Our relaxing Labor Day Weekend

We started out the weekend with a beach morning on Saturday.  The waves were huge.

We had friends over for a barbecue on Saturday afternoon, including Allen's famous ribs.

We went for a bike ride (kids) and walk (the rest of us) up the boardwalk to the skate park.  Gigi (and Jordan) were offered to get on the 4x4 police "car" but Jordan was too scared.

We watched the skateboarders from high up (well some of us did)

On Sunday, we went back to Mother's Beach, both the park and the beach and Jordan saw the Water Bus....of course, he insisted we board the bus, so off we went to Burton Chace Park.  Gigi and Jordan gathered up pieces of the trees in the park (they look like snakes).

Of course, nap time is always part of our day.  Jordan just loves his Daddy.

Today, we made our own bubbles to refill our bubble wands.

Here are pictures of our new walkway in the garden and the beautiful garden in bloom.

We picked and ate many raspberries from the garden.

And, there are some habaneros growing but not quite ripe yet.....we were hoping for some jerk chicken this summer but looks like it will be a fall event.

On Saturday morning, we went to a yard sale and picked up all of these "legos".  We built a few houses with them, including a roof on this one.

This afternoon, Gigi spelled a bunch of words on the fridge, including "Cat", "Hat", "Rat", "Bat", "Fat", "Fit", "Hit", "Pin", "Pink", "Zoe" and "Jordan".  She is learning fast!

A perfect afternoon for some painting...

And more letter practice "Lemonade" for the lemonade stand she painted

Little brother got involved in the fun

And, we ended our weekend at the park for an early evening romp, including dinner at the park.

Jordan's Wordy-ness

Slowly gaining more vocabulary.....but always communicating.

If he can't tell you want he wants, he shows you.

Last week, he pulled Mama into the back yard to try to get her to pick up the poop and then mow the lawn.  Of course, the lawn was mowed two days before.

Recent words:

Bird

Night-Night

"Meme" (for baby)

Up

Out

Move
Cheese/"I want cheese"
WaWa (water - actually not all that new)
Apple
Vroom Vroom (pointing to a car or any other vehicle)
Diaper

Old words:

Stop

Bye

Hot

Cold

Gigi

Juice and Orange Juice

Ball

Bubbles

Go Go Go

Milk

Mama

Daddy

Shoes

Bo Bo (= paci)

More

Yeah (yes)

Hi

I want ____

Jordan's Wordy-ness

New words in the last few months:

Stop

Bye

Hot

Cold

Old Words:

Gigi

Juice and Orange Juice

Ball

Bubbles

Go Go Go

Milk

Mama

Daddy

Shoes

Bo Bo (= paci)

More

Yeah (yes)

Hi

Wordy-ness

Jordan is just where he is supposed to be. He had about 10 words at 18 months which is average. Now, at 20 months, he has a little more than 10 words and a few phrases/sentences:

"I want that one"

"I want to go"

His words are (in no particular order of priority):

Gigi

Juice and Orange Juice

Ball

Bubbles

Go Go Go

Milk

Mama

Daddy

Shoes

Bo Bo (= paci)

More

Yeah (yes)

Some Developmental Updates

Jordan....he is talking some. Words like Mama (referring to Mommy AND Daddy), Gigi, Juice (even Orange Juice at Thanksgiving), Ball, Mil (for Milk), Go, Shoes, More....and that's about it. But, beyond words, he talks with his body A LOT! He loves shoes and clothes. He is wearing his sister's shoes above, but he is often donning Mama's or Daddys or even Gigi's princess shoes. He takes shoes off and wants us to put them back on....off and on. In general, he hasn't liked toys. But, from the first 3 nights of Hanukkah, it appears, he is starting to take a turn in the I like toys direction. Or maybe he just likes unwrapping presents. He really seems to get it. Allen's colleague put a gift up in his gift area and he kept reaching for it, wanting to open it. Jordan is also teething A LOT. Gigi didn't really teeth so we don't really know what to do with it. He also loves anything electronic (the vacuum cleaner, Ipad, Iphone, TV remote) and MUSIC. He loves to dance, play music. He really has the beat.

While Mama was away in "Yew Nork" last week, Gigi learned to write her name. Sometimes the "hook" on the G goes in the wrong direction, but we are starting to improve as to how often that happens. Gs are a ball with a "J". If she remembers that, we are good to go.

