Stella loves capers, makes pasta

It was a big food Sunday at the Jordans. We started with what is becoming a ritual — morning bagels at Star Bagel in Sylvan Park. Daddy always gets a bagel with lox and Mommy steals his capers. Only this time, Lil' Miss S stole them. Daddy started liking capers at age 37. Stella at 14 months.

From September, 2009

Then we had a fun night with our new pasta maker making ricotta and sausage ravioli with our homemade spinach pasta dough. Yum.

From September, 2009

My Buddies and Me

This is a glimpse into our afternoons. To the left is Sam and next to Stella is Claire. We all live within sight's distance of one another and meet up daily for walks and play dates.

This photo is pretty typical. Stella and Claire getting dirty and occasionally consuming rocks while Sam sits back keeping very tidy wondering why in the world they are playing in the dirt. So funny.

It has been amazing to watch these girls grow and learn together and from one another. Sam is 4 weeks younger than Stella and Claire is 3 months younger, but no worries there, she can hold her own.

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Introducing Charles Samuel

Please meet Stella's new cousin, Charlie. Chip's sister and brother-in-law are adopting this precious baby. He was born on August 17, weighing 7lbs 11oz and is 19 inches long. He will be joining his three older sisters and he will be so loved.

We are thinking of them all as they make their journey home.

Oh, and do you think he is a red head? Our oldest niece is a red head and that would just be too cute!

Well, I guess I can walk now.

Stella's been messing around with a few steps here and a few steps there, but only when encouraged and usually for about 1.5 minutes, tops. But today the light bulb came on...

Music:Department of Eagles, "No One Does It Like You"

Stella and the Meerkats

A big day for the Jordans.

In the morning we played with our first box of crayons. In the afternoon, we went to the zoo for the first time. We yelled at the meerkats (above) and had fun meeting all sorts of other animals, too. Then we rode a carousel for the first time.

Then we were frightened of the carousel for the first time.

And then our friend Samantha had her first birthday party. Lots of people and lots of fun.

Needless to say, Miss S is sleeping hard at the moment.

Happy Birthday Little Miss S! (and America)

Great Grandpa Lynwood Jordan Sr. and Stella

We had a great weekend celebrating Stella's first birthday with family in Georgia and South Carolina. Stella was a champ and hung in here all day Saturday with minimal nap time. We spent Sunday morning visiting friends Ryan and Carrie and Baby Layla (4 weeks old) before a wild time with family in the evening grilling burgers and hot dogs. It's crazy that we all have kids now, and even crazier when they all get together to run, play, scream, cry, misbehave, and generally stay as loud as possible for as long as possible. It's so much fun.

Oh, almost forgot. Stella's been showing signs that she's ready to walk the past few weeks, and yesterday she officially "walked" several times. Born on the Fourth; first teeth on Christmas; walking on her first birthday — what flair!

Hope all had a great holiday.

Happy Father's Day to Me

My day started with presents in bed. The first was one of my favorite Stella photos in a frame. The second was my new "Team Jordan, est 2006" jersey t-shirt! You see here that Stella (and her mom) got one, too.

(Special thanks to my co-worker, Ellie, for helping Markana complete the vision.)

My day ended with Stella's first birthday party! Technically we're two weeks early, but M's folks were in town, Byron came for Father's Day and a few locals pals helped us celebrate before we went out of town for the 4th. Despite the 90+ temps, all had a good time watching Stella stuff her face with her first cake. (see all pictures at our Picasa page.)

Happy Father's Day to all Dads!

Handy Stella

Mommy had to go to Vandy today for a blood transfusion, so Daddy stayed home to watch Little Miss S. We ran out of fun things to do around the house, and since it was super hot and humid outside, we opted for the cool, wide aisles of our local Target.

This picture documents my first display of affection via inexpensive, mass-marketed stuff. (By the look on her face, it's working.) That's Handy Manny on the ball (for those of you who don't regularly watch DirecTV channels 190-205), one of the few toddler tv characters that doesn't make me crazy. To the left, a soccer ball. (Yes, I know. Why two?) Out of view to the right is a box of Tonka cars. She's already making "vrrrooom, vrrrooom" noises when we play with the cars, though you'd be hard-pressed to know the difference between the engine noise and her cow impression.

All were a big hit. We played on the living room floor a good part of the afternoon, and she had a hard time deciding which of the new toys she likes the most.

That is until she discovered the empty USPS box by the front door. Open, close. Open, close. Open, close. Open, close.

I hope Target enjoys my $20.

Wards and Westbrooks

We continue to feel fortunate to have so many selfless friends and family members. This past week we hosted M's parents, Mark and Shelia (again! they've been so helpful for so long!), my sister, Elisabeth, and her daughters, Madelyn and Lilly. As most of you know, M's ICE treatment has been many times worse than the ABVD, and there's no way we could've made it through the week without their help.

We love you all. Thanks again and again.

Stella had a big week with her grandparents and cousins, and we're convinced she's closer to walking than ever. Having older playmates around suits her, as she is (and always has been) a hyperbusy-body. But she's now at the age where she's also realizing words exist, actions have consequences (don't lick the floor!) and everything is enthralling. She probably learned more this week than in the last month. Needless to say, she slept hard most of the week.

Madelyn, Stella, Lilly, Elisabeth

My Beautiful Wife

Tonight we shaved Markana's head.

Her hair started falling out slowly over the weekend, and today there was no question that it was coming out for good. She's been one of the fortunate few that kept her hair through the initial rounds of chemo, but everyone said that this new treatment should knock it out for good.

Funny how losing her hair seemed so trivial months ago. She never seemed to care that it was going to happen. In fact, she chopped most of it off last October in anticipation. But now, after everything that's happened, and considering how well she feels physically, to have it all fall out is an unwelcome reminder that she's sick.

Actually, however, it's a hopeful sign that these *!@#*&@*#&! toxins running through her veins might actually be kicking some cancer butt. One more round this weekend and then hopefully the good news we've been waiting 9 months to hear.

I love you baby. You're beautiful.