The Rittgers Homefront

January 2012!

2012-01-30T21:58:00.000-06:00

New Years started off quiet and we enjoyed being at home together as a family. We stayed home New Year's Eve eating pizza for supper with spinach and artichoke dip with Uncle Philip. Judah went to bed while the rest of us watched movies late into the night. The next day we had our friends Katie and Lynn over for some Pork Chops and sour kraut/cabbage to celebrate bringing in the New Year.

Next, we started the New Year off with the Iowa Caucuses for the Iowa Presidential Republican Candidate. We ran our local caucus where Senator Rick Santorum won. For our large turnout in our small urban precinct we had 27 people. Judah spent the evening with a neighbor friend getting his first taste of Winnie-the-Pooh as they watched the latest movie in their pajamas. Meanwhile the statewide vote totals came in putting Senator Rick Santorum and Governor Mitt Romney at a virtual tie until mid-January when certification showed that Senator Rick Santorum finally won Iowa.

By this time we all became sick with viruses. For three Wednesdays in a row we went to the doctor. For our first round of the virus, Tim took the day off so we could go to the family doctor. The second Wednesday we did a follow up appointment with Judah as his sleeping and eating still seemed off. In spite of a swollen lymph nodes, Judah's blood work and second strep test turned out normal.
Finally by mid-January (January 18) Judah came down with the flu. After nap on Tuesday, Judah started throwing up. In four short hours, he managed to throw up five times. By 8:30pm he has stopped throwing up and was ready for bed at 10:00pm. He slept until 2:00am when he awoke throwing up again every 20 minutes on the dot until 5:00am before dropping off to snooze. By the time we took him into the pediatrician at 11:15am he still was vomiting. The pediatrician sent us directly over to the Emergency Room for some fluids. Judah had thrown up everything including water he had in the 16 plus times within that 24 hour period making him one sick boy who lost three pounds.

Our afternoon and evening then was spent in the children's emergency room at Mercy where Judah was started on fluids. Hooking him up to an IV was not his favorite part. By evening though, we transferred over to the new children's ward upstairs in the hospital to keep him overnight. Tim spent the night with Judah so that mommy could go home and take care of herself. After being hooked up to fluids all night long, Judah woke up finally laughing again the next morning, especially at his Winnie-the-Pooh movie. A little puffy-eyed, by mid morning with his IV out, he finally found the toy room across the hall. And by later afternoon, we were released to go home.

During recover, our house became crazy with piles of laundry, dishes, toys, and remnants of cleaning as we had been doing some projects around the house. Judah continued to gain his appetite and put on the calories as we let him choose his own diet and drink plenty of juice. Thankfully, for us, our church family delivered a few extra meals on the side as we got caught up at home and at work.

This month we really focused on getting ready for baby aside from being sick. Tim did some small home improvement projects around the house by adding shelving in the closet and in the laundry room. By the end of the month, we then moved around the upstairs furniture. Papa Ed and Nana Joyce came down for the weekend to help play with Judah and move desks, beds, and toys. The next week, Tim gifted us with having the house deep cleaned including in and behind appliances and behind furniture.

We were able to see lots of family this month though. Tim and Uncle Philip did take Judah to the John Deere expo for some much needed man time. Judah had fun seeing the tractors and he continues to line up his toy tractors for his own expo. That same weekend, Papa Ed and Nana Joyce came to hang out for some Judah time. Also, we saw Papa Larry a few times as he was on his way down to Kansas City as Gigi was with Cousin Gabe, who was also recovering from being ill.

Getting back home from Christmas meant we struggled with nap and bed time again. Many times Judah would get up out of bed to turn on the lights so he could play or read books in the nearby rocker. By the end of the month, we changed the room around again taking away his toddler bed and replacing it with a Tim's old twin bed. Judah had fun picking out his McQueen sheets and construction big boy sheets as a result of his new bed. Then we took out all the toys moving them into the loft, now our toy area, removing any temptation to play during quiet time. Afternoons have become quiet times now where he can just sit in bed doing quiet activities and reading his books. However, we found that if he gets too bored, he likes to rip up his books.

Weather has almost been spring like temperatures allowing us to be outside and take walks. Judah has been on the look out for snow all season. The nice January weather has allowed us to spend a lot of time outside instead of being cooped up in the house. In fact in one week we went from having Monday play group at the park and eating lunch the next day without coats practically outside to a snowstorm a week later with 5 inches. Tim finally was able to take Judah out to build a snowman and get a ride in the sled.

Judah is really starting to use his imagination and pretend. Often he takes objects and pretends they are something else. Even at meal time we pretend his macaroni is different cars and trucks. He is also starting to role play such as playing David and Goliath, being a tap dancer, or being a cowboy with dad. Judah's conversation skills have also increased to include real thoughts and several sentences. You will often hear him say, "I already did" or "I am thinking." He likes to ask so many questions and you can see his little brain processing the answers.

Being sick this month has opened a whole new world of television for Judah. He really has become quite attached to Winnie-the-Pooh. We bought him the new movie after it made him laugh during recovery at the hospital. Then with his new Chuck and Friends tumbling tower, Judah received his Chuck and Friends video, where he now plays with his cars and trucks. A lot of his play has been centered around his video experiences.

Tim has been struggling to stay afloat with work this month. Missing several sick days has caused him to get behind on the many projects and daily work. Approval for the new Boys and Girls Club site has increased Tim's work load as they move forward to making plans on setting up space in a nearby Middle school. Also, Tim has been in charge of the Iowa Youth of the Year state event.

Mommy has been spending her extra energy on getting ready for baby's arrival. Sorting, reorganizing, and packing has kept her busy. Her biweekly doctor's appointments continue to go well. In spite being more uncomfortable with swollen limbs and back pain, her diabetes has been able to be controlled by diet. The third trimester has definitely left her more tired though.

Judah has shown an increased interest in baby. He can pronounce Baby Boolina correctly even though he still tells people her name is "Four." When we pray he often wants us to include her as well as daddy's "baby" as we pray for each member of our family. Occasionally, he will think of her as he talks about sharing, saving, or getting something for her. He enjoys the few books we have that discuss baby asking to read them several times. Judah has also tried pulling up his pants over his belly like mommy's maternity pants.

October 2011

2011-10-31T12:09:00.002-05:00

This month we enjoyed a nice Indian summer spending every nice day outside that we could. The mums bloomed in nice shades of burnt orange, deep red, bright yellow, and delicate purple. The trees went through several phases of color as some turned right away and the most beautiful reds and oranges waited until after our first frost on October 26. We spent the these nice days celebrating the season of fall before finally the furnace came on and the footy pajamas came out.

After watching about harvesting pumpkins in his tractor video and doing multiple pumpkin crafts, Judah concluded one day that we needed to visit the pumpkin patch. So on one mildly warm Saturday evening we took him to see the pumpkin patch where Judah thoroughly enjoyed the sights, smells, and sounds of the pumpkin patch. After riding in the tractor wagon, he led us through the corn maze as we found all the designated stops. Tim and Judah raced down the go-cart track. We then walked through the field of orange and green to pick out our pumpkins. We found the petting animals, trying to feed them acorns. Our day was finally complete after we played with Johnny pedal tractors, rode a horse swing, and climbed the very large hay bales.

Tim went to Boston in early October for a week while Judah and I went to visit the farm. Judah enjoyed all his play time with Jacob. In fact several times the boys would be jumping for 15 minutes straight screaming in excitement to be together. While they played tractors and cars, mommy finished some scrapbook projects. Judah also got his tractor ride in before Papa started harvesting the soybeans. Then when Tim came to pick us up on the following weekend, we picked all the pumpkins out of the patch. Judah looked so tiny next to his sunflower plant that he planted last spring with Papa. We tried to take some fall pictures over at Uncle Lee's farm, but Judah refused to cooperate and instead started walking home on his own back to Gigi's farm.

Another Saturday, we took Judah to the church fall festival for play at the carnival. Judah enjoyed having his face painted for the first time. We did some crafts before going outside to the carnival games. Doing the ring toss among many others, Judah won tickets to apply toward some new bath toys. Judah particularly enjoyed the inflatables where he could jump and plop.

Throughout the rest of the month, Judah experienced his first real trick-or-treat. Before hand we carved two of our pumpkins together as a family, making one a face and another an "R." Judah liked the scary Halloween music playing in the background but did not like cleaning out the pumpkins this year leaving that task to mommy and daddy.

For Beggars Night, Judah dressed up as Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales. The day before, Judah wanted no part of his costume but by Beggars night we took a short flash light walk, walking around our little complex to collect candy. Going to people's doors he called it treating. Judah was delighted to get candy, especially two, from each house. Then when we got home he did not want to take the costume off.

Our weeks still busy with Monday play group, Tuesday music class, and Wednesday story time (if we make it). Most of our playgroups have been spent at the park this month enjoying the last of the nice weather. Tuesday mornings we arrive early to music class so that Judah can squeeze in some play time with the instruments. We have then reserved Thursday mornings for doctor appointments as they arise while Fridays we take it easy at home catching up on chores or hanging out at the coffee shop.

Judah still enjoys his music. He knows the each and every word to several songs: Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Little Star, Isty Bisty Spider, Mary wore a Red Dress, Jesus loves the Little Children, and Pop goes the Wiesel. You will often hear him strike up a chorus as he plays or lays in his bed during quiet time. And he still likes his instruments. In fact one day at music class, his teacher got out an Autoharp to strum a song for the kids. Judah's mouth dropped open, asking "what this was called." Later at the park afterwards, you could see him strumming with two wide looking sticks and singing. One mom came up to him and asked if he was playing the drums. He looked up at her and said, "I am playing the Autoharp." I am amazed with how much this kid knows his instruments. Even playing the drum set at our neighbors, Judah looks like a natural playing so quietly as to not wake their baby.

Judah skills has once again shown this month. He has mastered motor skills by learning to zip and doing more advanced puzzles where the pieces come together. He shows more ingenuity carrying toys up and down the stairs and using the sideboard to climb up in bed. As usual he chatters in complete sentences as you listen to conversations he carries with other kids. He has applied his knowledge of time by using terms like yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He tells me what letter some words start with as in "c" is for combine and "m" is for me. Curious, he is constantly asking where is something at and what are they doing. He says, "Where is ____ at?" and "What is ______ doing?. He repeats your phrases often turning around to use them in context.

Judah has expressed curiosity about baby when we talk about her. Our two neighbors have both have had baby girls in the last month adding to the suspense. Judah saw baby Sarah for the first real time the one night when the family was visiting at our house and she was our bouncy seat. He insisted on giving her his toys. Then after she left, he kept asking where the baby is. We tell him our baby is in mommy's tummy. This conversation is followed by Judah looking down my shirt at my belly. He then talks about the baby in his belly through his belly button. If you ask him about having a baby sister, he tells you he wants to name her "four" every time.

Everything with baby Boolina is healthy so far. We another doctors appointment on October 13 followed by our 20 week ultrasound on October 27. Mom's sinuses have been acting up still and she is definitely growth spurting October 30 causing cravings of cheese, chicken, and lots raisen cinnamon bagels with cream cheese.

Tim had a busy month at work. He took that week earlier in the month to go to Boston for a leadership conference with Boys and Girls Clubs. We also celebrated the ribbon cutting for his DSM leadership project at the Amos Hiatt Middle School to open the new renovated theatre his class project. At home we finally woke out of the dark ages and bought a new wifi dvd/ blue ray player. This allows us to stream more video options through Netflix onto our TV which Judah really likes.

Admist chasing Judah around, mom has been trying to complete scrapbook projects before baby comes. She is also helping the church establish a volunteer plan. We started out the beginning of the month with viruses and colds, requiring mom's nursing care, as Judah came down with Hand, Mouth, And Foot disease.

September 2011

2011-09-28T16:23:00.023-05:00

We have lots of proof that Judah went through a growth spurt this month. At his 6 month check-up with the ENT doctor, Judah weighed in at 24 pounds as he had been at 22 pounds for so long. The extra weight also showed up in his height at 34 inches. As a result, he finally moved into some smaller 24 month clothes and size 5/6 shoe, meaning new clothes and shoes for fall. Even his hair grew, marveling us once again how much hair the lady took off at his haircut.

Judah has matured into a little boy from the toddler he used to be. He now almost always sits (rather stands) at the table to eat his meals. He uses the stairs at his leisure going up and down to play on his own. He does the playground equipment all by himself, climbing up and going down the big slides. He even manages the climbing bars on his own to mom's dismay. He also has started expressing more interest in helping with chores as he particularly likes to help sweep the kitchen floors with the broom. His independence has grown too as he often expresses his wishes. For example, he has really decided that he likes to take off his socks and shoes wherever he goes.

Judah continues to be a little chatter box. His sentences have become longer and more complete. He has discovered past tense words. Curiosity has constantly permits him to ask, "What is that?" And he also says, "No, I not," expressing his preferences and dislikes toward something. His sense of humor allows him to say funny things quite often too. He even walks around and tells people he is five now (including strangers). He frequently talks about activities we did, remembering and relating more and more details as he describes things. He learns new words like atmosphere and then applies them later in the right context. One night we had gone out to dinner on a Friday evening. We stayed long enough to hear the live jazz music. Naturally the restaurant turned the lights down low and Tim explained the meaning of "atmosphere." When we went to the ultrasound a week or so later, Judah noticed the lights were turned down low and told us it was atmosphere.

He has really learned how to play by himself this month. In fact he sets up his train tracks now by himself, running the trains along the track. He especially enjoys playing with his tractors and implements setting them up and talking about who is driving them (often family members) and what they are doing.

We finally got into our Fall routine this month. Monday mornings we still host playgroup although we have been exploring different places as a group. Tuesday mornings we enrolled for music class again. Wednesday mornings we have the option of going to toddler story time at the downtown library. And Thursday mornings have become chore days. Fridays are left open for whatever like crafts or walks to the park. In addition, we have been spending time with our neighbors often eating meals together.

Saturdays have become more family outings day. Several weekends this month we went on a special outing together as a family. On Saturday, September 17 we saw Thomas the Tank Engine at our Day out with Thomas. Traveling up to the Boone Scenic Railroad, we spent the morning riding the train, seeing Sir Tophan Hatt, and doing all sorts of activities. Judah especially talks about his trip to see Thomas at the station. He enjoyed every minute riding the train, playing in the hay bale maze, jumping in the inflatable, listening to music, and enjoying a magic show. By the end of morning, after we stopped at Pizza Ranch for lunch, we headed home where fatigue wiped us out from the cold, but fun adventure.

The following weekend, we used our free tickets to see the Living History Farms. Judah had fun exploring the animals at the 1900 century farmstead, chasing the chickens. Next, he toured the village with daddy, sneaking in a pickle for a snack. Judah's idea of looking at the village was to run along the little path back and forth between the buildings.

At home we have been trying to celebrate the season a number of ways. Judah and mommy did a number of pumpkin crafts, often getting out the paints and glue. Our house suddenly became decorated with orange. And after watching his tractor video about harvesting pumpkins, Judah requested to go to the pumpkin patch....he knew it was that time of year.

Mommy has started feeling better this month, eating more variety of foods especially cheese and chicken. Also, mommy has gained some much needed energy which helps as Judah continues to take less and less naps . Mommy's tummy has grown to make her look very pregnant as she turns to getting out all the maternity clothes. Judah even has started to adjust to sitting to the side of the belly. We had the opportunity to hear the heartbeat on September 28 of the baby. Then at 15 weeks (September 30) our new doctor did an ultrasound revealing the sex of a baby girl. Since Judah's nick name is Boo, baby is now referred to as Baby Boolina, only Judah pronounces it Balloona. Thankfully everything continues to look healthy.

August 2011

2011-08-31T17:03:00.001-05:00

We made a family affair out of the 2011 Republican Presidential Straw Poll held on August 13, in Ames, Iowa. We made it up to the 2011 Republican Presidential Straw Poll this year to cast our vote for Governor Tim Pawlenty. Meeting up with Gigi, we registered, got our t-shirts, and went to vote. Afterwards, we enjoyed eating Famous Daves at the T-Paw tent. Then we spent the afternoon walking the Iowa State University grounds around Hilton exploring all the vendors and playing with the kids crafts at the Ron Paul tent. Finally, we made it back to the T-Paw tent in time to hear Sonic Flood where Gigi and Aunt Sandy joined us. Even though we were so tired from all the excitement of a long day, we went out to Village Inn for dinner and a quick visit back to campus to see Aunt Rachel.

Later in the month we visited the Iowa State Fair. Judah went around posing (in his excitement) with the painted ceramic cows across the fairgrounds in celebration of the 100 years butter cow exhibit. He also had to pose by the giant pumpkins in front of the horticulture building. He enjoyed eating his peanut butter and jelly (with grapes) on a stick. He saw the train building with Aunt Rachel and went through the "Hall of Breeds" with daddy and Uncle Philip. After going home for a nap, we returned in the evening for some more fair food of ice cream and fries, some oldies music, and a tour of the food building in which Judah referred to the decorated cakes as Happy Birthday Cakes.

Judah was the first to share our big family news as he sported his new, "Big Brothers Rule" plaid outfit. This was our first opportunity to share with family (since all the Kreis family was going to be together) that child number two was on the way. We met up Papa Ed and Nana and Uncle Philip in the horticulture building where Nana was eating her strawberry shortcake when they discovered the shirt. Later in the day we met up with Uncle David, Aunt Rachel, and Uncle Charlie as they were in line at the Beef Producers. David was the first to discover the shirt and even though Nana had guessed from mom being sick all were pretty excited. We even ran into some church friends later in the day who asked about the shirt after a second glance.

The last weekend in August, we trekked north to the Rittgers farm. Once again, Judah sported his new "Big Brothers Rule" shirt for our arrival to Papa's and Gigi's house. Gigi was pretty excited when we came through the door and she saw the shirt but it took Papa a little bit to notice before he understood the meaning. On Sunday, we put the shirt back on again for Aunt Amy and Uncle Andrew and Lee and Sandy. Again, all were pretty excited about the news.

Daddy went back to Des Moines for work while Judah and mommy spent the rest of the week on the farm for some extra help as mommy had not been feeling well. Twice we enjoyed a picnic and campfire out at the new pavilion down at the pond, roasting hot dogs and smores. We did some shopping and Judah did a lot of playing with his cousin Jacob as well as visited Jacob's preschool.

This month, Judah has proved he is no longer a baby in any way but 100% boy through and through. Judah has practically given up the high chair, now sitting (more like standing) at the table instead. He also has shied away from sippy cups using real cups now without lids. He is more rough, climbs much more, and likes to run. He often runs ahead (if not picking up rocks) now when taking walks. And finally, Judah mastered the somersault.

In addition this month, Judah has stopped napping entirely (probably due to getting his two year molars). The timing for mom was horrible since she was extra tired and sick. So even though he did not fall asleep, he sat in the crib with his pile of books for quiet time so that mom could rest. If mom cannot rest, he has some extra video time, watching a lot more videos lately getting into Veggie Tales and Richard Scary's Busy Town as well as his John Deere videos. He talks about them often quoting them.

Judah has really learned to play by himself this month. He entertains himself with his toys becoming more and more creative and imaginative at play finding more uses for them, interacting with his toys, and combining toys together. He has really started to set up his own train tracks and then adds his blocks for cities and cars. You will find him improvising and pretending with his toys. He talks about what his toys are doing. For example, one day he wanted a blue blanket laid out across the floor. He then took a string informing us he was fishing in the pond. He even pretended to put minnows on the end of the string and then reel in the pole. He also helped with his new toy box with daddy pretending to screw it together.

