10 months old and walking...

Jude is on the move – congratulations little man!! Nudie has been trying to move for the past month, however, our criteria for ‘walking’ was at least 5 steps that were controlled and didn’t end in a crash landing. Tough parents hey! There were many false alarms including a controlled 4 steps, 6 steps which were more of a stumble by definition, and lots of 2-3 steppers…., but Jude finally went the whole way (with even a stop in the middle to pick up a toy) last week. And, the most beautiful thing about that was it was during a lunch visit to see daddy! I think I was most excited about that as it was so nice for Dale to be there for one of the major milestones. It's amazing to watch him just take off now - he has so much confidence! Jude even enjoys celebrating his own success with a round of applause mid way through his travels. Cute, and modest (ha ha)!

Walking and picking up the pace!

Jude has hit the double digits - 10 months! And boy is he growing up quickly! He has 7 teeth (4 top, 3 bottom), says quite a few words now and understands even more! He has a lot of personality, is lots of fun to be around and is very interactive. Jude loves being thrown around, tackling his soft toys, playing chase and reading. We had our first cold last month which wasn't very fun.... but the positive, lots of cuddles for mum and dad! 

Here are some of Jude's 'majors' for this month....

New words

Ta, Uu uh (usually said when he is doing something naughty), Up, Broom broom (for car), and ahhhh (for wide open mouth), Buby or Bub bub for Baby (or for himself in the mirror)

Favourite Foods/Drinks

Passionfruit, mummy's strawberry and ricotta muffins, sultanas and water

Favourite Things and/or Things To Do

Marshmallow (his giant teddy), lip smacking, afternoon walks in the pram, outings (to anywhere), feeding Presley, waving hello and goodbye, pulling all the tissues out of the tissue box, dancing, going to bed at 7pm, and greeting daddy when he comes home from work with an excited (and very high pitched) squeal followed by VERY fast movement into his arms (ohhhhhh)!!

Not so Favourite Things and/or Things To Do

Being told 'No', Being unable to access the kitchen cupboards and draws (damn those safety latches), being changed and/or dressed..., but loves being undressed - hmmm, and neatness (which is just a hunch given he loves unpacking bags, draws, messing up folded washing, pulling apart his room, getting out every toy etc etc..., I think you get the picture!).

 

Caught in the act!

Fleeing the crime scene

Innocent

Playing hide 'n' seek

Jude winning hide 'n' seek

Jude winning 'again'

June 2009...

Jude is very mischievous! He is getting into everything now that he is so mobile and it is driving us crazy! I find every second word I say is either 'don't touch', 'no', or 'uu uh'.  Jude also likes to imitate me which is kinda cute, but can also be frustrating! 

Our little man also has developed a little bit of a temper when things don't quite go his way. Such as, when I take the electrical cord out of his mouth, or when daddy stops him from swinging on the door, or when we won't let him dive off the edge of the bed, or when mummy cuddles another baby, or when I pry the tray of kinder surprises out of his hands to put back on the shelf at Woollies. That's right, the whole tray! He hasn't even had one so how on earth does he know he wants one??

I suppose his little developing personality will test us from time to time. I hope we pass!! 

Jude presenting me with a stick from one of our decorative pieces around the home. 

Thanks Jude - very generous of you!

Reorganising the cupboard without even asking! Again, very helpful.

Sampling the cooking trays

Some of our close friends gave Jude a little 'State of Origin' present for the second match of the series. Dale was thrilled, I was 'reminded' that my beautiful little boy was unfortunately, a Queenslander. Anyway, he gladly popped on the little hooded jacket and may have been their lucky charm as they won - in Sydney!

Popping on the hood

Our little Maroon

Some professional pics...

Mini holiday to the Whitsundays...

Road trip! Jude's mother's day pressy was a trip north to the Whitsunday's - what a thoughtful baby! So, we were off with Jude leading the way...

Taking the wheel

Stretching the legs

Stopping for ice cream

Enjoying the afternoon rays with his toy of choice, sugar cane!

Jude thought it was so amazing, that it had to come on the trip too (and we still have it!)

At brekkie wooing the locals and tourists by talking (and waving to the female backpackers)

Stopping for a quick swing at the park

Heading out to Day Dream Island for lunch

Feeling the wind in my hair (what little he has!)

