19 months

Yesterday, I realized that Jude is less than six months away from turning two.  2!  I'm going to be the mother of a two-year-old!  I don't know why this floors me way more than the anticipation of him turning 1.  I guess because to me, 2 truly is no longer a baby.  He's going to be a little boy.  I'm not ready yet.  The chubby little guy with the wispy ducktail sprout of hair on the back of his head who loved to nurse and snuggle is now a busy little toddler with so much to do and so little time for things like lingering cuddles.  Busy-busy-busy.  He's my sweet little monster with an agenda that takes up every second of his day- and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Likes:

-Playing a game called Boom Boom Puppy.  You take blocks and build a tower as tall as you possibly can waaaay over your head.  Then you carefully place a plastic puppy at the top of the tower.  You turn a flash a mischievous smile at your playmate- whoever they maybe.  Then you battle ram yourself into the tower- knocking it all the way down.  Puppy goes Boom-Boom.

-Naps with his "Hass".  "Hass" is the word he uses for his pacifier and lovey that he only gets when going to sleep.  Rather than resisting sleep, he will sometimes ask to nap early by just whispering "Hass.  Hass."  When he wakes up in the middle of the night, he will call out to them: "Hass!  Oh Hass!" like they are a faithful dog.  Then I hear some contented little grunts after they apparently come running to him and he settles back down to dreamland.

- Brushing his teeth.  But only if HE is in control of the brush.  Once I take control, see Dislikes list.

-Helping load the dishwasher, getting the dish detergent, and turning the dial.  He is mightily offended if you start the dishwasher without his supervision.

- Playing in his castle.

- Giraffes (AAAAFS).  He can't get enough of 'em.  Elephants are a close second, especially the dancing one on the GE commercial.

-Shoe shopping.  The kid loves shoes.  He gently takes them off the shelf and oohs and ahhs about how nice they are.  Hysterical.

-Wrestling.  If you're hanging out with Jude and you go from a sitting position to laying on your tummy or back, you're asking to get pounced in 0.2 seconds.

- "Reading" books by himself.

Dislikes:

- Being in a different room than mommy.

-Anyone brushing his teeth but him.

- Carseat.  Always.

Some Photos

I've loved getting into a new hobby.  Lately it's been photography.  Luckily, I have one of my favorite subjects close at hand, who loves to be photographed (most of the time, that is).  I have no aspirations to ever become good enough to become a professional, but I do have fun learning all of the things a camera and a trained eye can create when they are together.  I've watermarked some photos that are my favorites only because there are some weirdos on the interwebs and I'd prefer these not be used for anything but to look at, smile, and remember that perfect moment in that perfect day.