...a bit behind much?...

Sorry sorry sorry! I know I've been the WORST blogger ever. I'd blame it on 2.0...but it's really just a combination of trying to spend as much time w/ Jude as possible...sleep as much as possible...having a butt TON of Christmas events...cleaning/nesting...and sheer laziness that has been my downfall! I still have to blog about TN, I know...and we've had some other fun events that have come and gone that I will touch base with...Hopefully sometime tonight or tomorrow??? :)

DLo has been working from home this week...which has been fan-freakin'-tastic! We've been alternating getting up w/ Jude in the mornings and letting the other sleep in (ahhh- just like the good old days)...and I have been taking FULL ADVANTAGE of it! Christmas was so WONDERFUL...very relaxing...and thankfully...2.0 decided to renew his/her lease through the holidays! :D

Jude is just lighting up my world right now...and it's bittersweet to know that the time for him to not be my only loverloo is coming to a quick end. He is learning so so so much everyday...and cracks Derrick and I up constantly. Jaime gave us this cute toy that Zoe has outgrown...and little did we know- it would end up being Jude's favorite toy EVER...it's a Little People activity "thing" that has buttons to push and says different things (you know, a typical toddler toy!)...and if you press down on one of the chairs in the "doctor's office"- the toy says "say AAAAAHHH!" and Jude will say it...so cute. Mommy bought Jude a Leap Frog Phonics Alphabet fridge thing...and it says "M...m....M says Mmmmm, M says Mmmm"- and you'll hear Jude's little voice say "MMMmmmm" Ah-dor-a-ble. Leslie gave Jude this big schoolhouse tent thing (I'm all about handmedowns folks!) that we unveiled on Christmas morning...and it's so cute to see Jude peer out of the door wearing daddy's slippers. SO cute. Jude also goes around the house yelling for his favorite people: "PAPAAAAAAAAAA" (said in a french accent) or "DADAAAAAAAAAA" or the past few days it's been "RI-RIIIIIIII" (he misses his Rileyface!) Sometimes you'll hear "Mama"...but he doesn't yell it in the same passionate way as the other three...LOL. Hmmm...let's see...I know there was a list of things I wanted to brag about...but of course my brain is swarming with everything too! Jude is currently in the "playroom" playing so nicely by himself...the playroom is the entire front room right in front of the office- makes it nice that he can play and I can play at the same time...loving that he's becoming a lil more independent! Um...let's see...Oh! Jude is officially in a big boy bed! Bought a twin bed from Les and put him in it two nights ago. So far so good! Naps are a little shorter than I'd like...but we're only on day two!

Anywho. I have a ton of pix and other things to write about...but like I said...it'll have to wait until I can have a good chunk of time! Gotta finish editing a few more pix for the Gumms and then I'm gunna enjoy my Jude! :)

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

...hohoho!...

Jude is a'crackin' me up these days. First of all...he has been SO stinkin' good w/ the tree...he seriously doesn't touch any of the ornaments- well...except the ones that have a guitar on them...and sometimes he pokes this one ball ornament to get a reaction from me...and he is just so stinkin' cute saying "ooooh wooooooow" whenever we turn the lights on. He has even found the ornament that has a picture of his "Meema and Grandab" and will point to it and saw "mamam".... melts my heart every time! I have an oven mitt that is shaped like Santa...and looks more like a puppet...so I gave it to Jude...telling him that Santa says, "Ho ho ho!!!"...so now every time Jude sees a Santa- he says "hohohoooooo" and it is just the funniest thing ever! (Especially when his sweet lil lips form that lil oh shape!) Jude's also been great not to touch any of the prezzies under the tree! ...I just KNOW that things will be different this time next year...when 2.0 is like 11months old! But...how fun is life getting?! ...and how did I get to be so blessed??? :D ::sigh!::

...baby pool...

So. I started a baby pool...go to the link below to participate! Let's see who can come the closest!!!! :D

BabyLogan2.0

...no time!...

Ugh. So. I have several blogs that I'm behind on...I really really really will try to catch myself up! I def. need to write about TN...and our near-death experience home...I have some fun pictures to post too...all in good time!

Hope everyone is doing well!

...christmas time is heeeeerrrrre!...

