Today was quite the day for Jonathan, Jon and myself!
It started of with getting up relatively early, having breakfast and getting freshened up for our photo shoot today with Whirlpool Corp. in Chicago.
On our way into Chicago, we asked JH if he knew what we were doing today. All he could say is see Uncle Michael? Yes, and get our pictures taken. "PICTURES!"
Once we found a parking spot we arrived at Whirlpool. We were greeted from the moment we walked into the building and were escorted up to the Penthouse which houses all of there display kitchens, lounge, laundry and rooftop outdoor spaces. As JH was impressed by the display of endless goodies and refreshments, Jon and I were drooling over all the latest and greatest appliances. Uncle Michael came over and swooped Jonathan up and introduced him to everyone!
I have to say JH was on his best behavior today. From the moment we got there until the moment we left he had every ones hearts. He is quite the character let me tell you.
After taking two different rounds of pictures, we were finished. as we were leaving one of the people on staff whom also is gay told me that after watching us with Jonathan, he would like to have a family of his own. My words of advice were "having a child is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to us but please don't get me wrong, it's not easy!"
Then we were off. We stopped by the condo in the city and checked our mail. JH "I'm hungry", so we headed to get dim sum. Before heading back to MI we stopped by Dairy Queen for a quick cone.
When we got home I needed to mow the lawn before the rain came. Of course, JH wanted to ride the tractor with DaDa. After a little yard work we came in for showers and dinner.
JH just went down to bed after his long day out and about without effort. Sweet dreams JH!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Jonathan day 310
In the morning Janine and Michael (and a friend) dropped by to say hi. It was still pretty wet here and after a walk back to the chicken coop we were all pretty soggy and muddy. It was nice to see Janine and Michael, they are both very sweet to Jonathan.
Daryl, Jaime, and Siena got here a little after noon and JH played shy for about 10 minutes. I'm not sure he knew what the gift Siena brought him was but he'll know soon; she brought him a slip n slide and THAT'S fun. He and Siena played in the basement while the adults chatted and shared adoption experiences. Before we knew it Siena and JH were giving each other hugs and talking like crazy in the play area. We had lunch and then went back down to the basement and had dessert while the kids continued to play.
It was very hot today (90+ and HUMID) so we spent the majority of the time inside until we drove over to the beach in Union Pier. When we got in the car JH immediately said "I want to see my best friend Siena", then he babbled on about how he missed her. They played for a bit and we all drove over to the park so the kids could burn off more energy.
JUST because we're such good Daddy's, Da Da, and Pa Pa's we took the kids for ice-cream. I sat with Siena and JH and she kept petting his hair saying "you're soft, your hair is soft like Pa Pa's hair", it was very cute. JH and Siena got along great and we very much enjoyed meeting Daryl and Jaime.
It's 7:15 PM and JH just got a hair-cut and a bath and in about 15 minutes he'll be fast asleep.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jonathan Day 309
It was rainy and miserable here today after a promise of a nice sunny day :-( We drove to Mishawaka to get chicken wire and brackets for the outside pen that will be built when the rain stops.
After an attempted nap we went out and cleaned all the flood control stuff off the driveway (bags of sand and dirt). Then it hit, thunder, lightening, and pounding rain. Luckily it didn't pool-up or flood the garage.
We had a nice dinner (thank Gramma V for the idea) and watched a little TV. JH is in bed and Da Da and I are in the basement getting our clothes ready for the photo shoot Tuesday.
We're looking forward to the following in the coming week:
- Our visit with Siena, Daryl, and Jamie tomorrow
- SUN next week so the septic can be started
- SUN next week so Da Da can get all his projects done
- Getting the Chickens out of the garage (JH says they stink every time we walk in or out) and in the coop
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Jonathan Day 308
I really don't know what went on out here from Midnight until 9:45 AM when I finally dragged myself out of bed. Jo was on JH duty and Da Da and I didn't hear a cough, a cry, or an I have to potty all night long.
Jo and I took JH to a local carnival but it wasn't opened yet and looked a little sketchy so we left quickly and decided not to return. We went to the outlets in MI City and then had a McDonalds ice-cream. Once we got home we tried to lay JH down for a nap but he wanted nothing to do with that, he was ice-cream pumped. Jo and I hit a garage sale down the street and got a 10 gal tank with a lid for JH's new turtle for $5! Score :-)
While Da Da played with JH in the basement Jo and I cooked dinner and other things for our visitors this weekend. My very old friend Gary (we met in 1979) has a cousin who adopted a little girl with his partner. Siena is about 10 months older than Jonathan but we're hopeful they'll get along great. Daryl said Siena likes boys and JH likes the ladies :-)
JH had a bath and after about 15 minutes of trying to sit nice he's in bed pulling every trick in the book. "I'm thirsty, I need lip balm, I have to blow my nose" we're not falling for any of it.
