91.

Patio wine sipping to kick off our much needed date night.  And what a fun date it was. 

90. I can build things.

Jasmin helped me build Baby J a sensory table.  Sensory tables are awesome for children, but they can come with a really unawesome price.  I've seen them range anywhere from $35 - $350!  Well Jasmin happens to be very talented in building.  The girl owns her own table saw, round saw, jigsaw, power drill, (you get the picture).  She builds and reupholsters furniture, you should see the gorgeous couch she built using old doors!  [click here to see said couch]  Anyway, if anyone could help me with this project, Jasmin is who I would want.  I used left over wood from her old deck, making the project uber-cheap.  After purchasing a $1.97 plastic 12 quart utility bin and 2 hours of work, I as able to give Baby J his very own sensory table!  We started with water inside of it and he had a blast!  I'm looking forward to trying other textures with him, such as sand and dry beans. 

protecting those baby ears from the loud saw

Jasmin taking care of the scary stuff

Baby J loving his new table!

89.

Notice anything odd about this Nativity scene?

88.

Baby friends.
 
Miss Ivy Sue came to play today.  These 2 youngsters have known each other since last February; but with a year age difference, and because Baby J wasn't walking, it was difficult for them to interact.  The tables have turned, and with Baby J cruising around upright they were able to PLAY!  They were adorable together.

They helped each other too...
Baby J has refused to eat apples.  I continually offer him apples because I know he will like them, but he shakes his head no and clamps his lips shut tight.  Although, once he saw Ivy eating them he instantly wanted apples as well!  Later in the evening during bath time, Ivy watched Baby J splashing in the tub and decided she wanted to have some splashing fun too.  [She has been scared of the tub and will only shower with her mom.]  So the 2 of them had tub time together and she showed no fear. 
Sometimes seeing someone your own age do something, makes you more confident to give it a try.  This can be a powerful and positive learning experience, but unfortunately as we grow older it has the potential to turn into peer pressure.  I suppose in life there are always fine lines.  

Here's another photo.  Just because it's adorable.

87. we all fall down

Last night Baby J tripped, knocking his head on the rocking chair.  It swelled up into a big goose egg and there were a lot of tears.  Today the bump has subsided, but the bruise is showing off. 

Earlier in the day yesterday he fell on a gravel path and skinned his knee for the first time too.  He's growing from baby to boy right before of my eyes.   

86.

 

Wisteria grows wild down here in Georgia.  I have been wanting to photograph the wisteria before it's short-lived flowers begin wilting.  A morning walk along the canal with Baby J and Jasmin gave me a perfect opportunity.  We are at the end of the short-lived Wisteria blooming season, so I was happy to find a few pretty purple clusters still holding strong.

85. egg hunting

Baby J's first Easter egg hunt was hosted by our church and featured over 2,000 hidden eggs!  He had fun collecting eggs off the ground.  He also had fun trying to take eggs out of other kids' baskets (work smarter not harder) and opening the eggs to dump the goodies out on the ground.

When I was younger I thought parents organized events like today's simply to make children happy; but now I realize these events are just as much (albeit different) fun for the parents.

84.

A suppose-to-be rainy day turned out to be beautifully sunny with upper 70's temperatures.  This morning we went downtown because it was the kick off day for the of Augusta farmer's market at the river. 
For dinner we took full advantage of the nice weather and my very own grill-master made delicious lime/cilantro hamburgers topped with guacamole on a toasted onion bun. 
It tasted like summer.    

83.

I didn't get my camera out until the storm was dieing down, but for awhile it was pretty intense.  Loud thunder, pouring rain, small hail, and strong enough winds to blow our trashcans down the road. 

82.

The sweetest face I have ever seen. 

81.

The ol' arm-out-self-portrait trick.  

80. Spring

Happy 1st day of Spring!

Here, in Augusta, Spring means golf!  Everyone is gearing up for the Masters.  The whole city has started buzzing, new signs are being placed around town to direct traffic and grocery stores are setting up massive displays.  Restaurants and hotels are preparing for a big tourist boom while many locals will plan to get out of town.

MM and I are staying in town, we have practice round badges for Tuesday and we are very excited to walk the gorgeous grounds of Augusta National Golf Course again.

This photo was taken at 'Woods and Wedges' driving range.  The tall thin trees are Georgia Pines; they are everywhere around here.    

79.

Baby In A Box
And because he is incredibly adorable I decided to throw in a couple more...

78.

Whenever I am on the phone Baby J thinks I am talking to Daddy.  Even if Daddy is at home with us, he still believes I am talking to Daddy.  When I hang up the phone he will turn to me and say, "Dad?".  If you are ever chatting with me and you wait a few seconds to hang up after we've said our goodbyes you will hear this. 
Recently this 'always talking to Daddy' belief has expanded to everyone on a phone.  When MM (Daddy himself) hangs up, he will ask, "Dad?".  Last week at the grocery store a lady next to us in the produce section was talking on her cell phone, upon hanging up, Baby J asked her if she too was talking to Dad.  It's so cute.  I know he will outgrow this soon enough, so for now I am really enjoying his adorable train of thought.     

77. St. Patrick's Day

The Faunces (pictured here) have been busy building a new deck and today they put this completed project to good use.  There was grilling.  There was a buffet of green food.  There were yard games and friends.
I don't know if I have ever experience 85 degree St. Patrick's Day before, but I can't say I minded it. 