Wow. I am all KINDS of excited for Christmas this year...I dunno what it is...maybe having a Jude in my life? Hmmm. Derrick and I both were itching to bust out with Christmas decorations and such on November 1st. Now. No disrespect to the Turkey, but...we were just TOOOOO anxious! But...we resisted...until November 13th! That was the day that marked Disneyland's 1st day of Christmas stuff...you know...everything decorated, new parade, new fireworks etc. So...I started cleaning up all the fall stuff and got out the 15 boxes and bags of Christmas stuff and began working. Now. Usually...Derrick does the outside lights while I fluff the tree and put up the garland around the house...then we decorate the tree together while blasting some Bing. Um. But...this year...I wasn't sure how everything was going to pan out w/ Jude being "mobile"- unlike last year when he was only rolling! Hmmm. So. Basically...I put up the Nativity on the niche above the tv...and...that was it! So. We set a goal to get the tree up on the 20th. But...that didn't happen- although I did manage to put out more garland and stuff. Jude did a good job with not touching anything...not that there was much out to touch. ...Well...long story short. We typically decorate the day before Thanksgiving- since our Thanksgiving is filled w/ going to my parents house across the street AND to DLo's family's house across the valley!...this year...we got the tree "up" the day before Thanksgiving. "Up" meaning...it was put together, albeit crooked and unfluffed... Anywho. Everything is finally up and out and the house is looking wonderful! Jude...my lil J-man...is just an angel! He literally hasn't touched the tree at all- well, except when he pointed to his little ornament he made in the nursery last year w/ his picture on it or today when he pointed to the marshmallow man that is playing the guitar, and it fell off!! It is just so stinkin' adorable to see him bend down to get a better look at the ornaments...or point to the holly/ivy decorated guitar ornament (Jude is OBSESSED w/ guitars) that my mom bought DLo several years ago (that he TOTALLY thought was lame until like last year). It is precious to hear him say "woooooooooow" whenever we turn the lights on...and I just love love LOVE snuggling w/ him and Derrick on the couch just watching the lights twinkle.

Best. Christmas. Ever...so far! :)

...park...

Met up w/ Jessica and her boys at Goodyear park last week (or so...) to let the boys play! Jude still hasn't figured it all out yet...but he sure did have fun! Here are some pix of the fun:

...the judeman...

Oh. My. Word. Life just gets more and more and more and more fun. Jude is growing up so fast. He is a hilarious little booger...and he just brightens up our world!

We're at the point where every day...Jude seems to learn or understand something new. He amazes us with each new discovery! It is so much fun watching him at this stage in life. It's also so much more amazing to watch DLo be a daddy to a toddler. I swear- that man was MEANT for this! (And...I don't even think I can blame pregnancy on my lack of energy compared to Derrick's! I doubt I'd be a fraction of that caaaarazzzzy w/ Jude even w/o 2.0 taking up residence!)

Jude's been such a better listener lately...we've been working on him not hitting. Not that he hits out of anger, usually...he gets excited...and hits. It's been difficult trying to redirect that w/o saying "No!" or smacking his hand...I mean- how hypocritical to hit him for hitting?! Yeah...I didn't like that whole thing too much...so instead...I've been saying to "Be nice! Be gentle!" and showing him what that means. So now...when I ask him to "be gentle"...he'll rub my face really soft and slowly. It's super sweet!

Jude is OBSESSED with going outside now too. I remember when Zoe always wanted to be outside...being on the phone w/ Jaime and Zoe crying to be in the backyard (heck- if my backyard looked like that- I'd wanna be out there all the time too!)...and I think Aryanna went through that too... but...Jude LOVES going on walks outside (we don't really venture in the backyard much...) and he loves being pushed in his little car thing that he got for his bday (that he is SO outgrowing!) Jude's figured it out...that mom is too lazy to take him (I AM pregnant you know!)...so usually as SOON as daddy gets home, he will grab DLo's finger...point to the front door and say "that that that"...same w/ my parents. If they come over...it's the FIRST thing he demands from them! My mom is the biggest sucker though...they'll be gone for 30 mins easily- as she takes him around the entire block...my dad- not so much- 5 mins and they're back! LOL! I have a bunch of $$ saved from his bday- that I wanted to get "playground" stuff for him...maybe in the spring- I'll get DLo to give our backyard a make-over so that we can spend more time out there! (Which means...we'll save more money- to pay someone to do it...any volunteers?!?!)

The Christmas tree has been up for the past couple of days...and Jude has done a GREAT job of not touching the ornaments! Like...at all! What a good boy! I think it helped that things got put out little by little...so he got used to all the garlands...I dunno. I just hope 2.0 has the same restraint!!!! Have yet to put the presents under the tree...I wonder how he'll do with that! :) I have this windup nativity scene thing that I have in the "playroom"/Christmas tree room...and Jude LOVES hearing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" play...over and over and over and over....we'll wind it up...and he'll watch it for a while...and then start playing, but man- when that thing stops- he's right there pointing at it saying "that that that!" I've been teaching him where baby Jesus is on it- so before we wind it up- we'll ask "Where's baby Jesus???" and he'll point to Him and say "Jeejuh?" or he'll point to Mary and say "Mama?" Love it!

