the life of baby jude

On the way home from Grandma's house, we all stopped to see Grandpappy Robo and Marion. When we got there, they had some delicious lunch waiting for us- something this baby always appreciates. The last time I went to Grandpappy's house, he had bought some garlic knots, and boy did I love them. Imagine when my jubilation when I discovered that not only did he have them again, but he also had gotten chicken pizza and a few sausage rolls! YUM!
Besides the eats, I had a blast playing with Grandpa's toys. He had a singing James Brown doll that I was unbelievable! I'm not that familiar with him as an artist, but he seems really funny! All the singing, screaming and dancing captivated me for at least ten minutes. That's ages in baby time!! He also had the famous "Hulk hands" that I've seen around M&D's house. These are so cool. I even put one on and everyone just laughed and laughed. I guess that's because it was bigger than my head!

We played our usual fun games (feet eating, Super Jude, you know, the usual)! I sure do love playing with Grandpappy, he's a real hoot. And I even spilled spritzer all down my shirt. As far as I'm concerned, stained clothing is the sign of a truly good time. Thanks for having us over, Grandpappy! LOVE YA!!!

Keep NJ just give me that countryside!!!

Well, I'm back from my stay in the country! Mommy dropped me off at the usual spot (Woodbury Commons!) on Tuesday night. I sure did have a good time! Grandma did so many fun things with me and that country air really agrees with me. I slept like a champ! I got to the Dutchess County Fair twice! Once with Grandma on Wednesday afternoon and once last Saturday night with Grandma, M&D. It was so much fun. I got to see all sorts of animals, and eat good foods, and look at the cool rides. It was a blast! Besides that, Grandma's was fun as usual. It sure is fun hanging out with her! She even makes me pancakes. : ) I guess that's what Grandma's are for. We even got to visit with her friend, Kathy, who let me watch Dumbo and taught me some cool sign language. I hope it sticks!

On Saturday, M&D drove upstate to get me and like I said, we went to the fair. It was fun to go with them, too and I know Grandma was very happy to take them. M&D only went on one ride-- the Zipper-- and it was mesmerizing! All those bright lights and spinning. So cool! Mommy wanted to make sure I mentioned how much fun they had and THANKS for taking all of us!
On Sunday, we came back home and I must say I was sad to go. Adding to my misery-- there was really bad weather and it took us forever to get home! Ahh, well, we made it and I'm back at daycare. Although, it's nice to back in my crib, I'm sure missing Grandma, though. :(

Yesterday was Daddy's 30th birthday! Isn't that exciting? My daycare is closed this week, so I'm upstate hanging with Grandma, but Mommy was kind enough to send me some photos and tell me all about Daddy's special day so I could blog about it!

I heard that Daddy had a really happy birthday! Mommy made a collage for him. She
e-mailed his friends and family and had them send her messages and pictures! She cut out pictures of important events in Daddy's life (like the birth of moi) and along with the messages, made a nice birthday collage for him. She also gave him a bag of goodies-- Italian soda, chips, candy, gum and a new pair of sunglasses. She was even nice enough to give Daddy the card that I worked so hard to make him. Daddy worked hard all day, but he got to go out to dinner at Gaffer's for his favorite hamburger and him and Mommy ate ice cream cake together. Sorry I missed that!! He got a fun book in the mail for his birthday from Grandpa Robo and a card filled with everyone's favorite present ($$) from Uncle G and Aunt Lynda. And I know the fun's not over, because I think I spied some very nice gifts for him here at Grandma's house.

Daddy, I love you so very much. You're my best pal, a great snuggler, and an excellent provider for me and Mommy. You're funny, loving, understanding, generous, kind... I could go and on. I've only known you for 14 months and I already think you're the greatest guy ever! I'm so happy that we can continue growing up together and become best buddies! Oh, but Mommy said go easy on the tickling. :-)
Anyway, here's a picture of Daddy when he was closer to my age. Wasn't he cute? Can you believe how much we look alike? It's looking good for me-- I'm hoping to be just as handsome when I'm a big boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!!! MOMMY AND I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

AKA, JUDE AND NATALIE'S DAY OF FUN!!!!!!

On Monday, Mommy and I took a trip to Long Island to see my pal Natalie! You may remember that I went to her birthday party back in June. This time, the weather was much nicer! Thank godness! It was actually a beautiful day, which was nice, because Natalie has all sorts of fun outdoor toys. She has this wagon and even little house in her backyard to play in. Complete with doorbell! So fun! But the real reason I am happy it was sunny was because we had plans to go Natalie's grandma's (Joanne) house to go swimming! So me, Natalie, Mommy and Natalie's M&D Matt and Melissa all got in the car and went over. Mrs. Joanne made the best lunch!! Eggplant parm, pasta salad, tabouleh! Oh, it was delicious. I wasn't really up for swimming, but what's new right? I still put my trunks on and got to see Natalie's little ruffled bathing suit, so how can I complain? Plus, there were some really cool toys to play with! Isn't it funny how everyone else's toys are always so much fun?