Judah also continues his love for music by singing. You will often find him walking (or playing) striking up a chorus. Sometimes he will run around singing Ring around the Rosy. Other times he will sing about the B-I-B-L-E or Who Built the Ark. The most funny is when he sees the letters (NO Parking) on the yellow curb in our complex front entrance and he stops to sing the alphabet song pointing to the letters.

We still continue playgroup every Monday adding some outings with our friends instead of hosting at our home. One morning we went to the zoo. Another afternoon we went to the wading pool. Most often, our neighbor friend Soleil (and her mom Lindsay) car pool us to their own activities so that we can explore places such as nearby parks and the Capitol grounds. When we are not with friends, we fill our time with summer activities like play dough and the sprinkler.

This month, mommy has not been feeling so well being in the first trimester of pregnancy. This means that things at home remain simple. Mommy rests while Judah plays by himself. Then daddy comes home to do the household chores and cook supper. We did take some time to celebrate mommy's birthday though. At work, Tim been consumed with work as BGGCI ended their summer programming and prepare for their fall programming. In between he has hosted and run a regional Midwest training, a staff training, and conducted several interviews for new hires.

Judah has been mimicking mommy at not feeling well. He particularly likes to share my "boost (Ensure)" leaving chocolate mustaches on his face. He snacks when mommy does and he even has become particular in his food selection just like mommy. Tim has caught him plugging his nose and mouth like mommy does to keep from throwing up. Judah does it and tells that things are stinky. When mommy does throw up, Judah comes over alongside the sink and coughs pretending to cough just like mommy. Mommy has been craving a lot of diary like yogurt and cheese. Morning sickness hits worst in the evenings leaving Tim to care for Judah.

July 2011

2011-07-30T15:14:00.003-05:00

July started out by picking up Uncle David at the airport from his officers training in the Air Force to celebrate the 4th of July with family. With the Kreis family at our home, we celebrated Nana's birthday as well as get Uncle David caught up on his laundry. On Saturday night we took Judah to his first baseball game to watch the Iowa Cubs. Judah sat through all nine innings making the rounds to each adult, listening to the music, and watching the sights. He especially liked the costume of the big hot dog running down the field. After the game we dawned our rain gear for a light rain while we watched fireworks before leaving the stadium.

On Sunday, we spent the morning seeing the sights and hearing the sounds of the Urbandale 4th of July day parade. On our way back to the car, we stopped at the Urbandale Fire Department to see the fire trucks. One fireman even let Judah sit inside the fire truck. Then we enjoyed the rest of our day at home, cooking up Nana some the last of the Walleye with some sweet corn for her birthday.

After the 4th of July, we made a trip up north to spend the following week in Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Traveling back with Nana (after seeing David back off to the Air force), we stopped at her place for a few days. Here Judah found Aunt Rachel's school markers and made some artwork all over the bedding. Then we came out to the farm for some additional fun outdoors on the 4-Wheeler and the swing. Judah also went fishing for the first time catching some fish out of Papa's pond. His first bluegill scared him a little and after much excitement, he went off to play in the sand with cousin Jacob a few minutes later. We also hit up some garage sales finding great bargains on toys for Canada.

We returned home for a week at home to unpack, do laundry, and repack to pack for Canada. Judah helped me and Miss Sarah make oatmeal raisin cookies for Canada. And he insisted on packing up his winter pajamas for the trip by emptying out his drawers and packing it into the bucket.

Judah grew again this month. His two year molars on the bottom were working their way in (July 5). One day mommy just happened to notice the left bottom one already in while the right side started peaking through. His hair also keeps growing darker and by middle of the month (July 11) Judah had to get his haircut with daddy. It never ceases to amaze us how much hair they cut off that little round head.

This month we spent some time outdoors enjoying the summer. Going to the pool a couple of times, we played in the water. At home we hit up the sand box or played in the sprinkler. When it rained, we did some puddle jumping. When it was too hot to go outdoors, we updated our wall with more giant finger paintings.

Judah especially played with his toy tractors this month. He would pretend loading, hauling, and plowing things around the house. Often, he would tell me in great detail what they were doing. He also played with his workshop building and fixing things around the house.

Judah's ability to think progressed this month in the areas of pretending and correlating things. He would pretend to carry a conversation on the phone. He practiced his matching skills. He expressed himself in what he wanted to wear such as winter pajamas and winter boots (even though it was 90's outside). In addition, he really started singing songs like his ABC's and Ring around the Rosy.

May: Month 23!

2011-05-25T16:30:00.022-05:00

Judah has become quite the little chatter box. His vocabulary includes 3 and 4 syllable words now like crocodile. His sentences are very clear with several words as well. He carries a conversation on the phone with Nana and wants to talk on Skype to Gigi and Papa. He has entered the phase where he constantly says, "what's that (even if he knows the answer)?" His curious little mind also reminds us that he wants to "look a at it." He still mixes up his opposites when referring to himself. To be carried, he will say, "hold you or carry you." Between daddy, Gigi, Gabe, and his birthday, he has seen a lot of cake lately, calling it "Happy Birthday."

Judah has a sense of humor. He pretends to be funny and tease you. Several times he likes to play "Get you" where he will tickle you. When you come to pick him up after nap time, he will try to hide from you by putting a book over his head. He walks up to other kids on the playground, peeks around the corner and says, "Peek-a-boo." You will hear him say, "dad" when Tim does something funny.

Judah has also expressed more emotion. He talks about things that are sad, even saying someone is sad. He will come to you with his bumps and bangs wanting the hurt to be kissed. He likes to lay around for about 15 minutes or so after waking up (unless hungry) in the morning or at nap time allowing some cuddle time with mommy. He follows Maestro the cat around, petting him and making sure he has food and water.

Judah's music is still very important to him. He often likes to have us put in a big band or jazz record to listen to the musical instruments. He prefers "Nat King Cole" and even asks to listen to him. He will carry around paper instruments like guitars pretending to strum them while dancing. He walks around singing with a microphone and you will hear phrases from his songs from music class, such as "bow wow wow," "rolly polly," or even Jesus...loves me." He pretends to play his trumpet with a lot of passion leaning backwards and forward. He will play with his new drum, keyboard, guitar, and harmonica any opportunity he gets.

Judah has shown more interest in playing on his own, especially the latter half of the month. You will find him lining up his toy cars or farm animals just perfectly. He even combines his toys together as he lines up his cars to watch his trains go by. He also sets up his farm animals in fences, using blocks for food and water.

Judah's growth spurt continues. Everyday, he just looks taller when he gets out of bed. He can now reach the pedals to his tricycle, even peddling them on his own (May 24). He still weighs just over 22 pounds making him tall and very lanky. He somehow still manages to stay coordinated enough to climb up on the table, couches, or boxes around the house.

Outside, Judah likes to play with his water table or sand box as we have gotten both out for the summer. We have gone biking a few times too, going to Waterworks park to run around and enjoy the mild sunshine air. He helps in the garden, using his rake and shovel by planting and weeding with mommy. Perhaps our favorite daily past time has been to collect rocks (usually from gardening), put them in the pail, and carry them to the pond to throw them in the water. After that we head toward the mailbox before going around the block to stop at the park for a swing or to slide. Judah likes to explore outside, often wondering away to look at a bug, flower, or find rocks.

This month has been very busy with activity as we finish up some of our spring activities and transition to summer activities. Judah's music class ended with pinwheels and parachutes much to his delight. Tim and I completed our financial peace class at church. With a position open on our association board, I was elected to sit on board for our town home complex. In addition, the campaign season has started up allowing me to attend several events and show my public support for Governor Tim Pawlenty. Add some play group time and many meals with the neighbors, and we had a busy month.

Tim had a big golf tournament fundraiser this month for work, helping the club raise over $130,000 with the event. In addition, he is busy coordinating a week long staff training and preparing for summer programming. He seems to be getting settled into his new office.

Most of our month was spent getting ready for our busy weekends. The first weekend, I organized a neighborhood garage sale. Mother's Day was spent at home while Tim and Judah made me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Later in the day, we enjoyed the beautiful flowering trees at Waterworks park in Des Moines.

The following weekend we travelled back to Waterloo to spend time with the Kreis family to see Rachel and David before they headed off cross country for the summer. Judah helped Uncle Charlie get ready for a date. We enjoyed going to church with family and playing a game of cards.

Memorial weekend was spent at the Rittgers farm celebrating Judah and cousin Gabe's second birthday with family as well as surprising Gigi with her own birthday celebration. Judah had fun helping Papa plant pumpkin seeds. Then he rode around on the tractor with Jacob. Monday, family came to enjoy a picnic outdoors.

April: Month 22!

2011-04-27T16:06:00.018-05:00

Judah's favorite activity this month has been his music, spending his days singing, banging, and strumming along with life. He still enjoys playing with his instruments, especially the new trumpet and cymbals he received for Easter. Earlier in the month, daddy took the big banner paper and drew instruments. Then the two popped in a jazz record and played along with their paper piano, tuba, trumpet, saxophone, guitar, and drums, listening to instruments. Those pieces of paper were played so much that they became confetti. I also got out my Cricut to print off guitars for birthday invitations. I printed off a number of those along with trumpets that Judah carried around the house strumming and tooting. He takes the music picture books we check out from the library and tries to play the instruments. He even plays music games on daddy's smart phone as he drums and plays the piano or "electric guitar."

He quotes "Dum Ditty Dum (from Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb)" as he strums his fake guitar. Any chance he gets, he walks around singing to himself himself with a pretend microphone, "Happy Birthday...daddy" and "Jesus....Me." Sometimes he will dance as he sings. Other times he will tap his foot while tooting a horn, fiddling on the guitar, or drumming to a beat.

To pass time indoors during these April showers, Judah and I have done a lot of crafts including finger painting. We painted budding trees with flowers underneath. We also painted ocean water filled with fish swimming. Then we found old magazines, clipping out pictures of certain colored objects and discussing the colors. We also got ready for Easter by decorating the house with these cheerful paintings and later coloring eggs. Judah even started helping mommy in the kitchen making biscuits and other goodies to bake.

Judah has also grown to enjoy bath time more. Now that he is more and more dirty from being outdoors, he needs a bath. When we go up to take a bath, he will tell you what color he wants. We found a little frog that fits over the bath facet that came with color tablets. The dye tablets mix with the water to make bath water almost any shade of color Judah desired. His personal favorites are blue and green. Another bath time accomplishment is that for the first time Judah has let daddy trip is finger nails without fussing. And finally, we got him a Thomas train toothbrush to making brushing his teeth more fun.

Judah often wonders outside to explore the world around him. Most days, we fill his little sand pail full of rocks and sticks that we have collected and carry them down to the pond to throw in the water. Other days, he likes to roll his balls down the little hill beside our house, running after them and then climbing back up again. He even has become quite familiar at navigating the park in our neighborhood, asking often to go. He climbs up the ladders (with a little help) and goes down the slides over and over again. At a different park the other night, Judah insisted going down the very big, big slide all by himself time and time again (wore daddy out).

Judah's thumb is turning green as he helps mommy in and around the garden. Early in April (April 5), we cleared out the brush of our little garden. Judah also helped plant herb seeds in a starter kit. While we water these and watch them grown, Judah has enjoyed picking my purple hyacinth and yellow daffodils. He has his own little shovel to dig up the weeds (and flowers) and rake to move the mulch.

Judah's new trick this month has been jumping (April 18). Particularly he likes to stand on his bikes (with no hands much to my dismay) and jump off. He even mimicked his neighbor friend by jumping off the couch. I fear the bed is next. When he has something important such as a new trick, his new thing is to come to you and tell you, "show me" or "watch me" expecting you to follow him. He has realized by saying your name or "help me" that you will pay attention to him.

Judah continues to be a chatter box, talking and carrying a conversation almost all the time. He puts shorts sentences clearly together with two to three words back to back. He sometimes quotes his ABC's and numbers. He reports colors of objects and tells you the sounds of the animals. He repeats every word you say and even some we have no clue he knew. Our favorite words are "but ons (buttons)." His sense of humor has become more apparent in his conversations. When Tim does something silly and teases Judah, Judah will respond, "DAD." Judah also reveals funny things like tickling, playing peek-a-book, and chasing. Sometimes he gets his opposites mixed up by saying "on" when he means "off." Other times he will "carry you" when he means himself.

Judah has been growing again, taller that is. As a result, we have found a number of church garage sales for clothes in 18 months. He has also been teething making him often grumpy and out of sorts. His top canines are completely in now (April 15) and we think he is currently working on the bottom pair. His hair grew long again always sticking up after nap time and so he got his haircut with daddy (April 13).

This month, we all came down with colds, causing us to be sick for a couple of weekends (April 8,15). We went to the doctor as a family only to find out we had viruses. Judah still only weighed in at 22 pounds. By the end of the month, Judah was sick again, vomiting and coughing up mucous. For a second time, we took him to the doctor only to find out his symptoms resemble an infection similar to walking pneumonia.

Easter weekend proved to family and fun filled weekend. On Friday, we ate supper before going to the Good Friday service as a family. Saturday, we spent the morning flying Judah's new kite before running errands. By dinner time, we joined Papa Ed and Nana Joyce as well as our neighbors at the church for our Easter service. Afterwards, my entire family and our neighbors went out to eat and to fellowship.

Aunt Rachel got ready with us on Easter morning, joining us for a home made breakfast of omelets and muffins. Judah held onto his trumpet that he received for Easter. We enjoyed our Easter service at Uncle Philip's church. Then the family returned to our house for a 13 pound turkey and the fixings. Everyone took a nice afternoon nap before heading home.

Tim continues to get his administrative office in order as they plan to move locations again. On top of that he has had a number of issues come up on a daily basis that need to be resolved. Judah and I still host play group and attend music class and story time. We have also gotten together a number of times with our neighbor friends for play and dinner.

March: Month 21!

2011-04-06T09:00:00.002-05:00

As the seasons change to spring this month bringing back life, Judah also has attained a new vitality to life. This season has opened a whole new world and chapter for Judah to understand and explore. He talks about it. He explores it. He observes it. And he plays with it. It has been such a joy to see Judah blossom under this season of life.

Judah has really had a growth spurt this month, getting taller and more lanky. All his baby fat has disappeared except for his wrists making him look like a big boy. Most of his 12 month clothes he has been wearing all winter have finally become too small. Thankfully, I have had a pile hidden away for a while that were too big, but even these are already getting to be too small. Another tooth also started coming in (on March 12) on the lower left side of his gum completing the bottom four front teeth.

You hear Judah saying his ABC's at three at a time. He also goes around the house quoting his rhymes from music class and pretends to sing "Jesus Loves Me " in a microphone. You will often find Judah singing to himself. Judah chatters all the time now mostly by saying phrases and short sentences such as "I got it." His phrases and short sentences are two to three words with tiny break in between as he describes objects or activities. It is especially cute when he tells you he loves you as this becomes, "I lob you." He acknowledges past events, often remembering details especially if you ask a question. He still to this day talks about his Cousin Jacob's birthday party or the St. Patrick's Day Parade we went to downtown. He also recognizes his extended family members talking about them and associating them with certain facts. Uncle Philip is the "party" Uncle. Gigi feeds him bacon. And Papa Larry drives the tractors while Papa Ed went swimming with him.

He started out this month by telling me he needed to go potty (March 5). In the past he would always tell me that there were bubbles in his diaper. This time however, after breakfast he told me he had to go potty. I asked him if he wanted to try and he said yes. I took him upstairs and sat him on the potty which seemed so big for him. So before I got a chance to put the diaper back on, he wet all over the carpet. But he did tell me. Needless to say, we went out to the store for little potty and some big boy "Thomas" pants. We will see where this leads.

By the end of the month though Judah was still interested in the potty. On March 21, I was ready to change his diaper before nap time. He told me he had to go potty. So I let him walk in the bathroom and sit down. He actually went. Then when he was done, he said, "all done." That's my boy...But it only happened once!

Judah has hit the "terrible twos." It really has not been terrible yet but rather busy (and certainly trying for mom). He expresses his opinions and independence. He voices more of what he wants or dislikes (usually by whining) by making his own choices. In particular he shows interest in the clothes he wears and what he eats for dinner (and how or where he eats it). In addition, he likes to explore and tends to wonder off at the store and similar places observing all that is around him. He pretends to be sneaky when testing the boundaries only to turn around and look to see if you notice.

This month brought in some promising weather ushering in spring. With the lack of snow and warmer temperatures we were able to be outside more often for walks. Judah found the mud from the melted snow and rain and I found him sitting in it (it is a good thing he changed shoe sizes for he got his boots all muddy). Judah has shown more interest in our nearby pond, noticing the animals like geese that make their home there. Even more so he has learned about earth worms while helping dig in the garden and bees as the flowers bloom.

The neighborhood returned to life as we run into neighbors and friends on our daily journeys. Judah really likes to spend time with the neighborhood boys, Zach and Porter. Most often times on our walk to get the mail, we have to stop on the way back to say hi and play. This simple gesture quite often turns into a play date or a communal neighborhood meal together.

This month allowed us to experience some new activities in addition to the weekly Monday play group, Kinder Music Class, and Story time. Spring break, Judah and I participated in the "rainbow" theme scavenger hunt at the local Botanical Center. Here Judah enjoyed fishing, coloring, and creating a paper garden. Then the weather permitted us to enjoy the St. Patrick's Day parade with our neighbor friends, Porter and his family. We even baked special cookies and wore green for the special occasion.

Tim and I continue to go to our Financial Peace Class while Judah goes over to the neighbors house to play each Monday night. On the side, I have also helped organize another political event, only this time at my church where it was held. Since I was gone most of the day, both Uncle Philip and Uncle David took their turn at babysitting. Mid March, my family also came down for the weekend as we visited for Aunt Rachel's birthday.

Our month ended with the celebration of Tim's 30th birthday. Even though his actual birthday (March 31) was low key, he had many surprises in store. The weekend before his birthday, his parents drove through Des Moines, taking us out to dinner to celebrate. Judah and I gave him a homemade banner that he hung in his office at work. Judah and I joined his co-workers on his birthday for a "chicken" telegram. A man dressed in a chicken suit delivered singing "Happy Birthday" and "You Have Lost that Loving Feeling." We all then went out to lunch together. At home that evening, Tim tried out his new grill by cooking steaks. Judah and I whipped up a quick cake for him. Tim thought his birthday was over.

Little did Tim know that his parents were coming down on Friday afternoon to get Judah for the weekend. They made it to Des Moines in time to pick up Tim at the office and go out for some quick ice cream at the soda shop. Once they packed up Judah for the ride back to the farm, Tim and I headed to Omaha for a weekend get-a-way. Staying the Oft's Bed and Breakfast in Bennington, Nebraska, we enjoyed a fun-filled and relaxing weekend. Saturday we spent the day at the Strategic Air and Space Museum looking at airplanes, interesting relics on display, and even riding the helicopter simulator. The nice spring day permitted us to go downtown Omaha to walk around and dine in the Old Market District. Sunday morning we headed out to the Mormon Trail Center to complete our historical tour of the migration west on the Mormon trail.

