Preschool

My big boy started preschool two weeks ago!! When David & I found a preschool that had an opening & they accepted him, I was ecstatic. We had known for some time that Jordan was ready for preschool, and needed it socially (way too much energy to be cooped up at home!).  I am so thankful that my boy loves preschool :) He looks forward to it, makes a beeline for the toys when he's dropped off (mom who?), and always comes running to me with a smile on his face when I pick him up.  Jordan goes two mornings a week, comes home, has lunch & then naps.  Tuesday & Thursday - my favorite days of the week!

A funny note about the preschool application:  I was asked to list Jordan's strengths, weaknesses, and other character traits.  "Is your child a leader or a follower? Please give example".  "Is your child shy or confident? Please give example".  As I was working through this (and reading the questions aloud) my brother jokingly asked if Jordan was applying for a job.  Let me tell you, it felt that way! I resisted the urge to type up a single spaced paper on how my child was bright, articulate, friendly, and just the bestest little guy around!!

Halloween is around the corner & Jordan is going to be an orchestra conductor!  We will make him a baton (that might not be a good idea actually ... .  While I am sure Jordan has grown, my hope is that he will still fit into his tuxedo from March (ring bearer in a wedding).  If he does not fit into it, then his costume will be non existent.  Maybe I'll have him carry a pumpkin around and he can be Peter Peter pumpkin eater.  Food for thought.  :)

What A Summer It Has Been!

This summer was adventurous and fun! David was home the month of July & we loved having him around all the time.  Mommy didn't like it so much when Daddy went back to work & Jordan had to re-learn all over again that Mommy is the boss :)

In July, we went camping for a week with David's family in Northern California.  Our goal is for this to be an annual event & Jordan LOVED it.  His favorite activity was standing in the river & throwing rocks.  He could have done it for hours on end.  It was probably the only time he's ever been told "Go ahead! Throw rocks!" (just as long as it was not aimed at someone, which did happen a few times).   Our little boy got very dirty, as little boys should while camping.  It's an unwritten rule.

The potty training started ... and it has not ended! Actually it's stalled at the moment.  There have been funny moments, frustrating moments and moments of "wouldn't it be great if he could just change his own diaper?".  In an effort to embrace the big boy idea, Jordan has gone from diapers to pull ups.  It has not quite made a difference in the overall scheme of things, but it makes me feel like we're going in the right direction :)  The only hitch is when we run out of all the tow truck (Mater) pull ups & have to use the Lightening ones.  Oh yes, the entire bag has been pulled out & inspected until Jordan is absolutely sure there is no more tow truck & he has no choice but to wear the Lightning ones.  Thankfully he's learned that he needs to put all pull ups back on the shelf - I don't care if it's haphazard, as long as it's not all over the floor!

In other news, the transition from crib to big boy bed was a much smoother transition than potty training (I think almost anything is a much smoother transition than potty training!).  I think we had maybe two rough nights and that was it.  (Or I could have just chosen not to remember if it was more than two nights).  We were so happy & thankful to receive a 'new to us' bed from my cousin's family.  My uncle made a car bed for his grandson & they have passed the bed down to us.  Jordan LOVES it! Every night he crawls into bed to read a book with either Mommy or Daddy (until lately, when I have to sit on the floor because I have a hard time getting in/out of the bed!).

You may notice that Jordan's room looks different (for those of you who have seen it before).  David and I recently repainted the room as we got it ready for Jordan to share with his baby brother, who will be making his appearance at the end of November (or at the beginning, if he wants to be like his big brother!).  

Hopefully I will get at least two more posts in before Lucas is born :) With a 2 1/2 year old & a pregnant momma, life gets interesting! 

Talking & Other Things

Since Jordan has turned 2, it has been a busy and active household.  Each day he is talking more, using sentences and telling us what it is that he wants.  Believe me, this boy knows exactly what he wants! Not a day goes by where I am not giving thanks for the patience of my little one.  When I do not understand something Jordan is saying, he will patiently repeat the word or sentence many times until finally I understand.  For those of who you are wondering, Jordan takes after his momma in the chatterbox category :)  

Diego & Dora have become the 'must watch' tv shows in our household.  After a year+ of Curious George, it is a welcome change :) It is fun to see Jordan interacting with the show, saying "Swiper, no swiping!" or helping locate whatever they ask for on the show.  I confess it still throws me off with how long Diego or Dora just stare at the 'viewer' waiting for an answer.

