He Walks! (02.22.2011)

Eleven Fun Facts from an Eleven Month Old

Hi Everyone! It's me, Judah, again...been a while. I have a really big day coming up in March, so before I emerge from baby-land into toddler-land, I wanted to share some fun facts about me....11 as a matter of fact, because Mama says that's how old  I am (in months, anyway :-)

1. I am big. I'm not sure exactly how big (mom says we won't know until my 12-month doctor's appointment). I do know that I am taller and heavier than most babies my age, though. I like that...because I am strong....and I am healthy....and I am growing. 

2. I am taking steps by myself! Mama and Dada usually have to ask me, though, while holding something I really want. I mean, it's a lot of work, but it excites me and one of these days I'm going to be brave and just go without Mama and Dada asking me.

3. I do like to do one thing on my own and that's CLIMB. It is so! much! fun! I love to climb all the way up the stairs in my house, and up my bookcase, and the baby gate, and I sometimes try to climb up my crib. I don't know why but this seems to scare my Mama. I know that she and Dada have recognized my skills, though, because I heard them talking about signing me up for rock/wall climbing and repelling lessons when I get a bit older....awesome.

4. Speaking of Mama and Dada...I say their name... a lot...and now, I think they even know that I'm talking to them! It is really cool and makes them smile really big. I also sometimes say "baby" when I see them in a picture or real life...I think they are cute and fun! And my favorite sound to make is "roooarr," just like a lion or a tiger.

5. Allie-dog is my best pal. I love when she gives me kisses, and I even share my food with her. Hmmm...maybe that's why we are best buds now?!

6. I have two new teeth for a total of 6 now. They hurt a lot when they came and I am not looking forward to many more months of this (I heard Mama say I have a lot more to go!) However, I know they are good things and help me eat yummy food.

7. Speaking of food, I am eating pretty much all "big-boy" food now. I love it...especially chicken, pasta, toast, pancakes, broccoli, potatoes, green beans, and blueberries...it is so much better than the "mush" Mama had been feeding me!

8. My new favorite game is "chase." Mama and Dada catch me every time, but it sure is fun getting them to run after me! I also love "Pat-a-Cake" and "If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands." Now that one really attracts the ladies ;-)

9. I am obsessed with lights and how they work. It fascinates me when Mama and Dada turn them on and off...sometimes on the lamp itself and sometimes from a switch on the wall...very cool.

10. I love to sleep. I sleep all through the night and also take two naps a day. I've heard my Mama say that this makes her happy. Don't know why, but it sure does make me a happy baby. As long as I have Shasta (that's my sheep) and my crib, I am good to go!

11. I am ready for Spring and Summer. It's been really warm at my house for the last  few weeks and I've had so much fun outside! I have a feeling I am really going to like the warmer weather...especially since I don't like to wear socks or shoes and always pull them off :-)

Well, that's it from me...final thoughts as a baby. Next time I capture Mama's blog, I'll be a toddler...watch out world!

Love, Judah

Play Date with a Valentine

Although we didn't do a whole of celebrating on Valentine's Day due to our home inspection occurring on the 14th, we did invite one of Judah's Valentine's, Kennedy, over yesterday for a little mid-day fun. So thankful for making memories with good friends on beautiful Carolina days!

Kennedy thought the heart-shaped muffins were "yummy!"And she really liked Judah's chair :-)

Meanwhile, Judah thought his fire truck was yummy :-) 

They play so well together!

We took advantage of the weather and went to the neighborhood park. Judah wasn't sure about his first swing experience, but he and Kennedy sure did have some great times just "hangin' out"...as well as some invigorating conversations.

Sleepy babes in their Bobs.

What a fun day!

Belated Birthday Wishes

Okay, so I'm a little late (are you noticing a theme?!) but my amazing husband had a birthday exactly one week ago~when this post was originally intended to be published. Well, a lot happened last week...the major event....drum roll, please....we have a contract on our house! Huge blessing that I will write about in the near future. For now, I'd like to focus on Jeff, the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. Thus, I am forever grateful for the day of his birth. His positivity, joyfulness, and wisdom inspire me each and every day, and I am a better woman because of it. He is honest, communicative, forgiving, and terribly funny...for all these reasons, our marriage is beautiful. He truly is my better half, and this birthday is extra special because it reminds me how awesome it has been to see him father our precious son. Jeff's love for Judah makes my love for Jeff stronger and our love for each other deeper.

Truly. Grateful. For. This. Man. 

Love this pic that was taken on the way out the door for our DC weekend to look for a new place to live...excited about the next chapter in our lives!

