We may be four days into the new year, but it’s never too late to share your long time goals, and ask the people closest to you to help keep you accountable. Since 2017 is my year of purpose I’m being intentional in setting my goals and them all serving a purpose of being a better version of myself.Read More
Jordyn Denise: 1 Year 6 Months
Today my not-so-little cutie pie munchkin is officially a year and half old. We went to her 18 month check-up and her pediatrician was quite impressed with how advanced she is for her age group. As a mother, you always feel you are biased in saying how amazing your child is doing, so it feels great to hear her pediatrician reassure you that you are doing an a-okay job.
She has perfected the words: please, thank you, up, down, sit and calm down (when yelling at Ares), Mom, Dad, eye, nose, mouth, and teeth. When counting numerically she knows the numbers three, five, six, seven, eight, and nine. When saying our abc’s she knows a,b,c,d,e…and then she’s over it haha. Oh, and Daddy so sweetly slipped up and said the word “SH*T” in front of her on Halloween night…as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now…Jordyn added that word to her extensive vocabulary as well. Mama wasn’t very happy about this. She hasn’t said it in about a week or so. Cross your fingers that she’s forgotten it with all the new words she’s been learning recently!
Jordyn still loves to dance (she even dances to the vacuum cleaner sound LOL) and still loves her doggie. Grandma Toni has been out here spending the holidays with us, and Jordyn has become her shadow. She wants to be with Grandma Toni ALL THE TIME. Mama doesn’t mind at all either because it has been nice to get a break!
With all of this advanced learning has come advanced attitude -_-. She went through a “spitting when mad” phase that we ended pretty quickly with time-outs and “pow-pows” lol. Now that she isn’t allowed to spit, she yells at us when we tell her “no” or to stop doing something. I can already see her teenage years are going to be a blast in the Jamieson household!
She’s still very much so a daddy’s girl and it’s only gotten worse. I’m pretty sure most days she thinks I’m just the live-in cook and maid. Whatever, maybe one day I’ll be her favorite again haha. Until then I’ll keep enjoying every second I get to spend with my Princess. I have so much fun with her and I’m excited for what the future holds in store for this amazing little human being. I’ll be back in a few more months for another Jordyn update. We love you guys! <3
Brie <3
[12.18.15]
Jordyn Denise : 1 year 4 months
Miss Jordyn Denise is growing up and becoming such a little lady, or “little person” as my husband and I like to call her. It’s amazing how much she seems to learn in only one day. While we were home in September, her Auntie Andye taught her a dance/ballet move, as well as getting her to say “auntie” a few times.
I taught her to say “up” a little while back when she wanted to be picked up instead of yelling and whining. That lasted for a while until we taught her how to say “please” or “tease” in Jordyn language, when asking for anything in general. We have recently added the word “thank you” to her vocabulary with the last week or two. Now, whenever you hand her something (or she hands you something) she always says “taint tou” and it’s the cutest and sweetest “thank you” I’ve ever heard in my life :-). I also can’t wait for her to be old enough to sign up for gymnastics because she’s always balancing on her head trying to flip herself over.
Jordyn has also recently learned how to open the doors… yeah we weren’t too excited about that, but she sure was haha. She loves giving sweet kisses, dancing her little heart out, eating like a big girl in her high chair, playing/taking walks outside, wrestling with Ares, and playing “where is Jordyn?” with Daddy and Mommy. Did I mention she likes to mimic Ares and crawls around on all fours trying to lick us? LOL. Here is a picture of her following him around on all fours..
She is such a happy baby and so much fun to be around. She is hands down one of the funniest little kids I’ve ever met in my entire life. She has plenty of her Daddy and I’s (more so her Daddy haha) silliness. Jordyn is such a ham and has even developed a “fake” laugh to mock those around her when they laugh. I couldn’t be more thankful to hang out with such a cool little person every single day. She continues to teach us how to love unconditionally and be thankful for the little things that in turn are the big things in life. I’ll be back in a few months for another update on this smart little munchkin. Until then, here is a picture of her chasing me around the Halloween store the other night with a sword LOL. And yes, it’s blurry because I was running backwards from her hahaha..
