Deer Jude

Happy Halloween!!!

Jude and Hayden

Jude and Tori's little boy Hayden (4 months) loved looking at one another.  Jude even started giggling at him, something he rarely does!

some stuff...

This is my cousin Tori's daughter Tierney's 5th birthday party at grandma Vonny's house.  We had a tea party of cracker sandwiches, cream puffs, and chocolate cupcakes that she decorated with lavender frosting and yellow sprinkles.  She was just lovin' it being her birthday (and lovin' the presents!).  I got her the gorgeous scarf you see here.  She is quite the fashionista at the ripe old age of 5!  She also got a Hello Kitty camera.
Gil helping to teach Jude to sit.  He is working on it and really getting there!  
This one is Jude in his new play pen (the clothes basket!).  
This one is Jude enjoying carrots...thoroughly!  But I am proud to say that he has gotten much better about them and only slightly makes the grossed-out face now.  Plus he tried squash yesterday and LOVES LOVES LOVES it!  The problem is my freezer is full of carrots...
This is my failed attempt at capturing the tiny little tooth that is popping up in the bottom of Jude's mouth.  He's been a little grumpy about it, but not too bad.
This one is on one of the 3 snowy days we've had in October.

Lost and Found

Friday night Gil had some Briar Cliff guys come out for a bon fire.  The sun came out that afternoon (amazingly) and it turned out to be a great night for it.  Gil got the fire going really good and they all had a fantastic time.  Little did they all know what was going on inside the house...

I had been doing the usual nightly routine of laundry, changing Jude, putting him to bed, etc.  It was 8 pm and I was washing my hands in the bathroom sink when I noticed it.  My wedding ring was not on my finger.  It has been slipping off lately.  Probably as a result of my weight loss is strange places, such as my fingers apparently!  Each time in the past I have noticed it before I even knew it was gone.  Once I found it on my bedroom floor and once in Jude's highchair.  I should've taken this as a warning looking back.  This time I did not know.  I went into a little panic, but I am typically a calm and rational person and so I was sure I would find it.  I looked in the washing machine first since I had just put a load of diapers in there.  No ring.  I looked through the diaper pail and the trash cans.  No ring.  Ok, now panicking a little more!  I looked EVERYWHERE for 30 min.  I even picked up Jude and woke him up to see if it was somewhere in the crib.  I got the flashlight and walked around the house hoping to pick up a sparkle.  No ring.  I started thinking back through my day.  I had been to Ponca to the courthouse to license our cars and to Wayne to get groceries.  I had worn gloves, maybe in there.  No ring.  My anxiety started to rise at this point.  Gil bought my ring in Israel and it is so special to me.  I couldn't lose it!  I decided I needed to make a short appearance out at the bon fire but I decided I wouldn't tell Gil.  I would just come back in and start searching again.  I prayed the entire walk out to the fire that my ring would be found and back on my finger soon.  I ate a hot dog, met the guys, chatted for a while like I didn't have a weight on my mind, then I headed back to the house for another search.  I got a cookie and decided I might as well indulge my sweet tooth as I walked about the house looking high and low.  I was standing against the support beam in our living room just staring and thinking about where to look when I suddenly saw a silvery shine on Jude's play mat.  There it was, just like that!  On the mat I had looked on before!  Oh my goodness was I glad:)  I told Gil the story that night when he came in.  He claims he wouldn't have been mad and that it would be no big deal, but I maintain that he only says that because he knew the end of the story.  Well needless to say my ring is in the box for now until I decide how I'm going to keep it on my finger!  It was lost, but now is FOUND!

First Foods

Jude got to try a first food last night.  The second video on here is actually the first attempt.  I can't figure out how to put things in order on this blog!  He has gotten pretty good at cereal and knows what to expect.  He is even pushing up his first tooth right now.  We decided to go with carrots since our freezer is packed with them!  He started out strong, but as soon as he figured out it wasn't cereal it was down hill from there.  Here are some videos and pictures we took to capture the moment:) 

