Big Things

Tonight my daughter got to see her great grandma for the 2nd time. Or "the Great" as we call her. We all went out to dinner and got to enjoy each other's company. She even offered Great one of her sweet kisses. Which she doesn't give out to just anyone- half the time not even to me. Last week she did the big girl on the potty thing for the first time- it was mostly just good timing on my part, but she was in awe of her accomplishment none the less. Now that spring is trying to happen, she stops and smells flowers whenever she gets the chance, and has been enjoying taking the dogs on walks with her holding the leash. I'm still working and Ryan has been around home-ish the last week or so, so that has been nice. We were looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend to go camping, but since the weather is to be iffy we are going to plan some day trips. I really need to get a camcorder, I have so many cute things to record as my daughter learns about the world that I will never get caught on tape. Jordyn is totally in love with her Grandma- probably her favorite person in the world- and yet we wait for Jordyn to pick out a name to call her.... I have faith that she will soon. She will say Grandpa, but not Grandma- I think she is thinking of the perfect nick name for her perfect Grandma : )

Amazing

Life has gotten better so far this year. I am temping- and have been placed in a great company doing export documentation which has lasted almost 3 months now. Jordyn is a happy, healthy kid. Ryan has a good paying job, the bad part is that he is only home on weekends and we miss him dearly. Jordyn is becoming an astounding little girl. Yes I am biased because I am her mom, but I would really like to know how many other kids at 1.5 yrs old do the following: put their dirty clothes in the hamper, put their shoes in the shoe bin, pick up daddy's dirty socks off the floor, walk them down the hall and put them in the hamper, pick up any object that belongs in the trash, including leaves, mud chunks, hair, paper bits, and put them in the trash, puts her toys away, goes to grandma and grandpas house and picks up after grandpa, throwing his napkins in the trash from the coffee table, .... anyways, I think my toddler is a neat freak. I have to admit, I get great joy from this- she probably is taking after me, since I can't walk through a room without fixing it up on my way through. We converted her crib to a big girl bed around Easter and she does very well sleeping in it by herself, usually coming to bed with me around 6am for 10 minutes of snuggle time before we get up for the day. She still walks herself to bed each night. She has gotten in the habit of kissing owies thanks to grandma. She says Mommie regularly now which melts me every time I hear it. She is very good with doing her puzzles, can now climb into her high chair on her own, which freaks me out. She even tried to put her diaper in the toilet the other night. I have a feeling potty training is not too far away. We are working on enunciation lately as a lot of her words sound pretty similar. It amazes me how much she understands what is being said or asked of her, and how enthusiastic she is to help with anything she can. She has a soft heart too- we got a flying monkey from a store in Caldwell. The store owner gave it to her cuz she is so cute- anyways... the monkey is a slingshot and flies when launched and screams as he is flung. Jordyn gets very upset when the monkey screams and must immediately soothe her little friend. She is tough too, she hardly cries when she gets hurt. She got her first scraped knee the weekend after Easter and last week she cut her chin- she hardly let me know she was injured. She loves to swing in her swing daddy hung up in the backyard tree for her. I just love my little girl so much, and I am thankful everyday that she is my own gift from God.

The things she does

Jordyn, at 15.5 months, can say "Dog, Dada, Cup, Up, Coat, Shoe, Duck, and what sounds like "oh s**t." She babbles all the time and I'm sure there are more phrases that I haven't quite deciphered yet. She understands alot of what I say as well. She will go get me things, like her shoes, cup, socks, coat, books. She knows to get her coat when we say we are going bye- bye. She waves good night when you ask her if she is ready to go night-night and then walks to her crib. She will go to the bathroom if you ask her if she wants to go sit on her potty. When she is done and I ask her to wash her hands she will stand at the sink and wait for the water to get hot so she can soap up. She claps her hands, holds them up high, wipes them off, plays peek-a-boo. She will point to her nose, ears, eyes, tummy, and belly button. She loves grandma the most of all and even did her first sleep over at grandmas house last weekend. She gets along well with other children and is great at sharing, especially with adults. She will pick up dog fur, or a wrapper, or a rock and take it to the trashcan so she can throw it away. She goes to her high chair when you ask her if she wants to eat and she is hungry. Most nights she sleeps about 12 hours, usually only interrupted by a quiet wine for at most 15 seconds. She still amazes me every day and I am so lucky to be her proud mama.

New Year-New Hopes

Ryan did a brief stint in the call center. Now he has a new job installing window coverings commercially, which so far he loves!! I have a job offer pending as well. We finally moved back to Boise!!! Jordyn is finally feeling well after a rough December which included multiple Dr. visits, and a Christmas Eve trip to the E.R. for an injury that I believe was all made up. We continue to be thankful for all the help and support that we have received throughout 2009 and we are looking forward to regaining our foothold in 2010.