Brie <3
[10.18.15]
Starting Family Traditions
Reminiscing about my childhood is easy to do considering all of the greats memories I get to remember and share with others. It is because of my great memories that I want to be sure to pass the same feeling and memories on to my children. Passing down family traditions is something I want my children to not only enjoy, but I want the traditions to mean equally as much to them, as they do to me. I want to create memories for a lifetime, and ultimately they pass the traditions down to their children, and their children’s children, etc.
I belive building family traditions is an important concept in teaching children what makes the love of family so special in our lives. There are so many people in this world without families to love them or for them to love back, and I think those of us who are blessed enough to have the love of family often take that same love for granted some days. I want to be sure our children are aware of the blessing they call family. Throughout their lives, I want them to share the lessons and love they received from us, with their friends, strangers, and eventually their future children. These are the five traditions I plan to tart with my children and hopefully generations to come.
I will let my children pick one day out of the year (not their birthday or a holiday), to skip school and have a mommy child date. This is a one on one date I will make with each child. We will go to eat at the restaurant of their choice and do one activity of their choice. However, I also want them to use this opportunity to open up and talk to me about whatever may be on their mind at the time. It is all about them on “school ditch day”, and I want them to remember no matter how busy and crazy life gets, they are individually special and individually deserve time with Mom.
This one doesn’t need much of an explanation, but family fun night is important, because it’s FUN! Family fun night can be anything from playing board games to watching movies. Whatever it is, it is up to the family to decide together. I would like to do family fun night, bi-weekly. I figure as our kids get older, and start spending more time with their friends on weekends, they can set one evening to the side, every other week, for family bonding. They can even invite their friends over to join in on the fun with the family. I want them to always remember having tons of fun with their parents and siblings.
I’ve already gotten the ball rolling on this one, but it is something I want to continue doing. Kids change so much and so quickly within the first few years of their lives, and it’s nice to look back on family photos and see the progression. Jordyn is only a year and two months old, and we can’t believe how much her face has changed since our Fall and Christmas family photos last year. As they get older, one family photo every year would be perfect. Preferably during the holidays :-).
More than eating the food, I love the fellowship sharing a meal brings to the table (I know you like my creative pun). Sunday is the day of praise and worship, and nothing ends a day of thankfulness like a big home cooked meal. Sunday dinners are something I have already started within the last few months. Coming from a huge Caribbean family, sharing a huge meal with a huge group of people is something I have loved since I was a child. In the Jamieson household, Sunday evenings are meant for big meals, full stomaches, complete happiness, and being grateful.
On the days we are taught everything is about US, I want to teach my children the complete opposite. I want them to understand the gifts and special treatment they receive on these days are a privilege many never experience. More so than teaching them their privilege, I want them to understand the importance of service before self, at a very young age. This is something our children won’t be able to understand until they are a bit older, but you can’t start them too young, in my opinion. Being in the military means we will be living in different states during these times throughout their lives, and will need to look for our local homeless shelter or mission. The kids will still get to have their big meals and presents, but my prayer is that when they eat or open their presents, they have a completely different appreciation for the lives they live, and privileges they receive on a daily basis. I want them to learn the beauty of compassion and to share it with others.
If you have a family to love, always remember to love them unconditionally.
Have a happy and blessed Sunday everyone!
Brie <3
[08.23.15]
Jordyn is 9 Months Old!
My little Jojo is 9 months old, today. This last month she has advanced and learned so much I can’t believe it’s only been a month since my last post. She’s turning into this semi-independent, head strong, feisty almost one year old right before my eyes. Although Jordyn is only 9 months old, she has so much personality, and cracks me up everyday. I know everyone says their child is adorable and funny, but I promise you Jordyn takes hilariousness to a completely different level. I don’t know how I got so lucky to be the mother of this amazing little blessing, but I can’t thank God enough for her.
“Da-da-da-da-da” is pretty much what she says a majority of the day. Yes, she is officially saying “da-da” and her Dad is loving it. If you tell her to mock you and say “Ma-ma” she smiles and laughs like it’s the funniest word in the world. I’m still not quite sure what’s so funny about saying “Ma-ma” but, whatever, Jordyn! Oh, she also switches up the letters and says “ba-ba” and “na-na.”