Strides, Studies, Stupidity, Smiles, Shots, Seriously

Lots to talk about tonight and since Gil is working late and Jude is asleep I actually have time!  I will begin with the race.  It turned out beautifully!  It was great to see Jamie and meet my other teammates.  We had a chance to catch up in the chilly October morning and soon it was my leg.  I ran second of the five legs of 5.2 miles each.  I felt really good the whole time and if I had any other speed other than slow I may have been able to go faster (does that make sense!?).  But anyhow I finished my leg of over the bridge and down the river at about 9:40 at which point I was transported back to my car at the finish.  I gave my cousin Jami a ring because she and her two sisters Kristi and Tori were all running the half-marathon (way to make me look lazy cousins!).  It ended up being perfect timing because they were close to finishing.  I booked it downtown to the finish about 5 min before Jami triumphantly crossed the line.  She has run a marathon before, so go figure, she did great.  Kristi came in a while later and then Tori.  It was so good to see them and their families, don't get to do that enough anymore.  Then by the time they were taking off to get a bite to eat my team was about to finish our last leg, run by my friend Jamie.  We finished in under 4 hours so we were all proud.  Jamie ran through a cramp and her friend Robyn ran her leg in 40 min!  We got cute long sleeve green shirts and despite the cold (which wasn't terrible) we finished and had fun:)  Jude also had a good morning away from mommy and daddy.  Gil was at an Antioch retreat for Briar Cliff all weekend long.  We missed him terribly, but he had a good time and is making an impact for the Lord.  From reading all of the notes from students, staff, and friends I can tell Gil is really well liked there and doing a fantastic job.  I am so proud of him!!!(even if he does have to stay late sometimes)

The next adventure to discuss is my day substitute teaching at Allen on Monday.  I guess the strangest part was being a teacher along with my past teachers who knew me as a kindergartner or awkward teenager.  It was a pretty simple and easy day and all went well.  Jude was a perfect angel for Alissa too so that was a relief.  I'm excited to do more subbing.  It was fun to get out in a school again and see kiddos.  I even thought for the first time I might like to teach the littler ones someday.  However, I also LOVE that I am able to spend most of my days with my baby and do not miss "working" at all.  

So the first half of the day was smooth sailing...then came the rest.  When I got home Gil called to say that he had forgotten there was a lecturer coming to Briar Cliff that night that he would like to hear.  He wanted me to come too since he would be getting home late and I hadn't seen him all weekend.  Mom couldn't watch Jude because she was helping dad in the field and Alissa had plans too.  Gil said he would scrounge up a student to watch him in his office during the lecture.  So I packed us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat beforehand (a common meal for us!), changed the baby, and took off again.  As I was heading down Hwy 20 I popped over the hill to see a cop.  Actually I didn't see him til he was already passed because he was directly behind another car.  I was speeding and had no time to slow down.  I don't really know why I was speeding.  I usually set the cruise, but I was probably trying to get there faster.  Anyway I was pulled over and given a lovely speeding ticket, my fourth or something in my time...wow that sounds bad.  It made me really sad because what a waste of money, especially when we have such precious little!  I spent the rest of the drive very upset and arrived late.  There was no time for Gil to eat his sandwich.  Also, he had not found a babysitter.  We attempted to bring our 6 month old to the college lecture.  Not a good plan.  I spent most of the time in the room behind the lecture room trying to entertain him and keep him from squealing, crying, yelling, farting, or any other noise he might randomly project at any given moment.  Needless to say the lecture was missed to a great extent and all I could see was that it was a wasted and expensive trip to Sioux City.  Stupid me!  

Fast forward to today.  Gil and I got up early because we had to drop my car off at the repair shop for new brakes (another fun way to spend money).  Then we rode together to Sioux City.  I dropped him off at work and headed to Famous Dave's.  I picked up food for the two of us and brought it back so we could have lunch together.  I have spent quite a few meals in his office with him or sometimes going out.  People there have got used to seeing Jude and I and I'm always getting to meet new students which is neat.  Plus otherwise Jude and I wouldn't have gotten to see him much today.  

