Daniel Tiger Day

A couple weeks ago I read on a local kids museum's website that they were going to be having a Daniel Tiger day. Anyone who is a parent to a toddler knows who he is and how he can be a lifesaver when laundry needs to get done or the house needs cleaning. I had been wanting to take Judah to that museum and this was a perfect day to try it out!
I thought there would be quite a few people. I mean, he is Daniel Tiger..Unfortunately, I didn't know that it had been advertised on PBS after every show. To say there was a lot of kids is an understatement. Nevertheless, Judah had a great time and loved all the different activities, especially pumping gas, He loved pumping gas.

New Years Day

New Years Eve consisted of a bed, pj's, and Netflix. Having a toddler can be exhausting and after I put him to bed at night, I'm about ready to sleep myself. I am definitely an introvert, give me a book and a comfy blanket and I am completely satisfied to stay home all weekend..but..my husband loves to go out. He wanted to go out with Judah so New Years day we went to a small petting zoo in our neighborhood. Aside for my husband getting bit by a donkey, it was nice to go out. 
Later after Judah's nap, he was a bit cranky. So, my husband asked if he wanted to go to the beach (which of course was a yes!) and we went to the pier and out to eat. It was a great start to a new year!

Christmas

I can't believe that it is already over. Christmas time is so much more beautiful and magical with a child. Every Christmas just gets better and better. We were able to spend Christmas with people we love and care deeply for. Christmas Eve was spent at my dad's family's house. Christmas morning was spent at home with my mom's family and Christmas night was spent at my in-laws house with siblings and cousins. Judah loved opening gifts, I don't know if he was so much interested in the actual gifts as he was in opening them. Before he could finish opening one gift, he was already looking to open another gift. We had to slow him down to appreciate what each gift was! He now has so many toys that he could probably open his own small toy store. I need to figure out a toy rotation or something because there is absolutely no room for them all!
Judah still hasn't quite grasped that Santa came to our house with the reindeer and brought him a gift, maybe next year he'll understand it more!

 Judah's cousin James

 On Christmas Eve before bed Judah got to open his Christmas pj's and new book to read before bed

I totally forgot to take pictures at my husband's parents house but I took a quick picture of Judah with one of his cousins before we left

Side note- I totally procrastinated and took Judah to see Santa on Christmas Eve. 2 hours later, every time the woman tried to get Judah to smile he would smile and look over at me. Cute of him, but maybe next year we'll get him to look at the camera!

The weekend and thoughts on being a momma

Besides the open house at the police station yesterday, this weekend we stood home. Tomorrow starts finals for me in school (If I never see logarithms or imaginary numbers again I think I'll survive). Needless to say I crammed in a lot of studying. I really love spending time outside in the backyard with my boys. Daniel grilled dinner and Judah danced in the water. I was trying to read the book  The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd. Emphasis on trying. Judah decided he wanted to play two feet next to the grill which just about gave me heart attack all evening. 
I just started reading the book but it has already spoken to me. It talks about how as moms we begin the day with good intentions to be positive and loving but meltdowns and other things get in the way of being the mom we all strive to be. I struggle with the feeling of not being the mom Judah needs me to be. I think it natural to second guess your parenting but I want to be able to not sit and reflect at the end of the day thinking about the times that I lost my patience or could have handled a situation differently. I read something on Instagram today that said "Be the mom you want them to remember". I was blessed enough to grow up with a positive example of a mom but I know people, close to me who've grown up with less role model moms. I see the damage that it can do and I never would want to be the cause of my child's' poor decisions. Being a mom is serious business. I constantly have to remember that as long as God is leading my parenting, and not myself, I can do this.

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:13

Police open house

Last week I read that there was going to be a police station open house and health fair in our neighborhood. There was going to be a jaws of life demonstration, rock climbing, and firetrucks. I knew that Judah would absolutely love to see the firetrucks and police cars. This morning Judah had a complete meltdown when we were trying to get ready to leave (if only he knew where we were going). I almost called it off because our patience was wearing thin and we were beginning to get frustrated. I knew that he would love it once we got there and I'm so happy we decided to get through the morning and make it to the fair. I didn't know that there was going to be a helicopter landing and I think that was the best part of the trip. Judah loves airplanes and helicopters so as you can tell from the pictures, he was quite amazed. He did seem a little concerned for the helicopter when it was landing. His exact words (over and over) were "Oh no, helicopter!".

 Making his firetruck noise

4-30-15

I use this blog as a way to capture daily things that happen with Judah. Nothing special happened today. We spent the morning after breakfast playing with his water table and sprinklers. By the time 10AM hit, it was already 81 degrees! After playing outside we came in for a snack, oranges. Oranges aren't my favorite snack to give him, mostly because he thinks it's fun to squeeze the juice out of them and splash his hands in the orange juice. He's now taking a nap and soon should be full of energy again.

A Love for Reading

I cannot express how happy it makes me that Judah loves to read! I've never wanted to force anything on my kid(s) but I have highly helped him realize that books are great. I've read to him since he was in my wombs and all throughout newborn and the infant stage. He'll stand on top of out plastic storage box and grab books and sit in the corner and read to himself. There's several books that he knows not to grab and he'll ask me to get them and read to him. He has his favorites and some that he's less interested in. He'll read out loud books with me that he's memorized because we've read so many times before. He'll laugh at a funny part that he knows is coming up. 
I believe that it is so important for kids to have an interest in reading and read for pleasure. Growing up I didn't really like read. It wasn't until I was about 11 or so that I was able to appreciate reading. My husband never really took an interest in reading for pleasure but I appreciate how he encourages and reads to Judah. 

Judahs 2nd Birthday Party

Today was Judah's birthday party. After months and months of preparation it had finally come! Of course as usual, I was running behind schedule. About 2 hours before the party we went to Costco to pick up a cake (because I ran out of time and never made one). I could tell something was off with Judah but I figured he was just tired. Oreo cookie sample? No, he didn't want it. Tortilla chip sample? Nope, not that either. Definitely something was bothering him. We prayed together in the check out line. On the way home, it finally happened. The throw up just poured out of his little mouth. Poor little guy, he couldn't stop. It. Was.Everywhere..After that he took a nap and was completely fine the rest of the day.
I didn't get pictures of the food because I am horrible at remembering those things. We had pizza, fruit salad, veggie plate, pasta salad and chips with dip. We loved having all of the people who love Judah surrounding us. He got to play with his little cousins and BFF Sonny who he hadn't seen in a couple months. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Great-grandparents, Friends, Etc. It turned out to be a great party that he clearly enjoyed.

Aunt & Uncle

Aunt

Cousins

Dancing

Birthday Boy