2 Brothers Layne

Please know that this post is going to be posted in parts... It will undoubtedly take me a few days to get this done complete with pictures! Happy first birthday Caleb!  I can hardly believe my baby is already a year old. Caleb's stats. Height... Weight... Head circumference ....  He is in the ... Percentile!  Caleb is a somewhat picky eater, he loves yogurt, blueberries, chocolate, ice cream, muffins, crackers, and corn on the cob.  He loves to be near big brother and to Try to do he is doing.  Caleb loves his doggies and video chatting with Daddy.  If Caleb ever sees a cell phone laying around he'll put it to his ear and jabber, Da Da Da!  He loves to bath with Jonah at bed time and play in the water.  Caleb is getting into everything with his self created scoot.  He is pulling to stand at everything and lives to play in the dogs' water bowl under the kitchen sink.  Caleb is a charmer with his big blue eyes and sweet personality. ...

Holy smokes is Caleb picking up on things fast!  Two days ago he learned to drink from a straw.  It took all of 30 seconds!  He is getting around although not crawling quite yet.  He is very inquisitive and is imitating everyone.  Tonight we were playing with Kristen Preston's girls.  They were coloring with crayons, Caleb observed for a time then he swiped a crayon and scribbled on a nearby paper!  He is very close to being able to pull to stand.  He says Mama, Dada, And Bubu. Jonah too is growing up.  On Tuesday he got to invite his first school friend over to play.  Austin Savee is Jonah's best buddy.  They played really well and had a blast! I've been into mischief with Nonni.  Once or twice a week we go out and about running errands together.  It is so wonderful to have her company.  She and Mr. Bob saved us today.  We lost our keys at Kristen Preston's so they brought me my spare set.  Now we just ha...

My boys are so stinkin' cute! They are both growing so quickly I find myself trying to imprint the sweet moments of today into my heart because I feel like if I Blink they'll be gone! They are both so full of fun surprises. Caleb is totally in love with big brother.  Jonah only has to approach Caleb and he is laughing and smiling. Jonah is realizing that he has a great influence over brother and is finally getting interested in interacting more with Caleb. The boys do nightly bath time together.  The other night Caleb was really tired so I was going to have him skip bath time and let him snuggle to sleep while I watched Jonah bath. However as soon as Jonah hit the water Caleb was suddenly full of life and ready to bath!  He was not going to miss out on a moment of Layne brother tubby time! Jonah had a follow up head CT scan on Friday. His neurosurgeon said that it looked as good or better than the last scan! Now we just have to figure out why he is so sleepy all the time...

My sweet Jonah is getting to miss his Daddy more and more each day.  He needs to be reassured many times a day that I will not leave him.  He is to a point that he doesn't want to leave the house... Sure makes things hard.  I'm really trying to make sure I give Jonah some one on one time everyday, hoping it will ease his anxiety. Caleb is an eating machine! He ate 600 calories just at breakfast this morning, and that doesn't account for breast milk.  You'd think that with an appetite like that he'd be on the growth chart!  On April 15 (exactly 9 months old). Caleb weighed 15lbs 9.7ounces which is less than the 0 percentile and he was 26.5 inches which is the 16th percentile.  His head circumference was 45.5 cm and I believe that put him the 75th percentile. All in all the boys are doing well!

I know it has been forever since I posted last. My boys are keeping me very busy.  Caleb now has 2bottom teeth.  He is sitting for long periods of time unassisted, and is a total eating machine.  I have been trying for over a week now to get Caleb to drink from a sippy cup.  He has been totally not interested until tonight.  It just so happened that Nonni had grabbed a cheap little sippy that the WIC program gave me and filled it with A&W root beer this morning.  Jonah wasn't about to try out a new cup so it went untouched.  When I was cleaning the kitchen I saw it was still there.  I drank most of it by which time Caleb was begging for a taste.  I didn't think he would really get much out so I let him try.  In seconds he figured out how to drink from the cup and he slurped down every last drop! Smarty pants! Jonah started back to school yesterday.  The day went well. Today his teacher reported that he got pretty home sick but...

We are having such a good time here in Utah.  Some of Jonah's  highlights have been driving a forklift, riding in Papa's semi, helping Papa make Dutch oven potatoes, meeting Nanny's cat, going to the temple, having a sleepover at Auntie Ally's house, playing with the cousins, visiting with cousin Jeremy, and getting to play with Mommy's big lab that lives with Gaga and Grandma.  things that he is looking forward to are riding the train, going fishing at the trout farm, and making home made ice cream at Nanny and Papa's house. My friend Kara got married last Saturday in the Logan Temple.  It was so wonderful to see her so happy.  We are having so much fun.  Just got to soak up as much as we can cause before we know it we will be packing our bags for Virginia!

