HOME SWEET HOME

I recently returned home to Buffalo from a very nice trip home to sunny Arizona. Jude and I both enjoyed our stay. He did great on the flights, on the way there he was awake but happy, and on the flight home he slept the whole way.

In Arizona, we soaked up the sun. Jude was not familiar with the bright light every time we went outside, I will need to pick him up some sunglasses. We enjoyed nice walks outside, and he loved it when Grandma would rock him in their swing on the patio. It was nice not to pack so much for Jude, because Grandma Jones had a new outfit for him each day we were there. And yes, my baby is growing up, the outfits that she bought were 6 months and they pretty much fit!
Jude modeling one of his cute outfits!

Grandma Jones and Jude Swinging on the patio.

Jude loved spending time with Grandpa and Grandma Jones and Grandma Taylor and Uncle Jordan. Jude is talking and smiling like crazy, and loves to giggle. He loves to be tickled and to look at himself in the mirror.
Jude loves to smile. He is hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma outside.
Jude just chillin with Grandpa.

I enjoyed my time there relaxing since I had so many people to take over and "mother" Jude. I enjoyed a massage, I baked and cooked, went shopping, and watched my favorite Food Network Shows(since I do not have cable here).

I even was able to spend time with my girlfriends. Now that we all have kids or are pregnant it is great to be together. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Pei Wei, I needed some great Chinese food since buffalo lacks in this area. We also got together one night and chatted and laughed and enjoyed our babies.
My good friend Jenny stopped by with her husband Wyatt, and their beautiful kids Crew and Hudson.
Jude meeting his new friend Hudson for the first time. I bet they will be best buds.
Yummy Girls Lunch. We had 5 girls, 5 kids, and one on the way!
Jude and Hudson next to Brielle. Jude is huge next to them, and he is the youngest. We missed Leah in this Picture!

A nice fire to warm us up after the temperature dropped to the 60's. BRRRR.
Sorry, I just had to add this one. Us wimps from Arizona will understand.

Jude and I had such a great time that we will be going back in a month. I know crazy, but John is leaving us for 12 days to go to Africa, and there is no way we are staying here alone. John has the opportunity to go and do some service dental work in Ghana Africa!

Nice try Cards!

Well, unfortunately the Cardinals did not win the super bowl, but they sure did put up a good fight. John and I showed our spirit with our Cardinals shirts and Jude was cheering in his football outfit. We enjoyed the game at some fellow Arizonian friends house with several other friends, just hanging out and eating way too much great yummy food!!


Jude had his two month appointment today, which means he got his little shots. Poor guy! I could not even look. He screamed but was easily consoled and has been sleepy ever since. He is growing very well.

Weight: 13 lbs. 15 ozs. which is the 86%
Height: 24 inches which is 79%

I am so glad that he is growing so well, but miss my little guy. I guess that is why we keep having babies is so we can have a little newborn again. But I am glad he is growing, it is so fun to play with him. He is alert, and responsive to us talking, singing and smiling to him.



Today was the official day! I resigned from my job at Children's hospital. I must say as my first "real" job is was great. I really enjoyed the people that I worked with, and will stay in touch with them. But now Jude is my full time job, and I love it.

How long will this last. . .

Yes, I am talking about the snowy, cold, windy weather here in Buffalo. One good thing is that in less than one week I will be in 70+ degree weather and sunshine! Yes, myself and Jude get to sneak away to Arizona for a few days. But here in Buffalo the days are long, the weather outside is cold, and snowy and I am definitely looking forward to spring, although it may not come until May!


A peek outside our window.

Even though this is what is looks like outside, Jude and I stay busy inside. He loves to make the cutest faces. Here are a few:





He is totally laughing out loud and talking! He is growing up and is still the cutest thing! Monday we have his 2 month appointment, to see how much he weighs and of course the dreaded shots! We were supposed to go last week but we had no working cars. Which brings me to my next subject, our cars! The other night I was lucky enough to sneak out to the gym, well not so lucky to get home, because I walked/ran home. The maxima died! So I left it in the parking lot, where is still remains, and we are currently sharing the civic. Well, John left me the civic so I could go to the doctor's appointment, and it did not start either! Great! No cars! When John got home we was able to get the civic working again, but the Maxima is a different story. So bottom line is: we are sick of our cars not performing, so are planning on selling the Maxima and getting a more reliable car!!! Okay enough about the cars.

A cute pic of Jude all bundled up and ready to face the Buffalo weather.
His wrinkly foot!

Last Monday, I enjoyed going out to the Baby Shower for my friend Kristen, we have such a great group of friends and I love all the time we can spend together! Two more girls in the group are pregnant! Yeah! We had lots of fun eating yummy mexican food and chatting!

Kristen looking so cute at her shower. Just a few more weeks until her cute boy arrives.

