Babies, Ouchies, Bellies, and Brody's

Okay... lots to write about! Where to start??? I will start with today's big news... Congratulations to my cousin Jady on the delivery of a healthy, 8 lb. 3 oz. baby boy! Welcome to the world, Weston Dwight Friese!!! Hopefully I will be able to visit soon and I can post some photos at that point. I have lots of babies to visit:- Mr. Weston, Miss Caroline, Mr. Rowen, and Miss Zoe! Can't wait!

Since the last post, Jude has received his second round of immunizations. 3 shots, 2 legs, 1 scream... and it was over. We got home and I had to capture the bandaids... and his chunky, beefy, adorable legs! haha! Nichole (Chad's sister) is calling Jude "Porkchop II". (Layla was the first Porkchop.)

Jude also started eating cereal from a spoon. We were really curious how much he would like it. As the saying goes... like father, like son... he doesn't judge where or how he gets food just as long as it gets to his mouth and into his belly. He loved it and ate it like he had been eating from a spoon since day one!

Jude and I went to Taylorville to visit Grandma and Grandpa Pickel. While we were there, my Mom came with me out to Val's so I could get some snapshots of Brody for his 3 yer birthday. I think my Mom enjoyed babysitting and visiting with Valerie's Mom. She has been ill... so please say a prayer for her to get healthy ASAP! Brody is such a little ham! LOVE HIM! I am so envious of those eyelashes... HOLY COW! :)

Finally, I made an apple pie recently. It was pretty darn good but I am still looking for a better recipe. I don't want the insides to run out. I think part of the problem is... my patience. Don't get me wrong. I am very patient - except when it comes to eating. (hmmm... Maybe Jude gets it from both sides). Anyway, I want to eat it immediately so I don't wait for it to cool entirely. But, I want to try again. So, if you have an apple pie recipe that you just love, please share!

Torture Devices and Books

Almost a month since my last post??? Geesh! Lots to catch up on but it is already 9:53 and I wanted to be in bed by 10:00. So... what can I say in 7 minutes. :)

Lets start of with sickness. Jude has yet to get completely rid of his cough. The doctor finally said it wasn't a cold and wasn't sure what was going on. We were referred to a pulmonologist in Peoria. Chad and I made the trip up there last Friday. After a three hour visit, the pulmonologist decided that Jude cought some kind of virus in the beginning of January and these symptoms (cough/congestion/runny nose) are the residual effects of it. He does not think it is allergies. He is concerned about the spit up so Jude is on acid reflux medicine and we are already mixing cereal into his milk. Next week we are going to try to give him cereal out of a bowl! OH BOY! He also requested x-rays and labs. I took Jude yesterday to get the x-ray. The device they used looked like a torture device used in the 1950s. It was ridiculous. I attached a photo of the device used (obviously not Jude but you get the idea). This kid doesn't look like he minds but let me tell you... Jude did. He was SCREAMING. I felt awful. The funny thing is, he didn't cry at all when they drew blood for his labs. He stopped "talking" to the nurses... but he didn't cry.

I don't have the results of the labs or x-ray yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything is normal.

Jude is doing great at daycare. He is such a happy baby - even with this crazy "cold" he has had. He wakes up in the morning and "talks" like crazy. Lately, his chatter has turned into high pitched squeals and squeaks. I think he realizes now that the noise is coming from him. It is amazing to watch him learn.

Chad is busy brushing up on his German and is trying to teach him as much as possible. I am teaching him English (haha) and sign language.

I love reading to Jude. Chad just bought a new book for him titled "When I Grow Up". I love it! It is a must for a kids book.

I just love to listen to Jude babble when being read to. He will pay attention for quite a few books before he gets squirmy. I also love to listen to Chad read to him. My mother-in-law even got a chance to read to him last time she was down. Nothing beats my little man in your lap with a good, cute storybook.

We bought Jude some new toys but I don't have photos of him in them yet. I will get to that next time!

The biggest news... HE ROLLED OVER! YAY! He does it so quickly now and then he "swims" on his belly until he gets tired. It is adorable. He is also standing (with help) and he will even take steps. A friend told Chad that if he even thinks about walking to "push him down". He said that we don't want him mobile yet. haha

In other news... Chad and I are gearing up for our trip to Boston. The girls are doing AWESOME. Tempest let Jude pet him and Rhyme let Jude pull her skin. OUCH! She just looked at Jude with a "can you let go, pretty pretty please" look. :) They are the best girls ever!

Okay... I wanted to be in bed by 10:00. It is now... 10:41. Geesh! (AGAIN!)