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

Walking (almost)

This week Jude has been getting much better on his feet and can walk up to seven steps.  He is gaining confidence and getting quicker and steadier.  Crawling is still his mode of getting somewhere quickly but he is recognizing that there might be a better way.

I will be happy to have him a little farther up off the ground.  Especially at places like playgrounds (where he has been known to put everything from pebbles, sand and cigarette butts in his mouth) and play places (where he crawls around in the gross and grime getting his hands, knees and feet as black as possible).  His little feet and toes will appreciate not having the constant wear and tear that come with crawling around on concrete surfaces.  The poor kid's toes are scarred, blistered and all torn up.  Being outside crawling around always involves blood when he's not in sneakers.  He's learned that bear crawling helps to protect his piggies a little bit but usually ends in a face plant so its not always the best option either.

 

Peek A Boo

First Steps

Jude took three consecutive steps for the first time today.

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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