Vocabulary

16 months

Jude is becoming very vocal.  Its that time when toddlers string together gibberish in such an inflectional way that you can tell what he says has meaning to him.  He says things with such intent.  Although the majority of his vocalizations are incoherent to us, he does say several words that we understand constantly and signs a few words to communicate with us.

Jude's Vocabulary at 16/17 months:

Annie, ball, night-night, wow, whoa, all done, yeah, no no no, momma, da da, moo, baa, outside, bye bye, this, bath

Jude signs for:

all done, more, book, bath, airplane and please

A Little Catch Up

I realized today that it has been a while since I have posted anything about this little guy.  Since my last post Jude has learned some basic signs, walks/runs/climbs everywhere, had his first significant haircut, is down to one nap a day (on most days) and is starting to talk.  Jude loves the water, loves being outside, cuddles with his lovey "Yellow Guy," enjoys balls and cars, likes to play with the doggies at Pa and T's house, LOVES emptying cabinets and takes every opportunity to stand inside the refrigerator when it is opened and cries hysterically when you close it.  Jude is mastering stair climbing.  He goes up with ease and is learning to come down.  We still rely on gates for his safety but are really looking forward to getting rid of them.  

Jude is a tough little kid.  He is often found in headlocks, sandwiched under pillows and it is very rare for him not to have bruises, cuts and scrapes.  He takes it all in stride.  Owen is toughening him up and one day I think Owen will regret this.  It won't be long before Jude is playing right along side Owen and that day can't come soon enough for Owen.  The girls are Jude's primary caregivers.  They will do anything for their little brother.  "Annie" was one of Jude's first words.  

A Day In Jude's Life:

7:30 wake up and have a bottle

8:00 breakfast

Playtime

12:00 lunch

12:45 nap

3:00 wake up 

5:30 dinner

Playtime

7:00 bedtime

One Year, Three Months Old

Favorite 5 Month Pictures

Three Month Photos

Just thought I'd post a few of my favorite pictures of Jude from this past month (3 months old).

3 Months

It is nearly impossible to believe that Jude is three months old.  The days fly by with four kids.  Jude continues to be the most perfect baby.  He is as easy as I can imagine a baby being.  He takes great naps, usually three times a day lasting for about two hours each.  He is even sleeping very well at night.    On a typical night he goes to bed around 9:30 and sleeps until 3 or 4, then goes back to sleep after nursing until 8:30 or 9.  He has slept through the night twice, so we are feeling a bit more human now that we are getting some more predictable sleep.

This month he has been really interactive in his smiling.  He responds to our voices with great big smiles.  He loves being sung to and just being in our presence.  He is starting to grasp things and suck his thumb.  Every time I go to his crib to get him he is happily sucking away.  He still struggles to get his thumb to his mouth when sitting up but is a pro when lying down. We still give him a pacifier, which he takes and it always calms him.   He enjoys being in his swing or being held.  He tolerates his carseat but does a good amount of crying in it when we travel.  He likes baths.  He is learning to kick and splash.  I love watching him kick his little legs around when he is excited.  He is also beginning to make cooing noises, which I love.  

Jude is very tolerant of his older siblings.  He is jostled around and being loved on constantly.  

Two Months

 Time has flown by with this little man around.  Everything these days seems like a bit of a whirlwind but I am trying my best to take everything in and enjoy all the little moments that I can with Jude.  We've been blessed by people in our lives who have graciously kept the older kids, giving Jeremy and I some alone time to spend with Jude.
Jude is quickly growing.  Everyone comments upon how big he is.  He still seems little to me!  He is starting to grow out of his 0-3 month clothing.  I am anxious to see how he compares with the other kids when I take him into the peds clinic tomorrow for his two month well exam.
Jude is a very sweet baby, he is delightful and doesn't get too fussy.  He loves being around people, swinging in his swing and being held.  He tolerates his bath, carseat and stroller time.  He hates dirty diapers and will scream with anger until it is changed (even just the tiniest bit).  Unfortunately we go through a lot of diapers because he goes regularly after each meal and sometimes in between.
He is nursing exclusively every three or so hours day and night.  He is a very quick eater.  Most of the time taking only five minutes to finish his meals.  We've tried to introduce formula at bedtime once or twice but he wants absolutely nothing to do with it.  He will take a bottle with breast milk, which has allowed me to get away a little bit.
He sleeps well.  He is up like clockwork at night at 1:30 and 4:30, he eats and goes immediately back to sleep without any fancy coaxing.  He is still sleeping in our room in a bassinet but we are planning to get him into his own room very soon.  He wakes up in the morning rustling around but usually will go back to sleep if I put him in our bed and give him a pacifier until about 8:00.  His nap patterns aren't quite established yet.  Typically he naps around all day here and there but I try to get him in his crib for a good afternoon nap that usually lasts about two hours.  It is hard to keep things quiet in the house so who knows if he'd sleep longer.  Bedtime is whenever we go to bed, usually around 10.
This month Jude has started sharing purposeful smiles, making eye contact, following noises, noticing he can use his hands and  is becoming a bit more coordinated with them, he holds his head up with a bit more strength but is still wobbly.
Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself that there are four kids in this family and it blows my mind.  It is certainly a wild adventure but now that Jude is here I wouldn't want it any other way.  He is the perfect compliment to the rest of the gang.  We love him so much.

One Month

This month sure went by quickly.

We are adjusting to life with four.  It has been an adjustment.  We are constantly busy.  I feel like its all I can do to keep up with meals, laundry and dishes.  

Jude is a great baby.  He sleeps about as well as you can expect from a newborn.  He eats every two hours (night and day) and fills his diaper with extreme regularity.   He is LOVED by his brother and sisters and he puts up very well with them always in his face.  Jude loves being held and very seldom cries when in someone's arms.  

Jude's Baptism

First Weeks at Home