After lunch Jude had an appointment to get 6 month pictures taken at the mall.  This was my first experience with this type of thing (Gil doesn't believe in buying photos and after today I might agree) and even though I tried to be prepared and think of everything (I even read the "how to prepare for your portraits" section online) I inevitably failed.  First of all I forgot the stroller and had to lug my three bags plus the baby car seat into the store.  But luckily I found a cart which was a lifesaver.  Pictures actually went really well which was a blessing (I ought not forget to tell the positives!).  He smiled like a champ and was thoroughly adorable.  The frustrating part happened afterwards...during the choosing/ordering part.  Anyone who knows me can attest to the trouble I have making up my mind.  So here I am looking at all of the cute pictures of my cute son and wanting them all but having to choose only a few (because of the ridiculous prices I was unprepared for and not printing the online coupons).  On top of that they show you the most expensive (and cute) ones first and keep pressuring you to buy, AND you have to buy that day or pay extra.  I had a time crunch because Jude's 6 month well baby check was at 3.  AHHHH!  Finally, after much deliberation (thanks to mom and Alissa for being there with me!!!)  I chose and was satisfied with the cost (as much as could be expected).  Walking out of the studio I discovered the last 15 minutes since I'd checked the time had mysteriously disappeared and it was now 3.  It was only the second time I was going to this clinic and I was pretty sketchy on how to get there.   But I took off anxiously hoping for the best.  I arrived 20 minutes late to find the waiting room PACKED with sick kids.  I had to wait another 10 minutes just to get to the receptionist who told me they had me down as a no show (oooops)...luckily they saw him anyway.  Jude is now 17 lbs. 12 oz. and 27 inches long.  He got a few shots including a flu shot and cried pretty good, but calmed down good too.  Then after a trip to Wal-Mart I finally headed home.

I have been very irritated with myself for all of my stupid moves: the speeding ticket, not having the stroller, not being prepared for pictures, being late for the doctor (plus having to get new brakes).  Why me???  But really there is so much to be thankful for: Jude, Gil, family, friends, health, faith, food, love, LIFE.  Gil was telling me a story about a girl at Antioch who was sharing about the loss of her little brother in a car accident and how much faith she had to get her through that experience.  I got a speeding ticket.  Big Deal!  

Should've been a girl?

I was stopped by a little old lady in ShopKo the other day who started telling me what a cute baby Jude is (I get this all the time!).  She then said, "He has such perfect features, he should have been a girl!"  I thought it was pretty funny.  Hadn't heard THAT one before!

Well Monday morning I have my first sub job for my alma mater, Allen Public Schools.  So strange.  I am subbing in the elementary education room.  I am lucky because my sister Alissa will be home for fall break and is going to watch Jude for me.  The thing I'm most concerned about is the bottle.  After lots of trouble with bottles and nursing in the first 3 months of his life I am proud to say he really hasn't had to take a bottle since...but now that just might backfire on me.  Yesterday I attempted bottles with both formula and breast milk in them.  He did okay, but wasn't too happy about it and I think a little confused.  I've really come to realize how much easier it is (for me at least) to nurse.  No measuring and heating and washing bottles.  If he turns out to not want to eat after all you haven't gone through the hassle.  Also, it will be different to be "working" after 6 months of not!  We'll see how Monday goes...

Marathon Relay

I am running the Sioux City Marathon this Saturday.  Ok, so I'm really running one leg (about 5 miles) of a marathon relay.  But I'm going to tell everyone from then on that I have run a marathon...technically!  Well getting back into regular running post baby has been somewhat difficult.  Especially since I don't have Bellevue Blvd. or the lake to run around.  I have to run out to the black top and then two miles down and then back.  I have come across a fox, raccoon, mean cows, cars, and the dark.  But if I exercise my imagination (like Anne Shirley would say--I am currently reading Anne of Avonlea--soooo good!) I can pretend that I am in the middle of a beautiful country area with rolling hills and green fields and puffy clouds which is a great comfort to me and keeps me going.  That image was easy to imagine the first few times out...it was true!  However, with the frigid fall that has arrived, my imagination has to work overtime.  These low temperatures have done nothing to improve my motivation to get out there.  In fact I think my quote to Gil this morning was, "This sucks, I'm never running again after this week!"  This is me after returning from my 5 mile freezing run of this morning.  BRRRRR!  I can only hope Saturday morning isn't as cold as this morning was.  And we'll see if I ever DO run after this weekend:)

Harmony

We are all about harmony on the Ridenour Ranch!  The cats love the dog, the chickens, cats, and dog all eat together, Jude and Gil take naps together and Jude can sport Husker and Cyclone gear at the same time!  

Grandma Carolyn and Papa John

John and Carolyn came up last Saturday despite the SNOW!  We had a good time making apple sauce, cutting wood, eating barbecue and cookies, playing cards, and watching Baylor volleyball online.

Jude's new swing

Jude may be getting a little big for his swing...but he can now push himself, no batteries needed!

