Jonathan Day 280

Jo and I arrived home after 10:00 PM and JH had already done his last potty of the night.  I was a little disappointed but knew I would see him at the crack of light.  Da Da heard him first and based on a comment I made before bed (that Jo would see him before me) he nudged me and said Jonathan is up, I went to his room and opened the door and even in the dark he said, "good morning Daddy".  He hadn't seen me in 5 days and knew it was me standing in his door.  I gave him a kiss, told him I loved and missed him, dropped him on Auntie Jo Jo and I crawled back in bed :-)

Jo gave JH breakfast and after we all went down to the basement and played.  JH was all over me and I LOVED IT!  I missed him terribly and I think he may have also missed his Daddy a little too.

Jo took JH to MI City while Da Da and I did a few things in the yard.  After they returned we all sat on the front porch and Da Da and JH played with the soccer ball while Jo, KiKi, and I watched.  JH went to bed at 7:00 PM and I only had to go in once to give him a warning and he was fast asleep.  I love and missed my boys so much and am incredibly happy to be home!

Gramma Rosie is doing great and is already feeling so much better.  She walked all around Sue and Dave's house today and wasn't out of breath.

Jonathan Day 279

Today was an intersesting day.

We got off to a good start this morning with our good morning greetings, breakfast and off to Miss Christy's.

I was able to get a lot done today on my list. It was a great spring day here in Michigan.

When I picked JH up from Miss Christy's this after noon, we came home and mowed the lawn together. I knew that if I saved this task for when he was home it would pacify him for an hour or so. Kiki took the attached video of us mowing the front lawn.

This afternoon was a bit shaky. For about two hours nothing seemed to be right for Jonathan. I guess it's what everyone keeps reminding me of....it's the terrible 2/3/4's. He would be fine one minute then have a meltdown the next. I remain calm and say slow it down and he does. It's almost as if he has way more energy than his little body can handle. It's funny, Kiki said tonight that it's weird for her because she's never really seen this side of him.

After dinner we sat nice on the sofa and watched our few episodes of Wonder Pets. In the middle of one of them he said DaDa your my best friend. I said thank you and shyly shed a tear. He says the same about Carly, and whomever he is with that day but after a stressful day....it really hit a spot.

I just put JH down without effort, so all in all it was a good day.

Jonathan Day 278

Today was off to a bit of a late start. We woke up about 7:45 a.m. and we had to be out the door by 8:45. Needless to say breakfast was quick and a quick outfit change and off we were.

Accident. As of lately, Jonathan has been very independent and has been doing the stairs by himself. Well, as we were off, Jonathan missed the last two stairs and did a header into the concrete floor. After a few tears, a lot of hugging and one big dinosaur kiss he was good.

When I picked him up from Miss Christy's I could really see the coloration of his injuries. He has a shiner on the right side of his face and a knot on his head. Poor little guy. Funny thing is that he is so resilient!

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Nap, play, dinner, play dough play and off to bed we went.

I have to admit, there was an odd energy in the house today. It's time for Jon (Daddy) to come home!

Jonathan Day 277

Today was a good day.

JH woke me up around 6:30 a.m., and off we were. I tried something new for breakfast this morning, egg whites, Easter ham, red peppers, feta cheese and garlic scramble. JH LOVED IT! After asking for more over and over again I gave him mine and I had cereal.

We still had a bit of time before heading to the babysitters so we went downstairs and played for a bit. JH was playing for a few minutes and then started opening all 6 doors in the basement. When I asked him what he was doing he said looking for Daddy. I had to explain that Daddy was still at Aunt Suzies and that he would be home in a few days. "Okay" he said.

It was nice to have the house to myself today. I was able to get some cleaning done, a few tasks on my list checked off and got the guest room ready for Kiki.

When I picked Jonathan from Miss Christys this afternoon, he was soaked from the waist down. Miss Christy said that he and Carly were discovering all of the water puddles after our few days of down pouring.

