Okay... I have to brag for a minute

I try not to brag too much about Jude, because I know and have learned that all kids catch on and catch up eventually. But, I had to share a few of these... last night after work I was playing with Jude and asked him to get his ball (and pointed to the ball across the room, but it was in a pile with the ridiculous number of toys), and he walked over and picked up the ball! How smart?!?! He is also getting better at using a spoon when eating dinner. He says "All done" when he is done eating. He knows sign language for "more" and "books" and "eat." He will touch his ears, feet and belly when you ask him where they are. Then the other day, I was singing a song that plays on one of his many annoying toys and he went into his bedroom and found the toy that plays the song and started playing with it. One last thing... I was reading him a book with a lion on the cover and was growling to let him know that is what lions say. Then later that night I was asking him what sound a lion made and he looked over for the book. Not quite telling me what a lion says, but still pretty smart!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! What started as a crazy end of the work week, ended up being a good Easter weekend. Jude came down with a stomach flu (we think) on Thursday. Poor kid. My parents came in on Thursday as well to celebrate Easter and to get to see Jude. Poor Grandma and Grandpa. We were all a little nervous that the "flu" was contagious, but we seemed to all be okay so far. Knock on wood. Little by little, Jude seemed to be getting better over the weekend. He would still have some stomach problems, but as long as we kept him on a pretty bland diet, he would do better. But poor little guy just wants some good food. And although it was quick (it always is) we got to have a lot of fun with my parents... shopping downtown, eating Olive Garden (yummmmm... breadsticks), eating an Easter dinner (early) (prepared by Mom - thanks, Mom!). The only other bad part was Ryan and his work, work, work. Not the fun acting work either. This was the "day job" - working 12-16 hour days. Poor Ryan. But, the trial is over with so hopefully we can get back to normal now. On Sunday, Jude, Ryan and I went to church (along with all the other residents of Evanston), and then went over to our friends for a fabulous brunch. Scrambled eggs, banana walnut pancakes, bluberry muffins, bisquits and gravy, fresh fruit, ham, and of course, CANDY! Although I did break toward the end (a little stressed lately), I think I did fairly good overall sticking with giving up candy and desert for lent. I didn't think I would make it a day, let alone almost the whole time. Jude hunted for some easter eggs in their backyard, and we even colored a few eggs (although I should mention that Ryan made an egg for Jude and wrote "poop" and "pee" on it... classy - although he just made me feel like I was a kid again and decorating eggs with my brother - he would have done the same thing). Now we are just hoping that Jude is on the mend, and that the weather keeps getting warmer. It sounds like it will be nice by the end of the week, but I am not holding my breath.

Happy Birthday to Garrett and Aislinn!

I hasn't been that long has it? Aislinn just turned 1 and Garrett turned 3!!!! We had a great time in MN two weekends ago helping to celebrate. The weather cooperated for traveling and was even nice enough during the party to get outside and let the kids play around. As you can see from one of the pictures Jude was pretty tuckered out by the time we left. Not only did we get to see Garrett eat his cake(s) (using the licorice broom that was made as a shovel to get the icing in faster), and see Aislinn turn pretty green all over (the bath was green when they tried to "hose" her down), we got to see Malia in her swim class. I can't believe that they are all growing so quickly. But I guess Jude has been growing just as quickly. He knows a few things in sign language (mostly loving "more"), he has gotten pretty good at picking up and throwing a ball (as well as any other toy for that matter), and just continues to melt our hearts. He gives us hugs and kisses now! And that laugh.... I could listen to that all day.
Sorry this is a short update... but at least I got some new pictures on here right?