Jonathan Day 341

3 more nights and we'll get to see our boy.  As soon as we get home we'll start doing some budgeting so we can save to take JH to meet David.

I'm guessing while Gramma and Grandpa are having a blast that they are getting a little worn-out :-)

Jonathan Day 340

Are we crazy to be in paradise with an ocean view and beautiful weather and all we can talk about is JH?  We miss him so much and are counting the hours until we can give him hugs and kisses.  We know that he is having the time of his life playing with kids and having Gramma and Grandpa spoil him rotten.

We love you Jonathan Harper and will see you in a few days.

Jonathan Day 339

Look who we found today.  David Harper was born one year and one month before Jonathan. Genetics are an amazing thing because this boy and Jonathan look like twins.  I have spoken to his foster mother a few times and she sounds like a very nice person, and David is loved.  We hope to go to Texas (Houston area) soon to have David and Jonathan meet.


More from Gramma about her day with JH to come :-)

Jonathan Day 338

To hear about Day 338 please read the comment Gramma posted (or will post later this evening).  Da Da and I miss Jonathan Harper more than we even imagined!  When Gramma and Grandpa pulled away yesterday it was like a part of me drove off.  I had no idea that I would react like I did; Mr cold as ice sobbed like a baby.

Jonathan Day 337

Gramma V is going to write the blog for the next 6 days that DaDa and I are on vacation.

Jonathan Day 336

This was a very long day!

Our baby turned three today and we had a great time with family and friends.  JH woke up pretty early and was immediately kept busy by Gramma and Grandpa when Da Da and I finished getting things ready for the party.  We were a little behind schedule due to having to blow-up a pool and a bouncy room so Grandpa stepped in and JH helped Gramma blow up balloons.

There is really too much to say about the day and I'm not even going to try.  Bottom line is we have awesome friends and family.  So many people drove long distance to spend celebrating the adoption and Jonathan's birthday.  We also had our several dear friends that are only minutes away and we love you all very much!

It's after 10:00 PM here and JH just got out of the bath and is finally in bed and snoring logs!

I'll try and write more details tomorrow and while we're on vacation next week.

Jonathan Day 335

Today was an early one. I think that the anticipation of one special little boys birthday tomorrow has three of us excited.

Daddy was off to work rather early this morning while JH and I finished breakfast. After breakfast we headed out for our morning errands and to grab an additional tank of helium.
The lady at the store chuckled as JH and I walked up and down the aisles looking for helium. JH, "I don't want helium, I don't want helium!" After explaining to JH why we needed helium he was dragging me up and down the aisles saying "a-balloons", and told the lady at the checkout the he was going to have a-ballons for his birthday. I think we made the cashiers morning.

When we got home we finished a few things around the house and took some overdue naps!

Grandma and Grandpa VanDerSnick drove up today. They decided to drive up a day early instead of the morning of the party. Personally, I think they wanted a full day in before the party.

This evening we all went to a local steakhouse for dinner. We've never been so we had no clue what to expect. From the sounds of it Grandpa and Daddy enjoyed the all you can eat Prime Rib and Sea Food buffet. The nice thing was JH got to eat off of the buffet for free! JH wanted nothing to really do with all the delicious food except the carrots and chocolate cake.

Over all it was a great day! JH is playing with Grandma and Grandpa as I type this blog entry. Every toy is being pulled out and being paraded from one end of the basement to the other. Grandma and Grandpa are eating him up. As you can see from the video above, JH is showing Grandpa his duck calling toy.

We will be heading to bed soon, tomorrow will be a fun filled day for all!

Jonathan Day 334

The day started pretty well.  JH and Da Da had breakfast and headed to MI City to buy another folding table for the party Saturday.  The weather was nice so Da Da and JH got 90% of the party preparations done.

We had grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch and then JH took a little nap.  He was quiet until 2 minutes before a call I was facilitating started crying very loud :-(  I shuffled him outside to help Da Da again and all was well.  JH was very cute following Da Da like a puppy in his short pants and rain boots.

After work I took JH to town to fill-up our gas cans and give Da Da a few minutes to shower in peace.  On the way to the gas station JH said "let's go to the bank Daddy", I asked him why he wanted to go to the bank and he said "That's where we get suckers!".

