July Summer Fun: Month 13!

Judah has become quite the talker this month and even more so is interested in the meaning of sounds and words. Pointing at everything, he says “that,” expecting you to respond with the name of the object. You can see his curiosity in wanting to know what things are called. He also often mimics your sounds as best as he can. You will sing “La La La” and going back and forth, it becomes a game to copy you. This month he learned to say “fish,” “truck,” and “plop.” All these words have become associated with related play activity.

You can see the wheels turning as he learns to communicate more and more. He can now find his head, ears, toes, clap, blow a kiss, wave hello and goodbye, and sit down on demand. Each day he discovers what mommy is saying and tries to communicate back such as holding out his hands for more, throwing food when he is done eating, and coughing when hungry among many more things. He is finally at the age where you can say come here and he (mostly) comes when you call like walking out with you to the car.

Judah's favorite past time this month has been the water and sand. As the temperatures have increased, so has our trips to the wading pool to cool off. Going several times a week for an hour or so, Judah just loves to play in the one foot pool and water fountains. He is not afraid to get his head wet often walking through the fountains. You will see him carrying his beach ball (which is usually bigger than him) around or walking in the water. At Ashby Park (where we often go), we can dig with a shovel in the sand getting dirty and swing at the playground equipment. At home, Judah also likes raking in the big turtle we filled with sand. Occasionally we will take a friend along to the water park and have a picnic. At Papa's Farm, he especially enjoys the pond where you have both sand and water combined, leaving one messy kid. Always, Judah wears himself out enough for a nap afterwards.

Judah has starting developing his own habits and routines. For example, he likes to sleep with his green blanket (with a silky edge) and sometimes he even sleeps with his elephant pillow pal (that is almost as big as he is). After the bedtime routine of getting cleaned up and stories (with dad), we tuck our little “pookie” into bed. As you are reading him a book, he has learned when you are near the end and will point to the next book so that you can squeeze just one more in before bed (he knows it is coming). Checking on him later, you will find him sleeping on his tummy with his backside in the air hugging his blanket or pillow. Judah also loves to brush his teeth. He has a toothbrush for each hand and you will see him walking around chewing on them, stopping to look at himself in the mirror. He also likes to brush hair whether your hair or his. He will have the comb and gently (sometimes) runs it across your head.

Judah has developed a hungry appetite during the growth spurt surrounding his birthday. More and more he eats table food along with mommy and daddy and is starting to eat again from a spoon and now a fork. He has taken a break from his yogurt and cheerios to eat bananas and yogurt from a spoon for breakfast. He really enjoys eating out as he sits better in his chair. Usually he has a mid-morning snack during our morning activities followed by lunch around noon. After his nap he will have another snack, often an early supper, and a snack before bed all depending on what time he wakes up and sleeps throughout the day. He still likes his peas and carrots. However, now he eats more fruit like blueberries, grapes, Mandarin oranges, apple, and watermelon. Perhaps his favorite snacks have become freeze-dried fruit and vegetables that I have found in the health section at Hy-Vee. Lunch meat and cheese have become additional yummy tummy fillers. Judah also still likes his French Fries, chicken patties, macaroni and cheese, and/or hamburgers. And of course, he wants his bread or crackers to curb the high metabolism required by all his energy. Getting him to not throw food has become another story. Mommy has learned too that you give him the most healthy food first before showing him the fun food (otherwise he won't eat anything after the cookie Uncle Dan gives him). Judah also really likes to eat cat food (almost better than his own food).

This month Judah got his first haircut. It worked out to have our family friend Becky Schwartz do his hair since we were north in Cedar Falls. On the drive up to Waverly, Judah fell asleep not knowing that his curly mullet was to be cut. Waking up, Judah watched them put the cape on mommy and silently sat in my lap as his locks were trimmed. Of course, daddy came along to take pictures and Grandma Kreis held the envelope to save the curls. Cutting a couple of inches off, mommy watched in the mirror as he transformed into a big boy. Barely noticing the scissors, Judah remained interested in the gal sitting in the seat next to us who looked like an alien with tin foil in her hair setting her color. In less then 15 minutes, Judah grew up with a new look and no crying. He officially looks like a boy again....but still mommy's big boy.

