Giving Season - Lesson #1

Gift wrapping! Jude had his first gift wrapping lesson today, he did such a good job. It'll be nice when he can hand me a piece of tape instead of slobbering all over it!

All the leaves are brown...

Somehow October slipped right through our fingers and little Jude is just growing growing. Our Japanese Magnolia tree is bare and our Oak trees are almost there. With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas a few weeks away I have to stop and realize how extremely blessed we are! I sometimes get wrapped up in exhaustion, a scattered house and a school debt, but in all reality we have so many riches. I can't imagine where I'd be without the grace of The Father, a family who loves me and wonderful friends. These are the true blessings in life and I hope you all take the time to be thankful for those precious in your life.

Our little calf

We had fun taking our little calf to town. First Baptist Tulsa had a great fall festival. Can't wait till next year when we'll be able to participate a little more!

Seven Months...

My camera is on the brink, so I've been using my phone for pictures lately. As you can see, it doesn't have a flash the subject has to be very still, well at seven months that's just no happening with Jude. So hopefully this will give you a glimpse of how active this fella is.

A few seven month milestones

• Pulls up on objects (he'd rather do this than learn to crawl)
• Switches a toy from one hand to another
• Quick mood changes (he's starting to get upset when we leave him in the church nursery)

Jude has been alot of fun lately, he keeps me on my toes with his new "pulling up" and scooting across the floor. Put something he wants in front of him and he'll find a way to get it! Clever little guy!

Can't believe you're 7 months Jude, looking forward to the next 7!

Smiley Boy

As you can see, we're doing much better.

Jude slept 13 hours last night (with only one small interruption) and momma got some good sleep too. We both feel rested. He has been happy and playful all morning, which is much better than the clingy, whiny, fussiness of yesterday.

Look out Halloween here we come!

What a "Croupy" Day

Croup.

It sounds so....ancient.

My mind ventures to an episode of Little House on the Prairie. Wait a minute, I could of sworn we got this vaccination? Turns out nothing is guaranteed.

Last night I was awakened by a crying baby, nothing out of the norm. Andrew was up so he went to retrieve our little one, brought him to me (I was so out of it) and we both noticed this helpless cry and major wheezing. It was like he was gasping for air. We were both scared and couldn't console our little Jude. So Andrew said "we need to go to the ER because I'm afraid he can't breathe" so we panicked while I tried to rapidly gather Jude's things and get dressed.

I'm pretty sure I ran a red light or two, being the frantic first time parents that we are, we checked Jude in and had all the medical staff's attention. After a breathing treatment and a thorough evaluation they concluded croup, but wanted to take chest x-rays. The doctor saw his chest was very much congested and think he could have the first signs of pneumonia, so Jude is on an anti-biotic just in case.

I'm so glad Andrew is the great Dad he is, and glad we listened to our instincts as parents (wow we actually do have them!) and Jude is doing MUCH better and safe and sound. Thank you for your prayers and concern.

Again, God has provided...thank you for doctors and nurses!

The Sweet Life

Any concoction with these ingredients should be illegal..

but they create such sweet bliss....all rolled up in a perfect little ball....

and to top it all off....some sweet soda from Pops.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Love, Jude