I mentioned in a past post that I had tried to find Jonathan's brother David and learned he was adopted.  Today out of the blue I called Child Protective Services in Houston and found his caseworker.  I had to leave a message but hope to hear back soon.  IF David has been adopted I would like to leave our contact info for his new family.  IF David is still in foster care we'll have a decision to make on how to proceed.

Jonathan Day 333

Today was a pretty good day.

JH as usual woke up before Daddy and DaDa. We woke up to his lovely little voice just chatting away. Daddy went in to open the door and I heard, "good morning Daddy". I laid in bed with a smile and my eyes closed. It was quiet for a few minutes before I felt a bump in the bed and then a remote hit my head. JH, "a remote, TV DaDa"!

Needless to say at that point we were all up at that point. We had our usual morning ritual of coffee (Daddy and DaDa even more than usual), breakfast, a little morning news and cartoons.

Jon had a pretty busy day at work today so JH hung outside with me. We did a little detailing in preparation for the party this Saturday. JH was all about helping me sweep the mulch back in the yard. We pruned a few bushes, moved a little wood and got the tents out.

Before we knew it, it was lunch time. Beans a Wieners here we go! After lunch we headed to the park. Above is a picture of the two of us from the park today.

When we got home JH got a little nap time in while Daddy and DaDa got a little time to catch up on the days events.

Later in the day after Daddy finished up his work day, Neil called and we headed out for more Michigan Limestone. JH was a trooper! In each of the five loads of rock he was right there. "I will help, I will help"! Sure, enough he helped.

We did however have a moment today. JH was being a little fidgety during Daddy's lunch break. In being so happy, frolickly and fidgety he kicked Daddy in the face. We knew it was an accident so we asked JH to say he was sorry. He said he wasn't and immediately said "I will go to the corner". After many talks to JH about what he did I asked JH to tell Daddy he was sorry and it would be okay, Daddy would give you a hug. JH, "I'M NOT SORRY!" We aren't quite sure how to get a three year old to know how to apologize and understand the apology for an accident.

In the end we had a good dinner, sat nice and off to bed we went.

Jonathan Day 332

Jonathan Harper was as sweet as pie today.  The day started with him crying because he had to go potty; that's nice.  He has been telling us when he has to pee pee too now.  Gramma V is going to make it her mission to get him fully potty trained and in underwear by the time we return from vacation.

Da Da went out and finally finished the mulch while I gave JH breakfast and got him dressed and cleaned-up.  When Da Da finished mulch he took JH out to help him do some final yard work and keep him away from my work day.  I saw them walking all over the yard and JH jumping in the large puddle of water in the front yard.

We had lunch out in MI City at an Asian buffet restaurant and JH ate only fruit and chicken.  The waitress kept trying to get JH to talk to her and finally bent down and gave him a kiss; it was odd but also sweet.  I had a last minute meeting so we rushed home and JH and Da Da went to the water park.  Da Da said JH wanted NOTHING to do with the water park; he preferred playing in the kids park with Da Da.

After work we moved some free pavers Neil scored for us and JH helped.  I kept giving him small pieces and asked him to put them on the bridge (about 50 feet away).  It allowed us to move about 2 tons while he moved 4 or 5 small pieces.  Da Da is planning to build a stone patio and path to the garden after we return from vacation.

JH had PB&J for dinner and sat patiently with us watching Sprout (PBS on cable).

Jonathan Day 331

For some odd reason we all slept until 8:00 AM this morning.  I think our 1st Fathers Day was exhausting for all of us.

Da Da and JH knocked around the house this morning because it was pouring outside.  They spent several hours in the basement making a ruckus and tearing the place apart.  I went down in the afternoon to put a load of laundry in and it looked like a bomb went off.

In the afternoon the sun came out and Da Da dressed JH in his worst outdoor clothes and off the went.  In 5 minutes he was covered from the waist down in mud and mulch.  I heard Da Da yelling every few minutes "Jonathan, come on, lets go this way".  I was caught-up with work and finished my last meeting so I went out to rescue Da Da.  JH sat with me on the front porch for a few minutes and when he wanted to jump back in the mud I took him in for a bath.  He played for about 45 minutes and then Da Da came in for his shower.  They dressed and then went to the park.