A big thing this summer is swimming! Jordan, who refused to go in the water last year, is loving it up this year! With his life vest that's not a life vest but part of his swimsuit (picture below), Jordan will swim by himself (as much as a 2 year old can swim by themselves) while holding on to a noodle.  He is learning that you must walk, not run around the pool, and he may not get in unless grandpa/gram/mommy/daddy is already in the pool waiting for him.  We are loving that my parents have a pool & it's a great way to spend a hot afternoon!

Jordan is learning to count (1, 2, 3, 4, 6), the alphabet & his shapes.  He tells me what letter he is writing (did you know that scribbles can be K's?) :)  Thanks to various books, Jordan can also recognize a lot of animals.  Many times, Jordan runs up to us and will roar in our face and then say "Lion!".  I wonder if I could convince him that lions do not roar that loudly :)

Last week Jordan started a program called Lil Kickers.  They did a lot of drills & Jordan would do the drills as long as he was holding a ball.  If he was not holding a ball, when the drill started, he would veer over to the corner to grab a ball before catching up with the other kids.  From an observer's point of view, it's pretty funny to watch a group of 18 month - 2 1/2 year olds try to follow directions :) 

Three big things are coming up this summer - our first camping trip! We are going camping for a week in Northern CA with David's family.  When we get back from camping, we are going to work on potty training (it's already started - I wasn't ready!), and transitioning to a toddler bed.  Quick, wish us luck on all three activities!!

2 years old!

Happy Birthday to my 2 year old boy!! 

Child of mine, you stole my heart from the day you were born.  As you grow in leaps and bounds, always on the go, I cherish the moments when you sit in my lap as I read a book to you and when you lay your head on my shoulder because you are tired.  You have a strong will and stubborn spirit, but it evens out with your tender and loving heart.  Your answer to everything is a determined "NO!" with a shake of your head to emphasize your point.  You love to be outside playing basketball or playing in the mud.  You love to be chased and squeal with delight when you are caught.  Your vocabulary is growing daily, and I love how you repeat the last thing I say like it's a question.  You are full of confidence and know exactly what you want and where you want to go.  

You are starting to sing along with the ABC's which is great fun to listen to.  A new favorite activity of yours is to pretend to cook.  You grab anything that you can reach and use it to "add ingredients" to your culinary creation.  You are still taking one nap a day, much to my delight.  There was a time I feared nap time would be eliminated by now.  You continue to do well at bedtime and I am delighted that you now are willing for us to read a story to you! Currently, you are enjoying Green Eggs & Ham. (good speech practice for your mommy!).  

You are also starting to embody the "terrible twos".  You are certainly teaching me that I need to be creative in how to effectively discipline you! You know how to turn on the charm and smile your way out of trouble, give hugs and kisses, and instantly those tears dry up as soon as you think you have won the battle :) My darling boy, you will test me and try me throughout the years, but I know that in the end, it will be worth it! 

My prayer for you is that you keep the confidence you have now, the joy you have for being with others, the ability to ask for help when help is needed, the smile and hugs you so readily give, your tenderness and kindness to those who are suffering, and the strength (or stubbornness) to get you through rough times.  Above all, I pray that you follow Christ and let Him guide your life.  Right now, in these precious years, He has entrusted us with you, to guide you and lead you throughout childhood, and my daily prayer is that Christ continues to give us the strength and wisdom that is necessary to raise you.  

Jordan Keith, you bring such joy to my life.  My heart is full when I take one look at you and that sweet smile.  You, my boy, have been an answer to a prayer and what an amazing answer you are!!  I love you.    

To My Son

To my darling little boy,

    At a time when you are almost two, and the 'terrible two's' have already made their debut, life can get challenging & frustrating.  I wanted to take a moment and tell you why I love you so very much.

