2 Years Old

Weight: 24 lbs. 12 oz. (12%)

Height: 53" (72%)

Two years ago Jude got his first Easter Basket and he fit inside it.  Its impossible to believe how much he's grown up since then.  On his second birthday its obvious that the Sikora "baby" is not a baby anymore.  He is a little kid, into all the mischief that comes along with being one of our kids.  He feeds himself, uses problem solving skills to get what he wants for himself, sleeps in a big bed, follows directions, puts his toys away, climbs into the car and into his carseat on his own, tattletales on his brothers and sisters, can get his own cup of water, counts to ten, attempts to sing the alphabet and other songs, answers questions and throws a splendid fit.  Daily we are reminded just how quickly these little people in our house are growing up.

Jude loves books, is obsessed with the T.V., will not give up his bottle (night-night), loves going outside, doesn't like to be left behind, likes to build with legos and put puzzles together, enjoys coloring and the iPad.  Jude doesn't like loud noises with the exception of the blender and the vacuum.  He is fascinated by both of those, everything else that makes loud noises freaks him out. Jude is a pretty snuggly kid but he is also a fast mover.  He enjoys making us chase him.  Hide and seek and chase games keep him entertained for long periods of time.

Jude's vocabulary at age two is pretty advanced.  He names too many things to list.  He is becoming easier to understand.  He speaks in complete sentences and understands most of what is asked of him.   He makes us laugh when he talks in what seems to us garbled nonsense but to him is perfectly clear English.  His favorite and most often used word for a while was "yeah".  He'd use it to answer everything. The kids couldn't get enough of it.  "Do you like to eat poop?"..."Yeah," "Do you eat garbage?"..."Yeah." Currently, his most common answer to every question is "no," which could mean anything.  It is his response and covers any question.  So if Jude responds to your questioning with a "no" what he probably means is yes.

Names Jude goes by:  Jude Man, Buddy, Bubba, Little Chicky Wicky

Foods Jude loves: Ice, Pops (popsicles or lollipops), Candy, Cookies, Smoothies, Cheese, Fruit snacks, Frozen Peas, Edamame, Macaroni, Chips, Blueberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Cereal, Pretzels, Watermelon

My favorite thing about Jude is his determination to get something he wants.  He has learned how to move a chair to reach something.  Usually it is to reach some kind of treat, the iPad or TV remote.  Just the other day he moved the chair next to the kitchen counter and retrieved a pan of brownies.  He brought it to me and said, "open".  This kid cracks me up.  As a fourth kid, that skill is very valuable and essential to survival in a big family, especially this one.

Jude's 1st Birthday Party

We celebrated our last one year milestone this weekend as Jude celebrated his first birthday.  Jude woke up (as always) with smiles.  Gramma was here to celebrate with us as we enjoyed a Krispie Kreme doughnut cake to start the celebration off right.  

Jude took down an entire doughnut in no time.  He is a sweet tooth.

After breakfast (or maybe I should call it dessert), Jude played around while the kids opened his presents.  He got a water sprinkler, a book, a dinosaur piggy bank and from Annie and Millie a toy.  He was much less interested in any of it than Annie, Millie and Owen were.  

After those festivities were over, it was time to set up for his birthday party.  We had a Dr. Seuss inspired party.  It was such a fun party to plan.  The decorations were are Seuss-themed and the dishes were all inspired by foods in Dr. Seuss' books.  The menu consisted of 

"Green Eggs and Ham"

"Who Hash" (hash brown casserole made by Aunt Heidi)

"Who Pudding" (cookie salad- find the recipe at www.chef-in-training.com)

"Rare Who Roast Beast" (roast beef) Sandwiches

 "Hop on Pop" Popcorn (caramel corn made by T...a Knisley favorite)

"Truffula Fruits" (fruit salad)

"One Fish, Two Fish" Goldfish Crackers

The cupcakes were made by my longtime friend Erin Allsop.  They were inspired by the books Sneetches, Oh the Places You'll Go and The Lorax.  I think they turned out so cute.  And the kids ate them up.

Favors were gummy fish and ribbon candy kebobs.

We couldn't have had better weather.  The sun was out all day and the temperature was 75 degrees.  The kids played outside all day in the new sandbox and on the swings.  Bubbles, water tables, bikes, sidewalk chalk and parachute games kept the nine and under crowd busy.

Jude had lots of helpers to blow out his candle but needed no assistance in eating his very own cupcake.

This was one of ten shots (only a few kids missing)...not too bad!

Thanks to all our family and friends who drove from near and far to celebrate with us.  Thanks to those of you who were hear with us in spirit as well.  The love and support we receive are the best gifts of all.

Jude is One!!!

A year has come and gone, which doesn't seem at all possible.  How is it that one year has passed since bringing this little bundle home from the hospital?  So many milestones, so many memories, so much to be thankful for.  

This little guy has reminded me that my plans are not always God's plans!

Jude is cruising, crawling and climbing all over the place.  Daily I save his life from some catastrophic event like falling from a set of stairs, ingesting God only knows what from off the floor, choking on rocks, headlocks from Owen, and the list goes on.  I have to admit that I am probably too cavalier about some things, like splashing in the toilet for example.  Sometimes I am just far too busy and he is far to engaged for me to stop it.

Jude is a happy little boy.  He is pretty laid back.  He adjusts pretty well to all sorts of schedule changes.  I have plenty of help with Jude.  There is always a pair of hands offering to hold him, feed him, play with him, pick up after him, bathe him, fetch something that I need for him...the only thing I haven't been successful at getting them to do is change diapers.  They love their little brother so much and he loves them too.

Jude is on a consistent schedule (well, as consistent as it gets with four kids).  It looks like this:

7:30 wake up, have a bottle, get ready for the day, eat breakfast and play

9:45 morning nap (hopefully lasting at least an hour)

12:00 lunch

2:30 afternoon nap (usually lasting about an hour and a half)

5:00 dinner

6:00 bathtime and bedtime routine

7:00 bottle, book and bed

Any free time mostly consists of following me around destroying anything in his path...he has discovered that cabinets and drawers open and there is a lot of destruction that needs seeing too within.

We recently switched Jude from formula to whole milk and he didn't seem to notice any difference.  He attempts to use sippy cups but is much more interested in soaking himself with the contents.  He finger feeds himself at most meals whatever it is that we are eating.  His favorite foods are blueberries, grapes and cheese. For snacks Jude likes graham crackers and pretzel rods.  

Jude plays well by himself.  He likes to play with balls, light up toys and toys that make noise.  He is becoming more interested in books.  His favorite thing to do is play chase. He thinks it is so funny.  He enjoys interacting with people more than anything else.  Bath time is a favorite time of day for Jude.  He will play in the bath until the water gets cold and then beyond if allowed.  

Jude has five teeth that are fully in (two top and three bottom) and one bottom tooth that is just breaking through.  

Jude's First Year Slideshow

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