Jordyn is a professional at scooting herself backwards while on her tummy. She can also prop her knees up underneath her while on her tummy. However, she hasn’t quite figured out how to make herself move forward instead of backwards, and she hasn’t figured out that she can move her knees while they are underneath her either. It’s pretty funny to watch lol. She loves to stand, while holding onto the coffee table, and she has officially started moving her little feet taking steps sideways while standing at the table. She’s going to be walking before I know it, and I’m not ready!
This has been a month of big girl “firsts”, as well. Jordyn sat in the big girl part of her stroller instead of the car seat for the first time. She also sat in the big girl part of the shopping cart without her car seat. She got her hair braided for the first time, and we got on our first swing together last weekend. So many firsts!
This month Jordyn gets to eat some GOOD food. We get to introduce red meat, turkey, whole rice, a variety of beans, and so much more. I’m sure she will enjoy the new foods and I can’t wait to use my Baby Bullet for even bigger batches of food. Before we know it she will be sharing food off of our plates.
Jordyn also has two bottom teeth. She’s been teething like a champ and it hasn’t bothered her at all. Now that she has these two teeth and eats all of this food, we bought her a baby toothbrush and baby toothpaste the other day. We will use it for the first time tomorrow. Speaking of baby toothpaste, did you know Aquafresh makes an all natural, real fruit sweetened toothpaste for babies? I had no clue and thought it was pretty cool when we found it in the store last week. Hopefully she doesn’t mind us brushing her teeth and doesn’t put up a fight. She’s good at putting up fights lol.
Oh, Jordyn is in the “all about the electronics” stage of life. Especially Kris’ Playstation 4 controllers. She’s quickly learning the word “no” during this stage as well. She loves to hold our cell phones while facetiming people. You may only see an eye or her forehead on the screen, but in her mind she’s doing it correctly and doesn’t want anyone’s help. When you do help her, she throws a fit and cries like someone stole her candy. She is what I like to call, DRAMA.
Her 9 month check up will be next week. I’m curious as to how much she has grown since her last check up at 6 months. Seeing her stand next to other babies, we realize how tall she really is for her age.
This is all of the updated information on Miss Jordyn Denise. I’ll be back next month to update you all on my little Jojo again. Have a happy and blessed Wednesday! 🙂
Brie <3
[03.18.15]
Jordyn is 6 Months Old!
Jordyn turned 6 months old yesterday, and I can’t believe my baby girl is already half a year old. How has time gone by so fast? It is such a bittersweet feeling. Every Mommy loves watching their baby grow up and experience the journey of learning to use their body. We literally get to watch them develop into self-functioning, smart, little people. However, it’s hard not to get sad realizing the bigger they get, the more they won’t need you to do everything for them. I remember when she couldn’t lift her head up, without us having to support her head from flopping everywhere. And now, she can control her head like a pro, plus so much more.
Jordyn can almost roll from her back to her tummy. She is EXTREMELY close. Once she figures out how to kick that foot over she’ll get it. She’s also talking a lot more these days. She’s still not saying any specific words, but you can’t tell her that, because the way girlfriend talks and yells you would think she has a very extensive vocabulary. Speaking of yelling, she’s quite vocal about what she does and doesn’t like. More so what she DOESN’T like -_-. She’s feisty, but at least I can already tell she won’t take any mess from anyone lol. It also seems as if Daddy and Big Brother, Ares, are the funniest person and dog in the world to her. She has such a contagious and loving giggle and laugh. They say nothing is as beautiful as a baby’s laughter, and whoever said this definitely knows what they are talking about.
Yesterday, we had to go to the pediatrician for her 6 month check-up. She was also supposed to get the 3rd round of her shots, but it hasn’t been exactly 8 weeks since her last round so we have to wait until Monday to do those. I’m not looking forward to these shots at all. She is now 15 lbs 9 oz. and 26 inches long. Dr. Weatherwax is impressed with how well she is doing, which is what every parent loves to hear. We also tried our first real food (that isn’t brown rice cereal and formula). Our first real food of choice was peas, and someone was definitely NOT a fan. I made the peas from scratch in my wonderful Baby Bullet (thanks Josh and Charelle!) and made enough to last us a week. We will stick with one veggie for close to a week, before switching to another one, for allergy and tummy agreement purposes. I will post a few of her favorite recipes in the next few weeks.
In the mean time, enjoy these pictures of the skeptical and unimpressed, Jordyn, trying her peas for the first time :-).
Brie <3
[12.19.14]