We got in a nap before Kiki's arrival. Kiki just had her hip replaced and will be staying with us for a few weeks for recovery. I had to explain to Jonathan that Kiki was hurt and we need to play extra nice around her. I have a feeling that I will have to remind him a few times.

Had dinner. I made one of Grandma VanDerSnick's old dishes, tuna noodle casserole. He ate it all up! After scoring twice in one day for meals i have to say it was a good day. JH just had a bath and was put to bed.

Until tomorrow, have a good night!

Jonathan Day 276

Today was an early morning for all of us! Jon and I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to have some coffee before Jonathan and I started to pack up the car and head back to MI. Uncle Dave, Aunt Suzie and Grandma Rose staggered out one at a time to get there last goodbyes, Jonathan kisses and hugs before our departure.

After leaving Aunt Suzie's we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa VanDerSnicks to pick up a cooler full of food to take home. I have to say, Jonathan amazes me! As we turned the corner into the small town that my parents live in, Jonathan says we are at grandma and grandpas. How does he know these things I think.

As usual, Grandma VanDerSnick loaded us up with a large cooler and a bag or two of food. As we left Jonathan said he didn't want to leave. In all honesty, he had a mini melt-down. It's nice to know that he loves EVERYONE in his family so much!

Five hours later we crossed the boarder into MI. Wow what a drive! Besides the mini melt-down leaving grandmas, he was amazing good. We sang a few songs till he was tired of that, we said the name of each state as we drove through (goodbye IL, hello Indiana), and JH sat and had a interesting little chat with himself from time to time.

As we drove up the drive, JH said I'm tired. Hooray for Da Da.... we got a nap in and I unloaded the car. We played a bit in the basement and had dinner. Jonathan asked a few times when we got home, where's Daddy? There's never a moment that the three of us aren't together. We did have a little sit nice time this evening and JH got to see Daddy on google video chat.

That's it for tonight.

Jonathan Day 275

We all got up and had at least one cup of coffee before JH woke-up.  He was in a good mood and Auntie Susie gave him something for breakfast; it was nice not to be involved.  Sue is eating JH up and enjoying the last few hours he'll be here.  Tomorrow JH and Da Da will leave here very early and I'll be here all week long.  I cannot imagine being away from Da Da and JH for 4 whole nights!  We spend 24/7 together and not getting my goodnight hugs and kisses will be torture!!!!!

Today I went in to work with Dave and JH, Gramma, and Da Da went bumming :-)  They hit Big Lots, K-Mart and then met me and Dave for lunch.  I love being around family like this and last weekend.  JH loves having so many people that want to spend time with him.

Sue is reading him a bedtime book and before you know it he'll be fast asleep and we'll all probably sit around and talk about how much fun we had with him today.  I know it sounds like he's the center of the universe, and for us, he is :-)

Jonathan Day 274

JH slept with Da Da last night so my back was free from legs and arms poking in to it.  I woke-up at about 6:30 AM and thought I had escaped quietly but within minutes I heard JH making a fuss.

In the late morning we went for brunch with Gramma and Grandpa and then headed to Aunt Susie's.  We're here now and she does not have wireless so these posts will be sporadic this week.  I have a signal by borrowing an air card from Dave but won't be able to use it because it doesn't work on my work laptop.  In the words of Thomas The Tank Engine...Oh deary me oh deary me.

JH played with Aunt Susie and Uncle Dave until after 8:00 PM in the yard riding (not moving) on the tractor.  He also played on the swing-set and played with Dave's granddaughters toys.  We asked Sue if she had any boys toys after he came out of the playroom with a tiara, heels, and earrings on saying "I'm a Princess".

Sue gave him a bath and he was asleep by 9:00 PM.

Jonathan Day 273

Today was our Easter with Gramma Junker.  She got here about 11:30 AM and we have been having fun all day.  Gramma and Grandpa got a new TV and it took all of us all afternoon to get the darn thing hooked-up.  JH kept walking up to all of saying "it's messed up".  It's now almost 8:00 PM and the TV finally works :-)

I am a terrible Daddy because while Da Da and Gramma, Gramma J, and Grandpa did the whole Easter thing; egg hunt and basket, I napped.  It was amazing to take a real nap and not even hear what was going on down here.  JH had fun and has been a pretty good boy today.