Judah also went to his first funeral. Great Grandma Anna Rittgers passed away on Saturday, July 17, in the early morning. We were expecting the worst when age had caught up with her and she just did not want to eat or drink. As soon as we heard the news, we scrambled to pack for two weeks on the road for the funeral followed by an already scheduled vacation to Canada. Working half day on Monday, we were able to leave town by afternoon in time for the visitation at Richardson's Funeral Home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Great Grandma (I am sure) got a kick out of Judah trying to play in the water fountain and flowers next to the casket while mommy tried to occupy Judah with some toys. The next afternoon a nice funeral service was held at the Lutheran Home. Fortunately, Grandma Kreis watched Judah in the next room looking at the birds so that we could enjoy the service and listen to Tim sing. Afterwards, we had a slight meal in the cafeteria before heading to the Fairfield Township Cemetery. During family pictures and a brief ceremony, Judah enjoyed tearing a part the rose and exploring the headstones. By this time, Judah was ready for another nap and so like the rest of the family we headed back to the farm for some quiet time, food, fellowship with cousins, and swimming that evening.

This month has been full of activity. The week was busy with work for Tim as his new job still brought surprises that needed to be taken tackled. Judah and I filled our time with water, digging, and enjoying the sunshine. If we could not be outside, the usually we went to the Des Moines Public Library. On weekends, we would try to make it to the Farmer's Market in Des Moines for some breakfast burritos. Other times, we were busy cleaning the house for family or packing to go north to visit family. The Kreis family came down prior to the 4th of July while we went north to the farm to visit with Dan and Shannon and play with Cousin Gabe on the 4th of July. The second half of the month was filled with a two-week trip for Grandma Rittgers funeral and then vacation to Canada.

June Summer Fun: Month 12!

Now that dog days of summer are here, Judah is jumping in with both feet. Together we are enjoying June days with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, all filled with summer fun.

Judah is at a fun age where he can now appreciate activities. Judah discovered that he loves to play in water no matter where it comes from: the watering can, the sprinkler, the hose, the wading pool and fountains, rainwater and puddles, bath, his sippy cup, and as usual Maestro's water dish. He loves to splash in the standing water. You will find him just laughing when the water splashes around him and on him especially from the sprinkler on a particular hot, humid day. He holds out his hands toward the water in excitement. Taking Judah to Ashby Park, Judah carries a beach ball (twice his size) right through the water fountains and in the one foot wading pool. He stomps in the rainwater, splashing the puddles all over him and standing underneath the gutter.

Another pastime that Judah has found is digging in dirt. To prove that, Judah even said “dirt” this month. At Ashby Park, he will sit in the sand, raking or throwing the fine gravel with the sand box toys provided. At home, he will take mommy's garden rake and move around the mulch or pretend he is weeding by picking mommy's flowers. He even likes to sit in my pots. Of course, dirty feet and muddy hands are both a part of this summer fun. So then we hose off in the water.

Still Judah is enjoying summer festivals. Several times we have taken him to the downtown Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings in Des Moines. He especially likes to eat the Breakfast Burritos (who doesn't and if you haven't then we highly recommend it). Enjoying the music at Farmer's Market he will dance or listen to the different ethnic and instrumental sounds. Occasionally we also take him to the Farmer's Market on Thursday evening in Valley Junction, biking or walking over for more of the same. In addition, we to the Des Moines Arts Festival this year to experience some art including exploring the sculptures at the West Gateway Park downtown.

The rest of our weeks this month is filled with other summer fun. Occasionally we hit up the garage sales finding bargains on toys and clothes. Other Friday mornings, we attend story time at the Des Moines Public Library, always coming home with a bagful of books and music. Other times we still get together with friends or run errands to the grocery store.

Perhaps all this summer activity is even more fun with Judah's increased ability to understand things. Judah has added “duck” and “dirt” to his vocabulary. In addition, he says “that” as he points to just about everything curiously wanting to know the name of objects and how they work (almost like a nonverbal why). He looks at his shoes when you tell him to take them off. He kicks his ball when you tell him to kick his ball. And he screams/hits when you tell him “NO.” He has come to understand the meaning of some of the words out of his sight word book (Your Baby Can Read), often imitating the actions or pointing to the objects such as “head,” “arm,” “ears,” and “clapping.” He tries to give you five if you ask for it or pretends to blow you kisses. He waves to strangers, often charming the older ladies. And his body sways, bounces, and his arms go back and forth when you tell him to dance to his favorite CD, Daddy O' Daddy (by Woody Guthrie). And much of the day is spent reading books that he brings to you.

