17 Months

As usual, a busy and fun month for us. Jordan is growing (literally - she is getting so tall!) and changing everyday. This month, we saw a bit of her bossy side come out. She loves to push people around (again - literally). I think it's actually less about being bossy and more about wanting people to do things - and since she doesn't have the words - she moves you. This also comes from her set routine. After her bath, if she can't find Doug she will go down and get him for story time. This is a baby who loves her schedule. She even gets mad if we switch spots on the couch. Our little one has also become a milk hound. Unfortunately we are going to have to start limiting her intake so she will gain a little interest in food.


This month she showed a little interest in cartoons - especially ones that have music or dancing. We have one episode of Sesame Street on my iPhone that usually keeps her pretty happy in the car for longer drives.  Jordan became such a big girl this month and spent her first night away from mom and dad.  We went on a fun trip to Hermann on the train with friends while Jordan spent the weekend with Grandma Ceil.  We also enjoyed a fun visit from Jordan's grandparents when they traveled from St. Louis.

It was a beautiful Fall and we enjoyed every second possible outside  - pumpkin patch, zoo & lots of time on our swingset.  As you may have seen - Jordan is starting to love her new car baby swing.  Halloween also came during this month (I know, I'm painfully behind with this post) but I'll cover that separately.  

Holding Hands

This month, Jordan really became a big fan of holding hands. Her favorite is holding two people's hands while walking. Personally, I never get tired of it.

 Shoes

Jordan loves shoes. She loves to take them off in the car or anywhere we go. She then loves to play with them - put them on her hands or back on her feet. She also loves to walk around in grown-up shoes. She will say, "Shhhhhhhhh," point and expect you to give up the pair you are wearing.

Books

Jordan has always been interested in books, but at this stage she has really become such a book lover. She will sit for quite a long time looking through them by herself. One thing that is very interesting to me is how careful she is with them. She slowly turns the pages - always keeping them right side up. She also really loves to have people read to her, although, sometimes she gets really impatient to turn the page. Our nighttime reading has become such a special time for our whole family.

Groaning
For some reason, Jordan started grunting and groaning this month when she bends down.  It's so comical - she does it almost every time.  She must have heard one of us do it and she has picked it up.  It is so funny to hear these sounds coming out of such a tiny person.


Technically Jordan just turned 18 months - so I'm going to hurry and get that blog done, too.  It's been crazy around our house!!

  

Christmas Baby

New Swing

We picked up a new swing from a neighbor to add to our playset. Jordan wasn't too hot about her baby "car" swing until her boyfriend William used it. Now it's the best.

16 Months

Jordan is my little sidekick. Mom's big helper. She is so busy and loves to be involved. "Oh, you're closing the dishwasher? I will do it for you!" She loves to turn the lights on/off. She is chatty - more and more words all the time. She continues to love her dog so much. She actually loves all dogs - if she hears a collar jingle, a bark or sees a small animal - "DOG!" Checking out the animals at the zoo? Penguins, seals, lambs - "DOG!"

This month, Grandma Ceil starting coming over to watch Jordan one day a week. She is also going to a Parents Day Out (PDO) program one morning a week. So along with playgroup, MOPS and story hour we are really busy!

Jordan has finally adjusted to one afternoon nap and is such a happier baby in the evenings when dad gets home. She still goes to bed early between 7:30- 8:30 and is sleeping close to 12 hours.

She continues to be so clever and fun. She loves to listen to a music box that her Great Grandma Marie gave her for her birthday. We usually play it during diaper changes. We couldn't believe it when she figured out to wind the tiny mechanism by herself.

New Words: Low (Hello), Baa (Bath). Bye is becoming a big word at our house - and imagine that word as short of a syllable as you can possibly manage. Whenever we end a phone call "Bye" she will echo. She says goodbye to anybody when they are leaving and even to her bath at night. When I pick up Jordan from PDO, she is usually a bit teary but immediately waves and says, "Bye".

