Jordan is 8 Months

Valentines Day, Missouri trip, meeting Uncle Aaron & lots of new stuff for Jordan this month. Our little baby keeps proving that sometimes the best things can be found in little packages. Small but mighty - she continues to amaze us with her inquisitive mind and happy personality.

Our little girl had lots of opportunities to work on her socialization this month - we joined the gym at MUSC and Jordan spends time in the nursery while mom goes to yoga class two days a week. It's been a nice break for me and Jordan has done great in the nursery. The first time I came back to pick her up, she looked at me with a bored look and went right back to playing.

I also did a part-time, short-term, nanny job this month to help out a friend. Jordan spent a few weeks with two fantastic kids and I think it really helped her be more social and get into an even better nap schedule.Jordan & Jake

Here is what is going on with our 8 month old sweetness.

Getting Down- Early in the month, Jordan started getting so much better at getting down from standing. She began to understand that she needed to slowly lower herself (opposed to falling flat on her back) This is a great video to showcase this skill and the next...

Cruising - Jordan started cruising along the fireplace when we were at Grandma Ceil's house at the beginning of this month. She is getting better (and faster) everyday - turning corners and even moving from one piece of furniture to the next. She can also pull up on flat surfaces like walls or moving objects like doors.
Tongue Curl - Our new favorite trick - flipping our tongue over. It is sometimes accompanied by a squeal.

Climbing - Doug's mom told me that Doug was a climber and it seems Jordan inherited his proclivity for climbing. Jordan loves to play on our end tables, which have a shelf about 5 inches up. She has also started climbing into her toy basket - yikes!

Eating - Jordan starting feeding herself this month - starting with large rice cakes (Mum Mums) and working her way to Puffs. She is getting better and picking up the small puffs and somehow shoving them into her mouth.

Mom and Dad? (Talking!!)- Last few months with Jordan have been on the quiet side. Usually when she is doing lots of development - she doesn't "talk" as much. This month, we started to hear lots more sounds. She loves when you mimic what she is saying - thanks to Uncle Aaron. We hear a lot of m sounds (mum, mama) especially when she is upset. I have also heard her say more of dada - when she is happy and sort of singing. Not sure I would classify them as words quite yet, but she is getting close.

Waving- This month we have started to work on our waving. Usually saying goodbye to Daddy when he goes to work or Grandparents on the webcam. Some days are better than others - but it's so cute when she gets it! No good picture yet - but here she is holding hands with Willie. Which is just adorable. Other fun stuff this month:

We had a fun play date with Jordan's two cousins - with the little ones wearing their team's outfit. It was so much fun to see them all together and dressed up.

Sleeping - Jordan is currently sleeping 12 hours per night - sometimes getting up once to eat, but go right back to sleep. Towards the end of this month, she was sleeping straight through with no wake ups.

She loves to play Pat-A- Cake - especially with Dad. Her love of music should help out when she starts Kindermusik class next month.

Jordan took her second plane trip this month - back to Missouri with Mom and Dad. She was such a big girl. Even trying to read the safety card.

Jordan got to see her first big snowfall in Missouri this month - and a chance to wear her snowsuit :)
She is such a happy baby and such a blessing to our family. So much fun! See you next month!

Harbor

Can you believe I shot this from a moving car - crossing the bridge from James Island over to the peninsula of downtown Charleston? It was such a beautiful evening and reminds us why we decided to spend this wonderful time in this beautiful city.

Baptism Weekend

What a wonderful weekend we had with friends back in December. Our sweet friends Michael & Gretchen and Trisha & Justin traveled down for Jordan's baptism. It was great to catch up and we were so happy to share her special day.

It's funny, after you have a baby - sometimes you catch yourself in a moment and think - "Wow. I'm a PARENT." Even though all of my actions every single day display that fact, I still have those moments. Well, I had a big moment the day that Jordan was baptized.

It was a beautiful ceremony, in a beautiful church, with a very beautiful baby. Afterwards, we had friends over for a small party. Such a fun day- thanks to our amazing friends!

