My lovey...

Man, this boy is my lovey, aka: "yub yub", aka: "lover". He is a toot, but seriously look at that face. Yumm-Oh. 

Good news: Jude (I think we can officially make the announcement) is (drum roll please)............

SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. I am a new woman, revived, refreshed, and renewed. Interrupted sleep was really getting to me. 

Here's the deal: Jude slept with us for the first few months home (which I love to do with my babies), it was awesome for the first little while. Then, he basically asked if we would mind if he moved to his own bed (in not so many words). So, we moved him to a crib right next to our bed. Better on the sleep front. But, when he would wake up at night I would rock/sing/feed him and he would drift off. When I would put him in his bed half asleep he would go right to sleep as long as I was not in the room. Daddy was fine to be in the room sleeping tucked away nicely in our big huge comfy bed. But, if mommy was in the room trying to sleep JuJu would through a fit. No, he did not want to be in our bed (I would have been totally up for that plan), no, he did not want to be awake, yes, he did want to be in his bed sleeping but not with mommy right there. 

So, we did it....we moved him to a room by himself (happens to be the office with a baby bed in it at this point). We put some darkening shades on the window and WAH LAH, the kid sleeps through the night. I still go in there the moment I hear him wake up or be restless but he doesn't do it...he just conks out for the night. Awesome. 

I am really going to claim it as a miracle. But, I do understand that a lot of it is just that he is more comfortable being with us, he sees us as safe, this as home, and Micah and I as his mommy and daddy. That is really something to Praise the Lord for, isn't it? 

When I put him down in his crib now (after cuddlying, rocking,singing) I have started kissing my little lovey starting at his head and working my way all down his side to his stinky feet. That is the best thing about night night time for him. He literally lets me just covered him with kisses. During the day he is way way too busy for that. But at night he just sits there and takes it. 

I've fallen in love with another man (that makes 3 now) and Micah isn't even jealous.

Knock Knock

Whose there?

Ears

Ears who?

Ears lookin' at you dad!!!

I have to agree with my three kiddos....their daddy is awesome (and I happen to be madly in love with him). 

Creed's card said:

"Dad, yuo always do nise things forme, so I wanted to tacke yuo to Wicked in tulsu necst month."

Rinn's card (I wrote and she talked): "Dad, I love you. I hope you never die. I love to play with you and I love you berry much."

Jude just said "RRRRARRRRR" (think lion)....this is his favorite thing to do when you ask him what any kind of animal says ;)

Side note: I know I didn't really need to post this many photos of the same pose, but they all look so cute in each one for different reasons. Make sure you check out Rinn's VBS tattoo on her shoulder with her fancy dress. The last photo is when Daddy opened his gifts from the kiddos. 

Nah Nah Nah Nah boo boo

My grandma can beat your grandma up!!!! Check out Mim...

During her belt test she was so focused. 
She kicked this lady's butt. (check out how cute they still look even though they are fighting like crazy?!)
She did it. My mom actually broke a board with her foot. (could she be any more cool?)
Moving from Yellow to Orange belt. 
So, I am just so proud of my mom. She has always inspired me. She is always looking for new and exciting ways to improve herself and learn new things. She has always been that way. She is the one who inspired my love for politics by taking me to rally's and encouraging me to picket :) She is the one who told me that she had full faith in me....in whatever I chose to do. She is the one who made me tuna salad with thousand island and watched "All my Children" with me in 3rd grade (well, maybe that was a small lapse in judgement :) She is the one who tells me when I need to lose a few pounds :) (that's a true friend). She is the one who (as a single mom) went back to school and became a nurse so that she could provide for us. She is the one who cooks homemade cinnamon rolls for my kiddos. She is the one who stayed with me night after night in the hospital when I was young playing "I spy", she memorized the room so well that we could even play over the phone. She is the one who reminds me to be nice to my hubby and babies. She is the one cheering for me on the sidelines. She is the one who does my dishes and picks up my dirty laundry off the floor (yes, still, occasionally).

I love her and am so proud of her for teaching me not to just be stagnant. To press on, to work hard, to keep on improving, and to learn new things. 

Her newest passions:

1. Taekwondo (see above for proof that she rocks the house on this)

2. Jewelry Making

3. Concealed Carry (yep, she is a gun brandishing grandma!....did I mention you don't want to mess with her in a dark ally)

I love my momma!

Another first....

Trip to the zoo.

Jude loved the zoo, in all it's sweaty goodness. We have a wonderful zoo in our city and so we finally ventured out to take JuJu for his first trip with our buddies. He loved it. He is such a happy boy. That is probably the first way I would describe him if someone asked me about him. Creed and Rinn loved it too (of course). And, we ate at Cheesecake Factory afterwards...seriously, could there be a better day in life?!?!?

What?!?!? You really thought I would get a photo of all the kids looking at the camera? Fat chance.

His normal "look"....(can you tell I am in love?)
Givin' the turtle a little "lovings."
Looking at the bears, Jude would say "Grrrr"
What Rinn looks like anytime she is around Jude (can you tell she is in love too?!?!)
Jude enjoying a little lovin from a hot chick...
Creed navigating the zoo with his incredible geographic skills and aviators.
Swapping "guy" stories with Cross.
"lovings" from the girls
Captures the true idea of what having best friends is all about. "Toda" was walking in the back of the pack when Rinny got tired so, he did what any "Toda" would do and plopped her on his shoulders. 

My itty ballerina

I know, she is the cutest ballerina in the world. Her receital was ADORABLE. She was center stage and did a fantastic job (if I do say so myself). She was also the smallest one on stage all evening. So cute. I love my itty red head. 

A little sugar....
She kept checking her feet to make sure they were in the proper position...ahh!

After the receital we enjoyed some frozen yogurt (in her tutu of course). 

Mom and Aunt Ky and MyMy.
Landry was so proud. Side note: Check out Rinn's eye (hehe) she does this often for pictures (apparently she thinks it's cute). 
Receiving gifts from Aunt Ang and her Prima Ballerina Cousin, KK. 
So, remember how I was worried about Rinn's middle child syndrome....umm....welp, I am pretty sure she knows she is well loved (seriously). 

Lil' Ballerinas

We had a weekend of receitals! Congrats to Campbell, Landry, and KK....so graceful and beautiful little sugar bears. Love you!

My baby sis...

Yep....I know, hard to believe....she is my sister (skinny-ness, blonde hair and all! and no, I did not do any photoshop or airbrushing!!!!)

I was so happy to be able to hang out with she and her hubby-to-be Aaron and the sweetest little sugar bear in the world, Carson (Aaron's son). Although I am not taking tons of pics now-a-days (post Jude) I really do LOVE to do pics for my loved ones. It gives us a chance to hang out and have a fun time. 

Kels is going to be getting married in March and I seriously cannot believe it!!! It just sounds crazy that she is grown up so much. I cannot wait to be a part of her special day. 

Side Note: Aaron was having the time of his life, I could hardly get him to stop wanting to take pictures....I thought we were going to be there FOREVER with this guy and all his posing ideas :)