Congrats Grad

Yesterday Derek and I went with mom and Paul and Aaron to see Riki graduate from Texas A&M. We had to get up at 6am, make the long drive, walk through the cold campus, and sit up in the bleachers for about 3 hours...And Derek didn't cry once. But that's typical Derek. So well behaved. I get strangers coming up to me all the time commenting on how calm and quiet he is. I am quite lucky. Derek did startle once: when we all screamed Riki's name. Aaron's holler was so loud and long I don't think anyone heard the next name called. Derek got more attention from the ladies than even Jordan does. Riki's own girlfriend paid more attention to him than to Riki. hehe.

Camp Tejas

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Jason, and the three of us went out to Camp Tejas to see their light festival. It was a whole secluded campground covered in christmas lights. Jordan's top priority was to dispense some energy in children's play area. Once he was bouncey housed out we went on a hay ride and then walked through a little trail of lights. Jordan then wanted to go on the ziplone. I was surprised, because he's not really the adventurer type, but I was glad he took the chance on this. It was hard to snap pictures. Jordan then led us through a xmas light maze and had a blast chasing Grandpa around in it. Derek had fun too. He loves light and color. He wasn't too thrilled when I lost his pacifier though. To end the night Grandpa took Jordan back to the bouncey houses while Derek and I sat with Grandma in a room full of Christmas trees that lit up to the beat of each song that would play. photos to come...

Christmas parade

Pictures to post soon... On December 1st I took the boys with Grandpa Paul to the Austin Xmas Parade. Jordan stood right up on the streetline and loved every minute of it. He even took a few dozen photos. He especially likes seeing spider-man walk by and spray him with webbing (silly string). Derek enjoyed the crowd. He stayed awake and alert the whole time, his eyes darting left and right to keep up. The only part he did not enjoy was the sirens of the firetrucks. When we left to go to lunch at Dennyis is when he started crying that he was tired. He had a very good nap that afternoon.

We are Back

I just remembered we had this blog! And now that I've been bored and trapped at home, blogs will be my new form of entertainment :). So follow me and I will follow you. I'll be writing about Jordan starting kindergarten and the upcoming baby. Our family is growing and prospering and hopefully it'll stay that way.

homecoming

Shane will be here any minute and Jordan will get to spend about a week with him. That will be great. As for me, I will be swamped with homework. I have never done so poorly in a class before; I may drop it. However, I met with my teacher and she says she is surprised anyone passes this class, it is quite hard. So I am going to work my butt off for the next week, and if my grades do not improve, I will then drop it. wish me luck.
I will update and post pics of Jordan from his week with his dad. They are going to Seaworld and The San Antonio Zoo and all sorts of things. If I am a good girl and do all my work, I may get to go too. we shall see.
also, I feel like such a mom now cause I finally put up framed pics of jordan in the front room :)

Jordan discovers a splash pad

Patriotism

Jordan's new favorite toy is an American flag. He takes it in the stroller and waves it in the wind. He'll even curl up and sleep with it. He likes to pose with it for the camera, too.
We went to the little water park twice this week. The first day he gently played on the edge with a little water spout, but today he refused to go in. Claimed he was scared. Speaking of scared, he said that last night too with the thunderstorm. There was a tornado that touched down about 1/2 mile away so we were a little nervous. My flowers did not enjoy the weather but they survived.
We're going to go to the Farmer's Market tomorrow. If I take pics I'll post them up here. TTFN

Going Green. Lol

I'm taking care of my first potted flower plant. I bought them and didn't water them for a week so they died. But I was able to bring them back to life and they brighten up our little patio. Jordan signs the word flower when he wants to help me water them. While we were out doing that today, Jordan picked up his tennis racket and started singing. We're inside now and he's still singing. I guess music is in his blood.

Summer time

Summer's here and school is out. Until June 1st at least. I've been spending my down time sunning at the pool while Jordan pretends he wants to go in (I'm not sure why he's afraid). Or else we go down to the park where he tries to walk up the slide. We've been visiting with our Lexington family too. We threw Paul a birthday party on Sunday, it was awesome.
Jordan is doing well with his potty training. He's almost perfect if I let him run around naked at home. And as soon as I'm thinking to myself how proud I am, he'll go pee on my shoes. Silly boy.
Our new place is good. It's home. and I decorated the front door all colorful so Jordan will recognize it. We don't have cable hooked up because I don't want it. I only watch a couple shows anyway so I use hulu. And Jordan uses the movie players to watch his Disney movies. Which mostly means Cars about 3 times a day. He quotes the lines before they're said too. Reminds me of the uncles.
So I'm taking two classes online this summer so I can stay home with Jordan. Shane pays me extra child support so I can do it. And I'm happy about it. School went well for my first college semester. I got a bit overwhelmed near the end with 14 credits and my car continuously breaking (I bought a new one). But I got my report card this weekend and it turns out the stressful studying paid off. I have a 4.0. yay.
I'm working out on a daily basis and Jordan loves to join me. He especially likes to do pilates with me which is so cute to see him attempt.
Well that's all for now. Jordan's watching cars and I'm messing with my new webcam. Hit me up if you want to video chat with me or my little angel. ttfn

