Brisbane... maybe trip number 17??

Yes, off to Brissy yet again making the most of these cheap flights to see friends and family (plus the accountant, hairdresser, specialist and whatever other ‘jobs’ need doing). Unfortunately Jude caught his second cold (ever) so we ended up bunking down a little and changing a few plans to accommodate the sick little toddler! Thankfully Great Nanna and Great Grandad were able to come down from Buderim to see Jude which was very exciting. Great Grandad was very funny (Jude said it was your glasses that were funny), and Great Nanna gives out fabulous cuddles!!

The week was also filled with lots of ‘driving time’ in Grandad’s car. This is a regular activity when we are in Brisbane so thought we would capture a few snaps for the blog – there is definite whinging when we remove Jude from the Clubman!!  

Melbourne adventures...

Jude was off to Melbourne for the third time in his little life early in August for four full and fun days with our good friends, Simon, Michelle and Baby Aksel.  Our most favourite city in Australia, and it did not disappoint. We had a great time, eating, drinking, eating, walking, playing in the park, shopping, eating, sleeping, and just enjoying quality time together. Jude rode his first tram where he was more interested in staring at fellow commuters (very rude Jude!), sampled a lot of yummy food, and picked up some cute clothes. Jude was also very lucky to see one of his girlfriends, Jodie, and friend Ash who had not long made the move from Rocky! He received lots of cuddles from Michelle and Simon, and tried his best to walk all over baby Aksel – sorry Aksel! Jude slept very well when we came home!!

A day at the park...

The weather has been absolutely divine here in Rocky over the past couple of weekends so we have been making the most of the place and heading out for some picnics. Jude loved Mt Archer the most (and his friend the kookaburra), however, we forgot the camera - whoops! However, this was an outing to the park a couple of weeks ago where Presley was able to come along...

Jude showing off his walking skills

Yum, a chicken sandwich kiss followed 1 second later!

Jude's crazy brother, Presley

Kisses for daddy

Waving to mum

11 months old...

Oh my goodness, Jude is almost 12 months old. You think time flies, and then you have a baby. Jude reminds us every day that life is way too short, and goes very quickly, measured by the amount of clothes and shoes I have to buy every 2-3 months just to keep up with his growth!

His last month of life has seen a few new things (as per usual)…

-       An extra tooth taking the total now to 8 (4 on top, 4 on the bottom)

-       New words including bottle and more

-       New dance moves

-       Singing

-       Climbing onto the couch (not being encouraged at all)

Our poor little man also caught Swine Flu (from me) in July. In fact, naturally, it went through all of us. It is the worse thing EVER, and we felt so bad that Jude had to go through it at only 11 months of age. It came with vomiting, huge fevers, aches and general ‘unwellness’. But, the paediatric suspension medication worked a treat and he was only ‘really bad’ for about 4-5 days. Our friends in Rocky were AMAZING with all their offers of help, advice (thanks Jodie), and sms’ through the day. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! We all hope none of you have to go through that (hey Mealz!).

Now, onto more exciting things. Jude has a massive month of August….. Melbourne for 4 days, then Brisbane for 9 days, then back to Rocky for daddy’s birthday and his 1^st birthday (ahhhhh), and then off to Noosa for a weekend for daddy’s AGM. We are really looking forward to this month as he just loves ‘doing’ things. Jude has always been very much a ‘sticky-beak’, wanting to be a part of everything. Jude is a very busy boy, often looking like this at the end of the day…

 

Jude's room...

Here are some pictures of Jude's room - finally!!! We are still yet to paint the bookcase (it will be white), however, who knows how long it will be before we get to that! Sorry for the delay in getting these up!

My favourite piece - The Enchanted Tree

Early Morning Bird

Sleepy Owl

We looove this chair!

This alphabet took the longest to make - easy, but oh sooooo time consuming!

Loooove these Milk Baby products!

Bilton's - hope we put the correct photo in the gorgeous frame!

Jude's favourite book

Such a cool car!

Favourite toy from Aunty Em and Uncle Rory

Weekly lunches...

Jude and I head out pretty much every week to meet Sarah for lunch at Delizies. Sar, I blame you for my son's expensive taste in food! The menu changes every 6 weeks, and with the new winter desserts which are 'oh o delicious', it keeps us coming back! Jude is now quite well known by the owners, tastes everyone's meal, and seems to also be reserving the tables under his own name (which is very amazing!). We have rotating extra guests at times such as the lovely Sam or Courtney, but last week we were very lucky to be able to lunch with an extra special attendee last week, Aunty Jodie. This was extra special for us as she is not often able to get away for lunch during the working week, and will be moving to Melbourne at the end of the month. So exciting, but so sad as we will all miss her very very very very much (and Ash too!)!

Aunty Sarah

Kisses for Aunty Sarah (his favourite for kisses)!

Quiet time with mum

Savoring every cuddle with Aunty Jodie (loving his snazzy top from Jodie and Ash)

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'