Oh and speaking of waving - Jordan's wave has progressed into more of a raise the roof motion. Which she loves to do when she sees anybody walking or driving by. My mom lives on a fairly busy street and Jordan is entertained by standing at her front door watching the cars and people pass.

It's so fun to see her language develop and also see how her little mind works. Every now and then we will video chat with Daddy at work. So whenever the video chat rings on our computer - Jordan says, "Dada?" She does the same thing when she hears the garage door in the evening. It's so cute.

One of my favorite new things this month - the back up/lap sit. Sometimes if she is in the mood to read a book or drink her milk, she'll back herself toward you and find a comfy spot. When you don't have an especially cuddly baby, you take it whenever you get it. Although she is still good with handing out hugs and kisses. There is something so sweet about her kissing sound - mmmmm.

Some fun photos from this month:

Thai restaurant with Mom and Dad - I'll eat my puffs with chopsticks - ThankYouVeryMuch!

Relaxing with Dad

First Ponytail!

Boo! Scary pajamas.

How I get ready in the morning - Jordan sitting on my vanity table and going through my cosmetics. Not exactly relaxing, but fun.

Chilling on a quick trip down to the lake house

Jordan's new, amazing dollhouse/bookcase made by Grandpa Steve

Weston Applefest

And a good one with Grandma Ceil

Fun playing with Preston

Can't get enough of this beautiful weather! The trees are absolutely beautiful here. This is a picture we took down at the lake near our home. We love to take Willie down to the dock to swim at night.

And Zoo train

Check out that hair blowing in the wind! Jordan loved that her Halloween shirt glowed in the dark while we were in the tunnel.

Zoo carousel

We had so much fun at the Zoo today! We even got to ride the carousel.

15 Months

This past month could be described with one word. Outside. We have enjoyed this amazing cooler, sunny weather in our great backyard - not to mention our new patio furniture. Another word for this month would also be (unfortunately) - sick. Jordan was sick for a big chunk of this month. Stomach bugs and then a virus left our little one pretty sad and very clingy for mom and dad. As sad as we were to see her sick, we did enjoy the bonus of having a very cuddly baby.

We had fun play dates, started library story hour and MOPS. Mom braved a week alone with the baby while Dad went on his fishing trip to Canada. The girls got along pretty well, but we think daddy might have missed us. He did bring us gifts...

We also got to see Uncle Aaron & cousin Madison this month - which was pretty exciting. He is home from overseas and made a quick stop while moving his family from California to Virginia. Jordan doesn't always take to everyone - but she is absolutely smitten with her Uncle. Pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Jordan also loves their dog Bodie.

This age is so much fun - we are enjoying every minute together as a family. She is so sweet - giving hugs and kisses on command. Dancing is still in full force - whenever Jordan hears any music she bops her head, bends her knees and starts to get down. I forgot to mention that last month Jordan got eight teeth (five broke through in one day!) So she has a grand total of 12 now. Can't wait to see what next month holds for us.

New words this month - Baba (bottle), Baby, Bye-bye, Oi-ee (Willie). She is also doing her signs very consistently - milk, more, eat, done. She also pats a surface if she wants up.

Climbing - Jordan has always been a climber but she really got motivated this month. Besides crawling onto chairs and furniture in the house. She discovered that she can climb the ladder on her playset outside. Uh, oh - we're in major trouble.

Hugs for Willie- Jordan and Willie have become the best of friends. Jordan has been great (okay, mostly) about being sweet to Willie. Recently she has starting laying her cheek against him and giving him 'hugs'. It's the cutest thing. She really loves her dog and they are becoming quite the duo. Jordan's new favorite trick is to open the sliding door when Willie wants out.

Throwing - Jordan has been throwing the ball for Willie for awhile, but she is getting so great at it. She loves to throw or kick the ball - and then claps when he gets it. Thank goodness for Willie! This video was taken when Jordan was really sick. He keeps her entertained and happy. Here they showcase their favorite game and Jordan's favorite words - Dog, Ball & Willie. She also shows off her new skills of getting down off the couch.

