than his fill today and enjoyed a little time away out on the porch while Jonah and I Skyped family.  Jonah sings a very moving rendition of "I wonder when he comes again" (a song from Primary).  He sang it a few times via Skype tonight and it always puts a lump in my throat to hear it.  I'll have to get it on camera tomorrow.  We had a little chuckle tonight when Jonah said dinner prayer.  Smash...

Today was a ton of fun for Jonah and I.  Mommy found herself sick this morning with vomiting and feeling very icky, she thinks she took her meds on an empty stomach and caused the yuckiness.  So she stayed home and slept.  Jonah and I went to the pool with Mr.Caddell and Darrian.  It was a great time!!!  Jonah was one tuckered out little boy.  After his nap we played golf on the front lawn.  He really struggled with this because he had to walk.  We have a new rule in our house, whenever Jonah is wearing his DAFOS he has to walk.  Since we were outside I asked him to take 10 steps at a time.  He fell a couple of times and got his hands dirty and this was too much for him so he decided he was finished golfing and wanted to come see mommy.  By this time it was pretty late, just enough time to do some oral feeding, get a hair cut, and have a bath.  Tomorrow morning is going to be pretty interesting.  I have an early meeting at...

 Two silly boys decided they wanted to be doggies and climb into the kennel.  Good thing it's a nice sized kennel... there was plenty of room to spare! Caleb is 30 weeks along today!!!  Pardon the extra skin showing, I had to try on my sister's pregnancy swimsuit as I may get to lay in a lounge chair at the community pool tomorrow while Daddy and Jonah swim with some friends.  It figured that it showed off my growing belly quite well. 

Nuttin' much has happened today.  Jonah has been working hard on his independent walking today.  He is getting better and better.  He has been watching Sesame Street on netflix and one of his favorite episodes teaches the meaning of the word struggle.  It's been so fun to see him recognize instances when he too is struggling but like they do on Sesame Street he knows he needs to keep working at it until he gets it right.  Caleb is staying put and moving around like crazy.  Tomorrow marks 30 weeks!  That leaves, at most, 7 weeks to go.  Come on Caleb be the Little Engine that Could, "I think I can!, I think I can!"  Just a few more weeks to go.

 Jonah, Daddy, and Ms. Patty had a busy morning playing at the Aquarium!  Jonah showing off the Komodo Dragon.  The highlight this time was the scuba divers who were in the 180 tank doing some cleaning.  Dave says that one of the divers was playing with one of the rays in the tank!  Pretty cool! This is always one of Jonah's favorites! After the aquarium Daddy and Patty dropped Jonah off at school for his water day.  The weather cooperated and Jonah had a great time.  The note from his teacher said that he and Roy (a fellow classmate) got a hold of a couple of spray bottles and sprayed each other and "Laughed Themselves Silly"

 At Ms. Patty's suggestion we ventured out to Burlington Coat Factory this morning to aid in our search for Jonah some new church clothes and a blessing outfit for Caleb.   SCORE!!! I took this picture and thought, That suit is going to drowned poor Jonah... Boy was I wrong!  This little suit fits Jonah perfectly (with the exception of the pant length of course).  It was only $12!!!  You gotta love Jonah's silly expression and those expressive eyebrows.  I can't believe how grown up Jonah looks in his little suit! Now for a little more relaxed look.

I got a surprise visit today from my dear friend Kristen Preston.  She was so sweet to help me get Caleb's clothes put in his dresser.  Then unexpectedly, our afternoon nurse canceled for today and tomorrow.  This wouldn't have been a problem if Daddy hadn't had to go into work for the PRT Weigh-in.  As such, had Kristen not been here already, I'd have been on my own to get Jonah off the bus and through the afternoon routine.  I sure was glad to have Kristen here to save my bacon! Caleb continues to grow bigger and bigger, and I an continuously amazed with how incredible the human body is.  I'm so grateful to have a second opportunity to experience what it's like to be pregnancy.  Even though I'm only 6 weeks farther along than I ever got with Jonah it's a whole new experience and I'm loving it! 

Poor Jonah had a little anxiety today.  Daddy had to teach in young men so before they left the house for church Daddy let Jonah know he'd have to go to primary alone.  At the time he seemed pretty ok with it.  Once Sacrament meeting came to a close Jonah spent the next 10 minutes sobbing, afraid of going to primary alone.  Daddy sat with him for singing and sharing time then took Jonah along to teach his lesson.

Jonah and Daddy had a busy day today.  They hit up some yard sales this morning then went swimming at our community pool.  It was a little cool for the swimming but Dave still couldn't convince Jonah it was time to leave. 

We started the day with Mommy going to the Dr.  The appointment went well and included a happy dance from Dr. Thompson.  There was no change in my cervical length and dialation which is FANTASTIC.  I've been stable for a month now so we decided that my weekly visits could be changed to every other week.  I was ecstatic when Dr. T opened up the delivery discussion.  She said that because of my previous c-section they don't want me to actually go into labor.  Last time my uterus was still so tiny because I was only 23 weeks along that when Dr. Seale delivered Jonah he had to cut all the way up into the top of the uterus compromising the uterine muscles.  This puts me at high risk for hemorrhaging if I were to go into labor.  So to prevent complications the plan is to do an amniocentesis at 36 weeks (July 20).  From this test they'll be able to tell if Caleb's lungs are fully developed.  If they are they will deliver him via c-section withi...