the life of baby jude

Well, I celebrated my second Christmas on Monday-- and this time in Woodstock! I never knew I could have so much fun! I had such an exciting couple of days, let's see if I can break it down in a way that makes sense!
First of all, I should mention that on Friday my favorite teacher at school, Miss Gilma got me a firetruck! My first gift. The siren is super loud and pretty annoying to most adults, so naturally, I love it. It was so sweet of Miss Gilma to think of me. On Friday night M&D and I drove upstate to Grandma's house. I don't remember any of that trip, but when we got up on Saturday, we prepared for a day of fun. First, we went to Wilderstein Mansion in Rhinebeck, NY. M&D and Grandma all agreed that the fee to take the tour was much too expensive, so we rambled onto Whitecliff Winery in Gardiner. There wasn't a tour like we thought, but there was a giant tin of danish butter cookies for me to nosh while everyone sampled wine. That's always appreciated. After that, we had dinner at the Gilded Otter, a very nice brew pub in New Paltz. When I was running all over the place, I shared a nice juicy burger with Mama.
Christmas Eve was a very fun day! Even since Mommy was a little girl, she's watched Santa arrive in her hometown of Woodstock. She and Grandma were very excited to take both me and Daddy this year because we've both never been. It's always something very theatrical in the center of town and lots of people go. Grandpa Robo and Marion were also there and so was Auntie Marilyn and her daddy. Anyway, Santa shot out of a candy cane this year! Well, not a real candy cane-- but a giant tube that looked like one. And I suspect they shot a Santa doll out and not the real guy! All I know is we counted down, he shot out and then appeared on roof of a store! So cool! So that was really fun. After that, we went to the Kaftan's house. Kathy Kaftan is a friend of Grandma's and Mommy grew up with all of her kids. We had a blast! There was delicious food, fun toys, fun people. I suspect Mommy had the best time of all, at least at first... I heard talk of drinking lots and lots of wine. Poor Mommy had a rough time, I think. Here's me playing pool with some nice girls! That didn't mine at all that I was kinda messing up their game!

When I woke up on Christmas morning (wearing the adorable Christmas PJs that Grandma got me) and toddled into the living room, I couldn't believe my baby eyes!!! Presents everywhere! Santa got me so much great stuff and so did M&D and Grandma. To summarize I got a pretend vacuum, books, clothes, my very own step stool, a fun music toy named Phil Harmonic, a Bob the Builder tool bench, puzzles, and a ton of other cool stuff. After we opened presents, Lynnie and Lou came over and we had a very nice brunch!
Later in the afternoon, M&D and I went to Grandpa's house to see him and Marion and Marion's son, Robin. Guess what? I got MORE toys! Marion made me very own Jude-sized arm chair. I also and Elmo DVD and the Cars movie, PJs, clothes, fun books and more cool toys! I couldn't believe all the presents. Here's a funny picture of me and Grandpa playing...love ya, Gramps.
Then M&D and Grandma had a delicious dinner while I slept. What can I say, I was tired from my action packed day! On Tuesday, we came back home and I've been enjoying all my new toys ever since! Also when I got home, I opened all the presents that I got from Grandma Ginny. She sent me tons of great stuff-- a Baby Einstein DVD, tons of great books--YAY! Thanks!
I just wanted to say how much my family means to me and what a special day I had. Thanks everyone for the great gifts and for making Christmas SO special for me. Love you! Oh and M&D loved all their gifts, too. And in closing, here's a picture of me and my special ladies. Love you, Grandma!

We call this one, "What you talkin' bout, Santa?"
Just in case you weren't feeling festive quite yet (it is hard to do with this warm weather), I thought I would provide my faithful readers with some photos from last year. Nothing like a cute baby to encourage that old holiday spirit!!!
I'm getting pretty excited about Christmas! We put up on our tree and decorations last weekend. I have been very good about not touching it and have only broken one ornament. I like to look at them and touch, but I do so very gently. What can I say, I'm a good listener! There are shopping bags everywhere! I do suspect that some of those bags contain gifts for yours truly. Not that many are for me, though, because as we all know, Santa Claus will be bringing the bulk of my gifts on Christmas Eve! I hope Santa got my list! Speaking of.... if anyone is feeling the need to buy me something, I should mention that I wear a size 24 months and love Elmo, trains and cars. Just thought I would throw that out there. This year M&D are taking me to Woodstock for Christmas and for the first time ever, I am going to see Santa arrive in the center of town on Christmas Eve night. Mommy has been going since she was my age, so she's very excited to take me. And Daddy's never been! It's going to be great! I'm so excited about Christmas!!!!! And of course, I can't wait to blog all about it.

