Major Accomplishments!

Last week my mom kept Jude for us on Wednesday (since that is also my day to come over after school and do a little sewing). When I got there she told me he had taken only a short nap, but most surprisingly that he had managed to climb out of the pac n' play not once, but THREE times! She was never quite able to catch him in the act so wasn't even sure how the little Houdini was accomplishing this task. It didn't shock me too much because he really is a climber (gets that from his dad, not me!). I just thought he'd have to start sleeping on a bed when he goes there or learn to not get up.

That was Wednesday. Saturday he was taking a nap at our house, in his crib. He slept for a long time and when I finally heard him making some noise I slowly made my way up the stairs. He wasn't crying and sounded in a good mood. When I made it to his doorway my jaw dropped and I just stood and stared. He was OUT of his crib and playing by his chair. I really have no idea how he accomplished that, but Gil and I can both imagine since we have seen him climb onto and out of various other objects. He hasn't tried it again since then, but I don't know, I'm thinking a big boy bed might need to come sooner than later!

The next major accomplishment (if that is what you can call these incidents!) occurred this past Thursday night. I was giving Jude a bath, one of his favorite past times! He doesn't usually want to do it if you say, "Let's go take a bath." But if you rephrase it as, "Want to go swimming?" he's all game. And that is what he does. He sticks his face in the water, splashes, likes the shower on, and can now even do a back float. And once he gets in he usually doesn't want to get out. Although his little potty chair is right beside the tub and so once in a while he will hop out to sit on it for like .2 seconds and then hop back in (nothing much has really happened on the potty yet.)

This particular night he had not done his number two business yet (sorry for the TMI!) so I had some fears that it might end up in the bath water (it happens!). While I was watching him do the back float and play with his duckies for minutes on end, the dryer went off. I quickly went to change the load of laundry and on my way back to the bathroom could hear grunting, a sure sign of you-know-what. Oh, great, I thought. I'm gonna get to clean the tub again. But to my astonishment, once again, I entered the room to find Jude NOT in the bath, but sitting on his potty chair. The evidence around his bottom proved that something was really happening in there this time! Sure enough, he had gotten out of the tub and done his duty. I was so happy and gave him some M&Ms as a reward, but all he could say was, "EWWWWWEEE." He doesn't like it when he can see the stuff and doesn't like it in his water which I'm sure is why he had the motivation to get out in the first place. So now we know he knows what it is actually for and that in the occasional situation he has to go during a bath he might use it. But unfortunately we have not seen any further interest. I think he prefers to keep it in his diaper where he doesn't have to deal with it...mommy does!

Off and Running

Well, week one of teaching 6th grade is over and done. But with 2 snow days and a late start to begin the week it flew by really! I have noticed a few differences between 6th grade where I spend pretty much the entire day with the same kids and teach multiple subjects and 7th grade where I had the luxury of only 1 prep. With multiple subjects I really have to stay on my toes and know what's coming next...and be prepared! It's a little trickier planning 15 lessons in a week rather than 5. But on the plus side I do not get bored of the monotony of saying the same thing 4 or 5 times in a day. Each lesson is new and fresh. I have a couple ideas for units in English and Reading that I am excited about. Math is the tougher subject. I'm really having a hard time communicating the concepts (improper fractions to mixed numbers is the hang up right now!). Hope that gets better!

Another aspect that has been surprisingly nice is the time in the morning before school. I was afraid of having to get up at a certain time everyday and have to be somewhere at a certain time again. But really I have enjoyed the peace and quiet of the morning and since, let's be honest, I thrive on schedules it has been nice to be in more of a routine.

I was able to spend one of my "snow" afternoons down at mom's working on the quilt. Here are some updates of the progress:

The pieces laid out on the bed. The left row is sewn (into three squares, just not together). Now I have six of the nine squares put together.

Here I am working away!
Ok, Jude is coloring the stones by the fireplace, gotta run!

How to Make an American (baby) Quilt!

I think I mentioned in my previous post that my new project is making a quilt for my baby girl room. That is the thing I was most excited for about having a girl...decorating the room and making a quilt. See my mom got a sewing machine last year and I have ALWAYS loved quilts and wanted to make one. I'd been thinking about what I'd like to make and knew I might be expecting soon and thought maybe I should hold out until then so I could make a baby quilt. And I found so many great patterns online, but all of them seemed just perfect for a baby girl! There is just so much more you can do with a girl quilt. So all that to say I'm excited for the girl and the quilt (lets just hope it really is a girl!). Oh, and also, finishing this quilt by May is my New Year's Resolution. I'm not of the losing weight or exercising school of thinking right now. I HATE gyms (rows and rows of machines make me nauseous. just give me a country road--although I have to admit those will be a little out of commission for another 3 months or so...).

