Fall Is My Favorite

Jude man had his 6 month photo shoot last week. He was giggling up a storm and I thought I had timed the session perfuctly. Unfortunately, our photographer got into traffic coming from the Valley so she was almost an hour late and we were pushing for Jude's nap time. We got some really great shots though and I am really pleased with how they turned out! :)
Such a sweet little man!

Now, onto the blog that matches the title...if you look at years past's blogs, I will always divulge into why fall is my favorite season. My entire life, I remember longing for fall, knowing all the wonderful things that come along with this season. Here are a list of my favorite things (in no particular order):

1. Cooler weather...I love being able to dress in layers...jeans with a cotton shirt and a light jacket or sweatshirt for mornings and evenings.
2. Football...growing up with TN Vols fans, I have many childhood memories huddled in the living room. After moving to Auburn, my love for football grew even more as we became members of the Auburn family, where our ties will always remain true...War Eagle!
3. Foods of Fall...Pumpkin anything; bread, muffins, cookies, latte's, need I say more? As well as hearty soups such as some of my favorites, taco soup, chicken enchilda, and cheesy chicken noodle.
4. Colors...the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows...lovely. (For my Auburn friends, in a few weeks, please drive by our old house and look at the beautiful bright yellow gingko tree by the driveway...it will be a perfect spot for pictures of little ones and I know the Davis's won't mind you borrowing it for a photo shoot. :)
5. Halloween...though my family has never relished in the negativity that can come with this holiday, we have always enjoyed this as a timeless tradition. I love dressing up (in "nice" costumes) and doing the festivities like getting candy, fall festivals, games, hay rides, and pumpkin patches. LOTS of family time!
6. My birthday...yes, I would be lying if I didn't throw this one in here...October 14 is a very fun day for me!
7. The Beginning of a New Year...growing up, I always thought of "years" as my grades. From kindergarten-my senior year of college, that's how I looked at life and I always termed summers as "the summer before my senior year" or whatever. Then, after becoming a teacher, I have now continued with that with, "Oh, my 2nd year of teaching I _____________ fill in the blank." So, with August/September comes a new year for me. New students, new experiences, new year. :)

Let Fall Begin! :)

Checking In At 6 Months

Our silly little man was 6 months old this past Thursday. When Justin and I were going to bed around 10:30 the night before, that would be 12:30 am in Auburn, Justin said, this time exactly 6 months ago, we were getting ready to head to the hospital...and then 2 hours later, Jude made his very fast arrival! :) Over the last 6 months, Jude has brought more joy, happiness, and thrills to our lives than I ever could have imagined.

For those who know me well, my biggest dream, my deepest heart's desire, is to be a mother. The Lord has fulfilled this with our precious boy! My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for our sweet son.

At Jude's 6 month check up yesterday, he weighed 17 lb. 7 oz (39 %) and was 27.5 inches long (70%). At two months, he was 75% in weight and 40% in height so he's gone from our short and stocky little man, to our long and lean. As far as clothes goes, he's in mostly 6-9 months things, but he has to wear 9 month footie pajamas for the length. He's still in a size 2 (3-6) shoe though.

He is learning so much right now. He is sitting up like a pro. He started around 4.5 months, keeping himself up for 10-15 seconds at a time, but now, that's his position of choice and he plays for long period of time all by himself! He is starting to make lots of sounds like dadada, dedede, and he loves to squeal. His favorite song is definitely "The Wheels on the Bus" and he loves to be tickled. He is also fascinated with Mason. He's starting to pull on his ears and want to give him kisses. He loves to play on the floor and he definitely wants Mommy when he doesn't feel well or is sleepy. However, he LOVES playing with his Daddy. Justin always calls on his way home and when I put him on speaker phone, Jude just lights up!

A few more things Jude has learned in the past month (more so right after he turned 5 months) is being able to put his paci in his own mouth. He'll reach for it and stick it right in. He still can't find it if he looks for it while he's 1/2 asleep at night, but if it's within reach during the day, he's got it under control. He is really trying to get up on his knees, but when his bottom goes up, his shoulders come down...it's too funny! He is also holding his own bottle...he usually can't make it for the whole thing, his arms get tired, but he usually makes it about 3/4 of the way through.

He's still eating and sleeping well. There really isn't anything he won't eat. He still takes 5 6.5-7 oz bottles (or breast) per day and eats rice cereal with fruit for breakfast and 2 veggies and 1 fruit with cereal for dinner. As far as sleeping goes (other than the 2 weeks he had terrible congestion and an ear ache) he sleeps from about 8:30 pm to 6:15-7:15 am (depending on week day or weekend). About 50% of the time, he'll cry once for his paci and other nights, he doesn't make a peep. He usually takes 2 1.5-2.5 hour naps, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. He rarely needs a catnap in the evenings any more, but if he didn't nap well during the day, he might.

