So....yeah, um we're not getting much done

So needless to say, updating the blog obviously isn't happening on an everyday basis as I thought it might. Partly because we've been keeping in touch with Duane via web-cam a lot, and partly because Jordan started walking (like really walking) the day that Duane left for China.

Yep, the DAY he left. I couldn't be more excited, but sad that Duane wasn't here at the same time. Jordan had been standing and taking a few steps for quite a while, even walking around the perimeter of furniture etc. But the night that Duane left he just started walking on his own! The story goes like this: Jordan loves vacuums. Why? I don't know. I'd say it's because I'm such an amazing housekeeper that I vacuum everyday, but that would be a huge lie. I agree that my purple Dyson is an amazing machine and quite good looking, but I don't think it's that either. Anyway, he had been pretending to "vacuum" with a stick or spatula, etc. for a few days when all of the sudden he was so preoccupied with "vacuuming" that he just kept on going. All the way down the hall and into our bedroom. I raced to grab the video camera before he realized he was walking. To my suprise even though he would fall down, he kept getting right back up and doing it again. I had to get this on video, so I kept him going. "Oh Jordan, the floor is really dirty over here, come vacuum this." "Jordan can you help mommy vacuum?" The best part was the noise he was making while doing it. Trying to imitate the vacuum noise, it was awesome! So at least I have the walking recorded (and quite a bit since then) so that Duane can see it.

The only downside to this development is that since I'm the only one home and Jordan is now EXTREMELY mobile, I haven't had any time to do all the little projects I had high hopes for. So I think I have hung a few pictures, but that sums it up. To think being the only one home with a toddler was going to give me any "time" to rearrange the pantry, or furniture, or do some filing in the office, is laughable to me at this point. But I can say that I am having the best time chasing Jordan around the house and yard!

Only a few more days till we get to visit Uncle Chris. I am so excited. I'm sure our first airplane ride since walking will be far from relaxing but we'll see how it goes. I'm actually more worried about Jordan and Grandpa being together on a plane. Those two are trouble when they are together ;-) Maybe Grandma and I will sit elsewhere and then complain to the flight attendant about the noisy baby in the other row. (I wouldn't really do that, but I have a friend that did...and you know who you are.)

Anyway, here are a few pics in the meantime. This one would be really cool if it was in 3-D. That olive would be coming right at you!

Here's one from the Animal Planet Expo we went to at Liberty Park. Boy was it hot that day! Luckily we had these "Meerkat Fans" that they gave us.

Here are a few of Jordan, and Jordan and Riley at Steven's Birthday party on Saturday.

Just the two of us

Well Duane is on his way to China, and so it's just Jordan and me...the gruesome twosome! I have quite a few things planned for the next little while to help get our minds off missing Duane. I also have some "home" projects that I am going to try and do while D is gone. (You know the kind that wives love to think up, but husbands go nuts over...rearranging furniture, etc.) Anyway, enough about our plans. I'll be updating the blog a lot so that D can see what we are up to, so stay tuned. You'll probably get to hear more than you want to for the next little while.

In the meantime, here are a few more pics. I couldn't resist snapping these of Jordan last weekend. He was sooo tired, but didn't want to nap. So I set him up in the high chair to have a snack, and before he could even eat anything, he was asleep!

This one is great because you can see the drool on his chin!

I tried to wake him up, but he just moved a little and went back to sleep. Then it was off to the crib for a real nap!

After the nap, he was sure feeling happy. Here he is "helping" Duane on the computer. Those two are pretty much inseparable, so it's going to be interesting.

I sent Duane off with a little "care package" of EZ Mac and Ramen noodles (that one's a little ironic) so that I can know he will at least have something to eat in the apartment when he gets there. I know there's water and a microwave, so it had to be something that would work with those limited ingredients. Unfortunately for him, there is no Dr. Pepper in China, so he is gong to have to find another way of staying hydrated. Hey honey, it's called bottled water, just a hint! (**See my rant below about Chinese soft drinks). I also put together a little photo album of me and Jordan, and a voice recorded "message" of Jordan talking/laughing (Thanks Mom for helping me get that recorded!) We'll be looking forward to seeing him on the web cam once he gets to Xiamen. Love you and miss you already!

**I don't think I've ever talked about the fact that MY favorite soft drink is actually found in China, but I can't get it here. I'm speaking of...wait for it...... Coca-Cola Light. It's the "equivalent" of Diet Coke in China, but for some reason tastes even better. According to wikipedia: "In other countries, where cyclamates are not banned (as they were in the U.S. and the United Kingdom in 1970), Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Light may be sweetened with a blend containing cyclamates, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium, which may account for the noticeably different taste of Coca-Cola Light, compared to Diet Coke." So basically it's probably way worse for me than Diet Coke, which is why of course it tastes even better. Well, since I highly doubt it will be Diet Coke that kills me, I'm going to have Duane try to get some shipped home. If that happens, I'll alert you all through the blog and we'll set up a taste test so you can see for yourself.