A Little Catch Up

these tacos have nothing to do with this post but i thought they looked so pretty

I live my life with a mild refractive error. Indeed it's slight so I can go day to day without glasses if they don't match my outfit, because in the end fashion always wins. So I wear them and I don't wear them, it just depends. And not really on fashion because me and The Good Lord both know that although I really do enjoy staying current, sometimes my budget gets away from me and I have to spend it on things like "food" and "savings". Instead of a new chunky cardigan like I really want. Geez. Life is boring. I think I really just need to go back to work to once again enjoy life in full fashion regalia. But then who would snuggle Jude for a half hour before his nap? (Are all first children always this well taken care of? I would like to think so.)

Back to my glasses though. Just as I haven't been blogging much this summer I also have not been wearing my glasses much either. I'm actually really looking forward to that monumental day when I put them back on and I'll be able to see foliage as it should be - one distinct leaf at a time instead of the greenish areas with points, as they are now. I've kind of been saving up for this great day of refractive correction. Maybe when the leaves really start to change? ... or when I have to find a new address in the dark. The anticipation is mounting! I know, it's the little things that keep life so exciting. 

he is also loving playgrounds and getting pretty good at them

In other news, Jude is pretty adorable these days and a lot of fun. He can say a few words but they are the kind that only a parent can decipher but they insist on counting them. His vocabulary consists of sounds that are suppose to mean: sure, please, thank you, more, baby, binky, Jacob (bff), uh-oh, cheese, cereal, banana, blueberry, water, plane, truck, car, balloon, ball, bus, bike, bubbles, woof, meow, squirrel (sometimes we can't even understand that one ;) ) eye, nose, mouth... and maybe a few more I'm forgetting. He loves to take books over to his little chair, have a good sit and read to himself. And also, so began the Cars craze in this house, closely followed by the Cars merchandise craze. I never thought this would happen to us but I don't even care. Jude loves it. He is also a trotter. On our walks he is at a constant trot so it's good, we all get a little bit more exercise. And on these walks he insists on making his rounds to the nearby construction site. The digger and the crane must be visited. Music has also started to move this boy- he gets the cuttest little wiggle on with the right tune and the right company (like his bff Jacob). 

And then Dan. Oh he always keeps me laughing. Why just this morning he asked if his outfit was good but then realized that instead of the navy shorts he thought he was wearing, he actually had plaid shorts on ... with a plaid top. They did not match. It was hilarious. We both laughed so hard and then I took a picture he won't let me post.

Over the weekend...

It's not that I don't want to be posting here. It's just this summer we have a sweet toddler on our hands. Last summer he was an infant, and frankly, a little boring, and this summer! Whoo-hooo! He is so much fun. So far he doesn't even seem to mind the hot humidity we live in. He did not get those genes from me. Who's child is this anyways? However, I am trying to change my ways. This summer it is my goal to love the hot sticky heat. To let it give me a big, wet, french kiss every time I go outside and to kiss it right back. Kind of disgusting, I know, but hey, that's Virginia. And isn't Virgina for Lovers anyways? Come here honey!

And over the weekend I took that first plunge. I finally said yes to a hot and humid summer date with Virginia. We took Jude to the Nationals game (technically DC, I know) and it was really fun. It was a rotten game for the home team because the pitcher they paid $13 million (!!!) for is having a rough season so it really didn't matter that much that we didn't get to see a whole lot of the game. We did get to see a lot of the stadium walk ways. Jude thoroughly enjoyed walking around and pointing at things. I think he liked the new surroundings? Maybe he would have had just as much fun walking on the sidewalks in our complex, but I'm not entertaining that. No, not for one second - I'm dating this bloody hot state and dates mean doing things. It was a great first date and just as I expected, I was covered in that sloppy kiss by the end of it. And by the way Virginia, you kind of kiss like "Brad the Bad Kisser". I feel your pain Charlotte.

Now lets move on. I haven't given a proper update of what our little Judie Pants has been up to in months! Besides walking and pointing he does do some rather charming things. Such as...

Kisses! If he is in the mood and you pucker up he may come and give you a kiss. Oh those kisses. I think they could bring about world peace. So, so sweet. He knows what "let's go" means. He heads for the front door, pointing and stamping his feet with glee in hopes of more walking and pointing outside. He loooooves being outside. Also, he dances to music. Usually this means stomping his feet in place with a smile on his face and occasionally bopping his head. Putting things inside of things- he could probably do this at least all morning long. Anything that could be a receptacle is and in goes my chap stick, blocks, phone charger.... anything. I am hoping this means he has his fathers mild case of OCD because I love it when Dan immediately tidies up everything when he gets home from work. Sure, sometimes it makes me feel like a mild slob but that's a small sacrifice. Now Jude, lets work on putting mommies clothes away, shall we? And Jude is a pretty happy kid. Almost always wakes up happy and laughs and laughs all throughout the day. He especially loves to close the door of the room you are in and then if you knock on the door and open it he just goes ga-ga. Kind of like hide-and-go-seek but behind closed doors. Oh Jude. You are such a doll. Sometimes I think the only possible child that could be cuter than you would have been our Good Lord and Savior himself, The Baby Jesus. Only possibility, really. Or your child,  cause I mean, I know how you feel about your baby!! These kids!