Saturday morning

Fun on Sullivan's Island on Saturday. 75 degrees and dogs off leash - heaven.

Beach gal

Jordan is 8 Months!

Love

This weather! Fun at the park.

Jordan is 7 Months

Between Christmas, New Year's, Doug's parents visit & a trip to Missouri - it's been a very eventful month for our little family. Baby Jordan's increased mobility continues to keep us on our toes as she amazes us with her curiosity. One important thing that happened this month, Jordan is learning to be much more independent. Being mobile has helped her to be comfortable playing on the floor and not needing to be held nearly as much. Her personality continues to be amazingly happy and sweet - she loves hugs and kisses. Here is what our big 7 month old was up to this month.

Crawling - (FAST!)
This past month was a busy one for mom & dad - chasing after our little mobile baby. Jordan's crawling went to super speed this month. She can also travel large distances - which seems amazing when I see her cross a whole room. This is Jordan crawling at 6 months, 1 week. You should see her move now - I need to get a new video.

Pulling Up
Right before the New Year, Jordan decided that she wanted to experience things on another level. She started trying to pull up - usually on her basket of toys or music table. Things progressed to couches, tables and even Willie. About a week later, Doug went in to get Jordan after her nap and found her standing in the crib - grinning at him. Pulling up was a bit traumatic at times, since she wasn't totally steady on her feet & couldn't really figure out how to get down afterwards. A few bumps, bruises and one black eye better - she is getting better every single day.
Here she is with Grandpa - playing peekaboo while pulling up. Momma's little multi-tasker.

Pulling up at 6 months, 1 week

Pulling up at 6 months, 2 weeks

"Walking" with Mom or Dad
So funny to see Jordan move her feet one in front of the other while holding onto Mom or Dad's hands. She starting doing it right around the time she was pulling up - so right around 6 1/2 months. Here is our sweet girl, after "walking" on the beach with Dad.
Sitting From Crawling
Last month, Jordan started crawling and mastered sitting, but could not transition from crawling back to sitting. She has learned to do that this month - she is getting so strong and deliberate in how she maneuvers her body. Here she is sitting in our bed - very interested in the humidifier steam.

Eating
Jordan started eating at the beginning of the month, and it was slow going at first. She still thrusts her tongue when she eats anything - so it can be a bit frustrating. She really got much better around the new year when Doug's parents were visiting. Whether it was their experience or patience, it definitely did the trick and eating has gone so much better since. Jordan is a pro at her rice cereal and loves the food I have been making - a new favorite is sweet potato.


Reaching for Mom & Dad
I remember the first smiles and laughs that melted our hearts. Recently when Jordan started reaching for us - well that almost topped those moments. It started with Mom and then Jordan started reaching for Dad, too. We are totally smitten.


Toy Basket
Jordan loves to pull up on her toy basket. Once she is at a good level, she proceeds to pull out every single toy. So much fun! Now if we could just teach her it's fun to put them away???


Dancing
Right at the end of month Jordan starting bopping her head to music. It's super cute when she "dances" - usually one of us has to start first, but then she joins right in.

Pincer
It's so fun to continue to see Jordan's coordination develop. She is really getting good at using two fingers to grab at things. She is able to find the tiniest thread or fuzz on the floor - it's amazing (and keeps me on my toes vacuuming).



Curious & Independent Jordan
Everyone says a baby's mind is like a sponge - and it really seems to be true lately. She concentrates on people and things and is so curious while exploring the house. We do our best to provide a commentary.

Goodbye Pacifier, Hello Thumb?
Jordan was never much of a pacifier girl, although, she would use them when going to sleep. All of a sudden this month, Jordan started throwing her pacifiers out of her crib - I think it had a lot more to do with her being able to pull up in her crib. Now, every now and then - Jordan will stick her thumb in her mouth when she is tired or needing to be soothed.


See you soon - Mommy was really late getting this month posted :)