Speaking of speaking! Yeah...it's not so much happening like I imagined! I think by 18months babies are supposed to have a good handful of words they say...and start stringing 2 words together. Not my Judeman. He babbles a whole bunch. And he's excellent at communicating...but he doesn't have THAT many words. If you knock- he's say "Heywhoa?" and he'll say "DOOOOONE" if you ask him if he's all done w/ something. He says "bye" like a champ...but other things...aren't so much all there. If you ask if he wants more of something...he'll say "mooooooooe" but he says the same thing if you ask him if he wants milk or water. He says "that!" which is helpful- if he wants a snack- he'll grab my finger, take me to the pantry, open it, point up (which is where his fruit snacks are) and say "that! that! that!"... :) fatkid! He's getting there, I know...just thought he'd have more to say by now! :) It's super cute what he's doing now, though!

Jude has LOVED books for as long as I can remember. It's part of his bedtime routine for us to read 2 or 3 books to him...and we always have "DEAR" time during the day for a little while. It's always sweet to see him sitting down w/ a book in his lap and hear him babble read to himself... Lately, though, he doesn't so much like when we read to him at night. He's VERY selective on what book he wants read (which is usually The Story of Jesus)...but whenever he reads his other books to himself- he's been mimicking the way Derrick and I read them... for instance... in SkippyJonJones Up and Down...I will "zoom" the book back and forth...or snore when Skippy falls asleep. Jude totally turns to the page where he's sleeping and snores! LOL! So funny! Or in Wacky Wild PeekaBoo- Derrick ROOOOOARS really loud when the Tiger peekaboos...and Jude totally does too! So adorable!

Like father-like son. A new obsession....having his hand down his pants...scratching his butt. I'm talking...down his diaper! It is ha-larious. So...alot of times, Jude will walk around w/ saggy pants and part of his babybuttcrack hanging out. I absolutely think it's the BEST thing ever!!!! Jude's also learned how to zip things- so his big footsie pj's are always unzipped when I go to pick him up from bed! LOL!

Anywho. I just love being Jude's mommy. He seriously cracks me up! Whether he's honking daddy's and mommy's nose...or giving us his "evil eye"...or winking... or asking to watch tv... or to talk on the phone... this kid just blows me away...and I feel SO very blessed to be his momma. :)

...thanksgiving...

Gosh. I'm so thankful for many things...and I need to be better at being thankful for so so so much more.

Thank you, Jesus...for the abundant blessings You have given me...for Your guidance...for Your unconditional love. I am so undeserving...but You are gracious. Thank you...

...new moon...

I know. It's been forever long ago since I blogged...and the first blog you get is going to be a Twi-blog. Whatever- you'll get over it! I have like 4 blogs that are floating in my head...so be patient- you'll get em! (If there are even any readers left out there!!!) Anywho. Real quick "Kim update" before I blog about my Midnight Madness New Moon experience... Um. So. Today I am 32 weeks pregnant. OMG! Where did these 32 weeks go? I swear...the weeks of vomiting and feeling like crapola seemed to drag on and on and on...and then poof- we're nearing the end!!! I must say about lovebucket #2...and he or she is quite a different character than Jude was in utero! He or she is much much more active. With JW, I would feel alot of TaeBo-esque punching...but usually only a few times a day....while this little love does flips all over the place! My belly is constantly doing the wave. It's pretty fun...and terribly uncomfortable. I told Derrick the other day, as he was watching my belly move, that I liken it to getting the meat out of an avocado...you know, when you cut it in half and then use your fork to separate the skin from the meaty part? That's what it feels like to me...like the baby is the fork separating my belly from the rest of me! I will miss that feeling!!!

Anywho... So. November 19th. The day finally arrived for the New Moon movie to come out. We are prepared...we being me, Lindsay, Katie, Jaime and Leslie...except that Jaime and Leslie kept talking about bailing out on us!!! (and Leslie ended up not coming b/c her entire family got the stomach flu! yucky! but Kerry took her place). At like 4:30pm...Lindsay came over. We had a good time preparing for our night...watching TV...playing w/ the boy...picking up some McD's...and then we skiddaddled out the door by 8:15pm to stand in line...and wait. Now. When we went to see Twilight at midnight...we didn't even meet up until closer to 10pm- and we walked right in and found awesome seats. Not so much this time. By the time we got to the theater...the line was wrapped inside the theater...out the theater...and around the theater. They let us in at around 9:30pmish...and we ended up getting pretty good seats- not centered, but up near the top, so it didn't really matter!