Venice Boat Parade..."I am happy"

Yesterday, we went to the always fun Venice Canals Boat Parade. It was much smaller than usual, likely because it had rained for 3 days before and there was probably an assumption by entrants that it would rain again on Sunday. Or maybe there was just not enough time to decorate the boat? Anyway, Mama is en route to NYC for a few days for business and she didn't have time to upload the photos from the parade, so they will come later this week.

From Mama.....Sweet Gigi made me melt last night....we were in bed and she looked at me and said "Mama, I am so happy". Aaaahhhh. Isn't it every parent's dream that their child be happy? I think it is so cool that she really understands what that means. Gigi, I am happy, too. You are the best!

"Orange juice?", "Cake?", "More? Mas?"

For several months, I have been "serving" Mommy and Daddy, usually at the playground. Sometimes, I do this at home.

Facials and More

Last night, I gave Mama and Grandma facials (pronounced "fatels"). I used the cream in a tiny bottle from a hotel Mama stayed at and kept getting little dabs of cream. I wouldn't let either of my "clients" leave the couch until I was done with their facial.

Grandma called for Daddy who was upstairs, saying "Allen". Then, I started calling for Daddy "Ayen.....Ayen".

For the "last supper" (last night Grandma and Grandpa were here), we had ribs, cole slaw and potatoes. I ate mostly ribs, a little slaw and no potato. Just not the carbo-loving kid my Mama is/was....pictures to follow when Mama can find the camera.

Wordy Wednesday

Words and phrases from the last month. Mommy's favorite is the first one!

I love you
Lemon
Can I have it?
hand
peach
Watermelon
strawberry
tortilla
spoon
Stop it (talking to barking dog in the 'hood)
owl
Elmo Loves You (referring to the book with that title)
Quack
Oink
Again
I want to come up
I funny
it’s chilly
doctor
popcorn
Fly (“butterfly”)
boo boo
Bless You (after Mama sneezed)
coffee
Zoe
Michael
puzzle
bunny
pizza
turkey
thanks
magazine
Can I hold it please? (referring to my baby as we walk along the canals on the way back from Cinco de Mayo celebration and I dropped baby every time Mama gave her to me

Wordy Wednesday

15 new words added to my vocabulary and one phrase....I am now at 150! Will Mama ever stop counting?

cheek
chin
sit
Grover (from Sesame Street)
hungry
princess (Mama is worried about this one)
agua (water in Spanish)
camera
raisin
onion
visit
goose
elephant
potamus (hippopotamus)
sticker

"Look, Mama"

Wordy Wednesday

In the last few weeks, I have many new words, some sentences and Spanish words. Now when I ask for more, I say "More....Mas".....and sometimes add my signing.

New Words

Alligator
Diaper
Ernie (from Sesame Street)
Running (accompanied by me running down the street)
Car
Help
Ashes ashes (all fall down)
Lunch
giraffe
slippers
Happy Birthday
stroller
farmer
shirt
cat
corn
move
salmon
closed
pull
off

New Spanish Words - Nanny G taught me to count in Spanish by counting "uno, dos" when we walk down the stairs. I haven't mastered all of the numbers, but most of them.

uno (one)
dos (two)
cuatro (four)
ocho (eight)
nueve (nine)
diez (ten)
mas (more)

New Phrases

Bye, See You
She's sleeping

"I Don't Want To"

This morning as Mommy was getting ready for work, Nanny G asked if I wanted to put my jacket on so that we could go to the Farmer's Market with Zoe. I wanted to go to the Farmer's Market, but really didn't want to put on my jacket. Two times, Mommy and Nanny G heard me say "I don't want to"....Mommy thinks I have heard Zoe say this several times as it sounded like the same way Zoe responds sometimes.

Who knows? I may actually be talking in paragraphs soon.

Words Words Words

In January and February, I said a bunch of new words.....I am now over 100 at 105!

Steak
Push
Baa (sound a lamb makes)
Whoops
Papa (for Pepa)
Flowers
Meat
all done
ouch
avocado
feet
Rich (Nanny G's son)
down
eggs
bus
cracker (“Crack”)
ready
monkey
cookie (“Cook”)
nice
glasses
grouch (for Oscar the Grouch)
boat
knock knock
pants
potty
pee pee
read
frog
money
tongue
orange
Abby (for Abby Cadaabby)
walk
all clean
rice
happy
cup

More Teeth...."Push".....Ready to Cook

I keep forgetting to mention that I have gotten molars and other additional teeth between my front teeth and my molars. Mommy isn't sure how many because I refuse to fully open my mouth to show her.

On another note, lately, I use my word "Push" when Mommy or Daddy are sitting in a chair that I want to sit in. I push on them and say "Push" until they get out of the way so that I can sit there. I also pull on Mommy and say "Push" if I am trying to get her to come with me. I guess I haven't learned the opposite of push yet.

I have also been caught this week putting Os (Trader Joe's form of Cheerios) and kibble from Mystic and Camille's bowls into the toaster oven (that is not plugged in!) sitting in the pantry. I then close the toaster door and start pushing buttons. I think I am going to follow in Daddy's cooking footsteps so that Mommy NEVER has to cook.

Ice Cream and Other Words

On Sunday, I was enjoying my yogurt, but I call it "ice cream". Of course, I said the full word ice cream when the video wasn't rolling...

Here are some of my other new words. I am now up to 67!!

Puppy
Pig
Blueberry
Bicycle - sounds like “Bice”
Mystic - Sounds like “Mist”
Bumpy
Rattle
Yes
Boom
Juice
Ice Cream
Toes
Monster (Cookie Monster)
Boots
Hair

New Words -- Over 50 now!

Over the last few weeks, I have added these words to my repertoire:

Dance
Nyla
Bay (Bagel)
Open
Horse (pronounced "orse")
Purse (love Mommy's purse)
Ears
Grace
Outside
Bread

And, this week, both Mommy and Nanny G noticed that when I listen to my Gabrielle CD (Grandma and Grandpa got it for me in May), I say "Duck" and "Apple" before the CD says it. The words go something like "I walk and I waddle and I say Quack, Quack....can you guess what I am?" And, before they say "That's right, Gabrielle, I am a duck", I say "DUCK!" And, the same with a story about an apple. Mommy was amazed.....I am actually paying attention :) and not just passively listening.

FORTY-ONE!

No, Mama isn't 41 today (she is a little older than that), BUT, I have now said FORTY-ONE words. In the last week or so, I have added the following 14 words to my repertoire....


Brush
No
Hat
Anana (Banana)
Bird
Meow Meow (Cat)
Moo (Cow)
Boo (Peek-a-boo, with hands over my mouth)
Bert (from Sesame Street)
Night night
Eyes
Big Bird
Fish
Head

New Words!!

I have a few new words!!

Nose 11/4/08: I point to Mommy or Daddy's Nose and say "No" (don't really say a hard "s", but I am saying nose). Then, we rub nosies :)

Apple (11/12/08) -- I was pointing to the apple and Mommy heard me say it! And, then I said it again.

Meelie (since Oct or Nov?) -- This is for Camille, but I call her Meelie like everyone else. It has been awhile, but forgot to tell you all!

Thank You (11/15/08) -- Mommy and Daddy both heard me say it when Daddy gave me something (can't remember what it was now!)

GiGi (11/17/08) -- today, I saw a picture of me and Mommy (it is on her computer -- her screensaver). I pointed to me and said, "GiGi" and then pointed to Mommy and said "Mama"! Mommy was quite impressed that I recognized myself...

Reading to Elmo and Other Videos From This Week

"Pedicure" from Camille

"More" please

Sliding with NannyG

Bucket Sliding

More Milestones for the Month of October

New Words and Phrases: Nanny G tells Mommy that I say "Thank You", but Mommy hasn't heard it yet. If true, I now know 20 words/phrases. If not, then I am at 19. My new ones for this week are "Yummy Yummy". I said it while eating dinner at Saya's house. "Bath"....."Hello" Now, I hold a phone up to my ear and say "Hello". Doesn't quite sound like "Hello" but it is close. I know how to ask for water ("Wa-wa") so I don't have to point anymore!

Mama
Dada
Elmo
Bye Bye
Hi
Baby
Ball
More
Doggie
Up
PEAS
MILK
Duck
Cheese
Bubbles
Yummy Yummy
Wa-wa (water)
Bath
Hello

Blowing Kisses: This week, I blew kisses to Mommy when she left for work. Usually I just wave and say Buh-Bye. I made Mema's day by blowing her a kiss this morning on Skype.

Blowing Bubbles: Although I can't quite blow bubbles, I now blow on the stick mimicking what Mommy and Daddy do. I think I need a little more fire power and I will get it down.