Good Morning, Dodo!

This photo is for my father-in-law, who recently retired and now starts his mornings off with a dose of Judah and our family blog.

We hope your morning is full of soaring stocks, strong coffee and a wife that gets up before 10 a.m.  We are so excited for you and a new chapter in your life.  We are so incredibly proud of all you have accomplished and how hard you have worked.  You have taught us so many things over the years, like exterminators are actually Pest Management Specialists, dress shirts should be starched, head cheese is good for you (the jury is still out on that one), golf scores aren't necessarily reflective of swing ability, brown socks are always in style, and, most importantly, the ability to laugh at ourselves.  And sometimes at you.

We love you.

Christmas Morning 2010
(The boys haven't had their coffee yet.)

:: Judah Winslow Noel ::

(Posted 1 month late.  Momma's sorry!)

18 pounds 5 ounces

28 inches

At nine months old, you are becoming your own little person so rapidly. 

Everyday there are moments when you seem like a little boy already, no longer a baby.  Whether its in the way you turn your head, the way you understand I'm teasing you - giving me a sly little grin, or the way you sit munching on a mum mum.  They all show me you are no longer my wee babe.

You got your two front teeth for Christmas, just days apart.  The tiny little gap between them melts me.

You have gotten a wee bit sassy, desperately trying to escape while I dress you, and even throwing a mini tantrum once or twice.  Its hard not to laugh.  You scowl when focused and unimpressed... I see myself reflected in you.  We have the same forehead furrow.

You've discovered your hands more and more, clapping to music or when your toys light up.  You learned your first sign - milk - after only a few days.  And then quickly learned to wave.  Sometimes doing both simultaneously.

You are a sensitive babe, broken hearted and desperate when told "No".  You are persistent, not getting frustrated by obstacles or well-placed obstructions, but tenaciously pushing forward until your goal is achieved (read: teething on something electronic & usually involves cell phones, tv remotes, and playstation controllers.)

My son, my son.  You are making our life richer by the day.

Love,

your momma

:: Miss Skyla ::

Early January, Judah & I board a jet plane and headed down to Vegas.  Not a typical vacation spot with a 9-month old, but my 'new' sister lives there.  She's new because I got her for Christmas last year, courtesy of facebook.  

We spent three days wandering malls, snuggling babies and discussing everything motherhood, including diapers, bootie creams, and breast pumps.  Just like real sisters.  

I could not get enough of 6 week old Skyla, Judah's very first cousin.  Her cheeks were plump, her hair wild and her outfits beyond girly.  She's a complete doll.

One of my favorites from our afternoon photo session.

My beautiful sister.

 My sister & her mom.

Little J wasn't sure who this tiny thing was making so much noise.

An afternoon of shopping.

*sigh*

A sneek peek of today's maternity shoot.

Today was my first photo shoot of 2011 & this gorgeous couple made it easy.

More of Melinda, Jon, Baby & their adorable dog, Molly... coming soon. :)

I was making room on my memory card yesterday and stumbled across this picture.  

This was from one of the first days that Judah started eating real food.

I'm in love with it & think it might get hung in the kitchen over the stove.  To remind myself that someone does indeed like my cooking.

Things I have learned recently:

Babies will crawl.  Fast.  And knock things over.  

Including glass bottles of chylophil in Whole Foods.  

Which will quickly cover the isle floor and your favorite baby pants in dark green liquid.  

Its embarrassing and the pants don't come clean.

Babies like moustaches.

Especially fake dollar store moustaches.

And, even though they may be 5 inches long and extremely hairy, babies also like to attempt eating said moustaches.  

And then proceed to cough and choke on them.  

All while company is over.  

Note to self: Don't let babies play with moustaches.

this is what happens when my husband plays with baby toys.

:: Christmas 2010 ::

Jody (pre-coffee) & our Santa Baby.  Blissfully, family day started with mimosas in Fort Langley.  Maybe mimosas should be included as part of all future family days.  Is that wrong?!  We wandered through toy stores stocked with vintage finds, buying a steel spinning top for our wee man, and boutiques filled with everything quaint and unusual and entertaining.  We squeezed together tightly underneath the umbrella, laughing at our happy baby, who, in his red jacket and grey skinny jeans, made everyone smile.  A baby who squealed with delight at the strangers' attention and stared fascinated at the Christmas lights, bright even during the day.  We laughed and loved our life, excitement spilling over our first Christmas as a family of three.  Jody and I dreamed of more traditions we hoped to have as a family, memories to make and special moments to build - traditions to give our children security and faith in our family and in our love.

We stopped in to visit our uncle Noah, who fed us the best pizza in town, between his shifts as a 'dough boy' and an OG server.  He entertained us with tales of girls and customers and his high school buddies.  We told him to stop corrupting our baby.

Then off to my favorite part of Christmas - the Christmas Eve service.  We are joined by my mom and her husband.  As a group, we sang traditional carols loudly, watched the excited children flood the stage for a Christmas story, drank hot apple cider and watched snow - yes, snow! - fall from the church ceiling.  We bump into good friends and are able to share brief moments of Christmas wishes and embraces.  The joy and anticipation for the season is everywhere.  

Off to my in-laws for the Christmas Eve celebrations.   Too much food and delicacies too difficult to resist.  Jody entertains us... he is my 'special' elf.

Opening treasures, selected just for our loved one to surprise and delight them.  

My favorite picture of my little man & me from Christmas.

A very long day for our baby.

But he was a little trooper and did so well staying up late.

Christmas Day was filled with family ice skating fun, a tradition in our family for the last six years.  My in-laws came along for the chaos... which was good because they provided support - literally - to my brothers in their ice skating attempts.  Watching Elliott ice skate around with my father in-laws, holding hands, for not one but TWO laps, was priceless!

L.O.V.E.

My brothers, Noah & Elliott's, favorite game.  

They do this to his forehead every time they are with him.

They think it is hilarious.  

Poor Baby.

How sweet is this?!

Maybe I'll use this one on Jody.  

And, one day, when Judah is big enough, I will ambush him too with a nerf gun.

Today, as I prepare to board a plane with my 9-month old, alone, I will remember this verse.  Because I am thankful to have found cheap flight - $101 round trip, including taxes - to Vegas.  Because I am thankful for a sister who found me and that we can start sharing our lives, even though we live countries apart.  Because I am thankful for Judah's first cousin, Baby Skyla, and that we have an opportunity to take in all her newborn goodness.  Because I am thankful for a husband who encourages me to be brave and adventerous.  Because, in faith, I am thankful for fellow passengers who are gracious and kind and HELPFUL and take mercy on me as I balance a baby, a diaper bag, a carry-on, a stroller and a car seat.

Today, I will remember that I am not fearful (*gulp*) but thankful.

[I can't remember on which site I found this; it was a free printable from some other blog.  Fellow blogger, my sincere apologies.  I take no credit for this.]

{Please forgive all blog posts over the next few days.  I'm attempting to catch up on our backdated life and things will have no apparent order.  It will annoy you and me.  But its the only way it'll get done.}

One of our few family traditions over the Christmas season is ice skating.  We are horrible.  And awkward.  And clumsy.  But we love it and attitude is everything. 

Normally, we only skate on Christmas Eve.  Its the family rule, to ensure none of us excels and out shines the others.  But, a week before Christmas, some friends had an ice skating birthday party... the perfect opportunity to improve our mad skill and impress my brothers.  It didn't work.  But we didn't fall and that's what really matters.  We got to bring the stroller on the ice - Judah loved watching his daddy show off and I appreciated something to cling to.

Warning: The next photos are slightly disturbing.

Hello 1990.  

My tribute to The Cutting Edge & my dear friend, Andrea, with whom I've watched The Cutting Edge VHS more times than I care to recall.

