Jude meets the dogs.

Hey Daddy, what are those?

I think I like these little dogs, Daddy...

Meet Jude.

This is Jude. He screams. A few days ago he decided he wants to scream, squeal, and yell all day long. I think it's for fun and in order to get attention because he stops if I pick him up. We hardly know what to do with these new found vocal cords! It is quite the entertainment while Dan and I are both trying to study and he is relentlessly finding new sounds to make. We are getting the feeling the days of peaceful, laying on the floor quietly baby are coming to an end.

He sweats. A lot. I've never had a baby in hot weather before and I hardly know how to do it. He has to be swaddled to sleep well but always gets so hot. We've been having him sleeping with nothing but a diaper and swaddle and it's going better. He get so sweaty when he is nursing with his little head on my arm.. He is the cutest, sweatiest little thing when he wakes up from his naps with wet little curls in his hair.

He holds his neck up. His neck muscles are very impressive these days. When we do tummy time he will not put his head down. Not even for a quick one second rest. He holds it up for minutes and minutes and as long as he is on his tummy and he just squeals and screams. It is the funniest. If he is laying on our chest he will just stare at us and squeal. It is obvious he gets tired but he perseveres. It's my favorite.

He wakes up. And eats. Our trip to California messed up his sleeping patterns a little bit. Before we left he was sleeping 7-8 hours a night. Since we've been back he wakes up two to four times a night. It is getting better but boy, oh boy! Does this boy eat or does he eat! I usually feed him at least ten times a day. Like, every hour or two. We love it. It's the best. I don't care if he's spoiled. Spoiled with lovey cuddly time with mom and the most nutritious antioxidant immunity packed miracle solution? Whoever says that's a bad thing must be confused. 

He loves his Daddy. I've had to work this week and Dan has been taking care of him. They love their daddy/son time together. Jude does well eating from a bottle, too. And there is enough breast milk stored in the freezer for a quite a while so we do fine.

He feels. He is learning to grab things, hold onto things, and control his hands better. It's so fun. He grabs at our faces and holds onto our arms and feels things. Oh, how come the littlest things seem to be the most magical achievements?!

Oh, how he loves his Occe. :)

He played the guitar last night for the first time. Amazing. Genuis. August Rush who? It's no big deal, he's just perfect.

Jude's blessing

Jude's baby blessing was such a special, wonderful day. Jude is lucky to have a faithful, loving, strong father who works hard to honor his priesthood. The blessing was beautiful. Jude is special and it was amazing to get a little glimpse into his future. My heart gets tingly when I think about the awe-some things Dan voiced.

He is one loved little man. His entire extended family and great grandma and grandpa were in attendance! He was loved and doted upon like no other. He was as precious as ever and stole everyone's hearts. He got a little weary at times, unsure of what to make of so many people constantly smooching and holding him, but it was great. He surprised us by how well he did on the plane, so well-behaved and unphased by the ridiculously loud take offs and landings. What fun those tiny little changing tables in the lavatory are! Or when we walk down the whole plane to get to the front lavatory, get him undressed and realize I forgot a clean diaper... Oops! Thank you flight attendant for fetching it for me.

It was a memorable weekend with both Dan's and my family. It was nice to all get to spend time together and just relax and get to know each other better. We spent Saturday in old-town Sacramento. Dan's mom put together a lovely, perfect little picnic that we enjoying overlooking the river. We then just walked around and and enjoyed the sites. The weekend was pleasant and pleasing. We had delicious food thanks to the hard work of Grandma Mulder, played games, and spent most of our time looking at, holding, playing with, laughing at, kissing, hugging, and squeezing Jude.

The rest of the week was spent playing Wii, Killer Bunnies, Bananagrams, some movie-watching, some fishing, some shopping, a night out on the town getting Chinese food and bowling, and just relaxing enjoying being with Dan's family. Mother nature was being sassy and decided to rain every single day we were there so our illustrious outdoor plans were replaced with indoor activities, but we loved being there! We even snuck in a bike ride and a motorcycle ride on our one clear afternoon. Oh, it just feels so nice to be in the presence of California.

Grandpa's kind of enamored...

We like to sit around and stare at him...

Kris might have beamed like never before... :) 

Fell asleep with his little hand on Aunt Kris. She's in love. :) 

Uhm, can you blame her?! 

Personalized drinks Mama Mulder made! How perfect! 

The Grandpa's keepin it real. Thank you for carrying my purse, Dad!

Great Grandma lovin :)

The blessing outfit :)

The weekend wouldn't have been complete without an intense game of Clue...

A morning at the mall... 

He sucked his thumb for the first time in Great Grandma's arms! 

Fishing trip with Dad and Grandpa. Jude was such a trooper.

He hung out in the car seat covered in blankets the whole time since it was pretty freezing.

Leatherby's!

Bowling was the best. Everyone got a strike!

Breastfeeding while bowling. So efficient!

My mom seems awfully happy to be cozied up next to Bill Clinton...

Navy brats... :)

We nothing less than love and adore our sweet child. The joy he has brought into our lives (and I dare say, many others!) is unbelievable! We are so thankful for loving and supportive families to help us raise and love this child. :)