We celebrated Jordan's birthday a few weeks early while Doug's family was visiting. We hosted a pool party & BBQ and we were so lucky to have some friends and neighbors join us, too! Jordan handled the party great, although she didn't exactly tear into the cake on cue. It was more of a "You want me to eat that?"
Pool party with our awesome neighbors!
BBQ lunch with the Moses family
The cake that Grandpa Steve decorated!!
Opening presents in her birthday tutu (every girl needs one!)
Blowing out the candle
On her actual birthday, it was a more low-key affair. The four of us at home with a few cupcakes. This time, we had some actual contact with the frosting.
Awesome birthday candle from Aunt Mary & 1 year cupcake
Milestones always make me reflective and this one was no different. What an amazing year for our family. Can't wait to see what our little one has in store for us this coming year.
Such an amazing, busy, awesome, bittersweet month with our baby girl. Or should I say, big girl? Jordan took walking to a whole new level this month - running all over Charleston as we tried to soak up every last bit of our time there. She developed a whole new love of beaches - especially a fun time with friends at Carolina Beach. Jordan was excited to have her Burgess/Bonus family visit just in time to have an early birthday party. The Heffners also visited from St. Louis - which was such a great time for all of us.
Doug coined a new phrase that we are loving for her this month. She is always so busy - picking up a blocks, moving things around, playing so well by herself or others. Doug started calling it her "baby work". And it's such a perfect way to describe it. The way she tackles each task, does make it seem like she is doing a job.
Walking/Running Do you remember the scene in Forest Gump where he says, "Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was ever going somewhere,I was running!" That is a great quote for Jordan this month. She wants to walk (run) everywhere. We struggle to keep up with her baby energy.
Stacking Blocks Jordan has always loved to play blocks - usually knocking down any structures Doug or I would build. But this month, on her own - she started stacking blocks. It was so fun to see her doing it all by herself.
2 - It's the Magic Number This month carrying things around the house became a big pastime. But it is always two things. And if possible, it's two matching things. In fact, one day, Jordan went into my messy closet and found a flip flop. She then went back in and found the match to the pair and walked around with them for an hour or so. So funny.
Words Da (Dog), Ge (Doggie/Willie), Mama, & Dada are her words this month. Although she isn't saying a ton of words, I am absolutely amazed at how much she understands what we are saying. She really comprehends so much of what is going on. She throws away her own diapers and with very few gestures really follows commands very well.
Opposites Someone gave Jordan an opposite book and she really loves it. This month - she was very into opposites. Up/Down, Asleep/Awake. It was so much fun to see her throwing her arms in the air for up or laying her head down to be "asleep".
Books Although we have always read books, Jordan became very, very interested in holding and opening them this month. In fact, changing her diaper is so much easier now. When you lay her down, she points to her shelf with books and I give her one. She lays back while her diaper is changed, quietly turning the pages. It's too funny.
Teeth Jordan's bottom two teeth got really big this month - prompting us to teach her how to "show us your teeth" as explained in this photo. She also cut her top two teeth - which are looking big, a little spaced out and completely adorable.
Other fun photos from this month:
Fun with Grandma & Grandpa at Middleton Place Plantation
It's hard to know where to start a post about Jordan (especially because it's so late). She continues to grow so much and change everyday. I feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy baby and be able to spend my days taking care of her. All of the photos from her first month can be found here.
She continues to be a good sleeper - usually gets up once a night to eat. At this stage (1 month) her likes seem to sound like a personal ad: Jordan enjoys long walks on the beach (okay, walks anywhere), she enjoys sunsets (okay, any sunlight) and taking a long bath. She loves dogs - except when they lick too much.
What can you say about parenthood that hasn't already been said? Probably nothing. It's amazing and changes your life in a great way. You can't believe how much you love them before they are born, but at the moment they become yours- you truly feel your heart grow. It's a lot of work, but it's the best kind of work you can do. It changes your priorities and makes you want to do and be better yourself. Doug probably said it best. When we were out on our first date night (courtesy of babysitter Grandma Ceil)- I mentioned that our life was so much different now. He said, "I know, isn't it great?" Yes - it is.