Seemed like a few hours later and I heard JH singing while walking up the back steps; "Itzy bitzy SPIDER"....
I made dinner and sitting nice just didn't work tonight.  He was wiggling all over while laying with me and beaned me in the eye with a flailing little hand.  He was tired and so were we so Jonathan Harper was in bed by 6:10 PM this evening.

Jonathan Day 330

Today was Fathers Day and it started off quite nicely. The three of us had the pleasure of sleeping in a bit longer than usual. Had a little coffee and Daddy made JH and myself french toast with turkey sausage.

Both Jon and I told JH to go tell Daddy and DaDa happy Fathers Day. MMMMM, not so lucky. I got a few happy birthdays but JH couldn't quite get out fathers day. Maybe next year!

After breakfast the three of us went outside and put in a few hours of more mulch. We are soooo close to being finished. JH helped Daddy load the wheel barrels and helped me drive the lawn tractor. He was working his tail of to the point he said "weeew, I need something to drink". So we all took a moment to hydrate.

Okay, enough work, so we headed into town for a Fathers Day lunch. We had lunch at a great little restaurant on the river of a neighboring town. As always the food was great and JH was on! As you can see from the above pictures JH was making quite the faces.

After lunch we headed into Mishawaka to get a few last minute things for JH's birthday party. Then we headed to uncle Michaels for dinner. Kiki and Michael made the three of us a healthy delicious dinner in honor of Fathers Day.

As always every day must come to an end, so we headed home. Showers, sit nice time and off to bed we went.

Okay, on a side note I would like to say thank you to all of our family and friends for the many great wishes on this special day. The love an support that you all share time after time is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.

To date I have to say being a father is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Jon and I have a great life, but the addition of Jonathan has impacted our lives like no other. The three of us have this family thing down and it feels very natural.

Both Daddy and I look forward to many more Fathers Days!

Jonathan Day 329

A chip clip and a cheap thin towel make a great cape with a hood.


Today is Saturday and why Da Da and I thought we would be able to sleep n I'll never know!  JH started fussing at 5:30 AM and Da Da moaned that it was my turn, he had been up three times during the night.  I had no clue and slept like a baby until he nudged me.  I walked in and asked JH what the problem was and he said he had to potty.  Interesting because is pull-up weighed about two pounds.  After he dribbled I put Thomas on and hoped to return to my blissful sleep; didn't happen.  I started thinking and 5 minutes later I turned on the coffee.

I made scrambled eggs with turkey and cheese and toast for breakfast.  JH ate all his and then started picking off our plates.  I guess missing dinner last night left his belly a little empty. After breakfast we all went out and finished about 50% of the remaining mulch spreading.  It was backbreaking and having JH there to help surprisingly didn't really help :-)  Though he did help Da Da drive the tractor.

My Niece Sidney was having a graduation party in the Chicago suburbs so we decided the mulch could wait and cleaned-up and jumped in the car.  We removed Jonathan's video player a few weeks ago so we're all talking so much more when driving.  Two hours later and an Aleve each for Da Da and Daddy and we were there.  It was nice to see JH play with all the kids and get to meet some new people.  My Ex-Brother-in-law Doug was there with his wife Janet and I was really happy they got to meet Jonathan  Doug was my Brother-in-law for so long (I was about 12 when he and Jo married) that I was proud to be a daddy in front of him.  He and Jo were such great parents and probably did a little parenting on me too.

We left in the late afternoon and drove to IKEA to get a few party items for the big birthday bash next week.  JH walked nice with us the entire store and was a really good boy.  He said a few times that he was having fun.  On the remaining drive he started singing some song that we have never heard and I'm not sure there were even real words.  I have a terrible voice and would rather be flayed than to sing in front of people, I don't think it helped that my Mom used to tell me as a kid to STOP SINGING!  I want JH to sing his little heart out and not be ashamed of expressing himself in a positive way.