Tomorrow we head to Aunt Susie's to spend another Easter with Gramma Rosie.  I'm looking forward to homemade ravioli and a week with my Mommy :-)  Gramma Rosie is having stints put in next Friday so I'm sticking around Iowa for a week or so and Da Da and JH will be heading back to MI on Tuesday.

Jonathan Day 272

I took PTO today so we could get to Gramma and Grandpa's by lunch.  It poured like crazy on our way out there and JH whined the entire way that he wanted a snack.  Fortunately, I am able to tune it out but Da Da had pounding headache by the tine we hit the Indiana boarder.

We walked in about 12:30 PM and dropped JH off with Gramma and Da Da and I went shopping.  We had a great coupon for Old Navy and got a bag full of stuff for all three of us for $50.00.  JH, Gramma, and Grandpa assembled the new train G&G bought him; is it possible JH is spoiled?  YES!!

Gramma made homemade potato salad and deviled eggs for dinner and JH LOVED the deviled eggs.  He ate tons for dinner and was a very good boy.  It was nice that Gramma took care of feeding him and cleaning him after dinner.  It's so nice that we get a real break when we visit.  Hopefully my sister Sue will be as GOOD when we get there Sunday :-)

It's almost 8:00 PM CT and there is a little boy that is more than 2 hours past his bedtime so I'll say goodnight.

Jonathan Day 271

Jonathan Harper was sweet as pie this morning.  We got up and he laid on me for 20 minutes "playing baby".   Then he wasn't sweet :-)  He didn't go to the sitter today so when the people came to remove the tree Da Da couldn't leave(I was working and had meetings).  He was screaming and whining about everything!  Luckily the ground was too wet and they couldn't do the work today.  Hopefully when things dry-up they will return on a day JH goes to Carly's.

Chris and Kevin arrived late in the afternoon and JH just work-up from his nap so he was a little cranky.  By the time dinner came he was running to Chris and sitting in his lap to avoid PJ time.  The night ended for Jonathan when sitting nice wasn't happening and he sweetly said goodnight to Chris and Kevin and it was off to bed.

Jonathan Day 270

I took JH to the sitter while Da Da and Kiki headed in to Chicago to get our remaining clothes from the condo.  The difficult part was we had to move the car seat to the BMW so I could take him and pick him up.  JH asked on the way there and back "who's car is this Daddy".  I told him it was our car and it was the car we drove when he came to live with us.  He said "Nahhhh".  He also told me on the way there and back that I was a good boy.  I said I always try to be a good boy and he said "good job Daddy".

It was a challenging day since I had to pick JH up at 2:00 PM and had a 4:00 PM meeting.  I gave him an apple for a snack and kept him busy until 3:15 PM when I laid him down for a nap.  At 4:45 PM I was off  my meeting and woke him up so he would go to bed at a decent hour.  Da Da and Kiki got home at about 5:30 PM and all was right with the day again :-)

We all had dinner and played in the basement for a bit and put JH to bed after 7:30 PM.

I don't think I mentioned that we bought black-out drapes for Jonathan's room and they were the BEST $60 we could have spent.  Naps and bedtime are even more effortless!

Jonathan Day 269

I forgot to post this last week, Grandpa and JH playing with the noise app on my iPhone.

This was my very first birthday as a Daddy!  This morning JH walked out of the bedroom with a bag full of Twizzlers, Reese's, and Cherry Candy.  "Happy Birthday Daddy" with a big smile.

I made Blueberry pancakes and we had an extra 30 minutes to get JH ready this morning.  Da Da took him to a Thomas reading at the local grade school for non-school aged children.   After he dropped JH off at Carly's house and came back we had a nice quiet day.  I worked while Da Da finished putting away the final Chicago condo stuff.