Anywho. The movie? Was. Great. After SUCH a disappointing first movie...I tried not to have many expectations about the second one. I was thrilled at what I saw of the wolf pack's transforming...so that was good enough for me. I never anticipated the awesomeness of the movie. It followed the book decently...adding a few parts that were left behind in the first film (like Jasper's ability...or the fact that Carlisle lived w/ the Volturi)...I really did enjoy it...and can't wait to go see it again...and again...and... ::sigh:: you get the picture!

So...my favorite memories of the evening?
* McDonald's w/ Lindsay: my two lil boyfriends were at the counter...guess it's a little shocking when the hottie you check out at the drive through comes in w/ her big pregnant belly and her son and a shirt that says "My mommy loves Edward Cullen (just don't tell my daddy)" LOL. And Linds def. got the side head thing going when someone was reading her shirt....apparently they were not amused with us! LOL
* Explicit girls in all their hairy glory
* "Poweraid! Poweraid! Poweraid! Poweraid!"
* My dad...he's too sexy for his... ?! ::hangsheadinembarrasement:: My dad came over to be at the house while Jude sleeps- until DLo could get home from rehearsal. He looked very schnazzy for a Thursday evening to just be sitting in a quiet house (he was wearing a blue polo and had this new goatee thing going)...and when I inquired about his hotness- he began singing that he was too sexy... Lindsay said he was adorable...I quickly begged her not to encourage him!
* The line....the line that wrapped around the building- the three year old girls that were in line behind us...that kept kicking me- or the "cool kids" who were smoking and almost got cut...
* KT's rockstar drink...and how preggos are NOT supposed to drink it...
* The New Moon cup...that apparently was sold out...and me saying, "but I'm PREGNANT!"...poor lil guy at the cashier counter...he didn't really know how to respond to that!
* KT's nachos...the never ever ever ending nachos.
* Scrabble on the iPod...
* Watching Twilight on KT's iPod Touch...w/o sound (b/c she was sharing her earbuds w/ Kerry)...but quoting it anyway...word for word. ::hangsheadinshame::
* The stupid manager and her stupid game where she didn't call on us!
* All the smart kids who would ask if our seats were saved (if the others were in the restroom) at like 10:45pm- um...hello?! people have been standing in line to get seats since the 8:00am...do you THINK there would be that many open seats up at the top an hour before showtime?! ::here'syoursign::
* Whoppers. Yes. I ate the ENTIRE thing. Minus the 2 I gave Kerry...the 1 that fell in her bag...and the 1 I gave Lindsay. And I do not feel bad about it at all.
* The dood- I mean...he looked like a manly man...who rocked his New Moon shirt. I giggled...everytime I saw him.
* The restroom. Of course...regardless where you are- the womens' restroom always has a line. When you're pregnant...you go pee alot. Luckily...being a former teacher...I can hold mine a lil longer than the average joe. Which is what I did. I was saving it- for right before the movie (like all the other girls in the theater!) so that I wouldn't have to go again until it was finished. KT, Kerry, Jaime, and Lindsay had all just gone...when they returned- they informed me that if I walked to the other side of the concessions...they opened up the mens restroom for the women. Sweet. So. I walk by the restrooms closest to my auditorium...long line...walk to the other side...that womens rr is long too...so I go to the mens room. Now....there are all of 4 stalls...but there is only one lady in line in front of me. The problem was the 3 fourteen year olds behind me...who are ALL KINDS of giddy to be at the movies...at midnight. They are loud. They are obnoxious. They keep yelling "OMG! They have STALLSSSS!" (meaning urinals) They have my mind spinning on how I will NEVER let Jude or 2.0 out and about when they are that young. Okay- my turn to pee. I'm in the stall- doing my thang. One of the girls says- I'm gunna squat on the stall (urinal) cover me w/ your sweater!!! Now. I'm assuming that this is taking place...I'm still in my little cave of protection (which btw- ew you men NEED to pee cleaner! The toilet almost made me barf)... Okay- now I need to set this up. The urinals are directly across from the stalls. As I'm opening the door to my stall- directly in front of me is this 2 year old- squatting over the urinal w/ her lil skinny legs and her pants pulled down...and her friend covering her up w/ a sweater. In front of me to the right is the mirror and sinks. Okay. So. I open my stall door...I'm about to take a step out...the restroom door opens (up until this point there has been a line of women and a movie worker person guarding the door)...there is no line...no movie person...only a lil 16 year old boy...walking in to do his bidness....I see him in the mirror as I'm taking my first step out....simultaneously w/ the urinal girls...who are now screaming... I'm watching the poor kid's face in the mirror. Utter. Shock. He literally has no idea what is going on or what to do...just that there is a girl w/ her pants down in the MENS room squatting over the urinal. LOLOL! As he turns, mortified, out of the restroom...I point at the girls (who are still right in front of me) and do my scream/laugh. Yes, that's right...I pointed and laughed at the girls. I laughed loud and I laughed proud. I laughed the ENTIRE time that I was washing my hands...and all the way across the concessions...I laughed as I saw the poor boy again- this time leaving the mens restroom on the OTHER side...I laughed that he still looked perplexed...I laughed the entire way up the stairs to my seat. And I laughed as I retold the story to my girlfriends. Best. Thing. Ever.
* Kerry. Girl is going to find herself in jail. Taylor is ONLY 17 my friend...you are not. Yes...it is impressive the ripples on his stomach or whatnot...yes...it is in fact more impressive than the hair (and painted on) debacle that is RPattz stomach...but...he's just too little. And I couldn't help thinking...ew- you're someone's little boy...if anyone ever drooled over Jude like that...when he was 17 and they were in their mid-30's...I would cut them! So. Needless to say. I didn't swoon or drool like the other girls in the theater. Honestly.
* The end...and NOT being upset w/ the movie! We were all very impressed...very excited! :)

