A letter to Jude

To my little munchkin head,
I can't believe you are nearing 19 months of age, which makes the 2 year mark seem like it's right around the corner. Time has gone by so fast, you are starting to look like such a little lady. I can't believe all the talking you are doing, and there isn't a day that goes by that you don't surprise us with something else you've learned.
Things I've observed about you during this growth, is that you are very curious. The way you study and look at things with such wonder. If you can't figure something out very quickly, you get really frustrated and make a sort of screeching sound before asking for help. You LOVE to talk and to mimic how Mama Llana talks on the phone. You like cars, trains, and musical toys. You also enjoy legos, your toy kitchen, and our dog Oscar. Some of your favorite foods are yogurt, black berries, cheese and nearly anything with peanut butter. You don't much care for milk. You love being chased, and sometimes being tickled. You love to go down slides, and to play with rocks. You are a very sweet girl, always giving hugs and kisses.
We just recently converted your crib into a big girl bed, you can get in and out yourself, but you still don't. You stand at the edge and wait for us to come get you. You are such a good girl. You bring us joy constantly.
Most days you start the day by wanting to nurse, and by reading books. You love your books! You also like for me to sing to you, especially songs with activity. Songs like 'I'm a little teapot', 'the itsy bitsy spider, or 'if you're happy and you know it'. I love singing with you, and Mama Llana loves reading with you.
Everyday is special. Everyday is a blessing!
I love you!

A lot can happen in 3 months!

It's only been 3 months since my last post, and looking back on the previous entry, makes me realize how much Jude has evolved and developed in such a small amount of time. Not only can she walk, she runs, runs us all around the house. She goes up the stairs (on hands and knees) like a pro, and scoots down on her bottom with little to no assistance. She's saying words. She says: nurse, no, nose, near, Momma. She also does the sign for please, and for more. She laughs, she smiles, she plays...she's an amazing little girl! Jude rarely fusses or cries, only when she's been feverish and teething. She's currently working on getting her first set of molars, and is eating well. No more baby food for Jude, she is now eating mostly from our plates, or snacks. She understands a great deal of what we say. When I ask her if she wants to go upstairs and take a bath, she runs for the stairs, and heads straight for the tub.
She's a fun, smart, joyful girl. I will do everything in my power to make sure she always stays that way!

One and walking

Happy 1st Birthday, to our darling baby girl, Jude!

This month, Jude turns 1!

Can't hardly believe it's December! This month Jude turns 1! She looks so much older and more like a little girl, than a baby. It's been so intensely amazing watching her develop and emerge into her own little person, right in front of our eyes. It does sometimes make me long for those moments she slept on my chest, undisturbed, and uninterested in moving. Time must move forward though, and she has such a happy personality, that I don't stay sad too long.
Jude is still crawling. I guess you could say she's an expert crawler, and although she cruises around holding onto furniture, and can stand by herself, she hasn't shown too much interest in taking those first few steps. As fast as she is as a crawler, I don't know that I want to rush her into walking. Look out when she does start to walk, because this girl likes to move!
We just enjoyed our first trip to NYC. We got to see Iiana's family and visit fun places like The Central Park Zoo, the aquarium, Coney Island, The Bronx Zoo, and even more. We had a blast!
Now we are back at home, gearing up for Jude's 1st birthday and for Christmas.
Happy Holidays EVERYONE!

October all ready?

It's October all ready?! Heck, it's almost November. The time does definitely fly by. It's hard to believe that Jude's first birthday is right around the corner. She's definitely becoming her own little person.
Jude's latest feats would include:
Standing unsupported
drinking out of a sippy cup by herself
climbing up stairs
cruising around furniture
sleeping in her own bed at night and for naps
We are enjoying every second!

...and she's off!

Jude has been crawling since about the beginning of August. She didn't start off slow, didn't work her way up to it, just up and zoomed across the room one day. What was the first thing that she did when she could crawl? She headed right over to the closest thing that she could find to pull herself up on.
If you come into our home, on any given day, you'll likely find Jude chasing after Oscar, and squealing in delight on the rare occasions that he'll actually stay still and let her crawl all over him. You might find her playing with her musical Mozart cube, or her trusty tambourine. You will most likely find her with dried food stuck to her face, and her socks pulled off.
She's getting big, which means she is getting heavy! Her skinny little frame is beginning to fill out, and her top two front teeth are showing now!
She is, indeed, the Mighty Jude!

Eat AND eat AND EAT!

You can see Jude's eyes light up, and get big many times during the day. Her excited squealing grin, and arms stretched out. We experience this every day when Momma Llana get's home, when I get back from work, and now whenever food seems to make an appearance. Don't even plan on sitting down to eat something for yourself when little hands want whatever you're having. There must always be a plan, a treat, a snack. Jude is now eating everything we offer up to her. Lucky enough are we to not have a picky eater on our hands. Broccoli, blueberries, apricots, turkey, peas, carrots...you name it, Jude will eat it! It's amazing how you can go from one meal a day to 3 meals a day in a matter of a week, and how often other milestones go hand in hand. Sitting, to scooting, to even a little bit of crawling. Not to mention pulling herself up to standing when she gets the chance.
Sometimes I think back, to that little baby who used to sleep lying on my chest, and I can't believe I miss it all ready. I cherish every night that Jude still looks to me for comfort, and it warms my heart to know that I can be there for her.