So close

Jude is REALLY close to crawling. He will be sitting and start to reach for a toy that is far away and will just about get onto his hands and knees. Or if we prop him up on his hands and knees he will sit there for a minute and rock back and forth but then just kind of gives up. He knows he can get around fine without crawling (it is amazing how much you can scoot), then why put in that extra effort? We are all still trying to get over our cold thing that we all got (well, really just me - Ryan and Jude are pretty much better- I still had a temp of 101 last night) (stupid doctor wouldn't give me any medicine).

We are getting excited for our trip to California for Labor Day weekend. We are going to visit our friends that we went to college with. It will be really nice to see them. We of course are going to Disney, Rodeo Drive, eat at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, go to the beach..... I can't wait!

We also have a busy couple of weeks coming up. Next weekend we are going to the Sox game with Ryan's work. (then off to CA). Then Ryan is going to a Notre Dame game with his parents (can't wait until they start calling me and playing me the fight song - please note the sarcasam :) ) And then it is Ryan's birthday and we are going to eat at the new Trump Restaurant (and Trump will therefore eat our paycheck). Then it is our 5 year anniversary, and then we are going to Minnesota for a friend of the families baby shower (congrats again Betsy- we are so excited for you- I still remember driving you to school). Then before we know it, it will be the holidays! Exciting, but kind of sad that it means summer is almost over - it feels like it just started. But I am enjoying the weather as much as I can while it lasts. I still remember after having Jude last winter being inside for 3 days straight, because it was too cold and snowy to make it worth brushing off the car and bundling Jude up.

Have a great weekend!

Like Father, like son (or... like cousin, like cousin)

So, Jude is on his second ear infection. Poor little guy. Those little ears just can't handle it! He is such a trooper, though. He is a little fussier than normal, but I know that his "fussy" still isn't that bad. He still loves standing, and was holding himself up hanging on to the couch for a couple seconds at a time. I know he loves to stand on those tip toes (which I love), but I think he would balance a little better if he would stay flat.... We tried out a new toy that shoots balls up in the air, catches them, they swirl around and then back out again. I thought it was the coolest toy, and so did Stitch (who would chase after the balls that went flying), but Jude wasn't so sure. I don't know if it was the loud music or what, but he definitely wasn't loving it. He is growing up so quickly. Don't you love his hair in the picture standing up? We were putting sun tan lotion on him, and had to do his head because there are a few bald/thin spots. He was great at the beach the other weekend. He liked the weather, and even took a nap on the blanket (under the 100% UV proof umbrella). I think he even started to snore just like his Grandpa does when he lays out. The next weekend when we went, I didn't get him in the water (it was a cooler morning with the breeze), which was a good thing, since the water was actually closed for high levels of bacteria...... AHHHHH!!!! Got to love Lake Michigan.
Not much new otherwise. Just working away (working for the weekend (imagine Chris Farley dancing to this song like on SNL)) and enjoying our free time.

Another fun filled weekend

This weekend we went to Ohio to visit Ryan's family, and to go to a friend of the family's wedding (Ryan's family and this family grew up together, it was one of their daughters a little younger than Ryan)- Congrats, Stacey and Greg! It was great to be able to visit everyone again. Grandpa watched Jude (and Stitch even!) Saturday morning so Ryan and I could lay out and swim in the pool! That felt SO good- just soaking up the rays and just being able to swim again. Then Grandma tried taking Jude around to show him off to everyone, but no one was home. But boy, did she make up for that at the wedding. There were several other babies there, but I don't think anyone was as proud as Grandma Hall. Then, on Sunday, we got to visit Ryan's cousins and there babies. They were so tiny- I almost forget that Jude was that small. We tried getting a picture of the three of them all together on a blanket. I am curious about how that turned out. Jude was quite a bit bigger, and much more mobile (I wouldn't say he was actually kicking them, but pretty close- opps!- the boy just wants to move)

Jude is SO close to crawling. He can get on his knees up or on his shins pretty well now, but just is nervous about moving forward. I was helping him do it the other day, inch by inch, and he was smiling the whole time. But that wears him out (can you imagine being in the push up position like that for that long?). He is also pulling himself up really well. I just hold his hands and he does the rest of the work. I just can't believe how quickly he is growing. Daycare sent home a note that said "Jude wants to walk, slow down Jude!" Oh, and I have another good giggle story... He has a teething ring that I balance on my head (thought of this when we were bored on the car ride back from Ohio). Then I just tilt my head forward, the ring falls off, and I catch it, and Jude just CAN'T STOP LAUGHING. Then I was putting it on his head and when it fell off, it was just as funny. It was even funny on Stitch's head!

