Easter 2014

Dear Jordan,

You were happily watching an episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog until I opened the laptop.  Now you are on your way to harrass me.  Ah, well.  So be it!  If I have to be harrassed, I don't mind it coming from you!

Yesterday we celebrated Easter.  We went to church in the morning and then spent the rest of the day in Shawnee.  You had a great time at your great-grandparent's house and then you ruled the roost at Mimi's for the rest of the day.  We wore you slick out!  You slept until 7:30 this morning which was awesome! :)  You got to spend time with Nora, who is only 11 days old!  You pretty much just ignored her unless I held her...then you definately had some jealousy going on. :)  Silly kiddo!  Hopefully, you can work through that quickly when our baby comes!

To be honest, this past week was rough.  You, little man, are extremely strong-willed and stubborn.  For the most part, we can work through this at home, but sometimes you decide to fight back.  On our way to the Toothaker's house on Thursday afternoon, you gave it to me.  It took us 20 minutes to make a 5 minute trip because you kept taking your seatbelt off.  By the time we got to Nietzie's house, we were both crying!  She gave me a few pointers, but she encouraged me that every two year old goes through this kind of stuff...and especially the stubborn was.

On Friday night, we celebrated Good Friday at church.  God really spoke to me about you during that time.  He reminded me that there is power in the Gospel and that He is able to transform your little heart and make you His.  It made me realize that while I do need to be consistent in discipline, that He will use that and the teaching that you get from us to bring you to Himself.  I left that evening feeling at peace that God will make you into a mighty man of God if you will let him.  Until you are old enough to choose to follow Him, I won't quit praying for you and showing you the grace and love that Jesus showed us.  I love you so much, Jordan and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you!

So, on to the cute things that you do...pretty much everything you do is cute!  You are really starting to talk and repeat words.  This week, we started working on a Bible verse..."Children, obey your parents in the Lord."  Depending on your mood, you either happily repeat every word or give me The Look, shake your head and say "no"!  It is so funny.  Your Pappa said that you are under conviction and refuse to acknowledge what the Bible says about obeying.  I can't help but laugh when you do it!

Well, buddy, you are trying your best to destroy our recliner, so I'm going to go stop you and use it as an excuse to snuggle! :)

I love you!

Mom

P.S. I am using a computer that will not let me put a new picture on it, so I'm putting a picture of you at Easter two years ago!  What a cute little man you were!!

Sleep

Dear Jordan,

I just saw my friend Kimmy bragging on Facebook about her newborn sleeping through the night.  I certainly don't think poorly of her for bragging...I would brag too!  I just have to chuckle because, well, you never have been a night sleeper.  You've been doing really well, but I can always count on you to mix it up!  Last night, you cried from 4:30 to 5:30.  I changed your diaper, I rocked you, and I put you back to bed.  And you cried until I finally went in, tucked you in again and sang "Jesus Loves You".  At this point, I am so used to not sleeping that it doesn't really bother me anymore!

Last week, you had your first chin buster.  You have a nice cut and scrape on your chin after you and dad went to the park. You tried to jump from picnic table to picnic table (why??) and it did not go well!

You are getting to be quite the communicator.  You try to say lots of words if I prompt you.  Today we tried to say colors and you do a great job of repeating.  My favorite word is "yo-yo".  You are just so cute!

Currently, you are obsessed with snow.  I have no idea why.  It's April and there is no snow and hasn't been snow for a month!  But every day you go and get your boots and mittens and hats and look out the window.  I'm glad you don't realize that you have about 8 months before you have a chance to see snow again!

On Saturday, we took you to the Bushey's house so we could go to a wedding.  We picked you up at 2 and you fell asleep on the way home.  You slept until 5:15!!  I was worried that you wouldn't sleep that night, but sure enough, you went to bed at 8:30 and slept all night.  I thought you would wake up sick, but you didn't.  You just went about your day as if it was normal to get that much sleep.  I have no thoughts that three hour naps will become the norm.  But I do want to know how they were able to wear you out so thoroughly!

We're about to leave to go meet some friends for a playdate at the library.  I love you, buddy!!

Mom

Thank You Much

Dear Jordan,

You don't just say "thank you", you go beyond the call of duty!  You say "thank you much"!  It is so cute.  You said it to the cashier at Sprouts this morning.  It just rolls of your tongue.  You've also started growling.  We have no idea where that came from but it cracks us up so you keep doing it.  You'll say something and it sounds like you are doing your best Gollum impersonation!  You are just a silly guy.