Dinner happened pretty late tonight so JH just went to bed 10 minutes ago.  Da Da was helping him get his PJs on and JH did something like put his leg in the wrong hole and said "Oh, sorry Scoop"; where does he get these sayings?  Who the heck is Scoop and where did he hear that?

I love being a Daddy!

Jonathan Day 328

Today was more of a day for Daddy and DaDa.

I set the alarm clock for 5:45 a.m. so I could get a little coffee in my system before waking JH up. LOL.... a few minutes after my alarm went of I hear JH talking away.

So, JH and I were off and running. The coffee was just not catching up to the energy of JH. After about 30 minutes I whispered into Jonathan's ears "go wake Daddy up", "okay" said Jonathan . I was able to slam a cup of coffee down and work on a second before I saw Daddy and JH walking out of the bedroom.

Today was a big day for Daddy, DaDa and JH. JH spent 8 hours at Miss Chrysty's, Daddy put in a full day of work without DaDa and JH and I was able to get a good 7-1/2 hours in the yard. I was able to get a good chunk of the work done for JH's birthday party in 7 days from now.

Later in the day, when Jon and I picked JH up from Miss Chrysty's, JH was on.  I worked so hard I had to convince Jon that we needed Frosty's from Wendys!  So off we went. On the way I said "oh my back is killing me", JH in turn, without skipping a beat said "my back is killing me too, both of them". Jon and I looked at each other with a look of like OMG and smirked secretly to ourselves. JH is a piece of work.

When we got home we all observed the work that has been done in the yard and watched Dan finish up seeding the lawn with grass seed and straw.

Tried to have dinner, that's right tried to have dinner. JH was not having dinner tonight. After many attempts, Daddy and I decided that it's okay, we'll wait for breakfast.

We all sat downstairs in the basement and watched a litle Bubble Guppies during our sit nice time and soon there after JH was off to bed.

Jonathan day 327

Tomorrow JH gets to spend 8 glorious hours at Carly's house!

It has been challenging balancing my work and all that Da Da has on his LIST and JH.  This morning he woke-up before us so we heard him chattering on the baby monitor.  I wonder how many more months we'll keep the monitor on?

I spent the morning working while JH colored and played at the table with play-dough.  Da Da connected all the new yard lighting and finished up some planting.   JH started getting a little crazy so he spent about 45 minutes in his room "reading" and playing with "his best friend Thomas".

Da Da came in at lunch and we ate quickly and he shuffled him outside to help with moving mulch.  I looked out 5 minutes after they went out and JH was covered in mud from neck to boots.  He didn't seem to mind; in fact, he was trudging through it rather than walking on the remaining grass.  The yard is TORN-UP due to the new septic.

After work I went out and JH helped me feed the chickens and do a little weeding in the garden.  He was assigned all the weeds in the pea-gravel and I had the raised beds; much safer that way.

We drove to MI city to order the food for Jonathan's 3rd birthday party on June 25th.  We found an amazing Thomas Train cake :-)  On the way home JH gave us another performance of Itsy Bitsy SPIIIIIDER.  We had dinner and a little sit nice time and then JH said "is it time for bed?"; it was.

Jonathan Day 326

Today was a DaDa and JH day. Daddy had a pretty full work day so we headed out pretty early to run some errands.

Started of for Michigan City and got a few more plants as well as a quick trip into Big R. Since they didn't have what we needed we drove to Mishawaka. Okay, so I had no idea how long it would take from Michigan City. 55 minutes later we arrived in the south side of Southbend. JH's exact words "DaDa these people are scary" I replied by saying "yes Jonathan they are". He then gave his cross face as we moved our way to Mishawaka.

We hit the usual stores; Lowes, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Christmas Tree Store and JC Pennys. I have to say JH was quite the trooper. At Home depot he always requests to get into the shopping cart that is in the shape of a race car. "Push me DaDa, Push me", "faster DaDa, faster". You know what, I love hearing him laugh and enjoy himself so I of course pushed faster and faster.

Okay as if that wasn't enough shopping we ran into Niles. There we hit Tractor Supply company and then Sheltons. JH "more plants DaDa"? I hesitantly said yes. Afterwards was a trip to McDonald's for lunch and a little play in the fun land.

