dimples...

My son has a dimple!!! He's been smiling so much lately...and tonight, he revealed a cute little dimple to the right of his lips. How stinkin' cute.

my big laugher

Last night at 11:52pm...my little Judester totally laughed out loud. Now. It was probably a random reflex...but he had a big grin and I'd like to think he was laughing at his parents playing along w/ Jeopardy. I couldn't get him to do it again...but he did have a smile for 15 mins afterwards. I about died!!! Ohhh I just love him!

judeatude...and yes, another ode...

I have been so busy blogging about randomness that I realized I haven't done a Judderbug update in a while... Oh, Jude. How you make your mommy crazy some times! Especially at 4am! Jude has been doing SO good. We have had many many many great days. Yesterday was not one of those days. Not that it was a horrible day...just a fussy day. It's funny b/c now that I'm reflecting back on it...it's mostly my fault. I always compare things in life to teaching...for example...whenever your class is acting up, you really have to look at what you as a teacher are/aren't doing...and usually, you'll find the cause...and yesterday, mommy just wasn't all there... Poor Judy Moody! The worst part for me is in the middle of the night- when Jude's fussy then, mommy has 0 patience- well...I have a little more than 0...a little. I'm SO not a morning person!

Anywho- I've finally got him on a schedule. Babywise style. I'm not a nazi about it...but I feed him every 3 hours, we play and read and sing and dance, and then when he fusses, I put him down for a nap (in the cosleeper). Most days I can just rock him for a wee bit and then put him right down. Other times, he's more high maintenance and needs me to rock him longer and pat his lil' tooshie. (I love that tush by the way!!!) I still cannot believe he's my son. I have a son!!! I hope that feeling never goes away. I hope I don't take for granted the blessing he is to me.

One of my most favorite moments....and don't judge me!...is when we cuddle in bed together. Sometimes if his feeding lands at 5:30am...I just want a liiiiittle more sleep before saying goodmorning to the world...but Jude usually is ready to get rollin' w/ his day...so I'll lay him down next to me- he falls alseep, everytime! Oh how I love those moments...so after about
45minsish, I'll wake up and he's just sooo smooshie and cuddly next to me. Now- I know it's not "safe" to have your baby sleep next to you...but I'm a very light sleeper and I'm not so much concerned about rolling over him...but, I am aware of the "no-no" of it- thus the "don't judge me" comment. :) I mean seriously...look at how stinkin' cute he is...this is what I wake up to laying next to me!!!

Anywho- My new ode today...is acutally from last night. I went out to dinner w/ my girlfriends last night. We have this tradition of going to Oregano's in Snobbsdale and feasting together while gabbing the night away (which usually consists of us listening intently to Tiffany- she's a great story teller!!!). Anywho. We get the same thing EVERY time. Which is all kinds of humorous...b/c we still open up the menu and read it over!!! We start our meal off w/ Oregano's Favorite Salad- large of course...just for Lester. Then we move on to our meal: Pizza and Zany Ziti. And who can forget the Chocolate Chip Pazooki (or Oregano's Original Pizza Cookie) dessert. It was a very bittersweet evening. 1. b/c I had to leave my Judemonster at home...but he was in good hands w/ daddy and 2. b/c our Tiffany is moving to Oregon on Saturday. Our Oregano's trips will be missing one person. And that's just sad. Now. You'd think w/ the tangent I just went on about Oregano's and the girls, that this ode would be dedicated to something related to said tangent. Not so much. It was just a tangent. A typical Kim moment. :) (Gotta love me!) I shall ode them later- goodness knows they deserve it! (ps- in the picture- it's Jaime, Leslie, big fat me- which you can ignore, and Tiff) So...on my way home from Oregano's...I was at a red light...and crossing the intersection (going the other way) was this car going incredibly slow. A chick gets out and starts pushing her car...poor lady....and she's not doing such a great job. Well...I'm at a red light- I can't really do anything...then out of the blue- literally- two cars pull over, jump out, and help this girl/lady push her car. My heart was filled w/ pride for these nice citizens. So. My ode is to good citizens of the world. I appreciate you. I am thankful when:

* you let me in when I signal
* you put your shopping cart in the shopping cart holder- and not next to my car or in an empty parking space (although- I am guilty of doing this since Jude's been born- I can't just LEAVE him in the car while I go searching for those darn things!)
* you open the door for others
* you say excuse me when you cut in front of them as they are looking at something in the aisle
* you smile and make pleasant conversation
* and when you "get it" that I may not want to conversate back
* you aww at my kid and hold the door for me as I struggle to get the STUPID stroller through the door

If you're a good citizen out there- thank you. This ode's for you!

Ode to Dads

Happy Father's Day to all those daddy's out there. This ode is to dads. Specifically, two dad's in my life...

My dad. He's always been my knight in shining armor. My entire life, he has been there to listen to my rants and raves, my ups and downs. And he's always listened with his boxing gloves on...ready to kick butt if necessary. I remember once after I became a teacher, my dad informed me that he was one of "those" parents- you know- the one who goes and talks to the principal...every single year! He told me that he wanted the principal to know who I was...and know not to mess w/ me! LOL. (Hard to believe for some of you...but I was like THE model student- so there really was no need for the threat!) My dad has always been my main man...well, until Derrick came along. I even used to say that I was going to marry my dad (um. I was like 3!) So..shout out to my daddy. I love you. Thank you for...

* letting me ride on your back like a pony when I was little...

* always telling me how proud you were of me...and pushing me to do better when I slacked...

* teaching me how to bowl and play darts...

* being objective when I would have some ridiculous drama in my life...

* taking me on McDonald's dates after school...

* playing Mario Bros w/ me...

* teaching me how to change my oil, and my brake pads when I got older...