I can hardly believe that my sweet baby has his first tooth already!  I noticed this afternoon that Caleb's lower left front tooth has finally broke through.   He is going to look so cute with a toothy grin! Jonah had a dream come true today, he got to drive a forklift!  He was totally in heaven.  The whole time he was riding with mr. Bart he was singing the theme song from Bob the Builder.

I've procrastinated this post for far too long.  I've been intimidated by the vast amount of information that really should be in this post to bring everyone up to date with our family.  My solution is to give some brief highlights. Jonah had a VP shunt placed Friday February 22nd.  He was in the hospital until Saturday the 23rd at 11:00 AM at which time we got to come home.  Jonah's recovery has been slow but steady.  His energy level is one tenth his normal level and he is very snuggli and only wants Mom.  Caleb too is being a Momma's boy so I'm enjoying the extra loves!  Grandma Raine came back out to help (arrived 1:00 AM on the 21st).  Having her here has been a life saver.  Jonah's procedure went extremely well and he has not had any complications. Caleb is eating a TON!  He has grown so much and had a weight check with his Pediatrician tomorrow.  I'm excited to see what he weighs now. Grandma is here with us until March 12...

Jonah is home safe and sound after having a shunt placed yesterday morning!  He was in the hospital less than 36 hours. What a whirlwind it has been the last 10 days or so.  Jonah has been getting more and more

Hi everyone!  Life has been very crazy these past few weeks.  We've been adjusting to the single parent life. Not sure how single moms do it!  We get to talk with Daddy once or twice a day. He is doing well and staying busy.

Hey everyone that still cares!  This week has had it's ups and downs.  We had some fun times with Grandma but the 2 weeks went by way too fast!  Poor Jonah will barely let me out of his sight.  After we took Grandma to the airport yesterday morning we got home just in time for Jonah's school Teacher Ms. Bayer to arrive for Jonah's first home-bound session.  He did amazing.  He sat still and attended for 45 minutes.  I was so impressed.  Then he had a 10 minute break before Colby came over for "Mommy Preschool".  We started doing preschool with Colby on Monday and thus far it's going quite well.  Both boys seem to enjoy their time.  We ended mommy preschool a little early as Jonah's attention was far spent.  Caleb has become an eating machine.  Last night Grandma Erin came over to help me put the boys to bed and get the house in order.  Caleb decided he was hungry and slurped down 6 ounces of Sweet potatoes for Erin th...

It's been another good day here at our house!  We did a whole lot of playing this morning then it was time for lunch at Chick-Fil-A where we met my friend Heather Myers and her 8 week old daughter Annabelle.  Jonah was on one and he had our table and the surrounding patrons rolling with laughter.  What a charmer my boy can be.  It has been so much fun to see Caleb react to Jonah.  Caleb has decided that he LOVES to bath with big brother.  Caleb gets so excited to see Jonah in the tub.  Caleb squawks until he gets to get in then all he can do is stare in wonder at Jonah while they both splash.  Caleb's little face is filling out.  I'm sure he is gaining weight.  He is now eating 10+ ounces of baby food a day mixed with rice cereal.  When it comes to food this little guy doesn't mess around.  Wednesday Jonah went 7 hours with dry undies and yesterday he went 10 hours!!!  We are so proud of him! We got to skype with Daddy to...

This morning we took Jonah in to visit with Dr. Jensen (Endocrinology).  In the last 6 months Jonah has grown 1 inch and loss 3 pounds.  As such Dr. J didn't want to make any med changes.  Nonni and I voiced our concern about Jonah's decrease in balance and the pain in his right leg that he keeps complaining about.  Because it has been a marked and sudden regression Dr. J suggested going to visit neurology to get them to weigh in on it.  Hopefully it will be nothing!  While Jonah, Nonni, and I were at the Dr. Grandma Raine looked after Caleb.  They got along wonderfully! Grandma and I have stayed busy this afternoon.  We've done some rearranging to better accommodate our little family and give Jonah a classroom.  Thanks Grandma! We didn't get to visit with Daddy today.

