Two things

This morning I have two things to share that have nothing to do with each other except my love for them.

First is my little judebug.  Now that he's almost 5 months old I suppose it's time to post his 4 month pics dontcha think?

4 months

look how big he's getting

He has rockin abs because this is what he does 90% of the day.  His mommy needs to learn from his example.

We took these at night so they are darker than normal.  I can't wait til we get our super nice camera soon.  It'll make my pictures so much better!  Since we've gotta get the best deal out there, we're probably waiting to see what black Friday and cyber Monday have to offer.

 Someone started rice cereal this past week.  Here are his last photos pre food!

Someone can't wait

For the record, he loves food.  He opens his mouth like a little birdie as he waits for the airplane spoon to makes it's arrival into his mouth.  It's adorable.  Then half comes right back out.  Sort of adorable, but not really. And after it's out he decides he needs to rub it all over everything. Not adorable.  I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot more laundry from now on.  That, or I'm going to invent something that holds his hands down and head straight.  Sounds terrible.....I'll work on it.

second thing
Besides the introduction of food into Jude's life, there was a reintroduction of sorts into mine.  I am super excited that Coldplay has a new album coming out.  I've literally played this song hundreds of times this weekend and still can't get enough. 



Don't you just love it?  They never let me down.  Makes my Monday that much more bearable!

Just thinkin'

The other day I started to think about how fabulous our wedding day was.  Sure, it was hotter than sin, but it was perfect.  Since I was feeling nostalgic, I looked back at our wedding photos and it made me miss all of my good friends who shared that special day with me.  This is my petition to all of you to move with us to the Lou (rhyme!).  Pretty please?  I need all of you in my life again!

 

When I started looking through my pictures I found these of Grandma Helen

           

                    

 I found this one too.  Shout out to Renee!

 It brings back great memories.

I'm beginning to wonder how I ever planned a wedding without pinterest!  Apparently I managed.  Looking back at these pictures sure makes me feel like I'm reliving that day.  What a great day to relive!       I miss you all tons!

This season

Ok seriously, I love FALL. Then again, who doesn't?  Sweats, coffee, blankets, heaters, changing colored leaves, stroller walks outside while we still can, pumpkins, halloween decorations and the general sense of happiness that abounds.  Not to mention that the holidays are right around the corner!  But I won't jump ahead just yet.  Don't these just make you happy?

I made them for a football party a few weeks ago.  I found the idea on pinterest of course.  Which reminds me, gotta add college football to the list of things that makes fall so great.  We even have a little Husker to make football season even more exciting this year.

 

here he's channeling his inner Bo....Nebraskans, you know what I'm talking about.

 

go huskers

 In case you were wondering, I'm totally diggin this time of the year.

Laugh often...

Here's to hoping this video works!  I've had some trouble with videos in the past, but if you do end up getting a chance to watch this, I think you'll like it.

Isn't a baby's laugh just the greatest? 

cute students

So have I told you that I'm a librarian this year?  Well, it's a pretty sweet gig.  Plus, I've learned a lot about the library so now I might even be able to take Jude one day and not feel intimidated.  But anyway, I never was a big reader when I was little.....something I totally regret now, but still, I was the kid in class that pretended to read because she really wasn't interested in actually getting lost in the story.  I must not have found good books because I always thought it was boring, and I could think of a million other things I'd rather be doing than reading. And sometimes, if I was really bored, I'd probably make a list of those things.  Man I was strange. 

So when I come across kids that just love to read, I think it's the cutest thing ever, because secretly I'm jealous of them.  I've always been honest with my students, telling them how they should read now so they don't have to live in regret like me.  Yes, I was that dramatic when I gave them the schpeel.  And some, they just totally get it.  They love books!

So this morning, before I have classes, I'm sorting through the returned books and I came across these two:

You wouldn't believe how excited I was to see them.  Why, you ask?  Well, two students, you know...... the kind that actually love to read, have been waiting so patiently to check these out.  I'm talking a couple weeks, and each library class they ask me if they're back.  I tell them no, and they get disappointed.  Then I get disappointed because they're just so bummed with that another week without the book sulky face.  And in a weird way, it sorta breaks my heart. a little.

So today's gonna be a good day.  I can't wait to tell them they're finally here!  They're gonna be so excited.  Which of course will make me excited.  I'll probably tell them that good things come to those who wait and then they'll run off to a cozy corner of the library to jump on in.  Kids can be so cute sometimes!

And for someone who never loved books as a kid, if you told me I would grow up to be a librarian where books would literally affect my everyday mood, I'd think you were crazy.  Oh how weird this little world we live in is.  But today it'll be a good weird world.  Because today I'll get to see the innocent joy of the little things in life.  And really, it's the little things in life that matter anyway.

A Beautiful Life

Grandma Helen passed away on Sunday.  It's been a sad week for our family.  It's especially hard to see someone you love, like your husband, go through so much sadness after losing someone so special to him.  We all know she is in a better place.  A place where she won't have to carry that darn oxygen tank, a place where she won't have to take a zillion pills a day, and a place where she can finally be with her husband, who she lost in a car accident 18 years ago.  She is so much better off.  It's just us who suffer.