...dland or bust...

Wow. So...first of all...what a much needed vacation!!! Although it was tough getting around w/ my big belly hanging out...and I'm pretty sure that walking around the Parks for 4 days was probably more painful than childbirth...it was super fun! And...I must say- I couldn't have done it without the help of my motherinlaw, Melody...who took Jude back to the room for naps...and walked slowly with me when "turbo-legs" would forget his waddling wife in the dust! :)

Wednesday:
Jude did an excellent job on the way to Cali...he managed to take a couple of naps in the car...and for the most part, remained jovial. We had a good time eating at In&Out Burger in California...which...there's nothing like I&O in Cali- many memories! While we were there...Derrick downloaded some of the worship album that was done being mixed...so it was fun getting to listed to most of the album before being sent to be mastered. It sounds great- and I can't wait until everyone else gets to hear it! (You're gunna love it, Love!!!) Anywho...We made it to Cali in pretty good time...got to our hotel room- which was WAY nice inside...but very small! I did my OCD thing and got everything put away...we rested a wee bit...and then walked to Downtown Disney. The hotel was only 1/2 a mile away- if that...but after sitting for 6 hours in a car...my body was not liking the walk!

Jude enjoyed the freedom of walking around DTD. As a matter of fact...he walked right into the Lego store...which I'm pretty sure that we've never ever ever been inside! He had fun looking at all the random Lego sculptures (as did his dad)...while Melody and I marveled at the fact that in no time, Jude's going to be wanting these for Christmas! Oy!



Anywho...Melody and Jude then went off on their own adventure...while Derrick and I went into Disneyland. We had a couple of hours to kill before going to Pasadena to see my cousin, Stacy, at CalTech. I was in alot of pain...so we didn't plan on doing much...window shopping...walking around...enjoying the "Happiest Place on Earth". We snacked at our favorite place- the Bengal BBQ...and rode the Buzz Lightyear ride. Derrick and I are uber competitive on this ride...I used to win- always...now...not so much! But our crazy mad skills paid off...as I was ranked #27...and DLo was ranked #8 of the day! We are just...THAT good! ::inserts evil laughter!!!