The day was getting away from us so we headed back home for JH's first dentist appointment. As you can see from the photo above JH wasn't quite enjoying himself. They tried every trick in the book but he wouldn't budge to open his mouth. We are going to try again in 6 months.

When we got home Daddy was still working away so JH and I played / worked in the yard. After I heard "DaDa, help, help" I wrapped up the work for the day. JH managed to get himself in quite the pickle. He was berried shin deep in a puddle of mud. I stood there for a moment in disbelief and then started laughing. We hit the garden hose and did a strip down in the garage. JH paraded himself swing in my arms straight to the bath tub. The whole way, "Daddy we are taking showers"!

Clean boy, dinner, sit nice time and off to bed JH went.

Jonathan Day 325

Our boy is growing like a weed!  When he looks like he's getting a little belly we always wait a week or so and measure him.  For all the people that said not rush because it goes too fast, you're right.  The things that come out of this boys mouth just kill us.

JH had a quick breakfast and so Da Da could get to finishing his pond, I drove JH to Carly's house.  He wanted to get in and out of the car seat by himself; I don't mind but it takes so much longer.  JH sees something and gets distracted so what should take 1 minute takes 5.

Da Da finished the pond and since I had a 2:00 PM call he had to run and get JH.  On the way home Da Da told JH that he loved him and he said "Oh, I love Christy".   We only have about 30 days left before Christy and family move so we're all very sad.  I know JH will miss all of them very much.  Once they got home my call was over so I put him on the potty and tried to get him to nap; no luck.

We just had dinner and now JH is sitting nice watching Bubble Guppies.

Jonathan Day 324

This morning was an eventful day for JH. We woke up a bit later than usual and had him at Miss Christys before he knew it.

Miss Christy and her husband Phill took the kids to the beach today. The above picture is of Jonathan at the beach this morning. As you can see he was having a blast. Miss Christy made a comment when I picked him up on the lines of "JH wasn't affraid of the sand, he dove right in!" That's JH for ya. LOL

On our way home he kept saying "I have tons of sand DaDa". So the second we walked in we put JH into the tub. After his bubble bath he took a nap.

Daddy still isn't feeling a hundred percent today. We are hoping to get in to see a doctor sometime this week.

JH and I wanted to give Daddy some quite time so he could finish up his workday and relax. So we headed into Michigan City to return a few things at Lowes and pick up some new plants/bushes for the new pond that I pretty much finished up today. 3 tons of 24-30" boulders and water filled. By tomorrow we will be 100% up and running!

The other day I thought of the perfect accessory to the pond for JH. A remote control boat! Looks like this something I will be looking for.

Home, dinner and bed. Daddy and DaDa are relaxing in the basement. Good night all!

Jonathan Day 323

Seems like Jonathan Harper is always being walked around by some new woman :-)  When Siena Rose visited she led him around holding his hand and here is Abby doing the same thing.

Derek and Mike slept in a little and JH and Abby played in his room until breakfast.  I made them french toast and since they were a little (VERY) loud Derek and Mike got up too.  We all got dressed and walked back in our yard to show our guests the chickens and the garden.  We always hope that visitors will fall in love with our semi rural life and start looking for a weekend place. 

Late in the morning we drove over to town and showed them our Main Street and since it was Flag Day (biggest celebration for Three Oaks), we walked around the festivities.  Abby and JH help hands and really didn't want us grown-ups helping them cross the streets or to guide them.  

After we said our goodbyes I crashed.  I held it together for the 36 hours we had guests but after they left I hit the sofa.  I have a massive sinus infection and was between chills and sweating.  I really have no recollection of the late afternoon or evening yesterday.  I'm incredibly lucky I have a great partner that took care of JH at the same time as trying to make me comfortable.  I'm writing this on Monday morning and feel like I'm at about 50%!  More antibiotics should have me back to normal tomorrow.

