If You're Ever Feeling Down...

Just watch this :-)

18 on the 18th

18 months. Really?! Our sweet little J is one and a half years old! The big 1.5! Time is literally flying and he is becoming a little boy right before our eyes. We truly couldn't be more in love with him. His little big personality is blossoming, and every day brings tons of smiles, belly laughs, and tears of joy.

Judah-bean, here are 18 fun facts all about YOU!
1. You are a sleepy-head. Not only do you sleep a lot, but you take your sweet time getting up, resting in your crib forever with your morning coffee (milk :-) and books.
2. Speaking of...you love books. You yell "mo!" (more) every time I finish reading you one...even when it's bed time and you can't seem to hold your eyes open.

3. You eat all by yourself; our help is not wanted. You still eat with your fingers occasionally, but you're pretty good with your spoon and fork. Regardless, you do not want your father or I to intervene with your eating. It is serious business.

This is what happens when you eat yogurt by yourself, then I try to intervene.

 4. Even though you've only seen 2 episodes of Sesame Street in your entire life (and it hasn't been recently), you heart Elmo and always recognize him thanks to toddler marketing :-) You call him "Melmo." I'm not a huge fan of Melmo, but I must admit this is cute.
5. You can do a forward roll and think it's fantastic. Future gymnast?
6. You love it when Mama and Dada kiss and will spontaneously, forcefully, and repetitively push our heads together while making your kiss face/sound. And if you see us hugging, you run and bear-hug our legs. You are just so affectionate and I hope that stays for a while!
7.You are a toy-hoarder. When you see another toddler friend playing with something of interest, you just walk right up to them and take it-even if you have 15 other toys in your hand. We are working on this.
8. Your latest obsession is anything that moves...trucks ("tuck"), airplanes ("sky"), trains ("choo choo") and helicopter ("cocker") really are the only things that matter these days.

9. You are very social and wave at everyone. You get upset when they do not wave back.
10. You are rarely thirsty (especially for milk) and many days I feel I'm begging  you to drink something. However, you drink with ease every time Daddy requests.
11. You're borderline obsessed with your new red Crocs...thanks Granma!

12. You love babies ("bebe") and are super concerned when they cry. You carry on about your business, however, when I tell you ("Baby's okay").
13. You are getting really attached to your pacifier ("papis") and I am regretting not taking it away from you about 6 months ago when you were not as interested. I think we have a tough battle ahead of us.

14. Almost daily, we have a Dance/Sing Party thanks to Pandora Toddler Radio :-)
15. When you get sleepy, Mama and Dada become a "Bennifer" of sorts...aka ("Mada" and my favorite "Dama"). Hopefully, others do not think you are cursing :-)
16. No matter how much we clean, one can always find sand in our house. No, we do not live near the beach. However, we do live by the coolest playground with the coolest sandbox...you just can't resist.
17. Potty-training may be in our near future. About 60% of the time you tell me when you "peepee" and "poopoo" in your diaper when it is happening or immediately after...then proceed to sit/walk awkwardly when #2 happens. Sometimes you try to "wipe" during diaper changes...this usually does not turn out so well. You cannot be old enough for this?!
18. And our most favorite thing...you encourage us to pray. Literally. You LOVE our family prayers around the table (usually before mealtimes). Your signal for praying is holding your hands out on either side and bowing your head (eyes always open though :-). You remind us this way when we forget and sometimes request to pray when you are upset to make things all better. It is the sweetest.

Well, next time I write "18 on the 18th," it will mean you are graduating high school.  I'm thankful the 18 is months instead of years, and most days I wish I could make time stand still. Judah Wells Nix, you are my heart!

Writers' Block, with gratitude

I've had oh so much on my mind lately. Race, religion, rearing (the child, that is :-)...all things I've felt I needed to write about or at least express in some way besides letting them become the scrambled eggs of my mind. Life~ and a faulty computer~ have gotten in the way. And today I've carved out some time to write and my internet is actually working for the moment :-) However, I sit here with nothing. Not that my mind is empty; quite the opposite....just jumbled and today, with a headache that won't seem to go away :-( Hey, I made an unintentional rhyme...maybe poetry is calling?

Anywho, all I can come up with to share with you today is something that has been dominating my thoughts lately...how incredibly grateful I am for my husband and my son. Our story is unique, and I would not have one without the other. And I would not have either without God's grace and divine intervention. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of laundry, groceries, bills, etc.~ but lately I've been called to "be still and know that [He] is God." (Psalm 46:10) Amazing what He'll show you when you listen. He's showing me that our little family truly is a miracle, with tremendous blessings only made possible by Him.

