As the seasons change to spring this month bringing back life, Judah also has attained a new vitality to life. This season has opened a whole new world and chapter for Judah to understand and explore. He talks about it. He explores it. He observes it. And he plays with it. It has been such a joy to see Judah blossom under this season of life.
Judah has really had a growth spurt this month, getting taller and more lanky. All his baby fat has disappeared except for his wrists making him look like a big boy. Most of his 12 month clothes he has been wearing all winter have finally become too small. Thankfully, I have had a pile hidden away for a while that were too big, but even these are already getting to be too small. Another tooth also started coming in (on March 12) on the lower left side of his gum completing the bottom four front teeth.
You hear Judah saying his ABC's at three at a time. He also goes around the house quoting his rhymes from music class and pretends to sing "Jesus Loves Me " in a microphone. You will often find Judah singing to himself. Judah chatters all the time now mostly by saying phrases and short sentences such as "I got it." His phrases and short sentences are two to three words with tiny break in between as he describes objects or activities. It is especially cute when he tells you he loves you as this becomes, "I lob you." He acknowledges past events, often remembering details especially if you ask a question. He still to this day talks about his Cousin Jacob's birthday party or the St. Patrick's Day Parade we went to downtown. He also recognizes his extended family members talking about them and associating them with certain facts. Uncle Philip is the "party" Uncle. Gigi feeds him bacon. And Papa Larry drives the tractors while Papa Ed went swimming with him.
He started out this month by telling me he needed to go potty (March 5). In the past he would always tell me that there were bubbles in his diaper. This time however, after breakfast he told me he had to go potty. I asked him if he wanted to try and he said yes. I took him upstairs and sat him on the potty which seemed so big for him. So before I got a chance to put the diaper back on, he wet all over the carpet. But he did tell me. Needless to say, we went out to the store for little potty and some big boy "Thomas" pants. We will see where this leads.
By the end of the month though Judah was still interested in the potty. On March 21, I was ready to change his diaper before nap time. He told me he had to go potty. So I let him walk in the bathroom and sit down. He actually went. Then when he was done, he said, "all done." That's my boy...But it only happened once!
Judah has hit the "terrible twos." It really has not been terrible yet but rather busy (and certainly trying for mom). He expresses his opinions and independence. He voices more of what he wants or dislikes (usually by whining) by making his own choices. In particular he shows interest in the clothes he wears and what he eats for dinner (and how or where he eats it). In addition, he likes to explore and tends to wonder off at the store and similar places observing all that is around him. He pretends to be sneaky when testing the boundaries only to turn around and look to see if you notice.
This month brought in some promising weather ushering in spring. With the lack of snow and warmer temperatures we were able to be outside more often for walks. Judah found the mud from the melted snow and rain and I found him sitting in it (it is a good thing he changed shoe sizes for he got his boots all muddy). Judah has shown more interest in our nearby pond, noticing the animals like geese that make their home there. Even more so he has learned about earth worms while helping dig in the garden and bees as the flowers bloom.
The neighborhood returned to life as we run into neighbors and friends on our daily journeys. Judah really likes to spend time with the neighborhood boys, Zach and Porter. Most often times on our walk to get the mail, we have to stop on the way back to say hi and play. This simple gesture quite often turns into a play date or a communal neighborhood meal together.
This month allowed us to experience some new activities in addition to the weekly Monday play group, Kinder Music Class, and Story time. Spring break, Judah and I participated in the "rainbow" theme scavenger hunt at the local Botanical Center. Here Judah enjoyed fishing, coloring, and creating a paper garden. Then the weather permitted us to enjoy the St. Patrick's Day parade with our neighbor friends, Porter and his family. We even baked special cookies and wore green for the special occasion.
Tim and I continue to go to our Financial Peace Class while Judah goes over to the neighbors house to play each Monday night. On the side, I have also helped organize another political event, only this time at my church where it was held. Since I was gone most of the day, both Uncle Philip and Uncle David took their turn at babysitting. Mid March, my family also came down for the weekend as we visited for Aunt Rachel's birthday.
Our month ended with the celebration of Tim's 30th birthday. Even though his actual birthday (March 31) was low key, he had many surprises in store. The weekend before his birthday, his parents drove through Des Moines, taking us out to dinner to celebrate. Judah and I gave him a homemade banner that he hung in his office at work. Judah and I joined his co-workers on his birthday for a "chicken" telegram. A man dressed in a chicken suit delivered singing "Happy Birthday" and "You Have Lost that Loving Feeling." We all then went out to lunch together. At home that evening, Tim tried out his new grill by cooking steaks. Judah and I whipped up a quick cake for him. Tim thought his birthday was over.
Little did Tim know that his parents were coming down on Friday afternoon to get Judah for the weekend. They made it to Des Moines in time to pick up Tim at the office and go out for some quick ice cream at the soda shop. Once they packed up Judah for the ride back to the farm, Tim and I headed to Omaha for a weekend get-a-way. Staying the Oft's Bed and Breakfast in Bennington, Nebraska, we enjoyed a fun-filled and relaxing weekend. Saturday we spent the day at the Strategic Air and Space Museum looking at airplanes, interesting relics on display, and even riding the helicopter simulator. The nice spring day permitted us to go downtown Omaha to walk around and dine in the Old Market District. Sunday morning we headed out to the Mormon Trail Center to complete our historical tour of the migration west on the Mormon trail.
Back in Des Moines, we stopped at the Incredible Pizza Company for a surprise 30th birthday party with friends and family. Everyone had a great time chowing down the buffet and eating birthday cake before playing games and enjoying rides.
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