Your Dad came home from Haiti last Sunday.  We went to the airport to welcome him home.  Because we left your Mimi's house, I left in plenty of time to get there.  We were running early, so I stopped at Starbucks and we went inside.  You sat at a table by yourself and played on the ipad while I waited in line.  You kept looking at me to make sure I knew where you were and every once in a while you would call "Mama!".  I guess you were a little concerned about making sure I didn't leave you!

You made your Dad's day when you ran to him at the airport.  You saw him and took off with your arms up in the air.  I don't know who was happier, you or him!  First thing you did after he picked you up and hugged you was you pointed at me and said "Mama!".  Your Dad carried you over and you grabbed both of us around the neck.  You were so happy for us to all be together again!  It took a few days before you stopped freaking out if one of us left the house.

This week, the city of Norman is here in the backyard laying new plumbing pipes.  They have big, heavy equipment and you are a happy kid.  You keep running to the front window and then back to the back to keep an eye on them.  You even pulled up a chair today so you can sit comfortably and watch them work.  We're both going to be sad when they leave!

This has been a hard week for me.  I found out yesterday that a dear friend, the one who supported me the most when I was praying for and waiting for you, has cancer that has spread and there is nothing anything can do.  Someone reminded me of the verse in John when Peter says "Where else can we go?".  That is the point we are at now.  The doctors cannot do anything.  All we can do is pray.  Sometimes it is easy to think that this is our last resort, but I try to keep remembering the God of miracles is the one who we are praying to for this miracle.  I look at you and I see a miracle, both in your birth and in how He brought you into our family.  I know He can do big things.

It makes me cherish you even that much more, Buddy.  Our life on this earth is gift and none of us (regardless of cancer or health) is guaranteed a day.  I hope that we live each day that we have together to the fullest. 

I love you, little man.

Mom

Where's Dad?

Dear Jordan,

I didn't write you last week because your were sick.  You had a stomach bug and it was rough on your poor little body.  You got through it though and are completely back to normal!

This week, your Dad is in Haiti.  We're about halfway through his trip now and I'm sure he is really missing you.  You were very sad when we dropped him off at the airport.  You are not old enough to understand where he is and what he is doing, but you are old enough to know that he's gone and that you miss him.  You've been pretty good for me this week, but we will both be ready for Dad to walk in the house again!

We went to the Science Museum yesterday with Mrs. Ying.  We were going to go the zoo but your Dad took the zoo pass to Haiti with him.  So, we enjoyed almost three hours of playing at the museum.  You had a blast (and a nice, big fit in the cafeteria area!).  My goal for this week is to get out of the house as much as possible.  So far, we've accomplished that mission and worn you out at the same time!!

You continue to grow taller and in your vocabulary.  You talk alot more than you used to.  You've learned to say "water" and "please" but you rarely use them together in the same sentence.  You ask "What's that?" alot!  It's kind of exhausting sometimes, but you are so cute when you say it that it's hard to resist!  You say "stop" and "let's go" and "ruuuunnnnn".  You are so cute when you run around the house in your diaper as fast as you can.  You always have an agenda...and I rarely know what it is!

You just crawled up into my lap, so I think you are looking for some pre-nap snuggles.  I am always happy to enjoy some snuggles.  Pretty soon you'll be reading this and you won't be snuggling anymore!  :)

I love you buddy!

Mom

Snuggle Buggle

Dear Jordan,

You have been such a good boy this week!  I think it's a combination of several things.  First, I am starting to feel better so we've able to get out of this house a little.  I think it makes you more content when I am up and moving around.  That's how I usually am, so that's your comfort zone!  The other factor is that I have been trying to be more patient with you.  For some crazy reason, you feed off of my moods! :)  So, when I am impatient and cranky...well, it just makes sense that you would be too!

Anyways, you have been playing by yourself so much this week.  You will sit and play with your train or with your tool set for a decent amount of time, which has allowed me to get caught up on some housework.  And the weather this week has been gorgeous!  We've gone to the park and for walks.  Sadly, it is supposed to get cold again tomorrow and stay that way for a week.  I am so ready for spring and summer.  You are going to have so much fun playing at the splash pad and enjoying the park.

Your sleeping has been a little out of sync this week and I'm not sure why.  The past two nights, you have done great.  But there were a few nights this week where I had to get up with you several times.  When I get up with you, I usually just go tuck you back in.  I think that sometimes you get scared and when I come in, it helps you relax and go back to sleep.

