Dear...

Derrick (yes, this is my 3rd blog),

I miss you. I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to adjust to being a mommy. I can't wait to spend some time with you. I love you. You're my best friend.

Love,
Kim

knock, knock, knock...

...on woooooood! (Full House anyone?!) Oh...Kay...wow, guess not!

I just need to express how blessed I am w/ my Judester. He is SUCH an amazing little baby. I still cannot believe that God chose me to be his mommy. And what a cutie...Derrick and I have these random toys attached to his carseat...I like to call them his "friends"...and although he has always stared at them...recently he has discovered his "friend" Mr. Zebra. So....I'm convinced I am going to crash my car one day watching him in my rear view mirror...b/c it is SO funny to watch Jude stare down Mr. Zebra (who is kinda off to the side- so Jude has his head turned and his eyes pointed down) and then proceed to flapping his arm closest to the toy around to hear the jingle! Oh! It is the cutest thing ever!

Jude is just such a good baby...and I just love love love when he smiles at me or coos when I'm trying to give him a bottle...I just imagine him saying "oh, sanks mom for the grub!" I love him so much! Geez, Derrick- we make awesome people!

Things I Never Anticipated...

Maybe this is TMI...but I'm not known for having much of a filter...so here goes...Asians are not known (to my knowledge, at least) for being hairy. That being said...I could usually go a good week or so before shaving my legs. Um. Then I gave birth. What the heck?! My "white" side apparently has emerged...and now my legs are hairy before I even finish shaving the other leg!!!! What is this? I am not dealing well! In addition to this sad, sad, sad misfortune...My hair (on my head) is falling out!!!! I've always shed- even before pregnancy- but then sometime during those 40 weeks, I stopped. Yeah. I'm making up for lost time, I guess! People told me that your hair falls out about 3 months after giving birth...wow. They weren't kidding! At the rate my hair is falling out...I'm predicting complete baldness in about a month and a half! AHHH! LOL! Hey...at least then I'll look like my son! :)

Will the Real Slim-Judy Please Stand Up?

I've got to say...my kid is darn cute! I know that all parents think they have the cutest kid...but seriously?! Have you seen him? (oooh...is that like- really vain?! Love must be rubbing off on me!)

So...lately, Jude has been living up to his nickname "Judeatude"...don't get me wrong...he's still such an awesome little guy...but lately, if he's upset about something, instead of giving us his cough-like whine, he totally pouts his lips and gives this super sad cry. Oh it makes me giggle! I secretly love it (I'm sure that will be short lived!) I'm determined to have camera in hand and snap a shot of it for you all...b/c you HAVE to see it! It's so adorable- and it totally makes me want to do whatever the boy wants! (Which I'm sure will also be short lived!)

Anywho- I'm so blessed that Jude is such a good little guy! He's been so so so so so awesome here in Colorado (although- he didn't sleep all THAT well last night...)! Gosh- I just love him more and more everyday! (and I love his daddy more and more everyday, too!)

Here are some pictures of my cutie pie:

...the Judester...

...what is cousin Aryanna doing?...

...he loves his swing...

...full of smiles...

...pirate-in-training...

...daddy's twin (wearing dad's beanie)...

Camp

Wow. I've been up in Durango, CO since Monday with Derrick and the youth of PVC for HS summer camp. I cannot express to you how blown away I have been at these kids. The past few nights, I've watched these kids worship with a passion that I only hope I had at their age...and I've listened to the SOAPs of several students- and again...I am just so impressed and so blessed by their genuine desire to learn more of God's word and apply it to their lives. I was just saying to Derrick that I wish I were in high school...it would have been nice to be friends w/ kids with hearts for God like these! I know that none of these 50 kiddos will ever read my blog...but...thank you guys so much for challenging me in my own walk. I pray that this camp will be an unforgettable experience for you and that when you leave CO, you will continue to grow closer to Him. I pray that you are truely listening to what Pastor Greg has been preaching- b/c you ARE so valuable- I am blessed to know that you will be the ones mentoring my Jude when he is older...

skillz to pay ma billz...

