Dear Jude :: 13 months

Dear Jude,

In the past month you have totally made the transformation from a baby into a walking and talking toddler.  No baby in this home anymore (at least not for about 7 more weeks when your brother comes). :-)

There was a big transformation when you got your first haircut. :-)  I was nervous, because you didn't quite love your latest doctors appointment, but you did great!  And your hair?  I LOVE it.  I'm so glad you still have your sweet curls.

In the past month your communication has just exploded.  You understand much of what we say.  I am amazed at what you know.  You follow directions so well and you surprise me every day with how smart you are.  You also have a few words under your belt.  Mama, Dada (of course), Doggy (dug-guh), blankie (kuh-kuh), Ball, Diaper, All Done, More, Banana (bah bah), and more that I can't think of right now. :-)

Along with your wonderful understanding of the world has come more frustration when you want to communicate and you can't.  We've seen a few more temper tantrums, most likely due to you trying to tell us something we just aren't understanding.  OR us telling you "no" to something you really want!  You are easily distracted when this happens and clearly understand what is allowed and what isn't.  Sometimes you just don't feel like following the rules. :-)

You are still taking two naps and I'm not going to push this transition!  I love you taking two naps and you clearly still need it!  You have always been a great sleeper and I'm just praying your brother is as well.

You are still taking a bottle at night, but I've recently transitioned to a sippy before bed and you seem to take it okay.  Eventually we'll cut out the right-before-bed cup of milk, but I'm fine with it for now.  You HATE brushing your teeth.  HATE HATE HATE.  But we still do it every night.  And you still fight us.  But you have 8 pearly whites to keep clean.  I think that those 1 year molars are not far off, either.

You are growing like a weed and fully in 18 month clothes and even a few 24 month clothes that fit just a little too well for Mama's liking. :-)  You wear a size 5 shoe and since you are walking (and running) you are now wearing "big boy" shoes!  You also love shoes and socks and feet and are quick to point out where they go and people who don't have shoes or socks on. :-)

We took a nice little weekend getaway this month and you did great!  I was nervous about sleeping in the same room, thinking we would wake you up, but you slept wonderfully.  I think you liked waking up and seeing Mama right there, too. :-)

It is so much fun to spend every day with you.  You are so very sweet and quick to show affection and give kisses.  You have a clear love for your Mama and Dada and it is such a blessing to be your parents.

Love you bubba.  I'm so thankful for another month as your Mama.

Mwa!

Mama

{thankful}

Today I am thankful for...

...the ability for me to stay home to raise my son(s).  I know not many get this privilege.  But, somehow, even though we didn't specifically "plan" for me to, I am able to stay home full-time.  A real blessing.  Exhausting, yes.  But I love that I get to see so many of Jude's firsts and little quirky behaviors as he learns about the world.  Like yesterday, when he grabbed the monitor and walked around the house holding it in the air, shaking his head "no".  That is his thing lately, shaking his head "no" to things he knows are off-limits or no-no's... and doing them anyway.  I don't really care if he plays with the monitor, but it was too cute.

And pointing to the cat as she is at her water dish, and shaking his head "no-no".  Because that is probably my #1 battle with him.  We do NOT eat dog/cat food or put toys in the water dish.  Apparently he wanted to communicate that the dish was off limits to the cat as well.  He's catching on. ;-)

I am thankful for...

...my incredible husband who works. his. tail. off. to provide for our family.  Financially, spiritually, domestically (yeah - I'll admit - he is way tidier than I am).  He did all of the dishes after dinner last night, so I wouldn't have to.  He cleans the cat litter every two days.  He cleans the bathroom and scrubs the tub (because I hate to).  He gets up to meet with the Lord every morning and prays for our family.  He comes home and takes on daddy-duty and wrestles with Jude to tire him out before bed.  He tells me I'm beautiful even when I feel like a whale.  He drives everywhere we go without complaining, even though he drives all over the state all day for his job.  

