Picking Pumpkins

We visited the pumpkin patch last weekend and Noah picked out a few pumpkins for us!


At first, Jude wasn't quite sure what to think of pumpkins.


But after running around for a little while with Noah, he decided they were pretty cool.

Halloween Playdate

We headed over to Jacob and Kate's house this afternoon for a Halloween playdate. Their mom was nice enough to bake cookies and let the kids decorate them with icing and sprinkles. Not surprisingly, the 2 year olds were much more interested in eating the cookies than decorating them. It was fun nonetheless!

Jude and Kate had fun watching the older kids eat cookies!


Will stayed busy on the tractor!


Harriet going back for more cookies!


After eating a few too many cookies, Noah played with Jacob's trucks!


Our host Jacob was dressed up as a Florida Gator!

Pure Entertainment

Here is our nightly activity these days... watching Yo Gabba Gabba and breaking it down ... Computer Science style, ya'll!


White kids dancing from Ben McDonald on Vimeo.

Jude Speaks

Here is a video of Jude saying Da da or daddy.

12 Months

Jude went to the doctor yesterday for his one year check up. He weighed in at 23 pounds, 15 ounces (75%) and is 31 inches tall (90%). Everything checked out great and he got 4 shots. Noah also got a surprise flu shot while we were there. He was such a big boy and did not even cry. As a reward for being so well behaved, we stopped by the park after our doctor visit.

Happy Birthday Judebug!

Today we celebrated Jude's first birthday! We had some of our family and friends over for a little food and fun. The day didn't look like it was going to go so well when Jude refused to take his normal afternoon nap, but he rallied and was an angel during his party- except for when Heather tried to put the birthday hat on him. Turns out Jude does not like birthday hats! But he definitely likes birthday cake!



The cake was yummy and we had a great time watching all of the kids play. Most of the kids that came were Noah's age, so there was plenty going on to distract him from all of the attention Jude was receiving. He did manage to open most of Jude's presents, but Jude didn't seem to mind. It was the first of many more great birthday parties that we'll get the pleasure of hosting for our Baby Jude!

the life i've always wanted

My home has become a sacred place. When I come home from work, I have come to anticipate the great, great joy of hearing ...

"DADDY, You home!"

... followed by the blur of a blond haired two year old streaking to crash into my legs and wrap himself around them.

That moment is precious.

Since Noah has started pre-school another thing has started showing up that provides me constant amazement and insight into his development of cognitive skills that are manifested in his weekly crafts projects.

I LOVE HAVING HIS ARTWORK ON MY REFRIGERATOR.


They are so simple, and that is what makes them so beautiful to me. I can loose myself in them, forget the stress of work, and just ground myself in the fact that the most important thing I do every day is to help shape my two little men.

In the above picture, we have our family tree (sans Bells), his owl inspired from reading Owl Babies, and his dog house from last week's Pet Week.

I meant to post this a long time ago, but below is Noah's first project. He did it with Sherry back in May at the Jacksonville Public Library, I hope it at least makes you smile :)



Note: While proofing this post before I published it, I felt like I was bragging and I don't want that to be the perception. I use this blog as a place holder (a pensive if you Harry Potter fans will allow me) for the great things about each day as I know there will be tougher ones ahead. Having posts like this available for me to go back to will someday be invaluable.