Way Far Away from the Dock

2009-03-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

So I have gone against my own rules a little in desperation to get Michael to eat. I have said in the past that I would not reward everyday realistic expectations. Especially when it comes to food. I am kicking myself now. I have been giving Michael fruit snacks when he eats most of his lunch being careful not emphasizing "empty plate". So here is what I found when cleaning his booster seat.

We are Alive and Well.

2009-03-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

It has been way too along according to my friends and family since I have blogged. You know who you are ( Aunt Deb). Jack has started sleeping through the night and so have I. I have not figured out a good time to blog. I will give it some serious thought.

The kids are growing so fast and it seems like Jack will be running away from me any moment. He is not walking yet but he is getting so close. Michael is still surprising us every day. He picks so much up that the adults say around him. Its so cute to hear the things that come out of his mouth. When you ask him if he smart he says " yes I smart and good looking". I am enjoying them so much. Jacks birthday is next week. The theme is.... The Big One! I hope to make it special for him. Scott is still working hard for his family and his store is doing record numbers. I could not be prouder. He has vacation coming up. I am looking forward to spending time with him and going on a date! I hope the blogging world has not forgot about me. I have been hiding in the Face book vortex. Post soon.

The Alamo

2008-12-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

You have not been to the Alamo until you have been to the Alamo with my husband. For those that do not know about Scott's love for Texas history let me share a little secret. Scott loooooves Texas history. We have been to the Alamo 6 times in our marriage of 9 years. He has read every plaque, marker and etched stone in the place. Every time we go he is soo passionate about the stories of the men that gave their lives. Watching him makes me want to learn and feel a fraction of what he is feeling. We took Jack and he walked across the line that William Barret Travis drew in the sand so he is an official Texan. Michael walked across the line when he was 6 months and then several times this visit so I think he is coverd. I hope one day the boys will share this love of learning about history with their father.

San Antonio

2008-12-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

Scott and I took a long weekend and went to San Antonio. Jack was able to meet his great grandma for the first time. The pictures will tell the rest.

Lets Talk about Jack

2008-12-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

I can not beleive it has been 9 months Jack has been in our lives. His personality has really showed itself. Here are some of Jacks Likes:

Eating, pulling up on peoples legs, eating, taking baths with his big brother, eating, biting his mommy, eating, his glow seahorse, eating and trying to do everything big brother does. Oh and eating.

Jacks dislikes: Going to long with out eating, when mommy leaves the room, when mommy puts me down to nap and when big brother does not let me have full access to his toys.

He is such a joy and soo layed back. He will cry until I walk in the room. As soon as I say his name he will smile and hold his arms up to be held. I am truely blessed to have them both in my life.

Michael's Birthday with Family

2008-12-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

Michael's birthday ended up being on a Sunday so we had a BBQ at our house with family. He loves his new train set and his busy town playcenter.

2008-12-09T21:32:00.000-08:00

We had Michaels party @ Pump It Up. It is a large warehouse full of jumpers and this very large slide. Michael showed no fear what so ever and went down tummy first by himself. When we sang happy birthday to him he laughed and giggled. He really enjoyed himself and so did his friends. We had 15 of Michael's friends attend and they all made it very special for him.

Long time no blog.

2008-12-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

Our family has been very busy. I will update you on the highlights.

Michael turned 2! I made his cake myself he was very pleased with my selection of decor. He looked at the cake and yelled ALL ABOARD WOOOH WOOOH! I did star cookies for party favors. They were a big hit with the parents and kids.

Day at the Oil Ranch Part one

2008-10-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

There was soo much to do at this place we could have stayed longer but nap time was calling for everyone. The conversation with the goat to the left went like this...."Hi goat. How are you goat?

I still play with make-up

2008-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Sarah's husband has been away on business. When the husbands away the girls play........with make-up? We had fun here is a glamor shot we took. Its not so much glamorous as it is funny but I must share. We had fun. It was very difficult to get us all in the shot and making a so called sexy come hither look with out laughing.

Single Mother of Two under Two.

2008-10-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, so every once in a while I take out the violins and start whining about my husbands long hours. I had a really tough day and I was on the edge with toys, Dr appointments, filling prescriptions, diapers, toddler fits, green beans being hurled across the dining room and strained carrots on the wall (Jack sneezed). So I brought the kids outside. I put Jack in his walker and Michael hopped on his tricycle and I called Scott. I was seconds away from saying look Scott your the boss just tell your guys to handle it and come home. Before I could say anything Scott answered the phone out of breath saying" hey babe is everybody okay? I cant talk. I had 3 guys call in and I'm working a skeleton crew. I got a 3 hour wait and 13 cars in line." I thought to myself there is no place in the world he would rather be than here with us. He works harder than anyone I know. He is up before the sun and home hours after dark. He never complains and comes home so excited to be with his family. He is so positive and a great example to me. He makes our time count and I know he has to be exhausted. So here is a shout out. I love you and Thanks for all you do.