After the swimming we went to a park near where Mrs. Joanne lives. First we went to the playground! We went on swings together, went down slides, even tried to pick up the same trash! It's like we're one baby brain! Natalie is a great playmate and walking like a champ, so we have lots of fun together. After the playground, we went to the petting zoo. It was nice, but we were both hot and tired by then, so we just sat in our strollers while the adults tried to get us interested in the animals. We saw all sorts of animals, though! Chickens, donkeys, goats, eagles, horses, cows, a pig... you know how I love livestock! I think I mustered a smile or two!
So after all that action, I was happy just to pass out on the ride home. Of course, we hit some traffic (silly bad drivers!) so I woke up-- and I was ready for dinner. But Mommy sang songs and fed me the last of the cheddar crackers she packed (way to be prepared, Ma!) It wasn't much, but enough to take the edge off while waiting out the traffic. Plus, there were big trucks everywhere to look at! We finally made it home and I even got to see Daddy before bedtime. What a great day!

Hanging out with the Dreyer family is so much fun! They're so sweet and nice and Mommy and I have have such a good time with them! So let's do it again soon!

(Sung to the tune of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds")
"Picture yourself on a blanket in a meadow,
with lots of great snacks that Lucy's Mommy made..."
On Sunday, I went with my pal Lucy (and M&D and her M&D Sarah and Richard) to the park! We went to Jockey Hollow in Morristown National Historical Park. Lucy's mommy packed a really great lunch for us all to enjoy! I can tell she's a picnic-er from way back. She's serious business! I noticed the big people even drinking wine. I was so captivated by this fact that I even stuck my whole hand right into Richard's glass. Ooops. After we ate, our silly parents tried to pose us for some pictures. You know my feelings on this. Not to mention, Lucy kept kicking me! She's got strong little legs, too. I whined about it, looking for some help, but M&D just laughed. Nice parents. After we ate, we attempted to walk around. I was all for that, I love my stroller afterall, but I heard the parents muttering that it was hotter than the Amazon, so we packed it up and went back to their house.

Of course, we had to stop on the way and get ice cream. And when we got back, they drank more wine. What a shocker! Lucy took a snooze and left me alone with the booze hounds, but luckily, she has some really cool toys to play with! When she got up, we played a little together, but it was back to more kicking. Good thing I can walk away. Poor little Lucy is still just scooting, and although, she moves pretty quickly for a scooter, I can still get away. Thank godness! Thanks for the fun day, Franks family!

Long before I was born, Mommy worked in New York City at a company called BMC Communications Group. Well, she kept in touch with two coworkers, Kelly & Lauren. They both live in NJ, so we get together from time to time. This time, we met in Montclair at Cafe Eclectic. It was very exciting because Kelly has a baby girl named Claudia, who is almost four months old. The last time I saw her was at my birthday party and she was just a lump. She's not quite as active as I am, of course, but she was much more interactive. Not to mention chubbier. :-) It's a good thing, because I like my ladies soft. Heehee. That's not to say I wanted my picture taken with her, though! When our mommies posed us together, I tried to gauge out her eye! I suppose that wasn't nice, but she's like a little doll and I think I forgot she was real for a second. No matter, she recovered nicely, and I went back to chewing on straws, throwing cutlery, and pouring water down my shirt. It was a fun afternoon! Lauren and Kelly are very nice and funny and I can tell Mommy likes them very much. They seem to do a lot of chit chatting about celebrities and their former coworkers. They're goofy. Maybe next time, baby C'll be up for more playing, so I can drown out the chatter.

I have a new obsession. I try and squeeze & bend things as hard as I can. I want to prove to everyone just how strong of a little guy I am! It's all very exaggerated and theatrical, complete with straining faces and noises. I can't recall where I learned it, but it's very cool and makes everyone laugh when I do it. You should see me try and bend a straw! It's really something.

The other day Mommy tried to get it on camera (or course.) This video is quite funny because she is trying VERY hard to get me to showcase my skills, but I'm more interested in hamming it up for the camera. See, I knew she would want to show it to everyone, so I figured I might as well look cute. I do my stunt for a second or two, but that's it. The rest is straight-up baby cheese. The true comedy of the video is Mommy grunting and groaning and whispering words of encouragement. She's so silly. So, without further ado, I give you.... Little He-Man, known as "Super Jude" in some circles.

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My future is so bright, I gotta wear shades! This is me trying to go incognito at Starbucks on Saturday. Fear not, though, it passed and I was back to my usual social self. I'm quite the walker now, so I took off and started waving to everyone sitting at their tables sipping coffee. I swear, I'm going to be mayor someday.

I also got to sample a bit of my new favorite snack. I'm feeling very Jersey Italian lately. Do I like biscotti? Fuhgetaboutit!

Three years ago today, M&D got married! It's a good thing those two crazy kids got together. I mean, if not, the world would be without the adorable Baby Jude. And that would be sad. Very sad.

