Whoops, I slept through Christmas!

Whoops, I think I might have done something I will regret later. I slept through Christmas!!!! But at least Aunt Kathy enjoyed the cuddle time with me...

Something is not right....

Something is not right here. I need to call the Christmas Cops or something. Who is in charge? I need to talk to the authorities. Here my family is on Christmas morning.... I watch as Daphne opens gift after gift after gift. Finally, she brings me over a toy and I start chewing away on it. And then Daphne resumes opening everything in site. I don't think she paused to breathe. Then I started to wonder what my parents priorities were. I mean, come on....One lousy bumblebee chew toy for me? Ophelia got more than that! But you know what? It's okay. I'm not full of vengence. I know the true spirit of Christmas. I gave my parents gifts they truely wanted (and no I'm not referring to the fact I sleep a good ten hours every night now or the fact I really did get my two front teeth for Christmas). It doesn't matter than Daphne got more gifts than me. One day I'll be bigger and stronger, and I'll be able to pay her back for all the time she mauls me now or tickles my feet now.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Uh oh. I have to print a retraction. It has come to my attention that I got just as many gifts as Daphne. It just so happens that she opened them for me. And she didn't give them to me until later that day. So, thank you everyone for all the gifts! I enjoyed watching Daphne play with them.

I'm cute, you know it...

Merry Christmas Eve! It's okay, you all know I'm cute. You can admit it. Just look at these round cheeks. My first Christmas was going to be Legen...wait for it...dary! I had the whole night planned out. *start the music* First on hand, pose for photo with Daphne and try to make myself look cuter than her. Next on the agenda for Christmas Eve, change into second outfit after I spit up all over first outfit...

Third thing to do, get traditional photo with my sister in front of the Christmas Tree. (Note how I almost can sit up on my own already....) And last stop on my Christmas Eve legendary plans, make women all over the globe swoon over me....

Looks like I have the photographic proof that I achieved all my goals for the evening. Next up, Christmas Day....

HELP ME!

This is Ophelia - I'm hijacking Jude's blog for a post. HELP ME!!!!!!! Wait, I'm stuck here. I'll distract them, you get out now and save yourself before it's too late!

By the way, has anyone noticed how having two little kids in the house has turned my once black nose/face hairs all gray?

Two teeth!!!

On Monday, Dec 15 (which also happened to be my Grammy's birthday!) while my mom was busy working, the phone rang. She saw on the caller ID it was Samantha, the wonderful woman who watches my sister and I. Mom got nervous, because she just KNEW something was wrong. But after Mom picked up the phone, Samantha had some different news for Mom.

"Did you know Jude has a tooth?" Samantha exclaimed!

"What?!?! No! Oh my gosh! So that explains why he woke up three times last night!" Mom cried.

"Yes, I just noticed it and had to call you since you didn't mention it this morning!" (Mom and Samantha are a bit too excited about my first tooth, but that's women for you...)

And then on Thursday, Dec 18, my second tooth broke through the skin. They are the center two teeth on my bottom jaw. Four months is early, I think, but Daphne got her first ones at four months, too.

O Christmas Tree

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring ....not....even.....a.....mouse. Huh? It's not Christmas yet. And my sister Daphne and dog Ophelia are ALWAYS stirring! But it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It's white outside. There is an evergreen tree in my living room. There are some socks on the mantel. And I'm getting all these new outfits that say something about Christmas or have a reindeer on them. The one in this photo says "First Christmas". I have another that says, "Who needs Santa? I have Grandma." Another makes me look like Frosty the Snowman. And then my newest one, red and white stripes jammies with a reindeer on the butt.

I'm not sure what I am doing with my hands here, but I do this all the time. I push out with my legs and hold my arms out. I do this pose in my bumbo or when people are holding me. Maybe I'm stretching? Maybe I'm practicing for snow angels? Who knows...