   I love your caring & tender heart.  You comfort others when they are sad and you try to make them laugh to get them to feel better.  I love hearing your belly laugh - it never fails to bring joy to my heart.  I love that you share with others and when you get to know someone new, you hand them a toy as an invitation to play with you.  I love how you smile & laugh when you watch Curious George and you ask for us to put it on (constantly)  "Cur George!".  I love that you love to 'read' and it always brings a smile to my face when I peek around the corner to see you sitting in the midst of books, reading to yourself.  I love that I see traces of your daddy in you & how you love to follow him around, being his little helper.  I love how active you are (as tiring as it can be!).  You love to play outside whether it be throwing or kicking a ball, playing golf, or just running around while someone chases you.  I love that you love to dance anytime you hear music.  I love your determination to figure things out, yet willing to ask for help when you need it.

   My little monkey, there are so many reasons why I love you.  I thank the Lord for blessing us with you and for filling our hearts with more love and joy than we could ever imagine!!

Daddy's little helper

Love that sweet smile!! 

Playing trucks with his cousin Winter 

Reading Curious George

Doing what he loves best - playing basketball

Loving on my little boy!! 

Belated Christmas Post!

Christmas 2010 was spent in Oregon with the Thompson family.  This was the first Christmas with the littlest Thompsons, Jordan (21 months) & Winter (7 months).   What a fun time!

We were able to go get a Christmas tree this year, which Jordan loved ... you know, running through the trees and making us chase after him :)

I loved this Christmas for several reasons, but one memory I shall cherish is that Jordan was of the age where he was truly happy and content with each gift he got.  As soon as he opened a gift, he would play with it until we got him to open another gift.  There were times I had to start unwrapping before he would join in.  It may seem silly, but in today's society where children just rip open gift after gift and are never satisfied, it warmed my heart to see that my boy, for this moment in time, enjoyed each gift, no matter how big or small.  I also cherish this memory because I am sure that next Christmas, he will rip through each gift!

In typical Thompson fashion, Christmas would not be complete without some type of playful ... whatever you shall call it.  In the past, we shot nerf guns.  This Christmas, David's inventive brother came up with marshmallow guns!  My niece got in on the action - following in her daddy's footsteps!

In case you were wondering, Jordan did his part by picking up all the marshmallows that fell to the floor & eating them.  :)

Catching Up

It has been a while since I have updated on what Jordan is up to developmentally.  Before I began this post, I looked back at his 1 1/2 year post and it is amazing to me how quickly he learned/grew/developed.  Craziness.

On December 10th, Jordan will be 21 months ... 3 months away from turning 2.  Lord help me, for he's already a handful!

At this time Jordan is:

*talking ... as in actual words that people can understand :) We are working on naming items and not just pointing at everything.  If he wants a banana, he has to say banana - water, milk, cup, etc. You get the gist.  Most importantly, I am finally, finally, mama :) I love hearing that little voice go "mama!". Somehow though, when he is looking for me, I become "stacy" again.  go figure.

*"Help me' has become very common - it's usually because something is stuck or a toy is under the couch that he cannot reach.

*in October, Jordan moved from the high chair to a booster chair.  Mealtimes became easier.  Happy toddler, happy parents!

*Imaginary play is emerging around the Thompson household - what fun! Animal sounds, talking on the phone, and zooming cars.  We love listening to Jordan when he is engaged in imaginary play.

Jordan is a world class fake crier and can 'cry' at the drop of a hat.  He squinches up his eyes and puts on his best sad face.  He'll peek at you to see if you are falling for it, and when you aren't, he resumes again.  If he thinks you have fallen for it, he's all smiles again, trying to comfort you! I have never met a child that made it so hard to not laugh when they are in trouble and "upset".

I found this online recently - Murphys Law for Toddlers.  It pretty much sums up Jordan (and every toddler!)

• When you need to carry a child they will want to walk.
• When you want them to walk they will want to be carried.
• A child's favorite one day is never a favorite the next day (especially food).
• The intensity of the tantrum is directly proportional to the amount of people around to witness.
• The amount of sound from the other room is inversely proportional to the amount of trouble the child is getting into.
• When you are in a hurry the child will dawdle.
• The later you let a child stay up at night, the earlier he will wake up in the morning.
• When leaving the house without an extra set of clothes, they will render the clothes they have on unwearable