Jonathan Day 322

Mike, Abby, and Derek got here in the late afternoon.  Abby and JH immediately started playing while the dads enjoyed an afternoon cocktail :-)

Jonathan and Abby played really well together while we got caught-up and chatted.  It was a little chilly outside so we spent the entire visit on Saturday in the basement other than when we had dinner.  Jonathan and Abby watched a movie while the adults had dinner.  Mike and Derek have friends that have a weekend place near so they joined us for dinner.   It was so amazing to have an adult evening!  The kids played and we were able to have varied conversations that didn't always lead back to Jonathan and Abby.

I'll write more on Sunday in a few minutes in Jonathan Day 323

Jonathan Day 321

Daddy and Da Da have NOTHING left in us; and it has nothing to do with Jonathan.  We're having our septic replaced and the yard is a mess!  Not only is the yard a mess but we're trying to get ready for the big 3rd birthday party in 2 short weeks.

The septic guys planned on being here at 7:00 AM so we all got up early and Da Da had JH to Carly's house by about 8:00 AM.  We were running around trying to get laundry, dishes, and potty done before they pumped the old septic and disconnected the waste lines.  JH was oblivious and only wanted to play with his new tractor Grampa gave him last week.

Da Da picked JH up at 2:00 PM and they came home to watch "Dan the man" (septic guy) dig holes with the tractor.  Dan told us we would only go without a bathroom for two hours and finally at 7:00 PM we are able to flush.  It's hard explaining to a 2 year old that we REALLY want potty trained that he can't flush the potty.  Luckily JH didn't have too much business that needed to stay in the toilet all day.

We had dinner out at a place in Buchanan called Wheatberry that was fantastic!  Kid friendly and the food was fast and awesome.  JH is excited because Abby and her dads are visiting us tomorrow and they are staying the night.  That means that Abby will get the second bed in Jonathan's room while Daddys and Da Das will have the wireless monitor sitting by the new fore pit enjoying a glass of wine :-)

Pre-bed JH watched Dora for a little bit before I changed the channel.  I have been noticing that many of the cartoons talk about how some baby something is looking for their Mommy or Mommy is looking for them.  I'm sure I'm being too sensitive but I'm not sure if he understands and I'm not ready to try and explain.

Jonathan Day 320

Today started off as a wet one.

Jonathan was dry, but it was raining cats and dogs outside. The rain was so relaxing that we over slept. We had 45 minutes to get up and do our morning rituals. Needless to say, we had to call Miss Christy and tell her that we would be 30 minutes later.

When I picked JH up this afternoon, he and Miss Christy were in the front lawn. Miss Christy was telling me that they all walked up to the library this afternoon and went to the free book sale. JH got a book about a snail. He loves it!

Miss Christy said that the kids got onto the computers at the library and when she approached him JH said "get out of my office"! I couldn't help but laugh as she told me this. Sometimes I don't know where he comes up with things but in this case I do. Daddy has his computer in his office and when Jonathan tries going in there he is told to stay out of Daddy's office. The fact that he put those two things together blows my mind.

JH was quite the helper in helping me clean the garage this afternoon. We emptied it out completely washed down the trim and mopped the floor. Later Daddy finished up his work day and we headed out to get a pie for our guests this weekend. JH insisted on taking his new book. The book hasn't left his side since i picked him up this afternoon.

Along the way, we stopped by Uncle Michael's to give Kiki a few things that we found while cleaning out the garage. Kiki was making something delicious for dinner so we didn't stay long. We drove up to Sawyer Garden Center to get a pie, but no luck. Afterwards to were on a mission for something to eat.

After stopping at a few restaurants along the way home, we ended up at McDonald's. LOL!

Home bound, pj's, sit nice time and off to bed we went.

Jonathan Day 319

JH wasn't going to Carly's house today so it was a lazy morning.  I made blueberry pancakes and after he ate two he was done and pushed his plate forward, "I'm done Daddy".

Da Da slathered JH with sunblock since it was 95 here today.  They went out and while Da Da shoveled rock and sand JH "helped".  I went out about 2 hours after they started and JH was sitting on a mountain of sand in the shade burying his truck.  I walked up and he told me that his "wheels are covered" and proceeded to pull it out and spray sand all over his face.  He is such a little ruff and tumble little boy.