Jo and I took JH to a local carnival but it wasn't opened yet and looked a little sketchy so we left quickly and decided not to return. We went to the outlets in MI City and then had a McDonalds ice-cream. Once we got home we tried to lay JH down for a nap but he wanted nothing to do with that, he was ice-cream pumped. Jo and I hit a garage sale down the street and got a 10 gal tank with a lid for JH's new turtle for $5! Score :-)
While Da Da played with JH in the basement Jo and I cooked dinner and other things for our visitors this weekend. My very old friend Gary (we met in 1979) has a cousin who adopted a little girl with his partner. Siena is about 10 months older than Jonathan but we're hopeful they'll get along great. Daryl said Siena likes boys and JH likes the ladies :-)
JH had a bath and after about 15 minutes of trying to sit nice he's in bed pulling every trick in the book. "I'm thirsty, I need lip balm, I have to blow my nose" we're not falling for any of it.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Jonathan Day 307
We finally had to go in and wake JH up at 7:30 AM. How does this child sleep 12+ hours a day? Funny that Da Da and I are lucky to get 8 hours in :-/
Da Da took JH to see Kung Foo Panda in 3D (see pic above) and he loved it! He ran in when they got home and told me that he had "popcorn and COKE"! The Coke proved to be a little too much because JH was wound tighter than a clock. He was so energetic this evening and luckily Auntie Jo Jo got here around 4:30PM and Da Da and I were out the door at 4:35PM. We got home after having dinner and grocery shopping at 8:30 PM and he was still running.
It's almost 9:00 PM and JH is fast asleep after having Da Da, Auntie Jo Jo, and Daddy hugs and kisses.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Jonathan Day 306
Today was a low key day. With rain the past few days, playing outdoors has been quite difficult.
After breakfast this morning JH and I drove into Michigan City. The usual running around, a trip to Lowes, Walmart and a drop off to the Goodwill Store.
This afternoon we did a marathon of Cartoons in the basement with some play times here and there. JH is waiting for the rain to come to an end. He knows that when it dries up, I have some projects to do outside and that means he gets to play with tools!
After dinner we started picking out our outfits for our photo shoot this next week. One of our friends works for Whirlpool's advertising department and has asked us to be in one of their adds. Jon, Jonathan and I will be in a casual kitchen scene advertising Whirlpool in the Advocate magazine.
This is very exciting for the three of us!
After breakfast this morning JH and I drove into Michigan City. The usual running around, a trip to Lowes, Walmart and a drop off to the Goodwill Store.
This afternoon we did a marathon of Cartoons in the basement with some play times here and there. JH is waiting for the rain to come to an end. He knows that when it dries up, I have some projects to do outside and that means he gets to play with tools!
After dinner we started picking out our outfits for our photo shoot this next week. One of our friends works for Whirlpool's advertising department and has asked us to be in one of their adds. Jon, Jonathan and I will be in a casual kitchen scene advertising Whirlpool in the Advocate magazine.
This is very exciting for the three of us!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Jonathan Day 305
Only 60 more entries and I'm done with my original commitment to write something each day for one year with Jonathan Harper. I say that with mixed feelings because 75% of the time I like writing something about our day. It's that 25% that is AGONY :-D
JH and Da Da got up before me this morning and while I heard them out here I kept falling in and out of sleep. Then I felt the bed moving a little and JH had his face in mine saying "Let's watch a little TV Daddy". He crawled around looking for the remote and found them on the bedside table. He knows exactly what remote turns the TV on and what remote changes the channel. We have off brand TVs so we have to use multiple remotes :-( He wanted to find Choo Choos so he went up and down the channels about 4 times with no success.
Da Da took JH to Carly's and after he returned we saw that the weather was looking pretty bad. Once we learned the was a tornado watch we called Christy and I picked JH up. It would be hard enough for her to keep her two girls calm and safe in a storm; she didn't need our little tornado boy.
We played around the house this evening and JH and Da Da are spending their last few minutes sitting nice. I need to run so I can get my hug and kiss.
JH and Da Da got up before me this morning and while I heard them out here I kept falling in and out of sleep. Then I felt the bed moving a little and JH had his face in mine saying "Let's watch a little TV Daddy". He crawled around looking for the remote and found them on the bedside table. He knows exactly what remote turns the TV on and what remote changes the channel. We have off brand TVs so we have to use multiple remotes :-( He wanted to find Choo Choos so he went up and down the channels about 4 times with no success.