'nuff said...

Fears...

I'd like to think of myself as this tough chick...but I have to admit that I have a lot of fears....Besides my natural worries as a mother- I'm TOTALLY afraid of heights (ironic-eh?)... I can't pinpoint when in my life I decided this- but one day- I decided- I'm not going to let my fears hinder me from doing anything...for example- when I was 20, we went to St. Louis...and I had an opportunity to go up to the top of the Arch. At first I wasn't going to go...but then I thought- wow- what a waste if I don't- b/c who knows if I'll ever be back here for the chance! Now- don't get me wrong...I went up- and pretty much laid on the ground (at the top of the arch) b/c I was closer to the ground laying than standing!!!

Anywho- I'm in CO w/ PVC Youth- Derrick is leading worship... We went to do the Alpine Slides today...um...yeah- to go down the slide, you must go up a ski lift. ?! Well...I went. It was S-C-A-R-Y! Derrick pretty much made fun of me the entire way up- which was so not nice....my eyes were clamped shut almost the entire way up- which wouldn't have been too bad (and I may have considered doing it again) if the lift wouldn't have kept stopping once we were 1/2 way up! For a girl who has a hard time visualizing things when I'm decorating my house- sure had an easy time visualizing the lift crashing to the ground!!!

So...here are some pix of my adventure....

a creek...


















the slide...


















our shadow...












the lift...



















the view from the top...

Ode to Krystal

Krystal Palmer is an angel from heaven. She is a nurse practitioner at Cactus Children's Clinic. My first experience at CCC was not a pleasant one (we had a different nurse)....I was hesitant going back...but Jude was having weight issues (he was only 4 days old) and Derrick and I decided to continue returning to CCC until his weight returned to when he was born. So at our second trip back, I was really nervous. In walks in this beautiful, bubbly, blond chicka who just instantly starts loving on my son...my brand new- fresh out of the oven boy. I instantly fell in love with her. Not only was she singing songs to my little guy, but she shot straight with me what I needed to do. She always made me feel like I was in control, and aware of the situation. We requested to see Krystal again the next day- Jude had regained a good amount of weight...and once again...Krystal was cheering, she was hugging us, high fiving us...she was on Team Jude, and we knew it.

We found out at Jude's 2 week check up that Krystal was leaving. Not just leaving CCC...which btw- we would have TOTALLY followed her where ever she went- but moving to Chicago!!! Oh. My. Word. I was so so so devastated! Last week was Jude's 2 month check up. We made sure we got to see Krystal for the last time- since tomorrow is her last day. I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am for this lady...I believe God sent her to me that second visit to calm my nerves- I had only been a mom for 5 days, after all! Jude, Derrick and I feel very blessed to have known her, even for a short while!

So...Thank you Krystal for:

* loving my boy- even if it is your job...

* empowering me...

* mentioning the birth announcement I sent you weeks earlier...

* knowing my kid w/0 looking at some chart...

* being on Team Jude

* your support for a nursing momma...

* your bubbly personality...

* your sincerity...

...I could go on and on and on....(but it's 11pm...and momma is tired...) :)

We wish you the best!

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for bringing Krystal in our lives. I pray that she will be safe in her travels to Chicago. I pray that you will bless her and her career. Please help Derrick and I find someone else who is as loving and caring to see Jude...