JH and Da Da came in and had a quick lunch and it was nap time for them while I worked :-(  Hardest thing about being home with them is not getting to participate in the fun.  On the other hand, I am so damn lucky to get to spend 24 hours a day with the two most amazing people in my life.

After work we visited the chickens, walked around the yard looking at the septic work, and then went to the park.  I made dinner and JH sat nice until 7:30 PM and then it started!  He was pottied, nose blown, lip balmed, and hugged and kissed, 2 minutes later, "I have to go potty" and he did, two minutes later, "I have to poop", and he didn't.  He is getting more and difficult with bedtime :-(

Jonathan Day 318

Today was a productive day!

We were up early. JH was awake at 5:45 a.m. and Daddy and I weren't ready to get up quite yet. When I walked in JH said "I don't want to sleep"! So, I put a video on and said daddy and dada are going to lay down for a little bit. He asked me to close his door. I had to chuckle as I walked back into the bedroom.

A bit later we were all awake and enjoying our morning coffee and cartoons. I had to leave early to go to Niles and rent a concrete saw for the completion of the firepit area. When I got back daddy had JH fed and all dressed for his day at Carly's.

After dropping JH off I came home and finshed capping off the last details to the firepit wall. By the time I finished it was time to pick JH up. When we got home he helped me work on yet another project in the yard. We put wire fencing up for our new chicken coop corral. JH is quite the helper....LOL!

By that point we were drencehed and ready for dinner. It was 95 degrees today with a heat index of well over a 100. After our showers JH had dinner and a little sit nice time.

Jonathan Day 317

It has been one year since Jonathan's mother Jenny passed away.  I dread the day he starts asking about her, I didn't know her at all.  I know she was loved, I know she was beautiful, and I know she gave us the most amazing gift.

Jonathan Harper slept pretty late this morning.  He had french toast and some of Da Da's banana for breakfast.  I had a light morning so I was able to drive JH to Carly's house this morning.  Da Da picked him up at 2:00 PM and after he gave me a hug he went in for a nap.  he slept for about an hour and then Da Da took him to MI City to get a few more cement blocks to complete the new fire pit.  We only have 19 days until the party and much to do!!

After work we spent an hours or so in the yard watering and weeding the garden.  JH was trying to help pull weeds but really wasn't helping when he uprooted a Hen and Chick plant :-(  They are pretty hearty so I just plopped it back in the mulch and it was all good.  We had showers and dinner and now JH is sitting nice with Da Da.  It's funny that 200 days ago we couldn't get this boy to sit for more than a minute at a time, now he sits for at least 30 minutes :-P.

Jonathan Day 316

At 5:30 AM-CT we heard the coffee grinder going and knew it was time to drag ourselves out of bed.  JH was sleeping in Auntie Susie's other guest room with JH.  By the time Da Da and I got out of bed the entire family was already up and drinking coffee.

We met Gramma and Grandpa at a very cool place in Iowa that is tractor themed.  JH sat between Gramma and Grandpa so they can get some good practice in for their week with him late this month.  Da Da and I are taking our very first vacation in more than a year after Jonathan's 3rd birthday party.  We desperately need this vacation!

After breakfast we dropped Auntie Jo Jo off at home and hightailed it to MI.  It was so nice to get home and to see that our new septic work has started.  They removed a good portion of our woods so they can create a 10,000 sq ft drain field.  Da Da, JH, and I started to complete the fire pit and I checked on the chickens.  I found on dead in the coop with his foot missing so I have no idea how that happened.  There is another one missing and no sign of the body!  Maybe a snake??

We all came in and had a quick dinner and put JH to bed about 7:00 PM.  Da Da and I are in the basement catching-up on recorded TV and relaxing after our weekend of 12 hours in a car.

Jonathan Day 315

Today was a productive day for all.

We all woke up relatively early here at Auntie Suzie's. Morning coffee, breakfast and off we went. Auntie Jo Jo, Suzie and Daddy headed to Grandma Rosie's to do some prep work for selling the house and getting ready for a yard sale. JH and I bummed around Burlington for the day.