76. Mmmmm Steak

Tonight MM made the most flavorful steak I have ever tasted in my life.  We had watched this video on cooking steak a couple of weeks ago and knew we wanted to try this Italian steak.  If you ever decide to try it, you will not be disappointed!   Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

75. Cutting molars.

For about 24 hours Baby J has been running a fever due to cutting 3 molars at once.  It has made him lethargic, sleepy, and cuddly.  He hasn't wanted to eat much so I was happy this morning when he showed interest in a banana (his typical breakfast choice).  But the poor guy didn't have enough energy to eat and fell sound asleep in his highchair.

74.

I have never lived in an area where the pollen so abundant.  It coats everything.  I'm thankful I don't suffer from pollen allergies, because Spring in Augusta would be miserable.   

73.

 

 Ruby snuck into the car while I was buckling Baby J into his car seat.  She was so quiet I almost didn't notice her.  I guess she wants to take more car rides. 

72.

You are looking at the new NCOIC (for non military folks this acronym stands for Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge) of the Eisenhower Hospital Emergency Department.  Baby J and I made an unexpected stop by MM's office to check out the new plaque and offer our congratulations in cookie form!  I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments. 

71.

This photo captures today perfectly.  It is full-fledged spring here in Georgia and I am loving it!  After another powerful morning at The Quest Church we came home, lunched, and napped.  Well, the boys napped.  I couldn't put my book down long enough to sleep.  This afternoon the weather was too nice to sit indoors.  We went for a walk downtown, which is where this photo was taken.  The city of Augusta recently planted flowers beds on both sides of the street with tulips, pansies, and daffodils.  Seeing them puts me in a good mood. 

70.

The Quest Church (our home church of Augusta) hosted their spring vendor showcase today.  They had food and music and many vendors selling a variety of goods.  We had fun browsing and spent money on a couple essentials- cookies & cupcakes.  My favorite find of the day was a cookie baker named Bethany Lamb.  She makes ultra-adorable sugar cookies and they taste even better than they look!  If anyone out there is ever looking for a great way to surprise me (hint hint*), go here... Sweet B's Cookies. 

Later this evening we headed over to Joe & Meghan's house.  They have such a great gathering house and luckily for us they enjoy hosting get togethers!  Joe grilled hotdogs, everyone brought snacks to share, and we stayed up until midnight chatting with old friends while getting to know some new ones.

For the family members wondering about the baby... he was sleeping soundly in the guest bedroom. 

69. Daddy is home!

After a week of being TDY in San Antonio MM flew home last night.  His plane didn't arrive until the evening making the daylight hours seem to tick on forever.  I did a lot of cleaning and cooking to busy myself and pass the time. 
The expression on Baby J's face when he saw his Daddy was priceless!  I loved seeing these 2 boys reunited.  It may have been only a week long assignment (this time), but that didn't stop me from feeling all gushy about going to the airport.  There are 3 very happy people in the Jordan home tonight!

68.

After much searching I finally found a package of these coveted Birthday Cake Oreos!  They are similar to normal Oreos, except the cream filling is a cake batter flavor with sprinkles in celebration of their 100th year.  They are only being produced for a limited time and I already spotted someone selling a package on ebay for $14!  I'm trying to be good and not eat any (because if I eat one I doubt I will be able to stop myself from polishing off the entire package) before Marshall gets home- 24 hours to go.
Also HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE BUBS!  If you lived closer I would share my birthday cake oreos with you... now that is love!!!

67. a week of sleepovers

With MM being TDY I am left alone with Baby J, which is fine except that I have great amounts of anxiety when home alone at night.  I have never enjoyed being home alone at night, but after having a baby the dislike has turned into a strong fear.  I don't sleep much and worry about every possible scenario that "could" happen.  It is awful! 
And then Jasmin came to the rescue!  Each night she has come over to spend the night.  We have became closer friends over the course the week.  I'm going to miss the nightly girl talk.  She has been fantastic, really helping me out in my time of need.  With her here I have been able to relax and have restful nights.
To Jasmin I want to issue a very heartfelt THANK YOU! 
MM is grateful as well.  He doesn't like hearing his wife worried and upset, especially when thousands of miles away... so thank you from him too!

John McHugh with C Co. 173rd, Afghanistan 2007-2008 deployment

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2008/apr/22/fightingseason?fb=native

66.

A couple of ferocious beasts.

65.

A fun friend + a drama-filled 'The Bachelor' episode + spoonfuls of Nutella =               superb Monday evening!

64.

Although we live in a city of few hundred thousand people, behind our house there is nothing but trees!  It's one of the things that attracted us to this place of residence.  And in the evening the sunset glow comes through all the trees; it's a pretty sight.

63. mushy

A collection of notes passed back and forth between MM and I.  The journal is hidden to be found by the recipient spouse.  This morning MM went TDY to Texas and I was feeling lonely and sad, but when I went to make my morning coffee I found this and smiled.

62.

After some milk and teething brushing comes the best part of Baby J's bedtime routine, the cuddles.  He climbs up, lays his head down and one of his lucky parents get to snuggle and love all over him before laying him down to sleep. 

61.

This the "study" our small group is currently doing.  It is a really great video series about... you guessed it... marriage!  So every Thursday night for 6 weeks we are gathering with other married couple friends to learn the deeper, truer meaning of marriage.  This is good stuff people!