60. photos of photos

I found my old Polaroid camera today. It was a birthday present about 5 years ago and I remember being so excited to have one.  My aunt even stocked me up on film for it when Polaroid announced they were stopping production.  So today when I came across it at the bottom of my desk drawer I couldn't resist.  I used up a roll within an hour, during this time I learned that Baby J is terrified of the Polaroid camera.

59.

He's making moves. 

58.

One of our favorite things to do is play in the big bed!  Jase loves to fall into the pillows.  He especially loves if someone will play "gonna get ya" with him before he falls into the pillows.  Chasing, rolling around, tickling, laughing.  Sometimes in those moments I have an out of body experience and realize how truly happy I am to be a mom.

57.

The Jordan family in our Sunday best for church. 

56. B-Dubs/ MU-KU

This is MM's favorite [chain] restaurant.  The wings are good, the atmosphere is upbeat, and there are TVs playing various sports in every direction you look.  Since BWW opened in Augusta last fall, today was our first day to go eat there together.  We ate a late lunch or early dinner, whatever you want to call it while watching the MU- KU game.  It was a good game to watch.  Most of my family members are MU fans, for them I wouldn't have minded seeing MU win.  But with MU choosing to leave the Big 12 conference, after raising the biggest ruckus while other teams looked to leave, it was kind of nice to see a BIG 12 loyal take the win.  Good luck in the SEC MU!  I still think you are making a mistake.  And the fans will surely miss the conference border match-up between these 2 teams.    

55.

This is our modest dog.

54. Brunette!

Yesterday I went to the salon, oh I how I love going to the salon!  I get a little pampering, have some quiet time to read, and leave with a fab new look.  I was feeling a little antsy, being as I've had the same hair cut/style for about 2 years now, so I decided to embrace the freshness of change!  Which is how I became a brunette.

The lighting in the bathroom is not optimal for showing off the true color of my new brown locks.  It's warm lighting makes my hair look lighter and more golden than it is, but I needed a room with a mirror for a self-portrait.

Here is a quick photo via my cell phone in more natural lighting that shows the actual shade of brown:

53. "doh!"

Meet Darla!!!  No, she is not Jordan pup #3.  Our dear friends, the Halls recently adopted this adorable little girl.  She's a living teddy bear with an under-bite!  Cute doesn't even begin to describe her.  In the background is their other dog, Cookie, equally as cute.  Darla is being kennel trained, but her mom and dad are hard workers who are unable to come home during the day, so Jase and I pop in and let the pups out.  Cookie does her own thing, but Darla is a lover and can't get enough attention.  Jase finds her to be incredibly funny, and wrestles with me to try to get down and play with her.  The Halls think we are doing them a big favor, but we are just having some puppy fun!

52.

"Momma, why didn't you tell me we had this awesome jungle gym in our dining room?!"

51.

p & s

With the husbands off work for President's Day, my friend Mandy and I were able to enjoy a girls day out.  First we searched for small treasures at the children's consignment sale in town.  Then we lunched at McAlister's.  Lastly there was some book browsing at Barnes and Noble.  I sure love when a Monday doesn't feel like a Monday!

50.

p & s

Just call us The Cleavers!
Father played guitar [and watched basketball and napped], while Mother baked [true], Baby played quietly on the floor [fussed from teething pains and was only interested in playing with off limits electronics], and the pups slept peacefully by the backdoor [Wrigley tried to hump Ruby all afternoon].  HA!

49.

p & s

This sweetie pie bambino is suffering from teething pains. :(  

Ice cubes and cuddles to the rescue!

48.

p & s

Playin at the park!!!

47.

Baby J's new favorite toy is the dog's "dugout" [our name for the kennel].  We can't keep him out of it.  Sometimes the pups join him and there are lots of doggie kisses and baby laughter. 

46.

A riverside stroll downtown, showing Nana Augusta and enjoying our last full day with her. 

45. valentine's day

More driving today as we made our way home.   In Savannah we ate lunch at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons.  It was our surprise treat to Vikki. 
MM had night class, then he came home to these delicious heart treats.  Peanut butter blossoms with dark chocolate hearts.  If you eat them right out of the oven the cookie is super soft and the chocolate is all melty!!!

44.

Papaw the Great & his smallest first mate 

We left St. Petersburg and drove half way home, stopping on Amelia Island for a night with Papaw & Gigi. 

We ate a lo boil with blue crab and sweet potato/coconut fried shrimp.  Between the fresh seafood and Gigi's cooking, there is always a feast.

43.