After hitting Menards, Lowes, the mall, Big Lots and Hobby lobby, JH and I were ready for lunch. We had lunch at Wendys and on our way back to Auntie Suzie's, I had a craving for Dairy Queen. Lets just say that JH and the ice cream got into the fight on the ride back home and the ice cream cone won. JH was covered literally head to toe. I'm not quite sure how such a small cone could tear such a little boy up.

When we got back to the house JH went right in for a bath and after a day out and about, we woke up almost 2 hours later to Daddy returning from Grandma Rosies.

We are all showered from a day of shopping and working. Leaving in a few to take grandma out for a birthday dinner and bed will be shortly there after.

Jonathan Day 314

Jonathan Harper didn't get to sleep very late this morning.  We set the alarm for 6:00 AM so we could get JH ready to go to Carly's by 8:00 AM.  We planned on going to leave MI at 1:00 PM to get to Auntie Jo Jo's to then drive to Auntie Susie's house.  We were in the car for about 6 hours today and this boy was very good; he did have two McDonald's ice-creams and a Wendy's chicken sandwich.

We got to Sue's after 6:30 PM so it was a long day in the car!
Auntie Jojo will take over from here...By the time they got to me in Lake in the Hills they had already been driving over 2 hours. Daddy said JH talked the entire time. My thought was oh how cute. However, after almost 4 more hours for that little man before we got to Iowa I have to say, he sure is a busy little guy!! Never a dull moment. I sat in the back seat with him and we talked, sang, laughed the entire time. Auntie Jojo wishes she had a small amount of his energy!

After we got to Auntie Susie's he played shy for about 5 minutes and that was it...Mr. Personality was back! We had dinner, played and before you know it, it was bedtime. He tried to con one of us into laying down and "snuggling" but we were on to him! Ha...

Now we are chilling and discussing what we will do tomorrow!

Jonathan Day 313

The amazing company I work for has approved a reimbursement of about 1/3 of the total adoption costs.  This my friends, is reason to celebrate!

JH woke-up around 7:00 AM and was dragging  brownie by the corner saying "I want to be a baby".  The best part of after bath and early morning is JH wants to play baby.  He'll lay in your lap for 20 minutes wrapped in a blanket or towel just chatting away.

I made french toast for breakfast and then we got the call; Carly wasn't feeling well so JH was home today.  Da Da had the day planned to mix more concrete and install the posts to the new outdoor chicken pen.  JH helped :-)

We drove to MI City for lunch and to pick-up a few groceries.  Since Da Da has been really good sticking to his diet we had Mexican.  JH was eating chips and salsa ("sauce") saying "this is spicy, can I have more please".  He ate an entire enchilada with rice and beans.
After lunch I finished my work day while Da Da and JH worked in the yard.  Da Da said he kept mixing things in a bucket saying "taste it Da Da, is it good?".

After showers and a little Team Umizoomi JH gave us hugs and kisses and has been sleeping since.

Jonathan Day 312

It was a long night for Da Da, It was either JH waking-up crying or me snoring and hacking.  I caught what JH had on Sunday and it's kicking my butt.  I think that there has been so much happening and the weather has been so wet that my sick defenses are weak.

Honestly, I don't recall most of the morning other than JH coming up to me laying on the sofa giving me a hug and kiss.  I remember someone saying, just wait until he tells you that he loves you!  He tells us each day that he loves us (after we tell him), but he shows it just as much.  I'm sitting in my office writing this while JH is laying on Da Da's lap under "the monkey" (faux fur blanket).  He knows he is loved and I see a big difference in his affection from even a few months ago.  I think communication helps tremendously, we have full conversations now rather than us just talking to him.

After Da Da picked him up he laid with me for a minute and then took about a 45 minute nap.  I had a meeting so rather than him waking-up while the meeting was happening Da Da got him up and with the promise of a cookie they went out and worked in the yard.  I saw JH "helping" Da Da mix concrete for the fire-pit and when I went out later he showed me where he helped.  Then he said "I'm a mess and I need a shower Daddy".

Christy writes us a note each day that includes what JH had for lunch and if/when he went potty.  Today on the back it said:
Carly asked Jonathan to move and he said "No, I'm out of batteries".  Too funny!

JH had a bath and after dinner he is quietly watching Team UmiZoomi with Da Da.