Night Routine - We have been on a pretty set bedtime routine since Jordan was four months old. We started to add story time this month and it has been so great. Dad has been reading Jordan the Hobbit - I have to admit that I'm enjoying the story, too. It also is such a great way for us all to spend some time together at the end of the day.

Other fun photos from this month:

Fun with cousins at Fritz's

Outside at Crown Center

Sliding with dad

Crazy hair - post slide

Entertaining William

Uncle Aaron is multi-tasking

Madison and Jordan enjoying the ground water that we were pumping out of our basement after a power outage - ugh!

Lunch date with Daddy

A new favorite - swinging on big girl swings- with Grandpa.

I am surrounded by ANIMALS!

Um, do you know how to drive? Fun with the Veo family.

My favorite shot from our playtime with the Veos.

I'll Drive

15 Month Checkup

Almost 19 lbs. Almost 29 inches. Tearing up the doctor's office. Doctor tells me this is all very normal.

Begging??

A girl and her phone

Jordan picked up my phone and did this the other day. I never have let her play with it - I think she just has observed me unlocking it. I also put it behind my back sometimes to hide it from her (notice how she does that - too funny!)

Jordan is 14 Months!

I know that I am a very lucky mom. I absolutely love spending my days with my sweet baby girl. I mean - how can you not love that face??? She is independent, happy, affectionate - and okay a little stubborn, too. She loves her dog and her Dad. She loves all the kids in her new neighborhood. She loves spending time with her cousins and friends.

We play outside every morning before it gets too hot - Jordan loves playing with Willie and on her new swingset. She is learning how to go down the slide. A new favorite game is throwing the ball for Willie - it's a combination throw/keep-away game.

Jordan had a very fun month with her cousins - meeting Taylor and Madison for the first time. They played so well together and enjoyed family bonding. Grandma Connie also came to visit this month for a quick weekend trip. We had lots of fun play dates with Preston, Alayna, Elena, Will & Brynn. Here is what else our big girl is up to this month...

Rocking Chair
Still a favorite pastime, Jordan loves to rock in her birthday rocking chair. She rocks it herself, which is basically adorable. She also loves to take her "baby laptop" up on the chair with her. Here Will is helping her hold MORE toys.
Girly Girl
What a surprise to realize that I have a girly, girl on my hands. I should have known when she loved jewelry when she was such a little baby. She has graduated to purses - especially her Grandma Ceil's.
Feeding herself
At the beginning of the month, Jordan began refusing to be fed. She will only eat if she feeds herself. This has been a very messy, inefficient development in our eating - especially considering that Jordan really needs to pack on a few pounds.
Playing outside
Jordan loooooves to go outside. We have been going out at least 30 minutes in the morning and usually after dinner/before bedtime. Willie likes this new development too, since usually he gets to tag along. Here is an example of the fetch game that we play.
New Words - Dog, Ball, Uh Oh!, Book, No, Bye

Favorite toys - Very loud ball popper (1st birthday present from the Moses Family), Balls - and she still loves any music!

Kiss - MUUUWAH!
Jordan is starting to give kisses on command - although it's more about the sound and leaning toward you.

Rubber - what?
Jordan loves to play with my hair rubber bands. As soon as I give her one, she sits down and starts to put in on her feet.

Other fun pics from this month:

Fun with Dad at Science City, Union Station

First Missouri thunderstorm

Helicopter at Science City

Making brownies with cousin Taylor.

Playing with all the Eckerberg girls

A very special guest dropped by our house one day....

Feeding the goats at Deanna Rose Farm

Checking out the cows with Grandma (notice the purse??)

So happy Daddy is home!

Another favorite toy from this month - Jordan can push herself backwards, but not forwards.

In diapers, they look like twins! Playdate with Preston.

Bye-bye :)