Unfortunately, after leaving for work at 5am, Jeff arrived home on his birthday around midnight. After a hard day, we still managed to celebrate with some cake, bubbly, cards and gifts.

Here he is embarrassed by my solo performance of the "Happy Birthday" song while taking pictures of him.

And I love this one, too, because he is sentimental reading his card from Judah.

On most days, however, Jeff makes it home to feed, bathe, and rock our little one to sleep. These two boys are crazy together! And crazy about each other, I might add...can't you tell?!

Post-bath kisses

Pure Sweetness

Happy Birthday Dada!

Get It Sold!

I cannot believe this is now in our yard. 

We've been in this home for almost 5 years now. In some ways, it seems like the blink of an eye and in some ways it seems as if we've lived here forever. While it's been far from my dream home, I feel like in a way Jeff and I have grown up here....our first huge purchase together with lots of responsibility; our comfort after long, tough days working our first "real" jobs; a place of refuge and escape during our darkest days of grief and loss; and now a place with new life, filled with crazy love and loud laughter; and most importantly, our first son's first home. Although Judah will never remember this place, his mom and dad certainly will~with the fondest of memories. For now, he's just excited about getting. it. sold. Wish us luck!

Catch Up!

Well, it seems as if our life as we know it has been put on hold during the entire month of January. We are listing our home on the market to sell next week, and who knew it would be so much work to "declutter" and stage?! Judah has been a trooper, though, and seems to not realize that much of anything is going on. What has he been up to? Let's see...for starters he is now 10 months old?! Can you believe it? I mean, look how much he looks like a big boy now!

p.s. He LOVES that yellow ball (thanks Aunt Amy!) and I LOVE when he crosses his ankles/feet when he sits...so. cute.

J-man still seems to be loving life and I'm pretty sure he'll be loving it even more soon because he is so close to walking! He received a few toys for Christmas to help him walk, and he is really on the move with those. (video to come :-) He still loves to give kisses and clapping is his new trick (whew! we worked on that one for so long). As you can see from the pictures below, we've had many pajama days this month~as it has been cold and all I've been doing is working in the house. And just for the record, I love PJ days :-) Below are a few of Judah's favorite past-times on these days:

Sorting shapes. Although he hasn't mastered it, he certainly knows the concept. He gets so excited that he squeals right before the shape drops. Here he is placing a shape in the side of his "Mickey Mouse Airplane."

 
Climbing. That's right, my boy is trying to climb up shelves! Thankfully, he hasn't mastered this one yet, although I'm pretty sure one day I'm going to walk in a room only to find him near the ceiling :-) Here he is climbing up one of his toy shelves, then trying to climb up my leg.

Studying up on his urology. Yes, he likes to "read" his daddy's urology journals. Never too young, right?!

And that's about it! Here's hoping to more fun adventures after our house lists next week. Wish us luck!

Christmas in Dixie

Ok well, it was the week after Christmas but we were indeed in Dixie! With Allie-dog, a million bags, and Christmas gifts in tow, we braved the 9.5 half hour drive to Alabama to spend time with my family during the holidays. Let's just say that Judah endured the car ride much better than his mommy and daddy :-). It was well worth the trip, though, and Judah seemed to have a blast hanging out with his family, especially his two cousins~Marlee and Maggie!

Poor little guy began to teethe again~BADLY~ while we were there. He was a happy baby (as always); however, he was a drooling and chewing baby! It was really difficult to capture a picture without something in his mouth!

 

Although slobbery and very tired from all the festivities, this little man still managed to help open a few gifts.

Yay! Disney movies from KK! (These were for me also :-)

How cute is this hat he got!

And Mommy and Daddy did a lot of opening because Judah couldn't handle them all! This was Daddy's favorite gift, and I'm not sure he knows it's for Judah ;-)

 

Along with my family living in Alabama, many of my dear college friends also live in the area. One evening, we had a gathering in Birmingham (thanks to Rachel and Bart for being amazing hosts!). It was so wonderful to celebrate with friends and get our children together. As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but think of our same group ten years ago and how we all first met at The University of Alabama~and I was so grateful that our friendships have endured and our families have grown.

Scarlett and Truman helping Judah open his gift

The group minus Stephanie's sweet children but including its newest addition~Anna Barton~scheduled to arrive in February!

On New Year's Eve, we headed even further south to Auburn (NOT to cheer on the team!) but to visit another dear friend who lives there, Nancy and her precious family (whom you've seen on this blog a time or two before ;-) Although the visit was short and all the sleepy parents had great difficulty staying awake til midnight, it was wonderful to ring in the New Year with some of the people we love the most. Can you tell Nance and I love our little men?!

One more time for good measure~Happy 2011~from BB and J!