Spring Break

This past week was really great as John was on Spring Break from school.  He really wanted to be at home and spend some time together as a family since, in the past, we have always been "on-the-go" during his spring breaks.  Jill worked Monday, Tuesday, and a few hours on Wednesday, so Daddy got to spend a ton of quality time with his Jordan.  I think that they both enjoyed it, although John did mention that being the stay-at-home parent was tough!

Jordan has now been to the pool three times, each time getting more into it.  During his last visit, tonight, he even kicked his legs some!  He definitely smiled and talked while "swimming" so that made both Mommy and Daddy very happy!

Ready for some sun!

We also took Jordan to the beach for the first "official" time this past Saturday morning.  He was totally checking out the ocean, the waves, and the seagulls.  Daddy put his feet in the water and he just stared and stared.  We sat him on the beach, near the ocean, to watch the waves come in.  After all that excitement, we went to relax in the shade under Jordan's beach cabana.  Daddy and Jordan both took it easy in the shade, while Mommy tried to get some sun.  We plan on visiting the beach often--might as well take advantage of the beautiful beaches while we are still in Florida!

Checking out those waves!

Chillin' in the shade

Grandpa Stan and Nana babysat for Jordan this past Thursday night so that Jill and John could head out to a country concert.  Jordan was excited to have fresh faces to entertain and he was a perfect angel for the grandparents.  He also helped Grandpa Stan cheer for Kentucky basketball...we figure since Clemson is out of the tournament, he can at least root for the boys in blue!

Go Big Blue!

So happy in my SC tshirt!

Waving bye-bye

Here's a cute video of Jordan waving bye-bye.  He's been studying us and practicing for about a week now and just finally started waving.  He does more of a wrist-pop right now, but we are so proud of him!  Enjoy!

Happy 6 Month Birthday to Jordan!

Jordan technically turned 6 months old on March 10, 2011 but we have been on the road since then so this post is a little late!  We visited Dr. Luchtan, Jordan's pediatrician, tonight for his 6 month checkup and once again, all is going well.  Jordan weighs 16 lbs. 8 1/2 oz and measures 27 1/2 inches long.  The doctor was happy with everything regarding the little guy so that makes Mommy and Daddy happy too!  Unfortunately, Jordan had a rough time at the doctor's office...he got out of sync with his naps today so by the time we got in to see the doctor, Jordan was wiped out.  He cried most of the visit and then just before his shots, fell asleep on Mommy's shoulder.  This was unusual for the Jord, as he has been very pleasant and happy during our previous doctor office visits.  It was rough and we were so glad to get him home, although I anticipate a tough night ahead!

In the backyard

First cruise in the Baby Jogger with Mommy

One cool dude

This past weekend was a busy one, as the whole family traveled to Charleston, SC for Jill's cousin Sarah's wedding.  Jordan did great on the car ride up, except for the fact that he had been given a teeny tiny itsy bitsy amount of prune juice the night before because of 4 days worth of constipation.  He had been uncomfortable and we didn't want him to be in pain during the trip. But because of that small amount of prune juice, Mommy and Daddy's 8 hour drive became 9 hours, with lots of stops at not-so-ideal locations!  While Mommy and Daddy were sweating it, changing poopy diapers in the car and trying not to make a mess, Jordan just smiled and laughed.  At least we know his tummy was feeling better after all that!

Once we arrived in Charleston, or actually on the Isle of Palms, we were bombarded by family all waiting to see Jordan.  And don't think he didn't get loads of Peebles family time this weekend, because we were literally surrounded by them all....we stayed in a huge house with the entire family for 3 nights!  Jordan was basically, a pretty big deal, other then of course the bride.  He was passed from aunt to aunt to cousin all weekend, but he had a blast showing off.  There was lots of squealing, shrieking, sitting up, and playing (check out the video below for some silliness!).  He got some new (hand-me-down) toys from his cousins Jackson and Riley.  He hung with his Uncle Jeff.  He got to go for a stroller ride on the beach with Mommy and Daddy.  He even got to play with a new babysitter named Ashton while the entire family was at the wedding, which was beautiful, by the way. 

We returned home from SC on Sunday afternoon.  The drive home was a lot easier (boo to prune juice!).  Mommy worked today and Daddy had his first full day as the "manny."  Everyone survived and Jordan loved having his Daddy all to himself.  Spring break has started and we are looking forward to lots of family time this week. 

