The toothful guy

....and the cause of no sleep for Mama. Can you see all the teeth sprouting?

Jordan is 11 months old today!

Jordan and Mama spent the weekend without me and Daddy. We went to Florida on Thursday to visit Mema and Pepa. We have spent time visiting, swimming, drawing and today, I went and bought gifts for everyone. I made an extra one for Mema and wrapped it especially for her. We skyped with Mama and Jordan every day. Above is a picture of Jordan with my friend when we went to her house last weekend to play.

On Friday, when Carmen came, Jordan was fascinated with the paper towel on the other side of the window. He kept trying to grab and touch it. So sweet.

Mama and Jordan went out to eat a few times this weekend. They went to the Venice Whaler for a "drink" (well, Jordan slept while Mama socialized with other mommies who went to Mommy Nights). And, then the next day they went back while Jordan was awake for lunch and the beautiful view of the ocean.

Jordan is getting 4 teeth all at once. First the two next to his 2 front teeth have been coming in for quite awhile and now you can see his two front teeth. They are so slow to come in. Jordan has his fingers and everything he puts his hands on in his mouth and tonight, he didn't have much for dinner because his teeth hurt so much.

Before bedtime, Jordan went for a walk with Mama and Camille.....they stopped at the Rizzis and Jordan wanted to get out to play with Rebecca, Isabella and James. He was crawling all over the sidewalk and hilarious when he went over a bump in the sidewalk. He lifted his right leg to get over it instead of plowing through. (Mama will get it on video).

Jordan loves going for rides with Mama on the bike. They went to the Mar Vista Farmers Market and Jordan was passed out on the way back.

Gigi Says the Darndest Things (by Mama)

I know....most Moms think their kid is amazing. And, maybe Gigi is just plain old average, but I never thought a 3 1/2 almost 4 year old could be so smart. So, I am either impressed with her or impressed by how smart a child of her age can be.

So, in general, I am not fond of television or sugar. Gigi figured this out a long time ago when she would ask me if she could watch tv and I might say either "No" or "We'll see". Well, Dad's response usually is "sure" not because he is such a fan of tv, but mostly because he doesn't like to tell his darling daughter "No'. Similar to sugar. Gigi doesn't really have much of a sweet tooth, but once she tried chocolate milk in the last few months, she started asking for it more often than I would prefer. Really, it probably is no big deal since she is such a good eater, but it is so important to me that she understands that sugar/chocolate milk/fill in the blank of anything that really isn't good for the body is not good for her body and should be a "treat" or eaten in moderation. So, this weekend, Gigi wanted to watch something on television and she told her Dad that she shouldn't tell me because I will think it (whatever television show) was just like sugar (i.e., bad for her). Wow.

This one is less impressive, but Gigi in general is always one step ahead in thought and knows where she is going with her line of thinking. So, this weekend, we left the house and left Mariangels in bed. Michael, Allen, Gigi and Jordan and I went for a walk to the beach. On the way, Gigi said "I think we should get Mariangels a bagel for when she wakes up". Now, Gigi doesn't know M very well and wouldn't know whether it is something she would/wouldn't want when she got up.....but, Gigi wanted a bagel and if she got us to go to the store for M, then we would get her one. ..... Or, she will ask "Dad, are you done with dinner?" Of course, if the answer is yes, she will then say "Will you read a book to me or will you do this or that with me?" Again, not so impressive, but wouldn't it be normal for many kids to just say "Dad, will you read to me?" She often asks the question to eliminate the excuse.....eliminate Allen from saying "I am finishing up dinner and after I am done...."

Finally....not impressed by this, but thought it was cute. Gigi opened up an ice cream store and was serving everyone ice cream on Saturday morning. When I asked her how much the ice cream was she said "60 bucks!" (that's what happens when the cost of gas goes over $4 per gallon!)

Update on Jordan - Milestones

Jordan is a fun little guy to hang out with. Not only is he crawling but he is crawling fast! And, ever since he started crawling, he pulls himself up. He REALLY wants to be able to chase me since I tease him all the time. I run up the stairs and call down. Well, this weekend, he actually started to climb the stairs and got up one step before Mama came running over.

He also started blowing raspberries more recently. Not sure if this is a new thing or just something he likes to do more these days. I swear he said "Gigi" the other day. If true, then he has said Mama, Dada and Gigi, but he could just be babbling.

Mama says he adores me. I don't know if it is true, but we do like to play together (well, except when I step on him either intentionally or not).

Jordan's nights are not going so well. Mama insisted that I stop trying to play with him when he was eating dinner so that he would EAT. Just like me, he would prefer to interact and play than eat. He is still napping for 2 or 3 hours in the morning (9 am) which is probably because he isn't getting the best night sleep (so Mama isn't either). He is napping in the afternoon, too for up to a couple of hours. This weekend was the first time that we both napped together. He was a little late and I was a little early at 11:15....so Mama and Daddy took some time to work on the garden.

Well, that's the 10 minute update on the little guy. He is so much fun and I am so glad he is part of my family.

First crop of Strawberries

Our first crop strawberries this year is much more impressive than last year. The berries are much bigger and so sweet.

Jordan and I both like playing on the computer in the living room.

This morning, we went for a walk to a Garage Sale and I jumped in every puddle I saw on the way.

Sylvie's Birthday

Today, we went to Sylvie's house for her 4th birthday party. We started out making pencil holders.....and then pizza and lots of playing.

Even Jordan had a fun time!

Too much fun had by all.

Michael and Mariangels Visit!

Friday night, Michael and Mariangels visited us. We went for a walk to the beach to see the sunset and get some exercise...I said hello to the chef I always hug along the way. Beautiful sunset, no?

After all that exercise, it was time for some ice cream!

Mother's Day...

This Mother's Day weekend didn't turn out as we had planned. Gigi planned to visit her Mema (and Pepa). She was so excited. Had her bag packed and was asking from 8 am yesterday (flight left at 2 pm) if I could bring her and Allen to the airport. Allen had been having pain that he self-diagnosed as a kidney stone(s). After some back and forth with me (he wanted to see his Mom and didn't want to disappoint an excited Gigi), he decided it was better for him to stay put instead of getting on a 5 hour flight. Disappointment abounded, but Gigi will go, just not when she thought she would.

In the meantime, my sore throat became "sorer" on Saturday so we were a sad family....neither parent able to really parent (luckily, Grace was supposed to be here for a few hours so that I could get in the garden.) This morning, Allen felt better enough to put together Jordan's new car that arrived on Friday. Do you think he likes it?

And, when Jordan was napping, Gigi and I escaped to the garden. She brought her new tools (part of my Mother's Day gift -- thanks Grace!) and helped me weed and then searched for critters with her magnifying glass.

Gigi took a short break to make a picture for Pepa, though she then called it her "map to Florida". Can you tell this girl is bummed?

Here is a sneak peak at Eliza's garden. It is almost done....we ran out of mulch! The right side of the house (outside the wall) also still needs a bit more weeding, but we are probably 80% there.

It felt so good to spend my day this way...with my sweetheart daughter....toiling in the soil. Ironically, after she was done with gardening, she was pretending and pretending and when I asked what she was doing, she said she was pretending she had two older sisters. I couldn't hear all of the conversation, but what a sweetheart.

Now, all we need is a little more mulch and a little more time....oh and some water for that beautiful fountain (thanks, Duckies!) and our garden will be "done".

Not sure if you can see her, but Mystic is peering at us from above.

And, after a wonderful day, the guy with the kidney stone made me a yummy steak dinner. Perfect perfect day.

Swimming!

Today, we installed our swimming pool. Jordan LOVED it!

Jordan's 10 month appointment

Jordan went to see Dr. Hamilton for his 10 month appointment. He faked an ear infection and didn't have to have any shots! He is 21 lbs. 2 oz (55th percentile) and 29 inches (50th percentile). I was 29 inches at 9 months....he is catching up!

His head is still 80th percentile (18 1/2 inches). Look at the way he is eyeballing the nurse!

Beach Saturday

Yesterday morning, we went to the pier and then to the beach. We played in the sand and pretended to plant a garden of strawberries, carrots and more. First, we planted the seeds and then watered them.

After our hard work in the sand, I climbed many rocks with Grandma while Jordan and Mama took a nap.