Back in Des Moines, we stopped at the Incredible Pizza Company for a surprise 30th birthday party with friends and family. Everyone had a great time chowing down the buffet and eating birthday cake before playing games and enjoying rides.

February: Month 20!

2011-02-28T16:00:00.003-06:00

This month of February propelled Judah into a huge growth spurt both physically and developmentally. Judah has gotten taller. He talks more, carrying on real conversations and saying sentences. He socially interacts more with his peers. He is on the verge of expressing himself through his own opinions and abilities. Overall, Judah seems more like what you would expect from a toddler.
Judah's has really started playing in his own right with his ideas of play. He likes to set up his farm animals, lining them up by the barn and the fence. His particularities are even more evident in the way he colors. He likes mommy to take the paper off the crayons. He still enjoys coloring shapes, especially drawing shapes which he can do on his own now. Then he is seen hitting and hurling his balloons across the room.

With the start of his Kinder Musik Class, Judah's interest in instruments and rhythm has evolved more prevalently. Most days, you will find him drumming or banging on his xylophone to his own beat or to the beat of a song. Beyond his instruments, every household item becomes a drum or a drumstick. He comes home repeating the games and rhymes often learned at class even to point of doing it loud and quiet. He moves his shakers up high and down low. He dances and hops around the living room as Tim and I join him for family dancing in the evenings. He often displays his slow moves and his fancy footwork. Even when he runs, he runs with a hop, twisting his body at the waist. We even took him to church early one morning to watch Tim warm up with the band for worship. Tim also showed him his guitar one day and since we have gotten it out practically everyday to "pick" at it and find the high and low notes.

Mid way through the month (Feb 18), Judah started saying "oh fun" and "hooray" for anything he thought was exciting such as foamy soap in the bathtub. He repeats everything he hears. Sometimes he pronounces words Canadian style with an "a" sound behind each word. He ended the month by chatting up a storm using three syllable words like "already," "umbrella," and "cinnamon." In his conversation, Judah even exhibits silly antics like shrugging his shoulders when you ask something or running away from getting dressed so you have to chase him. And he continues to wow us by knowing all his colors, numbers to 20, and his shapes.

Judah hit another noticeable growth spurt this month. The sleeves on his 12 month shirts are finally getting short and the legs on the pants are turning into knickers. He now wears closer to 18 month clothes even though the lanky boy only weighs 21 pounds. Being taller has allowed him to sit at the table more often for meals and to do crafts. He can also reach more things. He did move up a shoe size with his size 5 Velcro, blue tennis shoes. He also got his fourth haircut with a buzz cut making him look like a little Tim walking around. While we thankfully have avoided more illnesses, Judah has had a cough that seems to hang around.

Judah celebrated his second valentines day in several ways this month. Judah helped bake some valentines cookies by punching out the hearts and putting them on the pan. We then finger painted for the first time with our neighbor Zach using blue, washable tempera pain. Judah stood up to the table on the chair and made shapes with potato art. Then he immersed his hands to make finger and hand prints. We ate some more valentine cookies. After nap time, we delivered some valentines and cookies to our friends to finish celebrating the holiday.

We also did a number of activities this month to help pass the Winter blues. Believe it or not, one day it was 65 degrees (Feb 17) that we took a flashlight walk after dark. Judah carried around his little flashlight and walked beside dad. Then he thought he would walk in the light of the circle. This also about the time we started seeing Robins around the yard.

On another really nice day, we went to the Des Moines Botanical Center with cousins Caleb, Hannah, Isaac, and Jonathan. Going in the morning, we enjoyed our time walking around the garden watching the fish and smelling the flowers. We stopped for a picnic lunch and then finished our tour of the rainbow theme before heading outside to walk along the river walk.

Other days are filled with play group, music class, going to the library for story time, or hanging out with the neighbors. Mondays, we still have some friends over to play and chat. Wednesday mornings we enjoy music class followed by errands. And on Fridays, we visit the library for story hour and to check out new books. In between most often in the afternoons, we visit the neighbor friends to play outdoors or invite them over for dinner.

Later this month as the weather turned cold again, Judah and I made a trip up north to spend a few days with Nana Joyce and Uncle Charlie. Since my dad was gone overseas, Judah and I helped my mom clean and sort our old toys. Judah especially had fun playing ball and making faces at the table with his Uncle Charlie. Daddy came up for the weekend in time for us to go to cousin Jacob's birthday party at the farm.

This month, Tim and I started Financial Peace University at our church on Monday nights while Judah spends the evening with the neighbors. We also celebrated Valentines Day by going to a Married Life Live event at the church the Friday before Valentines Day. I spent a few days this month working on my crafts. My friend Sarah came over to quilt with me and I was able to start on my quilt by cutting out the t-shirt squares. Another day, I took time to work on Judah's baby book, making some more progress toward completing it.

We were saddened this month when my old 1997 silver Dodge Stratus officially died. This put us down to the challenge of a one car lifestyle. The end of February was the most challenging and the busiest thus far. One day started by getting ready in the morning to take daddy to work before 8:00am just so we could have the car for the day. After dropping off daddy, Judah and I went to music class. From there we had to drive across town for a dentist appointment. This brought us up to lunch where we doubled up grocery shopping and lunch at the local grocery store deli. We managed to make it over to the church for two meetings back-to-back. Finally, Judah fell asleep for a late nap on the way home. I hurried to make a dinner for a friend and when Judah woke up, we got back in the car to run it over to their house.

January: Month 19!

2011-01-30T11:45:00.003-06:00

As we finally put the Christmas tree away, we celebrated New Years Day with family and friends sharing our wieners and sour kraut. January then got off to a good start. Judah and I found plenty to do to keep busy with this month. And Judah also kept us busy with his new words, tricks, and opinions each and every step of the way.

First, Judah's daily vocabulary never ceased to amaze us. This month he has repeated words we say in conversation and developed the art of conversation. For example, after Christmas he came home saying, "honey," just like his cousin Jacob. He also learned "poop" during a conversation about dirty diapers with a friend. He even pretends to talk like with feeding his "Papa" below. Judah also pronounces three syllable words like "elephant" and "already." He continues to voice longer and longer phrases, lumping words together in short sentences. Still other times he names an object or uses a word that we did not even realize he knew what it meant.

Now that Judah can say, "animals," he wants to host a zoo in his crib every time he goes to sleep. We have "Oo-oo" monkey, little puppy, big monkey, big elephant, big puppy, and another occasional stuffed, furry friend from time to time. He starts out hugging his monkey and puppy but by the time you cover him up later, he is laying across one of the bigger animals. There is almost no or little room in the crib for Judah. During the day, he hugs them, tries to feed them, and plays with them. And he likes to count the tails.

Just like with his animals, we really noticed Judah start to pretend play and use his imagination this month in other areas. One day, I put the washcloth puppets he got for Christmas on his hands and he was saying "hello" and talking back and forth by his own prompting. He also likes to play with his balls (beo-balls as he calls them), rolling them, dribbling them, and spinning them into circles. Along with balls, he loves circles, experimenting as we try to spin every object in the house. He also made up his own game with the bowling pins by setting them up in a circle so we can run around them singing "Ring around the Rosy." If we cannot spin an object then it becomes a drum stick for hitting or a horse to ride. We also bring his little trikes inside only to turn them upside down to spin the wheels, observing how they work. Other times, he stacks his blocks to make a house, learning to build things on his own or run his trains (choo-choos) from Christmas on tracks.

Judah's growth this month is evident in his ability to do new tricks. Judah continues to show off his skills in climbing. He seems to know if a stool or box is nearby something else because you will find him using it to climb higher onto the chair and eventually the table. While I was gone for a weekend, I got this text from Tim that said, "Judah is standing on the table." I want to know where was dad? At a friend's house, Judah even bravely stepped down several stairs all by himself before tumbling to the bottom.

Judah's increased independence has encouraged new and effective disciplining for mommy and daddy. His expressions in attitude by telling mommy and daddy "no" followed by hitting have led to stronger discipline methods. Judah has also tested boundaries as he explores throwing items or climbing on unsafe things. His experience with other kids has increased awareness in sharing and playing.

At the table, Judah has really mastered the process of eating but not what he wants to eat. Each day is a battle over food, when we eat it, how we eat it, and what we eat. Now that he can say words like "crackers," "juice," "milk," and "bananas (mananas)," he lets you know when he is hungry or thirsty more often. He does spoon well enough on his own like yogurt (with granola) in the mornings for breakfast. However, when we are done, we like to throw the food and silverware on the floor for Maestro or to save for later. He still remains weary of meats and casseroles-type dishes where the food is mixed together. Instead, he enjoys his peanut butter sand which (pulled apart of course) and crackers. He continues to enjoy fruit even sitting to eat whole apples. Anything else begs creativity in what I serve, when I serve, and how I serve. This has resulted in us clapping when he finally takes a bite or sharing the food with mommy and daddy to eat with him.

We try to get out as much as we can during these cloudy, snowy days. If the frigid temperatures lift, we take a walk down to the mailbox. Sometimes we bundle up to play in the snow or go sledding at the nearby golf course. Other times we would run errands occasionally stopping at the mall for some play area time. Most of our social time was on still on Mondays when we had play group at our house. Fridays, our special outing took us to Starbucks for a snack and then story time at the library next door. Other days we travel a few blocks to the West Des Moines Community Center's open gym for toddlers. Running into friends on these afternoons, we can chat, play with the playground equipment, and run around until our hearts were content tiring out before nap time.

Inside at home, I continued to write every other day on my new blog, www.MommysRecess.com coming up with new activities for Judah and I to pass the time and for something to report. Often Judah and I would experiment on a fun project before I wrote about it. We played with Magic Mud and shoveled and scooped in our homemade indoor sandbox as some our activities to circumvent the winter blues.

Unfortunately, we did start January with another round of croup and sinus infections. Both Judah and I were sick with serious colds that caused us to be cooped up for a while over New Years. Tim had to hold the fort down by taking care of us and taking care of the house. While not tending to us sick, Tim was busy at work hiring new staff and training these new positions at work.

This month I enjoyed my first weekend away from Tim and Judah, leaving them behind at home. Staying at a cabin in Oskaloosa, I scrap booked with friends for an entire weekend. Our resting, relaxing, and rejuvenating consisted of some time in fellowship, eating good food, playing games, and watching movies. Tim experienced his first weekend alone at home with Judah. You will read about how it went over at www.MommysRecess.com since Tim wrote about it.

The weather has blown in a lot of visitors this month causing us to wash sheets multiple times over. First my friend Nicole was snowed in a few days while waiting for her rescheduled flight to New York. Then my friend Katie was around for a weekend to visit, celebrating New Years Day with us. The last weekend Papa and Gigi stayed with us for the weekend allowing us to go sledding and go out for a date. As they were leaving, Papa Ed and Nana Joyce rolled into town to visit.

December: Month 18!

2010-12-31T13:34:00.001-06:00

Judah has started to explore his independence. This has entailed falling out of the crib one day with a big thump. Tim and I ran to open the door of his room only to have him walk out crying. Needless to say, we had to lower the mattress again to the lowest setting. This means he now sits with his feet hanging out and banging them against the crib. Also, Judah learned to open the doors by himself (Dec 21), turning the handles. Judah finally outgrew his little bath, taking his bath in the big tub with all his toys.

This independence has carried over into eating. He now wants to eat with a plate or bowl all the time, trying scoop with a fork and spoon. He tries to feed mommy and daddy his food or at the very least have you eat the same item at the same time, including drinking. He also pulls apart his peanut butter sandwich to take bites out of the middle of the bread. His main food staple has become bananas as he likes eats three a day (cause he can walk over to the pantry and tell you he wants one). He wants to have the cereal box on his tray so that he can look at the pictures.

Judah is now talking in phrases, saying words that never ceases to surprise us. His frequent talking also includes the concept of plural as he adds the "S" sound (i.e. boat verses boats). We also were shocked when he exclaimed the letters "O" and "Y" from our stocking holders out of the blue one day. Even more so, he really wants to learn his shapes, already recognizing circles to the point of drawing them and pointing out squares and triangles, correctly naming them also. He is starting to concentrate on his colors, knowing blue and black for sure and noticing the others. He will help you count items out to ten if you ask "How many are there Judah," saying a few numbers like 2, 4, and 8.

Judah really picked up some new songs to sing. Singing Head and Shoulders and Your Happy if you Know it really helped him learn his body parts. We would participate in the actions, pointing out the body parts. He would also point out his body parts when asked telling you where his head, ears, eyes, mouth, teeth, shoulders, tummy, belly button, knees, and toes and feet were.
He also discovered winking and making funny faces, especially at himself in the mirror while eating in his high chair. He would also go around clapping and stomping his feet.

Besides all the newly, unpacked Christmas decorations, Judah loved to color in his box. We drew circles, squibbled other shapes, and doodled every inch of the box all the while climbing in and out of the tunnel. Judah would make you lay on your stomach so that you could color his beloved circles. He also picked out which colors you had and where you could color. Usually he had his favorite color blue while you had the other colors you practiced naming. Judah even made Nana Joyce color his box.

Our December started out with croup the first week back from Ohio. Judah's little body shook from the awful cough that seemed to keep him up during the night. We started the week at doctor's only to be told that croup is a virus that can only be cured with lots of rest and fluids. We then ended the week back at the doctor's for the cough turned into a bad sinus cold. During the days, Judah laid on the couch and watch his videos.

Once we were well, it finally started to feel like Christmas. Papa Ed and Nana Joyce came down to see us one weekend. Another weekend, my friend Sarah and I baked 15 plus dozen cut-out and oatmeal cookies while Tim and Judah went to winter Farmer's Market. Judah came home to his first taste of Christmas cookies, even calling them crackers in hopes of getting more.

When we were not focused on Christmas, Judah and I continued our normal activities. We resumed our play group with our friends on Monday mornings and went to story time at the Des Moines Central Library on Friday mornings. We also went to open gym (Dec 15) at the nearby West Des Moines Community Center in Valley Junction during the afternoon. Here Judah joined the other kids in letting out some energy by sliding down the slide, chasing balls, riding Big Wheels, and running around the gym.

Getting ready for Christmas meant cookie cutters, gift bows, and crayons strewn all over the house. Except for baking with my friend Sarah, Judah played with the silver cookie cutters setting them up on the floor downstairs. They never made it on the tree as intended. We even tried stringing a few of the smaller cookie cutters but to no avail as they soon were back on the floor for play. Upstairs was littered with gift boxes and wrapping paper. Judah's idea of wrapping gifts was helping with the tape and sitting on the paper. We went through a lot of tape this year as we used long pieces of tape often. Then we would get out the crayons and stickers, decorating the white gift boxes while mommy actually tried to wrap presents.

Decorating the tree was a chore with Judah. It was all we could do to keep him focused as excitement prevailed. We went to the tree farm this year but instead of actually cutting one down, we opted for a pre-cut one on that bitter cold day. Judah loved watching the model, Lego train set puffing its way around the track. Immediately we found a very large white pine we liked and Judah was amazed at the workers shaking the needles and wrapping it up. Judah came downstairs one morning to find the tree already set up, exclaiming “oooo” in his excitement of touching the needles. Later, when we went to decorate, he loved playing with the red, garland beads, dragging them around the house. He practiced his colors by pointing out lights, declaring the color.

Tim and I finished all the other Christmas activities after Judah went to bed: decorating the tree, Christmas cards, wrapping gifts (with the paper), making surprise videos, and even eating Christmas treats. During the day with Judah, the radio was constantly tuned into festive caroles, especially as Judah controlled volumn. He also discovered his nativity play set, setting up all his people around the manger scene or carrying Jesus.

Tim took off a few extra days to celebrate Christmas. Uncle Matt and Hilary stopped on their drive from Colorado to spend the night. The next morning, we woke up to a big homemade breakfast complete with daddy's muffins, eggs, and sausage. Later that evening we dressed up for the Christmas Eve Eve service at Point of Grace. Judah enjoyed the stage of snowflakes. The service ended with putting together chains of trust for the New Year. Afterwards, we came home for our Christmas dinner of Chicken Kiev, stuffing, and green bean casserole. Judah opened his big gift from mommy, four colored blocks and two sets of vinyl balls.

On Christmas Eve, we continued our own family celebration by opening stockings the next morning. Judah found a banana sticking out of his stocking. Inside were some choo, choo trains, Thomas and Percy. He also got really really excited over the new box of crayons. Tim liked the shorts he found in his stocking along with two new Stephen Bly books. And I discovered candy and gift cards in my stocking. Even Maestro found catnip and a light up ball in his stocking for him and Judah to play.

We took our time opening gifts throughout the day as a family only to stop to eat another wonderful breakfast and take a nap. Judah was really excited over his big gift from daddy, Thomas train and track. Tim had surprised me with a collection of home videos of Judah. And we all opened up matching pajamas of Polar Bears as part of our Christmas pajama tradition.

Also among the Christmas tree Judah found a frog shelf for the bathroom toys, his favorite book, The Baby Goes Beep, an ABC Iowa book, felt board with numbers and the alphabet, and much more. Tim found needed socks and undershirts.

It was fun to watch Judah get into Christmas this year. He would rip open the wrapping paper and awe and coo over the toys. Meanwhile, Maestro found the gift bows and catnip playing all over the living room floor. Tim enjoyed taking videos and pictures of Judah. And like Mary in the Bible, I pondered the happiness of the season while picking up the remnants of Christmas strewn across the floor.

Later that day, we packed and planned to come north only to get snowed in Des Moines another night from our Christmas snowstorm. We finally left the next morning on Christmas day, trudging through snowdrifts and the woods to Nana J and Papa Ed's house. When we got there ate our fill of the French toast casserole and eggs and sat around the tree with the rest of my family to open gifts.

Judah found a Radio Flyer scooter among the gifts. While Tim and I opened clothes, hand towels, and sheets, Judah also found puzzles and a set of sports balls to play with Uncle Philip and Uncle Charlie. Afterwards, we napped, ate some more, and threw around the balls. Then later in the evening, we loaded back up to head out to the Rittgers Farm.

Once we arrived at the Farm, Judah played and played with his cousins, Jacob and Gabe. Having all the grandsons there, the boys followed each other around the couch, up and down the stairs, and into the boys room full of toys. The rest of us visited and watched the boys make a mess.
Even Papa played with the boys so the rest could play cards.

On Monday, after a big breakfast, we gathered in the sun room to open gifts. The boys featured old Christmas sweaters as we all posed for a family picture. Then we sang the Christmas story through Away and a Manger and blew out the candles to the cake. Soon the room became full of tractors, trucks, and lots and lots of wrapping paper as the kids played to their hearts content.

The rest of our trip was spent visiting with family. While the boys continued to play, the adults found some cards to play. We also did our after Christmas shopping, looking for those good sales. Finally, on Tuesday, the frigid weather warmed up enough to allow us a ride on the sled behind the four wheeler. Bundling up Judah except for his eyes peeking, Tim took us for a ride down to the pond and back. Then Judah explored the deep snow with his cousin Jacob, taking another sled ride, making snow angels, and trying to get stuck in the deep drifts. Even Gigi took a ride.

Tuesday evening we celebrated New Year's Eve with extended family by making ableskievers, the little round pancakes. Judah thought they were balls. Tim and I ended up cooking for the whole family before we packed up to go home.

November: Month 17!

