Live for Now

Jordan’s 2nd Day of School

September 4, 2008

Today was my day to be a “mommy helper” at school. Jordan and I both had a lot of fun. Jordan went about with her school activities not really paying any attention to me. I was able to help Ms. Linda prep the activity tables with the appropriate supplies, and try to make sure all the kids participated. Once the art projects were done (painted fish and masterpiece), we cleaned up, ate lunch and headed outside for some playtime.

I watched Jordan from a distance just to make sure she was okay. And she did great! It was a bit funny at one point – she climbed up the chain ladder and managed to hang from the horizontal bar (aprrox. 4 ½ ft. off the bark). But, once she got up there she wasn’t sure what to do, or how to get down. I had seen this coming from a distance, so I had already made my way toward her when I heard, “Get me. Get me.” Her two fists were gripped so tightly holding onto that blue bar, and her chin was barely peaking over the top. Hopefully she won’t do that again … for a while at least.

-Mommy

Jordan's 1st Day of School

Sept. 2, 2008

Tuesday was Jordan’s first day at big girl preschool. Since it is more and more difficult for me to get a willing hug and/or kiss from her, I was pleasantly surprised when we got out of the car and asked. “Mommy, will you hold my hand when we walk to school? Will you stay for a little while?” “Of course. I’d love to”, I replied.

When we got inside, after a few moments of displaying shyness, she found her name badge and cubby spot all by herself. She listened so well to Ms. Linda, and participated in circle time – singing along with Ms. Linda and some of the other kids.

I asked her if she wanted me to leave and let her stay with her friends, but she wasn’t quite ready for that at the moment. So, I stayed a while longer and watched as she took part in an art project. Once she finished her “first day of school face”, she moved to the foam table where I checked to see if she wanted me to go. This time she said “yeah” without hesitation. Of course, as a mom, I had to ask two more times to make sure she understood my question, and twice more, I heard “yeah”.

I was so proud of my little big girl. And to be very honest, I may have been even more proud of myself for being able to leave her. As I drove off, I called my mom, sister, and Dean to let them know I was NOT in the classroom still. I went to Costco to pick up a few items, and decided to reward myself with a nice little jacket for me.

-proud Mommy

Big Sister Jordan

August 31, 2008

Today Jordan got to help give Lauryn her bottle. Daddy said she did a great job. Unfortunately, we have no picture of it because mommy was taking a nap.

Jordan is such a great big sister!

5 Months Already!

August 30, 2008

Happy 5 month birthday Lauryn! You are growing far too fast for my liking young lady.
I love you.
-Mommy

P.S. She has been saying what sounds like “ma ma” quite a bit lately.

Finally

August 27, 2008

Okay. I finally let go. Lauryn slept in her room all night last night. She did very well. And I think I only checked on her 2 or 3 times. Of course I did sleep in the playroom right next door … for three nights in a row.

-Mommy

Our First School Meeting

August 26, 2008

We were both excited to go to our very first school meeting as parents. It was basically to fill out paperwork, let us know the structure of the class, and how the co-op part worked. I can’t believe my little Jordan is already going to preschool all by herself. I guess this is where it all starts … beginning to lose time with my little girl. Everyday, all day, Jordan and I were inseparable … and now, as time passes, I will have less and less of her all to myself. I will miss her all 4 hours each week that she isn’t here with me. At the same time, I will be happy to know she is having fun – even if it is without mommy.

-Rachelle

3 going on 13

August 25, 2008

Jordan wanted to go outside with grandma, so she had to put her shoes. When she came out with her Jordan’s, which I thought were getting a bit tight, I asked her, “Are those okay? Aren’t they too small?” In a firm tone, Jordan replied, “I’m okay, Mom. Jesus!”

The Greatest Show on Earth

August 24, 2008

Grandma sent us to the circus. Mommy and Daddy took me on a special date to the Ringling Brothers Circus. It was pretty cool – there was so much to see. Check out some of the pictures. Two of my favorite things were the girls dancing and the clown blowing bubbles. Mommy and Daddy’s favorite part were the 7 bikers in the ball of steel.

As soon as we got there, we got to go see some of the animals. Then we got to go inside and see a pre-show right down on the floor. We even got to see an elephant paint a picture.

Once we got to our seats we had to get a classic circus snack: cotton candy ($12) which came with a cool ring master hat. Then at intermission we went and got a snow cone in a cool light-up elephant cup ($15). After the show I got to pick a souvenir. Of course I chose the Jina doll ($16 – thanks, Auntie!). I had lots of fun spending time with Mommy and Daddy on a special date – priceless.

Thank you, Grandma.
-Jordan

Grandma Time

Aug 23, 2008

I was so excited. I got to go to grandma’s house for a slumber party last night. I knew we would have so much fun playing together. Unfortunately, grandma had to do a lot of cleaning before the playing.

While we were in line at the In-N-Out drive through, I got sick. Grandma called it projectile vomit. Gross! Mommy thinks I get car sick like her.

After we got to grandma’s (I had to drive the rest of the way in my undies), I felt much better. All I can say is I’m glad we were in grandma’s work car and not her own car. P.U.

