This captures my favorite smile!
My sweet boy!
Being adventurous with Daddy.
I could go on and on about how I can't believe Jude is already 2 years old, but I won't. The second year has gone even faster than the first and I keep loving this sweet little man more and more every day. In the past year, Jude has lived in 3, yes 3 states (AZ, NC for the summer, and now WA). He's visited 7 states total and been on many adventures including many hikes, museums, libraries, family and friend trips, and zoos. Here is what I always want to remember about Jude during his 2nd year:
Favorites:
Color: Pink (I know, we're working on this one)
Toy: Brown cow, new Thomas, and Chalkboard Easel (He also loves anything with animals and Elmo, his helicopter, and puzzles.)
Activities: Playing outside, drawing/coloring, doing puzzles
Books: Brown Bear Series, Sesame St. Books, and Big Red Tractor by Francis Chan
Food: Cheese, yogurt (particularly squeezers from Trader Joe's), sweet potatoe fries
Drink: Milk
Movie: Lion King
Game: Hide and Seek
Friend: Kate and Raegan from church and Reese, Evie, and Mackie (McKenzie) at school (He told me this one.)
Song: Praise Him, Old MacDonald
Animal: This can change daily, but usually elephant or cow
Shoes: Crocs
Hat: Reindeer and Auburn tobogan (I don't know what we'll do when it's too warm for tobogans, or what west coast people refer to as beanies.)
What he knows:
-Can identify all his ABC's but does not know the song yet
-Can count to 10
-Colors: blue, pink, purple, green, yellow, orange, brown, black, white, grey
-Shapes: square, rectangle, circle
-We're trying to learn a new Bible verse every month (paraphrased any way) but only January's has really stuck "Jesus washes white snow" aka "Jesus washes us white as snow."
-Jude knows more things about animals that I do. I say this seriously. He knows what many of them eat, where they live, and in what order they appear at the zoo. The other day I said, "There's a bird." and he replied, "No bird Mommy. Albetross." I guess we're both correct, but still.
Jude officially has ALL his teeth for 2 years old, as his last 2 top 2 year molars started breaking through this week. His bottom 2 came in a few weeks ago and I never realized until they were all the way in..oops. Of course, his minus his right bottom canine from his December fall (sad face) but he's proud to show his big gaping hole off and tell you the story of "fall down Mo Mo's stairs".
As I've mentioned before, this blog serves as a keep up with family and friends, but also for my memory sake. At turning 2, Jude is sensitive. When he saw me cry when leaving NC in February, it made him very concerned and he will take his little chubby fingers, put them on my cheek and say, "No cwy Mommy." then squeeze my neck. He is also concerned about people's boo boos, especially Uncle Zach's. He is also opinionated. He wants to have a say in his clothes, mostly if they have animals, Elmo, or Thomas on them and of course his crocs and hat of choice. He does like his 1 "war eagle" (blue and orange striped) shirt.
He still enjoys being outdoors. Just this week we had a wonderful evening (enjoying the time change) of running up and down the hill by our apartment. He would squeal and laugh over and over and ask for "More outside." I burned some serious calories during this adventure. He enjoys riding his bike, running, and playing ball outside. He also loves looking for the moon. Unfortunately, due to our cloudy skies, he doesn't get to see it as often as he would like. Jude also loves coloring. He prefer markers over crayons and he loves to use his chalkboard. He likes to draw "nakes" (snakes) best.
He is also attentive to our prayer time. We pray before every meal, on our way to school, and at bedtime. He always ask for prayers for family and friends and the occasional toy and Mo Mo and Pop's doggies.
He is doing well with following directions and becoming more independent, including putting away toys, watering my plants, brushing his teeth, etc. He likes being a helper and wants to help me put clothes in the washing machine and sweep. I pray that his helping heart continues.
Jude is struggling with transitions. He does not like to change clothes, at all. He also doesn't like going to different places (unless it's very preferred) but of course he enjoys it once we're there. He certainly has his moments, but overall (knock on wood), he is obedient and is learning what it means to do what is asked of him. He can be strong willed at times, but pretty typical of his developmental stage.
He still goes to bed around 8:30 and wakes between 6:45 and 7:15. He naps every day from 1'ish to about 3 at school, but he'll stretch it out to 4 at home with less distractions. He still has his bap at night time. He also sleeps with his "babies", Monkey and Lamby. Bedtime routine consists of rocking and reading books, then being sung to by Mommy. He laughs when Daddy sings. :)
This sweet, beautiful boy is definitely not a baby, even though he asks to be Mommy's baby sometimes while I'm rocking him. As I think about how quickly these moments pass, I hope that Jude will know how much he is loved and how thankful I am to be his Mommy.
Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you to the moon and back!
The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17