JH got home at 3:00 PM and the plan was for Kiki to get here at 4:00 PM and we were heading in to Chicago for dinner.  JH napped until about 4:00 PM and Kiki was running late so we skipped Chicago.  When she got here at 5:30 ish we had started JH on dinner and modified plans to head to MI City for dinner.  Kiki and JH played until he wore her down at about 7:30 PM and he happily went off to bed.

This was a fantastic low key birthday where I heard from my amazing family and friends.  I have used this reference before, I feel like George Bailey, the luckiest man in the world.  Much love.

Jonathan Day 268

I don't really have much to say today so this will probably be a short one.  JH got up in a good mood and ate several french toast sticks for breakfast.  The funniest was how surprised he was at the 3 inches of snow covering the front yard.  I think he forgot about the tundra-like winter we just had.

I took JH to Carly's house and when I got him out of his car seat and went to grab his diaper bag he hit the ground and started making a snow angel.  The snow was VERY wet so needless to say he was a little wet.  I grabbed him before he could even make a good wing :-)

When Da Da went and got him at 2:00 PM there was an incident between he and Carly when he tried to grab her hat and the hair came along with the grab.  I think they get along pretty well but for some reason Christy said they were both a little off today.  JH hit Da Da several times before they left Carly's house.  When Da Da got him in the car he said "I don't love Da Da" and when Rick told him that Daddy and Da Da love him and do a lot for him he said "I don't love Daddy either".

After his nap he was sweet as pie and enjoyed an apple for a snack with a "please" and "thank you".  Then he and Da Da went down to try and get all his toys from Chicago organized with his MI toys.  This boy has way too many toys!  We're having a garage sale in a few weeks so we're cleaning that playroom!

Dinner, haircut, and a bath.  Da Da is drying him as I finish this post so we'll see how the end of the day goes :-)

Jonathan Day 267

Not much happened today other than getting to enjoy the outside with JH and Da Da.  Da Da moved some trees while JH and I worked on removing the bird houses and feeders from the trees being removed tomorrow.  We're sadly having a 100 year old tree removed from the side of the house.  It hasn't been cared for over the last 25 years and is splitting all over.  There are literally 10 inch round branches severed and dangling over our deck.  It's also in the line of the new septic system we'll be installing next month.

I was removing some metal grids from the ramp to the shed and JH helped.  I loosened the nuts with a ratchet wrench and JH finished them using the wrench.  He was so in to it!  Neil was here and I think it made him a little happy to be witnessing JH using his first hand tool.  Michael also dropped by in the afternoon and JH called him Uncle Michael on his own.  We have never referred to Michael as Uncle so I guess Jonathan is picking his own family :-)

At dinner I made him ravioli and Da Da and I had salad and leftover green curry I made last night.  JH at one ravioli and then wanted salad and when that was done he insisted on curry.  He only ate three bites of curry but he ate it!  The curry was very spicy and after each bite he wanted a drink of his strawberry milk.

We just got in to a little tiff over going pre-bedtime potty.  I know he had to go since his pull-up was dry and he had two cups of milk.  He just wouldn't go and kept playing with his penis.  I asked him to stop but he kept pointing it up and saying "pee pee up" and then pointed it down saying "pee pee down".  I'm not sure how to handle him playing with it and how he gets excited when he does it.  Help! :-)

Jonathan Day 266

Another morning that we got to sleep in a little.  Gramma heard JH at about 6:30 AM and shuffled him down to the kitchen for a hearty breakfast.  Da Da got up at about 7:00 and I followed 15 minutes later.  By 8:15 we were on the road home :-(

JH was good most of the way home and only took his shoes off twice; both times before we were getting out of the car.  Then just before we hit Indiana on the tollway, he said "Daddy smell my poop" and we both said excuse me?  We asked if he went poop and he said yes.  After a few more questions we realized he had to poop but hadn't gone yet :-)  Da Da was searching for an exit and when we looked back to see how he was doing he was fast asleep!