2010-11-30T09:00:00.001-06:00

Even though the weather is getting colder, we managed to take a walk midday for the mail and some fresh air. Judah gathers up mommy shoes and brings them to her as we bundle up with our coats, hats (minus the gloves as he does not like them), and our boots. Our walk always turn into collecting sticks and searching for rocks. He carries one stick in each hand and stops to make you pick-up and carry all the other things he wants, making your arms very full. We have our own little wood pile outside. Judah also knows what houses have rocks in their yards, likes stopping to check them out no matter how big or small. Unfortunately, the rocks usually make their way in the house.

Indoors, Judah's favorite activity has been playing with a large, empty box. We get out crayons and color, most often drawing circles over and over with his favorite color, blue. Mommy even gets down on her tummy to color along. On other occasions, we build a fort with the box, crawling in and out, and chasing each other. Then when we are done with the box we like to pretend to ride horses (or ducks) or climb all over things (even when mom is not looking). As a result, Judah has started losing privileges or things when he is naughty. Most often the chair gets taken away for standing on it.

This month, Judah's vocabulary has increased so much, that we cannot keep track. He is putting phrases of a few words together such as “I love you.” We often discover he knows words that we did not realize he even knew, pointing at objects and naming them like “deer.” Among them he learned to say video (v-o), always asking for a video from watching so many while he was sick. He uses “up” when he means down. He says “stairs” to go upstairs or downstairs. Things that start with “B” usually become “bet (bed)” except for banana (which he pronounces as manana).

This month Judah discovered condiments. Watching daddy dip fries into ketchup and putting mustard on his sandwich, Judah wanted to mimic daddy, trying all the condiments but most often licking it off. He really hated spicy mustard. He also still likes you to blow on things that are hot; whether the food is hot or not, Judah wants you to blow on everything, including Parmesan cheese. And if he has the smallest fuzzy on his fingers, it is "icky," and he whines to have you wipe it off. We go through a lot of paper towels around here due to all the "icky" things.

This month, Mommy's Recess really kicked off as my friend Sarah and I had over 1,000 hits from Internet readers. We took some time to reorganize the blog, making it more user friendly and accessible adding twitter. Writing everyday keeps us challenged among our daily activities and taking care of kids. But then we write about our daily lives, making it fun and useful for other moms.

Toward the end of the month, Judah and I started our own play group with some friends from the library, as a result of the blog and story time. Our friends Sarah, Sean, and Brendan were already coming over on Monday mornings, so we invited a few additional moms and their sons from story time to come over too. Now every Sunday evening is spent cleaning for our friends coming to play the next morning, guaranteeing the house gets picked up a least once a week. Arriving at 9:30am, the kids have a snack while four moms chat over hot tea. The five boys usually find something to play with, crawling around together.

This month we also welcomed the newest cousin into the Rittgers family: Joshua Joseph. Another “J” name and another boy. Both mommy and baby remained healthy and happy after delivery. Traveling up north to the farm, we were able to visit and hold the new, little guy. Judah kept going around saying baby and if you ask him if he wants a baby, Judah responded, "yes, please, please." Cousin Jacob just enjoyed having Judah around to play with since Joshua was not able to play yet.

Another weekend we spent family time at the Des Moines Science Center. We all had fun along the exhibits playing with the experiments and learning hands on about science. In the toddler and children's room, Judah crawled around through the colorful village, cranking hot air balloons up and down, built magnet robots, fished, and made giant bubbles. Tim enjoyed creating a dam and mommy helped Judah throw balls down the ball wall. We even saw some snakes and posed for the evening news.

Then later in the month, the three of us traveled to Ohio for Thanksgiving with Grandma Betty Coleman (Great Grandma for Judah). We left on Friday evening for a bite of Amana's good cooking and stopping half-way in Bloomington, IL. Instead of sleeping like mommy had intended, Judah remained wired the whole evening up until we finally quieted down for bed time after 1:00 am. Thankfully, Judah had received a new magnet board with animals for the car ride and videos from the library. At the hotel, Judah had to check out the luggage cart and spent some time on the phone.

On Saturday, packed back up for the rest of the trip which thankfully was more laid back as Judah slept. We arrived at Grandma's house in time for the fourth quarter of the Ohio St/Iowa game. Judah chose to ride Grandma's goose while we watch football. With a quick supper of wieners and sour kraut (Grandma was ready for me), we headed off to bed for some much needed rest.

On a whole our week was a nice, quiet pace. Judah played at Grandma's coffee table with his new Chuck and Friends Garage set or stood by the fireplace singing E-I-E-I-O. Grandma sewed her embroidery. Tim read. Judah watched videos with Grandma. We walked around in the woods on a few 65 degrees days collecting sticks or swinging at the church playground next door. I visited with Grandma, Uncle Roger, and Uncle Bruce, and found some time in between for reading, napping, and card making. Also, we took a turn at cards in the evening. Grandma pampered us with good cooking and we treated her to some pizza and fried Canadian Walleye with Iowa sweet corn. We even celebrated Christmas.

In the middle of the week on Wednesday, we loaded for a day trip to Cedarville, Ohio, to see my cousin Karen and her family. We spent the morning at my Aunt Maxine and Uncle Dwayne's house so that Judah could play with his cousin Will. Both boys competed for hugs and toys. Afterwards, we went out to a quick lunch at Panera before walking around some outdoor shops seeing where Karen works.

On Thursday, Judah started out Thanksgiving day with another bath (tradition now). Then he fell asleep while we ate dinner with Uncle Roger and Aunt Linda, also tradition for him. This allowed us to visit while enjoying Grandma's fine cooking once again. Judah woke up in time for pie and to entertain everyone while eating. We enjoyed ourselves with at the dinner and a show.

Judah stayed awake again the following Friday evening on our way home. I came down sick with a cold. So once we got to the hotel, we fell asleep right away. On Saturday, Judah slept to make up for the night before. Then we stopped at the outlet mall along the way to walk around.

We finished out the month with another round of sickness. While I had a sinus cold, Judah's coughing turned into croup with runny nose and fever making him very irritable and mommy tired. For five plus days we stayed cooped up indoors watching videos and starting our days at 4:00am. We even started our week and ended it with trips to the doctor.

October: Month 16!

2010-10-30T15:00:00.002-05:00

It is harvest time and such nice Fall temperatures has allowed us to be outside a lot this month, playing ball or riding bikes with our neighbor friends. Judah started taking walks with mommy around the block without the stroller, stopping long enough to explore, collect sticks, crunch leaves, and point out all the pumpkins. We have built a woodpile beside our house of all the sticks we have collected from around the neighborhood. We discovered the hills beside our house climbing them on our way to the mail box every afternoon. Several times we went to the park to fit in some swinging and going down the slide before the weather turned cold. Each day we would be outside playing in the leaves enjoying every last bit of the warm, Fall sunshine.

Judah's favorite activity this month has been playing with balls. He likes to roll them, kick them, bat at them, carry them around, bounce them, and scream "ball." Every kind size and shape of ball is interesting: bouncy balls to big exercise balls, footballs to soccer balls, and even small, indoor vinyl, hand balls. Everything that is round and sphere-like such as gourds and pumpkins or even pear shape like lightbulbs are also "balls." Even the walnuts in our yard are "balls" and he seems to find every one of them.

Judah also has sat and played with his toys more this month. We found a Noah's ark with animals that Judah likes to stand beside his little table and play with. Then he has rediscovered his Fischer Price Little People Barn with the farm animals as well as putting the animals into the tractor wagons. He likes to zoom his Fischer Price Little People Bus around, calling the bus driver, Papa. Finally, he has sat and played with his building blocks more and more, stacking them, helping me stack them, and of course knocking them down.

Judah's new thing is climbing and along with that getting into things. He has found the one cupboard where the safety latch is broken only to pull out all my mixing bowls and lids to crawl inside and shut the door. This makes a lot of extra dishes to wash. He still enjoys plopping down on the pillows especially when they are on the couch or bed. Unfortunately, he has not comprehended the message from the "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." He tries to stand on his chairs before mommy catches him. He climbs into his toy boxes or laundry baskets whether they are filled or empty. With being a little taller and stronger, he has discovered opening our nightstand drawers to find mommy's chap stick and lotion. So I replaced these items with fun things for him to find making the drawer his place to open and explore. His eagerness for adventure can be summed up on the day that daddy was home watching him and found him standing on the kitchen table where he had climbed up the chairs and was playing with the light.

Judah has started playing directly with us or other kids instead of just parallel play. He wants you to drive his cars with him or read separate books sitting side by side. He likes to "Hop on Pop" or pick up sticks as he walks with you around the block. Overall he is better about sharing his toys, offering them to friends, and observing what other kids do. He has really started to pick up his toys. He understands what it means to put on shoes and get ready to go bye, bye. You can really see his interaction when he plays with his cousin Jacob if we go north to the farm or on our Monday play dates with his friend Sean.

Even more so, Judah's conversation skills started out with two syllable consonants and ended with saying short phrases. The highlight came when Judah (October 29) held up his arm and said, "mom" so he could be carried. Later that day, Judah again came to me, said "mom," followed by "please" and then when I bent over to help him, he finished with a "thank you." He is picking up more words than I can keep track. His pronunciation appears to be right on except for the one word he seems to struggle with, "Maestro" as he replaces it with "Detro" followed by "no no." Other than that I have heard him say the following words: bubble, tractor, hippo, kitty, taxi, yes, ark, these, thank you, puppy, monkey, Binky, shoes, socks, box, pepper, stick. Judah woke up one night at 3:00am saying, "Puppy, monkey, and Binky." I proceeded to go get him these things since he had thrown them out of his crib. I tucked him real good since he got cold. On the way out of the room with a Binky in his mouth, I hear this "Thank you!" If you listen closely, you can also hear him say from time to time: what's this, all right, and I touched it.

This month Judah has finally grown to 20 pounds in spite still wearing his 12 month clothes. This means that he can finally graduate to the bigger car seat. His first ride was like opening a whole new world. He could watch the road, see trucks, understand what mommy means by stopping or going at the light, and watch daddy drive. Surprisingly this month, Judah got taller and lankier, filling out those 12 month clothes better. Often we would cover his brown mop of thick hair with a fun seasonal hat (to hide that he needs another haircut already) for a photo opportunity.

This month he tasted strawberries for the first time. Judah also really enjoyed taking a trip to the pepper plant in our small garden to find one to eat raw, seeds and all. He also liked raw onion and discovered raw broccoli. Every piece of food is "hot" even if it is cold and so we have to blow on everything before he will eat it. Other than that, Judah practiced with his fork and spoon, leaning more and more how to scoop up his eggs and cheese or fork his macaroni. Judah finally got a high chair putting him on the same level as mommy and daddy and allowing him to watch himself eat in the dining room mirror.

Our daily Fall routine has remained the same. Judah still takes his naps during the afternoon allowing errands in the morning and chores after nap. You can always tell when he is tired because he reaches up with both hands and grabs his hair or mommy's hair. Usually we go outside and take a walk around the neighborhood and stop to get the mail in the afternoon. He enjoys watching his one video a day while mommy makes supper. Before bed, daddy reads books to him ending with his special goodnight book. You will see him carry his puppy and monkey (called oo-oo) around before cuddling with them in bed.

At the beginning of October, we took our annual Fall excursion to get apples in Wisconsin. Staying with Grandpa and Grandma Kreis the night before, we all traveled on Saturday with the big white van loaded up with us, Grandpa and Grandma, and Uncle Philip and Uncle Charlie. Arriving at Gays Mills, Wisconsin, by afternoon, we filled the back with baking and eating apples. As we went from one Orchard to the next, Judah got his fill of our family Fall tradition. The first stop, Judah immediately went to a pallet of apples and starting taking them out of the bushels, saying, "apple." At another stop, Judah enjoyed seeing the petting animals, waving at the rabbits and pointing at the goats. Our day was complete with a tire swing ride, Wisonsin cheese, and playing chalk with Uncle Charlie. Before stopping to eat at the Pizza Ranch in Olwein, we visited the Pikes Peak State Park for a glimps of the beautiful Fall color.

Our three day weekend allowed us to continue filling it with all the activities of Fall. On Sunday and Monday, we stayed at the Rittgers Farm with Papa and Gigi. Judah had his first sleep over with cousin Jacob. Together the boys played and then played off each other. Judah rode with Papa in the combine helping harvest a bumper crop of corn. Then we selected pumpkins from the patch and carved them with the boys. Each boy cleaned the seeds out of their pumpkin and then ate it and played in the leaves. The weather was even pleasant enough for the boys to take a dip in Grandpa's pond.

Unfortunately, after our little trip, we experienced our first cold and illness of the season. Judah was on his first round of anti-biotic for a sinus infection. At least his ears were thankfully clear this time. However, once the sinus infection cleared, Judah came down with some kind of respiratory viral infection the following week. This meant little sleep for all of us as Judah experienced very high temperatures (103), vomiting, and sore throat especially during the night. We had to take shifts since the little guy wanted to be cuddled often and to keep a close eye on his fever. We would strip him down putting on cool wash cloths to keep the fever under control and then give him medicine to lessen the pain. Still, we ended up taking him to the Emergency Room after calling the Mercy Nurse for advice. Being an viral infection, all they could do was provide pain and nausea medication as the infection ran its course. Judah would only drink Pedialyte or juice and eat vegetable chips (only thing he really wanted) when he felt good. Otherwise, he watched a lot of videos when he was not sleeping. After a week, you could tell he was feeling better when he would ask for his ball or laugh at Maestro running nearby.

Besides catching up on sleep from many nights of caring for a sick kid, I was fortunate to add some new fall activities. I was fortunate to spend a day at the church scrapbooking on Judah's baby book. Then a conversation and brainstorming session with my friend Sarah Bowman on one of our Monday play dates turned into a blog for moms. Calling it Mommy's Recess, we update it daily with tips, advice, and thoughts for other moms of young kids. We take turns posting ideas related to various days of the week that we have identified. Wednesday afternoons have also become a weekly craft day with my friend Sarah Cutshall ever since our annual pie making day. We have started working on quilt projects while Judah naps. Having a craft day allows me to archive my projects on another blog I started with my sister-in-law, Hilary Rittgers, called Handiwork Inspirations. Other than that, Judah and I have spent a lot of time getting to know the neighbor kids, Zach and Porter, often going to play with them after nap time in the afternoons. Sometimes these play dates turn into a dinner collaberation between families.

Tim's Fall activites have picked up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa. This month, the organization put on their annual Old Bags fundraiser. Moving offices to the south side of town made things crazy for a while as he helped set up the computer network. In addition, he participates in his Leadership class on every other Thursday nights as they discuss topics such as the history of Des Moines. Tim still sings once a month as part of the worship team at church.

As a family, we took one weekend to clean out the garage and winterize the garden. Judah had fun helping wash down the sand box and chairs for storage. Then he enjoyed digging up the flowers with mommy. On another weekend, Rachel came to babysit Judah so mommy and daddy could double date with some friends. Then for Halloween, we went to Hy-Vee for a family fun night with $0.99 kids' meals, cake walk, pumpkin decorating, and trick-or-treating. On the acutal holiday, we put on Judah's monkey hat and went out to eat for supper to celebrate.

Saturday Morning

2010-10-30T10:29:00.001-05:00

This is what I do when mommy sleeps in on Saturday mornings. Tee-hee!

Fall for September: Month 15!

2010-09-20T16:14:00.050-05:00

While September nights are cooling off and giving way to an earlier dusk, we have been making ever opportunity to enjoy the remaining warm, sunny, Fall days watching the squirrels gather nuts, crunching leaves under our feet, watering the mums, sticking our fingers in rotting walnuts, and chasing balls into the street. With these nice temperatures, we go to the park to swing, going down the slide, or digging around in the sand with our shovel. Here at home, we play in the water table and sit outside for snack time. This time of year is also Maestro's favorite season as we open the windows so he can enjoy the fresh air and the sound of the birds with us.

Judah's favorite activity this fall has been to play ball. Constantly, we are chasing balls of all kinds into the street: basketball, football, kick ball, and wiffle balls (he knows that mommy and daddy has to get them and he cannot go in the street). He points at you to play with him which often consists of him holding his little football and you holding the big, adult football at the same time. Other times we sit down and roll the balls back and forth or kick them back and forth in the driveway. We even have learned to throw them into the bucket and hit them with our bat like playing golf. Even the walnuts have become "balls."

Judah's sense of humor has really come out in funny ways that just make you laugh and realize how smart he really is. Often you will catch him trying on our shoes and trying to walk around the room. He loves to play a game that entails spitting out his Bink in the car. Often Tim will pat him on the back when holding him and Judah now likes to pat daddy on the back in return. Even more so, he really likes to pretend to tickle you, finding your belly button or your toes. Still, he copies your sighs and say uh-oh at the most appropriate times.

Judah has become a walking dictionary almost overnight. He constantly mimics your vowel/consonant sounds and repeats your words. His vocabulary has increased to include more words than we can count: juice, leaf, this, my ball, apple, please, blue, uh-oh, hot, dog, daddy, mommy, Papa, wow, hi, bye, duck, beep, baby, mine, up, and so on. He likes to wave and say "hi" or "bye" to almost everyone we meet. He also sings with you saying the words to Old McDonald, making the animal sounds and saying E-I-E-I-O. He is now starting to enjoy the Your Baby Can Read Videos as he listens to the words. His favorite books right now are the flashcards and flap books that go along to the videos. He is pointing to the objects while you name it and many times he will request to read these books over and over.

He is really matching similar items and sounds together too. He can match his puzzle pieces to the like pattern placing them into the correct open spot (after some maneuvering of course). He also will pick up the two matching identical blocks. He even will bring the right shoes (both pair) to the right person when he wants to go outside or when you ask him to bring your shoes. He is also really good at pointing to objects in a book that you want him to find. When he sees an animal or you say the animal, he will point and give you the correct animal sound. He moos like a cow, cries woof like a dog, meows like a cat, quacks like a duck, clucks likes a chicken, and pretends he is a monkey.

With the cooler temperatures, Judah got his new high-top tennis shoes for the fall (size 4). Judah also got new, warm 12 month clothes from garage sales and our favorite consignment shops. At his 15 month doctor's appointment, he weighed in at 18 pounds (which means he is still in the infant car seat). However, by the end of the month he weighed in at 19.6 pounds at his six month ear check-up and started wearing size 4 diapers. He went with Daddy to get his second haircut since his hair grows so fast and thick. This month he also got four molars (first top and then bottom) adding a ton of wet drool that you can see smeared all over the windows and mirrors. Judah has also become a climber, climbing on the couch and standing on his chairs. His ability to come down the stairs carefully backwards and sitting nicely on the bottom step has increased mommy's confidence. Judah has also been walking to and from places more always holding mommy's hand in the street and parking lot.

Judah really has learned to use his fork and spoon to eat. He is now not so eager to throw his plate on the floor but instead attempts to put food on his fork or spoon (even with his hands). Judah likes to eat his meals one course at a time; we discovered that he does better with one food at a time before the next. He tries to use his fork and spoon, sometimes succeeding to get the food in his mouth and always succeeding at throwing everything on the floor. Sometimes he will not eat it on his try but pick up later on the floor to eat (stinker). He not only likes bananas, grapes, and corn this month often gobbling them down when he gets an opportunity, he eats a ton of bread and crackers. This just shows that he is eating less casseroles and mixed food and more single foods one course at a time. He enjoys eating meat more often like chicken and hamburger. New food this month include raisins, peanut butter, and strawberry malts.

