One Year Ago

Jeremy and I celebrated our birthdays and St. Patrick's Day this week. And we couldn't help but reflect on how much our life has changed. One year ago, on the day after Jeremy's birthday we found out that Jude was on his way. Let's just say, we are glad that Jude turned out ok. We did our fair share of celebrating our birthdays.

This year the festivities were a bit different. For my birthday I sampled the fine cuisine at Sneaky Pete's Hot Dogs (my favorite guilty pleasure). We did go to dinner that evening at a kid friendly restaurant with our friends BB, James and Emily Grace. For Jeremy's birthday he enjoyed his favorite past-time of golfing. Although, he had a small mishap on the course that involved a rock and his 7-iron. I don't think steel clubs should ever bend at that angle. He was not happy about his ruined club. And it was the first thing out of his mouth when my cousins arrived for dinner that night. Cousins that we haven't seen in over a year. I don't think they were too concerned, but it just goes to show you how annoyed he was about it. What can I say? Jeremy loves his golf game. And he's even managed to work in a few games even after having a baby.

I actually made it into a picture! Don't you love Jude's golfing outfit? Thanks Gigi!

Johnny Jump-Up

Jude has a new toy that he tried out this week. It's the Johnny Jump-Up courtesy of "The Bob" from the Chamber. (Have I mentioned how much I miss my Chamber family? "It was really cool working for the Chamber.") Jude really is taking to it. He likes anything that allows him to stand up. Take a look at the video of him trying it out. This is going to be great when I'm trying to get things done around the house!

Nursery

As you may recall, the Lukers have been living in a rental house with rental furniture since we've moved in Birmingham. What we had hoped would be a temporary situtation is becoming more and more like home. When we made the decision to move to Birmingham and then had a friend that offered his home and furniture to us, we jumped at the chance, assuming it would be short term. It has been three months now and more and more of our things are making their way into this guy's home. However, that is just stuff, no furniture has been moved. So all the time I spent agonizing over decorating Jude's nursery was for naught. He hasn't spent but a few nights in his well decorated room. Since we moved here, he's been sleeping in his pack and play. Well, he has officially outgrown it. Now that he rolls over and kicks, he was beating the poor thing up. Enter Mark and Sarah. They graciously offered us their crib until we move our furniture up here. Jude has really loved it and been moving all over it. He starts off the night in one spot and has moved clear to another by morning. I've witnessed him turning 360 degrees in the night. I have a hard time spotting him on the monitor.

One thing that can be said about living here, I've realized just how much stuff we had accumulated and how much of it we don't need. All Jude wants is food, diapers, and loving parents. He doesn't care what his room looks like. He's happy with a burp cloth to play with and

Wrigley to entertain him. Something tells me that when the time comes for us to move, a lot of stuff is getting thrown in the trash. If we've lived this long without it, we probably don't really need it! One thing I do totally miss is the glider. We visited Mobile this weekend and Jude loved rocking in it.

Jeremy and Mark putting together the crib

Jude enjoying his new digs

The nursery in Mobile. Isn't it cute?

I really wish we had the glider in Birmingham when he has his crying fits

(which is more often than I would like)

Thanks also Sarah and Mark for the surf board tummy time mat! It's his favorite spot to roll over!

Grins and Giggles

We caught it on tape! Jude loves to watch Wrigley play with Jeremy. Watch the video to see his cute giggles. Thanks Grandma for the Superman onesie and Mimi for Jeremy's Bama pants.

Three Months

Jude turned 3 months old on February 27. He gets cuter day be day (I'm not biased or anything). Right now he is working on rolling over, which is giving me some sleepless nights. Everything you read tells you not to let your baby sleep on their stomach. I guess when he can roll over, that must mean he can handle it. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. First, he needs to get his stubborn arm out of the way. It's the only thing holding him back at the moment.

He smiles all the time and is working on his laugh. The favorite part of my day is when he smiles at me, which is often. All of these pictures were taken at his 3 month photo shoot and he smiled in every one of them. He's my happy man! Makes me think I'm doing at least something right. As a first time mom, you always have your doubts!

In his very own boxer shorts, courtesy of Amanda N.

He is also eating me out of house and home. I think his favorite activity is eating. His ounce intake is a bit higher than other kids his age. And when I take him out in public, people always remark how big he is. That's right, he's my big boy! I was in church sharing a pew with a woman and her small baby. I was thinking how I remember when Jude was that little. I then asked how old her baby was and to my surprise, they were the same age.


Jude in his Baptism gown

Number Two

This post is not for the faint of heart. If you get grossed out easily, stop reading now. Chasity, if you want to cure your baby fever, keep reading. And forward it on to David, too. Last night Jeremy and I walked in on our dog, Wrigley, tasting a Jude diaper concoction. Something new I learned: Never leave a dirty diaper on the floor for your dog to find. I know, you would think that is common sense. I blame pregnancy on stealing some brain cells. I was worried about Wrigley after she ate her treat, but it didn't seem to faze her. I should have known it would come back to haunt me.

This morning I decided to be a good mother and play with Wrigley in the backyard. After throwing her toy a few times, she took a break to do #2. I threw the toy some more and then all of a sudden she wouldn't fetch the toy. She kept pawing at it, but seemed afraid to pick it up. Well, lazy me wasn't about to go get it for her, so I kept on insisting that she bring it to me. She did. And I threw a few more times. At this point I kept smelling something foul. It kind of smelled like Jude had dirtied his diaper again. However, I knew that wasn't the case. Upon further inspection I saw that Wrigley had some mysterious smears on her paws. That's when I realized that Wrigley had stepped in her #2 that was the result of Jude's #2 from the night before. EEEWWWW! And let's just say that I know this because Jude produces a certain color that is hard to ignore.

So I got to add bathing the dog to my chores for the day. Totally disgusting! And something tells me that is probably not the grossest thing that I will have to deal with as a mother. I guess it's a good warm up for the future!

A freshly bathed Wrigley