Jordan's First Christmas

Jordan had a lot fun for his first Christmas - we got to spend a lot of time with family and friends. He really enjoyed opening all of his presents - though he definitely found more enjoyment in the wrapping paper and bows than in the actual presents. He had a blast playing with his dozen cousins (and even learned how to turn off a TV from his cousin Makeo!). We all found joy in a relaxing Christmas Eve at home, where the three of us spent some quality time after attending church earlier in the afternoon. We wrapped up our "Christmas week" by visiting Matt's family for a couple of days, where Jordan enjoyed the attention and being pushed around in a toy shopping cart. The pictures here give just a glimpse of the fun Jordan had with his very first Christmas.

Our busy boy!

Jordan is quite the busy boy lately learning to walk. We have quite a few bruises by the end of the day - few tears however. We've decided he's going to be our little football player. We are amazed at how fast he is growing up. He's not our little baby anymore:(

Winter Wonderland

Jordan is already beginning to experience the joys of the Christmas season. On Thursday, Dad and Mom caved in and let him have one of his Christmas presents a few weeks early - the green car in the picture with him. Just today he started using it to take steps! He really enjoys being pulled around on it as well.

Yesterday, Mom and Dad decorated the house and put up the Christmas tree (with a Jordan-proof fence!), and Jordan loves looking at the lights and pulling on the branches. Finally, today Jordan enjoyed playing in the snow for the first time today. He enjoyed being bundled up, but wasn't quite sure what to think of the snow when Dad tried feeding it to him. All in all, Jordan is really enjoying the Christmas season so far!

I Am Thankful For Family!

This past Thanksgiving weekend, Jordan was fortunate enough to be able to spend some quality time with family. On Thanksgiving Day, we went to St. Cloud to celebrate with Sally's family. Jordan had so much fun hanging out with his dozen cousins and of course with Grandpa and Grandma (not to mention Milo and Chevy!). Then, on Friday and Saturday we went to Fairmont to visit Matt's family. Jordan was spoiled by his aunts and uncles, but also really enjoyed the quality time with Grandpa and Grandma. We are truly blessed to have such amazing families!

Some of My Favorite Things

Here are just a few things that Jordan enjoys. He is quite the busy boy these days! Matt picked him up from daycare this last week and his primary said "Jordan had a great day, but he accidentally made one of the kids cry." Well, I guess at daycare he was crawling over kids and using them to try and pull himself up to stand. Oops! Our child is determined! He will do whatever it takes to get where he wants to go. I am reminded, especially every night I go to work what a blessing Jordan truly is to us. We are so fortunate to have a heathly & happy boy! I am so proud to be his mom!

Jordan loves his books!

Jordan loves to crawl through the bottom of his exersaucer!

Jordan loves his bathtime (especially with dad)!

Jordan loves to stand!

Standing!

And Standing!

Yes, that is him in the fridge - when saving the pic. it got cut off

Standing up

Jordan is almost nine months old, and the milestones keep on coming! Over the past week or two, Jordan would work on trying to pull himself up. But as it tends to go, something just clicked yesterday and now he pulls himself up every chance he gets. Mom walked into his room several times today to see if he was napping only to find him standing up, holding his railing, and just waiting for someone to come visit him. In related milestone news, his second tooth also arrived today. And he got his fourth haircut yesterday. Our little boy is growing up before our very eyes! (sorry about Bailey's crazy eyes)

Trick or Treat!

Today, Jordan celebrated his very first Halloween! He had fun dressing up as a monkey (once he got used to it...) and enjoyed visiting his neighbors for candy (which Dad eagerly ate up on his behalf). Mom and Dad also had fun stopping by some friends' homes to show him off - after all, he was the cutest trick-or-treater out there!

A Day at the Apple Orchard

Yesterday Jordan made his first trip to the apple orchard. Since it was a beautiful fall Minnesota day, Mom and Dad decided it would be the perfect time to visit Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. Jordan really enjoyed sitting on the hay bales, as well as holding apples. He didn't quite know what to think of the ladies with the matching red and purple ensembles, however.

Jordan has also reached a new milestone since turning eight months old earlier this week - his first tooth! It's just poking through on the bottom, but has given explanation to some of the crabbiness he exhibited. However, he is crawling around like a madman and getting into all sorts of mischief - and we love it! (Dad does at least...)

At the Pumpkin Patch

Jordan made his first trip to the pumpkin patch today, and seemed intrigued by the sights and sounds of it all. He found the hay fascinating, and liked looking at the colorful signs and decorations. In a few weeks, he will carve his first pumpkin (with a little help from Mom and Dad, of course!)

We will probably say this with each new stage, but he is truly so much fun in the stage he is at currently - so curious and observant and goofy!

Additionally, Jordan has recently discovered a love for his basketball. The video below shows him and Daddy having some fun rolling his basketball back and forth.

Finally, we had the opportunity to take some pictures as a family outside surrounded by the beautiful fall colors the other day. Below is our favorite:

Crawling!

Jordan is crawling! Well kinda. He can't quite coordinate his arms and legs together, but he gets where he wants to go, even if it is across the room. We have to watch cords and outlets now - they seem to be his favorite - of course! He is quite the busy little boy these days! I tried to post a video of him crawling, but I think the size was too big. I'll try a tape him again in the next day or so and post it. We are amazed as how much joy Jordan continues to bring to our lives everyday! He is truly a blessing!

Wondering where he should go next

New Dew! Third Hair cut already!

In the swing outside at Grandma's

Spending time with his cousins Eli & Elana