We Got a Bigger Bed!

2008-09-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so we didn't get a bigger bed. We just moved fat jack to his. We let him cry it out. Scott and I cried it out on the couch waiting for him to give in. He did and we did a little happy dance in the middle of our living room. He is also eating solids sooo much better. A friend of mine suggested giving him more solids would free up some of my time and so far so good. I have only had to nurse 4 times today! My sister in law took some cute pics. Must share.

The Avocado that Wasn't

2008-09-18T20:35:00.004-07:00

So I am sitting on the couch nursing Jack and in walks Michael from the back porch holding something in his hand. He is coming at me saying" avocado! ". I set Jack down to meet him half way, all the while saying to myself why is there an avocado in my back yard? I take it from him and I must have made a yucky face because he immediately said "no touch poop" and shook his finger at me. That is right. I said poop.

For those that don't know I have a good friend on bed rest and she brought her dog over for the night. Bear is a very large golden retriever who evidently has a unique talent for making fruit like shapes with his poop.

Your Saturday is our Thursday

2008-09-18T20:35:00.003-07:00

Scott works almost every Saturday. So we make a point to have a family day on his day off. We chose the zoo!
Note to future zoo goers..... this bird bites. I would not advise encouraging your toddler to touch it. Scott?

Lions were very lazy

so were the bears

Hi! I am Michael the zoo keeper.

Ike came to the zoo too!
I have never felt more like a giraffe in my life!
Well that concludes the tour. Thanks for coming to the Houston Zoo.

Rub a Dub in the R.V. .........Sink?

2008-09-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

My parents are staying in Tomball until their power is back on at their house in Pearland. They brought the R.V. to save it from the jaws of Ike. This is Jack and Michael taking a bath in the sink of the R.V.They loved it!

Ike... erumba

2008-09-11T07:43:00.001-07:00

This some how makes me feel better. Food /Water
Toys , Books and disinfectants.
First aid and toiletries. don't forget the mosquito spray!
Diapers and blankets. must go buy wiped!
72 hour kits and flashlights one for parent and one for the toddler. I hope I have covered everything and I hope all of you that I love are preparing too.

The View From my Dining Room

2008-09-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Scott and Paw Paw Jordy started on the play set yesterday.

Michael helped in his own way.

After his inspection they were allowed to continue.
It was so hot! I don't know how they did it.
I discovered the view from my dining room this morning. I visioned sitting at the table, chatting with friends while watching our kiddos play from the air conditioned comfort. This might take a a year or so for that amount of freedom. A girl can dream right?

First Bite or Last Bite?

2008-09-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

Jack had his first solids last night. I dont think it was what he was hoping for. He has been watching us while we eat so I thought he was ready. I also think he is ready for his first training bra or manzier!

I feel Awful!

2008-09-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

My poor Michael Man. He has been what I call a "stinking toot" the past couple of days. He cried when entering his classroom on Wednesday. I thought it was because I did not obey his command to go to the playground. I thought that because he was pointing to the slide and yelling SLIDE DOWN! SLIDE DOWN! over and over and over. But it turns out he has a double rip roaring ear infection. Who knew? Not me! I have been looking back on the past couple of days asking him "who are you?" or "who do you think you are?" He was in pain. How does it sneak up without warning. The doc put him on Amox. But I hear that doesn't work sometimes. Any body have experience with this ear infection stuff?

2008-08-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

I soo needed this today if not I was going to swarm the teacher with a thousand questions. He napped! I was shocked. So far the school has eaten one pair of khaki shorts and one food container. Oh well. I haven't asked for them back. I didn't really like the shorts anyway.

Michaels first day of MDO

2008-08-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

So Michael has arrived safely home from the harsh grip of the world..... also known as Mothers Day Out. Scott went in late so he could come with us this morning to drop Michael off. I was so proud of my son. For every 3 children one of them was screaming "BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL ". Michael walked up to the closed door knocked and said"open it". We did. He walked right in and sat down with a toy and never looked back. I had to pry Scott out of the door frame. On the way back out to the car Scott grabbed my hand and squeezed it. We walked all the way to the car holding hands like teenagers. I asked him to share what he was feeling. He could not. We got in the car and he was overwhelmed with pride. I love that little man soo much.

Mothers Day Out Freak Out!

2008-08-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

I have been looking forward to this day for 3 months. But now all I can think about is rendering my control to these 2 (very nice and qualified) strangers. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, Michael is starting Mothers Day Out tomorrow. I was sitting on the couch just thinking "I am not going to know what he is doing every second of the day" and that terrifies me. Will the teachers like him? Will they find him incredibly charming, smart and funny like we do at home? Will he miss me? I am a mess.

