the life of baby jude

Uncle Erik (and Grandma Ginny) live with me now and I just couldn't be happier! My uncle is the coolest playmate ever. He's so much fun! He's good at tickling and getting me alllllll riled up before bedtime! And he's got tricks up his sleeve to get me to eat dinner, the likes of which Mama & Gaga have never seen! It's most impressive. What can I say, he had a lot of practice from living with cousins "Bizzy & Ava." (That's Isadora & Ava to you!) I love you Uncle Erik and I'm just so glad you're here with me in Jersey!

On Saturday, Mama decided to take a trip to one of her favorite stores- Harmon.I'm a fan because I can run and down the aisles and no one can find me. It's always fun to see my mother in a panic. Anyway, Mama thought that Grandma and Uncle Erik would enjoy Harmon as much as she does, so we all hopped in Uncle Erik's car and took a shopping trip. Then, because no one likes to cook on Saturdays, we met Gaga at Chili's.
Although I didn't eat much, I was a GREAT boy! I flirted with the next table, giggled and colored. And by coloring, I really mean that I made Gaga draw me Thomas & Gordon over and over in various colors. It's a good thing Gaga can draw. I asked Mama to draw me a train once and I'm pretty sure *I* could've done a better job. As the blog name implies Gaga and Grandma got the ribs and apparently they're very delicious.... but also make you VERY thirsty.

This is my third winter on this planet (not counting the one I was in utero, of course) and I'm not sure what the big fuss is all about. From what I gather it is only during winter that we see snow and so far, I've barely seen any! Is this the Northeast or what? So you can imagine my pleasure when it snowed last Friday. First, and most importantly, I got to stay home with Grandma and Uncle Erik. I'm not even three, but I can already tell that "snow days" are something to get excited about. The next day, Mama took me outside to play. However, she's been a bit on the sick side, so we really didn't stay out long. Actually, Mama & Gaga had grandiose plans of taking me sledding for the first time! I have the boots and the snow pants and everything. However, NJ is full of kids and since they all had off from school on Friday, they all seemed to be out sledding. We were going to go to Cameron Field in South Orange, but by Sunday, there was NO SNOW left! It's like the big hill had been "over-sledded!" Can you believe it? Only in NJ, I swear. So much for that plan. So instead, we stayed inside, watched movies and naturally, baked cookies and snuggled. Let's hope we get another snow, so we can give the outdoor activities another shot. And hopefully, no one will be battling the plague this time! In the meantime, please pass the baked goods.

Hi Everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been around in a few weeks. Honestly, I haven't had that much to write about. I guess February isn't that exciting of a month. And, a giant germ seems to have fallen on the NJ Fords. Everyone from Uncle Erik, to Mama, to yours truly has been sick. Mama and Uncle Erik were actually battling bronchitis! And since Mama helps me blog, well... you can see how it was a bit difficult for me. Everyone seems to sort of be on the mend. You can tell Mama is feeling better at least because she's back to her old picture taking self! In honor of Valentine's Day, she bought me this adorable shirt that I happily wore, declaring myself, "So cute!" Honestly, I don't think that's an unfair statement. I mean, look at me!

Speaking of Valentine's Day, I should mention that I had a very nice day. I handed out Dora Valentines and lollipops (that Mama was forced to buy after I ate one off of a pack of about 25 at the grocery....oops)to all my school friends. Mama was my Valentine this year! Meema taught me to say, "Mama, will you be my Valentine?" and that just made her heart melt. The weekend before I was with Meema and we made cookies and a card for Mama that she liked very much. I got some gifts, too! Mama bought me Daisy and you know how I love my trains. Isn't she the cutest? I also ate a pretty good amount of candy. Any holiday with candy and toy trains is just fine by me. I don't care what we're celebrating.

I hope that March turns out to be a more exciting month filled with lots more adventures!

After the Giants won Super Bowl XXI, Phil Simms proclaimed that he was going to Disney World. After they won Super Bowl XLII, I celebrated by a good, healthy nose pick. Nice picture, Mama!

Yesterday, was SuperBowl XLII! I love an excuse for a good party, but as I mentioned in a previous blog, my hometown team was in it this year! So I put the Giants shirt back on and cheered my little heart out. And guess what-- they won! It was so very exciting. Yippie, Giants!

The party was a blast. My neighbor Sara and her M&D came over and we spent the night playing trains and eating snacks. When I wasn't bossing her around (hey, my toys right?), I was stealing cookies and screaming. I got to stay up about three hours past my bedtime, too! Today is going to be a tough day (for Mama, too, so I hear!)

Gaga & Grandma really worked hard to get the place together and I think our new house is coming along rather nicely. Mama & Grandma cooked together and I think the food was a really big hit. Can't go wrong with chips, chili and spinach dip, right? Again, I was all about the cookies, but it sure did look good.

I have to throw more parties, I think. I even learned how to say, "Thanks for coming to my party." Here is a picture of fans post-victory. Gaga is inspecting the squares to see who won the Miles Kelly pool (all that really matters- he didn't!)