the life of baby jude

It slipped right on and everything. Sadly, getting it off was not so easy as it involved two adults (even though my mother was really too busy shamelessly snapping photots to help) AND a screwdriver. Lesson learned.

This year, I celebrated Turkey Day at Lynnie and Lou's house with Mama and Meema. I like going to their house because there is lots of room to run around outside and thankfully, the weather cooperated. All in all, Thanksgiving seems like any other Thursday- I run around like a wild man, play trains and eat! I decided that only Thanksgiving treats I was really into were turkey and biscotti, consumed in that order. What can I say, Aunt Lynnie makes really good cookies. Even though I don't really get it yet, it was a nice day for watching football and getting dressed up. I think I look pretty cute posing between two adoring ladies, don't you?

Mama's bestest friend (the new Dr. Marilyn E. Brandt), came up from Miami for Thanksgiving. She brought her boyfriend-- a very cool guy named Tyler. I have to tell you that they're both pretty darn special! Uncle T was a very good stand-in for Gaga while we were upstate. He even read me Thomas stories. Honestly, is he not the coolest? You can tell this guy is a real-life uncle. I think he'll make a very nice Gaga someday. And it looks like he makes a pretty good boyfriend too. I think Mama and I have to make a trip to the Virgin Islands (with a detour to south Florida to pick up Auntie Mar, of course) so we can play trains again.

I had a very nice Thanksgiving weekend in upstate NY. One of the fun things that I did was go the Train Museum in Kingston. Auntie Marilyn's daddy is very much into model railroads -- and has been for as long as Mommy has known Auntie Mar (and even longer!)-- and actively involved with the museum. Anyway, they were having an open house over the weekend. What luck! The model trains were just so very neat. I love watching them "choo choo" all through the model villages and landscapes. It was like being in an episode of Thomas! Speaking of Thomas, can you believe they had a model of him, Annie, Clarabel and Harold? I couldn't have been more excited. Mama told me not to touch him, so I instructed everyone that walked by that they couldn't touch him either. He's a very popular train and someone has to look after him. I happily took on the task.

Truth be told, the "little one" (that would be the nearly six-month old Daniel)doesn't say much of anything, but still. On Sunday, we hosted a brunch for our friends and I must say, it was quite a good time. I also made a very exciting discovery-- my Gaga is very popular with the younger set. I was quite proud of how and goofy he was with us kids. He was definitely the hit of the brunch. I got to play with my friends eat tons of treats, too. Mama and I fixed quite the spread. The day before we did a lot prep work and naturally, I helped. I'm a very good flour mixer, even if I do like to dunk my Thomas trains in the mixing bowls and get ingredients everywhere. We made french toast, waffles and a frittata and Lucy's mommy made some "delicious" lemon bars! Evie's parents didn't bring anything for *me* to enjoy, but I it looked to me like the Bloody Mary's were pretty well-received. I really do love hanging with my friends on a Sunday morning and I hope to host many more brunches.

On Friday, we had a special Thanksgiving lunch at my school. There were all sorts of tasty treats for us to eat and we got to wear special outfits. I must admit, it was a nice break from my gray polyester school pants. However, I was tired that morning, so when Mama took this picture, I wasn't feeling all that festive quite yet. Look closely.

You know, maybe this potty thing isn't so bad. I've read some very cool books in recent weeks about it. (All I have to say is, "chug-a, chug-a poo poo!!" Don't ask.)At school, it's all the rage. I even wear pull-ups! I have to tell you, they aren't that bad. When it's time to take it off, it just comes right down! Imagine that! No more laying down for diaper changes. Also, I noticed that they have the ever-cool Lightning McQueen on them. I sort of like to sit on the potty, too. Everyone says that boys are a bit slower when it comes to toilet training, so I'll use that excuse for awhile. But the more I read about it, the better it sounds. No promises, but I'll continue to look into it.

Well, Mama did it! She ran her first 5K on Sunday. I was very, very proud of her. She did it in a pretty impressive time for her first go! And setting your mind to something and then doing is a good lesson for yours truly! I didn't even mind that it was a bit chilly (although I refused to wear the scarf that Mama knitted for me). She ran the Giralda Farms Run in Madison. I just couldn't believe all the action and how many people were there. One of the best parts was after the race was over, I got enjoy some refreshments. Everyone kept joking that I "ran a great a race." Hey, I noticed that they have family teams, so maybe someday Mama and I can run together. Now wouldn't that be cool? Here is Mama after the race, hugging her greatest inspiration and the absolute love of her life-- me!

You know toddlers-- always want to do what their parents are doing. I don't know, though, do you think the red is too flashy?

In all my Halloween excitement, I forgot to mention all the cool things I got in the mail.Meema sent me some really cool Halloween books that I've made Mama & Gaga read so many times that I actually have them memorized and I hear all sorts of groaning out of them when I reach for them. Grandma Ginny sent me a bunch of cool Halloween presents, too. Pirate window decals, a spooky skeleton toy and some black and orange balloons. On the night before Halloween, Mama and I blew them up and had a fabulous balloon party. I really like anything that you can throw around with no danger of breaking anything or hurting anyone. Yay for baaa-woons!

I don't think any pictures besides this one really do Gaga any justice. I thought this one captures the true camp-tastic nature of my father's pirate costume. Johnny Depp who?

Meema has a new home! She moved from her little house in Boiceville and found an adorable apartment in the town of Stone Ridge. Mama is very happy because it's a bit closer to the Thruway than the old house. And Meema is happy to see people not in flannel and the fact that there's a Dunkin' Donuts within three miles. It's all about the coffee. Happy housewarming, Meema!

Here's a picture of Meema packing up at her old house. I call this "Wha happened, curtains?" because I think she was channeling the Baby Jude "Wha happened pants?" trick.

While everyone was moving on Saturday, I spent the day with Peepa Bobo and Marion. We had yet another adventure, naturally! Peepa took me to the playground at Woodstock Elementary School. It's called Woodstock Wonderworks and it's very cool, but it's sort of a bit old for me. So I like to call Saturday's adventure "Indiana Jude and the Playground of Terror!!" Another exciting afternoon!

Yesterday was Halloween and what a great day it was. Meema came down to see me and we all went to Lucy's house for some trick or treating. Evie was there, too, with her M&D. We were quite an adorable bunch! Lucy was a peacock and Evie was an octopus.Lucy's little brother, Daniel also came out with us. He was dressed as semi-salty duck. Let's just say he wasn't really into the hood of his costume. So he snuggled with his Nana in the baby bjorn.

Note: Sorry this ended sort of abruptly. I was sick on Thursday and I started this blog, but couldn't quite finish. But I'm back! You know I couldn't end there!

Anyway, it was a great night. Lucy and Evie both had learned how to say both "trick or treat" AND "thank you." I was more about being the ringleader and left the chatting to them. I wound bound up people's steps and reach my hand out, sometimes distributing candy to everyone else as well. I wanted no help from Mama or Meema. I was just taking off in all directions on a quest for candy. Actually, I was a bit out of it when we started, but once my first few lollipops kicked in, I was ready to GO! Lots of houses in Verona had really cool, spooky decorations. But Mama taught me how to say, "I'm not scared. I'm a pirate." The way I figure, if I pillage and plunder, a fake spider shouldn't scare me.

After we got our booty, we went back to Lucy's house for pizza. Gaga showed up. He was a pirate, too! And he really did it up. I don't think I'll ever see him in that much jewelry again. Actually, I kind of hope not, to tell you the truth. Suffice to say, the more I understand about Halloween, the more I like it.