So...Our plan was to meet up with Stacy at 7pm. She is a freshman at CalTech...which is still blowing my mind...and has an ULTRAbusy schedule...so we basically had only a window of opportunity to have dinner with her and not much else. Derrick and I headed back to the hotel to get our car and head out to meet her...we'd been texting each other all day...and I was SO excited to see her and hear all about college life! So...it's about 5:45pmish...it was only supposed to be a 40 min drive WITH traffic. Yeah. Try 1.5hours! What in the world?! It was pretty miserable! I texted her when we were about 30 mins away...to let her know our situation...and she texted me back letting me know that we should meet at her dorm. Now. This is probably where I was an idiot...b/c I told her that I'd call her when we were by CalTech so she could give us directions....I SHOULD have just asked her to text me where her dorm was/room number. When we finally got there at 7:20pm...I texted her to call me. Then I called her. Then we parked and waited. Then I called her again. After 10 mins...I called her mom in AZ to find out what dorm she was in- so we could at least be near it...her mom tells me Avery- which is on the opposite side of where we are...So we drive there...and I text her...and call her. No response. Straight to VM. What. The. Heck. So. I get out of the car...and waddle over to the dorm. This is where the comedy starts. So. I see some Asian girl coming out of Avery...I stop her and say, "Excuse me...you wouldn't happen to know a Stacy Kim???" She looks at me, startled (probably by my height), giggles and shakes her head. I say, "I know, I'm sorry, there are probably a million kids on this campus...but she lives in Avery..." After some small talk- she tells me that she'll let me into the dorms...b/c the names are posted on the doors of the dorms! Score! So. I start looking in the first section- downstairs. No dice. So I go upstairs. Now. I would say...about 99.9% of the people I ran into were Asian. Out. Rageous. I even had 2 dorm rooms full of boys laugh at me as I walked by...I wasn't sure if they were laughing at me...but they laughed each time I passed. I guess it would be pretty amusing to see a bigtallAsian hustling by with her big fat pregnant belly flopping around in front of her. ::sigh:: No Stacy upstairs. I'm just about to go downstairs to start on the second section...when my aunt calls me back. I inform her that I have found Avery...she is elated...now I can ask someone where Stacy lives...b/c...she doesn't actually KNOW if Stace lives in Avery.... You see. Apparently at CalTech...during Orientation- the freshman aren't assigned a dorm (in one of the EIGHT houses)...they have a temporary room and then are assigned their House at the end? Something like that. So all my aunt knew...was an Avery House. W.T.H. Oh my word...my pregnant body cannot possibly handle this sad news. So...I've just waddled up and down this hall...and it could be for NOTHING?! I call Stacy's twin, Sarah...who is attending Cornell...which would make it about midnight her time...I'm hoping she's up studying like a good Korean college student...I'm thinking...surely SURELY Sarah will know where her sister lives....No answer. ::big sigh:: I go back down...not knowing what to do. We drove 1.5 hours to see her...I've spent 30 mins searching...I don't want to go back w/o seeing her!!! I call Derrick...and also had several other students stare at me...At this point, DLo had parked and was on his way to find me...(did I mention that I was freezing in my light longsleeved shirt and shorts???)...I let him into Avery and he went to look at the second section- the one I was too defeated to waddle to...after 10ish mins, he calls...there was a super skinny girl w/ long hair that looked just like her...he was ::this:: close to saying "Stacy?"...when she turned- and it was SO not her! LOL...as we're on the phone- he comes to a door w/o a nametag, but a white board that simply says "Stacy and ?:LIKDJS:FOI?" "Should I knock???" "What the heck- just do it- can't hurt..." We get off the phone...2 mins later...out walks Derrick...and STACY!!!! baaaahahahahhahahaahha! It was TOTALLY her room! Her phone had died...and she'd passed out while waiting for us- b/c of her sleepless nights studying! Hi-lar-i-ty! So...we drove off to a Korean restaurant called Cham and enjoyed a very very short dinner (b/c our original 2 hours together turned into less than one!). Derrick was leery of the food...he's only had my mom's Korean...and this was listed as a "fast food" Korean restaurant...but- I must say...it was fan-freakin'-tastic food! So delish...Derrick wouldn't stop talking about it...and now we're determined to hit up a Korean restaurant here in town! MMMMmmm.
















Thursday:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DERRICK!!! Today is the day we've been waiting for. Derrick turns 29! That means...for a few short months, we'll be 29 together! :)

The park didn't open today until 10am. Which is really 11am AZ time. This wouldn't have been a bad thing...except...Jude woke up at 7am AZ time...which means...we all got ready HOURS before the park opened! That was a first! But it worked out...we got ready and went to LaBrea for breakfast in DTD. Yum.

So. One of the first rides we went on was the Finding Nemo ride. The last time we took Jude on this ride...he was 9.5 months old...and he passed out in the first 2 mins of the ride. This time...Jude was very attentive...looking out the windows. Then...2 mins before the ride was over...bam- he passed out! Poor kid! :)

Melody took Jude back to the hotel for a nap. Derrick and I got to spend a good amount of time together...and just as we were about to get on the Toy Story ride, Melody brought Jude back to us! So...we got to ride w/ our lil love! We hit Playhouse Disney next...which I had been UBER excited for. Jude really enjoyed it when we brought him in Feb...and I just knew he's love it more this time since we actually watch some of the cartoons featured...AND...he absolutely LOVES Mickey Mouse. It did not disappoint. Jude was enamored from the getgo...dancing...bouncing...clapping...watching. It was great. The hard part was keeping him with us- as he wanted to run up on stage, I'm sure! The best best BEST part of the whole show was, though, when one of the Playhouse workers nose dived to prevent some of the kids (toddlers, mind you) from being on the yellow part of the carpet....you see- we had been instructed to keep the yellow carpet clear "for our safety"...and this chicka took that seriously- she literally ran from the back and DOVE- both arms straight out- at these kids. I couldn't stop laughing!!! It. was. awesome!
























