October 1, 2009
Here are some pictures of Jude the last time we went to visit my mom. He had so much fun going up and down the stairs and didn’t want me to help him walk down the driveway, even though the incline made it hard to keep his balance. He started to run away from me down the sidewalk and his sandal fell off…but he just kept on going.
September 13, 2009
The Volkswagen dealership has a kids area. This kept Jude entertained for about 30 minutes. For the next three hours, he preferred to crawl up stairs, run into random offices, tap on glass windows, and hang out inside a minivan.
September 7, 2009
Today, my little boy is 14 months old. It’s amazing how quickly the time slips by. He’s been laughing and babbling and playing all weekend. We went to visit my parents on Saturday, just for the day, and he had fun exploring different houses.
There have been no major changes, developmentally. Jude continues to show all of us, including Liam, his affection. He’s certainly starting to act sillier and he has a few different types of laughs. He thinks peekaboo is a great game and loves pushing all the buttons on the tv and cable box (Mommy and Daddy aren’t too fond of that game).
Jude is starting to mimic our behaviors a lot more. Today I spun around in the kitchen, and then Jude turned a little circle right after me. He is pointing much more to things; things he wants us to label, things he wants us to get for him. He also does little things that amaze me. For example, he was playing in my “shoe pile” in the closet and he managed to pull out two matching shoes and set them to the side. He’s been practicing his shape puzzle and he can get some shapes, like circle and square, in his shape sorter.
Jude still only says “Dada” and “up, ” but I am hearing “ma” much more than before. Even though his oral expression is still limited, he receptive language is growing so quickly. We can give him commands that he can follow. “Get in your car” and “get in your chair” and “get your ball” are all understood. I try to explain things more, especially when we need to do the things that he doesn’t like, like getting his nose suctioned or taking a nap.
September 2, 2009
Now that it is getting cooler in the evening hours (instead of still scorching hot) Jude, Liam and I are talking walks around the neighborhood. It’s been great to get out and not immediately burst in sweat. Poor Liam, he misses his walks so much, he pulls so hard on the leash for half the walk, until he wears himself out, because he is so excited. It makes it a little tricky to control the stroller and Liam (he’s very strong for a little dog), but it’s improving.
It’s also great to take Jude out since the last time we walked with him regularly, he was a newborn and slept the whole time. Now he laughs and points to things. We go visit Blue the weimaraner. He’s been so cranky lately, since he is getting five new teeth. But he is never cranky on the walk, so it’s nice to enjoy the peace.
August 31, 2009
Jude had two playdates this past weekend. Kinda sad when your one year old has a more active social life than you do…but I digress. On Saturday, we went to visit my friend Missy and her little boy Kellan for some pool time on the patio. Jude was shy at first, but really warmed up when they brought out the balls and the basketball goal. He really took to a baseball glove shaped chair that Kellen had. He even got to meet one of their dogs, Mia the pug.
On Sunday, we headed up to Cedar Park to visit my friend Erica and her little boy Jackson, and newest addition, baby Delaney. Man, I forgot how little Jude once was. She was so light when I was holding her. I would have got to hold her longer, but my kiddo took a header off a child-sized picnic table because — surprise — he was standing on it, despite my requests for him to sit down. But it was so fun to watch him play with Jackson. Jackson showed Jude all his cool toys and Jude wanted to finish lunch fast so he could go back to playing toys again.
It was really fun to visit with both families. I didn’t take any pictures, but needless to say, Jude had a great time and got a nap on the way home both days.
August 11, 2009
We took a trip this past weekend to Corpus Christi with Joe’s family. It was just a short get away, but much needed. Joe’s uncle, Freddy, graciously allowed the whole crew (5 adults, 3 kids, and 3 dogs) to stay at his house. We visited the Tx State Aquarium and Malaquite Beach on Padre Island on Saturday and ate some great Mexican food, during our stay. We all had a nice relaxing time (except for maybe Liam…being crated is probably not his idea of a vacation).
All the “J” cousins…Joe, Jason, Jude, and Joshua…watching the dolphin show.
Posing in front of the aquarium.
This was Jude’s first time at the beach and he really loved the ocean. He tried eating the sand a few times because I was too slow to catch him.
Joe built Jude a sand castle to destroy godzilla-style. Joshua and Jason helped to make the awesome moat and pond around the castle and came running back from the ocean with buckets of water for the full effect.
Joe wanted to be buried in the sand. We tried to get Jude to stand on Joe, but he chose to lie down instead.
August 7, 2009
Today Jude is 13 months old. My oh my, they don’t warn you adequately what a little boy on the move is like. Even though this picture is out of focus, it cracks me up. Liam jumped up on the table and them Jude used the one of the chairs to climb up, as well. That’s right…my little monkey climbs on furniture! I love the way Liam is gazing at him.
It’s been so much fun to be home with Jude the past few weeks. I’ve enjoyed just getting to be a part of his daily routines. It’s so exciting to watch him learn new things, even if new things include using toys as steps to get onto bookcases. Here are some things to know about Jude:
- Tantrums, tantrums, tantrums! Poor thing; everything is frustrating and anger inducing. “What do you mean I can’t get in the fridge, Mommy? I’ll show you!”
- Jude not only hugs us, but he gives kisses now. But, if you ask for a kiss, he decides whether he wants to give you one (99% of the time — NO).
- Jude recently discovered his belly button. He likes to pull up his shirt and check that it is there. He also likes to pull up your shirt to see your belly button.
- Jude has mastered “uh-oh” and “Dada.” We are still working on “Mama,” “up,” and “please.” He also makes an “oooh oooh” sound when you are eating something that he wants to taste.
- Jude will do the sign for “more” when he wants a snack, especially cookies. We are practicing the sign for “please.”
- Jude runs away if he has something he is not supposed to (cell phones, dog food, remote controls, etc.) and he knows you are coming to take it away.
- He likes to bounce on tummys.
- If you are lying on the couch with Liam, he wants to be up there where the party is.
- He knows how to use Liam’s stepstool to get on our bed. We have to move it away from the bed every morning, because we have caught him more than once running around and bouncing on the bed unsupervised.
- He loves grapes, strawberries, spaghetti, chicken, broccoli, goldfish, beans, waffles, string cheese, and just about anything you give him. He will always give food to Liam, except grapes…those are just for him.
Jude wants to be outside because Liam is. I love the way the clouds look in this picture, as if they were painted.
Playing with toys and looking at his books.
What do you mean “Get down?”
July 28, 2009
Argghh!! I’d like ye scallywags to meet me favorite mealtime matey…Blackbean the Pirate. This seadog has a fine 5 o’clock shadow thanks to many a night sailing the rough waters of the bathtub, and also courtesty of Mexican food leftovers.
July 17, 2009
Like father, like son. Joe did actually dress Jude to look like him today.
We were eating tacos outside at TacoDeli before running errands. I like that Joe is off on Fridays so we can all be together.
July 12, 2009
After everyone left and Jude woke up from his nap, he spent the next hour climbing in and out of his Cozy Coupe. In — shut the door — out — in — shut the door. A WHOLE hour! He also played with all his toys and after his bath, he sat in the dog bed with his favorite dog and thought, “Man, that was a great party, right, Liam?”