Post St. Pete half marathon, at the beach on the bay.  13.1 running miles behind us and a 2 mile walk to the car in front of us.  The race was great, we beat our goal time by 5 minutes and the route (especially the 2nd half) was beautiful.  My one and only complaint is the cold front that came in and gave Florida it's coldest winter weekend of the year!

42. USCGC HAWK

 

Touring Matt's boat... United States Coast Guard Cutter - Hawk, it is 87 feet long and has 3 levels within it.  Twelve people man the boat at one time.  There are sleeping quarters and a mess hall located on the boat.  

Here's the whole fam- brady bunch style on the boat. 

41. fresh squeezed

MM's brother's house in St. Petersburg, FL is a pretty fantastic house.  It has an open concept, making it feel lofty and breezy.  There is an in-ground pool and hot tub attached to one another that makes an ultra relaxing running water noise.  And, my favorite feature: the big orange tree in the backyard loaded down with delicious Florida oranges!  Each morning Matt would pick and juice some oranges and we would start the day with a glass of amazing!

40.

We drove almost 8 hours tonight, making our way from Augusta, GA to St. Petersburg, FL.  We decided to try night driving to see how Baby J would handle the long drive, and he did great!  Slept the entire way!  The plan did backfire a little when we arrived at Matt & Sheila's at 3 am and the baby was ready to play instead of going to bed.  Although we were pretty tired the next day, it was worth it to wake up and already be down there.
While taking this photo, MM asked me to count to 3 so he'd know when to look and instead he did this.
 Such a comedian!

39.

Nana is here!!!  She flew out to spend a week with us and we so happy to have her visiting!

38.

[p&s - not in control of focus point - dislike.]

I want to eat more vegetables.  Hiding them inside a delicious fruit smoothie seemed like the most logical way.  I decided to start with the powerhouse of green vegetables, spinach.  Last week I whipped up a blend of spinach, blueberries, and an orange.  It turned out fair; while decent enough to drink, it had a pretty strong spinach taste.  Don't get me wrong, I ain't no spinach hater.  I enjoy a good spinach salad and I like it in pasta, but when sipping a refreshing smoothie, spinach flavor is not what I desire. 
So today I mixed up my mixture (haha) and ended up with a great tasting spinach packed drink. 
Smoothie Score! 



Here's what was in it...

• a banana
• handful of blueberries (frozen)
• couple handfuls of strawberries (frozen)
• lots of baby spinach 
• splash of orange juice
• yogurt

37. Where's your nose?

Baby J is 16 months old today and the chicks dig him. 

36. Superbowl!

Superbowl Party Crew

Plus Steve & Brandi who had to leave before the group photo was taken.

And a shmorgishborg board of snacks...

• Rotel cheese dip with hamburger
• Pot stickers (made from scratch)
• Veggie platter with homemade ranch dip & hummus
• Fruit platter
• Bacon wrapped & brown sugar coated little smokies
• Brownie bits

35.

Dada and Baby J being captivated by the baboon baby. 

Jase was much more aware of his surroundings during this zoo outing.  It was so fun to watch him, seeing his excitement as we went from animal to animal.  Watching your child learn, seeing that curiosity in their little eyes... it's ONE of the awesome things about parenthood!   

Multiple animals, including the hyena and bear, are "Doh" (dogs) to Baby J.  It didn't matter what his silly parents told him, he knows a dog when he sees one. 

Animals Of The Zoo

Later that evening we joined the Starks out to dinner at Taj of Indian.  Makhani & Naan... Yum.

34.

This is my daily view.  Looking down at the most precious face I have ever seen and into the prettiest, brightest, bluest eyes in the world. 

33. a february spring

 

 

The weather today was good-mood-inducing fantastic!  Now that is some good winter weather.
Things I did today that illistrate the beautiful weather:

• I drove around town with my moonroof open
• I went for a run at sunset wearing a tanktop and shorts
• I let Baby J enjoying being outside barefoot (the kid hates shoes & socks!)  

It felt like Masters week and took strong mental concentration to remind myself that it was only Groundhog's Day.  Spring has sprung in February, at least temporarily.    

32.

p & s - flash disabled

Baby J was introduced to Spaghetti O's Healthy, No Preservatives, Organic, Mini-Pasta-O's tonight.  It was the easiest supper I've ever "made" for him.  Get baby naked.  Open can and spoon onto tray.  Embrace the mess.  Automatic bath night. 
He thoroughly enjoyed this eating experience.  When the O's were proving too difficult to be picked up by his small, chubby fingers he lowered his mouth to the tray and sucked... vacuum style eating.