I heard their wedding was a BLAST! I wanted to pretend I was there, so I inserted myself in a picture of them. Hehe, I even made the "party face" that Mommy taught because I heard it was such a good time. Maybe one day they'll all call me "Good Times Joodles." Anyway, in the original photo of myself, I was wearing a tie-dye tee. Not really wedding garb, so I decided to draw a suit on myself. Does it look believable? I tried!

So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Here's to many more happy years (and hopefully, a sibling one day).

P.S. I suppose it *should* be noted that Mommy's coworker, Beth, actually helped with the picture. I'm just a little guy afterall. I need help. :-)

P.P.S And Daddy, if you're reading this, Mommy wanted me to tell you that SHE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH and says you're the BEST HUSBAND EVER!!!!! <3 <3

Pity me. This is right after the "inhaler of doom."

Hi friends! Well, I'm *kinda* better! Not totally healed, but on my way. No more wheezing and I have officially began "coughing it up." The coughing isn't even that bad, it just flares up at night. I've been having trouble sleeping because of it, but besides that, I'm on the mend. I've been pretty tortured these last few days. The biggest offendor-- this horrendous inhaler that M&D keep forcing on me. Because I'm just a baby, the inhaler is attached to a tube, which is attached to a mask. They hold it to my face and press the button and I have to breathe in SIX times before they take it off! That's a long time when you're crying. I'm sorry to be so dramatic about it, but I'm just a baby and it's scary. I can't wait to say goodbye to that contraption. If I even see it in M or D's hands, I run (well, crawl or toddle) for the hills! I'm 14 months old now, so I'm pretty clever. You can't pull the wool over these baby eyes.

Besides the sickness, my weekend was pretty fun. Katie, Florian and Evie went to Spain on Sunday, so I got to to seem them off on Saturday. I'm sure going to miss them! Have fun guys! I also got to hang out with Grandma Lisa on Friday. Because M&D both had to work, she came down to take care of me. Even though I was crabby and tempermental, I really appreciated it. Thanks, Grandma! You're the best!

I also got a birthday present in the mail! Auntie Annette and Uncle Mark sent me some really fly duds. I swear, they buy me the best clothes! In that pitiful picture above, I am actually wearing the tee from them! Kenneth Cole! Aren't I the coolest? Thanks guys!

Sad news to report: Yours truly has contracted a really bad case of bronchitis. My pediatrician thinks I may have picked it up at the beach. I guess sand and sea water can have the bacteria that causes it. And I'm not really sure if I washed my hands before eating after the beach. : ( Boo, so I'm sick. It really stinks. I have a really bad cough, I'm wheezing, I have a fever and I just don't feel like myself. I'm pretty crabby, I gotta say.

It doesn't help, of course, that it's 99 degrees outside. I'm not exaggerating either-- it's 99 DEGREES! Without heat index! It's only making me feel worse and I just can't wait until it cools down. The fan M&D bought makes too much noise (returning today..hehe) and the a/c we have is older than Mommy. Sigh, it's tough times for this baby.

I'll be up and posting as soon as I feel better. Hopefully, soon. Here's a picture of that mean beach. I wonder if this picture was before or after I got someone's poopy germs! Just kidding, beach, I still love you. But, from here on in, it's all about the hand washing. And who knows? I could've got in anywhere, so I won't go blaming. :-)

My Grandpa Rick's birthday was last Friday! As everyone knows, he lives in Maine, so I don't get to see him as much as I would like. But here is a cute picture of us from when we visited him last month. He's a really cool grandpa and I love him very much. He's a faithful reader of my blog-- thanks Gramps! I can't wait until I'm older and have my own car. Then I'll come and visit you ALL the time. Don't worry, though, M&D love Maine and will visit whenever they can in the meantime.

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA! I hope you had a GREAT day! Love you tons and can't wait to see you again!

Love, your one and only grandson,
Jude

This baby loves the shore! I took another beach trip this past weekend! This time I hit Long Branch with M&D and Grandma. What a fun day! We went to Seven Presidents beach this time and it's a nice place. It wasn't that crowded and there were lots of nice people there. I did my usual baby routine-- snacked, played with sand toys, walked and socialized with other beach-goers. I rocked a whole different look this time as you may notice. I'm wearing my tres cute board shorts that I got from Katie, Florian and Evie, a bandana care of Grandma to keep my shoulders protected a my sunhat from the Denver Zoo. Very cute, don't you think?


We stayed at the beach until 7:00! I actually took a nap. Daddy walked me in his arms by the water and then Mommy held me in the beach chair. I suspect she was reading a magazine because I kept feeling pages turning on my back. But that's okay, I suppose. I didn't sleep long, but it was just enough to feel refreshed. Thankfully, this beach has little showers, so I didn't have to ride home with sand in my diaper. Ouch!

After we left, we took a ride into the town of Seabright and got a bite to eat at the Mad Hatter. It was pretty loud in there, but I got eat a few onion rings, some calamari (a little chewy, I must admit, so I just sucked the batter off and spit out--gross right?), and few fries, so I was happy. After that we headed home. Thank goodness! I sure was tuckered. All that fresh sea air and walking will do that do you! What a fun day, though! I can't wait until I can go swimming!