A November Update

I can't believe November has almost come and gone without an update on the blog. It's definitely not for a lack of things to talk about. The boys are doing great. They are growing, changing, and constantly making us laugh. The days with them are so sweet. We have started slowly introducing Jude to solids this month and there is nothing that he hasn't liked so far. He says "mmmmm" after every bite, and it really makes us laugh. He is also very close to sitting up unassisted (and can for a few seconds at a time), but he's still a little wobbly for me to say it's official. He still is enamored with James, and he is already really showing an interest in cars and trains because he's spent so much time watching his big brother. He has definitely tried to dive out of our arms many times to try and be in the midst of the action. He is such a happy, little charmer baby. I already predict that he will be giving me a run for my money the second that he is mobile, because he already is trying to get into everything now. I am completely smitten with him, and I literally cannot imagine life without him now. He is a complete joy.

James has become such a big boy. I am so proud of how independent he has become, and some days my heart aches just a little, too, at the fact that he doesn't need my help as much as he used to. It's bittersweet, but it's wonderful to watch him learn, change, and grow into his own little person. As I watch him play and interact with other children at the park or at church, it's hard to remember that very timid toddler that almost always clung to my leg. He is smart, witty, and loves to talk to both children and adults. I know I'm biased, but I constantly laugh at the things that come out of his mouth. He can be pretty stubborn and opinionated at times, but I'm glad that he feels safe enough with us to have a voice. He also seems to have a great desire for justice, and he can be so compassionate towards others that are hurting or in need. I love watching how his personality has taken shape, and I admire so many things about him. He will always be my "first baby" and he will aways be my heart.

Here are quite a few pictures from November. James wasn't as willing to have his picture taken as Jude, so there are not as many as him.

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Stephen's 29th Birthday in a few days (both on the same day this year)!

Crazy Hair Night at Awana!

I love our church for many reasons (that I don't have time to share right now!), and I'm especially thankful for our involvement in the Awana program. James LOVES going to Awana, and I'm also grateful that James and I get to share that special time together each week. He is memorizing scripture, asking questions, and we are having the sweetest conversations about Jesus and the Bible. And he is already understanding that "God's Word is Truth" because we memorized John 17:17. I am getting to literally watch him (at the ripe age of 3!) form his ideas and beliefs about God based on truth, God's Word hidden in his heart - it's hard to explain but beautiful to watch. I am so thankful that God would allow me to be a part of this journey with him. I recognize every single day that I am limited and flawed but God is able. And I'm grateful that He can use me still. My biggest prayer for my children is that they would love Jesus and walk closely in a personal relationship with Him all of their days, so as we have these conversations, as I answer his questions, and read him "just one more" Bible story at bedtime, I'm praying that God would continue to work in his heart and I'm praying for his salvation.

Here are a few pictures of us before heading to Crazy Hair night at Awana last week:

Five Months with Jude

Jude is five months old today and life with him couldn't be sweeter. He is a very happy and easy-going baby. He rarely ever cries and seems to just roll with whatever is going on in our day with only an occasional little scream when he's hungry or tired. His life growing inside of me was a tremendous display of God's grace in my life and his content disposition continues to be a gracious gift (of course, if he had been colicky and crying nonstop the last 5 months I could and would have loved him no less). I recognize every day that I am immensely blessed to have the privilege to love and be loved by my three boys.

So, what's new with Jude this month?

Growth: Jude is weighing about 17.5 pounds on our scale at home so he has really tapered off this month. I think this is when James really slowed down as well. He wears 3-6 month clothing and some 6-9 month clothing is beginning to work as well. He wears mostly cloth diapers now, but he fits comfortably in size 3 diapers for nighttime. 

Appearance: brown eyes and brown hair that seems to be getting curly on top (but we'll see...)

Sleep: He is back to sleeping an 8 hour stretch most nights. He seems to be falling into a predictable daytime pattern for naps: one in the morning, one around lunch, one a little longer in the afternoon, and one in the evening.

Eating: He is nursing about every 3 hours during the day. We started rice cereal yesterday, and I think he did pretty well with it for his first time. James helped feed him as well, and was so excited to help! After rice cereal, we will introduce oatmeal and then begin some stage one baby food. I still have my baby food maker and may make some occasionally, but I'm going to give myself grace in this area because I feel like I have a lot on my plate (no pun intended!) already. I'm sure we will also start working with him on using a sippy cup soon as well since we are beginning to introduce solids. He has actually never had a bottle because of Stephen's long hours (it was just easier to feed him and not pump, since I would almost always be the one that would be feeding him anyway), so I don't know exactly how it will go with the cup but we'll see. 

Personality: He is happy, content, and easy-going. He seems to enjoy interacting with people and has lots of big smiles for everyone. You don't have to work very hard to make him laugh. He is wide-eyed and curious (like his big brother) and watches everything, especially the things that his big brother, James, is doing. He is always trying to reach, scoot, and dive toward James while he's playing with toys. He wants so badly to be a "big boy" already, and I feel like he's growing up much faster than James did.

Voice: He babbles and screams. He screams when he's really happy but also when he's upset. I'm pretty good at being able to distinguish between the two but sometimes it transitions from a happy scream to a mad scream. He also "sings" by screaming along with us as we have been singing and preparing for James' preschool christmas musical. The other night Stephen brought him into Awana while I was wrapping up for the night and he heard the kids making animal sounds during a game that we were playing, and he watched intently for a few minutes and then tried to imitate their sounds. It was very sweet and all the three year olds burst into laughter. 

Movement: He's continuing to roll over and bear weight on his legs very well. He is also able to scoot and go a short distance. He is still wobbly in a sitting position, but I think he will most likely be sitting up  unsupported by 6 months. He tries to pull himself into a sitting position in his car seat and other reclined chairs.

Health: We have massaged his eye continuously the last few weeks, and it seems to finally be better. I'm praying the tear duct is completely unblocked now and the drainage will not return. He is still spitting up a good bit, but I think it has seemed to be less the last several days as well. I also think that teeth will make an appearance shortly. His gums are very swollen, and he is chewing on everything but I know that teething can go on forever before a tooth emerges so we'll see. :)

Milestones/Other: He has had his first Halloween and carved his first pumpkin with Daddy, he stayed in the church nursery for the entire 2 hours at Awana one night that is thankfully directly across from the room that I'm teaching in (a big accomplishment for me more than anyone!), and has started solid foods. He also tried out the johnny jumper this month and has really enjoyed it. 

And here are far too many pictures of him from this month :)

Boo at the Zoo :)

Stephen made an amazing Thomas pumpkin!

Before Lite Night at our Church on Halloween :)

Our favorite place, The McWane Center :)

#secondchild
(we built a chair out of (germy!) blocks for Jude at the McWane Center!) 

First Rice Cereal :)

5 Months Old!