With KK in Charleston, SC

The fam in Charleston, SC

On another note, Jordan is still enjoying his solid foods and has so far tried rice cereal (like), avocado (like), sweet potato (really, really like!), peaches (like), and oatmeal (like).  We are having so much fun feeding him and he is much more aggressive with the food now.  He will grab for the spoon and try to put his hands in the food bowl.  He will also sit there with his mouth open, waiting for the next bite....so funny!

I looooove sweet potatoes!

A Day of Firsts!

Yesterday was a big day around the Combs' household!  First off, because we live in South Florida and the weather is usually beautiful and warm with today being no exception, we decided to take Jordan to the pool!  It was his first time at the pool (we know, why did we wait so long??!) and he was a little funny about it.  We put on his baby sunblock, his UV-blocking shirt, swim-trunks, and hat.  I think he looked so cute!  Daddy took him into the water, expecting him to really love it and kick those legs all around, but Jordan was very mellow and didn't crack one smile (well, not until Daddy blew raspberries on his belly).  We didn't stay long but we hope he becomes a "water baby" soon!

Hmmm...not sure about all this yet

Still not smiling....

Finally a smile!

Wiped out after all the pool time

Later that afternoon, we invited Uncle Josh over to be our cameraman so that we could feed Jordan his first  solid food!  We started with rice cereal and boy, was he ready to eat!  I mean, he's been staring us down every time we ate something while in his general vicinity!  He didn't eat a whole lot of the cereal, but he did so great opening his mouth and pushing the food back with his tongue.  We were so excited and can't wait to try out more foods with him.

First bite of rice cereal!

Yummy!

To top off our weekend, we decided to take Jordan to church for the first time.  We headed upstairs to the enclosed family room.  Jordan cracked us up by deciding to poop 5 minutes after we sat down, so Mommy rushed off to the restroom to change him.  After coming back and getting settled again, Jordan pooped again 10 minutes later.  Off to the restroom again!  After all that, thankfully he didn't poop again, but he did decide to "talk" loudly during much of the service.  Luckily we weren't the only couple with a baby who was making noise.  We felt like the spirit must've moved him that day!

Off to church!

Mommy and Daddy's first night away....

This past weekend was super busy!  Ceci came into town again to see the big guy.  Jordan was loving the extra attention, of course!  Aside from lots of playtime at home and walks in the neighborhood, Mommy and Ceci took him to the mall for some new clothes.  As soon as we got into the store, Jordan decided to take a snooze.  Typical guy, bored with shopping!

While Ceci was in town, Mommy and Daddy decided to take one of their friends up on their offer of using their condo in South Beach for a night.  Thanks Belinda and Pete!  We left on Friday after John got home from work, while Jordan was napping, and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing night away.  Ceci spent the night, during which Jordan slept peacefully (yay!), and entertained him almost all of the next day.  John and Jill got to spend time biking, sunning, and eating...it was a nice break but we missed Jordy and couldn't wait to get home to smooch on him.  It was a success as Mommy's first night away from Jordan!

Ceci and Jordan

Daddy tickling Jordan

Sitting up so well!

Trying out a new 'do

Happy Valentine's Day!

We celebrated Jordan's first Valentine's Day with a "Red Hot Cake," which is a Showalter family tradition.  Of course, Jordan didn't get to taste any of it, but he sure had his eye on it!  He is sooo ready to eat and we can hardly wait to see how he does with some food.  Only a few more weeks....

Happy 5 month Birthday Jordan!

Today Jordan hit the 5 month mark!  Geesh, time flies!  We started our morning with, of course, a photo shoot.  John commented that each of his "monthly portraits" look exactly the same, so maybe next month (for the big 6th month!) I will have to think of something different.

Jordan is working on many new skills right now: attempting to roll over (he has never had much interest in this before) and sitting up on his own (once placed in a sitting position by us).  He does however, roll from side to side easily and there have been many mornings when Mommy and Daddy have found him scooted all the way to the other end of his crib!  And don't even think about letting him lie on his back for too long--he is sooo ready to sit up and see what's going on around him.  Jordan especially loves to sit up in his Bumbo chair in the kitchen and watch Mommy cook dinner.  He has also been much more talkative lately, "bup-bup-bup" is the slogan of the week!

We have again had beautiful weekend weather (sorry, snowy rest-of-the-country) and so we spent most of the past weekend out on the back patio and backyard.  Jordan likes to play in his exersaucer while Mommy and Daddy relax and catch up on some reading.  Below are some pictures of Jordy with Myra, our neighbor's doggie.  She was so sweet and relaxed and did not mind little Jordan's busy hands!  I see an animal lover in our future (this time taking after his Daddy)!

With Myra, our neighbor's super friendly dog

Mommy and Jordan

I am so handsome!