Derrick was so cute with Jude...I dunno if it's a daddy thing...or a Disney thing...but MAN that guy has got some energy! We went from location to location with Jude on Derrick's shoulders...as Derrick bounced- much like Tigger- from place to place. Awesome.





















Okay. Now...for dinner. When Derrick and I were dating...we went to DLand our fair share of times. One of our favorite places to eat was the Big Thunder Mountain BBQ. It was a little expensive, but had lots of food and refills! MMMmmm. We were all KINDS of sad when it closed down (before our honeymoon!!!)...and then elated when it reopened this year. When we went on our one day Disney trip (sans Jude) this summer...we were determined to eat there...um...but we were rejected! It was FULL! They changed it to an all you can eat type meal...and accept walk-ins or reservations, but they were FULL! OMG. I cannot express to you how dejected and sad Mr. Logan was! So...This time- I called- a month ago for a reservation. I figured we should eat at 5pm- which is 6pm AZ time- to give us plenty of time to eat and get Jude to bed. So. Playhouse Disney gave us 10 mins to get back to DLand and to our reservation. I was pretty hellbent on getting there on time- b/c heads would have rolled if they bumped our reservation b/c we were late!!! I cannot begin to express how quickly I walked. It was practically running. Melody even commented that it was the first time the whole trip she had to work to keep up with me!!! But- I was de-ter-mined! So. We walk up...it's 5:02. And...there is not a SINGLE patron there! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH! So...not only did I make this reservation to secure our spot...but I ran...and they were UBER excited to have guests! We were the only 4 people there for the first 20 mins! Which was fun...b/c the entertainment- which was awesome btw- catered to us! I highly recommend going there for dinner...it's a bit pricey- I think it was like $25-30 a person (Jude was free) but it's all you can eat- family style- BBQ ribs, chicken, corn bread, slaw, corn, beans...MMMmmmm. The only downfall...it was REALLY cold outside- not so bad once you got eating and stuff, but it did make the food get cold really fast- which some people may not like! :)

We rode some more rides...and then watched the parade. Kinda wish we woulda seen it during the day so that the pix woulda turned out better- I left my fancy flash at the hotel...and am really working hard at learning manual...so...it's hit or miss! Jude enjoyed watching the parade though...it was fun to dance around to the music! It was fun too b/c the dancers- and Peter Pan mouthed "Happy Birthday" to Derrick after seeing his pin. Disney is so stinkin' great! Derrick was a sucker though- and bought Jude a light up Mickey sword...I laughed- we're so silly- spoiling ourselves by spoiling Jude! :) The night ended w/ some Bday goodies- Derrick got a candy apple (shaped like Minnie Mouse b/c he said it had more "goodness" on it)...I got a chocolate smore thing- delish...and Melody got a sad single Mickey Chocolate Turtle. MMmmm.





















Friday:
We started our day off right. At the Plaza Inn for Breakfast in the Park with Minnie and Friends. Another all you can eat experience...it's another thing we recommend...b/c 1. it's all you can eat and 2. the food is good and 3. you get to see the characters! Jude was super funny...he liked the characters- well, all but Tigger- but he had a time frame that they were allowed to be near him. He'd wave at them, give them a high five, and then **ding** times up! If the character decided to stay to try to hug him or get a picture with him...he would freak out! So funny! The only character he really engaged with was Minnie...something to do with the fact that she looks like Mickey?! I dunno. But he gave her a big kiss on the tip of her nose- which was UBER cute- but of course- I was too busy gawking and didn't snap a picture! ::sigh::





When we were done with breakfast, we rode on more rides...went to the Tiki Room...and went to see The Mouse. Jude wasn't so much interested in the Tiki Room...he did well, but it wasn't as enjoyable to him as the other shows. Jude rode on the Buzz ride w/ MeeMaw- which was AWESOME b/c he totally beat her score! HAHAH! And we rode the Dumbo ride- which I love! Jude had fun playing w/ the lever that makes Dumbo fly up and down- until we started spinning- and then he just enjoyed the ride- which is WAY too short! Going to see Mickey was THE best. After waiting in line for a short while- we finally got to go to the room to see the Mouse. Now- remember how Jude was afraid of most of the characters...not so much w/ Mickey! He went right up to him and gave him a hug withOUT being told to! :) I think we'll keep him- he is just the perfect lil boy for our family! haha!






