More from the big party

Now for a random assortment of party pictures. I think we had around 30 adults and 10 kids there. It was pure chaos, but everyone ate well (except Jordan). Here are my dad, Dave, my cousin Shea, her daughter Nyla and our friend Josh around the food table.

I'm glad to see that Ethan still enjoys the ride on toy. Jordan is more interested in hitting the buttons to make the horn blow and music play than actually riding on this one. Hopefully that will change.

One of our best helpers was Jordan's cousin Zach. Jordan absolutely adores Zach, and everything he does makes her squeal with laughter.

Jordan's third cousin, Nyla, was happy to help her get going on the ride on toy.

After opening the first gift bag, Jordan spotted the toys and lost interest in the other presents. She kept going back to that bag and looking in. Notice that several of the presents were taller than Jordan. The polka dotted dress belongs to the one and only Sophie B. She was our helper getting ready for the party and opening the presents.
This is probably my last post until after the WVU v. Marshall game this weekend. Dave and I are headed up on Friday so I can go to the CLE, and we'll be staying in Motown Friday and Saturday nights. Jordan will have plenty of quality time with her Ma Maw, and Maddie will have quality time with Jordan's Nana and Uncle Grandpa/Bo Bo. I must say that Ma Maw is getting the prettier granddaughter!

Quick post

Although most of you know the sad outcome of the WVU game against Colorado, I had to share a picture that was taken at day care yesterday. Although no one asked the parents to dress their kids in WVU apparel, we have Mountaineer spirit and dressed our little ones in preparation for the big game. Aren't they adorable?!?

I'm glad Jordan was asleep by the time the game started so she didn't have to witness it. I'm also glad she is still too young to understand defeat.

The big party

It was a lot more work than I thought it would be, but I think Jordan's first birthday party was a success. We had a ton of people there, and I didn't get more than 2 minutes to speak to anyone once the party started. Dave and I got to the party site shortly after 11 am and started loading everything in and rearranging tables. Thankfully my dad showed up to help and then Kim and Sophie were kind enough to bring the cakes and assist in decorating, as well. I had tons of help, but we barely got it done in time. I was thrilled with the way everything turned out though. Jordan was in a good mood during most of the party, and all of the kids seemed to play well together. This is the first of what will be several birthday related posts.

First a picture of the cake table decorated with pics of Jordan. A friend's wife did both cakes, and I was sooooo impressed with the look and the taste. The pictures were from our ill-fated trip to the Picture People.

A closer picture of the amazing cake. What you can't see well here is that behind Winnie the Pooh there is a sign that says "Happy 1st Birthday Jordan".

The "spread" in front of the room wrap and scene setter. Thanks Kim for the idea of the room wrap- it made the room!
Of course, you can't have a birthday party without the birthday girl. This was early on when she was still checking out all of the other kids and all of the chaos. Holding onto Nana's hand made it a little easier.
And last but not least for today is Jordan checking out her "smash" cake. She basically flicked some of the icing and that was it. She didn't tear it apart or eat a single bite. I tried putting icing on a spoon to get her to eat it, but she was not interested. She had the cutest little birthday hat, but it only stayed on for .2 seconds before she ripped it off. Oh, well.
Thanks to all who came to the party. For those invited that could not make it, we missed you but know you were thinking about Jordan on her birthday and/or the day of her party.

On Jordan's first birthday

I remember being in the operating room nervously awaiting Jordan's first cry and many nights where all I could think of was making the crying stop. It seems like yesterday Jordan entered my life, but it is also hard to remember what life was like before she was here. I can't believe my "baby Jordan" is officially 1 year old. One of the girls at work asked me today what time it was 1 year ago that she and another girl took me to the hospital. I think I was the first person at this office to actually go into labor in the building. Dave and I had gone for a follow up ultrasound, had lunch and then went back to the doctor's office to discuss our options since they thought Jordan was 8 lbs 9 oz. After deciding on a c-section to be scheduled at the end of the week, I returned to work and e-mailed people to say Jordan would be arriving by c-section on September 14. Just like the way she lives her life now, Jordan had other plans. She decided she would be arriving that day. She arrived at 8:15 pm weighing in at a healthy 8 lbs 12 oz and was 19 3/4 inches long.