Pretty cool guy. ;-)  

I am thankful for...

... a long Friday to Monday weekend.  Hubby took some vacation time so we can make some memories as a family of three before it gets even more crazy.  I plan to read, sleep, kick the hubby's butt in Scrabble, and snuggle my little boy LOTS AND LOTS.

I am thankful for...

... this cup of coffee.

  

That is almost gone.  

I am thankful for...

... a God who loves me too much to let me stay my same, sinful, prideful self.  Even when it isn't easy.  I'm being challenged to memorize more scripture.  I have never been good at memorization.  Or maybe I should say, I have never put much effort into it.  Not good.  After reading this passage this week, I feel like this is something that needs to be hidden in my heart.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. {Romans 12:9-21}

I am thankful for...

... my second baby boy ever so wiggly in my belly.  I had a fantastic OB appointment yesterday.  The doctor had to laugh at how active my boy was as he was trying to get a heartbeat.  I also scheduled my c-section date and can say that we are less than 11 weeks away from meeting this little pumpkin.  Oh, yes, I am having another c-section {unless God has other plans}... I can talk about that later.  But I am thankful for my OB and his surgeon skills and the peace of mind I have in that decision. :-)

I am thankful for...

... my 1 year old, who is now awake from his nap.  I am going in to take advantage of some sleepy snuggles.

What are you thankful for today?

Baby #2 :: 28 weeks

We are in 3rd trimester!  Ummm... wow?  When did that happen?  Again... can't believe how fast time is flying.

But, here we are.

Today's date: April 7, 2012

How far along: 28 weeks

Total weight gain: 15 lbs.   

Size and growth of the baby: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels.

Sex: Still a baby brother!

Maternity clothes: Umm...EVERYTHING!!

Sleep: Varies every night.  I still have a hard time getting comfy, but I've been doing okay lately.

Best moment(s) of the week:  I loved having a little ladies get-away on Monday and Tuesday.  I spent my first night away from Jude and it went better than expected!!  

Movement: He is crazy.  We are getting to the point where I have to have regular talks with him to tell him NOT to suddenly jab Mama in the bladder and that really, the ribs are not the most comfortable place for him to take a nap.

Food cravings/aversions:  Nothing really, except that I can't eat as much when I eat and then I'm starving 2 hours later again.

Morning sickness: Feeling good!!

 
Symptoms: I never had this with Jude, but my feet just ache.  Sometimes they feel swollen, but I don't think they actually have by looking at them.  They just ache and throb.

 
Labor signs:  Braxton hicks here and there, but not daily right now.

Belly button in or out:   In - but definitely feeling shallower!  And my belly-button is SUPER sensitive.  Yick!

What I miss:  Probably my abs.  Not the fact that I ever had a six-pack (because I didn't), but just using those muscles for everyday things.  Like rolling over in bed.  And moving like a normal person.  Picking up toys off the floor is getting to be a task.  I didn't have to do that when I was pregnant with Jude. :-)

What I'm looking forward to: Easter is tomorrow!  I have another Dr's appt this week.  And a few play-dates lined up.  Then next weekend is a little get-away before baby brother arrives!  

See how things were going when I was 28 weeks pregnant with Jude!

...

Friday Phone-Dump v.5

Future b-ball star.  Loving his Birthday gifts!

Yes, I went to IKEA twice in 9 days.  I'm not complaining.  Jess and Erin were overwhelmed!

Two out of my three boys. :-)

Springtime??  (this is the purple-est tree I've ever seen... had to take a pic)

Love.

Nap-time in the kitchen? 

Or on the play rug? (he's been doing this a ton lately... so cute)

My view. (Mama is getting harder to see these days)

Sporting the shades.

Snuggle bug.

My other snuggle bugs.  HAHA!

Silly boy.

And linking up with...

Pep talk to myself.

Every once in awhile it hits me.

The panic.  The anxiety.  The oh crap that I experienced when I first saw the digital "Pregnant" on that test 6 months ago.