This week we went to the science museum.  It was fun to get out of the house and explore with you!  You are a little bit claustrophobic.  When I tried to get you to get in an airplane cockpit or a photo booth, you made it very clear that you were not interested!  My little fearless boy has fears...so crazy!  I don't try to force you, we just move on!  You enjoyed the dinosaurs until we got to the T-Rex room.  They have life-like dinosaurs that look at you and respond to you.  Well, when we walked in that room, you backed right out and took off!

Well, we are having some company this weekend!  I need to get going so I can get our house ready for Aunt Katie who is bringing her new boyfriend.  We'll see how this goes!

I love you, Buddy.

Mom

Birthday Boy

Dear Jorda

This one is a little late (just a couple of weeks!).  It's been busy around here!  Your Dad went to Nashville for two days and then we had your birthday party.  Last weekend, you spent the weekend with your Mimi so Mom & Dad could go to a marriage conference.  We had a great time and got some good sleep, but we were ready to see our little guy!  You were pretty happy to see us too!

All in the midst of all of this, I've been nauseated.  It's kind of sad.  I am a foodie.  I love food, especially good food, but nothing tastes good.  But if I don't eat, I get sick.  So, I try to force myself.  But every few days, I have a day where I can't hardly get out of the recliner.  I feel so bad for you on those days.  You fend for yourself pretty well, but it's always good when your Dad comes home so you have someone to play with!

Your birthday was so fun.  I just cannot believe you are two!  Your birthday was on a Friday, so that evening, we went to eat Mexican food with you.  I tried to catch up on some homework that night while we watched the Olympics opening ceremony.  Then the real party started on Saturday.  We started by having lunch at Chick-fil-a.  You love playing there and it's great for us so we can eat and enjoy our time.  Life is more fun for all of us when you're having a good time!

After that, we had a bunch of friends over.  Silas, Henry, Izzy, and Brielle came over with their parents.  Aunt Abby, Mimi, Aunt Megan, Ying, Grandma Nietzie, and Grandpa Larry came too!  It was a full house.  You kids had a great time playing with all of the balloons.  Your birthday party theme was...what else?...Elmo!  You love that guy!  The funniest part was when you tried to blow out the candle.  You didn't quite have enough lung power and then you got too close and almost burned your nose!  Don't worry, we have it on video. :)

Jordan, it is so hard for me to believe that you are two!  You are a real live boy!  You are talking, running, playing, and learning.  It is an absolute privilege that I get to be your Mommy.  I hope you always know that.  You are a precious gift from God to our family and I wouldn't change a thing about you. Even those sleepless nights you still give me..because they lead to good snuggles in the morning!

I love you!

Mom

Oh, Baby

Dear Jordan,

This is my last post before you officially become a little boy.  I have one week left with my one-year old baby.  Sigh.  You just have grown up so fast.  We are excited about celebrating your birthday next week!

Something I keep forgetting to mention is how cute you are when I get up from your bed.  You always stand up for me to pick you up, but then at the last minute you decide to grab as many blankets and animals as you can.  Usually you bring your Brobie pillow and a blanket, but somethings you are able to grab Leon too.  You have snuggle expectations for me and it's hard for them to meet them if you don't get to bring your pillow and blanket.  Usually, you will lay in my lap until you drink some milk or water and then work up the energy to get going.  It doesn't take long!  Let's say this...in the mornings, you are always ready for action quick than I am!

It's been a hard week for me.  I feel so bad for you, because I think you feel neglected, but there have been a few days where morning sickness has been hard for me.  You are having to be patient with me, your lame Mama.  For the most part, you don't mind, but I can tell you miss going out as much as we used to.  Hopefully soon I'll be back to full strength and you'll be able to get out to play with your friends again.

You are a little basketball fan.  You call it "ball-ball" and whenever we watch it, you feel the need to bring your basketball goal in the living room.  You're actually pretty good.  I don't think you are going to be very tall, but you have the personality that, if you felt like making it happen, you could play basketball someday!  You have even learned to chant "OU!" in your little whimsical voice!  By the time you read this, I know that voice will be no more, but until then, I love it.  It's so soft and sweet.

Tomorrow is the Superbowl.  I'm excited to watch it but I'm much more excited to watch the Dog Championships that come on before.  You love dogs and will get such a kick out of watching them jump after frisbees and running through obstacle courses.  It should be fun!

Well, we have a week of snow and your birthday coming up.  I bet we're going to have some fun, too!

I love you, buddy!

Mom