Christmas Eve

Praise God no one was sick this Christmas!! Last year Audrey was extremely sick and was in the ER Christmas Day, it was terrible. This year was full of good health and a great time with family. It was a little crazy but that doesn't matter. 'Cubba had a BLAST this year and was a complete hamball. The wildwoman had so much fun she kept saying, this is my most favorite Christmas!!

Here are some pictures from my Grams house on Christmas Eve.

Opening a gift from Poppa Marty

Juuuust a little bit excited...

 'Cub loved sis's new princess shoes :)

He walked pretty good in them 

TRUCKS!

While at Grams, 'Cub took great delight in jumping off of the ottoman and stool onto his Aunts.

They loved it too

Getting ready to launch

Every gown needs slippers!

He loved trying on his new clothes!

Woodloch Mini Vacation

In the beginning of December, we and our next door neighbor family went to an all inclusive resort in the Poconos called The Woodloch Inn. We got an amazing deal and an additional 15% off with a military appreciation. It was just a little guy, 2 nighter, but was really the perfect amount of time. We played so hard and kept so busy, any longer might too much for the kiddos (and their parents)

The resort is named #2 resort for families in the US, per trip advisor. I'd agree with that for the most part. There were a few things that I was put off by and will let the lodge know. Ie, the level, indoor playground for kids was very poorly lit- even dark in some areas that gave a creepy kind of vibe (I know because I climbed all through it with Audrey and to help unsure kiddos to the nearest exit), there were no changing tables in the pool locker room- you had to either walk out and go into the bath room, or take all your stuff in to the pool area and the take it all back into the locker room (Ben said he just laid a pile of towels on the floor to get Cub squared away, but still) and the woman's locker room had ants everywhere. Other than that, it was a great time. They had the best splash pad that our kids loved, a ton of family activities, decent food, nice clean rooms, and it was 99% retiree's. We had everything to ourselves. I don't think I'd ever go in the summer but would go back in the winter season again anytime.

 This is funny because he wanted nothing to do with Santa, at all. Had to go to another part of the room :)

Lou on the other hand LOVED Santa :)

Ready to go on the sleigh ride to check out Christmas lights

My luvies

Our sweet friends (Aud calls their kiddos "my boys")

I thought the entrance was so pretty

* I didn't realize that the splash pad pics where on Ben's iphone, I'll have to make another post with those.

18 Months

A year and a half! Six more months and my wild man will be 2!

Proof he is my son... reading a book, and a stethoscope.

Same faces :)

hahaha I can't stop giggling when I see this picture

Weight: 30lbs over the 95%

Height: 86.7 cm (2ft 10.13 inches) over 95%

Wearing: 2t and some 3t, size 5 diapers

Development:

In the past 2wks, Judahs vocab has just soared! One day out of the blue, 'Cubba boy must have thought to himself, "Well, today seems like a good day to start using my words"! He's putting 2-3 words together to get a point across. Some new words include: Tuck (stuck), Up, Oh, Fa la la la la, Bitte (please or welcome in German), No, Danke (thank you in German), Sis, Poppa, Ake (Jake), May (maybel my sister's puppy), Shhhhh, Ush (hush from books we read), ose (nose), ummmm (yum) dun (down), ahh dun (all done), buh bye (bye bye), Hi, nigh nigh (night night), hop hop, dickle dickle (tickle tickle- he's been saying that one for a few months through)

Some new things he's been into lately: zippers, leaping from anything he can climb on, imitating sister whining (unreal), scrubbing himself in the tub, coloring more, wanting read to more, turning lights on and off, doing things just to make us laugh, hopping, making new friends anywhere we go by waving and yelling HI HI HI HI, peeing in the potty or in the tub when all the water's out, playing in the snow, eating snow, our Advent calendar, touching the older ladies the sit in front of us at church, he likes to instigate a tickle fight or a game of chase.

Judah is still such a lover. Don't get me wrong- he still throws cheap shots in often but mostly he's a lover. He get's very concerned when the wild woman is upset or when another baby cries. Like in church today we were in the family room and the little baby beside us was crying and he kept coming to me and saying "Mum Mum" and pointing to the baby then wanting a snuggle or a moocher. He for the most part, likes sharing his things with others, unless it's the wild woman...

Judah's back molars are now in. He has the molars and two bottom teeth in and on the top he has  the front four and the back two molars. I love when he gives us that gummy grin and all you see are his bottom teeth, love it!

Eating:
Judahcub is still an fantastic eater. He's more of a eat all day long, instead of every 2-3 hours. Some new things he's tried this month: pomegranates, crab meat, shrimp, maple syrup, chocolate chips, sugar cookies, mandarin oranges, clementines, cinnamon rolls, cranberries (wasn't a big fan of this one), roast beef (also wasn't a fan of). All expect the last two- he really enjoyed.

Sleeping:
Judah sleeps and naps amazingly.... only if he is home and in his own bed. If he is not home and in his own bed... it's a nightmare. We've done all that we could think of. Over Thanksgiving I was so tired and stressed from Judah being up constantly through the night that we went home early. I was crying and upset but didn't know what to do. We all were coming down with a bug and uhh- it was rough. We love being home and don't want to cut our trips short because Mr. Judahcub wants his bed. It's rough.

Snow Bunnies

On Sunday Jersey finally got the "it's winter" memo! We had 4-6 inches dumped on us in a matter of three hours! It was beautiful!  Ben had the chance to go to the Eagles game so it was just the wilds and me. We spent 20 minutes (well that what it seemed like) getting all geared up to play outside for 30mins. We didn't plan on playing too long, I slacked and hadn't bought snow boots yet...oops.