Our sweet little Jonah can be heard a hundred times a day saying, "I LOVE you Grandma!"  He is so glad to have her here with us.  The sad thing is, he is already stressing and worrying about when she leaves.  Breaks my heart a little.  I'm sure it has part to do with Daddy's recent deployment.  We all sure miss Daddy.  He is always in our thoughts and prayers.  It makes me so grateful for technology! Caleb has been a champion eater today!  He really likes his cereal and he seems to be on the fence about peas.  Tomorrow we'll try him on avocados!

To Jonah's great delight Grandma has made it safely to Virginia!  He has anxiously waited all day for her to get here.  He was all geared up to ride to the airport but the snow quickly changed that plan.  We rarely get snow in VB but this afternoon we got 2+ inches and it's been cold enough for it to stick.  We Utahns would scoff and say, "A measly 2 inches, Thats Nothing!"  Thats not the case here.  No one knows how to drive in it and there is very little snow removal equipment.  I was very grateful when my friend Kristen Preston called and offered to get Grandma Raine from the airport in her truck so I could stay home with the boys.  It took them almost 2 hours to make the 30 minute commute back to our house.  Tonight, before Jonah would go to bed, he had to make sure that Grandma's things were accounted for and put where they go. We've talked or skyped with Daddy twice a day since he left.  He is doing well.  He says the desert...

 Caleb didn't sleep well last night, probably because of his shots, so Jonah was the only one well rested today.  Jonah had a "spirited" kind of day.  He was very excited for Grandma Raine to arrive, however after a 2 1/2 hour drive to SLC Grandma's flight was canceled.  The next available flight is tomorrow morning and she'll arrive here around 5:00pm.  We had a very disappointed little boy and Momma too.   Daddy called us today.  He made it safely to his final destination and was going to spend the evening getting settled in!  Jonah earned enough pennies from going potty to buy some acrylic paint from the penny store!  He had a BLAST!  Nothing like a little war paint!  The finished product!  The stool Daddy built him has never looked better!  Jonah got a hold of my camera today and started snapping pictures.  I'm looking a little worn down.  Sure glad Grammy came after this and I was able to ...

Today went went well.  Nonni is still sick and won't be here tomorrow either.  That ment it was me and my boys all morning and at Caleb's Dr. Visit.  The visit went well Caleb is in the 33rd% for length and at 12 pound 5 ounces he has fallen off the growth chart for weight.  His average daily weight gain is half of what they would like to see it at.  As such we have to offer him as much food as he'll eat and go back in 4-6 weeks.  The highlight of the day was getting to Skype with Daddy twice!  He is doing well!

I know it's been less than 24 hours since Daddy got on his plane but thus far we are all doing well!  Daddy got off without any problems and so far I've found only 1 item that he really needs!  Jonah was adorable at the terminal he was telling everyone about his brave Daddy and showing off the sign he dictated for me to write/Draw.  Jonah seems to be doing quite well, not tears thus far only his, "I'm missing my Daddy!"  To which I reply, "I know Toady, so am I!".  The lack of company tonight has made for great cleaning progress.  I have washed down all the lower cabinets in the kitchen, done dishes, cleaned the front room and swept, vacuumed the refrigerator coils, moved the stove and cleaned under it.  Now, the big excitement tomorrow will be getting Caleb to his well child visit with Jonah in tow, and dropping off the paperwork to have Jonah put on home-bound status for a few weeks to the Pulmonologist clinic.

We have really tried to make the most of our weekend with Daddy.  Saturday we did some shopping, went bowling, and had a family movie night.  Sunday we went to church and had dinner with Nonni and Mr. Bob.  Today we ran errands, went mini golfing with the Beams (The family who moved into Titi Carla's House next door), got Coral ready for her big trip tomorrow, and made Daddy a special sign for us to hold at the MAC Terminal.  Daddy gave us each a blessing and we've shared lots of I Love yous and loads of snuggles!  Good Luck Daddy on your big Adventure!

 We started the week out with a trip to the Audiologist.  The appointment went well.  Jonah has to have his hearing retested after he sees the ENT Dr. to get his ears cleaned out.   Look how helpful Big Brother Jonah is!  Mommy and her boys!  LOVE THEM!  Jonah went to school on Monday and did not return this week.  He got the stomach flu then a respiratory crud.  I swear this poor guy has been sick since Thanksgiving.  It has me very seriously considering Home Schooling Jonah for the rest of flu season.  Check it out Nonni found these blue camouflage pants and sweater. Jonah  LOVES getting all dressed up just like DAddy! Jonah's attempt at a solute. 