Okay, that's it folks. I'll upload some pictures asap so it can seem like this actually happened. 

xoxo

Grumpy Gus

I don't know how to upload camera pictures any better than this and it is driving me CRAZY. Somebody, please. I don't have any editing software but want to make a collage or something of the like from my iPhone pictures. A plea for help, please teach me. But anyways! Arrrgh. Lets get on with this then.

top left- Jude has been a Grumpy Gus for the past couple of days and for an instant he cheered up and it was probably because he saw a plane or something. Maybe even a vulture, I can't remember. Poor kid.

top right- I think he is a Grumpy Gus because he is teething, but I'm not too sure cause heaven forbid I try to look in is mouth or brush his teeth for that matter. Good grief, brushing a toddlers teeth is going to  be the end of me. I'd say we get a successful brush in there maybe every other day and that is not for lack of trying. The rest of the time he just gnaws on the tooth brush. Sometimes I even count that as a success brush even though he only gnaws the handle and not the bristles. The things I count as a success these days never fail to surprise me. What's that, you had half a cherry tomato? YOU ATE YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR THE DAY! I WIN! Kids. 

bottom left- Grumpy Gus playing with the recycling. Kid loves him some cardboard. Why do we even have toys? It is really weird to see Jude being all grumpy and out of sorts because he has never been like this before. Even when his other teeth were coming in he was in much better spirits. Is he sick? I don't know. He is trying to transition to1 nap a day as well so maybe that's putting him in an extra funky funk? If the last two days has taught me anything it is that a funky Jude is a no fun Jude. 

bottom right- We have some amazing friends who invited us up to their parents lake house for the weekend and it was a dream. I took Jude out on the tube- I expected him to smile and giggle but instead he simply looked around with a really solem face and pointed at things. We also ate way too much. I need to stop doing that. 

So that's that. Just some pictures from my phone that I want to format better but don't know how. I really can't stand 30 Rock, but the only way to describe how this makes me feel is blerg.

The Weekend

Thanks Auntie Eve for Jude's dapper tie, so cute it almost killed us!! She got it here. 

Hey, ho, let's go, yo. I don't know why I write like that just there. Sometimes I feel cooler than I actually was am. So yeah, Mothers Day round up. It was lots of fun and a lot better than last year. Last year Jude screamed the whole bloody day and I remember telling Dan that it was one of the worst days ever. I can be so dramatic sometimes, but if you were there you would have felt the same way. I remember being super sad I didn't get to go to church. I was so sad because I love getting actual physical things back from church since we pay so much tithing. I mean, I know I get to use the facilities and there is that crumb of bread I get every week, but I still have this consuming desire to actually put my hands all over something that was bought with my sacred funds that is mine. Is that weird? I like a physical manifestation of my commandment keeping. A return on my investment, if you will. Whether it be a darn potted flower or fancy truffles, I want it. I want them all. I bought them! Put it in my hands! I guess maybe I could go visit that mall my church built- perhaps it would satisfy that need as well? (eye roll)

This year was better though. I got the potted flower and gave it to my LGBT neighbors to plant in their flower bed as we don't have one, Jude didn't scream once, meals were made for me (and cleaned up!), we got to visit with some great friends from Calgary, and I got an item from my Amazon Wish List so basically a win-win. I already waxed poetic about the blessings my holy uterus has brought unto me so please see posts below about being a Mother. That one was for Betina, wink wink.

That's it, just a quick Tuesday night post to let you all know we had a rather nice Sunday and tomorrow I'll announce the winner of the baby moccs. I'm thinking everyones names will go in a hat and Jude can pick the winner... till then, xoxo!!

Friday

This is Jude's BFF, Jacob. They like to do things like go for navigated spins around the yard together thanks to Jacobs nifty telescope and sometimes they like to go for horsey rides... on each other. As long as we intervene in time, that second one is pretty entertaining to watch, but sadly I don't have a picture of that yet. Jacob is a two-two and Jude is a one-one so their play is somewhat limited but do they ever have conversations! Jacob is really good at making Jude laugh and then he laughs and then the mom's can't hear themselves over the conversation that's happening in the back seat. NBD, just melt your heart kind of stuff is all. These two, you should see them.