Just some quick info on me and Ryan.... I am back at dance class. It feels really good to be back out moving and dancing. I feel like I am on So You Think You Can Dance :), other than I can't even walk the next day. Ryan is auditioning like crazy - he even got an audition for the show The Beast with Patrick Swayze. Keep your fingers crossed. His Time Warner commercial is on tv now (it was even on Fox during the All Star Game the other night!!!), and his new one for Papa Murphys should be airing pretty soon.

Hope everyone is having a great summer. I can't believe it is already almost the end of July! Time is just flying! Hopefully we can get a little more beach time in. Oh, and merry Christmas in July!

Wrigley and the Family visits

We have had a busy couple of weeks. My parents came in to visit for the 4th of July. We met them in Lake Geneva on Friday and had a great time. It is a really cute place. Ryan said he even forgot he was in Wisconsin (no offense, to those people in Wisconsin - we have just learned to not care for it so much when we have to drive through it all the way to visit in MN). Jude even stayed up late enough that night when we got home to see the fireworks over the lake. He did fall asleep in the middle of them, but he seemed to like the first half. Saturday we went downtown shopping, of course, and then even had time to lay out at the beach. (We spent 1 1/2 hours- Ryan spent 4 1/2- guess who got a little burnt?) Then Sunday we had our tour of Wrigley. It was really cool, and Jude was perfect during the whole 2 hours! It was a perfect weekend.

Then this weekend, Shelley and Malia got last minute good ticket prices to come and visit us. It was really nice to see them. On Saturday, we all went to the Kohl's Children's Museum. It had rooms for the kids to play in with a different theme- water room, art room, a fake Dominick's grocery store, a fake potbelly, a baby nursery, cars, etc. They even had infant areas for little babies, too. I can't wait until Jude gets bigger so he will enjoy it more. Although I think he liked pushing the button and watching the balls shoot out of the cannon. Sunday we went shopping downtown and got to take Malia to the American Girl (and Shelley to Tiffanys). We played at the park in Evanston, and even got to watch BB10 once the kids went to sleep.

Next weekend we are visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Ohio for a friend of the family's wedding. Hopefully it will be good weather, and we can lay out (although, someone who won't be named probably should wait until the peeling stops at least). After that, we will only have about a month before we head to California!

Oh- and one good Jude update: The other night we were just sitting down for dinner, Ryan left to wash his hands, and Jude was in his highchair. He sneezed, and I turned my head quickly toward him and said "bless you." And I guess that was the funniest thing he had heard in a while, because he started to laugh harder than I have ever seen. His face was turning red, and he could barely catch his breath. Ryan walked back in wondering what happened.... I had to explain not much, other than Jude thought his mom was very silly. He kept going for so long that we even got the video camera out to capture it.

Have a great 4th!

Jude is going to have a fun and exciting weekend ahead. Grandma and Grandpa from MN are coming in tomorrow and we are going to meet in Lake Geneva. None of us have been and thought it might be nice to try out (and Grandma said if it was good enough for General Hospital people (it is on the show) then it is for us). Then we are going to just have fun on Saturday- we will see what we are in the mood for- most likely...going downtown for shopping. Maybe the Taste if it isn't too hot out- I can't do hot AND crowds (unless it is Disney). Then on Sunday, Ryan, Jude and I are going to take a tour of Wrigely Field, and stop at Murphy's Bleachers for pizza and a beer (not Jude, of course). That was Ryan's Father's Day gift- he doesn't like too much more than Wrigley. It is supposed to be nice weather all weekend- Finally!!!!