I'm most definitely going to get in trouble for posting these pictures.

I warned you.

One of my favorite things about my man is that he's a bit of a goon.

I didn't get a picture - I was too busy trying to stay upright - but seeing three daddies push their baby strollers around the ice was one of the sweetest things I've seen in a long time.

See, I told you I was addicted to Starbucks.

Me & Judd.  

Er, I mean Juda.

Ooops, I mean Dude-a.

Well, me and lil whatshisname.  

This is us.

:: Happy 2011 ::

I'm one of those people that generally gets excited for New Years.  That doesn't generally mean we do a whole lot and are often in bed before the 12 o'clock countdown begins.  But the anticipation of a new beginning, a new season, a new chance - that's what I love.  Jody and I always ponder the past year, the dreams and goals we accomplished and our desires for the year ahead, our relationship, our spiritual lives, parenting ambitions, travel adventures, and our individual aspirations.  And, of course, the continuum of home renovations and the "next project".

Which brings me to my goals - 

1. The bedroom.  Early last year, new carpet was installed, a pale grey paint applied and new, modern molding surrounded the ceiling, doors and windows.  Its a huge improvement from the floral border and stained carpet that was originally there.  But it still isn't quite OUR bedroom.  So my first goal is to add personal touches over this next month... a few funky pictures, unique pillowcases.  Basically, I would like it to look like this, but on a budget.  A small budget.

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/sneak-peek-lara-collins.html

2.  Read more.  Specifically, read two books a month - one being a great piece of fiction and another being something spiritual to challenge me, inspire me and encourage me.

Over the last few months, I read two books that gave me a preverbal kick in the booty more than anything has in a long time.  

I borrowed this book from friends to take along with us to Hawaii.  I couldn't put it down.  Jody & I both found it incredibly fascinating.  And, if my husband broke his pact of not reading, you know its a good read. ;)

I also borrowed this book & it impacted me more than I can fully verbalize.  It encouraged me to be the best wife, mother, woman that I can because I am called to nothing less.  And how to help love and uplift other women in my life.

I want to read more of these kinds of books.  Hence goal #2.

3. To be fearless.  I may seem brave, but I often just put on a brave face.  In truth, I am afraid of failure almost as much as I'm afraid of success.  I'm afraid of not saying the right things.  I'm afraid of not being everything I'm supposed to be.  I'm afraid that what I can't do will keep me from what I can do.  But the Bible says to "Fear Not" 365 times!  That is my goal for 2011 - to not just be fearless but to fear less.  And put my faith in He who has a plan and a purpose for my life, He who is control of my life, and He who is greater than my greatest fears.

4. Save money.  We are so incredibly blessed.  Not necessarily by North American standards, but compared to most of the world, we are living a life of luxury.  We are planning to cut back on the little unnecessary things so that we can be a blessing to others.  Lately I've been convicted that I'm spending too much money on frivolous little pleasures that I don't need and that money could be better spent elsewhere.  I want to say "no" to some things so I may say "yes" to others.  We don't plan on living a boring life my ANY means, but to no longer take for granted our blessings.  I can't justify the money we spend unaware when people don't have the basics - clean water or enough food to eat.  I am committing to only one Starbucks visit a week, which will be hard considering I am severely addicted.  Luckily, I have a few Christmas Starbucks cards kickin' around that I can ration for the next bit.

5.  To be open to God's plan for our family, to be sufficiently dislodged and stretched from our comfortable lives.  The truth is none of us were created for maintenance, we were made for expansion.  He wants to push us out over the brink of what we can control in our own ability and strength and position us to realize the lives He has for us outside our neat and tidy packages. Lisa Bevere.  Jody and I have been talking and praying about the future of our family and the vision that God is slowly birthing in both of our hearts.  Where we are feeling led would take incredible trust in Him, financially and emotionally.  But we believe that God IS not just that he WAS.

Here's to 2011 & all you may bring.

Bring it on!