MLK DAY

This weekend we decided to go out on a date, a triple date with little Jude. We visited our favorite Mexican restaurant La Tolteca. We enjoyed our night, and Jude did great. Besides 2 major blow outs, he enjoyed himself at La Tolteca as well. He is sure a head- turner, I am sure he will be a big flirt, because he loves it when you talk to him and sing to him, he just smiles and coos. We were also able to get out and do some shopping. We are still doing a little Christmas shopping for ourselves, since we did not really have time before.
Jude turned 7 weeks on Saturday, I can't believe he is getting so big. Time goes by so fast! He has visited church now for the past 2 weeks, and loves it. He must feel right at home. I can tell he is growing up because he is doing much better with eating/sleeping. Some nights he goes 5-6 hours between feedings!! One thing he hates: the car, he will scream and scream until we take him out of the car, and then he is happy and smiley! I don't understand it. Here are a few pics!
Jude hanging out with daddy before church on Sunday.

Bright eyed boy just hanging out during his many awake times throughout the day at 7 weeks.
This is a sample of one of Jude's blow outs that landed him right in the shower.

Oh, and how about those Cardinals! Yeah, Arizona for making to the Superbowl! What a great game!

WITNESS

John went on yet another MAN trip! The guys left the wives and children together and off they went to witness "the King." They traveled up to Cleveland and watched the Cavilers and Celtics play! They had a great time, watching the game and hanging out with each other!!

Jude & Daddy

Jude loves it when daddy comes home. They are always together. Sometimes I catch them doing some crazy things.
Like Jude hanging out in the sink.

Or Daddy putting Jude up in the statue of liberty.

These pictures show Jude doing some of his favorite things. He is loving to stand up. He is becoming so strong. He is now up to 11 pounds 6 oz!! I can't believe he is growing so fast already. He also loves to blow bubbles, and stick out his tongue!

Back to Buffalo

Yes, sadly our fun holiday trips have come to an end. We have made it back to the cold still wishing we were relaxing on the beach. Our Christmas break was spent with our families, we loved the time spent together and as always we were spoiled with great gifts.
On Christmas Eve John, Jude and I were able to make a quick trip to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas Light Display. This is a great tradition that we have missed being in Buffalo.

This Christmas was Jude's First Christmas. He was spoiled by his grandparents, and was such a great traveler. He did great on the planes, and came home healthy!!
On Christmas night our family along with my family took a red eye flight to one of the virgin islands St. Croix. We enjoyed a wonderful family reunion, thanks to my grandma for the great Christmas present. For the next week we spent our time with my mom's wonderful family. The week was filled with rest, relaxation, sunsets, sunshine, and walks on the beach. We explored the island, took boat rides, snorkeled, scuba dove, ate yummy food, had game nights, and spent a day in St. Thomas. The beach was in our backyard, we spent our time relaxing in hammocks, on lawn chairs, and feeling the nice breeze. Jude loved it. The ocean just calmed him. Well, as you can see we had a great time and enjoy the pics.
One of the many beautiful views we experienced at St. Croix.
Cute pics of my Nephews Jackson and Caden. They had a blast on vacation.
My sister and her family relaxing on the Hammock.
Our family on the Hammock. John and Jude spent a lot of time together relaxing on the hammock.
A group of cousins and family did a discover scuba course and experienced a few dives. John joined them. John also did a night shipwreck dive!
Mom and sleeping Baby Jude on the Beach. I swear I want to move to the beach. The cool breeze, the warm weather, the sounds of the ocean totally put Jude in complete relaxation every time he was outside.We are now unfortunately back in Buffalo where none of those luxuries are found.
A Family picture taken in our backyard. We enjoyed the beautiful beach and look at our boy, he is not a newborn anymore.
Jackson all ready to go snorkeling, and giving us the thumbs up. Too bad he was a little to young otherwise he would have been in the water.
One night we went to see the Crab Races. Yes, you buy crabs and race them. First one to the outer circle wins!
Another beautiful view of the ocean.

John and Jude trying to catch a little sleep time at the airport on the red eye flights to St. Croix.

A few in the group getting together one night for some fun games.
A picture of the whole group who were lucky enough to experience a week on St. Croix.
Another nice view. We had an ocean front room, and this is what we witnessed all day from our patio.
Caden spent his time climbing palm trees.
Another nice view.
In St. Thomas John was flipping in the ocean, Casey did not have a swim suit at the moment but that did not stop him!
Happy New Years! My mom and dad getting ready to ring in the new year.
We stopped at the location in which Columbus landed on his second voyage.
Jude just relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, in the shade.

Jude is now 5 weeks, and a world traveler. He did so well every place we went, and now its time to get him used to his real home. He has grown so much. He loves his baths, he loves to be swaddled and to dance. He loves to smile. He is already getting so strong, he holds his head up great and is now standing up nice and strong when daddy is holding him. He loves to be held and can tell when I place him down. He loves to snuggle. We are loving every minute we have with him. We know he will continue to grow so fast.
I love these pictures that John took yesterday. Jude was just hanging out in the clean laundry! He looks so cute!

Jude playing with his new activity mat! He loves it. When the star plays music he looks right at it.