Owen's first day of Pre-school!

I made the decision this year to go ahead and put Owen in pre-school two days a week. I felt like he was ready to be engaged and to play with kids his age more regularly. He is always so eager to read with me or draw pictures. He loves to count and sing ABCs. So far he is LOVING it! They do all sorts of activities and everyday he tells me all about it. In just a few weeks we have seen how much he has learned and grown and I can't believe it! He has blossomed in such a short time. I can't wait to see what the next few months bring. My baby isn't a baby anymore! Sniff Sniff. And so...his first year ever of Back to School favorites. I love you Owen!

Emma's first day of school!

My big girl is in 3rd grade!  No fair!!!! (stomps feet, crosses arms, and wrinkles nose!) How can this be? We just started Kindergarten so how are we here, mid-elementary years? I of course did our annual back to school favorites. Emma loves the movie Frozen and loves the character Elsa. She loves to sing the songs, play with her Frozen dolls, and watch the movie. So of course her backpack this year is Frozen. She has been planning to be Elsa for Halloween since January! Emma loves school and when the alarm went off she sprang out of bed and got ready at the speed of light, and then bounced right out the door! If only we could keep up this enthusiasm through high school. Ha! Emma is social, bright, and imaginative. We love her so much! Can't believe how grown up you are Emma! I love you!

Our funny girl Emma!

Emma lost her 7th tooth, and per the usual, placed the tooth in the special tooth pillow for the Tooth Fairy. This is what the Tooth Fairy found....

Nice try! Emma got $1.50 instead of a dollar. Hope that satisfied her. She's too funny!

Owen learns to ride his bike!

Santa brought Owen a bike for Christmas and for several months he didn't quite get how to pedal. He would end up just pushing it around after the other kids. One day, I watched him and helped him a bit. After a day or so, he figured it out and was SO proud of himself. He threw his hands in the air and declared,"I did it!" Of course I did not have my camera on the first try so I hurried and managed to catch his second go. You still get the spirit of his accomplishment! Good job Owen!

Jude is 8 months Old!

Jude is 8 months old! This happy happy boy is such a blessing in our lives! He brings so much happiness to us all. Owen and Jude are such little buddies! Such a special bond and it melts your heart to watch them play. Emma loves to dote on Jude and to hold him and sing to him. Jude adores her! Jude is still a mamma's boy and tries rolling after her if she leaves the room. He's gettin fast and agile around corners! He loves to sit on Mommy's lap and to play Pat a Cake. He can clap his hands on his own with the song and it is the cutest thing! Daddy is the fun guy who plays and makes him laugh like no one else can. Jude is eating more and more foods, but he still has issues with textures. He has 1 tooth on the bottom left. The other is not far behind. He still loves his jumper and now lets us know when he'd rather be on the floor rollin around. Jude is a sweet and affectionate little man. Our little Mellow Fellow. We can't remember what life was like with out him. We love you so much Jude!

Owen and Jude's new room!

Ahoy Matey! Welcome to the boys new Pirate themed room. I had fun over the spring redecorating the the boy's room and upgrading Owen from his toddler bed into his big boy bed. I searched and found a head board on a buy/sell site and painted it, and then I found fun nautical bedding and a pirate octopus pillow at Target. I made a kind of drape sail and some rope for the window, and I made some wall art to match and voila! A new room for the boys. Owen now calls his bed his, "Pirate boat bed." Owen and Jude are sharing a room and so far so good. They are such little buddies and that's all I can ask for!  

Jude is 7 months old!

Should I even say anything? Its getting depressing. Ha! This last month was so busy that I almost forgot that the 11th came and went.... Seven months old. More than half a year now. This little mile marker stings a little more than the others. Not only that, but he's a built in countdown to Christmas. Gah! Five months people!

A little about Jude at 7 months:

Jude is sitting up all by himslef now. He used to just kinda flop over after a few seconds, but he is now in control and sits happily playing and using his hands to"bang" on whatever is in front of him.

He loves his little chain link toys and is constantly chewing on them. He likes to hold them with both hands and cackle in delight as he flings them about.

Drooling has significantly increased due to teething, but no teeth yet.

He is now eating baby cereal mixed with a fruit or vegetable. He has been the most picky of the three. When we introduced the cereal he gagged every time! Now he sees the bowl and spoon and gets very excited. Phew!

Jude has expanded his rolling from just across the room, to wherever mom goes. He's getting really good about turning corners!

He still loves his jumper and we've had to up its level from a 2 to a 3 because he has grown. Sigh.

He adores Owen so very much that it melts your heart watching them. Sweet brothers.

Emma loves to hold Jude and Jude thinks his big sister is great! He always smiles for her and he gets excited when she enters the room. She is the gentler sibling. hehe.

Jude still doesn't have much hair. It has mostly fallen out. Cradle cap hasn't helped. What he does have is very soft and fine silk. It still appears more brown than blonde but the more he loses the harder it is to tell.

His eyes are still very piercingly blue. The question still remains if they will turn hazel like the other kids. I hope not. They are so bright!

Jude loves his mama. He loves to snuggle and get loves and even nap in moms lap. Mom enjoys every second!

Dad is still the man! The reaction Daddy gets when he comes home from work is literally happy squeals of delight. His arms wave and his legs kick! He loves his dad! (Que the song,"I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home")

Jude has been, and still is, the most pleasant and happy baby. He is such a sweet little guy! We love him so much, and our lives are so much fuller with him in it! We love you, Jude!

And this just shows his cute personality! He's thinkin,"What on earth are you guys doing?" While Emma and Dad talk silly and jump up and down trying to get his attention.