The first order of business when we got home was to get our boy on the potty.  Luckily we were able to unload the car before we got the call for clean-up.  JH was silly all afternoon and towards the end of the day he was too much to handle.  Da Da gave him a bath and after 15  minutes of sitting nice he was fast asleep.

Jonathan day 265

It's hard to believe that I only have 100 days left to write about our day to day life with Jonathan Harper.  While I complain about writing; I probably will be sad to quit.  Maybe I can rename the blog to Jonathan Harper 52 and do a weekly post.  Then cut myself down to Jonathan Harper 12 .... you get where I'm going with this :-)

Staying at Gramma's house was nice last night.  JH played with Gramma and Grandpa while Da Da and I got to not pay attention for a few hours.  Then when he woke-up this morning and started talking, Gramma was at the door taking him downstairs saying "sleep in, don't worry, I have him".  I slept until almost 9:00 AM-ET.  I don't remember the last time I slept that late.

We got to the hospital around 12:30 PM and could hear Gramma Junker bragging to the nurse about Jonathan, "he's 2 1/2 and a very active little boy".  He was sweet with her for only seeing her 3 or 4 times.  He totally remembers her and it's cute when he says "Gramma Junka".

Grandpa's brother and sister-in-law got here a few minutes before they took Gramma Junker and JH hid behind Da Da and ran to Gramma Deb.  He wanted nothing to do with them!  I'm not saying anything but it's funny how kids and dogs know peoples true colors :-)  Enough about that and them.

It's 7:15 PM and we just got home from a very nice dinner.  Thank you Gramma and Grandpa :-)  JH is playing with his trains on the floor, the dogs are running crazy, and Grandpa is laying on the couch watching The Weather channel; it a good night.  Goodnight.

Jonathan Day 264

Thank you Christy for the great photo.  All the photos of JH with Carly and Abby are kindly provided by their Mommy :-)

JH slept through the night and didn't wake-up once.  If he did wake-up he must have looked around and recognized his room and went back to sleep.

We got up around 7:15 AM and after some french toast and a little yogurt we were running behind to get JH to Carly's house.  10 minutes before we were leaving he had to potty and it was a poop.  That is not a quick process so needlessly to say, JH was late.

I picked him up at 2:00 PM and he didn't want to come home with me.  When I asked him if he wanted to stay with Carly he said "yes, I want to stay", I asked if he wanted to live with Carly and his response was yes to that too.  Little booger!  Once he knew we were coming to Gramma and Grandpa's house he was okay to go.

We just got here and had dinner and JH and Grandpa are playing in the living room.  It's nice to write this in peace and quiet; usually I wait until he is on bed.  Tomorrow we're going to the hospital to see Gramma Junker before she has a pacemaker put in so it will be a long day.  

Jonathan Day 263

I'll start with a poop update:
He pooped yesterday when we got to Chicago and again this afternoon, he's regular again :-) YIPPEE

Last night was the Longest night ever!  We stayed at the condo and had packed up the beds so we slept on the mattress on the living room floor.  We put JH's mattress on ours in case he had an accident since his is incased in a plastic cover.  All night JH kept waking-up saying his mouth hurt.  We have no idea what's going with him but we're going to try and get him to his Dr tomorrow.  I think he was also confused when he kept waking up as to where he was.  Not his MI bed and not his Chicago bed.  I kept asking him if he was scared and he said yes we would rub his back or arm to calm him down.

I took the day off so we could load the truck and drive our stuff back up to MI.  We got the truck at about 9:00 AM and had the elevator reserved for 9:30 AM so it was ON!  Packed, truck, and Kiki was on her way with her stuff to replace ours.  Kiki moved her stuff in rather than storing it so it all worked out great!  THEN after we got the truck backed in and went to the service elevator we discovered it was broken.  Luckily we live in an awesome building so they quickly called a technician and allowed us to use one of the others and go through the lobby (usually a major no no).