A few videos from Jordan's 1 month birthday. Swimming with Grandma & Dad.
On Wednesday morning, the day before my scheduled induction - I started having active contractions around 3:00 AM and we went to the hospital around 9:30 AM. By that time, my contractions were coming around a minute apart.
All together we were barely at the hospital for 4 hours before she made her appearance. In fact, my mom had to run to the car to grab the camera right before she was born.
Jordan Marie Burgess was born on June 16 at 2:06 PM. She was 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 1/4 inches long. She has blond hair, blue eyes and is completely healthy. She is beautiful and gets cuter every single day.
Here are a few photos from her birth and hospital stay. The rest can be seen here.
We had so much fun celebrating the New Year with friends in St. Louis - it was our friend James surprise 30th birthday. In addition, my mom came in from Kansas City to visit us for a few days - so it was great to see her and celebrate the New Year. Not to mention, I was sick. Let's face it - when you are sick - you just want your mom. Even if you are 30 years old.
Here are a few pictures from our New Year's Eve. I've got a feeling that 2010 is going to be a great year!
Happy 2010!
The guys - Jon, Doug, Pat & JamesDinner with the family - my mom and Doug's parents
I wasn't sure how I felt about turning 30. But this year turned out to be the best birthday I have ever had. What a great start to what should be a great decade!
When your day starts with this box - what's not to like?
Then I went to the doctor with my mom and got to hear the sweetest sound of our baby's heartbeat! When I got to work, I got to share the news (no, I didn't eat too much Turkey). There's a baby in there! Baby B at 13 weeks.Had a great day at work with a fun birthday lunch and cupcakes (my favorite). Then I got these beautiful flowers from my husband.
Then I got to celebrate my birthday dinner with my husband, mom, grandfather and great Aunt at Magnolia Grill - #11 in Gourmet Magazine's Top 50 American Restaurants. Such a great meal, with wonderful company!
Hello, dessert!A few days later, we went out with some friends to a local Mexican restaurant to celebrate and catch up. I heard from so many people- it just was such a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone who made it special.
Our carved pumpkin on Halloween - it was almost 80 degrees!
The cutest bumblebee! Do you see the stinger?
We have such a great, relaxing Fall, but I have been really bad about taking photos. We had a fun Halloween party with friends on the Friday night before Halloween. We all carved our pumpkins - Doug did a great job on ours. On Halloween, Willie dressed up as a bumblebee and we gave out candy to a few neighborhood kids that stopped by.
We also celebrated Willie McGee's third birthday. He got a new football for his birthday, which he has already destroyed! November marks my last month in my 20's and the beginning of the holiday season. So much fun stuff to look forward to including my family visiting for Thanksgiving and a trip to St. Louis for Christmas. Is anybody else already listening to Christmas music?
Birthday present rawhide. Willie's other present was 12
brand new tennis balls. He is in heaven.
Can you say beggars?
At lunch in the tobacco district - have you ever seen a cuter face?
Round 399 wresting
It was Willie's birthday this weekend and we celebrated by dog-sitting his best friend Bo. They were able to wrestle, pal around and get into trouble all weekend together. We also did some of Willie's favorite things - a hike at Eno River State Park on Saturday. The dog park, a visit to Petco and lunch outside on Sunday.
While Willie becomes a better trained dog everyday, having two dogs this weekend felt a little overwhelming at times. Maybe we'll just stick with the one!
Today is Doug's birthday, so here's wishing him a very happy 28th birthday. I always love the 6 months that we are the same age, opposed to the other six months when I'm older :)
My big brother Aaron with his daughters Taylor and Madison
Happy Birthday to my brother, Aaron. We currently live about as far apart as you can while still living in the Continental United States. We both look forward to a day when we are geographically closer to each other. I certainly wish I could give him a birthday hug, but I know how lucky I am to have such a wonderful brother- no matter the distance.
Our niece Taylor turns three today. We wish we could be with her to celebrate. We always have so much fun with both girls when they are around. Here is Uncle Doug with both girls over Thanksgiving.
First official photo
First diaper change - Dad put on.
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