Da Da took JH to Carly's and after he returned we saw that the weather was looking pretty bad. Once we learned the was a tornado watch we called Christy and I picked JH up. It would be hard enough for her to keep her two girls calm and safe in a storm; she didn't need our little tornado boy.
We played around the house this evening and JH and Da Da are spending their last few minutes sitting nice. I need to run so I can get my hug and kiss.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Jonathan Day 304
A very loud Jonathan Harper after dinner tonight.
JH was stirring at 4:30 AM but we didn't go in so he finally went back to sleep. It was about 7:30 AM that I finally went in and woke him up. He had Oatmeal with French Toast mixed in. He ate it all so combining his two favorites seemed to work well.
When we pulled up to fetch JH at Carly's he ran to Miss Christy and yelled "save me, save me Miss Christly". He has a flair for the dramatic :-) Then he was all sweet and funny on the way to MI City. My afternoon meeting was cancelled so we ran in to get some quick setting concrete for the addition to the chicken coop Da Da is building with our scrap wood.
Linda brought JH a little surprise today! She had been driving and found a Painter Turtle on a busy road. He is living in a large tub in the garage until we get the pond built. We set our last turtle Buddy (Box Turtle) free in Linda's pond last year and we haven't seen him since :-(
We helped Da Da scoop pea gravel in the yard tonight and then had showers and dinner. We hope JH keeps his desire to help in the yard and around the house. I know all you parents are thinking HA, not going to happen :-)
JH was stirring at 4:30 AM but we didn't go in so he finally went back to sleep. It was about 7:30 AM that I finally went in and woke him up. He had Oatmeal with French Toast mixed in. He ate it all so combining his two favorites seemed to work well.
When we pulled up to fetch JH at Carly's he ran to Miss Christy and yelled "save me, save me Miss Christly". He has a flair for the dramatic :-) Then he was all sweet and funny on the way to MI City. My afternoon meeting was cancelled so we ran in to get some quick setting concrete for the addition to the chicken coop Da Da is building with our scrap wood.
Linda brought JH a little surprise today! She had been driving and found a Painter Turtle on a busy road. He is living in a large tub in the garage until we get the pond built. We set our last turtle Buddy (Box Turtle) free in Linda's pond last year and we haven't seen him since :-(
We helped Da Da scoop pea gravel in the yard tonight and then had showers and dinner. We hope JH keeps his desire to help in the yard and around the house. I know all you parents are thinking HA, not going to happen :-)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Jonathan Day 303
Jonathan got up at about 4:30 AM saying that he needed to blow his nose. Da Da went in first and when he cried again it was my turn. I asked him to go back to sleep because it was the middle of the night and he said "okay Daddy" and did.
When JH finally woke-up he had oatmeal with prunes for breakfast. Da Da dropped him off at Carly's house and that's when we got the bad news :-( Carly and her family are buying a house and moving to a town about 20 miles north of us. We're really happy for them but taking JH daily won't be an option with the way gas prices are today. We'll still try and coordinate something since he loves Carly, Christy, and Abby so much.
Da Da picked JH up at 2:00 PM and when I went out to greet the car JH jumped out of the car dressed completely different than when he left in the morning. He was wearing Carly's shorts and shirt! Apparently he met a puddle that didn't agree with him. He napped for about an hour and when I went in to get him up he kept saying "I'm still sleepy Daddy" and then he would go back to sleep.
After work we went to a local burger place for dinner and stopped to see Linda's new ducks. Neil was there cutting the grass so we visited for a few minutes before heading home and getting our boy to bed an hour past his bedtime.
When JH finally woke-up he had oatmeal with prunes for breakfast. Da Da dropped him off at Carly's house and that's when we got the bad news :-( Carly and her family are buying a house and moving to a town about 20 miles north of us. We're really happy for them but taking JH daily won't be an option with the way gas prices are today. We'll still try and coordinate something since he loves Carly, Christy, and Abby so much.
Da Da picked JH up at 2:00 PM and when I went out to greet the car JH jumped out of the car dressed completely different than when he left in the morning. He was wearing Carly's shorts and shirt! Apparently he met a puddle that didn't agree with him. He napped for about an hour and when I went in to get him up he kept saying "I'm still sleepy Daddy" and then he would go back to sleep.