To think how quickly this past 6 months has gone by is crazy. I am trying to cherish every second I get with him at this stage...I keep telling Justin to enjoy this time because it is slipping away so quickly. I was looking back at old letters I wrote to him while I was pregnant and it feels like yesterday.

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift? The fruit of the womb His generous legacy?" Psalm 127: 3 (The Message)

Laboy Day Weekend

We had such a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! My Mom and sister were able to come out! Mom was here from Wednesday night until Monday morning and Jillian was here from Thursday afternoon until the next Thursday morning. It was such a wonderful visit and it was hard to see them go! When we were taking my Mom to the airport on Monday, Mason had the saddest look (he knows what it means when someone has a suitcase) and she started crying. It was so cute.

I have always been extremely close to my Mom and sister. Jillian was even in the delivery room when Jude was born. They are my very best friends, so to have them here was like having a piece of home, which I honestly, was really needing. Below, you'll see some of the pictures of our adventures while they were here.

On one evening, we decided to take everyone to Round Mt. Park to let them take the hike to the top and see the beautiful view of the city. Mom and Jillian both did great. I'm not going to lie, I was worried about my Mom, but she did great! She only said she hated me once, haha. But when it was all said and done, I know she had a sense of accomplishment. After she's seen she can do that hike, she's even signed up for Zumba classes back home! I'm so proud of her!!!Of course Jude got new toys while Mo Mo was visiting. It's really a good thing, because most of his toys are for 3 months and he's almost 6, so he really needed some new things to keep his mind stimulated. He liked showing off how great he's been sitting up! He's been doing his for about 2 weeks now and really does great. He does tumble occasionally after about 20 or 30 minutes because he's tired, but he's doing great! He got his new stacker toys, a blow up zebra, a new book, and a Mickey Mouse laptop!
My Mom, who we have been calling Dee Dee as her "grandma" name, has decided we're going to call her Mo Mo. When we were in high school, Jillian started calling her Mo as a joke, short for Momma, and it stuck, so often, we call her Mo. One day when they were visiting, I called her Mo Mo and we were like, "That is too cute! That should be your name!" All of my cousins call her Aunt Dee Dee and she just couldn't see Jude calling her that...it wasn't sticking, but Mo Mo is! So, Mo Mo and Pop it is!
We also took Mom and Jillian to Roosevelt Lake. We had a really good time and Jude really enjoyed the water and his new float. While they were visiting, Jude had an ear infection and had some teeth really start to come up...they've not broken the surface, but you can see 2 white buds. He also had a lot of congestion. Given how sick the little man was, he really was a trooper!

Also, over the weekend, Jude watched pieces of his first Auburn game with Daddy as well as going shopping with Auntie J in Phoenix after dropping Mo Mo off at the airport. We have been so blessed to have everything given to us as gifts, we've really not had to buy very much at all for the little squirt. However, Most of his clothes were from newborn to 6 months, several 9 month sleepers, and then clothes for 12 months and older. He literally has 3 onesies and 1 pair of pants to do him from now until he's a year, so we went shopping at a sale at Baby Gap and got his entire fall/winter wardrobe pretty much. I was very happy with our purchases! Really all he needs now is new shoes and a winter coat, but we're seeing family in October and November, so we're waiting it out. :)

What a blessed weekend! We are going to have a webcam date with Nana and Papaw Derrick today...we miss them too!

Advice...

Let me start off by stating that if you know me at all, I am a social butterfly. I love ministering to women and being with ladies. I thrive in this atmosphere. The Lord is really teaching me a lot about allowing Him to be my All in all. We continue to visit different churches in search of where we need to be to worship and serve. My job is slightly overwhelming to say the least. My only friends are my principal, my school secretary, and the Agriculture teacher, 2 in which are men...hmm. Needless to say, God is trying to stretch and grow me and I'm tryng to be willing.

I have some amazing family and friends though in other parts of the country who I can sense are lifting me up in their prayers. They have emailed encouragement, texted sweet messages, and they pray for me daily, and for that I am so thankful. One sweet friend and mentor gave me a quote that speaks volumes to me right now, "Sometimes it takes the absence of people to feel the presence of God." WHOA! I am a social being, more so than the average person, so to be still and spend an abundant amount of time without girlfriends is difficult for me. However, I am learning there will be seasons of life where He is enough and He should always remain enough.

I am so thankful to have a husband who is patient with me. I am learning to love him, even when I'm frustrated...he is the reason we're here, haha. BUT, he was being obedient to our Heavenly Father by moving our family here and I must trust that He knows what's best for our lives.

I have had multiple people who encourage me to be in the Word more now than ever and I am so thankful for that. God's promises are ALWAYS true, not just when life is hunky dorey.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement....