Being 8 Months during the Long Winter!

Judah started this month by moving from object to object on his feet to trying to stand on his own for at least 10 seconds. He also went from standing on his bike seat to climbing his first step (time for another gate). Free-spirited, curious, and very active, Judah loves to explore as you can see in the pictures. He enjoys playing in the fridge, banging the dishwasher, climbing into the laundry basket, blowing raspberries on the bathroom mirror, unrolling the toilet paper, and of course his all time favorite, chasing and tackling Maestro around the house. Judah is always on the move. You will find him playing with toys in the window sill, on the shelf, on the steps, and the couch. In a room full of toys, he always manages to find that one thing he is not supposed to have. We spend the day chasing Maestro, rolling balls, playing peek-a-boo, and riding his little truck.

Judah has finally mastered clapping. You will find him clapping to music or at daddy (seems to coincide with something funny). He is full of mischief when playing. For example, he likes to play peek-a-boo with mommy as daddy holds him. Also, we crawl around after objects or end up chasing each other around the room. You have to be quick as this one smart, silly boy is usually onto the next thing. You learn to be quick when changing his diaper as he is up before you even know it.

Judah has become more interested in the world of information around him (he must take after his parents). About the only thing Judah will sit still for is to read books. Whenever we are up in the nursery, he likes to look at his books. And before nap time we end up curled up with a blanket reading two or three books. He turns the pages, flips the windows, and scratches the touch-in-feel parts. Judah has also rediscovered his swing as he sits in it to watch a little Baby Einstein's Old McDonald Farm from time to time. You will often catch him laughing at the puppets on the screen. Judah also sent his first status on Facebook on the computer. In addition, he insists on chewing on the cell phone during a conversation often hanging up on the person we are talking too. So daddy found an old lap top and an old cell phone for him to bang around.

Judah started February with a growth spurt that caused him to wake up hungry as early as 4 AM. Recently weighing 16 pounds and 14 ounces and now 27 inches long, Judah has almost outgrown his 9 month clothes. We added yogurt, cheese, and turkey to his diet this month. He continues to enjoy his cheerios though, washing them down with water out of his Sippy cup (Maestro enjoys them too). Now that we are going out to more restaurants, we have to pack up the diaper bag with food, wipes, bibs, and toys.

Even though this month is shorter, February always seems longer and this winter is no exception. Calling it the long winter, Des Moines has almost surpassed history's record snowfall totals with a couple of snow storms this month. Add cold temperatures to the mix and what you get is a serious case of cabin fever. To combat cabin fever, Judah and I have been trying to get out as much as possible. At least once a week we get together with some friends to play. Thursday mornings is play group which has become an outlet for Judah to interact with other kids and play with different toys and me a chance to sit back with some hot chocolate (now a weekly ritual). Judah even celebrated his first Valentine party at playgroup this month where he received his first valentine (from a girl I might add) and helped make some of his own. Thursday evenings we tackle the New Testament Challenge discussion with our POG Small Group. Again, we usually end up at the mall for a stroll every now and then. Cabin fever has brought everyone to the bigger metro as we have had company every weekend this month. Starting with my friend Katie, we also were able to visit with both sets of Grandparents and Aunt Amy.

Tim continues to be busy this month at work with recruitment season for next year's YLI class. He helped design the Boys and Girls Club web site for their new fund raising campaign. His YLI students spent their February class day with the adult Greater Des Moines Leadership for some networking. Again all his efforts have paid off when he received a $10,000 grant from Prairie Meadows for the YLI program as well as the recognition of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa by the Des Moines Register as the recipient of the Aurora Award. Recently, he was named as one of Des Moines' Forty Under 40 by the Business Record, a local newspaper.

Tim continues to sing in the worship team at church. Judah has been going to the nursery now. His first Sunday at the end of January, the nursery workers had to page me twice to come and get him. So now we usually we take Judah in the service for the singing and then check him into the nursery. At small group on Thursday nights, Judah plays on the floor inside the circle of adults. It is funny to occasionally to hear raspberries or have your feet tickled during the middle of the discussion. Our group is going through the New Testament this winter/spring. You can join us for the challenge and daily readings by visiting http://pognewtestamentchallenge.blogspot.com/.

Judah finally finished his ear infection by the beginning of February. However, with four antibiotics under his belt, many sleepless nights, and continued pressure from ear fluid, Judah finally had tubes put into his ears this last Tuesday (Feb 23). Arriving at Mercy North in Ankeny for a 6:30am surgery, Judah (and mom) survived the 15 minute procedure just fine. We read books as we waited and met with the doctors. Post operation he woke up screaming from the confusion of the atheistic. After a while we went home and all took naps (Tim took the day off) from the early morning. He must complete his ear drops and then hopefully the problem will be solved (perhaps then we can sleep again during the night).

Despite sleepless nights, Judah has been napping quite well. He finally is able to fall asleep on his own after about 15 minutes of screaming. Trying to get him to take a short morning nap (usually in the car on the way to someplace) with a longer after nap, we read some books and then I put him in the crib. You will often hear him bounce up and down or chuck his Bink across the room before he finally plops down tired. It is funny to see how he finally plops down in the crib. And if you go in to the room too early he knowingly laughs at you.