Some new pictures

Here are a few fun pictures that I took recently and forgot to post. The drawing (sp? on characture) is from Ryan's work party - and the one of Jude in his white polo is from the same day. We had fun bowling and playing bocce ball (even Jude played). Then we have the picture of Jude in his Hall Superman shirt (just don't look too close because it is actually a Hooters shirt), and the other two of Dad and Jude and me and Jude are from last night after I gave him a haircut. Not bad considering how much he was screaming and moving around.... And the one with his pacifier is right after he woke up one morning and was sporting some devil horns. I swear I didn't touch his hair - it was like that when he woke up. As quoted from Ryan and my favorite movies "Nobody messes with the doo...."

Great news from a close friend....

This weekend couldn't have started out any better.... Finally got together with my roommate from college (it had been way too long since I saw her last) and found out her and her husband are expecting! Yeah! We couldn't be happier for them, and are a excited (a little selfish) that Jude will have a friend to play with!!!! It shows that it has been a long time since I saw her last because she is already 5 months along. Just like Jude - they may have a Christmas baby (Jude decided he was to excited for Christmas and came early close to Thanksgiving, though). The weather finally decided to act like it really was summer, and we all had a great time just hanging out, taking Jude to the park, etc.
Then on Sunday we woke up early and went to the beach. As I just said, the weather finally was feeling like summer, so I was excited to finally be able to dip into the water and swim a little. Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't just that it was cold (as it always is), it was FREEZING! My feet didn't just go numb, they actually hurt. Well, since it was so hot out, and the water was so cold, we figured we couldn't stay if we wouldn't be able to cool off. After driving around and finding out all the free Chicago public pools didn't open for a while (yes, we get up early with Jude), we went home and Jude took a nap. After the nap and lunch, all refreshed and ready to have fun again, we went to a local pool in the suburbs. It was a little pricey, and within the first five minutes we saw a little girl being taken away screaming on a stretcher and two drowning incidents (everyone was okay). But... after all that we had a great time. They have a nice big pool that slowly gets deeper so even Jude could stand up and walk in. There were some big slides, and water fountain area for little kids, and a separate pool/play ground/area for kids. The playground area was really cool. There were little slides, things to climb on and around, things squirting out water, and a giant bucket that fills with water and when it gets full it dumps down on everyone. Ryan looked like he was 5 years old again. He definitely liked it more than Jude who was scared of all the people and water squirting everywhere until the last 10 minutes that we were there.
Cute Jude moment recently: I was folding laundry and Jude would take the clothes out of the basket and hand them to me. If I was already busy folding something he would shake out the clothes like I was doing and then put them on the piles. Then once I finished and was carrying the clothes into the rooms/closets, he picked up his clothes, brought them into his room, and then opened his dresser and started putting his clothes away! Melted my heart!
He also gives great hugs and kisses. He loves giving Stitch a hug, and even said "Hi Stitchy" when we got home the other day.

Daycare Family Fun Fest

Jude look at the horses... don't you want to ride the horses?.... yes?..... (take Jude over to get on the horse (after one just peed all over - gross))..... okay, okay, we will leave. Yeah- Jude did NOT want to actually ride on the horse. They were cute from far away, but not close up. He also got to see some goats, pigs, ducks, donkeys, sheep. The bouncy castles were also a little scary at first, but then became the best thing ever. Actually so much bouncing that mommy started feeling a little sick herself. Dad went in though to save the day - more bouncing! And best of all, the weather was good. Cold, but no rain. I guess I'll take it.

Another fun weekend!!!

Here are a couple pictures from this last weekend. My mom and dad came in town to visit and we had a great time, as always. Always an adventure, but always a great time. Plus I have to say an extra thank you because they watched Jude so Ryan and I could go see Harry Potter!!!! The picture of Jude asleep on his stroller is from shopping downtown. Shop, shop, shop. The rest are from sunday when we were just recovering and relaxing away. As good as we are at shopping, we are just as good as sitting around relaxing and napping.

4th of July - here are the pictures

So... I finally got to downloading the pictures from the 4th. The ones of Jude and me are from the parade in Middletown. We met Ryan's cousin's kids at the parade and had a good time. I also posted a picture of a old sign that Ryan found on a building right by his parent's place. If you look close it says "Middletown." It was pretty cool. The other picture is of Jude in the tub getting a nice bath once we got back home. Don't you love that smile?

Why must I always forget the camera?

We keep having all these great weekends, and we ALWAYS forget to bring our camera! June 4th weekend we were in Ohio visiting Ryan's family, June 19th weekend we were celebrating my Mom's birthday, brother's birthday, cousin's wedding, and Father's Day. And each time - no camera. So, if any of you reading this blog were at these events, please email me some pictures so I can add them to the blog for others to see (and for myself). We also just had friends in town from California, and although the camera is in our own home, we would forget to just take pictures with it, or forget to take it with us when we are out. I guess they say the memories are in my head... We really are lucky to have such great family and friends.

I just have to start capturing Jude more too (although some of you may think that I already do this enough). He really is getting bigger everyday. He says "Hi" every time someone comes up to him or comes into a room. He loves saying (or closely saying) - Stitch, truck, car, all done, Mickey, Dad (or Da da), and lastly Mom (mostly only says this when he is whining and really wants something). The kid knows who is a sucker!

Other than that - just enjoying the weather. Jude could literally be outside all day long. It was cute at first, but now a little annoying - if he wants to go outside, he will grab his shoes by the door, walk over to me and hand them to me to put them on. As in ... hint, hint... I want to go outside Mom! The 95 degree days were a little warm to be out for too long, but now that it is back in the 80s I love being outside just as much as he does.

I jinxed myself

Well- I have to say that I jinxed myself. The day after I complained about Jude sleeping late in the morning, he decided to wake up at 5:30. Then the next day he decided to be upset when I left the house to go to work. Him being upset over me leaving is MUCH worse than him being okay with me leaving. So, I take back everything I said and hope the little guy gets plenty of rest, is happy during the day, and then super happy to see me when I pick him up. :)
The two car pictures are from our trip to Ohio. The one of him sitting on the floor is of him listening to my Ipod. And the one of him in Ryan's hat he is holding his blackberry texting away to Shiloh. The first one is from our latest trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. He LOVES the lions now. Rrrrroooaaarrrrrrrr! It was a lot of fun to watch him actually see the animals and kind of grasp what they are. He really continues to amaze us everyday with all of the new things he is picking up.