Jumperoo

Jude has a blast in the jumperoo he is borrowing from cousin Ashtyn.  In fact he is in it right now:)

gooey goodness

I spent some of last week attempting to make baby food.  My freezer is now stocked with about 128 oz. of carrot mush and 150 oz. of apple mush.  I am very excited about this and can't wait to start feeding it to him...which will be soon as he turns 6 mo. on Sunday!  Wow, time flies!  The next venture is squash.

NWC 5 Year Reunion!

This past weekend Gil, Jude, and I traveled the great distance (1 1/2 hours!) to Orange City Iowa for my 5 year college reunion.  We had a fantastic time seeing and catching up with my old friends, and Gil had a good time making new friends and even meeting some for the first time!  Seven of us "1st South North Hall" girls made the trip along with four husbands, one boyfriend, and six kiddos amongst us.  we were only a few short of our entire posse.  Amy and Ashley even traveled all the way from the Toledo/Detroit area and brought 18 mo. old Miley along, although they had to leave their husbands at home.  It had been 3 years since I'd seen Amy last and had never met her little girl.  Ashley and Anna I hadn't seen in a year.  Then Ang, Kelly, and Val I have been lucky enough to see more often.  We spent most of the time just talking and eating.  We are also lucky enough to have Ang and Justin still in Orange City.  They were terrific hosts and made so much yummy food for us!  So we hung out at their house chatting mainly about babies and related topics as 3 of us had given birth in the past year, one is currently pregnant, and one delivers babies for a living.  The Pizza Ranch was visited and we also made a trip to campus to get our free alumni shirts and check out our old dorm.  As we piled into Ang's SUV, three of us unbuckled in the back with no seat, I really felt like we were 19 again and going out to do something wild and crazy in OC like the good old days.  We actually walked the hallway we all once shared amongst the 7 or so year younger girls in their short skirts and high heels heading out to the big homecoming dance and knocked on the doors to meet the current residents of our old rooms.  Kelly and I met two lovely ladies who now reside in the blessed #117.  They probably thought we were funny and old, but we enjoyed ourselves!  Our boys were all fast friends and entertained themselves watching football, playing some video games and cards, and even giving each other nicknames.  It was also fun to see everyone's kids and see how they responded to one another.  Bailey (who is only 2 months older than Jude) and Jude were actually pretty interested in each other and almost the same size which is really something considering the last time they were together back in May Bailey was about 3 times his bigger! And Miley loved to give hugs and scream.  Evelyn was such a lady and Naomi was a sweetheart with her big blue eyes.  Then there was little Isaiah, only 7 weeks old, how precious!  On Sunday when departure time came it was very bitter sweet.  I do not know when the next meeting with many of these dear friends may be.  I was also thinking on the way home how precious and rare these friendships are.  These women were my support system and my family, and most importantly helped me to grow in my faith.  I was so blessed to have the college experience that I did.  And I wish the same for my children someday.  

Now another story I have to tell occurred on the way home on Sunday.  We got to LeMars when Jude started fussing in the back seat.  Between the business of the morning and goodbyes I seemed to have forgotten about feeding him.  We decided to pull over on an on ramp and I would feed him quick and then be back on our way.  As I was getting out of the car I wondered aloud to Gil if Jude might also have a dirty diaper.  He had not pooped in about 3 days and was definitely due.  As I picked him up out of the car seat I did not have to wonder any longer.  Yellow-Orange sticky think smelly gooo was smeared all up his back and a pile was left in the seat (forgive the detail, but when you have an infant poo discussions take over your life!).  This was by far the worst blow out we have experienced and I was so glad I was not alone in the clean up process!  Turns out Jude was simply telling us he was sick of sitting in it because as I was holding him out in front of me trying not to touch it or let it drip on me and Gil was de-pantsing and wiping with towels he was happy as a lark.  There we were as car after car drove by holding out a baby naked from waist down and wiping up the mess.  Both of us died laughing which made the process all the more difficult to accomplish.  After two towels, his entire outfit, the car seat, and about 20 wipes were soiled, oh and after he decided to also pee on the seat, we got a clean diaper and onsie on and were off.  I did hold him in the back seat all the way home (very illegally) so that we didn't have to put him back in the poopy seat.  And when we got home I had quite a job of cleaning it all up.  I told my mom the story the next day and she had no sympathy.  Something about me and shopping and a mess in the stroller...