Mad Man & Lately

Our son is a mad man. I am here typing this post with wet hair post the most eventful shower I have ever had the pleasure of taking. Jude has been way into carrying, stacking, putting away anything he can get his hands on. It's his passion at the moment. His mission. And he won't stop.

Today, while I was attempting to be a normal member of society and take a shower post workout, he was on a mission all his own. Elsa was taking her afternoon nap so I had a little window of time while I waited for Jude finally give up and sleep (yes, she sleeps more than him. Mad I tell ya). So this is typically my shower time. 

I closed the bathroom door, the closet door, the toilet door and dared to step in, giving him free reign of the bathroom. 

I learned the toilet room door has to be closed the hard way, when I went in to use it one night and turned the light on to a teddy bear staring back at me from inside the toilet. Yep, he stuffed the toilet full of stuffed animals. 

I called George and he disposed of Jude's victims but not before we both took a moment to just stare at the toilet and shake our heads. And all I could think of is how hard Jude must have worked and how many trips he had to make to accomplish fitting three medium sized stuffed animals in the toilet. This didn't happen under my watch, of course. The toilet lid was left open so all evidence points towards Dad. Hi, George!

So I usually have no problem taking a shower with Jude in the room. I know he is safe, I have my eyes on him at all times and it gives him a change to continue his mission and carry objects from our drawers to the tub, over and over. It  brings him much joy. 

Well, today, mid-shower I did a spot check on him and caught him lugging an entire box of curlers to the tub. I probably had soap in my eyes or something and by the time I rinsed and jumped out soaking wet, he had dumped the curlers in the tub, with a thud, turned the water on and gave them a nice drench, all with the proudest little smile on his face. 

I don't know what to do. Basically what I am trying to tell you is that my life is over. He now climbs onto the beds and jumps dangerously close to the edge, of course. He climbs onto the living room furniture and jumps. The chairs in our living room are currently with legs in the air to prevent him from climbing up and taking a major crash. But he sees the upside down chairs as a new climbing challenge to master. If I gave him the chance I know he could climb out of his crib. I'm exhausted but secretly loving watching this curious, wild, determined boy at work. 

I realize someday that this will all make sense. Like when he picks his profession in life or his hobby or whatever, we will all be like, "Oh, yeah! We knew you would do this because you used to love to put strange objects in toilets when you were a baby." 

I know I probably won't have the change to write again in a timely fashion (since my life is over) so here is a little bit of lately.

George took Ny went to the El-lesh-you game on Saturday. It was the highlight of her life. They tailgated before the game in an RV or as Nyah called it, a house that moves. They had great fun, she got to eat cotton candy but was tired by half time and was asleep before they arrived home.

And the next day, it was like she and George had some secret pact or something. Like their bond was stronger. They had experience stuff together that I just wasn't a part of. She needed an extra kiss before bed last next night, and she headed straight for George to get it.

Happy October to all.

First Pair of Shoes

It was time. These feet needed some shoes, because he is on the move and isn't looking back. 

Where will they take him? 

What will he do? 

Where will he go? Who will he become? 

The possibilities are endless.

The world is his.

On the Move

Look who decided to get up and start walking this week. We are so proud of our guy and the progress he makes daily.


I would have loved to post a video of his actual first steps but those happened Wednesday after I forced him to walk. Well kind of. I stood him about one inch in front of me and sweet talked him into my arms and then covered him in kisses. I guess he was into it because the next try he took two steps and by the end of the day he was taking 5-6 steps and by last night, well, he was walking across the room.

I guess he was a better walker than even he thought. But I am finding out he is absolutely not the type to just go for it and take rough falls that come with learning something new. Cautious this one. He waited to walk until he was ready and even now he doesn't fall, he simply opts to squat to a seated position prior to the major wipe out. 

I wonder how long this cautious approach to life will last? Into his teen years maybe? And then some? I really wouldn't have a problem with skipping a few of those broken bones, stitches and emergency room visits I've learned come with the boy territory.

So there you have it. All of our kids can walk. Check it off the list. On to the next milestone.

First Birthday

What a sweet weekend we had celebrating Jude's first year. 

The girls and I threw him an alligator party. 

Unfortunately, he didn't like his cake, at all, but he did love the hummus.

And all the wonderful gifts.  

Thanks to everyone who made his birthday special. Sure feels good to have a one year old.

His Eleventh Month

These days Jude spends most of his time vertical. He pulls up on anything he can get a good grip on. He is off playing with his sisters most of the time but still has plenty of time to snuggle with his parents. Thank goodness. 

Asleep while watching sports. He can't handle the stress of the playoffs.

He is eating much more these days, peas, sweet potatoes, and watermelon are a few of his favorites. We still haven't got a full nights rest and not sure when we will. 