Little brother will be here in less than 12 weeks.  And most of the time I am excited.  I think about this new baby and get all warm and fuzzy remembering the snuggles, the bitty clothes, nursing, etc.  I am very excited.

But then I have days where big brother wears. me. out.  And I'm ready to crash at 7pm along with him.  And I wonder, how the heck am I going to do this?

If there's one thing that being a Mama has changed about me (and there is far more than one thing, for certain) it is my flexibility.  Before Jude was born, I read books and blogs and articles on everything relating to pregnancy and birth.  I obsessed over the birth experience before he was born.  Once he was here, I obsessed about his sleep patterns.  Then it was what he was eating.  Because if I was in control, nothing could go wrong, right?  

I still struggle with wanting to control everything.  I don't like things out of my control.  But sometimes, for me, along with the desire to control is fear of being out of control.  And that isn't good.  It isn't healthy.  It isn't from my God who flat out tells me, do not fear.  

I remember before Jude was born, I had the same fear.  I had never done this before!  I wondered, how would I know when he was hungry vs. tired?  How would I soothe him if he was fussy?  How exactly would this fit into my life and change me?  It was unknown, and scary.  And I remember a time, maybe 4-5 months into motherhood, when I realized that I just did.  That newborn phase I was terrified of had passed, and I just did.  One day at a time.  One need at a time.  It just happened.  And as it was happening, none of my previous worries were valid.  We just lived life.  

So, when I have these freak-out moments, I stop.  Breathe.  And remember that the God who gave me this child is the God who will give me all I need to raise two babies.  He'll give me the patience.  The strength.  The energy.  The motherly intuition.  And I know that soon, life with little brother will be the new normal.  We'll go through our days just like we do today, but maybe with a little more chaos.  A little more crazy.  Hopefully not too many tears.  But definitely a whole lot more love!

...

Dear Jude :: 12 months

My dear sweet ONE YEAR OLD Jude,

First of all, you are ONE.  I can hardly believe it.  This past year has been just amazing to spend with you.  The very best of my life without a doubt.  I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

You have grown tremendously the past month!  First of all, at your doctors appointment, you were much more aware and leery of what was happening.  You clung to Mama instead of just observing what was going on around you.  Your understanding of the world has just exploded.  You understand what we say so much more and are able to follow simple directions very well.

At your doctors appointment you weighed 22lbs 15.5oz and were 30.5 inches tall (54th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for height).  You are wearing a mix of 12 and 18 month clothes and wear a size 4-5 shoe.  

You are still in-between 1-2 naps.  Most days two naps are needed, but you only take one from time to time.  Today, for example, you took one 45 minute nap!  Yikes!  Amazingly you are still a pretty pleasant baby even when this happens!

The changes are happening daily at this point.  On Wednesday, the 28th, you turned one.  On Thursday, the 29th, you decided to start walking!!!  And today, on April 3, you started standing up on your own (without holding onto anything) AND you have started saying words other than "Mama" and "Dada" and  "doggy" uhh-duh.  You said "diaper" and "all done" ahh-duh.  

You are off bottles completely during the day, but you LOVE your night-time bottle.  I'm okay keeping it for awhile.  I get guaranteed snuggles that way.  :-)  But the bottle is usually only 4-5oz before bed.  You drink organic cows milk or coconut milk out of a sippy during the day.

You have 8 teeth and love brushing them!  You also learned how to snap recently!  It is so funny.

You had a FANTASTIC birthday party this weekend!!  We are so blessed to have great friends who have kids who are and will be great friends to you!  They also have great taste in gifts. :-)  You LOVE everything you got.

It was also a lot of fun to be able to FaceTime with Aunt Krista in Jamaica, so she could be part of your birthday celebration!

We love you so so SO much!  You are changing every day, and it is so exciting to watch.  You have been such a blessing this past year!

Love you punkin pie!

Mama