Eating My Words

You are not hallucinating. That is indeed a "Happy Meal" in my son's hands, and yes he ate its contents. And loved every minute of it.

Those who know me well know that food is VERY important to me. Even more important is what type of food and from what origin is the food that Judah eats. From day one, I have made it a priority to make his baby food~from all organic sources~and try to have him eat as healthy as possible. And at one time (okay, several times) I've made the comment "I'm not sure when Judah is ever going to eat a Happy Meal." Well, I gave in at a mere 16 months of age. I know, horrible right? Call it poor planning, but this baby was HUNGRY on our way to the beach a few weeks ago and we were out of healthy options (and all food for that matter) in our car. If you've ever driven to the Florida panhandle through south Alabama, you'll believe me when I tell you that there are not many established towns, much less fine eateries. Thus, we saw the Golden Arches as our best option.
Of course we ordered the apples and milk, instead of fries and a soft drink (he still hasn't tasted either of these :-) but I have to be honest~I cringed a little when he bit into (okay, devoured) his chicken nuggets. Judah, on the other hand, thought it was fantastic.

And yes, he found the surprise at the bottom!

The surprise for me was that it didn't hurt him or even upset his stomach. In fact, he was "lovin' it!" And just for the record, this Mama LOVES McDonald's too~although I now can count on one hand the number of times I eat there in a year. I did, however, frequent it at least once a week as a child, and I'm doin' just fine! Regardless, this will only be a RARE treat for our little Jman...at least until he can drive his own car :-)

Beach Toddler!

The title of this post makes me a wee bit sad, as most of you will remember this post. That's right, my "beach baby" is all grown up compared to the last time we went to the beach when he was a mere six months old and not even mobile....wow, how quickly things change!
A few weeks ago, Judah and I spontaneously joined my parents and my Granddaddy Joe in Destin, Florida...my most beloved beaches, where I spent almost every summer of my youth. Unlike our last beach trip when Judah seemed oblivious to the water and sand around him, this time he could not get enough! See the evidence in the pictures :-)

First time he steps foot in the ocean :-)

Tossing sand!

Loving the sand toys

Cheezin' with Mommy

 

Second to playing in the sand and ocean was chasing the seagulls. He thought it was hilarious!

It was difficult explaining why they kept running and didn't want to play with him, though!

My Little Beach Model

He even found some time for some beach yoga. Downward Dog on the sand is the best :-) 

Rivaling the beach for his most treasured spot is anywhere he is surrounded by rocks....including around the condo's air conditioning unit! Have I told you how much this boy is obsessed with rocks?!

One night we visited Baytown Wharf and although there were no rocks, there was plenty of dancing as it was the night of the Sandestin Music Festival. Our little man gets serious when he dances. 

 

I wish I would have spanned out a little in the picture, but can you tell that everyone surrounding him on the lawn turned around to take a peak at his "skills?!"

It was here that Judah also experienced his first carousel ride. Sort of...

As you can see, after one time around he jumped into my arms never to get back on the horse again. Okay, maybe it was a little to early??!

Judah also enjoyed breaking it down with Granddaddy Joe one morning to a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse tune!

So grateful for these two to spend time together!

The seafood we ate was delicious! Well, just Mommy experienced the seafood but I know once Judah is old enough he will love it! As most of you know, going out to eat with a toddler is always interesting and MESSY! His new interest is "dipping." We left the restaurant one night with a hair full of honey mustard...fun!

Pre-honey mustard

Lovin it!

Surely, this will make a good conditioner?!

All in all, it was a super fun trip. Thank you KK and K-Pop for very memorable Florida fun!

Party in Tha Crib

With our new nap schedule (we're finally to 1 successful nap per day!), comes a new wake-up routine. This one was decided by Judah, but his mommy loves it. Previously, he wanted me to come get him almost immediately after he awoke. Done. Get me outta this thing. Apparently, he's grown to love his bed because now he enjoys lingering for a little while, taking his sweet time after he wakes up~much like someone else I know ;-)  After a hug, I give him his coffee, I mean milk...just look how excited he gets over milk these days.

Then he sits in the corner and ponders deep thoughts with Shasta for quite a while, and sometimes even shares his milk with Shasta...so sweet! 

Sometimes he'll read a few books but because I had the camera out, he decided to throw a "party" on this particular day. He is such a little ham when he sees my camera!

The party then gets really crazy. I mean, the no-handed milk slam?!

Check ya Later!

Hope your weekend is just as crib-tastic!

What's in Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Look who's been in mine lately :-)

Small Spaces=Hiding Places=Smiling Faces