First Supper

Jesus had a Last Supper, well I had my First Supper. Technically, I guess Jesus had a first supper at one point, too, but the Bible skips from his birth to when he was left at the temple at age 12. So we never heard about his first supper. Anyway.... When I was at the doctor last week, she told my dad I was ready for food. You see, I'm an eating machine. When I finish my bottle, I scream for more. And I eat a lot more frequently than most babies. So the doctor said it was okay to start me on some infant rice cereal. Dad made my first bowl....at first I wasn't sure about this. Mush in my mouth, huh? But then I realized this was food!! And I ate the rest of the bowl in record time! And yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, but I cried when the bowl was empty. I wanted more. Yes, I cried. Call me a ninny.

Chewing Monster

I've never really taken a pacifier - those are for sissy's *cough Daphne cough* But I do suck on my fingers. But recently, I have been putting everything and anything in my mouth. If I can grab it - it goes in the mouth.

This has nothing to do with chewing, but I guess I am going to have gray eyes. Both of my parents have green eyes, and my sister has the same slate gray eyes she had when she was born. And it looks like I'm going to be the same way. All babies are born with that slate gray eyes (or so I have been told) and in the first few months of life they change colors. Well, Daphne's never changed and so far, mine haven't either.

Holland outfit

My mom has a dear friend named Inge who lives in Holland. When I was born, she mailed me an outfit adorned with two traditional Holland cartoon characters. The outfit just now fits me, so Mom wanted to put a photo of me wearing it on here. It's not everyday you wear an outfit from Holland!

I got decorated

Last Saturday, all these women invaded my house. So I did what any good man would do. I fell asleep. Thankfully I slept through most of the baby shower. And then I made my appearance and got back out of there. But that crazy big sister of mine kept some of the remmants of the party and decided to decorate me later. Oh man, why do I have a feeling this photo will make my Graduation slideshow??

I hate shots...

Since I'm four months old, that meant another trip to the doctor....which meant more shots. Man I hate shots. But Dad was really calming and held me until I stopped crying. I forgot my numbers, but I do know I'm in the 50% range for weight and 90% for height! So that means I am pretty tall for my age, and I'm of average weight.

I've officially outgrown all my 0-3 month size clothes. So now I'm wearing 3-6 month size. And believe it or not, some of that is almost too short. But the problem is they are way too big around. Even though I appear pretty chunky (because I have no neck and my cheek's are really full) my arms, legs and torso are pretty skinny. So I swim in most of my clothes, but then the pants are too short... And I'm not even to those awkward puberty years yet...

But hey, I'm pale and I have red hair. There is going to be plenty of amunition for the kids on the playground to make fun of me.

Bumbo Growth Chart - Four Months

I'm four months old!! I'm four months old?? Seriously? Four months already? Wow, it's true...... I have the Bumbo Growth Chart photo to prove it. Four months....

Look how much I've grown!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

My first Thanksgiving - I'll remember lots of people in the house, lots of food in the house, and Uncle Eric and Ethan battling it out on the Wii to see who can do the most Hula Hoop spins in three minutes! I'm sad that Pa Pa wasn't with us, but due to the timing - it turned into a blessing as it kept Grammy and Gramps home for the holiday and it brought Uncle Eric in town. My first major holiday was a joy! Even if Daphne tried to steal some of my spotlight...

Night night...

Not long ago, I said "night night" to Pa Pa for the last time. My mom begged me to post this photo though, if you glanced quickly you might think it was Pa Pa and me, but if you look closer you see his hair is darker and fuller and well, the baby looks....like Uncle Eric!

And this photo taken in May 1960 might help motivate me to pick up the guitar and learn how to play one day. Check out the furniture, too! You can tell it's the 60's!

To honor Pa Pa, we had a small blue bouquet of flowers from me at the funeral. How fitting if I do say so...
The funeral was quite special.... I played with my friends Abby, Ben, Misty and Shawn in the lobby the whole time. I was cuddled so you know I enjoyed it. The next day the whole family piled into several cars and drove for about 26 hours in the car to the graveside ceremony. Okay, so it wasn't 26 hours, but it felt that long to me. The church where Pa Pa attended for years and years gave us a potluck where everyone ate way too much food. While my parents were busy running after my sister, I found a new buddy - my cousin Ethan!

John Deere Green

Christmas 2007 Gramps and Grammy bought Daphne a John Deere toy. Daphne still dearly (no pun intended) loves this toy, so it's hard for me to get a chance to play with it. But when the opportunity knocks, I take it! Who wouldn't?