Our daily routine has finally settled down. Judah wakes up sometime between 6:00am or 7:00am in the morning. The first thing he wants to do is read books or play with puzzles for about thirty minutes. Then we go downstairs for breakfast of bananas, yogurt, and sometimes toast for breakfast (he refuses cheerios now). After getting dressed and doing a few chores, we typically go outside to play or run errands. Judah has helped with a few chores himself. He helps with the recycling by taking the recycling upstairs (mostly empty water bottles) and putting it through the gate and then watching it go down the stairs. Later when we are downstairs, we collect it together and put it in the recycling container. Judah has also helped with dusting and vacuuming with the Swifter lately. He especially likes to stand on the picture frames while dusting (perhaps I should put socks on him and let him dust them that way). If we are outside, we walk to the park to swing and play in the sand, get the water table out, or play ball. Occasionally we will have a morning snack but usually we are ready for lunch at 11:30am. By 1:00pm, Judah is ready to nap for a couple of hours. Then once we get up, it is time for an afternoon snack of crackers, raisins, or something similar. If the weather is still nice, we walk/stroll to get the mail and then come home to play some more ball or in the sand box. Often Judah will play with the neighbor boys Zach and Porter in the late afternoon.

Our nighttime routine is still pretty much the same. Suppertime is always crazy around here and so Judah usually watches a thirty minute Baby Einstein video while supper is cooking and being prepared. At least once a week, we combine dinner efforts and eat with our neighbors, the Schempers, often trading between homes. After supper, we may have a short time to clean up the dishes, pick up the outside toys (thrown all over the yard), and get any last minute playing in before making our way upstairs. If he does not have a bath, then he gets wiped down before bed. We brush our hair and teeth (using two tooth brushes of course) again before bed now. He also gets to have a drink of water before bed. Daddy will read a few stories always ending with the nighttime book (by this time, Judah has learned to cuddle up). Still going to bed at 8:00pm, he has for the most part been good about sleeping through the night.

Now that the summer activities are gone, we have started to fill our time with other opportunities throughout the week when we can. Judah still likes to attend story time at the library every Friday where we do rhymes, sing songs, do actions, read stories, and play. We have made some friends about the same age that we see every week. Then we have started having play dates once a week on Monday mornings at our house with our friend Sarah and her two younger boys, Sean and Brendan. At home, we fill our days with chores around the house or run errands around town.

We started this September out with our annual trip to the Steam Threshers Show in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, over Labor Day Weekend. Judah enjoyed looking at the antique tractors with Grandpa Kreis, Uncle Philip, and Uncle David. Judah, dressed in his engineer overalls spent the day being strolled around the grounds watching the steam engines toot their horns and let out puffs of smoke. Judah rode the steam-powered Carousel, his first fair-type ride. We took a trolley car out to the homestead area to enjoy banjo music, reenactments, and eat pickles and drink old-fashioned root beer. We also toured the old western village (although by this time in the afternoon Judah slept through this) watching the train get robbed. Judah even got his own train hat! Tuckered out, we enjoyed dinner at Pizza Hut before heading back to Harold Munson's farm for the night.

Judah talked Harold's ear off about the day while running around his living room carpet. The next day after we ate breakfast with Harold, we went to church with Harold at the Fairfield Baptist Church. Before getting on the road, Harold treated us to a nice dinner at Pizza Ranch. We then took a ride out in the back field to do some early scouting for deer hunting season. Finally on the road back to Des Moines, Judah slept until we stopped at the Williamsburg Outlet Mall for sidewalk sales. On Labor Day, we relaxed during the morning and then spent the evening with the Book Cousins (Caleb, Hannah, and Isaac) in Knoxville. While playing Simon Says and invading the toy box, we got to visit with Becca and help Ethan on the farm.

Judah experienced the zoo for the first time. One sunny day, we met Becca and Cousins Caleb, Hannah, and Isaac at the Des Moines Blank Park Zoo. Walking around looking at the animals, Judah got to see giraffes munching, the lions roaring, the prairie dogs digging, the sea lions swimming, the fish eating, and feel the goats lick his hands. Judah got so excited though when we found the monkeys. He new exactly what they said. We ended the trip to the zoo with a train ride.

Toward the end of the month, Grandpa and Grandma Kreis came to Des Moines and stayed with us while Tim was off on his retreat. Dad went to Farmers Market in the rain with Philip while Mom went with us to the Craft Show at the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Judah really enjoyed walking around and helping pick out Christmas presents. The rest of the weekend we spent visiting and eating out to include my other siblings and even Aunt Amy! Judah especially wanted Grandpa Kreis to read his library books to him.

Much of our time this month was devoted to Emma preparing and having surgery to remove her gallbladder. With surgery scheduled for September 10, much of the week before was spent cleaning, running errands, and putting a couple of meals in the freezer. We had doctor's appointments to meet with the surgeon and doctors. Judah also went with mommy to the Dentist where he sat on her lap the whole time watching her get her teeth cleaned. He even got a new toothbrush! Day of surgery went well, getting all prepped before 9:00am. Recovery thankfully was easier than anticipated. Released in early afternoon, we went home to find Papa, Gigi, and Judah napping. Papa and Gigi had arrived early that morning around 6:00am to babysit Judah and take him to story time. While sleeping the rest of the day, the rest of the family enjoyed dinner and settled down for the night.

It was very much appreciated to have lots of help on hand during the next week of recovery. Judah ventured north to the Rittgers farm Saturday through Monday all by himself with Papa and Gigi. He played with cousin Jacob, rode the gator, and even had cheesecake and strawberry malt (and you thought mommy would not find out). At home, we just enjoyed the quiet especially during recovery. Grandma Kreis then brought Judah back to Des Moines on Monday and stayed through Friday afternoon. This way she could help lift Judah, watch him during needed naps, and help around the house. Of course, Grandma and Judah played hard together. Judah learned to climb up the couch, climb up his to his seat, go down our steep stairs, and eat peanut butter (all thanks to Grandma).

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa has also moved administrative offices leaving Tim extra work organizing a new office and closing down the old building. The new office is in better shape and a safer neighborhood on the south side of Des Moines. This month he also started the Des Moines Leadership Institute's Community Leadership Program with their Fall kickoff retreat at Lake Panora. Old Bags, the annual fall fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa was successful.

August Summer Fun: Month 14!

2010-09-01T15:00:00.001-05:00

Judah's ccomprehension increased this month as he understood more and more what you were saying. You could give him commands or talk to him and it seems like he finally understood what you were saying or what you wanted him to do. A good example of this is he learned his body parts and could point them out as you asked about them. He could point out his head, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, arm, belly and belly button, and toes. Often he would pull up his shirt or yours to find someones belly button or search for your toes to tickle. On another note, he points and screams at everything saying "that" or "this" trying to communicate what he wants and certainly wearing out mommy's patience. He says "no, no, no" and if that is not enough, he says it more, "no, no, no," especially when you tell him no.

Judah has added new capabilities this month. Judah learned to ride his bike by himself this month, moving it with his feet. He has mastered turning backwards and going down the steps proficiently now. He gives hugs and kisses to both mommy and daddy as well. He loves to plop down on our two big giant pillows in the living room. Then he ends up laying down on them to watch his videos.

Judah is looking so much like a little "Tim" these days. You can really see this when he wears Tim's sandals that he wore when he was a little boy. Also, Judah's mannerisms and expressions are very similar to Tim. For instance, he sneezes like Tim (three times out in the sun), he shrugs his shoulders like Tim, and he has a mischievous grin like Tim. Judah got two new teeth this month, adding number five and six to the top of his mouth in addition to a lot more drool. His hair continues to grow fast and is starting to get thick like Tim's. It certainly is the same color.

His interest in using a spoon has increased too as he wants to be like mommy and daddy. We even have started using little forks with him. It seems like he wants to learn to use them instead of eating finger foods all the time. Sometimes he fusses at the table and we point at everything only to have him want the spoon when we finally point that out in desperation. This month he has also enjoyed eating bananas for breakfast instead of cheerios. Sometimes, he will eat yogurt or toast with his banana but not cheerios anymore.

Judah's favorite activity this month is anything and everything to do with music. First, this includes dancing; Judah has some fun dance moves where he will twirl, bounce up and down, march, step on his toes and other fancy footwork, rolls his arms, moon walk backwards, and head bang. He even sings, claps, and moves his arms to the music. He moves his hands trying to do the actions of Esty Bisty Spider or This Little Light of Mine. For slower songs, he likes to sway back and forth. Many times, we stop what we are doing for a dance break. We will turn on some tunes like Playground Jazz, Daddy O' Daddy, Pat the Bunny, or Bible and worship praise songs and have a family dance party. Along with this, Judah has used just about every wooden spoon, spatula, utensil, and stainless steal bowls from the kitchen for drumming. He even uses some container lids for cymbals. Sometimes we even get creative with Tupperware containers and bang those together. He especially likes to carry around a couple of stainless steal martini glasses (to my horror and embarrassment when the neighbors see us outside playing with them). Tim had won these from work and since we do not drink martinis, Judah found them in the get rid of pile in the garage. Will we have a use for them now as they make the best cymbals when you bang them together or with a stick. Finally, getting Judah a drum, you will see him carry it around the house drumming on it. This activity seems to entertain Judah for hours at a time.

With warm temperatures, we squeezed every opportunity (up until they closed) to play in the pool. Going to Ashby Park in Des Moines during the weekdays, Judah enjoyed playing in the fountains and the one foot wading pool. By the end of the season, he was sitting down in the water, blowing bubbles in the water, and running straight through the fountains totally unafraid. We even took a family outing to Valley View pool where Judah found more fountains to run through. Together we enjoyed lounging on inner tubes with Judah on Tim's lap and riding the lazy river. In addition to water, Judah always made time to play in the sand. Finding a shovel and a rake, he would move the sand around to his hearts content. Occasionally, you would even find him laying down in the sand and always you would find a dirty ring around his mouth from him eating it. Thankfully at the park, we could go wash off in the pool leaving behind all the dirt.

Once the pool closed for the season, we found other activities to occupy our time. One day we took a field trip to the Des Moines Botanical Center for a special story time. Judah loved to sings the songs and dance with the other kids. After listening to the stories and getting a toy, we walked around the botanical center looking at the pretty flowers (and picking them - shh) and watching the fish swim in the pond. Judah enjoyed his visit looking at all the plants. Another evening, we went to the Indianola Balloon Festival with our POG small group to watch the hot air balloons come and land for the evening. With head on the sky, Judah kept pointing at all the balloons as they flew over us and landed. This month we started getting together with our neighbors, the Schempers once a week to rotate doing supper or combine what was in the fridge. One week we would grill out at their house and the next week we would eat at ours. This always gives us a chance for some fellowship and for the kids to play. At home many days if the weather permitted, we were digging in the sandbox, splashing in the water table, or down at the park swinging and going down the slide.

Judah experienced the Iowa State Fair for the first time this year. With the fairgrounds nearby, we spent four days at the fair. The first time, we opened the fair attending as a family. Judah first taste of the fair was getting to meet the Blue Ribbon. Judah took in the sites, smells, and sounds as we strolled around the fairgrounds stopping along the way for an Egg on a Stick, Turkey Leg, catch Lamb Chop at the Kids Stage, dance to the Military Band, see the chicks at the Learning Center, and watch the fish at the DNR Building. Another day, we went with Grandpa and Grandma Kreis, Uncle Philip, and Uncle Charlie. On this day, we covered the staples of the fair like the butter cow in the Agricultural Building, the sand sculpture in the Cultural Building, and the High Dive Act. We also ate our Pork Chops on a Stick, peach shakes, and much more. Again Tim dropped off Judah and I on his way to work to spend a morning on the grounds. Much of this day was spent in the barns looking at animals. Judah was also able to pet the goats at the petting zoo and then we went to see Avenue of Breeds, the Big Boars, the Big Bulls, and finally Clifford the big red dog. Then we made a trip as a family to close out the fair where we watched the Grape Stomp, participate in the Veridian Scavenger Hunt, and toured the Varied Industries Building. Each day, Judah was wiped out from all the excitement but he certainly enjoyed it.

Tim's job continues to keep him busy attending meetings, managing staff, and planning fall programming. In particular, he has helped the transition for outsourcing Human Resources planning and payroll. Also this month, he worked with FEMA on leasing their space to offer help with the Des Moines flooding recently.

Thankfully, we had no problems with flooding this summer even though our creek nearby was higher than 2008 and even wiping out the the embankment near the bike trail. Unfortunately, though the mosquitoes were so thick often swarming us by the dozens. You would look outside our door at night and just see them flying all around. We did though have some hot days this month and many times we got stuck inside with the air conditioner on to break the high humidity. On days likes this, we went to the mall to the play area to let off steam or run other errands. Of course, this made it unbearable to travel for whoever had the Dodge Stratus since the air did not work. Many days, we would alternate schedules and plan accordingly just to drive the Escape.

These State Fair pictures were too cute to pass up and not share.

Vacation: Canada 2010!

2010-08-11T16:17:00.027-05:00

This summer we all enjoyed another trip north to Cygnet Lake in Ontario, Canada. Leaving a few days after Grandma Rittgers funeral, we headed up north by RV on Thursday afternoon (July 22). Judah enjoyed sitting on the floor of the RV playing with his bucket of toys or sitting with mommy and daddy watching Baby Einstein videos from the library to pass the time. The others stopped at Cabelas to look around. We crossed the border right before midnight before settling down for some sleep. Waking up around seven the next morning with little sleep from Judah tossing in bed next to us, we stopped for some breakfast, then stopped again later at Sioux Narrows to shop, and finally arriving at camp in time to unpack and make lunch meat sandwiches.

As soon as we could unpack, find our fishing poles and sunscreen, we were ready to breath in that fresh Canadian air and do absolutely nothing. Most of our days were filled with much of the same - a big breakfast, fishing or playing, fish and sweetcorn for lunch, naps and swimming/skiing in the afternoon followed by more good food for dinner, campfires, and games. Add in some good reading and relaxing, a nice fishing tan, a three pound- 20 inch Walleye, tubing on pondom, blueberry picking, smores with Peanut Butter Cups, and Canadian fairy (or I like to refer to Grandma as a great babysitter) - and you have a good vacation. Now multiply that with activity from everyone else - Trunnells, Heubners, Papa and Gigi Rittgers, Uncle Andrew and Aunt Amy with cousin Jacob, and Harold Munson - and you also have some serious good times and fond memories.

The fishing was not as good as last year but everyone still had a good time. Muff seemed to catch a lot in the beginning of the week at Camel Back as the other boats skipped around to just catch one or two. On the last day though, everyone else finally had a good day especially as our boat (Larry, Harold, Tim, and I) brought in nine Walleye plus White's five. Mark did get a quite a few Northern and Perch from others as part of his quota for the trip. Tim even caught a Small-Mouth Bass. The best catch of the week was my three pound - 20 inch Walleye, Muff's 19 inch Walleye, and my other two and a half pound - 18 inch Walleye. Still everyday we managed to eat Walleye and sweetcorn for lunch. The highlights of fishing were Tim losing his fishing pole at Camel Back and the green boat almost surrendering its anchor at Seagull Island.

The weather was just perfect this year as the days were warm enough for washing your hair in the lake and the nights were cool enough for sitting around the campfire eating smores. A few storms brought hail and washed out the roads but we just stayed indoors and played games. The weather also permitted a successful berry picking year with little bugs. On nice days, Andrew got his boat out so Addie could learn to ski. Then Jacob and Judah went tubing.

Not sure what to expect from our toddler, Judah really enjoyed his vacation and did very well. He seemed to sleep better (started sleeping through the nights again), ate better (would sit for an hour in his seat at a time), and had plenty of activity to do. Judah tasted fish and sweetcorn for the first time and never grew tired of eating it, especially the clumps of cut corn. Inside the cabin, Judah would love being chased by Addie back and forth down the hall. She entertained him for hours while he seemed never to tire of the giggles and tickles. Other times, he would spread out his toys all over the cabin floor with Jacob or try to get Jacob to play "Duck, Duck, Goose (Jacob had no clue what why Judah kept hitting him on the head)." Then outside, Judah played with cousin Jacob in a corral we put up with a water table and toys, splashing around and having lots of fun. He also liked to walk around the campground picking up rocks and sticks (Tim?). Gigi even had an alligator pool with a sprinkler for the boys. Then the Canadian fairy brought toy cars and flashlights. Judah took a few trips out in the boat to help "Papa" fish (more like tangle up the poles) as his little fishing buddy. Finally, Judah got his first tube ride with daddy. With a life jacket and only going 15 mph, Judah laughed as he took his tube ride behind the boat.

Thankfully, Judah only got fussy on the way home as the 10 hour drive turned into a 9:00 in the morning to midnight long drive on Friday (a week later). He went between playtime in the RV to nap time in the Ford Yukon. Finally arriving at the farm after one, we all fell asleep. Then we enjoyed a leisurely day at the farm on Saturday before heading back to Des Moines on Sunday morning. Surprisingly Judah adjusted back into the routine and our toys at home were new again.

Here is our week in pictures (of course backwards from when they happened).

July Summer Fun: Month 13!

2010-08-01T16:27:00.004-05:00

Judah has become quite the talker this month and even more so is interested in the meaning of sounds and words. Pointing at everything, he says “that,” expecting you to respond with the name of the object. You can see his curiosity in wanting to know what things are called. He also often mimics your sounds as best as he can. You will sing “La La La” and going back and forth, it becomes a game to copy you. This month he learned to say “fish,” “truck,” and “plop.” All these words have become associated with related play activity.

You can see the wheels turning as he learns to communicate more and more. He can now find his head, ears, toes, clap, blow a kiss, wave hello and goodbye, and sit down on demand. Each day he discovers what mommy is saying and tries to communicate back such as holding out his hands for more, throwing food when he is done eating, and coughing when hungry among many more things. He is finally at the age where you can say come here and he (mostly) comes when you call like walking out with you to the car.

Judah's favorite past time this month has been the water and sand. As the temperatures have increased, so has our trips to the wading pool to cool off. Going several times a week for an hour or so, Judah just loves to play in the one foot pool and water fountains. He is not afraid to get his head wet often walking through the fountains. You will see him carrying his beach ball (which is usually bigger than him) around or walking in the water. At Ashby Park (where we often go), we can dig with a shovel in the sand getting dirty and swing at the playground equipment. At home, Judah also likes raking in the big turtle we filled with sand. Occasionally we will take a friend along to the water park and have a picnic. At Papa's Farm, he especially enjoys the pond where you have both sand and water combined, leaving one messy kid. Always, Judah wears himself out enough for a nap afterwards.

Judah has starting developing his own habits and routines. For example, he likes to sleep with his green blanket (with a silky edge) and sometimes he even sleeps with his elephant pillow pal (that is almost as big as he is). After the bedtime routine of getting cleaned up and stories (with dad), we tuck our little “pookie” into bed. As you are reading him a book, he has learned when you are near the end and will point to the next book so that you can squeeze just one more in before bed (he knows it is coming). Checking on him later, you will find him sleeping on his tummy with his backside in the air hugging his blanket or pillow. Judah also loves to brush his teeth. He has a toothbrush for each hand and you will see him walking around chewing on them, stopping to look at himself in the mirror. He also likes to brush hair whether your hair or his. He will have the comb and gently (sometimes) runs it across your head.