* letting me play w/ your tools when I was younger...
* teaching me how to ride my bike...and kissing my owies when I biffed it...

* giving me sound advice...

* praying for me and my family...

* walking me down the aisle...

* loving me $2 and letting me be your SPPP

* inspiring me to read the Word and be closer to Christ...

DLo. Don't know if you all know this...but Derrick is the "Baby Whisperer"...whenever Jude is crying, and I can't console him...Derrick walks in and saves the day. Really comes in handy! Derrick is such a great daddy. He gets so excited to see our little Judderbug when he gets home. He wakes up in the middle of the night with me to warm Jude's bottle. I am so blessed to be married to him...Jude's daddy. Thank you for...

* changing diapers, even the poopy ones- even in public restrooms...

* reading the Word to him...

* hugging and kissing him and letting him know that you're there for him...

* always carrying the carseat when we go places (that thing is HEAVY!)

* driving carefully when we have precious cargo...

* checking on him in the mirror when driving...

* getting excited when the little things happen- like when he gives manly burps...

* doing late night feedings for me...when I need a little more sleep...

* parenting with me...I couldn't do it without you...

Arizona Baby and Children's Expo

Calling all mommies and daddies!!!!

Beth and I are going to be at the Arizona Baby and Children's Expo in a couple of weeks (June 28th&29th). I think you should come out and see us!!! Doors open on Saturday at 10am and Sunday at 11am (and ends both days at 4pm) @ the University of Phoenix Stadium!!!

Fortune

So...when Derrick and I first started dating...waaaaay back in 1998...he refused to eat Chinese food. It was sadtimes people. I remember one day when we were like 19, I pretty much begged him to get "takeout" w/ me. I promised to watch Titanic w/ him (a movie I don't particularly like) if he would indulge me- I thought takeout and a movie would be a cute date. So. He totally went for it. Would have been a romantic time- except that his brother, Jerrod, came home from work (@ Fazoli's) reeking of garlic and decided to watch the movie w/ us...which watching the movie w/ us turned out to be napping on the couch w/ us- and if any of you know Jerrod- he snores...LOUD! Ahhh- memories.

Ok- that was a tangent- So. Chinese food. I'd like to think that my brilliant date idea is what got Derrick to start eating Chinese food. But- now he's addicted. Poor guy. I wouldn't eat Chinese food when I was pregnant. He went through withdrawals. Since Jude's been born, I'm pretty sure Derrick has had Chinese food a dozen times.... You know- each time you get takeout, you get a ton of fortune cookies. These usually always end up piling up in our house, until I finally can't take it anymore and throw them away. I mean- they're yummy and all- but I can't possibly eat that many!!!

So today I decided to eat one. It's been in the tray on the ottoman for a week. I wanted to discard of it- and what better place than in my belly. This is what my fortune read:

Even the greatest of whales is helpless in the middle of a desert.

I. Feel. Enlightened. LOL!!!

Ahhh- those Asians!

Ode to Jaime

Oh my goodness. Did I have a fun day today. Jude and I met up this morning w/ one of my BFF's, Jaime and her daughter, Zoe. We trekked across town to IKEA for some fun and cheap schtuff. Then after some lunch at McDonald's...we went to Hobby Lobby (probably one of my favorite stores!) and did some major damage! -pix of Jude's new room decor to come...gotta paint first :) - It was so cute to hear her little 2 1/2 year old say "Baby Jude". She was such a good little helper- pushing the stroller or giving Jude his binkerdoodle or letting me know if he was alseep or awake. I especially enjoyed hearing Zoe's laugh when she would tell her mom to "leave her" and I would chase them as Jaime ran away w/ Zozo in the cart. :)

So this got me thinking about my blog and my odes...I decided to make my first ode to Jaime. Jaime is such an unbelievably smart person. She brings so much wisdom and insight to the table. She is so strong and she knows/loves Christ. I love Jaime's ability to lay things straight- she gives her honest opinion. She is a true friend. I cannot express how blessed I am to have Jaime as a friend. I learn so much from being around her (and Leslie, of course). I've known Jaime for about 6 1/2 years. I still remember the first time I met Jaime. It was the summer of 2002. I had just accepted the position of 4th grade teacher at Litchfield Elementary School. I was SO stoked to get my keys and see my room. You cannot imagine the horror on my face when I walked in...and saw that the teacher that had the room prior to me loved cows. I mean LOVED cows- to the point that the shelves were painted white w/ black cow spots. Yucky. So...I found the Principal's Secretary to BEG her to let me repaint the shelves...I told her that the cow-y-ness "hurt my soul"...Jaime was there- waiting to get her keys or something. At the time, I had no idea that she was also a 4th grade teacher. She later told me that she went home and told her then boyfriend that she met this big tall girl that said the shelves hurt her soul... LOL.

7 years is a long time to know someone...we've had a ton of memories together. Here are just a short few that I enjoy:

* DW. Do you remember? LOL- don't know why this is the first thing that popped in my head!
* Our long preps at LES- I went w/ you all over- to different places you were thinking about for your wedding to Petsmart to get crickets for all your nasty reptiles!
* When your snake got loose over the weekend- yipes!
* Geocaching.
* When you were preggo w/ Zoe and you yelled at me b/c I wouldn't change the FAT schedule! LOLOL
* Lunches w/ the 1st grade team and our dates at WOW!
* Debating and changing our minds a million times to move to DS.
* 5. 5, 4. 2. 7. 7, 2, 4. 5. 7, 2, 5. 7. 7. *seven*
* Holes in our pants.
* Starbucks. Lots and lots of it.
* Hayden- from wearing those shoes at the fire drill, to drawing on your whiteboard, to talking about Tiffany's big yellow teeth- LOLOL!
* Easter gifts!

Oh man...I could go on and on! I love you Jaimers. Phil 1:3