We did have a blast though. We played, and played, and played. I love spending time with grandma. We ALWAYS have so much fun together. When mommy called me this morning, I answered the phone and said, “I don’t want to come home yet.”

Dancin' Machine

Aug 22, 2008

Grandma and I were out in the backyard enjoying the early evening. A neighbor had music playing and I was dancing on the lawn. When his music would stop, I would too, but only for a moment. Then I would start dancing again - without their music. I told grandma, “I have music in my head ALL the time.”

-Jordan

Happy Birthday, Yianni!

At 3:00 am on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, my cousins Lisa and Tom gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Yianni Marinos Flevotomos. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 2 oz., and measured a whopping 22 1/2 inches. Wow!!!

I was more than ecstatic to be in the waiting room with the family eagerly watching the door for news of Yianni's arrival. I was even able to see my cousin Lisa a couple times before she delivered. She did great through the entire labor and delivery process. And once Ya Ya and Daddy Tom shared the wonderful news of Yianni's arrival, we were all lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the not-so-little guy. He is a cutie, but I think he is going to fit into 3 month clothes right off the bat. Lisa, you did amazing! Her in-room support team (Daddy, Nonna, Ya Ya) did great as well! Tommy even cut the cord.

I am thrilled that my girls have a new cousin their age to play with. We look forward to many play dates and fun outings together.

It's truly amazing how much love and joy one little person can bring to so many. I know first hand. There is nothing like it - that wonderful chaos we call parenthood.

Rachelle

a proud mommy and cousin

Rainbow Park

July 21, 2008

On Tuesday, Dean and I took the girls over to "Rainbow Park" in Dublin. Lauryn was quite content with the outing, while Jordan loved it! They had a cool rock structure with two slides coming down from it, a couple play structures, a huge sand box, and of course a water play area.

Jordan was having a blast just by running around the area and seeing kids everywhere she turned. She also liked the slides quite a bit. In fact, after she became comfortable with the slides, she told Dean and I, "Go far, far away. I want to do it all by myself!" I must admit, I was a bit nervouse as she climbed up and down the rocks by herself (they were pretty high), but she did it no problem. I am a bit proud of myself for not sneaking up behind her to make sure she would be okay. Alright ... I did try to, but Jordan caught me. I was waiting for her at the bottom of the slide when I was busted. She came back down the stairs (as I was waiting for her to come down the slide mind you), and said, "Go far, far away ..."

She also enjoyed the water area, as you may be able to tell from the picture.

We will definiteley be going back to "Rainbow Park" soon.

-Mommy

Pictures

She doesn't miss a beat

Jordan and I were wrapping up our nightly bedtime routine last night, and I dared to request a bedtime title of my choice. I thought we could read Little Melia's Big Poi Idea, but Jordan didn't seem to agree on mom's selection. I didn't expect her to say okay anyhow, so we proceeded to her bookshelves so she could pick her own book. I wasn't sure what she was waiting for (although she is great at stalling st bedtime), but she turned to me and said "Mommy, you go in my bed ..." She wanted to surprise me with the story choice for the evening. So, naturally I played along and got nice and cozy. Jordan then comes over to the bed with a big smile on her face and hands behind her back. Her surprise story for Mommy was in fact Big Poi Idea. She was so sweet about it, and so thrilled to surprise Mommy in that way.

After we read our book, we cuddled for a little bit and she asked me, "Is this my left hand, Mommy?" Indeed it was. She asked, "Is this my right hand?" It was. I then asked my little big girl, "How did you know?" She quickly replied, "Because I'm smart. I don't miss a beat."

-Mommy

A FUN MORNING (7-14-08)

"I go with you to the library if you want, OMA."
On the way my 'backseat driver' told me when to stop or when I can go. Then I was told that milk comes from cows and not from Safeway or Costco. We checked that out at the library and yes, milk comes indeed from cows. The farmer squeezes the cow's utter milk into a bucket, then he pours it into a big can and takes it to the dairy. There the milk gets worked on and then put into cartons and jugs and all goes to different stores.
We looked at some other books, walked the grounds outside, visited the Frog King and decided to have an ice cream at Fosters Freeze because it was a really hot day. Jordan ordered and paid for the cone all by herself. She looked like a mini-teenager in her ponytail and cropped jeans standing there by the counter... When we got the cone (and a spoon for me to help), she picked a seat by the window, so we could watch what's going on outside and we played, "I see...". There was really nice music playing in the restaurant and suddenly Jordan reached out her hand and said, "Do you want to dance, OMA?" She was already done with her moves by the time I worked myself out of the seat. Then we bought a big chocolate milkshake to take home for mommy and daddy to share.

Jordan's Cereal

Jordan came early in the morning to spend a day. Daddy dropped her off on his way to school and mommy had things to do with Lauryn. Jordan brought her breakfast– Barbie Berry Cereal– in a snap-shut container. She didn’t want a bowl or milk. Eagerly she picked out all the marshmallow thingies, then shut the container and put it away. “I eat those when I am older.”