So as we suffer, we remember all the things we loved about Grandma Helen.  For 88 years old, she sure was a spitfire.  I'm sure the nurses don't get the response, "A rich man" very often when asking the question "So what else can I get you?"  But that was Helen.  And we love her for it.

We know she loved Jude very much and are so happy he got to spend 4 good months with her.  She even was at his baptism a few weeks ago!  What a special thing we'll be able to tell him.  The day before she died we went to visit her in the hospital.  She was in and out, not responding to much, but she knew we were there.  She was happy when we said Jude was there.  He leaned toward her and touched her face.  It's a picture we will always remember.

Helen, I know I already asked you this favor, but in case you were caught up in all the spledidness of heaven, I'm sending you a little reminder.  Have you found my Grandma and Grandpa Thompson yet?  They never got to meet Jude.  Will you tell them how cute he is?  I know that won't be too hard for you!  Remember when you got to hold him in your arms like this.......

........they never got to do that, but I bet they'll take your word for how lovely it was.

I know you got your hair done before you left us, and my grandma got her shoes and trays all ready, so there must be some sort of party going on up there.  Please know that your feisty-ness and sweetness will live on forever in our hearts.

We will miss you so very much!

A work at home mom

There's just something about the 1950's.  By something I mean, if I could, I think I'd choose to live then.  I think the values of the time just suit me so well.  Things seemed simple.  I like the idea of housewives wearing dresses under aprons and pearls to top it off.  I like the idea of someone being at home during the day to take care of the (many) children. I like the idea of someone being home to cook and clean.  I like the idea of greeting Daddy when he comes home from work.  I like the idea of hardly any tv, no computers and kids using their imagination to play outside.  I like so many things about the good old days.

Of course, every time I start blabbering away about how I think I was born in the wrong decade, my hubs reminds me about how good we have it now.  To a guy that means technology, modern medicine, and the only draft he knows is that of an alcoholic beverage.  When he reminds me of these minor things, I see his point. I know things weren't always simple back then, but those pearls......they just get me every time!

So as I sit here on a break at work, I'm conflicted.  No, not just conflicted about which era is better, conflicted about being that housewife.  Right now, I shouldn't complain.  I have the greatest job and feel so lucky to be able to bring in at least a little money so we can save up for our future.  But yesterday I played my favorite role in life to play: 1950s housewife.....minus the pearls....and dress.....and apron.  But still, I played it up like crazy.  I cleaned, cooked (yes, my least favorite of the many housewife duties, but I'm getting there..) sewed (my newest hobby, thank you pinterest), cared for my little one, and did tons of house projects.  So I suppose you could say I'm just going through a little housewife withdrawal right now.  Sitting at work, away from my baby, probably isn't helping.  But I'll get over it.  And in a year, I will transition from working mommy, to work at home mommy.  Sounds good, right?  Who knows, I might even wear the dress and the apron that I sew myself and of course top it off with my favorite class act item: pearls. 

But until then, I just have to wait.  I have to be patient and know that everything happens for a reason.  It's just so hard because I feel like Jude is growing up so fast and I'm not always there to see it.  I know I'm the first person in the universe to ever have this problem, so it's very hard to explain this feeling.......or not.  But it still doesn't make it any easier!  The reasons for being an emotional mess right now include, but are not limited to, the following:

•   I cleaned out Jude's drawers and put away the clothes that don't fit anymore.  With all of his weight gain issues at the beginning I thought this day would never come.  Then it did, and now I'm sad.  why, oh why, does life always work like that?
• He's trying to hold his own ba ba milk (yes, nerd alert, we do call it that)........and it's just so darn cute
• He's rolling over like crazy and attempting to crawl........and it's just so darn cute
• He's noticing all of his dangling friends and tries to grab them......which is just so darn cute
• He notices my face and talks to me while grabbing at it....which sometimes hurts, but mostly is just so darn cute
• He laughs when he's being changed which led us to find out he's ticklish......and it's just so darn cute
• He's got the most easy-going, happy personality in the world......and it's just so darn cute! 

 Oversleeping this morning and rushing like crazy and not being able to squeeze in a feeding before taking him to my mom's house probably doesn't help the already overwhelming feeling of trying to juggle working and being a mom.

So as I'm sitting here at work, I carry my phone around in hopes that I'll get a little text from the madre with a so darn cute pic of my little one.  Because of course those make my day.  And then it hits me: 

Did they have those in the 50s???

Baptism

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  But before I do, I have to tell you that this little man was so funny during his baptism.  He talked and talked and talked and talked.  I had to apologize for his constant rambling.  Good thing the deacon ended up blamed it on the fact that he was blessed with the Holy Spirit.  Can't argue with the deacon.  Besides his chattiness, he ended up laughing when he was annointed with oil on his chest.  I know I'm his mom and all, but I have to say it was pretty cute.  As for any crying, you ask?  Nope, not this guy.....he was all smiles and laughs!

His daddy wore this same outfit at his baptism!

He was totally into every word the deacon said.

The great grandparents

He found this part really funny.  If only you could see his face.

Looking to auntie la la for support.  Good thing she's giving it.

oh hey guys!

The parents and godparents

I bet he wishes he could have some of that cake......de-lish. 

"Um, I'd like to say one thing......does this shirt go with my tie?"

(thanks Megan - it's so cute!)

uncs al

What a great day!