Eventually, Meemaw took Jude back to the room for his nap...he totally passed out in the stroller- in one of those cute moments when his head keeps bobbing until he hits the tray- it was so sweet! While Melody and Jude went off, Derrick and I got some Jamba Juice and Wetzel's Pretzels and headed to the AMC at DTD to see The Christmas Carol in 3D. We love love LOVE seeing movies at Disneyland- such a nice way to take a break and relax your feet (or stay cool in the summer)...and it's especially fun when we see a movie on opening day!!! (We saw Ratatoulle on opening day too...saw Finding Nemo on our honeymoon and...Enchanted on some random trip). The movie was good. I've been reading on FB that alot of people aren't liking it. I can say that it really wasn't the fluffy Disney that we're used to...granted...the story of Ebeneazor Scrooge isn't quite fluffy...and it did have some morbid parts that I wouldn't recommend for children...I dunno maybe a 3rd grader...and up? Not for lil ones for sure. I did like it. Great animation. The 3D was great- didn't hurt my head!

After the movie- Meemaw and Jude met us in front of the theater and we waited for Grandab- who drove down to Cali for the weekend. Roderick and Melody were going to spend time with some friends that Roderick met and live in California...We had dinner at Tortilla Joe's at DTD- which we've never ate at...and never will again. Not quite on the yummy side. Afterwards- Derrick and Roderick went to the House of Blues to watch Tyrone Wells perform (he's the guy who wrote "More" that we used for the "Live Like You Were Dying" series at church- although- Derrick didn't get to hear him sing that song). Melody and I went back to California Adventure...where Melody rode Tower of Terror by herself (::sigh::- one day I'll not be pregnant and be able to ride fun rides!) and I took Jude to see Turtle Talk w/ Crush. He didn't get it, but liked watching it. Melody and I took Jude around the animation place some more, then went to a store to buy Jude a BIG Mickey (which would make his fourth MM) and then went to the hotel. Jude went to bed...Melody and I watched Private Practice and the Diane Sawyer/Rhianna interview! LOL!


Saturday:
I know that by now, most of you will have just skimmed my "book" and just looked at the pictures...whatever. To my 2 true BFFs that have read every word- I heart you! ;) Saturday morning started later than normal. Jude woke up at 8am...which was glorious. After packing up our stuff and checking out, we went to DTD for breakfast at LaBrea again. Then we went to CaliAdventure to finish off the things we didn't get to do. We spent most of the time in Bug's Land...which- other than going to see "It's Tough to be a Bug", DLo and I have never been back there! How cute! The three of us had fun (Melody had gone w/ Roderick the night before- when they got back from the House of Blues) riding all the rides. Jude is def. like his daddy- not afraid of ride! I mean...I rode on things like- the Teacups when I was little...but my first rollercoaster wasn't until I was in college!!! Oy! Daredevil! (You'll note my scary face in the second ladybug picture...it was VERY hard to spin around like that and hold on so that I didn't fly out AND hold on to Jude so HE didn't fly out!) I even rode the Zypher for the first time b/c Derrick was taking Jude on it...and I didn't want Jude to ride something before I had ever ridden it! It wasn't too bad- especially b/c I was busy taking pictures and not paying attention to the scariness! Jude reeealllly liked the Ferris Wheel. Crazy kid- we went on the swinging gondola b/c it doesn't go as high as the nonswinging one...and Jude had a smile on his face the entire time! I love it! Can't wait til he's old enough to go on Tower of Terror and such! :)









After riding our butts off...and playing some of the carnival games (which DLo won a Dumbo while Jude and I enjoyed some cotton candy)...we decided that we should probably head home- especially since it was 3pm! LOL...Jude did great on the way home again- he took two REALLY long naps- which made it wonderful! Derrick and I didn't talk the first 4 hours. I had had to pee before leaving (which I failed to mention that I went pee like every 30 mins ...ugh!) but I thought I'd hold it until we stopped to eat...I didn't realize that that wasn't going to be until we got to Blythe at 7:30pm!!! So...most of the "nontalking" was due to the fact that I was concentrating so hard on NOT peeing my pants! I even contemplated at one point going in a diaper or in the bucket that had contained my cotton candy! :P Anywho. We got home at like 10:30pm or so...which wasn't too bad. Got everything unpacked and put away and then passed OUT!

What a great trip...I love Disneyland...I especially love going there with my best friend and best boy. Special thanks to Melody for coming with us and making it that much more memorable! :)

Happy Birthday, Derrick. Love you.