Happy Birthday Jude

Happy Birthday sweet sweet boy!

Words can not express how your presence has filled up this house.  I tried today to remember what life was like before you were with us....and honestly I can not imagine it.  I can not imagine my world without your smile...the one that only your big sister Dylan can get from you when she wakes you up in the morning.  I can not imagine a car ride without two little giggles in the backseat of my car.  Dylan's sweet prayers would be void of thanking God for her baby brother, Mommy's left arm would be empty while toting sister on the right side.  I can't imagine only having Dylan's pink blanket to look for and missing her efforts in helping me find your blue one or your paci.  Who would I get sloppy kisses from, now that sister is 4 and she no longer gives those sloppy ones?  Who would make your sister shine with love the way you do? 

What about our time together?  At night when I put you to bed....our peekaboo time, giving big hugs, hiding Mommy's head under the blanket. Your Daddy is full of pride when you take off for the door once you hear his voice.

My heart aches with joy that you are here bringing so much life to our family.  The best thought of the day was  that I do not have to remember or imagine a life without you, because God gave you to us and in return we dedicated your life to Him.  He will bless you as he has blessed your Daddy and myself with the gift of you and Dylan.  There is no prouder Mommy today on your very special day of the role you play in our lives.

You are a joy my little precious son...and I am so happy that today you are one.

I love you....Mommy

Here it is.....

Well.....I am laying here next to my sweet little girl who is fast asleep in Mommy's bed, preparing myself for the emotions of tomorrow...Jude will be 1 years old!  I just remember this time last year and all the preparations taking place.  Dylan had just started school and it would be her first day of "extended day", my Mom had her schedule and was ready to take over, and Matt and I were excited! 

I remember the first words out of my mouth when he was born were "he looks like my Dad'.....those must have been good drugs I was on because clearly he is the spiting image of Matt!  It is so amazing how I remember almost every detail of this time last year, yet months 1 - 12 are a complete blur.  It is different with two.  And I will say, it  has been a journey having a boy and a girl.  With the exception of 1 friend, most of my close circle of friends have  same gender children....and while it is fun.....there are challenges. This is my second and most things are more relaxed because I have been here before, the truth is it is like being a first time parent (to a different gender) all over again.  These are big difference people!!!!!! 

I can not wait to wake up tomorrow and sing to Jude with Dylan and watch him look at amazement with his big beautiful blue eyes and sweet dimple.  I am in awe of the relationship they have created in 1 short but very fast year.  Well....we will see how I hold up tomorrow!

Jude's Dedication and First Birthday Party

I am  standing all by myself!

Yummy cake!!!!!

Dylan's sweet prayer

What a beautiful weekend!  We dedicated Jude in our back yard (just like Dylan) and then had his birthday party.  Mom & Jerry brought shrimp up and we had a shrimp boil, cake, crafts for the kids.  The kids decorated boxes, made bird feeders (pine cones), and their own candy bags. 

The dedication was beautiful.  Poppy and Mike read scriptures representing all of the Grandparents, ....we had all of the men there read a prayer over him, Shea and Pagett were blessed as the Godparents, and a charge to Matt and I reminding us that we are giving back to God the wonderful gift of Jude that he blessed our sweet family with.  Dylan was the best....she pryed over her brother asking "Jesus teach Jude to love you, teach him to walk, and teach him to not pull my hair."  It was amazing to watch her sweetly place her hand on Jude and draw from what Christ has placed in her heart.  We were so proud of her and her patience in getting ready for the party and her maturity this weekend.

My heart is so full today as a remeber this special time.  Jude was an angel...LOVED his cake...loved his gifts....not a peep out of our sweet happy boy.  He has such as easy going personality.

It was amazing to habe all of those we love so dearly there and we missed those who could not be there. 

What a gift god has given me in my little family.  I stand amazed!

Jude's first Day of School

So Jude went to his First Day of School and had a great day!  Dylan was so excited to pick him up.  She west to the door and said "Buddy it's sis, come on let's go home!"  His "Big Brothers" Miles and Mason were there too.  Mason helped drop him off and Miles went to school with Jude.  What fun to share this day with our friends.  

Dylan did not want to go to school today; however, when I picked her up she told me that she had a blast and wanted to go back tomorrow!  Good thing.  

Since Jude did cut his teeth yesterday we all did sleep through the night!  Hoping for a repeat tonight.

Sleep well...we are hoping too!

Welcome to our life

So.....we have finally set up a blog sight to keep everyone updated on life. I decided this would be faster that our website that has not been updated in FOREVER!

Last night Jude cut two more teeth...maybe we will sleep through the night tonight! I also found him standing in the middle of the front living room standing up by himself contemplating taking that first step alone! I just can not believe he will 1 a the end of this month. He has started waving bye bye, giving kisses, showing you his stinky feet when asked, and eating everything! He likes quiche, black olives, all fruit....things he does not like....shrimp, carrots, lunch meat.

Dylan started school today (next year will be kindergarten), and she loves her new teacher. She can pretend all day long. She will memorize and entire movie, tell Matt and I what lines to say, and then we re-enact parts of the movie. She is my night owl! We will hear her until 11:00 p.m. sometimes playing with dolls in bed. She is working really hard on earning a real dog. I rather like the pretend dog that goes everywhere with us. We have to open the back of the car to let our "pretend" dog out of the car where ever we go and she makes sure he stays right with us in the grocery store. She still does not like the new house. She told me the other day she wanted to go back to the old house. I told her there were new people living in it and she told me that was okay she would go live with them!!!!! Nice!

Matt has started school (getting his MBA). He has traveled a bit this summer so I am ready for that to end. He does not really travel, so when he does I feel it. We are still trying to finish up the renovation and painting of the new house, but we love the neighborhood and our neighbors. We are excited the kids will be growing up here on Overwood Road.

Well...it is time for Jude to go to bed....so I will end our first blog. This is our life and we love it....we always say we have the very best family in the world.....can't wait for tomorrow!