After work we went to a local burger place for dinner and stopped to see Linda's new ducks. Neil was there cutting the grass so we visited for a few minutes before heading home and getting our boy to bed an hour past his bedtime.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Jonathan Day 302
Sunday! Today Da Da and I woke-up when we heard JH saying "I have to go potty", we'll after getting up we learned he already went potty. The bed wasn't wet but the diaper weighed about 2 pounds.
We drove to MI City to get some chicken feed since the chicks are about 2 weeks from moving in to the coop. They are currently in the garage and the smell is overwhelming! When we walk in or out of the garage JH says "It stinks in here".
When I had my meetings today JH and Da Da either did yard work or played in the basement. At dinner JH had a PB&J and Da Da and I had a green curry with chicken and asparagus. JH had 3 pieces of his sandwich and wanted a bite of curry. We love that this boy is adventurous and loves interesting food :-)
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Jonathan Day 301
They got home around 3:00 PM and we tried to get JH to nap since we'll be up later than normal tonight attending Michael's birthday party. It'll be nice to see Janine since JH is so smitten with her. Da Da and I are pretty smitten with her too :-)
I'll try and write something more about the party when we get home or in the morning.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Jonathan Day 300
The video is of JH riding his new scooter that Jo and Kevin gave him as an early birthday gift. He loves it but is only able to ride it at the park. One day we'll have some hard surface for him to ride his toys.
JH and Da Da left soon after breakfast for the zoo in MI City. I'll let Da Da leave comments on how the day went. They got home close to 2:00 PM and JH went down for an unsuccessful nap. I have to work all weekend so I took off work at about 3:30 PM so we could go to the park. We stopped at a local nursery on the way and out came two baby goats running towards us. JH was a little frightened but seemed to like them. I want goats but Da Da isn't convinced yet. On the way home JH kept telling us "Thomas is my BEST friend", I'm not sure it's such a good thing that a toy is his best friend. On a positive note Carly was his best friend last week; maybe they had a fight :-P
We had roast chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes for dinner and JH cleaned his plate. We sat nice watching Sprout Channel and JH was fast asleep by the time we collected hit the basement. Da Da and I are now spending our evening down in the basement since we spent so much time and energy fixing it up.
JH and Da Da left soon after breakfast for the zoo in MI City. I'll let Da Da leave comments on how the day went. They got home close to 2:00 PM and JH went down for an unsuccessful nap. I have to work all weekend so I took off work at about 3:30 PM so we could go to the park. We stopped at a local nursery on the way and out came two baby goats running towards us. JH was a little frightened but seemed to like them. I want goats but Da Da isn't convinced yet. On the way home JH kept telling us "Thomas is my BEST friend", I'm not sure it's such a good thing that a toy is his best friend. On a positive note Carly was his best friend last week; maybe they had a fight :-P
We had roast chicken, green beans, and mashed potatoes for dinner and JH cleaned his plate. We sat nice watching Sprout Channel and JH was fast asleep by the time we collected hit the basement. Da Da and I are now spending our evening down in the basement since we spent so much time and energy fixing it up.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Jonathan Day 299
Da Da picked JH up at 2:00 PM and they went to get groceries in Mishawaka. When they got home I went out to help carry groceries in and when I opened his door and looked in JH's face was covered with peanut-butter cookies. He got out of the car and said "I'm hungry Daddy". That face!!
After we had dinner JH, Da Da, and I walked to the back yard to see how we're going to expand the chicken coop. Linda thinks our coop may be too small for the 13 chickens we have brooding. Add another project to the list Da Da :-)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Jonathan Day 298
This picture is one take on July 14, 2010
JH stayed home today and he and Da Da spent the majority of the day working in the yard while I "work worked". After my last meeting I went out and collected JH from Da Da's lap cutting the lawn. He was just sitting on the tractor with that "we have a job to do here!" look.
We all had showers and baths and then dinner. JH is sitting with Da Da watching Wonder Pets and laughing at the silly things Da Da is saying. Who would have known that Jonathan Harper would have been such an amazing life change and more importantly, such a gift!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Jonathan Day 297
Hi, Jonathon,
Congratulations! Your Judgment Order for Adoption was entered today. We will be able to pick it up tomorrow. I will call you once we have it in hand.
Thanks,
Susan Frances, Esq.
I received the above email from my attorney this afternoon. Today I received the following comments on my facebook page:
en.wikipedia.org
Gotcha Day (sometimes called Gotchya Day, Adoption Day, Family Day, Adoption Anniversary Day) is a day celebrated by American families of adopted children to recognize the day they received the child.[1] The Gotcha Day is the day that the child was placed into the family's home for adoption, in othe
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