date night

So...last night was our first date night post-Jude. It was also a practice run for my mom and dad to watch the Judester. They are going to be watching him again for us at the end of the month while Derrick and I go to the John Mayer concert. I've been hesitant letting my mom watch Jude. Not that she's not capable- I mean- I turned out semi-normal...right?! But you see...my mom is SO wicked excited to have a grandbaby...no...she's wicked excited to have a grandSON. She knew I was having a boy (I should have known she would be right- she's right about EVERYTHING! She even picked out the dress that I would later choose to be my wedding dress...oy). Anywho- it's been almost 30 years since she's held/cared for a newborn- (really- 30 years?! I'm getting so old...)- and she just gets SO giddy around Jude. For example...once she came over- Derrick and I had just gotten home and had Jude settled down in his swing for some QT...my mom basically pushes us out of the way...runs in the house...screaming "JUDE! JUDE" (insert asian accent) and proceeds to pulling him out of the swing...oh..btw- he's still strapped in!!! Another time, she was feeding him- and when she went to burp him, he let out a big one- and she squealed for like 5 mins!!! It's un-be-lievable! You really need to know my mom to get the full picture- but she's pretty much a bulldog- she's a no-nonsense-I'll-kick-any one's-butt kinda lady...she once even asked her coworker if he wanted her fist- meaning a punch in the face!!! So to see her morph into this...this...woman...is kinda scary for me! After all...I have had almost 30 years of this no-nonsense type bulldog of a mom!

Anywho- so we dropped Jude off around 6:30pm. Before we left, I made sure to go through the entire diaper bag and explain where everything was and what it was and how to use the bottle warmer and what time he was to eat and what it means when this and this and blah blah...the whole shbang. Derrick basically had to pry me away from the house. It was really really sad to leave....I mean...I've had to leave him before b/c of the Expos...but I knew that there was no way for Derrick or myself to watch him...to leave him for play time just seemed wrong! Derrick and I had a very nice dinner at the Olive Garden (thanks to the Brewer Family!) and then we went and saw WALL-E at the new theatre in Surprise. It was a very sweet first date A.J. (after Jude). It would have only been better if my old man husband hadn't have dozed off during the movie! (Don't worry ladies- I woke him up each time! I mean- who did the late night feeding the night before?! Hem Hem- moi!) No- it was a perfect night...except that I missed Jude SO MUCH! I have NEVER walked so fast to the car in my life! I'm usually the slowest walker...

We finally get to my parents house to pick up my little man (side note- I'm proud to inform you that I only called my parents once!) He was asleep...it was 10:30pm after all! My mom said he was so cute and so good- but she informed me that he was a light sleeper....apparently she tried to take a picture of how cute he was sleeping...and the flash woke him up! LOL My dad said he had a really good time hanging out w/ his boy...but that Jude was sometimes fussy. Okay- tangent- maybe it's a new mom thing- but it drives me nuts when people tell me my kid is fussy...no. he's. not. He moves around a lot. He coos. But he only fusses when he's hungry/tired. And he stops as soon as you feed him or put him down for his sleepy time! He really is a happy kid! Tangent over. So yeah- Jude had a great time w/ grandpa and halmoni!

Derrick was gracious enough to take Jude's first night feeding- wow...I'm giving him too much credit there, since it WAS his night anyway! Jude is getting closer and closer to skipping that feeding, I can feel it! He's been sleeping about 5-6 hours, feeding, then sleeping 4-6 hours- until mommy is ready for him to be awake (we cuddle in the mornings)! Whenever it's Derrick's night to feed, I always wake up to Jude's plea for food, then I wake daddy up to do the feeding. While Derrick warms the bottle, he takes Jude to his room to change the diaper (LOL- daddy is too afraid to do it on our bed like mommy does...hey- I'm sure not going to get up and walk across the house!!! I guess daddy still has fear that Jude will poo everywhere...) Well, I'm trying to fall back asleep (which, yes defeats the purpose of Derrick doing the feeding, if I'm going to be awake!) when Derrick returns to the room.... "Jude's diaper was on backwards." L. O. L. My poor madre. She was the last person to change his diaper. She put his diaper on backwards! LOL. I wish I could have witnessed Derrick's confusion as he tried to get the diaper off. I wish I could have witnessed my mom trying to figure out which way the diaper went! Oh my word! I called my mom this morning to thank her for watching my little guy last night. Then I asked..."did you change Jude's diaper last night? Or did dad?" She says, "Me- why diaper cu-coo-roo (backwards)?" I couldn't answer...but laughed...and when my mom figured out that my laughter meant yes...she started laughing too. Mom's not much of a laugher...but she was rolling!

