The Dog Days!

Dear Jordan,

We are in the dog days of summer!  It's been pretty mild up until a couple of weeks ago, but now it has heated up quite a bit.  I'm also really, really pregnant, so it feels even worse!  But, it's easier to deal with the hot weather when you know a change is coming.  And our neighborhood has changed quite a bit in the past couple of weeks!  OU started this week, which means all of the students moved in last week.  It's been fun to watch them come in and take over the town again.  One of our favorite things that happens is the marching band starts practicing and we can hear them from our house!  Some day, your Daddy will walk you over there to watch them play.  You will enjoy that!

One big thing that has happened is you got a fish!  You call it your "pishy".  We got him a couple of weeks ago.  Actually, we got a goldfish and he died after about two hours.  We didn't realize that you had to give him special water.  Since you kept asking about the fish, I went back and got you a beta fish.  It's a pretty blue one and we named him Stanley.  You like to climb up the step ladder (you ask me to "opy lars") and tap on the glass.  And you like to help change the water, but you don't like feeding him for some reason.  It is pretty funny though, because after we put the food in, you start yelling "Pishy! Eat your food!".

Your sense of humor is fantastic.  You are always coming up with stuff that makes us laugh.  Last night, we were sitting on the back porch with some friends and you asked about the stars.  It was still too light to see stars, but you still just laid down, crossed your arms behind your head and pretended to look at them.  I don't know where you get this stuff, but we love it!

One thing that we have been trying to work with you on is the fact that you are a bit of a bully! :)  You got left behind when the Sunday school class moved up, so now you are the oldest and the biggest kid.  No one stands up to you, and you've gotten in the habit of just doing whatever you want.  And the other issue is that you are a rough-houser.  Now, that part I don't mind.  I love watching you and your Daddy play together.  The problem is that when we take you to play in public, you forget that there are other kids who don't like to play rough.  I don't mind you messing with boys, but I'm really trying to work with you on how you treat little girls.  You don't mean anything by it, it's just something that you will learn over time.  I don't ever want you to stop being the great and wild little boy you are!

Today is a Saturday and we have had nothing to do.  We tried to keep it that way because since we are so close to Marcus' arrival, this will probably be our last weekend as a family of three.  Your Pappa and Grammy are coming tomorrow and will be with us for a while, so more than likely Marcus will get here before they leave.  So, we are trying to make the most of it.  We went to Gourmet donut (where you licked the chocolate icing off your donut but left the sprinkles!) and then to the park.  We didn't stay long since it is so hot, but you've spent some good time playing with your dad while I tried to get stuff done around the house!

Well, little man, we love you so much.  I am excited to see how you will be as a big brother!  I think once the shock wears off, you will love it!

I love you, Buddy.

Mom

Always Growing

Dear Jordan,

I feel like it's about daily that you shock me with some way you've grown.  This week, we noticed that quite a few of your pants are too short now.  And you keep learning more words.  I love this stage.  I love hearing your comments about things.  And I love your mis-prounouncing words.  For example, rainbow is "bee-bow" and catch is "chatch".  And I got a great video of you this week saying "Here he ares" instead of "there it is".

You have been getting so much better at controlling your emotions.  There were a couple of days last week that we had some fits thrown, but for the most part, you are staying in control, even when I tell you no!  We haven't been able to get out as much this week because I'm getting a lot more slow and uncomfortable.  We went for a ten minute walk today and my ankles were swollen before we got home.  Sigh.  But Baby Marcus will be here soon enough!

You talk about Baby Marcus all of the time.  You are already a great big brother!

Your new thing you like to do is bed time is "snuggle".  There is a line at the end of a book about a baby that says she likes to "snuggle up with us".  Yesterday, after your nap you said, "Mama, snuggle up with us?"  So I rocked you and sang to you for a while and you enjoyed it.  Then last night, we snuggled for a while.  I didn't want to get up, but you won't go to sleep if someone is in there to distract you.  Your dad learned that the hard way on Sunday when he wanted to take a nap with you.  You kept squealing and giggling so he had to go his separate way so you would go to sleep!

One of things you always ask is "What are you doing?"  All of the time, you will just walk into a room and say "Mama, what are you doing?"  Well, I was down on the floor stretching my back.  I was on my hands and needs you and were sitting in the recliner.  You said, "Mama?"  I said "yes?"  And then you said, "Mama, are you a horse?"  I'm glad you asked before you just jumped on.  Not when I'm this pregnant!!

This weekend was your brother's baby shower.  Your Mimi and Aunt Megan and cousin Nora (who you looooooove!) came and then spent some time with us.  You love spending time with your family.  And you got to see Aunt Abby on Sunday.  Quite a weekend!!

Well, little man.  It won't be long until your brother gets here.  I hope you are as excited and ready as I am!

I love you, buddy.

Mom

Everything Changes

Dear Jordan,

It's been quite a week!  Hard to believe you are almost two and a half.  You are getting so tall and so talkative.  And every once in a while, you follow directions and it gives me up that this obedience thing will catch on sooner or later. :)  You are a one-track mind.  You go hard and it's hard for you to change directions once you start heading one way.  But, you are learning to obey us, which is good, because more than just making our lives easier, we want you to learn to obey God wherever he calls you!

We had a little bit of a family shake-up this week.  Your Pappa has some lumps on his throat that he went to get checked out.  On Wednesday, we found out that they might be cancer, so they are coming back to the States to have his thyroid removed.  It's kind of scary news, even though this type of cancer is easy to take care of.  You never want to have to worry about this and it will change Pappa's life because he will have to take medication the rest of his life.  He has always been really healthy.  It's interesting how my emotional state affects you.  All day Wednesday, I was having a hard time.  I was really worried and kind of taking it out on you...either by not being patient or by neglecting you.  You were so sad by the end of the day!  It just showed me how I need to trust God and not let my circumstances affect our family.

Pappa and Mammy will be here in a few weeks to spend time with us.  While it is not great circumstances for us to see them, because they will be here for the surgery and Pappa's recovery, it is exciting that they will get to be here for Marcus' arrival.  They will be a great blessing for you because while Mommy is busy trying to take care of a baby, you will have someone to play with and someone to take you out of the house!  If you don't get out of the house, you start to get cranky!

On Tuesday, we went to Catfish Round-up in Seminole to celebrate your great-grandparent's 59th wedding anniversary.  You ate mostly apple fritters and really enjoyed saying "hi" to the fishies (there is a big tank full of catfish!).  Your cousin Sampson was there too.  He's a big boy and ate more than you even though you are two years older!

Today was a beautiful Saturday.  We went out to eat at a place called Syrup and then went to the park.  The weather has been so nice this summer.  We usually have multiple hundred degree days but this summer we have only had one.  I will take it, especially since I am REALLY pregnant!

Well, we have friends coming over soon, so I need to go pick up our house.  We cleaned out your toys today to give some away and save some for Baby Marcus to play with when he gets old enough.  Hopefully, you enjoy purging and organizing as much as your dad and I do!  :)

I love you!

Mom