Jude is crawling!

We had a great time this last weekend. We took a car trip to visit the family in Minnesota, and to help host a baby shower for a long time neighbor/friend of the family. Betsy and I grew up together (one year apart) - taking dance, driving to High School, etc. It was a lot of fun - except for the mistake I made on the game I put together (really my one and only job and I messed it up! - opps!!!!). Jude was such a trooper through it all- car ride, missing naps, different schedule on his food... But, he thought it was all worth it to get to see everyone - Grandma and Grandpa, Shelley and Malia, and Jeff, Amy, Garrett and Aislinn (and the answer to the picture on the side is Jude, although you may think otherwise). And most importantly- Jude was excited because he got carpet and started crawling!!!! YEAH!!!! He also was standing up all on his own, holding on to a little Winnie the Pooh scooter. I can't believe how in just a few days he is doing so much more. We will have to get out his truck Grandma and Grandpa bought him so he can do that at home too. I picked him up at daycare yesterday, and they showed me the pile of toys that he had taken down from the shelves and played with - they are glad he is crawling, but maybe not so glad either :) I also have to wish my sister-in-law Amy a Happy Birthday. Poor girl had to go to three showers (yes, three) this weekend (two on her birthday), and then we heard a good story that cute little Aislinn threw up in her mouth and on her shirt! AH!!! (Amy was holding her up for a kiss after a long day of work, and... surprise!) I am not sure what Ryan would have done if that had happened to him. We don't even want to think about it.
In other news, I guess Ryan has a new spot on TV for Papa Murphy's now. Everyone thought the one was done playing, but now they came out with another spot, and he is in that one too! Everyone in MN is pretty excited. Tomorrow is October, so I will be keeping an eye out for the Luna spot. And anyone in the western chicago/suburban area should be looking out for Ryan on a car shop spot. (I know, I know- Ryan as a mechanic?)
Well- hope everyone had a great summer. The high is 60 today, so I think fall is here. And remember, only 31 days until we can start playing Christmas music! :)

Ryan is 30!!!!!

So, today is his big day! I already told him he doesn't have to worry about getting older- we already are old.... We have been married for 5 years (this Saturday), own a condo, have a baby, our big night out is getting Chillis to-go and renting a movie. Actually, we had a big night out on Saturday. We went to the new Trump Hotel and Residences and ate at the restaurant, Sixteen. it is (obviously) on the 16th Floor and had great views of the city (see the dark picture with the close up of the Wrigley Building in the background), and great food. We went with our good friends, and had a perfect evening. (Thanks to everyone for coming along with us, and humoring Ryan on his expensive dinner) We then went to our old hangout "The Irish Oak" in Wrigleyville for drinks. I limited Ryan on the drinks at the restaurant because they were so expensive, and figured we should just wait until we got to the bar for some "cheaper" drinks. We did get some chocolate covered strawberies that said Happy Birthday for Ryan, complementary from the chef. It was a great night! Our neighbor watched Jude (and Stitch) for us - it was really nice of her. Especially since she ran a marathon the next morning! And... we are lucky enough to have another night out to see a dance show this Friday for our anniversary. I know, I know, a dance show? But, I swear, Ryan wants to see it too!
Jude had his 9 month check-up, and did really well. He is now 20 lbs 4 oz, and is 27 inches tall! Poor guy has an ear infection, but the doctor said it wasn't anything to worry about (like too many in a year, etc). He is supposed to start eating more foods and really start working on that sippy cup. We tried to mash up some spaghetti for him last night (that is what we were eating), but it was a little hard for him to eat it. Oh- and he did one crawl for me this morning.... He gets on his hands and knees now, and will move his hands forward but just can't quite get the legs going. But I am pretty sure I saw the knee go forward once this morning. Anyway... he is getting really close!
Hope everyone has a great week, and make sure to wish Ryan a Happy Birthday!

Jude (and Ryan's) first trip to California

We just got back from California and had a GREAT time!!! We got a lot of time to visit with our friends, Chris and Scott (Thanks Chris and Scott- you were the best friends, hosts, inn keepers, travel guides, etc), and they kept us busy showing us all around. We, of course, went to Disney. We went to Malibu beach and Santa Monica beach. We saw the Walk of Stars, listened to John Williams conduct the Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, went to Rodeo Drive/Melrose, shopped at The Grove, saw a production of The Actor's Gang (Tim Robbin's theatre - our friend Scott is part of it), ate at Geoffries in Malibu right on the beach, tried Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, In n' Out Burger, Pink's Hotdogs, and found a little time to sleep. Jude did so well, especially since there was a time difference, he had a plane ride, and a new tooth is peeking through. He is such a good kid! He also learned to sit himself up all by himself while we were out there too! And he really is going to finally crawl any day now. Oh, Jude the Dude!!!!