Below is a small glimpse back at Jordan's first year...

Our first family photo.

As soon as you were dressed for your hospital photos, with your parents' bad timing, you gave your parents their first poopy diaper to change.

I was so thrilled when you learned to really smile. You looked like you were cracking up even before you could laugh out loud.

You had a great first Christmas beginning with Christmas eve dinner at Robert's house, Christmas morning at our house, later that day visiting with your cousin Zach, Ma Maw and Aunt Julie at Julie's house and then finishing off with presents at your Nana's house.

After scooting backwards for a while and getting frustrated, you mastered crawling. Honestly, watching you scoot backwards under furniture was pretty darn adorable!

Your first time in a pool was during Memorial weekend at Robert's house. As usual, you preferred being independent in the pool rather than in the shaded float purchased just for you.

Your first time on a slide at my firm picnic in June. Since the crocs seemed to be slowing you down, sans shoes was definitely the way to go.

You finally started loving the outdoors and just being in the grass. Of course, your buddy Maddie wasn't far away. The glowing eyes behind you belong to a kitten that stayed with us for a month or so until we found a new home for him. You had a lot of fun with him while he visited- don't worry he went to a good home.

Then you got Zach's roller coaster he had outgrown. I was a little scared to put you on the roller coaster, but your father was braver and took care of that. While you are hard to photograph zipping down the coaster, loving every second of it, capturing any of that joy on film is wonderful.
And now you are a big girl, standing, walking and trying to run. You love to climb the stairs, though going down is not something of interest at the moment.

This first year of life has brought so many changes and amazing moments, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the years to come. I had no idea what it was like to love someone so much until you came along. As I've told you many times, I love you with all my heart, and you owe me a lifetime of kisses. Happy birthday baby Jordan!

Gross feet and a loving tree

Like many infants and toddlers, Jordan is not a fan of shoes on her feet, though they seem to make great toys. Well, the carpet at day care has been an issue since she started crawling. Now that she is walking, it is just as much of an issue. Even though the carpet was cleaned about a month ago, this what Jordan's feet looked like after a day at day care on Friday:

And here is Jordan "reading" the letter from day care to our firm employees saying that our day care rate is going up $29 per week! Ouch! That was not a happy surprise, especially considering the frustration with the carpet.

When we were sitting in the basement this afternoon I noticed what looked like a heart on the bark of a tree in the back yard. Since I got a new camera this week, I had to snap a few pictures of it. Can you see it?

So many books, so little time

Jordan really seems to like books these days, but she will not sit still to allow us to read her an entire book. Right now she is more into the soft and squeaky and hard books with tabs she can open or toes she can wiggle (seriously- thanks for that one Mom). It is never enough to have only one book out though, as evidenced by these pictures.


When she is taking a break from "reading" her books, our dog, Maddie, is her best buddy. Jordan is so excited to see Maddie when we get home each day, and Maddie equally happy to meet us at the car and try to lick Jordan's toes as we carry her inside. They really are cute together. Maddie sneaks in as many licks as possible, but that is normal for her since she licks everything all of the time, including the carpet. Jordan has gotten better about petting Maddie instead of hitting. Thankfully, even when she hits Maddie either takes it or just runs away.

So, Jordan is now only 4 days away from her 1st birthday. I think we have most everything for her party, though we are missing some RSVP's. I really hope a lot of friends and family come for this one since she has only 1 first birthday. My dad is going to drive up for the weekend and will see Jordan walking for the first time. I guess a lot of people at the party will see her walking that have never seen her walking before.

And now another ultimatum. Since the last 2 posts illicited only 1 comment combined (thanks CBR), I'm waiting on at least 4 comments before updating the blog so THAT MEANS YOU!