So this is my thing. Thus far I have purchased the ridiculously expensive fabric and pattern (and made the choice of what to buy, which if you know me was extremely difficult!), and even cut out all of the middle pieces and sewn a couple of the squares (although one of them ended up being backwards and will have to be remade). The last time I used a sewing machine was in the 8th grade when I made a pair of flannel shorts. I have almost no experience. BUT, it was fun and not hard at all (so far)! I have also spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos on stitching and quilting. I'm thinking that will be the toughest part for sure. And I don't know yet if I will stick with stitch in the ditch or go out on a limb and be more creative. A final inspiration was my sister-in-law, Minette, who bought a sewing machine last year and made everyone the most amazing bags for Christmas. They are just beautiful and much more complicated than a blanket!

Anyway, I will attempt to document my process here on the blog. Here are some pictures of what I've done so far:

Ok, NOT the quilt, but I couldn't resist a picture of Jude with his bubble beard!

This is the fabrics. The larger flowered print is the "focus fabric." I'm also hoping to make a bed skirt and bumper out of something I have left.
Here are some of the pieces cut and placed into the pattern. This is one block out of a total of nine. Starting small! The red polka dot fabric will be the backing.
Here are all of my pieces laid out on the floor while Jude naps. There will also be two borders around them and then the binding. I'm still trying to decide how to paint the room. This wasn't originally a thought at all, but right now I'm thinking a two-toned teal stripe on at least one wall...I think I need to finish the quilt and then see!

Another mentionable bit of news is that over the Christmas break I got a call from the Allen School saying that the 6th grade teacher was resigning at semester and would I consider teaching the remainder of the year. After thinking and praying about this big change for our family I have decided to do it! I have not worked full-time since Jude was born so that is the major adjustment. I am going to miss getting him out of bed in the morning (at 8 instead of 6!) and just being the one take care of him all day. Luckily he will get to spend a lot more time with daddy. Gil will bring him to daycare (also in Allen) around 9 or 10 and get to stay home with him on Fridays through the end of February. I started Wednesday and had three days of shadowing the teacher who is leaving. That was good because now I know the routines and kids and curriculum. I'm excited because it's a really good class and really close to the age I have most experience with. Wish me luck!

Photo Story

These pictures are all out of order, but oh well! They tell a little bit of our Christmas 2010 story.

On Christmas Eve we went to church and then spent the evening at John and Carolyn's with the Tauke's and VanNordstrands (hope I spelled those right!). Santa came too! Jude LOVED him and kept pointing and saying, "sanna." But when it came time for him to sit on his lap, he was NOT having it. Yeah, Santa's a little scary!

This is kinda blurry, but it is what Gil and I had ready for Jude on Christmas Eve morning (since we were in CB on Christmas morning). Some balloons (his new fave), and John Deere tractor which was Gil's from his childhood, and a hockey stick and puck (thanks Colleen!).
We got to spend part of a day with three of my wonderful college friends, Kelly, Mel, and Val. We had a great time and Jude got to meet Val's little one Mady.
Mitch and Minette found this Roman soldier outfit in Italy and brought it home for Jude. Isn't he hilarious? We got to spend four days with them and the rest of the Ridenour gang the weekend before Christmas. It was nice to spend so much time since we don't get to see them often.
One of Jude's favorite new activities is pulling people wherever he wants them to be. Uncle Mitch is the victim this time:)
Jude has discovered playing in the snow. Although he loves it, he gets cold very quickly and wants back in the house.
Here is Jude with his second cousin Whitney (just two weeks older than him). They hit it off at the Buhman Christmas. Jude couldn't stop giving her hugs!
Brittany came this week for a visit. She and Gil went hunting and we all played LOTS of Hero Quest! Jude loved having "Bri-ee" around too:)
Another snow pic. Jude got a great new snowsuit. I think Gil is trying to get some buggers!
Here are the stockings hung with care at my parent's house! Jude and Ashtyn of course will not look at the camera.
Another activity of the season included finding out we are having a GIRL!!! That makes things a little more complicated since we have everything we need already for a boy. But it is also a lot of fun because I'm already planning the new room decor (including fabric I purchased to make my very first quilt...yikes), getting a few pink things, and thinking about what a little girl might be like as an addition to our family.

We also were surprised to find out that Mitch and Minette are expecting as well! Their baby is due in July on Minette's birthday. This was very fun news for us, and we are excited to have a Ridenour niece or nephew and cousin for our kiddos!

