KC Fun

The second half of our trip was in Kansas City. We took it a bit easy - we were all worn out. My mom babysat one night so Doug & I could go out to dinner, and we made ourselves at home in her new house. On Friday night, family came over to meet Jordan and say hello. It was so great to see everyone and the highlight was getting all of the cousins together. You might remember this post, where three of us cousins were due to have babies within a few weeks of each other. So fun to get the kiddos together! On Saturday, we had a great day at the Mizzou tailgate and game with my girlfriends and their families. Very successful trip back home - can't wait till the next time.

Jordan's first Missouri game. She loves the Tigers -but could do without the cannon.

With all the girls and kiddos - what a fantastic day!

With Grandma Ceil Four Generations Cousins with baby cousins. They are going to be best friends :) Meeting J for the first time. My sweetums on the plane ride home. People couldn't believe how good she was on the flight!

Sweet

Grandpa

The Autumn months bring a bittersweet holiday for my family. My father's birthday has become a way for us to honor his life, which he lost four years ago to cancer. His birthday for the past three years has bookmarked the beginning of a tough holiday season, one that I have struggled through with the help of amazing friends and family. Although I haven't ever wrote about it on this blog - many of you know that I lost my father but also my stepfather in the winter of 2007. Within three weeks, I lost two important men in my life and frankly the holidays have never quite looked the same. Last year, as I remembered them during this time - I carried a secret. A little baby. Along with my supreme happiness, I wondered how hard it would be to bring my sweet baby into the world without these two people who had meant so much to me.

I miss them everyday and I wish that they could share in the happiness of our sweet little girl. I wish they could teach her things and tell her stories. But every now and then, when I look at Jordan - I see a hint of my dad. It might be her smile or her laugh but it's there. And I realize that these two men who made such an impact on me, will have a presence in Jordan's life. Only time will tell if she inherits my dad's sweet heart or red hair. Something tells me she might be a great listener & be a bit ornery like Don. In any case, I will continue to tell her stories about both of them. And I realize how lucky she is to have three other grandfathers (two of them Great Grandfathers), three uncles and one amazing dad.

In our tradition, we eat ice cream cones to celebrate my dad's birthday. The holidays don't seem quite as sad this year. Not with this little present under my tree.

St. Louis Fun

We had a great time on our trip to Missouri - it seems easiest to break the time up between St. Louis and Kansas City. We flew into Kansas City and spent the night with Grandma Ceil. She let us borrow a car & we got on the road early the next morning to go to St. Louis. Jordan got reacquainted with Grandma & Grandpa Burgess when they babysat her that night. Doug & I went to our friends Sarah & Jon's wedding. My longest time away from Jordan yet - and it went very well, since we had such excellent babysitters.

We were in St. Louis through Wednesday and got to see so many friends and family. Jordan had lots of people to hold and squeeze her. We had four solid days of activities and Jordan handled it like a champ. Some pictures of the festivities below, it would be impossible to include it all!

WeddingBrunch with babies - the following day

Lunch with Brig - just the girls

Bathtime with Grandma Connie

Naptime with Grandpa Steve

With Great-Grandma Marie - we're both wearing hoodies!

With Megan

Happy Halloween!

4 Month Appointment

My sleepy post-doctor babe. See her bandaids on her chubby thighs?

Jordan & I just got back from her 4 month visit to the pediatrician. The doctor thought she looked great and even commented on how cute she is (certainly she doesn't say that to all the babies!!) She is on track with her weight - right at 12 lbs 4 oz. That is consistent with the 25 percentile. She is measuring at almost 24 inches which bumps her up almost to the 50% and her head circumference is steady on the 50%. The doctor recommended holding off starting solid foods since she is growing & sleeping so well.

She had two shots, cried for less than a minute and got two sweet bandaids. As with last time she got shots, she will likely be pretty tired tonight, maybe a little fussy but get extra love from mom and dad.

Jordan -4 months

This month has flown by - it seems like yesterday I was writing Jordan's 3 month recap. Our baby is getting so big and doing so many fun things. We enjoyed our first vacation as a family this month - spending an amazing week back in Missouri seeing family and friends - but we'll cover that in a separate post.

What we are up to this month (all the pictures can be found here)

1. Rolling over! She was getting so close & finally it happened at Grandma Ceil's house on her 16 week birthday. Her first roll was from her back to her tummy, and then she went from her tummy to her back. Now that she knows how to do it, she turns over constantly. Usually once she gets to her tummy, she props herself up on her arms and starts to squeal.

2. Squealing (since I brought it up...) Jordan really found her lungs this month, starting to really project her voice. Makes us very glad that our townhouse neighbors don't live here full time (or maybe they are glad they don't live here full time!)



3. Grabbing at things. Overnight Jordan starting grabbing at things and she usually puts them straight into her mouth. We have noticed that she seems to prefer red or very bright items. So amazing to see her little arms that used to just sort of "float around" purposefully reach for toys, toes, dog fur, etc.

4. Big girl in her crib. Right around 14 weeks mom braved up and started putting Jordan to sleep in her crib. She rewarded mom by sleeping 9 hours that night (10 PM - 7 AM) and doing so for the next three weeks. Vacation really messed with our sleeping schedule, but we're getting back on track now. Jordan also likes to chill in her crib now - watching her mobile (usually while mom folds clothes!)

5. The name game. We have been calling out Jordan's name - trying to get her used to knowing her name and responding. This month, she really started to get the hang of it. Usually turning to whoever said her name and giving a great, big toothless smile. Here I am gazing at Daddy.

Other things that are fun this month:

Riding on Dad's shoulders (and gnawing on his head!)My eyes are getting so blue!Our first day trip to Myrtle BeachPreparation for my first Halloween!I am really starting to LOVE Willie. I like to grab his fur and I think it's really funny when he licks me. Dad, I'm way too big for this little basket bassinet. I'm 4 months old!Still loves to be naked!Chewing away in the Johnny Jump UpGo Chiefs! (I cheer for the Mizzou Tigers, KC Chiefs and St. Louis Cardinals - just in case you were wondering)Did I mention I'm 4 months old? See you next month!