Da Da and I move everything but the sofa before Kiki even arrived.  JH either held my hand or back pockets on about 15 trips up and down 25 floors.  He was so amazingly good!  He helped (not really) hand Da Da things in the truck :-)  When Kiki and her crew of movers got to our place the service elevator was fixed so she stayed with JH while her guys moved her stuff in and Da Da helped with placement.  I know this is boring but I want to document it because it was such a crazy day that all seemed to work out.  I'm even hopeful on the mouth thing with JH because he ate most of his dinner tonight and only said that his mouth hurt once.

He's in bed sleeping and we're trying to get our home life back in order.  It's nice to have everything here again and not worry about the Chicago place.  We have a very strong lead that is going to rent it for about 3 or 4 months so we're pretty happy.

Jonathan Day 262

Jonathan woke-up at about 6:00 AM saying he had to go potty; he didn't.  Actually I think he did but he is crazy constipated so no luck. He hasn't pooped since Sunday morning and keeps saying his belly hurts.  The worst part is he isn't eating anything either :-(  Before his bath tonight he ate two prunes so we're hopeful.

The day was pretty uneventful other than after lunch when JH said "Oakley really really likes me, but he stinks".  Tomorrow we're heading in to the city to move our furniture back up here to MI.  Since we don't have internet there any longer I may not write day 263 post until Wednesday.

Jonathan Day 261

Jonathan and Damian woke-up before all the adults this morning.  I sort of remember JH climbing in to bed with us but 6:00 AM seems like days ago.

When everyone arrived last night we had a quick dinner and headed to the beach to get some pictures.  Both Jamie and Kelly are amazing photographers and Jamie wanted to get Easter pictures.  The kids all dressed-up and she got some great shots.  This was the first time that JH was at a beach and he went crazy!  Running around and throwing sand in the air and in Damian's ear :-)  He was being a little stinker and I had to scold him a few times.

After David and Kelly left this morning we took the kids to the park.  Damian and JH played a little but I don't thing they were feeling it.  Too many older kids there and staying up until 10:00 PM must have been a bit much.  They kept saying they wanted to go home and play in the basement.

Minutes before Dug and Jamie were leaving Damian fell in the basement and his bottom teeth went through his lip.  He was pretty upset but luckily no stitches were needed.  JH just quietly watched while everyone rushed around to comfort Damian and get him ice and clean his mouth.  We will definitely use this fall to remind him of what can happen if you jump on the furniture.

When we tried to give JH dinner he wouldn't eat and cried for more than an hour straight.  He was saying his belly hurt so we're not sure what's up.  I did give him three sippy cups of chocolate milk before dinner so I'm thinking that was it.  Things were so crazy here this evening that I just kept filling his cup as he asked.  Then I thought about how that probably wasn't the brightest thing to do.

He finally went to sleep and all is well on Kruger Rd.  Da Da, Daddy, and Oakley, are on our way as soon as I finish this sentence.  Goodnight.

Jonathan Day 260

I missed posting last night because we were all having so much fun.  So the only video I had handy is one of JH sitting on the potty.

The adults had too much fun and I think the kids did too.  JH and Damian went up to bed close to 10:00 PM and we had the monitor on down in the basement.  After about 2 minutes I heard JH say "Damian" and there was no answer, all quiet after that.

Jonathan Day 259

We learned that we won't need to go to court again.  On May 17th my attorney will go to court and file the final adoption decree and have a new birth certificate issued.  I think I have seen too many movies because I pictured us all standing in front of the judge and him banging his gavel.

This morning when we started to stir Oakley ran out of our room past JH's room.  JH very casually said "good morning oak".  It was a good morning and JH ate several pieces of french toast and a banana.

Da Da and JH went to get a MI license and apparently JH was pretty funny at the DMV.  He greeted almost everyone in the place and tried to charm the DMV lady; no luck.  When I went last year I was in and out in 5 minutes.  I don't think it took them very long today other than the drive to and from.  Most everything here is at least 20 miles away :-(

The video above is a little dark but we had a blast playing Hot Potato with his squishy ball that lights up when you throw it.  We had a pretty good rhythm going and JH caught it several times.  We played down there so late that we're about 45 minutes behind bedtime.  Da Da is getting him on the potty and his teeth brushed while I finish writing this.  Night.