Nyah is already talking about plans for his first birthday party. She seems to be excited that he will finally be a solid age she can hold onto and tell people, instead of a month. 

Elsa has created her own name for him, "Eensa." We aren't sure if she is mispronouncing a word or this is some Spanish word she has picked up or what, but she consistently calls him this and uses it as a term of endearment. Pretty cute, Elsa loves is her little Eensa.

Oh how we love this little guy. It's unbelievable to watch him grow into such a handsome, peaceful little boy.

Look how much he's grown.

One month

Two months

Three months

Four months

Five months

Six months

Seven months

Eight months

Nine months

Ten months

His Tenth Month

My boy, my boy. How lucky we are to have you yet what a mess I am because of you. You are all I think about when we are apart and all I want to snuggle with when we are together. Your smell, your velvety cheek next to mine, and your compact little stout body makes my heart swoon. Ten months already, where has time gone? Guess I have to start planning that first birthday party.


You are pulling up to stand, when you want, which happens to not be much. You really don't get many chances though, to be honest. The ground is like a war zone with your older sisters around. Elsa has discovered that it won't hurt you if she lays on top of you so its a go. They are all over you and around you the moment you hit the ground, helping, and taking, and navigating your every move. 


Your oasis is your crib which is where you do some of your best work. But you know, alone time isn't really your thing, yet. So it usually doesn't last long unless I am there with you looking on proudly, smiling, and encouraging your every move. 

You have perfected your adorable wave and use it often to make society smile when we are out and about and is sometimes followed by a long, "Hiiii."

You are coming around a little more to the idea of eating mashed food but your favorite food (besides milk) is definitely paper. Under absolutely no circumstances can unattended books can be left on the ground or you will have a tiny piece of its pages in your mouth within moments. 


You are really into making things work. Doors and drawers are your favorite things to open. The best part of my day is watching you pull your little body across the house at an impressive pace the moment your Dad opens the door after a day away. 


You are the most adorable boy and definitely have your work cut out for you with two older sisters but I have a feeling you have it in you. You're a strong boy.

His Ninth Month (+2 Weeks)

Woah am I late on this one. Jude is nine months old and is becoming more of a boy by the day. He has started biting us with his mouth full of teeth, banging on things and being noisy, pulling Elsa's hair out by the hand full (it's quite sad, poor girl), chasing his sisters with his army crawl type crawl, drawing attention to himself at the dinner table, and keeping his parents up all night. Yes, still. 


Jude still nurses like it's his job and isn't too interested in baby food, crackers are his fav. He wears clothes made for a twelve month old, plays peek a boo, and has the cutest, deepest, growl of a giggle. 

This month he celebrated his first Easter, went for his first swing, and spent a week with his Nana.

Most nights, after the girls go to bed and before he starts his middle of the night rally, I get overcome by his cuteness. He is so active at this time, calling for, "Dada," doing his caterpillar crawl (as Nyah calls it), biting me and giggling after, and I just can't take it all. He is so wonderful and I wonder what we ever did without him? 


And I keep getting this little feeling that he might be the comedian of the family and thats all right with me. Because the more he smiles the better.

And a video but please ignore my annoying voice. I just can't seem to help myself.

Laying Low

I think I have mentioned this before, but I absolutely love each and every thing about having a baby boy, including ironing his little shirts. 

Wait. Did I just use the words love and ironing in the same sentence? Who am I? 


Actually, I just trying to catch up on things around here after having an amazingly lazy weekend. As in Nyah and I only left the house once to buy some food. I don't think George did as much. But it was so nice to chill out, enjoy our house, our yard, our neighborhood and give the kids the time to work out their imaginations. 


Elsa and Ny breezed by occasionally and watched a little of the Cruzan Christmas Parade with us in between puzzles, running around, arguing, napping, and giggling.


And rest, oh did we rest. Because little dude still isn't sleeping through the night. An hour or two is the longest he can make it so by the weekend we are whipped.


I guess having down time is one of the benefits to not having any friends in town. Wondering if we will ever find them. I guess we will enjoy our rest until we do.

Baby Blues

With the variable temps around here, hints of fall, and the upcoming holidays, it just seemed like it was time. Time to put some blue jeans on our baby boy. 

And he immediately looked about eighteen. 

Eighteen, dressed, and ready to kiss us goodbye and head out the door to hang with friends, or whatever it is guys do. 

Definitely not the look I was going for. 

Please note, his shirt is not dirty. I just slipped it over his head prior to taking these photos. This shirt is just evidence of how intensely he is teething. The drool, it's coming in buckets.

And in all matters concerning dressing a boy, well maybe its because I have been drowning in pink, princess, and purple dresses for so long, but I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of the boyness of this guy and the clothing that comes with it.  

There is just so much to love about our little buddy. I could seriously go on and on...