Still other fun stuff was having all of my family over to our place for dinner and watching "Despicable Me" twice, eating at Cali Taco, eating sooooo much stuff that was soooooo good and not having to cook it all, playing TONS of games, going to the Buhman and Erwin Christmases and the Koester one still to come, and best of all....NOT being snowed in at any point or having to miss any parties.

P.S. Merry Christmas to all!!! Thank you to everyone who sent us cards and pictures. We love having them up on our fridge. Sorry we stink at sending them...but look for a baby announcement sometime in...June?!?!

More Tree

Here is a pic of our tree actually lit up. Jude really likes it! He always says, "ooooohhhhh" when I turn on the lights. Also, here is the Barster. He is doing SO much better, but has come to love the house (especially today in the blizzard!). And another one of Jude bundling up to go outside and play. Just a funny pic I thought.

The last is of my phone cover. Or what has become of it. The other night I was attempting to multi-task and it all went wrong. I was trying to get the fire in our wood stove going as I was talking to Gil on the phone on his way home from class. I had the phone braced between my ear and my shoulder when suddenly Gil shouted, "Well!" (to his benefit he was really talking in a normal voice, but because the phone was pressed against my ear it sounded like shouting). Anyway, it scared me to pieces and I dropped the phone. It landed on the lid of the stove, but the case fell off. No problem. I picked it up and quickly found the back part of the case on the floor...but not the front. I hung up the phone and discovered the front had flown into the fire. That was no problem either because as I said I was only trying to get the fire going, not much had happened yet. Nevertheless, I decided to be on the safe side and not use my fingers to pick it up. I grabbed the fire poker thingy and lifted it out with that. Problem. Apparently the non-existent fire had gotten the fire poker hot. Too hot for a plastic phone case. The plastic immediately started melting and was very hot (my fingers found this to be true). I quickly put it under water, but the damage had been done. Mutilation. Lesson: don't try to build a fire while on the phone! Not smart!

P.S. This incident reminded me of a time when I once tried to put out a candle with a kleenex. And when I tried to light a candle at night on a school bus. Neither activity is recommended!

O Christmas Tree

This past Saturday we took the road trip once again to Logan, IA to Tannenbaum Tree Farm. This year we took some friends of ours along who have a little boy almost the same age as Jude. It was a lot of fun and made the long trip fly by. Unfortunately we discovered that all the large trees have been picked over and not too many tall ones remain. This leaves us questioning next year's purchase, but for now we got a great big 15 footer. It is skinny, but it is heavy! Much heavier than last year's white pine.

In other news we are still Babbs-less and looking like we might remain that way. It is so sad to think of never having her happy little self running around the place any more. I guess we are glad though that Barry is here. In fact he is lying right at my feet as I type. He has made the house his home over the past week!

Here is the tree sticking out of the back of mom and dad's truck

Jude and his friend Eli.

Jude's stocking. Any guesses why I chose a monkey ornament?

Here is the tree, minus the colored lights.

Unbelievable Barry

In my last post I stated that there is no place like home especially when my husband is here. Little did I realize at the time that it is also not quite home without a couple other special creatures!

As most of you know we have two beagles on our ranch: Barry, who came with the house, is a male, and is a very well-mannered dog, and Babbs, who is a little over a year, a female, and who we've spent time training from a pup. Sunday when we finally arrived home we brought the dogs in the house (a special treat for all!) and Gil was so excited to see them he couldn't resist taking them for a drive. They went outside around 4ish and Gil started calling them back around 6:30. No dogs. That was strange for nighttime, but I didn't think much of it. They hunt a lot and always return before long. In the morning we called. No dogs. A little more strange. Gil went for a drive to look for them. No dogs. All day long as I am home, no dogs. Gil gets home in a furry about where they could be and goes out to look again. No dogs. Tuesday morning, no dogs. At this point we are at our wits end. They don't just forget how to get home. We figured they were either stolen or shot by some crazy person. I took a sign to hang up at daycare about them. I called neighbors about them. No dogs. We get home Tuesday afternoon and Gil sees a paw print. He runs to the barn. There is Barry, in his dog house in the barn. He picked him up and ran to the house. Barry looked terrible! He had a huge swollen neck and a little blood on his head. He could barely stand. We rushed him to the vet, got some pain meds and antibiotics, and were told it was probably a coon...

Right now he is in "recovery" on our back porch. He is still having trouble standing and moving, but has an appetite! He is in such bad shape. We just can't even believe he made it home. I wonder how long it took him to make the short trip. Two days it seems! I can't imagine his crippled little body hobbling home. I wonder where he even was. I really wonder where Babbs might still be!!

While we are still holding out hope of seeing Babbs again, we are in awe of our unbelievable Barry. And so glad he is back...feels a little more like home again.