jonah in a new blue chair

We've had another GREAT day today. Jonah ate over 28 ounces. No luck on the solids today, but I also didn't try very hard. He slept in a little, we missed our 7:30 start time for dressing change, so we didn't start until 11:00 I think. We can start at 7:30 and get done by the time he needs to eat (around 9:00) or we have to wait until he's eaten and had a short (in my arms) nap.

Here is a random photo from yesterday.



A man in Matt's parents' Sunday School class made this rocking chair for Jonah. Thank you so much, Robert! We put Jonah in it for the first time tonight, and he really liked it. You really have to watch him though as he likes to lean forward. Right now it's a high supervision toy, but I know he'll really like sitting in it to watch sports with Dad as he gets bigger.

Please excuse my complete inability to manually focus my camera on this next one. As quick as Jonah moves, it's hard to get it focused and snapped in time. Shaina and I both have problems with our cameras refusing to snap half the time when they are on Automatic Focus. We have Nikon D40's. Has anyone else had this problem? It is incredibly frustrating. I can't tell you how many times I've missed the best smile or greatest shot because the camera will just randomly stop snapping. Grrr.

After Jonah's dressing change today, Matt's mom, Jonah, and I headed back out to Gina's new cafe, Miller's on Main. A couple of you have asked where it is. The address is 4339 South Main Street. It's about a mile from the intersection of Main and Clemmonsville, kind of out in the country. It's a cute little place, and the prices are great! I've enjoyed both meals I've had there so far. The chicken stew is soooo good. (Here's the post I did on NC chicken stew if you are wondering what it is.)

Gina held Jonah the ENTIRE time and walked him all around the restaurant. I got to eat peacefully. Now THAT is service. :)

And then I forgot to leave our waitress (our Pinedale friend, Katelyn) a tip. Yeah, it's bad, I know. I'm in the process of rectifying the situation. Sorry, Katelyn. I totally acknowledge the fact that I am a complete loser, and possibly the worst customer EVAH!

Later this evening Matt's mom and I went to check out a location for Jonah's birthday party. It is the PERFECT place, and I'm just hoping that it's not already booked. We won't know until we can talk to the lady who does the booking sometime in the next couple days. I think I'm going to do a carnival for his birthday. I have all these great ideas, but I'm completely overwhelmed. I know I have lots of great friends who will be willing to help (hint, hint), and I'm sure it will all come together, but right now it feels impossible (games, prizes, crafts, food, decorations... yikes!). I know I'll go overboard and it will probably be ridiculous to some people, but I just want it to be the greatest. I know I shouldn't think this way, but I can't help thinking, "What if this is the only birthday he ever gets? I want it to be so special." But maybe I should just think, "Wow! We never thought he'd make it this far. What a reason to celebrate!" Either way I get to rationalize a big party, and nobody can say anything about it. It comes with the serious illness territory. The mommy gets to go crazy at birthday time. Period.

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I also wanted to mention that Meg and Jeff (Leah's parents) have posted an address where you can send cards if you feel so led. She would like them sent to her parents' house. Here is the address she has posted:

The Turnquists
2853 Shipley Road
Philadelphia PA 19152

She also published a beautiful post today and included one of the last photos of Leah. It is so precious, and I'm so glad that Meg has it. Beautiful Leah.

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I'd also like to ask for prayers tonight for Baby Kessler (high school friends' baby) as he has just been released after being hospitalized with RSV. He is only a month old. And if you could also pray for Matt's baby cousin, Jake, Katherine's youngest, as he also tested positive for RSV today. He was hospitalized twice last year with it, so we are all just praying it's not as severe this time.

Thanks as always.