Little to Big

There comes a time in every boy's life they have to leave the little bed and go to the big bed. I made the switch and I love it! This big bed is so much better than that little bassinet. And it means I am in my room now instead of in my parents room. Man do I sleep better now! (Except for the one or two times a night I wake up for a diaper change or bottle...)

My first girlfriend!

Just before everything happened with Pa Pa, I went on my first date. I didn't get a chance to post it earlier, so I'm posting it now. Meet Miss Lauren! She's only a month younger than me, and might I say a little doll. We had a blast playing, for the few moments we were both awake!

Highs and Lows...

Thursday, November 20th is a day to remember. Not only is it the day I rolled over (see post below for more) but it's also the day that Pa Pa suffers no more. I was looking forward to fishing with him in the spring for crappie; but now he'll have to watch me fish looking down from Heaven. I love and will miss you Pa Pa.

Rolled over!!!

I finally did it! I have successfully rolled from my stomach to my back. Now I need to stop being sneaky and do it when someone is watching. I've done it twice so far, and both times neither parent has seen it. They just look at me and suddenly I'm on my back. I'm a sneaky one like that...

Bashful or Ornery???

You pick....Bashful or Ornery???

Me and Pa Pa

I don't have near the relationship with Pa Pa that my big sister does, but I still love when anyone holds me! I'll cuddle up to them and smile away! One of my middle names is after Pa Pa. I wish I was older so that I could get to know him better...

Turtle Turtle!

I think my Gramps takes more photos than my mom. Seriously. Anyway, when I am laying on my stomach, I like to raise my head way up in the air to see what's going on. Gramps calls it my Turtle pose. And he wanted to get a few photos of me - so he did. And now there are about 50 photos of me doing this. Here's two of the best to show you my "Turtle"...

In this next photo, my mom was just shocked. She said that there is a photo of my Uncle Eric around the same age and in almost the exact same position. She claims I look exactly like him in that photo. She showed Grammy, who of course agrees. So now I've been told I look like Uncle Eric, Dad and Ethan...and and Daphne (great!). And the strange part is, none of these four family members look anything alike - so it's questionable how I look like all four of them.... (but that's my mother for you)

And this last photo, Gramps is just amazing at just how tiny my socks are... (and probably anyone else who has to fish them out of the lent trap in the dryer)

One more Pumpkin photo

I swear this is the last Pumpkin photo of me.... Gramps took this one and my mom just loves it for some reason. Crazy mothers....

HUH???

One of my many looks - HUH????

Coming Attractions!

Hey. Jude here. I've been a slacker, sorry. No doubts I'll catch up, probably sometime this week. I had quite the weekend though. On Saturday I enjoyed a room full of women going ga ga over me, then on Sunday I had my first date with Lauren. I even grabbed her hand, but I let go really quick when both mom's said how cute it was. Darn those Mom's...

Happy Birthday Gramps!

Yesterday (Nov 1st) was my Gramp's birthday! But not only did we get to celebrate with him, but Grandma came down into town too! Grammy, Gramps, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Daphne and I all went out to Outback Steakhouse for his birthday dinner, and ironically walked in the door the same time as our next door neighbors! Must have been an Outback kind of night. After we all ate too much, (note the sarcasm there as I begged and begged and no one gave me any Blooming Onion!), we came back home to eat some of Gramps traditional birthday cake - Cherry Nut Cake. Then Aunt Kathy and Uncle John came up to join in the "Wii" festivities. Dad gave Mom a Wii for Christmas, but couldn't wait until Christmas to give it to her. So Uncle John challened Gramps to a bowling match! Guess who won....


Here some play by play.... Uncle John chooses his ball, then tosses the ball down the lane. Ooooh! He split it! On his second throw, he puts on some mad spin and gets the spare!!
But then comes Gramps. Beware Uncle John - Gramps swings and tosses the ball down the lane ......STRIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gramps ended up winning by four pins (points?). Guess we'll never know if Uncle John let him win since it was his birthday, or if Gramps is really better...

Halloween!

