August 24th

Up to 4 months was what we were first told when we were doing the paperwork for Iliana's legal adoption of Jude. We were pretty excited when we got the call that our hearing had been scheduled, and that it would take place in just a little over a month. We are all excited to make Momma Llana Jude's legal guardian, after all, she is all ready Jude's Mom in every other way.
We have been extremely blessed to have a guy like Mike as our donor. He is our closest friend, and in fact, a member of our family. Jude will always know where she came from, and how loved she is by ALL her family.
We are so happy to be sharing this day, and this great news with you!

Jude's Bouncy

Video of Jude in her bouncy seat, she was 4 months old.

All 4's

For a baby who used to scream when you placed her on her tummy, to an infant who can't get enough freedom. Though not crawling yet, Jude can roll and scoot herself across an entire room, going backwards of course. We anticipate her trying to crawl within the next couple weeks, because she's got the rocking back and forth on all 4's down pat. Don't be surprised when it's posted that she's crawling, and don't be surprised when I say I'm exhausted from chasing her down.
Teething. Teething never really ends. I have a feeling it's constant until all the teeth come in. Some days are good, some days are not so good. We keep plenty of teething tablets around, and Jude will gum down anything in sight. When it's really bothering her, she doesn't sleep well, but the teething tablets help a lot! Still no actual signs of the next teeth through the gums yet though.
We've got Jude now napping in her crib, and the transition wasn't that bad at all. She may fuss for a minute or two, but usually crashes before too long. 3 naps a day keeps the grumpies away.
She is the light of our lives. All 3 of us adore her! She definitely has me wrapped around her tiny little finger!

A Poem, written for Jude while I was pregnant

I roll over, slowly
support the weight of my expanding belly with my elbows
Sitting up is hard to do
You jam your foot in my upper right rib
I cringe out a smile
Your growth, your movement, is worth the small discomforts
I talk to you, even though I don't know what to say
Hear my voice
I will love you, like no one else will ever love you

Chatter Box

Jude likes to wake up in the morning with some chatter, a good stretch, and her hand on one of her mamas faces. That first smile is one of the best parts of the day. At 6 months, she has grown 6 whole inches, now coming in at 28", and is just now starting to feel 'heavy' in our arms. Being of a rather tall stature, she is just about to grow out of her 2nd infant car seat, and into one of those big ones you can't carry around.
Jude, is ticklish. Ticklish pretty much everywhere. She has a infectious giggle, but saves it up for special occasions. She smiles a lot, and displays her first two front bottom teeth (which are surprisingly sharp).
Jude has one thing that makes her fussy, and that is being sleepy, otherwise she is a happy baby.
She is determined to get moving, and keeps teasing us by pulling her knees up under her, only to let them slide right back out from under her. She's not fooling me. I know she can get up and go just as soon as she decides to, ready to give us a run for our money.