I think that's God's way of saying that it's okay to go on more date nights- and leave Jude w/ halmoni! :)

***ps- sorry for such a long blog...I tend to veer from my original blog a wee bit w/ my tangents! My students used to LOVE when I would go off on tangents and tell them a random story...oy- see what I mean?!

youtube?!

Okay...not sure how to do this...but I'll try...
decided not to go the youtube route...
hopefully it works!

Here's the Judester talking up a storm...
well...kinda- he got a little camera-shy.
There's a shout out to Love, too!



PS- if possible...please block out my 12 year old
nasty voice in the background!!! :P

Fat Kids...

Derrick and I...as with the rest of Derrick's family...has this joke that the Logan's are fat kids. Well...what else would explain the eight of us stopping the entire Space Mountain ride at Disneyland?! Derrick's little sister had a baby girl about a year ago...and she fits right on in- you should see the excitement on this girl's face when she sees her bottle- and girlfriend can eat greenbeans w/ lemon sauce like no other! Then we had Jude....for those of you who have actually gotten to see him in person know that he's HUGE! Well...

We went to Jude's 2month check up yesterday. This was the last time he was going to see his nurse practitioner, Miss Krystal- I could write an entire blog about her- she is an angel and is moving to Chicago next week...anywho- Derrick and I waited with anticipation to find out how much the boy weighs and how tall he's gotten....he was born 21in, 8lbs13oz. He dropped to 7lbs 10oz within that first week of life. At his month check up, he was 10lbs14oz and 23in....and at 2months...he is 25inches long, 14lbs10oz. FOURTEEN POUNDS! Oh. My. Word. So I was dying to know his percentiles....50th for his head...90th for his weight (LOL)...and 97th for his height. NINETY-SEVENTH!!! My boy is freakin' HUGE! :) He's growing up too fast- literally! Awww- that's how fat kids roll, I suppose! ;)

Two Months...

Dear Jude,

Today you are two months old. Mommy cannot believe how quickly time flies. It amazes me how much I can possibly love someone so tiny and new...okay...maybe you're not so tiny! You're momma's growing boy! I mean- you're flippin' HUGE!!! Stop it!!! Mommy and daddy love you so much. We thank God multiple times a day for the blessing you are to us. I pray that you grow up to be a good man who loves and serves the Lord.

Judderbug, time flies. I hope to never forget these precious moments of your life. I hope that one day, you will understand just how much mommy and daddy love you. Jude, I love it when:

* you scrunch your nose
* you coo at your dad
* you smile
* you pull my hair
* you arch your back and stick your butt out when you stretch
* you first wake up in the morning...and you're just so happy
* your smiles as I change your diaper
* you have your fist to your face
* you smile at your "friends"
* you stick your pinky finger out
* you knock three times w/ your fist when you wake up
* you pull on the corner of mommy's shirt when I'm holding you
* you make little noises in your sleep
* you burp your manly burps
* you stick your arm underneath mine as you are falling asleep in my arms
* your little dimple shows up
* you hold my arm closer to you when I'm putting your binkerdoodle in your mouth
* you turn your head side to side so quickly (it's a wonder you don't have whiplash)
* you stick your little hand inside the cave mine makes as I hold your bottle
* you cuddle w/ momma in the mornings before we get up...

Jude William...I am so blessed...You make my heart overflow. I love you.

-Mommy

4th of July

It's been so long since I've blogged....I have like a million blogs in my mind...just trying to find time when I have two free hands- and not a zillion other things to do!

This past weekend, Derrick, Jude and I met up w/ Derrick's family up in Sedona for a little r&r. It was much much much needed! Jude's first road trip! Man- let me tell ya- I have NO idea just how much stuff I would need to pack w/ a newborn! I could have packed 3 bags, just for him!!! (3 more bags, that is!!!) But Jude was a trooper the whole way there and back! I'm learning- leave right after you feed the boy- then he's all set to go!

Here are some pix from our mini-vacation...more blogs to come soon!!!