Here is another picture of me from last year that Mommy insisted that I included. She said I was very, very cute my first Christmas-- cute enough for two blog shots! I have to agree!

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of going to Evie's house for lunch. Lucy was there too and so was Evie's Auntie Auburn. Evie's daddy went back to Spain to visit his family suddenly, so Auburn came to keep her and Auntie Katie company. It was a wonderful day. Auburn not only made the most delicious pasta and chorizo dish, but she kept me and the girls company! She's very nice with little kids like us and I can tell she'll make an excellent mommy someday. Plus, M&D both agreed that she was very nice and funny and they liked her a lot! All of us kids were very well behaved all day and didn't even break anything when we allowed to run free in the living room while the grown ups were eating! Wasn't that nice of us?
After dinner, and after the Franks left, the evening got quite scandalous. Evie decided that doing in various activities whilst nude was much more fun than taking a bath. She participated in naked book reading and naked dancing all while babbling non stop. I'll tell you, that Evie is FULL o' personality. She is just so much fun to be with. Not to mention, she says my name like no one else ever. It's sort of like "DUUUUUUDEEEEEE-Y" and she says it very, very loud. She's boisterous, that's for sure. Not to mention, devishly cute and a bit round. More to love, I say. In fact, I find her so adorable that I even felt the need to lay the ole "Jude Ford open mouth kiss" on her. Man, I'm a stud. Oh and get this-- I learned how to say Evie's name. I say it quite cute, and although I spare everyone the pizazz that Evie uses when she says mine, I think it's pretty impressive just the same.

Also, a special thanks to Evie for getting me a very fun lacing toy for Christmas! Wasn't that nice of her? It's a dragon-- one of my faves!!

It's too bad summer is over because I could see myself really getting into the big hat thing. Regardless of the season, I think I would make an excellent dandy (definition: a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance, refined language, and the cultivation of leisurely hobbies). I do love leisurely hobbies, such as dancing and reading. And accessories are totally my thing (see my "Sashay, Shantay" blog from October for proof). I must say, above all else, I can really wear a hat!

You know sometimes your hair looks different when you do it yourself the next day. So I thought I would post these pictures that Mommy took on Sunday, to further showcase my new locks. Not to mention, I'm making really silly faces. It's like a two for one special!!

I should mention that my new haircut has been received quite well. I've had many, many compliments and the girls at daycare went wild. And to think I thought the ladies dug long hair this whole time!

I love trains! M&D taught me to pump my arm and say "Choo Choo!" every time I see a train. Luckily for me I'm very good at identifying them. Behold, the "choo choo."

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I got my FIRST haircut today! Can you believe it? Man, my hair was long. By the end of the day, I looked like some crazy old scientist, with my hair sticking out in every direction! Actually, Mommy said I looked like Doc Brown from "Back to the Future!" I'm not sure who that is, but he doesn't sound particularly cute. Since the holidays are coming, M&D decided it was a good time to take me to get my hair trimmed. They took me to Carmela, who is the very nice lady who cuts Mommy's hair. I know her because I've been going with Mommy to get her hair cut since I was a little baby.
When we got there, they sat me in the chair and gave me a little smock to wear. I was a little unsure of what was going on, but one of the other ladies gave me a sucker so all was right with the world-- for about two minutes. Soon, I got a little scared. Not to mention, I was afraid I was going to look like a total dork after my cut. Since I was crying, Daddy had to pick me up, but that determined Carmela just kept trimming away until it was all even. While I was a bit annoyed at the time, I must admit I apprecite her diligence. I look dashing and she did a great job! She didn't give me a dorky bowl cut or a baby mullet or anything! I even got to keep my little curls in the back. Everyone who has seen me has said that I look like such a big boy. What can I say, folks, Jude isn't a baby anymore!

Here's the "after" shot. What do you think? Mommy wanted to take more pics, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so maybe in a few days. It's cute, no?