Jack and Jana

2008-08-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Michael spent the weekend with my parents in Pearland and Jack hung out with me. I forgot what it was like to only have one kid to care for. I missed Michael terribly but got sooo much done and my house stayed picked up for the whole time he was gone. My Dad e-mailed me a picture of Michael sitting in the driver side of his truck with a caption that read "dont worry Mom I only went around the block". He learned some more words while gone like: peanutbutter. Big truck and open it. I had to call my Mom about another word he picked up but it turns out he is saying sit not the potty word. Thank goodness. That would be fun to explain to the nursery leader :)

Love is Blind and Frustrating

2008-08-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

So today I have been trying to teach Michael to put away his toys. I have been incredibly unsuccessful. This afternoon I was compiling a list of questions to ask his preschool teacher when she calls next week. I taught preschool for 10 years, but you would never know it by the list of questions I am planning to ask. I had up to 35 children in my class and 10-15 adult student teachers observing through a one-way glass wall at the college. How is it that I can not prevent my own child from throwing his goldfish container at the dog? So I ask, have I lost it or is this a whole different ball game? I can remember at a parent teacher conference a parent asking me "So he has never held his breath and passed out when you've told him he can't have something?" I had to ask if we were talking about the same child. So now I find myself on the other side of the conversation: asking "How are you going to get him to eat one piece of turkey and not six at one time?" I can teach my child geometric shapes, number symbols and phonetic sounds but I am powerless when trying to keep his hand out of the VCR. I am one frustrated Mommy but I am completely in love.

It's Not a Diet!

2008-08-05T22:01:00.000-07:00

So I have had a semi rotten day. I decided to go off sugars. This has made me very difficult to be around. I can not believe how this change in my diet has allterd my mood so much. I know I'll be back to myself in a day or two. I'm am determined to loose some of this after baby weight. My wonderful sweet husband has been very supportive. I know he is going to miss the starchy side to his dinner but I think he enjoyed his brown rice. I am not calling this a diet. I will treat myself to an occasional sweet or carb but not as often as the past 6months. So far I have dropped 8 pounds and my wedding ring fits again. Michael's school offers aerobic classes in the morning starting in September. So send positive thought s this way and if I seem a little crabby its not you its the sugar calling me back home.

Did He Just Say Rhombus?

2008-07-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

OK so if you think that bragging on your own child is tacky or unbecoming, then look away because this is a complete, blatant display. For the past 3 months we have been working with Michael (now 19 mos) on numbers, a few letter sounds and some shapes. So far he knows: 1-10. M,A,T and S phonetically, and triangle, circle, square and oval. The other day Scott tried to teach Michael diamond. I jokingly said "Daddy that's not a diamond, that's a rhombus." So here is my child one week later with Paw Paw Jordy . See Video.....

Beer Rock Anyone?

2008-07-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

So Lisa called me and asked if I wanted to come over and make Beer Rocks. "O.K..........Whats a Beer Rock?"

Lisa's bread recipe. Look at the cute baby bump!

oops!
Cabbage, Mustard, onion, ground beef and cheese
pound dough ball into flat circles
place mixture in center and pinch closed.

Tah Dah! Beer Rocks.

Totaly Tubular Play Date

2008-07-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Anna and Rachel came over for another play date. We had lots of fun. Jack was so good. He laid on the floor and played while I got to take pictures. He got lots of extra attention later that day from Mommy. They played with this nylon tube ( a gift from Paw Paw Jordy) for a long time.

This Little Toddler Went to Market

2008-07-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Senior and Junior Jordys went to market minus one Scott. Michael was still not feeling up to par but he managed to put on his happy face for an hour or two. He enjoyed looking at all the produce and playing with his Paw Paw. "Been Been".

I Want My Mommy

2008-07-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

So I have been sick now for 10 days . I am finally improving but could not have survived with out the help of my wonderful parents. They came and picked up me and the boys on Sunday and brought us back to their house. They took great care of my boys so I could get better. I still have a very nasty cough but my head is out of the fog. I can once again be the plugged in Mommy I need to be. I was able to get a couple of pictures between sniffles. I somehow made it home without a pic of Michael and my Dad. They were inseparable. They worked on the computer. Michael had his own mouse, of course. They played with sidewalk chalk and played in the rain. So Cute!

Impromptu Play Date

2008-07-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

My friend Lisa called. She asked if we would watch her 2 girls for a little while so she could take care of her very sick puppy, Bear. So on their arrival Anna was very concerned about playing with boy toys. I assured her that we would find something fun for her to do. Rachel explored the house just like any 2 yr old would. I was able to get a quick pic of everyone. Believe it or not, this was the best pick out of five. I asked Anna if she would hold Jack in her lap she said "yes but I don't like it when babies drool on me". " Me either" I said. This is them watching the mad tea party part of Alice In Wonderland. Michael knows that one of the girls is named Rachel and one is Anna but he never did point to the right girl and say the right name. Hopefully we will hang out some more and he will get it straight.