Jonathan Day 258

I don't remember if I posted this on already so sorry if it's a repeat.

We received the final home study report a few minutes ago and I am so happy to report that it was glowing!  Supportive Services is recommending the adoption be finalized on May 17th.  We are so happy and will be counting the minutes over the next 40 days!  40 days and JH will be ours, all of ours :-)  There are so many people that love Jonathan Harper and that are rooting for us and our family.  Thank you!

Today was much like the last few days.  JH went to Carly's, he pooed there again, and we had dinner.  I feel sorry for Christy and how she has 3 little butts to clean every day now.  JH must be feeling very much at home there :-)

We drove to MI City to get stuff for the weekend.  We're having Jamie, Dug, Sidney, Damian, Avery, David, and Kelly up for the weekend.  We're very excited to have everyone up to just relax and enjoy the weather.   We found a foldout chair so Damian can sleep in Jonathan's room too.

After we got back we put JH to bed and he immediately went to sleep; after all, it was almost 2 hours past his bedtime.

Jonathan Day 257

The day started good today.  We hadn't heard a peep out of JH and when Da Da sneezed we heard JH say "bless you Da Da" from his room.  He was up just laying there waiting for us to get up.  JH had french toast and then wanted more so he had a yogurt.

Da Da dropped JH off at Carly's house and then came home and painted the master bedroom.  It was a really quiet day until 2:00 PM when I ran and got JH.  He was chattering like crazy on the way home.  We tried to get him to nap when he got home but that didn't work too well.  He was all wound-up.  The big news is he went poop at the sitters house today :-)

After work we went down to the basement and I ironed, Da Da folded laundry, while JH quietly laid on the floor playing with his cars.  It was really nice.

Dinner, bath, and a few minutes playing a game on my iPhone and JH was off to bed.  It's been 30 minutes and we have had to go in 3 times:
'blow my nose"
"have to go potty"
"I want my bunny"
Is there a full moon tonight?  It's killing us but he is going to need to cry himself to sleep :-(

Jonathan Day 256

Poor Gary, he was trying to sleep and JH was more chatty than he has been in recent memory.  He didn't stop talking, yelling, and making odd noises all morning.  On top of that when Jo made french toast the smoke alarm went off.  Okay, so if you visit you have been warned :-)

Jo and JH went to MI City to the outlet mall and had lunch (pic above).  Da Da and Gary were right behind them and they also went to the outlet mall and had lunch.  Poor Daddy had to stay home and work :-(  Actually, I was able to break away after Jo and Gary left to take JH to the park with Da Da.  No kids there today so it wasn't too much fun for our boy.

Oakley is with us this week so when we got home JH and I walked Oakley over to Linda and Neil's to say hi.  Linda was very excited to see Oakley and immediately commented on his GIRTH!  Jo feeds this boy well.

We had a clean out the refrigerator dinner and JH was so happy to have little bits of all his favorite items.  He ate mashed potatoes with corn smashed in them and mexican rice.  He ate some of my salad too but wouldn't touch the Mac & Cheese with Prunes.  He had M&C for lunch so that's probably why.

We sat nice for about 20 minutes and the wiggles got the best of him so we gave our goodnight kisses at about 7:00 PM.  There is nothing in the world better than a dinosaur hug (growls while he tightly hugs) and a loud kiss from Jonathan Harper.  I'm not sure if I say it enough or too much, we love this boy immensely.

Jonathan Day 255

There was a breakdown in communication this morning.  Da Da didn't think JH was going to Carly's house and I assumed he was going.  As it ended-up he went since Jo wasn't getting here until the afternoon.  Jo and Gary got here before JH got home so when he walked in he was excited ti see Jo.  He was a little shy with Gary but after a few minutes he was his normal silly playful self.

