March Ends in Madness!

We were so excited to end the month of March with Uncle Chris in town for a visit. The weather was perfect the whole week and we took full advantage, showing Chris all the great things to do in Birmingham. So, you know, in case you want to get a residency here, I'm just saying, it's a happening city.

Things "jumped" off to a silly start (ok, that was lame) at the botanical gardens. Jonah inspired us all to jump off the rock and looking back at these photos I'm not sure if it's more embarrassing that I took them or that I am posting them on the Internet!

And can I just say - Ryan TOTALLY wins best jump!

I think it took 24 hours before Jonah announced in the car "I love Uncle Chris"!

Babl Boys x3!

Leading the way on the boardwalk at Railroad Park.

Sometimes I forget about this kid because he is so darn sweet and quiet!

King of the Rock!

We finished out the week with our playgroup Easter party. Jonah was a little young last year to participate in any egg hunts, but this year he jumped right in and seemed to know exactly what to do. We'll be hitting up another hunt this weekend with Ryan in tow, so more hunts and goodies to come.

Loot!

Being cute!

More Jude

It's impossible to get enough of this little guy! Four months have come and gone, along with his last monthly doctor's appointment. He weighed in just over 15 lbs, still hanging around the 80% mark. Just a note, Jonah was 12lbs 12oz at his 4 month. Funny how the same two people make seriously different kids!

Jude just might be the easiest baby on the planet! Not only is he easy going, smiley and perma-happy, he is also a super eater and sleeper. He takes two naps a day, usually about 2 hours each. Just lay this guy down in his crib and he is out in a few! My only wish would be for him to drop one feeding at night. On the plus side, Jude is all business - he wakes up, eats and falls right back to sleep.

He has been rolling back to belly since about 3 months. This last week we conquered belly to back and he can spin himself around on the floor to get a good look at Jonah, Mom, Dad, the tv! He is getting really good at push ups and on multiple occasions, he has gotten his knees underneath his belly. Scary!

Push Ups!

So many people ask me if "the second" was/is harder than the first and my answer is "Heck No!" Jonah rocked our world as we entered the unknown realm of parenthood. With Jude, we are old pros, more confident, less obsessive and all-around laid back. From the moment we brought Jude home, he adjusted into our lives (contrary to our lives adjusting to Jonah, thank you first born!) and fit in perfect.

Needless to say, I am head over heels about this guy! Make that all three of my guys :)

Happy.

Scrunchy-faced.

Angelic.

Silly.

Perfect.

Summer Loving

Oh, wait, it only feels like summer. We have spent what seems like every waking moment outside, soaking up the sunshine and sneezing our heads off during the day and enjoying cool evenings sans mosquitoes.

This Old Man still has some spunk!

Sweet, sweet face :)

I love this action shot of Jones kicking the grass.

This little one seems to discover something new every day. Today: the feeling of fresh grass on our hands and feet.
Nothing as sweet as brotherly love.

Spring has Sprung

So maybe it's not quite spring, however, it's been more than warm enough to sport shorts and t-shirts on a regular basis - that and my azaleas are blooming, so to me it's spring! I'm kinda proud of myself. I have been whipping out the camera more frequently; remembering to bring it with us when we go out and about. Some pictures from March thus far:

Big man thinks he is ready to crawl already. He does really well pushing himself up and has on a few occasions, got his knees under him for a few seconds. Yikes!


As Jonah tells me in his dramatic storytelling voice: "Some day, Jude will be a big boy and can ride on Mater and go on the potty." You can tell what's on his mind these days. Speaking of the potty, this kid is pretty much potty trained! He is in undies all the time at home, but usually still wears a diaper out and about. I feel like we need to conquer the BIG potty at home before I make him use one in public. So if you see Jonah over the next few weeks, he may ask you what color your undies are!

Brothers! There is something so sweet about this picture.

Our playgroup took a tour of a fire station recently. Right up Jonah's alley! He loved it, as you may be able to see from the look on his face :)

Meanwhile, we have spent hours upon hours outside, walking, digging, dirking, scooping, blowing flowers, you name it!

Oh Jonah and your strange need to adorn yourself! He is now officially known as "gloves" in the neighborhood because he wears these for days on end. He only removes them to eat. Sigh!

We've really gotten good at soccer!

On days when we hit the park, Jonah has chosen the ride on horse thang-a-ma-jig as his favorite activity. The picture above cracked me up! Mad Scientist anyone?

And Judester had his first swing ride! Man did he have fun. He giggled and gasped the whole time!

Remember this hat from Jonah? Seems like yesterday.

Judester!

Sweet, sweet Jude. I could go on and on about what an awesome baby you are! Jude had his 3 month check up last week, weighing in at 14 lbs, 3 oz, he continues to stay on the 85th percentile curve. He weighs more now than Jonah did at 6 months. Funny how brothers can be so different.

Speaking of difference in siblings, Jude is such a great napper! His morning snooze is usually on the go while we hit up playgroup, a park, errands or whatever else we have planned. In the afternoon, he falls right to sleep in his own bed - usually timed perfectly with big brother's nap, which makes it SO nice on mom!

Jude enjoys his baths, loves watching Jonah and/or the dogs play and will smile at anyone! He is so mellow and easy going.

For the past 2 weeks, he has been working on his rolling over skills. Well, you see from the video below, he has it down to an exact science. He prefers to hang out on his belly - better to see the world I think.

Although Jonah has, for the most part, dropped "Moose" he still affectionately calls him "Jude-y" much to Ryan's dissaproval. Jonah is such a sweet and doting big brother. The first thing Jonah wants in the morning is to see his "baby brother". How'd I get so lucky with such sweet boys?

I love to laugh and especially think my Mama is silly!

February Catch Up!

The months continue to fly by, as do the weeks this blog sits untouch! Here is an update of the whole month to get you caught up!

My Little Valentine!

Playgroup Valentine's Day Party where Jonah carried around this cupcake the ENTIRE party. At the end, he had consumed all the frosting and asked me to throw the rest away! Goof.

We have been waiting all year for Big Machine's Day to come back to the McWane Science Center. Jonah enjoyed it thoroughly last year, but this year, wow! Anyone who knows this kid knows that he is obsessed with all things construction. Obsessed! He was in construction heaven!
I am told frequently that he may have a future in the construction field. Seems kinda funny considering his parents, but whatever makes you happy, little dude!

And then, as it often happens in February, the weather turns spring-like and we spend all day outside. Today was that day as the temps reached a balmy 75! First the park, then the backyard where, of course, Jonah could be found digging in the sand and dirt with his dump truck and excavator.

Jonah has also been working on his soccer skills. Uncle Mikey would be proud. I think we have an athlete on our hands. (You should see this kid hit a baseball off a tee!)

This month also brought a runny nose and cough to the house. Jonah is still stuffy, but it doesn't seem to bother him much. This is the first time he has been sick since January 2011. That makes me feel pretty good!

Where's Jude, you ask? Well, I am saving a post just for him with all the exciting things he has going on. Stay tuned!

A little football explanation and Goodnight Moon

Posted this on Facebook and realized not everyone checks that little known website *gasp*! So here it is for you non-facebookers ..... you know who you are :)