We are doing a Groupon indoor photo shoot this weekend to mark Jude's first year. Indoor photo shoot- I'm still not sure how I feel about it but as long as we don't have to wear Western gear it should probably turn out alright. We worked really hard all week to try and keep Jude from banging into things with his head. It seems to be the kid's speciality and was it ever a difficult task. Why just today he had a good bang up and oh how he howled. I felt so bad for him. Once he calmed down I gave him a good inspection and he seemed to come out of it all unscathed. Hopefully we can contain the battle wounds he has and no more will be added before 11:20 tomorrow morning. If I could wrap him in bubble wrap until tomorrow morning I would.

Saturday Pictures

I'm just going to warn you - below is perhaps the cutest boy this side of the Mississippi. You might die. I think I should take my big person camera with me more often. I am very slowly learning how to use it a little better and jeepers, is it ever nice to have keepers like these for that one time when I'll get off my lazy youknowwhat and actually do some framing. Ha! I now present to you: Some Pictures From Our Weekend When We Walked The W & OD Trail and Played at the Park. A really nice Saturday indeed.

Baby in a blossoming tree! Complete with some hair issues- we like to call it 'wind swept'.

Taking the convertable for a cruise. He really enjoyed it.

Stopping for a picture on the trail and looking generally handsome in all respects.

The only way to eat Cheerios is a fist full at a time. This ensures that at least one will make it into your mouth and the 36 others will mark your path lest you get lost on the return trip. (Costco and Target, an official apology: I'm very sorry for the trails he leaves in your wonderful consumer establishments.)

This one may help you understand why we can't bring ourselves to cut these golden locks just yet- those curls! In the words of Lucille Bluth "That hair!" (we are getting ready for 5/26 over here... ekkkk!!!)

And just to make myself feel better about missing those ever so dramatic and droopy cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin- these are just as good.. . but not gifts from Japan. Hmmm... I'll keep on telling myself that, huh. 

I'll take ten Saturdays just like you all in a row please. Like ducks.

Spring Lovin'

The last picture I took on our most awesome weekend ever. Spring is in the air people and we are loving it. When on the East Coast it is very important to soak up as much mild spring weather as possible before the humidity kicks in. Humidity is no joke. Can I get an amen?! Therefore this week will consist of picnic dinners in the park (come join us!), and being outside all day, and parks, and walks. That humidity will probably kick in next week (boo) so we'll live it up while we can.

Spring always reminds me of Bambi. All the baby animals and all the twitterpated-ness. Ahhhh! I mean, I love my husband- we are 5 years and counting, we keep things fresh... but that new love, it only happens once. To be twitterpated! That first little while when you can't wait to see him, you want to be with him all the live long day, you can't wait for his touch because it feels like electricity. For this reason I've been suggesting to Dan that we break up so we can do that first bit all over again. Just today he didn't put something back where it belonged and I said that's it, we are breaking up and you can sleep in the car! It's all kind of exciting because I could be starting a new spring relationship tomorrow complete with twitterpation- anyone wanna babysit Jude, if you know what I mean :)?

Firetruck and Such

Last weekend I had so much energy, not so much for this one. Back in the days when I did not own a Rooster (aka Jude) I used to start my weekend celebration on Thursday nights cause the next day was Friday and then the weekend! Late Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights? Who cares, it's the weekend! The days of no Rooster, I was so innocent.

So last night I gave my old ways a little spin again and now I feel and look like a truck ran me over. It's my own fault I didn't leave Fondue Night a little earlier, but as always, I just couldn't help myself. Chocolate, friends, laughs? I just couldn't. And in the spirit of my old ways my mouth got away from me and oh the things I said! I think some of my girlfriends may think I need to be saved. Join the party, it's hosted by Dan ;). Just kidding Dan, it's actually hosted by God. All jokes aside though, I often wonder if I should share some of my actual opinions here. I feel that they often come through when reading between the lines but when I actually sit down to write it all out I typically end up putting those cards back in the deck. And if I put it all here what am I going to talk my face off about to my 28 sisters? Another big thing about blogs is I really like ones that make me laugh- that help me decrease the serious in life because we all know there is enough of that to go around for a looooong time. Just ask me about my Father, or maybe don't.

I'm getting too serious already! Here, let's lighten this party up- I shall show you what I have going on upstairs right now:

A little sleeping firetruck with long blonde hair that probably needs to be cut. Dan took him for a mall walk yesterday afternoon while a dentist was drilling into my molars (the nerve! the pun!) and the man with the free balloons asked "what color would she like?" Well, I never. He looks very much like a little boy in his tight striped leggings, clutching his purple sippy cup! Thank you very much. It actually amuses me and I don't really mind. I mostly feel awkward for the man that made the mistake because he probably felt awkward.

So here is to a busy weekend with no energy, but still, it should be a good one.