Judah has developed a hungry appetite during the growth spurt surrounding his birthday. More and more he eats table food along with mommy and daddy and is starting to eat again from a spoon and now a fork. He has taken a break from his yogurt and cheerios to eat bananas and yogurt from a spoon for breakfast. He really enjoys eating out as he sits better in his chair. Usually he has a mid-morning snack during our morning activities followed by lunch around noon. After his nap he will have another snack, often an early supper, and a snack before bed all depending on what time he wakes up and sleeps throughout the day. He still likes his peas and carrots. However, now he eats more fruit like blueberries, grapes, Mandarin oranges, apple, and watermelon. Perhaps his favorite snacks have become freeze-dried fruit and vegetables that I have found in the health section at Hy-Vee. Lunch meat and cheese have become additional yummy tummy fillers. Judah also still likes his French Fries, chicken patties, macaroni and cheese, and/or hamburgers. And of course, he wants his bread or crackers to curb the high metabolism required by all his energy. Getting him to not throw food has become another story. Mommy has learned too that you give him the most healthy food first before showing him the fun food (otherwise he won't eat anything after the cookie Uncle Dan gives him). Judah also really likes to eat cat food (almost better than his own food).

This month Judah got his first haircut. It worked out to have our family friend Becky Schwartz do his hair since we were north in Cedar Falls. On the drive up to Waverly, Judah fell asleep not knowing that his curly mullet was to be cut. Waking up, Judah watched them put the cape on mommy and silently sat in my lap as his locks were trimmed. Of course, daddy came along to take pictures and Grandma Kreis held the envelope to save the curls. Cutting a couple of inches off, mommy watched in the mirror as he transformed into a big boy. Barely noticing the scissors, Judah remained interested in the gal sitting in the seat next to us who looked like an alien with tin foil in her hair setting her color. In less then 15 minutes, Judah grew up with a new look and no crying. He officially looks like a boy again....but still mommy's big boy.

Judah also went to his first funeral. Great Grandma Anna Rittgers passed away on Saturday, July 17, in the early morning. We were expecting the worst when age had caught up with her and she just did not want to eat or drink. As soon as we heard the news, we scrambled to pack for two weeks on the road for the funeral followed by an already scheduled vacation to Canada. Working half day on Monday, we were able to leave town by afternoon in time for the visitation at Richardson's Funeral Home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Great Grandma (I am sure) got a kick out of Judah trying to play in the water fountain and flowers next to the casket while mommy tried to occupy Judah with some toys. The next afternoon a nice funeral service was held at the Lutheran Home. Fortunately, Grandma Kreis watched Judah in the next room looking at the birds so that we could enjoy the service and listen to Tim sing. Afterwards, we had a slight meal in the cafeteria before heading to the Fairfield Township Cemetery. During family pictures and a brief ceremony, Judah enjoyed tearing a part the rose and exploring the headstones. By this time, Judah was ready for another nap and so like the rest of the family we headed back to the farm for some quiet time, food, fellowship with cousins, and swimming that evening.

This month has been full of activity. The week was busy with work for Tim as his new job still brought surprises that needed to be taken tackled. Judah and I filled our time with water, digging, and enjoying the sunshine. If we could not be outside, the usually we went to the Des Moines Public Library. On weekends, we would try to make it to the Farmer's Market in Des Moines for some breakfast burritos. Other times, we were busy cleaning the house for family or packing to go north to visit family. The Kreis family came down prior to the 4th of July while we went north to the farm to visit with Dan and Shannon and play with Cousin Gabe on the 4th of July. The second half of the month was filled with a two-week trip for Grandma Rittgers funeral and then vacation to Canada.

June Summer Fun: Month 12!

2010-07-08T08:48:00.004-05:00

Now that dog days of summer are here, Judah is jumping in with both feet. Together we are enjoying June days with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, all filled with summer fun.

Judah is at a fun age where he can now appreciate activities. Judah discovered that he loves to play in water no matter where it comes from: the watering can, the sprinkler, the hose, the wading pool and fountains, rainwater and puddles, bath, his sippy cup, and as usual Maestro's water dish. He loves to splash in the standing water. You will find him just laughing when the water splashes around him and on him especially from the sprinkler on a particular hot, humid day. He holds out his hands toward the water in excitement. Taking Judah to Ashby Park, Judah carries a beach ball (twice his size) right through the water fountains and in the one foot wading pool. He stomps in the rainwater, splashing the puddles all over him and standing underneath the gutter.

Another pastime that Judah has found is digging in dirt. To prove that, Judah even said “dirt” this month. At Ashby Park, he will sit in the sand, raking or throwing the fine gravel with the sand box toys provided. At home, he will take mommy's garden rake and move around the mulch or pretend he is weeding by picking mommy's flowers. He even likes to sit in my pots. Of course, dirty feet and muddy hands are both a part of this summer fun. So then we hose off in the water.

Still Judah is enjoying summer festivals. Several times we have taken him to the downtown Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings in Des Moines. He especially likes to eat the Breakfast Burritos (who doesn't and if you haven't then we highly recommend it). Enjoying the music at Farmer's Market he will dance or listen to the different ethnic and instrumental sounds. Occasionally we also take him to the Farmer's Market on Thursday evening in Valley Junction, biking or walking over for more of the same. In addition, we to the Des Moines Arts Festival this year to experience some art including exploring the sculptures at the West Gateway Park downtown.

The rest of our weeks this month is filled with other summer fun. Occasionally we hit up the garage sales finding bargains on toys and clothes. Other Friday mornings, we attend story time at the Des Moines Public Library, always coming home with a bagful of books and music. Other times we still get together with friends or run errands to the grocery store.

Perhaps all this summer activity is even more fun with Judah's increased ability to understand things. Judah has added “duck” and “dirt” to his vocabulary. In addition, he says “that” as he points to just about everything curiously wanting to know the name of objects and how they work (almost like a nonverbal why). He looks at his shoes when you tell him to take them off. He kicks his ball when you tell him to kick his ball. And he screams/hits when you tell him “NO.” He has come to understand the meaning of some of the words out of his sight word book (Your Baby Can Read), often imitating the actions or pointing to the objects such as “head,” “arm,” “ears,” and “clapping.” He tries to give you five if you ask for it or pretends to blow you kisses. He waves to strangers, often charming the older ladies. And his body sways, bounces, and his arms go back and forth when you tell him to dance to his favorite CD, Daddy O' Daddy (by Woody Guthrie). And much of the day is spent reading books that he brings to you.

Judah is all about silly antics. If you use the bathroom at our house, you will often find the toilet paper unrolled and shredded all over the floor. On the same note, he likes to drop stuff in the bathtub (so if cannot find a toy, check the tub). He has also become attached to his green blanket using it to cuddle with for both nap and bed times. He has figured out that one kitchen cupboard opens allowing him to take out all of mommy's container lids. He loves to play with his top helping mommy spin and stop it over and over again. He enjoys stacking his toy cups and knocking them back over. He pushes his cars and trucks across the floor making motor sounds. He also has learned to get on his bike himself frontwards, backwards, or standing on top (with one foot). He likes to see the world upside down by trying to stand on his head. And Maestro gets chased, screamed at, pulled, and tackled relentlessly by a laughing little boy. All these antics are followed by a silly, toothy grin and a funny laugh!

All this energy leaves a growing boy and a must-need creative, patient mommy. This month Judah has eaten so many new foods, it is getting hard to write them all down. A few include french fries, macaroni and cheese, tuna, tortillas, and ice cream (looks like junk food from this list). However, he still enjoys his peas and now likes whole green beans. Mommy has also discovered he likes “baby casseroles,” baby food mixed with pasta and added vegetables. In addition, he likes cracker sandwiches or cheese quesadilla. He has also learned to eat grapes and is working on Mandarin oranges. He still eats his yogurt and cheerios for breakfast with a banana.With all this big person food, Judah is wanting to eat like a big boy. He has been using a spoon more often again and his finger foods are more whole pieces than before. He uses a straw, eats without a bib (much to my dismay), and throws food when he is done.

What food does not end up on the floor or in his hair, he actually eats and is growing. His blue eyes shine around two chubby cheeks and a toothy, round-faced grin where he got his fourth tooth earlier this month (upper left). From the back, his brown (with tints of red) hair looks like a long curly mullet and from the front it looks like a mop hanging in his eyes. He continues to sport the long Rittgers back supported by short stubby legs. Practically running all over the place, Judah's high metabolism keeps him going even through his first knee scrape and first shiner. Judah's nap schedule is finally giving way to a one nap a day for about 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

As the new Operations Director for the Boys and Girls Club, Tim has been learning the ropes of what it means to be management. With his Executive Director gone for vacation for a week this month, Tim experienced van problems and graffiti, an angry parent, and receiving a $20, 000 check followed by much more all within a span of the week. With a YLI replacement in tow, Tim has been busy training and getting new staff settled into the office. In addition, he squeezes time in for meetings, writing grants, computer repairs, and putting together presentations. Tim did take off the last of his furlough days for the 2009 fiscal year joining us in our daily activities such as story time.

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-03T16:03:00.007-05:00

Judah is certainly enjoying his Fourth of July Celebration! This year he can actually appreciate the fireworks at Yankee Doodle Pops, the City of Des Moines Festivities up at the Iowa Statehouse featuring the Des Moines Symphony. He stayed up until 11:00pm Thursday evening, all wired to dance to the music and relax to the fireworks.

Then on Saturday morning, he liked the Urbandale Parade. For two plus hours, he watched the the Fire Trucks, High school bands, and walked around with Grandma Kreis all the while donning his red, white, and blue, sunscreen, and his hat. Waving his flag, he enjoyed his blue popsickle and his star sunglasses. He ate his chips with grandpa, sat in the shade with grandma, and ran around with Lexi Reeves. He even got his picture taken with Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T13:29:00.003-05:00

Walking into Month 11!

2010-06-03T14:39:00.031-05:00

Today (June 3), Judah received his twelve month pediatrician appointment. When they started to ask me questions pertaining to his development such as "is he crawling, " I laughed out loud and responded with, "He is walking." Judah's development has soared so much during his eleven month.

And walking he is or should I say practically running now. You can see him pick up speed at certain times and carefully turn corners. Judah is on the move every waking moment. It seems like you finish picking up the damage from one thing and then he is already into another thing. Perhaps that is why I have not sat down to write on the blog lately. I am either chasing Judah or sleeping from chasing Judah. He is a busy but very happy, fun little boy.

Judah likes to play games and explore his world. Together, we stack and knock down his "stacking cups." He really enjoys playing "peek-a-boo" followed by being chased and tickled and looks back at you to see if he is being chased. This month he has noticed his stuffed animals and often picks them up talking to them or attacking them in hugs. He has figured out cause and effect with putting his farm animals away in his barn/silo and getting them out again. Then he plays with his cars/tractors making motor sounds and driving them on the ground. He especially likes to put things in his bucket and shake it to where the items fall out. Judah has also figured out that his shapes go into their container and we often practice putting them in the right hole. And of course, Maestro will always be his favorite toy as he still likes to pull his tail and grab his hair.

Judah has a great sense of humor. Quite frequently he brings over an object to you, pretending like he is going to give it to you, and instead pulls it back again. Other times, Judah likes to look at the world upside down by putting his head on the ground and bending over. He also has started "hopping on pop, " which is attacking Tim with his whole body. He still likes to dance to music and so we have many dancing parties (yes, as a family), only now he also moves his shoulders and and his arms up and down in addition to swaying to the music (which is the cutest thing). Judah gives these silly grins where he will scrunch up his chubby little cheeks.

Sometimes these silly antics get Judah into trouble. You can almost see him turn and look at you right before he does something he is not supposed to do. He does this when he is near the fireplace. You can see him thinking, "Are they watching me?" And other times he just gets into trouble going full speed ahead. For example, as soon as the gate is left open, he is into Maestro's water dish.

Judah now communicates with you by pointing and grunting at things he wants and places he wants to go. Judah often walks around waving his arms just making talking sounds and looking for something to do or get into. He is very social around other kids now (or you can say territorial about his toys). About the only time Judah ever really sits still is to read books. Often he will take his books off his shelf and browse through them or he will carry one to you and plop in your lap expecting you to read it. His favorite books this month has become his alphabet and number books called My First Alphabet and My First Numbers (and even likes the Your Baby Can Read Book). Almost weekly on Friday mornings, we go to the downtown Des Moines Public Library for story time (Lap Time for 0-18 months). Here we enjoy stories, songs, flannel boards, instruments, activities, toys, and interaction with babies the same age. Judah and I like to check out picture books (such as Me Baby, You Baby and the Baby Goes Beep) now to bring home to read.

Judah loves to play outside. If we are not outside, you will find him looking out the front door. Outside, Judah will play in the dirt (most often eating it), throwing or kicking his balls, sticking his fingers in soap bubbles, and picking mommy's flowers. In face one day a call was made to the Poison Control Center of Iowa to see if a mouthful of fertilized potting soil was harmful. We still make it to the park occasionally for a swing or a ride down the slide with mommy. Quite often we take walks to Valley Junction for Thursday Farmers Market in the Junction or to drop off some mail to the post office. We also stroll together on the bike paths or take a bike ride as a family in the evenings. At these moments, Judah enjoys watching the world go by as he lounges and relaxes in his stroller or his bike trailer (often falls asleep in his trailer). When it is hot, the sprinkler comes out for Judah to play in the water. He loves to splash water holding out his hands in the sprinkler and laughs. On a sunny Friday, we often go to a garage sale or two as well.

You would not know that Judah is in the third percentile for height at and weight (at 18 pounds) for how much he eats. This month we started him on whole rice, crackers, oatmeal, pasta, apples, shredded pork, and hamburger, in addition to others. He even had his first couple meals of real table food when we had roast pork and potatoes one night and hamburger, vegetable stew another night. His favorite is still peas and cheerios though. Being totally into finger foods has created a challenge to get Judah to eat some foods. That is when we discovered he likes little cracker sandwiches (with almost anything in the middle). Likewise, Judah still likes his cheerios covered in yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast. He has become proficient at using his cup and likes to drink water (except you have to grab it before he starts playing with it). He started two snacks for the day in addition to his three meals. About halfway through his meal, his bib continues to come off as he somehow manages to pull it off. His clothes are not the only thing that have started getting covered in food. He has started throwing food onto the floor when he decides he does not like it.

All his growth goes into his hair. Judah's hair now goes down to his eyes and the mullet in back has started curling when it is dry. When his hair is wet, it becomes one very long rat tail. Also, his hair has gotten lighter with a reddish tent to it. He has only been called a girl once but once is all it takes for it to get it cut. Almost always he has long nails (with dirt in them) since the only time to cut them is when he is asleep in the car (fights it otherwise). His body remains slender in all his active play. He does have a long back thanks to the Rittgers family genes. He also has been working on tooth number three on the upper, front right side. Judah enjoys brushing his teeth or combing his hair just like mommy and daddy in the morning (he even combs my hair).

Judah thankfully is just starting to do two naps a day again. After about two months of fighting one nap, Judah is settling back into two naps on occassion(cross my fingers). Waking up earlier in the morning, he usually is ready for a nap about two-three hours later and then again around two or three in the afternoon. Usually one nap is two and a half hour nap while the second one is a much smaller nap. If for some reason he only does one nap, we try to hold him out until a earlier but long afternoon nap. He knows it is nap time after you read him books and get up from the rocker and he starts to fuss. After you leave the room, he settles down usually sometime during the bink throwing and the crib chewing. The funny thing about nap time is you have to be absolutely quiet when he falls asleep but once asleep, you can move furniture around in his room and he would not even move. Bedtime has been consistent around 8:00pm every night. We have moved his baths to the tub now since he splashes so much. Judah has unfortunately gotten into the habit of waking up once between 3-5:00am but thankfully he falls asleep again.

Every weekend in May we went out of town or we had company. To start off the month, our friend Katie visited for a day to play with Judah. Mother's Day weekend we celebrated Judah's birthday with both sets of families. Everyone stayed in town for church the next day with Judah's baby dedication in the second service. Then we had everyone out to the house for a nice Sunday Mother's Day dinner (the catered kind with paper plates). Next, Tim went to New York City for five days to the National Boys and Girls Club Conference and a technology conference sponsored by Microsoft. While he was gone, Judah and I went up to the farm to hang out with Papa and Gigi (Grandma). As Tim was attending sessions on managing staff, Judah and I were going to garage sales, spending the day with Jacob, beating Uncle Matt at Skip-Bo, and taking four-wheeler rides. Then the third weekend we went down with the Rittgers clan to Kansas City to celebrate cousin Gabe's first birthday. It was nice to have all three cousins together for the first time and watch them play. The following Memorial weekend, we had another party for Judah with our friends. Our out of town friends, John and Beth stayed Sunday for breakfast too. The rest of Memorial weekend was spent resting or eating leftovers with friends.

Mommy has been busy campaigning again for one of our Congressional Candidates, Jim Gibbons. Helping with social conservative outreach, some of my spare time has gone to writing notes and making phone calls. I also finally finished planting my garden. In the small garden in front of our porch I have planted another rose bush (called Laura Bush that Tim and Judah gave me for Mother's Day), some Hostas, a Bleeding heart, Marigolds, and Snapdragons with three hanging pots and two ground pots with Geraniums and other filler plants. The side landscape I have turned into a vegetable garden with peas, beans, peppers and windowsill baskets of leaf lettuce and herbs. Now that I actually have time to keep up my garden this year and make it look nice, Judah is at the stage where he wants to dig it all up.

Tim moved into the Director of Operations position this month at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa. This challenging position is a nice transition after doing the Youth Leadership Institute for 6 years and Director of Technology for 4 years. He finds himself busy with managing staff, meetings, grant writing, and program development. Occasionally Tim has gone golfing on a Sunday afternoon for fun.

Happy 1st Birthday Judah!

2010-05-31T11:20:00.018-05:00

Judah officially turned one year old on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 12:15pm. He celebrated his first birthday with family and friends.

His day started out by opening a gift from mommy and daddy. Then Judah enjoyed his usual breakfast of cheerios and yogurt. We spent the morning cleaning up the house for company and playing outside in the hot sunshine (the weather was the same when he was born). For lunch, we went to Mustard's for some BBQ with cousins Chase and Ryan and Judah enjoyed French Fries and chicken fingers for his birthday lunch.

At 4:00pm after nap time our garage and yard turned into a war zone with sidewalk chalk, soap bubbles, Badminton Shuttles, toys, and lots of spilled lemonade. With five families totalling ten kids, our guests enjoyed our barnyard of cupcake animals, sticker animal balloons, and animal hats. Everyone had a chance at hitting the Badminton, playing Hop Scotch, and riding little tyke cars. Good eats of Sloppy Joe sandwiches, fresh fruit salad, chips, fresh veggies, and birthday animal cupcakes along with good conversation topped off the evening.

Judah enjoyed his party immensely. At first he ate soap bubbles. Then he attacked his presents, taking apart the ribbons. Being so excited, he barely ate his food of pasta and cheese. Instead, he found every cup sitting on the floor and spilled out everyone's idle lemonade. Once we got out the cupcakes to sing happy birthday, he grabbed two cupcakes (a pig and a chick for each hand) at once putting it into his mouth, laughing. Judah enjoyed the activity that he was uninterested in opening the fun gifts: books, clothes, and a jungle animal game.