Insanium

Jordan and I are moving back into Austin city limits tomorrow. we got a one bedroom apartment and will be completely on our own for the first time. wish us luck.
So I've been in school for 6 weeks now and it's going pretty well. I switched my tai chi class to History of Theatre. Dance three days a week is tough on my body, but the pilates is good for muscles tone. so look out, I'll be super fit in no time. My grade average is a 90% right now. Which is acceptable but lower than I hoped. 13 credits is alot of work for a single mom. feel for me.
Jordan is doing fantastically! He learns new words everyday and has a wonderful memory. unfortunately his nana's foul language was repeated by him the other day. Hopefully that won't happen again. He hasn't been gaining weight at all but he's getting taller. wearing the size clothing of his age finally. He's teething right now so he walks around chewing on his hand. He has an underbite like Grandma Christy. He loves to be naked, and likes to change his own diaper. potty training is going clowly but steadily. He's only used his potty once for me but he uses it almost everyday for his nana. I'm sad I don't get to spend very many waking hours with him, but that's one of the reasons I got a one bedroom place. I like him being close.
Shane and I are discussing putting him in preschool next year. we shall see. he knows many of his colors and can almost count to 9 by himself. he also knows quite a few letters and can recognize his name written.
well thats enough for now. sry I don't keep everyone updated, but my days are so full. but im happy. hopefully good things will last for us.

Birthday Boy

Jordan has turned 2! We spent his birthday (Dec. 12th) as any other day except he got away with a few things he normally wouldn't have. On the 13th he had a birthday party. His best friend Evin, (and Evin's mom and grandma), and my roommate's son Colton (both 21 months old) came over for a couple hours. Jordan had a blast! He kept saying "happy birday". In fact he's still saying it, it makes him laugh. He enjoyed us singing the birthday song, and then he blew out his two candles. I'll put up pictures soon of him diving into his cupcake. He opened his first gift and played with it for about 45 minutes before he noticed any others. so he opened a second gift. A third at the end of his party. He left the others. He opened one from Grammy today (he loves it). And the ones from me I'll let him open when he feels like it.

We are that smart

UPDATE: so I got my school loans and grants and will be taking 12 credits this semester. I will quit my job on January 16th. Jordan's grandma will be watching him for me until she finds a new job and then I will be getting him an in-home nanny.
p.s. I have two weeks of paid holiday vacation and don't know what to do with myself. glad my dad will be here to entertain me while everyone else is still at work.

Jordan is potty training. In the early stages, but still exciting. It's helpful that he is able to do it at home at the same time as his roommate and at his sitter's with her son. They grow up so fast...
As for me, I just got enrolled in the community college. heck yes. I start in January. I'll be getting my associates degree in liberal arts. Then I'll transfer to a university for my BA. Unless plans change I am going for a masters in teaching (English literature with minors in creative writing and theatre/playwriting). I haven't decided how I'm going to go about this just yet. I may go full time (17-18 hours) and quit my job. Jordan will be going to daycare in the new year. We shall see. I will keep my blog updated on that topic. Wish us both luck!

back to school

In January I start college. Finally. I'll be going to the Austin Community College and getting my associate degree in liberal arts. I'll be taking the classes I can online, and I'll get a sitter for the classes I have to take on campus (which is just down the street). The full time schedule will be hard on Jordan because we will have a little less time together, but of course it will be worth it. In two years I'll either be transferring to UT or to a university out of state. we shall see. I plan on a masters in english literature, so I can teach at a university. Wish me luck!

busier than we look

Jordan and I are staying productive but we don't seem to get as much done as I would think all those hours would do for us. He hasn't been sleeping too well, he sleptwalked once and I found downstairs on the couch. He crawls out of his little bed about 2am and comes into my room. Then tosses and turns until he's kicked me out of bed. We're up at about 8 and spend the day together. We mostly hang around the house or play at the park. Then he goes to his sitter's with her son Evin, who's his age, and plays there while I work. She does very well with him. He knows half his alphabet and most of his numbers. He's learning fast and soaks it all in. When I pick him up at about 10pm he sometimes doesn't want to leave. But I do love how he yells "mama" and gives me a big hug. Some weekends we go spend time at my mom's. He loves his grandparents! And everyone loves my little boy.

Berry and Beasley

It's a little odd to have a different last name than my son, but it works. So here we are. The cutest pair you will ever see in the state of Texas. Getting settled in to our new place in Round Rock and hoping to keep in touch plenty with our family across the country. We love you all and I will try to keep up with the blogging.