Judah has become quite the little chatter box. His vocabulary includes 3 and 4 syllable words now like crocodile. His sentences are very clear with several words as well. He carries a conversation on the phone with Nana and wants to talk on Skype to Gigi and Papa. He has entered the phase where he constantly says, "what's that (even if he knows the answer)?" His curious little mind also reminds us that he wants to "look a at it." He still mixes up his opposites when referring to himself. To be carried, he will say, "hold you or carry you." Between daddy, Gigi, Gabe, and his birthday, he has seen a lot of cake lately, calling it "Happy Birthday."
Judah has a sense of humor. He pretends to be funny and tease you. Several times he likes to play "Get you" where he will tickle you. When you come to pick him up after nap time, he will try to hide from you by putting a book over his head. He walks up to other kids on the playground, peeks around the corner and says, "Peek-a-boo." You will hear him say, "dad" when Tim does something funny.
Judah has also expressed more emotion. He talks about things that are sad, even saying someone is sad. He will come to you with his bumps and bangs wanting the hurt to be kissed. He likes to lay around for about 15 minutes or so after waking up (unless hungry) in the morning or at nap time allowing some cuddle time with mommy. He follows Maestro the cat around, petting him and making sure he has food and water.
Judah's music is still very important to him. He often likes to have us put in a big band or jazz record to listen to the musical instruments. He prefers "Nat King Cole" and even asks to listen to him. He will carry around paper instruments like guitars pretending to strum them while dancing. He walks around singing with a microphone and you will hear phrases from his songs from music class, such as "bow wow wow," "rolly polly," or even Jesus...loves me." He pretends to play his trumpet with a lot of passion leaning backwards and forward. He will play with his new drum, keyboard, guitar, and harmonica any opportunity he gets.
Judah has shown more interest in playing on his own, especially the latter half of the month. You will find him lining up his toy cars or farm animals just perfectly. He even combines his toys together as he lines up his cars to watch his trains go by. He also sets up his farm animals in fences, using blocks for food and water.
Judah's growth spurt continues. Everyday, he just looks taller when he gets out of bed. He can now reach the pedals to his tricycle, even peddling them on his own (May 24). He still weighs just over 22 pounds making him tall and very lanky. He somehow still manages to stay coordinated enough to climb up on the table, couches, or boxes around the house.
Outside, Judah likes to play with his water table or sand box as we have gotten both out for the summer. We have gone biking a few times too, going to Waterworks park to run around and enjoy the mild sunshine air. He helps in the garden, using his rake and shovel by planting and weeding with mommy. Perhaps our favorite daily past time has been to collect rocks (usually from gardening), put them in the pail, and carry them to the pond to throw them in the water. After that we head toward the mailbox before going around the block to stop at the park for a swing or to slide. Judah likes to explore outside, often wondering away to look at a bug, flower, or find rocks.
This month has been very busy with activity as we finish up some of our spring activities and transition to summer activities. Judah's music class ended with pinwheels and parachutes much to his delight. Tim and I completed our financial peace class at church. With a position open on our association board, I was elected to sit on board for our town home complex. In addition, the campaign season has started up allowing me to attend several events and show my public support for Governor Tim Pawlenty. Add some play group time and many meals with the neighbors, and we had a busy month.
Tim had a big golf tournament fundraiser this month for work, helping the club raise over $130,000 with the event. In addition, he is busy coordinating a week long staff training and preparing for summer programming. He seems to be getting settled into his new office.
Most of our month was spent getting ready for our busy weekends. The first weekend, I organized a neighborhood garage sale. Mother's Day was spent at home while Tim and Judah made me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Later in the day, we enjoyed the beautiful flowering trees at Waterworks park in Des Moines.
The following weekend we travelled back to Waterloo to spend time with the Kreis family to see Rachel and David before they headed off cross country for the summer. Judah helped Uncle Charlie get ready for a date. We enjoyed going to church with family and playing a game of cards.
Memorial weekend was spent at the Rittgers farm celebrating Judah and cousin Gabe's second birthday with family as well as surprising Gigi with her own birthday celebration. Judah had fun helping Papa plant pumpkin seeds. Then he rode around on the tractor with Jacob. Monday, family came to enjoy a picnic outdoors.