Bed time barely went unnoticed except for the fact the kids started to get fussy, the Badminton net fell down, Shuttlecocks and Frisbees were all on the roof, chalk was all over our clothes, and empty cups were laying all over the garage . Kids went home with a hat and balloon while the parents went home with sticky, sweaty, and tired kids. Judah enjoyed being the center of attention so much that he would not fall asleep until 10:30pm. Mommy and Daddy quickly picked up the leftover food, washing out the garage again before the ants found the spilled lemonade.

Here are some other fun scenes of Judah's Birthday! Good times were enjoyed by all!

Celebrating Judah!

2010-05-10T15:00:00.014-05:00

This weekend was a big weekend for all of us but especially Judah as we celebrated his first birthday and his baby dedication with family.

Starting at 4:00pm (after nap time) on Saturday, we celebrated Judah's first birthday with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our house was transformed into a barnyard with animal hats, a red barn cake, and animal balloons. Judah particularly enjoyed looking at his "Happy Birthday" banner and barnyard-themed plates. Cousins Jacob, Caleb, Hannah, and Isaac made sticker animal balloons, played with the barn and farm set, and banged on all the musical toys when they arrived.

The adults mingled, watched the kids, and played a little farm bean bag toss themselves. Then at 5:00pm, everyone enjoyed Sloppy Joe sandwiches, vegetables, chips, fruit, and of course homemade chocolate birthday cake. Judah just ate his vegetables and pasta for his birthday supper but he did taste cake for the first time. He took his time touching it and observing the red frosted chocolate cake before finally taking the plate and dumping the cake upside down on the floor.

After dinner, Judah opened his gifts following the reading of the Barnyard Dance (by Sandra Boynton). He tore through the wrapping paper (as the other kids observed and helped) to find several fun toys: a John Deere Combine and tractor book from Papa and Gigi, stacking blocks with shapes and a book from Grandpa and Grandma Kreis, a tractor with animals plus a laughing duck from Cousin Jacob, and Lego-type Fischer Price farm blocks from the Book Cousins. Daddy and mommy gave him a farm-maze puzzle, blocks, books, and a frog towel and washcloth set.

Overall, Judah had a good time just interacting with his company, playing, and enjoying the new toys. The evening turned out to be fun and everyone had a good time. While parents took tired kids home/hotel to bed, Judah, himself finally fell asleep for the night. However, the cake and the excitement kept him up several times throughout the night.

The next day on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9), Tim brought me breakfast in bed (eggs, sausage, and homemade muffins) before Judah woke up. When Judah woke up, we got ready for church. Then we met family at church before the second service for Judah's baby dedication. Tim also had corsages for the mothers to celebrate Mothers Day. During the service six families dedicated their children to the Lord as part of the service, vowing to raise their children in a Godly environment. Taking up two rows, we sat with family members for the rest of the Celebration Service of testimonies and baptisms.

After church and family pictures, everyone returned to our house for a catered meal of Felix and Oscar's Italian pasta. Seating twelve people at our table, we enjoyed each other's company before people took off for home or a long nap.

With everyone having a good weekend, a lot of memories were made! Here are a few:

"Springing" into 10 Months!

2010-04-24T22:49:00.029-05:00

Spring is here in full bloom all around us from the daffodils in our garden to happy birds chirping away getting fat on worms. Warmer, longer, and sunnier days allow us to be outside more and more. And Judah does not want to miss it. He himself has seemed to blossom socially and developmentally this month just like spring-time.

In particular, Judah just took off walking; I tell people he is walking at ten months and I get this surprised look like "already" and "oh my, you have your hands full!" On a Monday (April 13) he took his first step. On Tuesday, he took 4-5 steps by himself. By Wednesday, he was taking 10-12 steps and finally by the next weekend he was walking across the room. Judah just walks constantly across the room from one thing to another. Rarely does he stop to play with a toy but instead goes from one toy to another. It is as if his walking has become his entertainment. Perhaps his favorite thing to walk after is Maestro. He especially likes to walk up to Maestro and attack then proceeding to follow him as he walks away. Like sibling rivalry, Maestro and Judah continue to play this game over and over. Maestro has yet figured out that he should move to higher ground and Judah just thinks it is so funny to chase him and pull his tail or his hair. Judah has officially worn out his first pair of shoes (little black soft soled shoes) with all his walking.

This new means of getting around has allowed Judah to see his world in a whole new way. He can now reach things on tables (and so now I am moving things again out of his reach yet again). He has learned how to open cupboards and cabinets which we quickly put safety locks on. He figured out how to turn on the radio and control the sound. He also discovered the picture frames in our room, pulling them down to look at.

Judah does still play some with his toys, hopping mostly from one toy to another. We are slowly transitioning the toys out with more age appropriate toys. At church, Judah is at the age now to switch to the older nursery but we have yet to do so because he seems to like the people in the younger nursery and knows where to get the toys. He does like to push his car and a walker around the living room at home. Judah observed his first science experiment when I put two pop bottles together full of blue water with a special gadget to allow the water to make a tornado. Other times, we spend our time making forts and playing underneath them.

Judah is a happy little boy who talks and chatters, chatters and talks. Mr. Social often carries a conversation with you as he walks around. This month he officially said his first words (both Tim and I heard him) of "woof" and "cat." Maestro certainly does not go "woof." He does however like to hiss back at Maestro when Maestro is hissing at him. We are practicing the "High 5" signal and he mastered the "So Big" trick, putting his arms in the air. He finally mastered waving hello and goodbye but the wave from the wrist looks like he is posing as the high school prom king. He also lifts his shirt up and exposes his belly giving you just enough time to tickle his belly button. Occasionally he has become a little flirt especially if he thinks people are laughing at him. If we are with a group of adults and something is funny causing us all to laugh, he thinks we are laughing at him and will purposely laugh or try to be silly.

Since the weather has become warmer, Judah has relished all the outdoor activity. We continue to stroll to the park and around the block. Judah took his first ride in the swing at the park; he loved the wind blowing in his hair. In the driveway, Judah has started throwing his balls. Most of all though, Judah loves to help me in the garden by picking my flowers (I just planted), eating dirt, and digging in the mulch. Many a time, I have put him in the Excer Saucer while I plant so that he will stop picking my flowers. Judah is still unsure at times of the grass. He will play with his ball only to have it fall in the grass where he stops short of getting it. We did take some days to go enjoy the flowering trees and flowers at Grays Lake and Waterworks Park this spring. Walking among the blossoms and breathing in the soft sent of flowers, you feel like you are walking in an avenue. Judah got to experience the petals falling around him from the trees and sitting in the daffodils.

The weather has changed so much that we are still going between heat at night to some shorts during the day. Judah though has officially transitioned into big boy pajamas. He has also started sleeping with his green blanket (with silky edges). Bed time has become associated with reading books and then laying him in the crib with his blanket. He especially likes it when you wave it over him first. Then as we tuck him in and say, "good night little Pookie, I love you and love you (from the bedtime story of Goodnight Little Pookie)".

Judah has been in a period of no naps due to teething from the top two teeth still making their way through. At the most, he will take just one nap a day, usually in the morning for a couple of hours. Other days, I try and try to put him down for a nap letting him scream or play in his crib for a half hour or more. So I put him in his swing and put him in front of the television to watch Baby Einstein for thirty minutes. Finally as a last resort, on a few occasions, I have loaded him up to take him for a drive in the car where every time he falls asleep within the first five minutes. In fact one night I used this method at 2:00am in the morning only to have him be awake when I arrived home (grr). By that time, I am so tired myself, that I drive back home and carry him inside in his seat and crash on the couch until he wakes up a half hour later. Also, he has started waking up early in the morning sometime between 3-5am, hungry, as if in another growth spurt.

His teeth are not the only thing that are growing. Judah has outgrown another stack of clothes in time for summer. He is now wearing twelve month clothes. He even seems to have grown just a tad bit taller causing him to hit his head underneath the table. At the table, Judah has really started eating more and more finger foods including transitioning to whole peas, cut green beans, cut carrots, and peach slices. In addition, he started cottage cheese, grapes, potatoes, beef, egg yolk, and lentils.

Tim's workload increased with wrapping up the Youth Leadership Program for the school year with the last few classes of the school season and planning ahead to graduation along with orientating next year's students. He took on additional administrative responsibilities with the Boys and Girls Club in addition to his full schedule including helping out the interim Executive Director. Tim spent about four days in Dallas attending the annual National Leadership Conference.

With the weather turning warmer, we saw more company or traveled ourselves. Judah celebrated his first Easter weekend in Cedar Falls. The following weekend, Grandma Kreis visited a few days, followed by Aunt Amy, and then by the weekend, our friend Christy stayed with us on her way back to Colorado. Then the third week, Uncle Matt and Aunt Hilary hung out a few days with Judah and I since they had a concert in town. And finally we were able to nab Miss Lynn over from campaigning to visit for a day. By the end of the month Papa and Gigi visited us too.

My whole life changed drastically this month as Judah started walking. Most of my time was spent chasing Judah, moving things out of reach, and getting him from something. With what time I did have, Judah and I started herb, vegetable, and flowers seedlings for the garden. Also, we finished up our Thursday night small group sessions for the year. On Friday mornings, Judah and I went downtown to the Des Moines Public Library for story time. And finally, the Reeves came over a few times to play and enjoy the nice weather with us.

Lookout world!

2010-04-14T21:56:00.002-05:00

First Easter!

2010-04-06T20:12:00.020-05:00

Judah's first Easter celebration was full of eggs, church, and family. We went to the Rittgers farm for Judah's first Easter weekend.

Arriving on Thursday evening, we hung out with family where Judah spent time playing with cousin Jacob. On Friday, we took Judah to his first Good Friday Service at Prairie Lakes Church where he fell asleep and then roamed the halls. On Saturday, Judah met his Great Grandma Anna Rittgers when we went to the Lutheran Home for a visit over lunch. Great Grandma was entertained by Judah playing with her Easter Basket full of the grass and cousin Jacob sitting next to her talking. Then in the evening we celebrated birthdays with both sets of Grandparents.

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter Sunday at Walnut Ridge Church with the Kreis family as we took up an entire row. Afterwards, we headed back out to Lee and Sandy's place for an afternoon full of festivities and a home-cooked feast. After dinner, Judah, mommy, and daddy enjoyed a nice, long quiet nap. Once awake and bundling up from the cold weather, Judah then participated in his first Easter egg hunt where everyone scurried to get candy-filled plastic eggs. Judah on the other hand while hanging onto his bucket and eggs, preferred seeing the horses and sheep for the first time. On Monday, Tim helped Larry build a dock for the back pond. Blowing around, the finally got it finished. Judah then took his first official tractor ride around the pond . Finally we packed up to return home.

And of course, the holiday weekend was complete other fun things. Judah enjoyed his own Easter Baskets full of farm-theme toys from Gigi and Papa and outdoor toys from mommy and daddy including bubbles. He also had fun matching daddy for both the Good Friday Service and Sunday morning. In addition, we colored Easter eggs as a family this year starting a new tradition. Judah really liked to crack the hard-boiled eggs and stick his fingers in the dye. Happy Easter Judah!

Between Seasons of Life: 9 Months!

2010-04-01T19:29:00.009-05:00

Between seasons... Just as we experienced a mix of warm, sunny days fragranced by the blooming daffodils and hyacinth of spring and days watching from the heated window at cold wet snow flakes this month, Judah also experienced periods of growth as the seasons of his life changed. This March, Judah went from crawling around the house, to climbing the stairs, to walking between things, to pushing his little car from behind, and finally to taking his first step all by himself. Judah also went from eating pureed solid foods, to a cheerios binge, to finally eating small slices of food. Judah then went from just babbling to saying "DA DA" and "MA MA" only to say "Woof" as well. And at last Judah went from riding in the stroller to eating dirt, playing in the green grass, and enjoying his first ride in the swing at the park.

As Judah was posing for his 9 month pictures, I realized how fast he is growing. He now weighs 17 pounds and 12 ounces (as of March 11 from his 9 month appointment). It probably has something to do with the fact that he somehow finds his leftover cheerios on the floor before we do (I swear Maestro is getting heavy too). We added beans, turkey, egg yolk (which he might be allergic too), green beans, and cottage cheese to his diet. He continues to grow taller at 27 inches and his 9 month clothes are suddenly 3/4 sleeves and high waters. His hair still is getting thicker and longer so much so that with a collar it looks like a mullet. Grandma Kreis mentioned that the now slightly wavy hair is the same color as mine when I was little.

Judah has become quite the communicator and orator this month. This boy is quite the talker and thankfully his ear surgery has permitted him to imitate more sounds instead of screaming. He now to our delight says "DA DA" and "MA MA, " although he learned "DA DA" first (no bitter feelings - but neither is on command yet). He has also started letting you know what he wants by reaching out for an object or holding his arms out to you to be held. Judah has even started throwing a temper tantrum by letting you know when he is not happy that you take something away. Shaking his head no, he will tell you he is not hungry or mimic you telling him no (often a common occurrence when it comes to the cat food). Guess his St. Patrick's Day shirt says it all, "Lucky Charmer."

Judah is more on the move than ever before. He is fast, finding everything imaginable, and very curious. Judah takes more steps on his own or stands up for longer amounts of time without holding onto anything (and even stands on purpose). In addition to walking along things like the couch, he will walk between one piece of furniture to another. His balance has really improved. He has grown a little taller which has allowed him to bang into some of the furniture more or reach on top of things (I keep having to move things a little higher). By the middle of the month (March 11), Judah started to push his bike and walk across the room on his own. And we finally had to get another gate for the bottom of the steps as one day after it got real quiet, I found he had climbed halfway up the steps (by himself). Finally, Judah took his first steps on his own. Judah was standing at his chair but his ball and sock were on another chair about a foot away. Without thinking, he let go and walked to the other chair to retrieve both items (Tim was able to see it as it happened just about the time he got home from work). Ever since, he has walked a few times on his own but usually without thinking to get something.

Judah has become more playful. He loves to be chased and so often you will find me out of breath from crawling behind him and tickling him. Sometimes we play Peek-a-Boo where I will hide behind a corner or Judah will close the upstairs bedroom door and he will crawl over to see me jump out in surprise. Still other times, Judah will help me push his cars/trucks across the room, making motor sounds. And we certainly love to roll the balls or the rings on the floor or in the laundry basket. Judah will sit and play with his Little People Barn more now. Perhaps his favorite toy at the beginning of the month was his ball popper; He will stand up next to it, turn it on, and try really hard to keep the balls from popping. He really smiles as the air blows in his face and the balls escape his grasp. Occasionally he will grab a couple of balls, stand on his own (for quite a long time), and bang them together. Toward the end of the month, Judah really enjoyed walking behind his car moving it from one side of the room to another.

Judah has also enjoyed the arts more. We borrowed a toy we call the "Rock Band" that allows Judah to play instruments, watch himself in the mirror, and dance to music. You will often find him with his tambourine and maraca in hand swaying to the beat. Being interested in shaking things gave us the idea of putting rice and popcorn in his clear bottles so that he can shake them as well as bang momma's bowls together as well. Listening to music has become one of Judah's favorite pastimes.

Judah, who also loves to read books, enjoyed his first trip to the library this month. As soon as we got to the shelf of board books, he stood up and started pulling them off the shelf. Reading to him a few books at a time, he engagingly follows along often helping you turn the pages or interacting the "Touch-n-Feel" spots. At home, we read several of his favorite books like Barnyard Dance (Sandra Bouynton) and Brown Bear, Brown Bear (Eric Carle), before nap time. Occasionally he will chuckle or touch the pictures in delight. Spending time at the library is complete with playing puzzles, games, and even enjoying the vent blowing on our hair. Judah and I have visit story time on Friday mornings as well to hear the songs, stories, and to make new friends.

A few sunny, warm days in March did allow us to get outside to stroll and play. As soon as the thermometer warmed up to 50 degrees, we were outside (yes all bundled up but we were outside). Judah and I started up our walks again as much as the weather permitted. Already Judah and I are walking further than last fall as we stroll to Valley Junction to window shop, through the neighborhood, or on the trail and back. Our friends, Hopelynn and Lexi have joined us a few times at the park and for a walk. On such a day, Judah enjoyed his first swing ride at the park. He kept bouncing as if he wanted to go higher and faster. Judah's first experience in the grass was a little unnerving as he did not know what to think of the spiky grass. For a while he would not move or pull his hand back when he touched the grass. Now that Judah is older, he spends time outside playing in the grass and of course eating dirt. Out of jealousy, Maestro sneaks out to sniff the flowers and roll in the dirt (naughty kitty).

All this running around has unfortunately caused us to pick up some more germs. For the second round this year (since January) Tim and I fought nasty sinus colds while Judah had to be on the nebulizer every 4 hours and antibiotics for RSV. With the crib still at a slant and the vaporizer plugged in, we were stocking up on Kleenex and trying to rest as much as possible for the first few weeks of March. This makes it hard on Judah as it ruins a nap schedule of any kind and lowers his appetite. To help him settle down, we have been putting him back in his swing, sitting it in front of the TV, and turning on Baby Mozart as a distraction. You know he is out of sorts when he falls asleep to the TV. At least his ears were fine, thanks to the ear surgery. It has been a blessing to see him function a little better with balance and. Now that the weather is getting warmer, we have also seen an improvement in his eczema. And Judah also started sleeping through the night better.

This month has been busy for Tim and I as well. Tim has had to fill in the gap for another employee leaving the Boys and Girls Club. In addition, he selected his class for next year while maintaining his current schedule of meetings, technical work, and YLI. He continues to sing at church on Sunday mornings. Tim celebrated his 29th birthday on the 31st by going to lunch at the Drake Diner with Judah and I and his favorite supper of meatloaf. Earlier that week, we also went out on a date to celebrate while Judah hung out with his friend Lexi.

I have been busy washing a lot of sheets as again we have had enjoyed a lot of company this month such as Grandparents, Aunt Rachel, and friends. With the warmer weather, Judah and I have been going on little outings (so much easier to take him out of his car seat instead of hauling it around) such as the Iowa Statehouse. At the beginning of the month, we went to see our friends, the Anderls, in Minnesota for an extended weekend.

Spring!

2010-03-12T17:56:00.001-06:00

Proof that spring is near!

Judah Discovers His Sense of Humor

2010-02-27T11:30:00.001-06:00

Being 8 Months during the Long Winter!

2010-02-24T16:52:00.027-06:00

Judah started this month by moving from object to object on his feet to trying to stand on his own for at least 10 seconds. He also went from standing on his bike seat to climbing his first step (time for another gate). Free-spirited, curious, and very active, Judah loves to explore as you can see in the pictures. He enjoys playing in the fridge, banging the dishwasher, climbing into the laundry basket, blowing raspberries on the bathroom mirror, unrolling the toilet paper, and of course his all time favorite, chasing and tackling Maestro around the house. Judah is always on the move. You will find him playing with toys in the window sill, on the shelf, on the steps, and the couch. In a room full of toys, he always manages to find that one thing he is not supposed to have. We spend the day chasing Maestro, rolling balls, playing peek-a-boo, and riding his little truck.

Judah has finally mastered clapping. You will find him clapping to music or at daddy (seems to coincide with something funny). He is full of mischief when playing. For example, he likes to play peek-a-boo with mommy as daddy holds him. Also, we crawl around after objects or end up chasing each other around the room. You have to be quick as this one smart, silly boy is usually onto the next thing. You learn to be quick when changing his diaper as he is up before you even know it.