                                                       ....and thinking a lot about you, auntie bunny, we love you so much

To Fun!

It's Friday morning and already our weekend is packed and I can't wait! Sometimes I just want to sit on my ol' butt and cuddle my loves all weekend long but not this weekend. To Maryland we go! Cafe Rio! Dinner Party! Friends! (I wish that one could be 'Family!') Which also means a huge trip to the grocery store with Jude in a few hours as to keep our Saturday open for fun. It seems that all we do on the weekend these days is errands. Boring. We are gonna have us some fun.

The other day I was browsing through my draft blog posts which is always a fun activity. I have 41 of them and among the rejects I found this little ditty that made me laugh. Here you go:


A Great Evening

1 Catch up with Nunu

1 Bean and Quinoa dinner

45 mins Rollerblading

1 Mooning of your husband while rollerblading

1 Cadbury 100 calorie slim bar


And that was it, a short recipe describing how to have fun. Feel free to use those ingredients over the weekend. Only good things will come of them. All things being equal, this evening will consist of similarly good things like: 1 Best friend date, 1 Sleepover, 12-33 Googlings of sweet baby boys, 2-3 Servings chocolate/warm donuts, and perhaps 1 Mooning (?? Kassie, shall we?? haha).

Have a great one and leave those errands for another day because errands on a Saturday are boring. Please moon someone for me as well. (honesty it really isn't as immature as you are thinking. it is quite funny) (Jude moons me all the time, maybe I'll moon him)

Friday Love

Another week, another weekend! Did you guys enjoy Valentines day as much as we did? Jude and I spent the morning perfecting my Adele Pandora radio station and pleasantly enjoyed the results as that super smart internet radio station played only songs I like. Seriously, Pandora baffles me. It is so FREAKING smart. It always knows what I want next. The Adele station played sweet love songs and I couldn't help but dance around the living room with Jude. Incredibly cheesy, yes, and this little boy loved it. I like to think I am correctly aiming him on the path of cheese for life. Not a bad path, child. We shall continue our efforts both figuratively and literally.

I am in love with his little face in this picture. Jude is the best. What more can I say?

On our Valentines Day walk I picked up a balloon for Jude. As soon as he saw it he started grunting, pointing, and waving his arms. He kind of loves balloons. He held it in his paw and refused to let go even for lunch. Maybe I should have taken it from him? Who knows.

We did the usual for the day of love. Flowers, a nice dinner, chocolates, cards, dot dot dot. This year I made some chocolate dipped strawberries and they were amazing and easy. I have declared it a family tradition. Chocolate dipped strawberries for all! I used to think they were gross which is why I have never done them before. But now I love them. We shall revisit them next year to make sure I am still a fan.

Dan and I are looking to go somewhere. Probably a driving vacation to somewhere near due to boring things like a budget. Yawn. It will still be lots of fun though as there are some really neat things to visit in this area. I suggested that maybe we should save up our tithing for a few months and use it for a Church History tour. I really think the church would totally love to send us on a history tour with our tithing monies. This idea kind of feels like divine inspiration, actually. And if the Church History tour just happened to turn into a few spring days in New York City I think that would be okay too. The Spirit tells me these things. Dan doesn't think it would be okay though. Did I not marry the most boring man ever? How I even get through the days is a mystery sometimes.

Anyways, have a great weekend everybody and I hope you all have lots of love in your lives. Love, love, love.

It's the freakin' weekend baby!

Gonna have me some fun.

Have you been looking for the weekend too? Good grief, I have. I finally saw the light of day yesterday, after being the sickest I've been since 2006. I am glad this week is drawing to a close for a number of reasons, my two favorite include: being able to almost taste food again and the decrease in the amount of times I feel like my ears need to pop (5xdaily instead of 89xdaily). I hope the sicks stay away from us for the rest of forever.

While languishing in my bed and periodically giving suck to my child I would doze off playing with my phone or hallucinating. Is it just my Groupon app, or is yours too full of laser hair deals? I am pretty sure that Groupon now exists to make America hair free. If I am ever in the market I'm going to have to pay attention. This one says $99, that one $79 and the the other at $125. AHHHH! Someone navigate the land of Groupon Laser Hair Removal and please tell me which to purchase. Headaches.

Jude is extremely large. I have a large child. His large body snakes around mine as I nurse him all the while he uses his monkey legs in an attempt to vault free of my grasp but would still like the breast to come with him. I don't really think Jude is thinking things through quite yet. His little piggies stick out of his car seat and his bare ankles show when he stands up. He needs some new pants but I'm rather annoyed that his bones won't slow down and wait for spring when new clothes are suppose to happen. Internet, if you would like to send him baby clothes feel free :), and long ones, please.

So weekend, I'm ready for you. Lets so do this.