Taking in the beautiful weather!

Capt. Jude

Sorting coral with daddy

Amazed at the sparkling water

Blah, salty!

Relaxing with mummy

Exploring Daydream Island

Playing 'peek-a-boo' on the boat home

All smiles after a great day

One very tuckered out little boy... Zzzzzz!

One busy weekend...

The Queen's Birthday long weekend brought some visitors up from Brissy, Sam and Cal (oh, and Bentley, their 1 year old dog!)! It was lovely to spend time with all of them, and Jude was the lucky recipient of lots of attention!! Here is how we spent our few days together....

Off to the botanical gardens and the zoo...

Jude vs Emu

Koala spotting with dad (with the SAME expression!)

Hmmm, getting a little bored perhaps?

An amazing monkey

Chilling by the pool...

Watching Presley and Bentley in the pool

Lunch and Michael's and chilling on the beach...

Just chilling with dad

Oh, the serenity...

Loving the outdoors

Just being cute!

Eating mummy's fish, risotto, prawns, ice cream, what ever he could pinch!

Cooking vanilla slice with mummy, licking the beaters with Sam...

Ta for Jude, thank you Sam!

Delicious

Jude has the technique down pat!

9 months old...

9 months old and loving life!

We have an enormous baby. Jude is now officially bigger then two of his friends in Rockhampton who both celebrated their first birthday's earlier this year. Goodness me, how did we create such a bruiser???

9 month stats/achievements.....

Measurements...

Weight: 10.5kg (75th  percentile)

Length: 78cm (97th percentile) - ie. VERY long!

Size 1 &/or 12-18months clothes

Size 4 or 18-24months shoes - he has massive feet!!

5 teeth - 3 on top, 2 on the bottom

Words...

Mum = Muuuummmmmm

Ma = Maaaaaa

Dad = Daddt (we love the 't' on the end - so cute)

Cat = Attt

Presley = Prie

Up = Up

Kiss = Iss

Signs...

Jude can also sign for.... More, finished, drink, eat and plane

Jude's favourite things to do...

Reading, blowing raspberries, kiss, use his teeth/mouth as an extra appendage to climb, tackle his giant teddy, smooch pillows, kiss, dance, wave, clap, and get into any and all mischief that is either on offer, or that can be created. Oh, and kiss (with the mouth open and tongue out - you are now officially warned!)

Reading his favourite book with dad

(he has just flipped up the tree to find the Cat (or as Jude puts it..., "Att"))

Movement...

Nudie is motoring around on all fours like there is no tomorrow. And, he is fast! Jude can also dance up a storm the moment he hears music (or mummy and daddy's singing), and has had a few occasions now of standing all by himself with no hands. He loves furniture surfing, climbing over you if your on the floor, and chasing after Presley whilst squealing. Pres particularly likes the later (not!).

Getting the hang of walking!

On all fours and on a mission!

There isn't really anything Jude doesn't like (yet). He eats the same as us now which is fabulous - no more extra food prep, with the exception of nuts, eggs and honey. I think his favourite food might be fish, followed by mummy's vanilla slice which he tried on the weekend. Jude tried a little bit of ice cream last weekend when we went to Michael's Restaurant for lunch which was a big hit (or course). We couldn't resist giving him some as it was just so delicious!

Daily Life...

Each day is very much jam packed. We spend the morning at home reading books, playing with Presley and doing housework. Jude looooves the vacuum! Then, after Jude wakes from his morning sleep, we are off! It could be work, shopping, or lunches with the girls which is usually a few times per week. Most of the restaurant owners in town now know Jude, some even entertain him so mummy can eat her lunch! What ever we do though, it always tuckers our little guy out ensuring a fabulous afternoon sleep. The afternoons are spent either walking, cooking, or visiting friends for coffee until dinner, and then it's waiting patiently for daddy to come home - then all the fun begins! Jude absolutely adores his dad. The moment he hears his footsteps, the arms start flapping and his little neck stretches so much to ensure he sees Dale first!!! It is so lovely to watch, and amazing as to how much they are alike! So, the remainder of Nudie's day is spent playing with his dad, having a nice long bath, one final bottle and off to bed at 7pm....., shortly followed by exhausted parents collapsing into bed!

 Heading out in the car