Since we had a sitter (Jo) Da Da, Gary, and I drove to MI City to have dinner and then see a movie.   We saw "I Love You Philip Morris" at the theatre here in town so it was nice to be home in 2 minutes.  Jo had put him to bed after 7:00 PM and she said that he was asking for us when she put him to bed.  He cried a little saying "I want Daddy and Da Da".  That made our night!

Jonathan Day 254

(JH watching Dinosaur Train after dinner)

It was a very lazy morning around here.  JH slept until 7:30 AM and had store bought french toast with a banana for breakfast.  It's so nice that he has his appetite back again.

Da Da and I cleaned the house since we're having a guest come tomorrow afternoon for a few days.  My very old friend Gary is visiting and we didn't want him to see what we normally leave a mess for family :-)  Actually it wasn't that bad but gave us a reason to move furniture and clean the floors underneath.

It was pretty windy out and a little chilly so we spent a good part of the late morning and afternoon in the basement.  It's nice that we can get laundry done while JH plays and watches Nick Jr.  He got hold of a flashlight and kept putting is fingers in front of it saying "my hand is red".

It's after 6:00 PM so I read JH the story Leo The Lightening Bug as pre-bedtime quiet time.  In the story Leo was crying and Jh turned to me and said "He's crying, I kiss him" and then he kissed the page and requested I do the same; it was very sweet.  Da Da is now reading him A Frog Thing and after it's 30 minutes of Wonder Pets and BED!  JH is laying on Da Da under "the monkey" (a faux fur throw/blanket, don't ask) singing the words to Wonder Pets.

Jonathan Day 253

JH is playing with a talking app on my iPhone

I'm a sucker for a breakfast request, JH wanted french toast again this morning.  I'm happy to make it because he eats two pieces and I use Texas Toast; so that's a big breakfast.

We needed groceries and a prescription for Da Da so it was off to Mishawaka. Michael joined us so we knew it was going to be a longer trip.  I'm an in-and-out kind of shopper and Michael is a lingerer, he looks at every item in every aisle :-)  We went to The Christmas Tree Shop and got some great deals on plants and a purple rubber punch bag that lights up for JH.  It was broken before we got home (freakishly strong child).

After lunch we did a quick stop at "The Walmart" to grab groceries and the prescription and it was back home.  Mishawaka is about 35 minutes each way and JH didn't ask for a DVD at all on the way home.  Michael was laying on the seat and JH just played with his hair and sweetly petted him.  We thought they both would fall asleep but no luck ;-P

Da Da took his pills and tried to nap while JH and I played in the basement.  I was organizing some stuff in the cabinets and when I looked over JH was walking on the back of the sofa (against the wall) and saying "choo choo choo".  The sofa has about a 4" back on it so he was safe but NOT something we want him doing.  Anything in a straight line is a choo choo for him.  He makes choo choo sounds in malls when there is a meandering tile pattern.

We had dinner and sat nice for about 40 minutes and now he's sound asleep.

Jonathan Day 252

We found a school that teaches toddlers Harmonica and JH is starting in May!!  We sent a few videos and the instructor said JH has raw talent and for only $1000 he can make him a STAR!!!

Jonathan slept pretty late again this morning so we were rushing to get him ready to go to Carly's house.  Today is Carly's birthday so JH brought her a small gift and was so excited to give it to her.  He practiced saying Happy Birthday all the way there this morning and said it as soon as we got there.

When JH got home from Carly's house I put him on the potty immediately.  He had not pooped in two days and I knew he wouldn't go at Carley's.  There are times he goes 6 hours and doesn't even wet his pull-up.  Then we get home and he goes forever; he likes Menards, Walmart, and his own bathroom :-)  Oh, he went and went and went.

We're in the basement and he's making us talk on his plastic play phone (the real one met with a nasty end).  He keeps getting between us and saying "you're squeezing me Daddy" though squeezing is more like skuuzing.  As soon as I finish this we'll head up and sit nice for a few minutes.  SO, I guess this is enough for tonight and btw - April Fools!