the life of baby jude

Today is my grandma, Lisa's birthday!! We won't say how old she is on here, but let's just say, she's got fiftyish years on me. :-) Grandma went out with her friends Lynnie and Lou on her actual birthday. Mommy and I were supposed to go visit tomorrow, but I'm really sick, so I don't think we'll be able to make it! I'm sorry, Grandma!

Fast forward ten days!!! Last weekend, we celebrated Grandma's birthday in person when we went to her house for Easter. Grandma was kind enough to let me help her open her presents. We got her this really cool star-like thing that you hang outside. It looks really pretty when it spins and Mommy and I went to three different Hallmark stores to find it! Also, I got her a nice bar of soap and some lavendar oil that is supposed to make the house smell pretty. Interestingly enough, even though I picked it out, everyone made sure I couldn't reach it. How insulting!

I didn't get to participate in the birthday cake because I was sleeping, but here's a picture of Gaga and Grandma being silly. You should hear Gaga sing "Happy Birthday!" It's quite the spectacle. Even though I missed the singing, Grandma did share a piece of cake with me the next morning. Grandma and I are on the same page in that regard-- it's never too early for cake!

I hope you had a great birthday, Grandma!!! I love you very, very much!!!!!!
Love always,
Joodles

I love playgrounds!! Sure, I still hate the swings, but there are so many other fun things to enjoy. Imagine my glee when not only did Grandpappy Robo and Marion come to see me on Sunday, but when I got to hit the playground, too. The weather was great, so after I took my nap, we went out. Uncle G and Aunt Lynda even came. Verona Park was just a nightmare there were so many people, so we went to this great playground right near West Orange High School. There were so many slides! Those are officially my favorite things ever!! Much to Mommy's chagrin, Uncle G taught me how fun it was to climb *up* the slide instead of taking the stairs. Mommy seemed thrilled with that. :- ) But what are uncles for, right? I also go to on the see saw with Grandpappy, which was pretty fun!Thankfully I had Daddy to keep me from falling. You know what a wild and crazy guy my Grandpappy is, so you can only imagine the hijinks and adventures we had. We were there for at least an hour and I don't think I stopped running around the whole time I was there! What a fun time!
After that, we went to the dinner at a local dinner and I had my usual-- a cheeseburger and fries! I even got chocolate pudding! Everyone was most impressed with my good boy behavior during dinner. I had my cars with me, so that let's be honest-- that really helped. Then, after that, we hit the local ice cream store. Mommy was too stuffed to get anything and I had already had my pudding, so I wasn't allowed. But that's not to say neither of us nibbled. You should have seen how I shamelessly stole Grandpappy's black raspberry!
I love when Grandpappy & Marion came to visit me! They even brought me a chocolate bunny. I hope M&D don't make me wait until Easter!!

I haven't gotten a new tooth in months. In fact, my four molars were the last teeth I got and that was back in December. But let me tell you, that was brutal, so I'm happy to take a break. You probably remember that I was a bit late in the teeth department-- I didn't get my first one until almost 12 months. I got the first 8 pretty quickly, followed by the four molars a few months later. It's enough to chew, but I do wish they would just come through already and I could be done with it. But you should know that I take very good care of the ones I have, diligently brushing every night. Okay, okay, you got me. I hate doing. It usually involves Mommy holding my head with one hand and brushing as quick as possible with the other before I totally melt down. It's really sad how hard Mommy tries to get me to like the whole process.But honestly, the only tolerable part is sucking the paste off the toothbrush. Anyway, I like to show off the teeth I do have every now and again. I also like to make funny faces. But you knew that.

So nearly a year ago, at about post number 2, I started abbreviating Mommy & Daddy to "M&D." Most of the things I do and the adventures I go on, obviously involved them, so it seemed to easier to shorten it. Well, I must confess that the "D" isn't really accurate. I don't really call Daddy, "Daddy" or even "Dada" like I used to. For reasons unknown to all, I call him "Gaga." I'm not sure where it came from, but it stuck from the first time I said it, and now "Gaga" it is. I recognize Gaga's truck, even and point to it and say, "Ahh, Gaga" every time I see it. Whenver Mommy and I are home without him, I periodically say, "No Gaga." I just like to say it, I guess.
My Gaga is very fun. As seen in the previous post, he likes to tickle me ALL the time! Here we are rocking on my rockers together and doing our famous high fiving. In the first picture, Gaga is wearing the shamrock hat I made in school on Friday. Naturally, I wanted no part of it. You know my feelings on hats.

Anyway, Gaga, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

There is one sure way to get this little guy to giggle--TICKLING! Since M&D seem to think I have such a cute laugh, they like to tickle me often in hopes of hearing it. Not to mention, I think they find my baby flesh totally irresistible and honestly, I can't blame them one bit. So the next time you see me, feel free to go for it. The armpits *really* get me!

Hi friends! Happy St. Patrick's Day! So sorry that this post read nothing for so long. Mommy & I were having tons of trouble getting the pictures to upload. And honestly, what's a blog without some pics!
Anyway, on the Sunday before St.Pat's, M, D, Aunt Lynda and Uncle and I all put on our finest Irish gear and went to the parade in West Orange. They put on quite the parade, you know, and it really was a great day for one. I couldn't believe it! Fire trucks and music. I mean, come on! I got to see so many cars, a marching band (which made Mommy all nostalgic) and tons of bag pipers. I even got to eat a pretzel AND Uncle G bought me a green doggy on a leash that Daddy named Lucky. I sure am! I may not look too happy in either of these pics, but Mommy always catches me on off times.

Here's a silly picture of me and Mommy with Evie on the actual day! We were supposed to do something with Amanda and Matthew on Sunday, but M&D had something else they needed to do, so Grandma came down to watch me, and she was equally festive. And she even brought corned beef and cabbage and potatoes. I think all in all, I did the holiday proud for a baby with an Italian mother, and who is barely 1/4 Irish!

Last Sunday, we went to Lucy's new house! It's really great apartment in a very nice house. It's very big and spread out and good for running around. AND, she has a playroom downstairs. As you probably know, she's going to have a baby brother named Daniel in a few months. Her M&D got her a baby doll with a little stroller for her to get used to the concept. Like any self respecting big sister, she likes to hit the baby on the head, or swing it in the baby swing upside down. Regardless, I very much enjoyed pushing the stroller around her playroom. And you know, Lucy can walk now, so she's even MORE fun than before! Lucy's mommy put out delicious snacks, just like she always does. She's very reliable in the treats department.


As usual, the parents dragged us outside. You may remember the debacle that was the "Picnic of 2006," where it was about 92 degrees with more humidity than anyone can stand. Well this time, it was... how shall I say it? a bit chilly. Ok, it was freezing. We took a walk to the park, which thankfully is very close. After about twenty minutes of playing, we decided that it was due time to go home and eat cookies. And cookies we ate.

I had very nice time, even if M&D did force the swings on me, yet again. I guess the artic air wasn't torturous enough. Nice parents I have here.