Malia celebrated her 1/2 birthday at Build-A-Bear. I got lots of pictures and look at them everyday. I also always check up on my other God Daughter, Aislinn.... I can't believe how much she has grown- she is pretty much the same size as Jude, but 4 months younger! She will be the basketball player and Jude will be the gymnast! Or they can just both be astronauts. Garrett called Ryan the other day and informed us of his booger. It was pretty funny. Oh-and Malia called Ryan to say hi..... note to Jeff, Amy and Shelley- have them call ME next time.

Jude got to see his "aunty" Antigoni this week. She was in town to visit- and we LOVE it when she does. We just don't get to see each other enough. We just have to keep working on her moving to Chicago.

Hope everyone has fun, but stays safe over this weekend. I don't want to hear about any drinking and driving... cabs, Metra, el, are all great options. (sorry for the comment- have fun but be smart) :)

Oh- and Jude is posed like George Costanza did in Seinfeld. He had rolled over when we were changing him and both said that he looked like George. Had to capture the moment and share with everyone. Plus, he likes pretending he is celebrities.

Already the middle of June!

So another busy weekend for me and the fam. We drove to Minnesota to celebrate my two nieces/goddaughters baptisims. I was honored to be part of both of their lives! I just can't wait until I can get them in some dance shoes and show them how to leap across the floor. Although, the way things are going, Jude and Garrett are looking like the dancers (at least we can hope for Jude, huh?). Jude is still doing really well- sleeps through the night, eating more and more everyday, and even doing an art project for Dad for Father's Day this weekend. We don't have any plans this weekend for Father's Day, but Ryan will have a good time for what I planned for him for July 6th. He is dying with the suspense- hopefully he doesn't have any idea what Jude and I got him. Also, got something planned that is pretty special for my Dad... I know I would like them both :)

Just so no one is worried, I was able to get some NKOTB tickets for their added show in October. And I just heard that my friends from when I was little actually got tickets to see them, too, in Minnesota. Pretty funny, although I think we were probably some of the biggest fans there were. Too bad my Mom and Dad donated all of my memorabilia..... but who knew they would be making a comeback? As much as I loved them, not me.

Oh.... for more of an update on Jude: he is sitting up by himself now, and will hold it for a long time. We put the Boppy around him in case he turns to watch Stitch and tips. Also, this morning I guess I wasn't getting the bottle to him fast enough (heaven for bid I try to put the bib on him), and he grabbed the bottle from my hands and put it in his mouth!!!! So I let go and he held it - and then when he needed a breather he pulled it away, and then back to his mouth when he wanted more! After that he was ready to let me hold it (can't work him out too much the first time), but it was really cute. I can't believe how much he is growing and developing. We even tried him in the pool for the first time this weekend. He wasn't so sure about that - didn't cry, but didn't really smile either. But with us as his parents, I am sure he will grow to love being outside at the pool or beach.

Word cloud

I found a website (off of someones blog) that goes to your blog/website and gathers the most commonly used words and puts them together (see the word cloud at the bottom of the posts). I gave it a try and it was neat to see what popped up. Of course the names, Jude, Susie, Ryan, Garrett, Aislinn, Malia, etc I expected, but when I saw Ramsay, for Gordon Ramsay, I kind of chuckled. I also thought it was funny that cereal, rice and crazy were on there, too. At first when I saw "vote" I was impressed, thinking for a second I was talking about voting for the president, but then I remembered it was probably just so everyone could vote for Jude in the Most Huggable Baby contest.... I leave the political stuff up to Ryan. He couldn't be more excited about Obama. Now that we made it through the 200 Democratic debates, I guess it is on to the 200 presidential debates. Not that I don't care, I just sometimes would rather just watch So You Think You Can Dance than listen to them repeat the same things again and again. Update on Jude: checked out really well at the doctor on Saturday. He was 17 lbs and 25 inches! Big for us, but I guess not that far ahead of Aislinn (who is 4 months younger). Poor little guy hated the 4 shots and the syrup/medicine they made him drink. He was such a trouper, though. Cried during the shots and then was good to go. We went downtown and shopped and got food to eat in the park. Perfect day with my family!