 Jonah started running a fever yesterday evening.  We saw it as high as 101.6.  We  figured that we'd be staying home from church today.  Jonah was still fighting the fever this morning so we had a lazy Family Sunday.  Jonah did a pretty good job staging this picture.  Daddy on the other hand struggled to keep a straight face, and yes the pose was Daddy's Idea.  Caleb is getting so big!  He really enjoyed sitting in his Bumbo seat today to play with the "E-I-O Piano".  He is becoming such a little chatter bug and he is so smiley!  This kiddo LOVES his fingers.  He is still teething and his fingers/thumbs are his favorite teething toy.  A long time ago Daddy promised Jonah a tee-ball set when he could go a day without an accident.  Dave picked up the items last week and Jonah has been super excited to earn them.  He had to be dry for 3 hours and then he'd earn his red bat and today he did just that!...

 So today was the big day.  Caleb was circumcised this afternoon and boy was he tough!  The Urologist came and talked to us after the procedure was done to let us know that it wasn't just a routine circumcision.  She said Caleb had a genetic abnormality where his Penis was twisted.  She said that she corrected it but we'll have to make sure that the skin doesn't try to reattach for the next 3.5 years.  Otherwise I'll be another surgery for a revision.  Jonah was so sweet this morning.  He realized that today was Caleb's surgery and after finding out that he would have to have a "poke" Jonah told Caleb, "Little brother, you can borrow my puppy Dolly.  She will help you be brave!"  Dolly is Jonah's most prized possession.  He sleeps with Dolly EVERY night.   Caleb had a difficult time coming out of the anesthesia.  Finally we resorted to giving him a smidgen of Morphine and that seemed to really help.  We are gi...

So tomorrow is Caleb's circumcision.  He wasn't big enough in the hospital to do it then so we've had to wait til he is 6 months old.  He will be sedated for the procedure.  Thankfully he gets pain meds for a few days to help him stay comfortable.  We have to be at the hospital at 12:30 for his 1:45 surgery time.  Prayers in his behalf are welcomed!

As a tribute to Daddy's service to our Nation I've applied a patriotic background.  It will remain until Daddy is home safe and sound! I'm not sure that anyone besides Nanny and my Mom read this anymore but I'll try to be more diligent in posting daily as Daddy will soon become one of our avid Daily readers.  A couple months ago I was able to secure 2 17" "Daddy Dolls" for the boys to have when Daddy leaves.  A daddy doll is a full body picture of Daddy put on fabric then sewed into a stuffed doll.  Daddy gave them to the boys this morning since Jonah is getting more and more concerned with the 22nd looming.  Jonah was overjoyed.  He kept saying, "Now I can hug Daddy and always have him here with me!"  I think it should be a big help for Jonah.  Now for a Caleb story...  Caleb reminds me of a young baby lamb. Let me explain.  When a baby lamb is nursing from his mommy he is overjoyed, and shows you so by wiggling his tail wildly. ...

Ick!  I thought I was on the mend but no such luck... Feeling (as my Daddy would say), like I've been ate by a dog and pooped over a cliff!  I guess that's what happens when you aren't getting much sleep for a week+.  Jonah, thankfully is feeling much better!  We visit Portsmouth tomorrow to have Jonah's Ankle/foot braces looked at.  They are rubbing a sore.  Caleb is still under the weather and teething on top of it.  4 @ once is miserable!  Still, he is smiley and interactive. Daddy deploys 3 weeks from yesterday and 3 weeks from tomorrow Grandma Rain arrives.  It was Daddy's genius to fly Grandma out as he leaves.  We all have something to look forward to instead just dreading the 22nd.  Jonah is thinking on Daddy's looming departure a lot today.  He'll stop mid activity and say, "Mommy, I'm sad.  I'm really going to miss Daddy when he leaves!"  We talk about it for a bit then he suddenly changes gears and gets al...

The family is slowly on the mend.  Jonah and Caleb still have nasty coughs and Dave and I have head colds.  Tomorrow is back to the grind.  Daddy goes to work and Jonah is scheduled to start back to school-- his cough may keep him home though, we'll see how he feels in the morning.  Sorry i've been AWOL for a week+.  Getting a bit of Sleep has been the priority.  Christmas was wonderful (other than Toad being sick) and New Year's was uneventful.