October 31 was Halloween, which to me meant absolutely nothing. Except I got to be outside a lot with some friends. I didn't mind that at all. As you can see in the next several posts, I was a Jack O'Lantern for Halloween. Thanks Aunt Kathy for the costume! And of course, since Daphne and I were both in costumes, Gramps and Mom had to drag us outside by the pretty tree for about two million photos. Daphne ran around and I was placed in my trusty Bumbo chair. Daphne is a fairy - with her silver dress and wings (they are hard to see in this photo). Her and Mom sprayed glitter all over their hair and faces - the bathroom is covered now with shiny speckles. And each time they pick me up, some gets on me. I'm afraid by nights end I'll have more glitter on than them!Isn't the tree pretty though?

Trick or Treat? Dang, didn't work. She's not sharing with me.

Then after dinner, we joined a few friends who live in town and walked up and down 4th Street collecting bucket fulls of candy! I slept through most of it, except when the parents woke me up transfering me back and forth. Who knew I'd get heavy?

Thanks to our friends we joined! Trick or Treating with us was a Spider (aka Elijah), another Pumpkin (aka Eden), a Mouse (aka Jakob), a Bumblebee (aka Emmy), a Clown (aka Marion), an Old Man (aka Roy) and the parents (Misty, Shawn, Moriah and Jason). Mica and Joseph also joined in the festivites, even though they had to catch a plane at 3am the next morning for a mission trip!!! We were quite the crowd walking down the sidewalk! Here's a photo of Mom and Misty.

Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday Grandma was supposed to come into town, and we'd planned a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. But Grandma had to work, so she couldn't come down. But my mom wanted to take my Bumbo Growth Chart photo there, so Grammy, Daphne, Mom and I headed over. It was frightfully cold out and none of us were dressed warm enough!

I don't think Daphne felt how cold it was, she was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off!

They had a giant pumpkin up front, so of course my cheesy mother had to take our photo with it. I was shocked when this kitten jumped up beside me! Daphne kept "meow"ing at it. But she was scared to touch it.

By this time I was getting pretty cold. Daphne loves to take care of me, so she was quite concerned when I started to fuss...

At least it's another year before we do this round of photos again. Maybe Grandma can join us next year.

Bumbo Growth Chart - Three Months

I'm now a quarter of a year old. Can you believe it? No one at my house can! They all keep saying it just seems like yesterday when I was born!! A few days ago I officially turned three months old. So you know what that means - Bumbo Growth Chart Photo Time! Here's my Halloween/Pumpkin Patch edition for Month Three! (Even though it looks like my costume is a Pumpkin - it's really the famous "Thinking Man" statue)
My my, look how I have grown! My feet stick out so much further than they did before!

Giggle Man

Today I spent the day with my friend Samantha while my parents were at work.... And I like her. She's cute. I kept smiling at her, so she tickled me. And guess I did....I giggled. Like a schoolgirl.

Mr. GQ

Check me out, I should be on the cover of GQ. I'm all prepped out in my plaid pants and collared shirt. Gramps said I looked like a little man in this outfit instead of a baby.

HELP!

HELP!!!! I'm being mauled by a 20 month old!! HELP!!!! Why is it my big sister loves to pick on me. Does she not realize that one day I'll be bigger and stronger than her and she'll pay for all the torture she puts me through right now? Oh just wait... Oh yes.
And I'm already starting to work on my muscles. This week, I joined the gym. The playgym that is. I've started batting at the objects hanging above me! And I discovered if I push on the pad with my feet, it will play Mozart for me. I'm so smart. Everyone is waiting for me to roll over and to giggle now.

Giant J

Currently my big sister Daphne and I share a room. But that doesn't mean much since I'm still sleeping in the bassinet in my parents room. So pretty much it means my clothes and Daphne are sharing a room. But before this week, it still felt like her room. Why, you ask? Well, because the wall had a giant D. Where was the giant J? My mom finally got off her lazy butt and painted me one! Yeah! So now the wall has both a J and a D. Both are painted white, but have been "aged" with sandpaper to show another color underneath. Daphne's D has green, and my J has yellow (the same color as the hallway). I'm just happy because now it feels like my room too. (even if it almost a tad girly to have my inital on the wall larger than life)