Judah has become more interested in the world of information around him (he must take after his parents). About the only thing Judah will sit still for is to read books. Whenever we are up in the nursery, he likes to look at his books. And before nap time we end up curled up with a blanket reading two or three books. He turns the pages, flips the windows, and scratches the touch-in-feel parts. Judah has also rediscovered his swing as he sits in it to watch a little Baby Einstein's Old McDonald Farm from time to time. You will often catch him laughing at the puppets on the screen. Judah also sent his first status on Facebook on the computer. In addition, he insists on chewing on the cell phone during a conversation often hanging up on the person we are talking too. So daddy found an old lap top and an old cell phone for him to bang around.

Judah started February with a growth spurt that caused him to wake up hungry as early as 4 AM. Recently weighing 16 pounds and 14 ounces and now 27 inches long, Judah has almost outgrown his 9 month clothes. We added yogurt, cheese, and turkey to his diet this month. He continues to enjoy his cheerios though, washing them down with water out of his Sippy cup (Maestro enjoys them too). Now that we are going out to more restaurants, we have to pack up the diaper bag with food, wipes, bibs, and toys.

Even though this month is shorter, February always seems longer and this winter is no exception. Calling it the long winter, Des Moines has almost surpassed history's record snowfall totals with a couple of snow storms this month. Add cold temperatures to the mix and what you get is a serious case of cabin fever. To combat cabin fever, Judah and I have been trying to get out as much as possible. At least once a week we get together with some friends to play. Thursday mornings is play group which has become an outlet for Judah to interact with other kids and play with different toys and me a chance to sit back with some hot chocolate (now a weekly ritual). Judah even celebrated his first Valentine party at playgroup this month where he received his first valentine (from a girl I might add) and helped make some of his own. Thursday evenings we tackle the New Testament Challenge discussion with our POG Small Group. Again, we usually end up at the mall for a stroll every now and then. Cabin fever has brought everyone to the bigger metro as we have had company every weekend this month. Starting with my friend Katie, we also were able to visit with both sets of Grandparents and Aunt Amy.

Tim continues to be busy this month at work with recruitment season for next year's YLI class. He helped design the Boys and Girls Club web site for their new fund raising campaign. His YLI students spent their February class day with the adult Greater Des Moines Leadership for some networking. Again all his efforts have paid off when he received a $10,000 grant from Prairie Meadows for the YLI program as well as the recognition of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa by the Des Moines Register as the recipient of the Aurora Award. Recently, he was named as one of Des Moines' Forty Under 40 by the Business Record, a local newspaper.

Tim continues to sing in the worship team at church. Judah has been going to the nursery now. His first Sunday at the end of January, the nursery workers had to page me twice to come and get him. So now we usually we take Judah in the service for the singing and then check him into the nursery. At small group on Thursday nights, Judah plays on the floor inside the circle of adults. It is funny to occasionally to hear raspberries or have your feet tickled during the middle of the discussion. Our group is going through the New Testament this winter/spring. You can join us for the challenge and daily readings by visiting http://pognewtestamentchallenge.blogspot.com/.

Judah finally finished his ear infection by the beginning of February. However, with four antibiotics under his belt, many sleepless nights, and continued pressure from ear fluid, Judah finally had tubes put into his ears this last Tuesday (Feb 23). Arriving at Mercy North in Ankeny for a 6:30am surgery, Judah (and mom) survived the 15 minute procedure just fine. We read books as we waited and met with the doctors. Post operation he woke up screaming from the confusion of the atheistic. After a while we went home and all took naps (Tim took the day off) from the early morning. He must complete his ear drops and then hopefully the problem will be solved (perhaps then we can sleep again during the night).

Despite sleepless nights, Judah has been napping quite well. He finally is able to fall asleep on his own after about 15 minutes of screaming. Trying to get him to take a short morning nap (usually in the car on the way to someplace) with a longer after nap, we read some books and then I put him in the crib. You will often hear him bounce up and down or chuck his Bink across the room before he finally plops down tired. It is funny to see how he finally plops down in the crib. And if you go in to the room too early he knowingly laughs at you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T19:03:00.003-06:00

Thanks to my Valentines! I like the tulips you gave me. Also, Judah slept all night last night and Tim made me breakfast this morning of homemade banana muffins, eggs, sausage, potatoes, and grapes. We enjoyed a nice morning at church and then Judah took a long nap this afternoon too. I love you both. Oh and Maestro!

A New Year and Seven Months!

2010-02-02T14:48:00.000-06:00

So earlier this month (January 4), I was sitting beside Judah who was on his new steering wheel bike he got for Christmas, watching him sit on his bike and drive with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand moving the shifter up and down (where did he learn that). He then pulled himself up in a standing position, bouncing to the music from the toy followed by sitting back down and putting his feet up as he pretended to ride the bike. I happened to be sitting close enough for him to occasionally reach over and grab me to give me a slobber kiss on the lips and return to driving. Later this month (January 31), I was also sitting near Judah who was playing with the same toy. Only this time he was standing behind the bike pushing it and walking behind it. He would stop, grab me with one hand, and then move to the front of the bike to play with the steering wheel.

Judah has started the New Year on the move. From the moment he is awake to the moment he is asleep, he is one active boy. Judah started the month crawling across the room. He discovered that he can get into things on his own and chase the cat (his sole motivation for this milestone). This new world of discover has allowed him to explore our records, Maestro's toys, the cat water dish, and to mop up the dust on the tile floor among other things. It is fun to watch Judah crawl on all fours especially as he gains speed. Earlier on you would catch him up on his toes doing push-ups before he plopped down on his knees. Also he would half sit up (this is when he still couldn't sit up on his own) in a lounging position with his head turned back looking at you giving you that look like come and get me. Judah never tires of crawling, sitting-up, crawling, and sitting-up again over and over. This is most evident in his pursuit of the cat as he rapidly chases Maestro, Maestro moves as Judah pauses for a fistful of hair, Judah crawls again laughing as he goes, and the process is repeated. When I take his pants off to change his diaper, his poor little knees are all red. Taking several minutes to to wrestle his diaper back on, Judah is off again whether the diaper is on or not.

The moment he mastered crawling, he was already working on the next milestone: standing and walking. Judah has now experienced more bumps, scrapes, and falls from this milestone. One afternoon (January 8) I put Judah down for a nap and as normal he started to fuss. I walked out of the room as I tend to do until he settles down to rock. A minute later it got unusually quiet. I peeked in to see if he had actually fallen asleep. Nope! He had pulled himself up onto his feet and was standing in the crib just laughing at me. Time to lower the crib! And lower the crib we did! By middle of the month (January 14), Judah got his first scrape on his own. And he got it from trying to stand. Tim caught Judah pulling himself on the outside of the steps/railing on the bottom step. Once he was up on his two feet, he moved to the next step, and finally once he accomplished that, he moved to the third step before finally taking a tumble and scraping his finger on the wood railing along the way. Again (January 31), Judah got his first goose egg from a similar experience with the glider footstool. Judah just pulls himself right back up on his feet again and again with any object, moves back and forth between things like chairs, and actually releases his grip at times to reach for things. I have counted him standing on his own for five seconds. Judah wants so bad to stand and move around. Most recently, he even has mastered squatting and standing back up instead of plopping down on his backside. You will often find him on his hands and his feet with his backside in the air pulling himself up from the floor trying to stand without any support.

Judah's ability to move around has given him the opportunity to get in trouble (mainly with the fireplace, chords, vents, and the cat stuff). The other day, Judah got his hand slapped for the first time due to getting into the cat food and water dish. Still he goes after things (January 31) and once again he acted on his fascination with the cat dish. Both Tim and I were nearby telling him "no" and "stop." He did stop, turn and look at us, and then inched a little closer. Finally, he decided he would go just past the dish to pick up Maestro's toy mouse. Turning back, he held the toy mouse right over the water dish and dropped it in the water dish soaking the mouse. His look back at us said it all, "I did not touch it." His need to explore has helped in the need to speed up baby proofing the house. One weekend, Tim and I (Judah watched from the crib) moved my craft corner into the closet for me to be able to leave stuff out but still shut the door. We also put padding on the fireplace stone as well as a baby gate at the top of the stairs. Judah will be in enough trouble without adding to it with unsafe items.

Judah also has also starting clapping and waving (still working on them though). When you play patty cake, he will grab your hands and play along. He likes to listen to music, especially his new tunes from Christmas, and you can get him occasionally to clap along to songs like Pop Goes the Wiesel. Whether in his jumpy swing or in his booster seat, Judah always bounces to the music. In his swing, you will see him step with one leg at a time (I call it the bunny hop) and in his booster seat, his upper body moves to the rhythm. A few times I have gotten out objects to use as drums and we have fun hitting mommy's bowls in beat or drumming on the table. Judah also likes to make his rattles sound to the beat like a tambourine. Sitting on the floor playing, Judah always has his legs moving and kicking as if excited about the next best thing. In front of the mirror, if prompted Judah will wave hello to himself. Judah likes the game of standing in front of the mirror waving and saying hi to his reflection. He also has discovered that it is him touching the mirror as well as the the shiny bowls we play with.

All this movement has really changed up our schedule. Judah takes about 3 hours of naps a day: one hour in the morning and two hours in the afternoon or vice versa. He has been starting to get tired earlier in the evening making us wonder if he is ready to sleep twelve hours overnight (maybe?). Judah usually wakes up from anytime after 6:30am in the morning. Allowing time for breakfast of rice cereal and banana, getting dressed, and morning chores like laundry or unloading the dishwasher, Judah is ready for his morning nap about two hours later. Depending on how long he sleeps, this will leave us time to play or run errands to places like Bass Pro Shop (to see the fish and waterfall), walk the malls, or play with friends like Lexi Reeves or on Thursday morning playgroup. Daddy usually joins us at home for lunch and by 2pm, Judah is ready for his afternoon nap. After nap, we are on the move again often playing and finishing the chores we started earlier that day as well as trying to start supper. Judah likes to play with his new toys for a bit longer after supper such as Buster, the Penguin, stacking blocks on the shelf, or banging his rattles around. Judah gets a brief wipe down or a bath when we can splash around and pop bubbles (twice a week) and is off to bed around 8:00pm.

Growing bigger at 17 pounds and 3 ounces, Judah is wearing 9+ month clothes now (except for socks since he always pulls them off). Judah lost some weight from being on the move but lately he has gained it back as we have added carrots, sweet potatoes, avocado, applesauce, and banana to his diet. While he grabs and chews on one spoon, you can sneak in another bite of food with the other spoon. Most often he wants to feed himself and does a good job of taking the spoon from you and sticking it in his mouth (but upside down). Although he went through a phase of not wanting to eat this month (probably due to his ear infection), more recently he has been eating close to a tablespoon of food at most meals again. Also, he enjoys drinking out of the sippy cup of water or milk (or tipping it over) or even mommy's real glass. We have been putting more and more food on the tray like bananas and rice cakes and you can see him coordinate his fingers in a pinching position to pick it up or move it around. On occasion, I distract him with rice cakes dipped in food for him to lick off. Judah has become more engaged in eating so much so that when he is finished you will find him sitting on rice cake or find hair covered with sweet potato (sorry Lexi). Maestro has enjoyed finding the food leftover on the floor and daddy has enjoyed cleaning the floor! Then we end our meal with Judah standing up next to his chair chewing on his seat buckle for dessert.

He has been wearing his warm pajamas a lot during the day this month so his feet stay warm in during the chilly temperatures we have had. His hair is getting thicker and hangs slightly over his ears (no Tim, you cannot cut it). Occasionally when you catch a profile with his fluffy hair, you get a glimpse of Uncle Philip at that age. Judah also bites down on his lower lip giving him the allusion of a mischievous smile. Judah has started saying "blah, blah" more now as well.
Judah also loves to chew his Bink backwards. You often see him twist it around in his mouth, chew on the handle, and throw it around in his hand.

All tuckered out from being on the move and recovering from Christmas excitement, Judah came down with his first cold. Without running a fever and showing no signs of teeth yet, we were a little confused why he kept waking up at night fussy. At first thinking he was cold, we added a onsie layer to his nighttime wardrobe. Then we added Tylenol. Next we went to the doctor and had him checked for strep and ear infection (with no such luck). Meanwhile both Tim and I developed a cold with a cough, sore throat, and runny nose. So after a week of being cooped up for six days straight with colds and frigid temperatures outside, we went to the doctor again. This time Judah had an ear infection which was causing him to wake up at night several times and lower his appetite considerably. A couple of nights both Tim and I have taken shifts with Judah from midnight to five in the morning because he would not sleep (and was really hyper). By week two, Tim got over his cold leaving Judah and I with a congested cough and a runny nose. Judah just finished his second round of antibiotic for his ear infection and we see a specialist regarding his ears. On top of the ear infection, Judah is also on the mend from a case of eczema skin rash all over his legs and underneath his chin thanks to creme that we have been applying three times a day.

The rest of the month Tim and I have been catching up on sleep from chasing Judah, from the frigid cold, and from waking up at night. Tim has been especially busy at work this month picking up the slack from his Director of Operations leaving and from implementing a new teen program for students from East High while resuming his normal tasks like YLI recruitment and programming and web design work. His hard work has paid off as he been named a member of Des Moines Top 40 under 40 through the Business Record this month. Judah and I have explored more places trying to get away from the cold. On Thursday mornings, we attend a playgroup at a nearby church. At least once or twice a week, Judah and I get together with our friends for playtime and lunch. Other times we run errands or go to events like the Branstad rally a few weeks back. At home, Judah and I find projects to do like organizing or painting letters for his name. And yes, it has really taken me a month to write this post!

2010-02-01T19:14:00.001-06:00

mmmm... I love Cheerios momma!

Momma's little helper

2010-01-28T18:36:00.002-06:00

Helping momma unload the dishwasher. Yes we start em on the chores early.

My Little Republican!

2010-01-23T21:45:00.014-06:00

Judah experienced his first taste of the political scene this week. He attended his first campaign rally which happened to be Governor Terry Branstad's kickoff gubernatorial announcement event in Des Moines held at the Iowa Historical Society on Tuesday morning. Listening to cheers and watching signs wave, Judah was mesmerized with the event so much so he was wound up the rest of the day. On the way out, the Governor stopped for a picture with us giving the media a golden opportunity for a supporter shot (especially with his Republican shirt). Our picture showed up in the Des Moines Register the following day (see below). Afterwards, Judah and I strolled through the caucus exhibit at the Historical Building looking at campaign buttons, learning about the process, and setting the stage for upcoming caucuses.

Judah ended the week by attending his first precinct caucus with mommy and daddy for Des Moines 72 as part of the 2010 Iowa Caucus cycle. Although we were the only ones for our precinct, the room was full of fellow republicans caucusing for their platform planks and signing nominating papers for their candidates. A number of friends were excited to see Judah for the first time appreciating the fact that he is being indoctrinated early. What can I say, we call it growing the party! Way to go Judah!

Judah's First Christmas!

2010-01-15T15:13:00.029-06:00

Here are some scenes from Judah's First Christmas. He got to enjoy celebrating Christmas three times this year: us as a family on Wednesday and Thursday, Kreis Family Christmas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the Rittgers Family Christmas on Sunday and Monday.

We started our family Christmas on Wednesday by going to the Point of Grace Christmas Eve Eve Service at 5:30pm. While Judah enjoyed the Christmas carols, Tim and I enjoyed the sermon on the name of Jesus, Everlasting Father. We went home for our traditional Christmas Pork Chops and rice (from the crock this year) followed by opening family gifts. We implemented our new family tradition for the first time of unwrapping the baby Jesus and placing him in the manger. Next, I read the Christmas story recalling the gift of a Savior. Then we opened a few gifts before Judah was ready for bed. Christmas seemed extended to wake up the next morning to a big breakfast of homemade muffins, biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sausage followed by opening the remaining gifts and stockings.

God has truly blessed our family this Christmas (in my Kreis family tradition, I will record some of our gifts). Our family gift which has become a tradition since Tim and I married, was matching family penguin pajamas. From Tim's penguin pants to Judah's penguin long underwear, we all matched. Lately, penguins have been Judah's favorite toy. To go with our pajamas, Judah got his It's Not my Tractor book and Tim received a couple of western books by Stephen Bly with the New Casting Crowns album and a Bryan Heath album. Of course Tim surprised me with the Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue (I still need to read it...so ask me later what I think). Judah enjoyed his new blocks that stack and have fun activities on them as well as his Chuck dump truck that moves. Maestro was content playing with his ties (off of the toys) and bows chasing them around the wrapping paper strewn all over the floor.

We left on the afternoon of Christmas Eve for Waterloo beating the freezing rain to arrive at the Kreis home. We all enjoyed a relaxed Christmas Eve Evening watching Christmas movies and eating pies (since we could not wait). It was fun to have everyone there as we woke up the next morning to another big breakfast of Charlie's biscuits and gravy and mom's French Toast casserole. All dressed in his Penguin Christmas outfit, Judah enjoyed tearing off the bows and eating the wrapping paper. We barely started the gift opening before Judah was ready for his morning nap. The rest of us could not wait though and opened his Tonka books/car and Tugboats. Tim enjoyed opening his new clothes and my kitchen knives and I am so thankful for the additional dishes.

The rest of Christmas day, we lazily hung out watching more movies, enjoying each other's company, and napping off the big lunch of turkey and ham with all the fixings. We enjoyed a similar day at the Rittgers Farm until we had a full spread of traditional prime rib and cranberry jello. Judah and his cousin Jacob really enjoyed eating their Christmas dinner side by side in the high chairs. Afterwards, all decked out in his penguin pajamas, Judah and Jacob (and Matt) led the reading of the Christmas story with the birthday cake followed by opening gifts. Both boys were caught up in process of handing out gifts, opening them, and playing. Though tired, Judah enjoyed the excitement of opening his bike, his ball popper, and his Little People Farm. Tim received a trailer to pull behind his bike and I received a bike helmet. Guess you know where to find us this spring!

Judah slept great that night dreaming of bows, toys, and nativities. The next day was filled with just as much excitement with all the cousins and second cousins over for meatballs and more pie. Judah and Jacob provided the entertainment for the little ones with their new toys and Randy provided the entertainment for the big ones with his toys (water skies turned into snow skies). Grandpa had the sleds and the tractors out all afternoon pulling kids of all ages. Next the Christmas exchange had everyone on edge to take home that one special gift of $25, singing penguin lights, or a Nerf gun. Christmas finally wound down that evening as all, old and young, curled up with a warm bowl of soup and a game by the fire.

After being in Waterloo/Cedar Falls for five days, we headed home to check on Maestro to make sure he did not destroy anything. New Year's was spent again with our friends the Bowman's, watching Dick Clark's New Year's Celebration and eating sliders, spinach artichoke dip, and stuffing ourselves with other fating delicious things. Only this year, we only stayed awake until 10:30 at which we popped the bubbly early and went home for bed. By the time we got Judah ready and in bed, he only missed the New Year by 15 minutes! Happy New Year Judah!

On the Move

2010-01-09T13:33:00.001-06:00

Time to take down the tree!

Just a phase?

2010-01-02T11:09:00.002-06:00

You know, he's just at that age where he gets into EVERYTHING! :)