Judahcub wasn't too sure at first. He just stood there and watched the wild woman and the neighbor boys. He eventually stared playing. The wild woman had a blast and did not want to come in. 

It was  the best. We went out to breakfast with Ben's Mom and Dad before they went home, came home for naps and quiet time, played outside, invited the neighbor boys over to play, baked the sugar cookies my Mom made for us (thanks Momma) went our friends house for dinner, then Ben came home and we spent some time together. It was an awesome day!

Taking his first few steps :)

The wild woman and Hayden cleaning my car and eating snow :)

Snow Angels!

Peeing like a biggie boy!!!

It's amazing what I get so excited about now that I'm a Momma and peeing in the potty is one of those things!!!

Judahcub has realized that he has the control to pee on command. It started in the tub when I was getting ready to pull him out to dry him off and he started peeing! We made a huge deal about it and Judah was beyond proud of himself! Then he figured it out and when the tub was drained after baths we'd say okay Judah, go pee! and He would push his belly out and go! It's too funny.

Well tonight he was out of the tub, dried off and stared peeing on the floor when I caught him and said now that you are a biggie boy, biggie boys pee in the potty. I stood him in front of the little potty and gave him the go ahead... a few seconds later he was peeing!!! He did AWESOME!!! We clapped and sang and he was thrilled!!

Audrey was this age when she was interested in the potty but with the move and the chaos it didn't happen and we didn't force it. We'll probably start standing Judah in front of the potty before and after the tub. He loves to follow you into the bathroom and keep you company while sitting on his little potty :)

Dress up for the animals

I'm never quite sure what I'll find when I check on the wild woman during quiet time. More often that not it's something the brings such a smile to my face and heart I could burst- believe it.

She had lined up all her favorite animals and put her night clothes on each one. I'll explain who's wearing what :)

Starting closest to the wall...

Carl is wearing the purple and white striped snail nightie

Pout Pout Fish is wearing the blue with with dots and pink flower nightie

Other Carl is wear Tracey jammies (the two piece blue frog jammies)

Puppy is wearing pink nightie with princess frogs (that she's been wearing since she was 14months old)

and last but not least... Jaimie the killer whale is wearing the rainbow nightie.

And the velveteen rabbit that is in the first picture but not the second wasn't wearing a nightie (why he had to go) but a disney princess night shirt

I purposely cut the wild woman out of the picture- when you dress up all your animals I guess you have to be naked?

Wild woman, I absolutely adore the way your sweet mind works!!!!

Judahcub's 17 months

So very proud of himself.

Judah "helping" fold CLEAN laundry :)

 Judah loves finding little spots to sit. Here, under the sink, doll chairs...

First metro ride

Sick sunggles

And I wondered why all of the sudden Judah's clothes didn't fit. He's grown 2 inches and gained 2 lbs in the past 3 months.

Eating:

Depending on the time of day, barometric pressure, and what color of socks he's wearing determines what he will or will not eat. One day he's eating sautéed cabbage like it was the finest meal he's ever had and the next time I make it for him, it's a total no go. He's getting molars, so partially frozen blueberries are a favorite right now. He loves legumes (hims a Momma's boy) and pretty much anything else. We're still nursing at bedtime and sometimes before nap, and are planning on sticking with that for a while.

Sleeping:

Praise be to God that Judah is back to his 3 hour naps. For awhile while teeth were coming in and we were struggling with croup, he'd nap MAYBE an hour and get up all through the night. He's back to sleeping 12hrs at night and 3-3.5hrs during the day. He's got to sleep with his silkie and his Curious George. Oh and it's got to be in HIS CRIB. Forget sleeping away from home. He's got to be in his own bed. Otherwise, it's up every 2 hrs, early early early wake up and tossing and turning all through the night. When we travel he won't sleep in a pack and play so guess who gets to sleep with the wild man... yup. Yours truly. I love my wild man and snuggling is my favorite but sleeping with him is terrible. I think it's because we sleep the same way. He tosses, turns, and is a light sleeper- just like his Momma. The wild woman on the other hand is just like her Daddy and is the best to sleep with.

Development:

Judah is talking more, and trying to use more words. He loves to sing Move it Move it, Baa Baa black sheep, and will dance to anything. He's getting very good at brushing his teeth, scrubbing in the tub, and peeing standing up :) He's pretty good at feeding himself with a spoon and fork, drinks out of a cup, and tries to put his clothes on. He's such a lover but can really be a brute. Growling is a big thing now and is so stinking funny. I think my most favorite thing that's happened this month is 'Cub will come over to me with a book and wants to lay down or snuggle to read the WHOLE thing. It's the best. I'll neglect the entire house to lay and read books with my babies, every time.

My sister asked me to describe the wild mans personality in a few words and it was more difficult than I thought. His personality is a melting pot. He's a lover, hit the ground running, easy going, joyful, energetic, dancing King, smart, fearless, snuggly, Momma's boy who is at the same time- rough and tumble, bug squeezing and pretend to eat it just to hear his Momma screech, stubborn, it's got to be my idea when I'm good and ready, instigator, mischievous, wrestle mania, Daddy's boy.

I find myself, sometimes without even realizing, I'm thanking God over and over for my children. When they do something that just blows me away, which happens so often throughout the day, and when I lay them in their beds- I praise Him that He's given them to ME. When they get sick, I praise Him for placing me here and now that I can get my babies medicine if they need it when not so very long ago- the same sickness would have killed them. Every time I rub 'Cubba's chest and feel his scars- 20yrs ago he would not have made it. 20. Thank you Jesus.