Busy Busy

2008-07-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

What a crazy day. We started our day with a play group with some friends from church. We had a really good turn out. There were about 15 children including infants. We all met at Pump It Up, which is a large empty warehouse full of these inflatable jumpers and huge slides. Michael was really too young but he enjoyed running around, that's for sure. Of course my child would be the only one trying to figure out how he could get out of the room when all the other children would scream when it was time for them to leave. He had a great time. It gave me an idea of where to have a birthday party in the future.

Meet Dr Worrall. We love him very much. He has been the kids Dr since Michael was a newborn. He and his wife want to start a family so he offered to purchase Jack but we have already fallen in love with him and took him off the market. Sorry Dr Worrall. Maybe our next kid but they are not cheap. Today was Jacks 4month check up. He is 97th percentile in weight at 18 pounds and 50-70 % in height at 26 inches. Dr Worrall says he is very healthy. I think that's just a nice way of calling my baby fat. Anyway we love Texas Children's. They have taken great care of us and went to great extents to remedy Jacks Heart condition, which is now non existent.

We are Moving Back into our House

2008-07-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

For the past 6 months we had turned our dining room into a playroom. We moved the table and chairs into the garage, laid carpet and called it a playroom but of course the toys never stayed they would migrate to well....Everywhere so the past week I have felt unmotivated to do any house work because my house always looked like a toy store at closing time. My dining room table is Back baby. It was so nice to sit down as a family and eat a meal. Michael so loved sitting with us to eat his dinner. I even think he ate a bit more than usual. Thanks for the idea Lisa (0you know who you are). We are off to a play date @pump it up will post later about that. TaTa for now

My Mother

2008-07-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

I love my Mom. This morning I awoke with a very very sore throat. She immediately went into Mommy mode. "Jana Lyn it could be strep throat. That's going around you know. Call Angie to watch the boys and you get to a doctor TODAY." So I followed her instructions but luckily no strep. Of course I am thinking how could I get strep when I never leave my house? Any ways Thank Heavenly Father for loving Moms. So heres to you Mom: Thanks for caring so much, Thanks for kissing and hugging me before you devour the boys with kisses, Thanks for letting me run down mundane lists of grocery, overnight bags and so forth. Thanks for hearing my complaints of others and then reminding me of my own faults, Thanks for making each visit sooo special for all of us including Scott ( who I know is secretly your favorite, Im on to ya'll) Thanks for loving me through my not so becoming times. You are wonderful, patient and I love you.

Michael Graham 12-07-2006

2008-07-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

I so wish someone had shared this method of documentation with me before I had my sons. I am terrible about writing in their baby books and this is so much better any ways. So in this blog I'm catching up. Its really just for me and my records. So bear with me.

Everything should start with cake.
8months pregers

Love at first sight. 6 pounds 13ounces/ 20inches
c-section drugs gooooooood
I kept this up for 3months. Thank you neighbors.
The wonderful work of my Father
My poor baby had a neck condition called torticollis. He had 3 months of physical therapy and he is good as new. It happens in the womb.

Watch your toes he's quick
I love that laugh
Playing with Paw Paw at the park

9months pregnant with Jack. Trying to milk the cuddling all I can.
He had just learned the word raining so he would hold up his little hand and yell waining. More to come.

2008-07-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

Jacks Nautical
Nursery

2008-07-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Baby Shower at the Yacht Club. Scott and his Family are avid sailors.

My 19mos has an Enterouge

2008-07-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Michael has his own entourage. I cut all of Michael s curls off last week and placed them neatly in a curl, tied it with a BLUE ribbon (that was for my husband) and placed it in an envelope. I then made an appointment with a stylist for him to get a professional cut. In attendance to this appointment was the following :1 Michael, 1 Mommy, 1 Daddy, 1 Baby Brother, 1 Mammy, 1 Paw Paw, 1Aunt Chell, 2 Video Recorders and a very important Helicopter. I love this place and the people are great with kids but it was almost as much as I spend on my haircuts. He did have a great time.

How to Speak Toddler

2008-07-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Michael now 19 month has been throwing everything he can lay his little chubby fingers on. So I thought long and hard how to explain to my child that he may throw a ball but not the dog bowl that is full of water across the room. It goes something like this "Michael no throw the water bowl. You may throw this ball". So after 2 days of constant consistency my child now throws the water dish then says to me " No throw ! Be Nice!". But what can I expect from the same child that will touch the stove while on and say "HOT no touch" and then run away. I wish I knew how to Speak Toddler.

I did it I'm in

2008-07-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

I am an official blogger now. I hope to keep you all in touch with the moments in my life that is if I get that moment.