Judah is all about silly antics. If you use the bathroom at our house, you will often find the toilet paper unrolled and shredded all over the floor. On the same note, he likes to drop stuff in the bathtub (so if cannot find a toy, check the tub). He has also become attached to his green blanket using it to cuddle with for both nap and bed times. He has figured out that one kitchen cupboard opens allowing him to take out all of mommy's container lids. He loves to play with his top helping mommy spin and stop it over and over again. He enjoys stacking his toy cups and knocking them back over. He pushes his cars and trucks across the floor making motor sounds. He also has learned to get on his bike himself frontwards, backwards, or standing on top (with one foot). He likes to see the world upside down by trying to stand on his head. And Maestro gets chased, screamed at, pulled, and tackled relentlessly by a laughing little boy. All these antics are followed by a silly, toothy grin and a funny laugh!

All this energy leaves a growing boy and a must-need creative, patient mommy. This month Judah has eaten so many new foods, it is getting hard to write them all down. A few include french fries, macaroni and cheese, tuna, tortillas, and ice cream (looks like junk food from this list). However, he still enjoys his peas and now likes whole green beans. Mommy has also discovered he likes “baby casseroles,” baby food mixed with pasta and added vegetables. In addition, he likes cracker sandwiches or cheese quesadilla. He has also learned to eat grapes and is working on Mandarin oranges. He still eats his yogurt and cheerios for breakfast with a banana.With all this big person food, Judah is wanting to eat like a big boy. He has been using a spoon more often again and his finger foods are more whole pieces than before. He uses a straw, eats without a bib (much to my dismay), and throws food when he is done.

What food does not end up on the floor or in his hair, he actually eats and is growing. His blue eyes shine around two chubby cheeks and a toothy, round-faced grin where he got his fourth tooth earlier this month (upper left). From the back, his brown (with tints of red) hair looks like a long curly mullet and from the front it looks like a mop hanging in his eyes. He continues to sport the long Rittgers back supported by short stubby legs. Practically running all over the place, Judah's high metabolism keeps him going even through his first knee scrape and first shiner. Judah's nap schedule is finally giving way to a one nap a day for about 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

As the new Operations Director for the Boys and Girls Club, Tim has been learning the ropes of what it means to be management. With his Executive Director gone for vacation for a week this month, Tim experienced van problems and graffiti, an angry parent, and receiving a $20, 000 check followed by much more all within a span of the week. With a YLI replacement in tow, Tim has been busy training and getting new staff settled into the office. In addition, he squeezes time in for meetings, writing grants, computer repairs, and putting together presentations. Tim did take off the last of his furlough days for the 2009 fiscal year joining us in our daily activities such as story time.

Happy Fourth of July!

Judah is certainly enjoying his Fourth of July Celebration! This year he can actually appreciate the fireworks at Yankee Doodle Pops, the City of Des Moines Festivities up at the Iowa Statehouse featuring the Des Moines Symphony. He stayed up until 11:00pm Thursday evening, all wired to dance to the music and relax to the fireworks.

Then on Saturday morning, he liked the Urbandale Parade. For two plus hours, he watched the the Fire Trucks, High school bands, and walked around with Grandma Kreis all the while donning his red, white, and blue, sunscreen, and his hat. Waving his flag, he enjoyed his blue popsickle and his star sunglasses. He ate his chips with grandpa, sat in the shade with grandma, and ran around with Lexi Reeves. He even got his picture taken with Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture!

Happy Father's Day

Walking into Month 11!

Today (June 3), Judah received his twelve month pediatrician appointment. When they started to ask me questions pertaining to his development such as "is he crawling, " I laughed out loud and responded with, "He is walking." Judah's development has soared so much during his eleven month.

And walking he is or should I say practically running now. You can see him pick up speed at certain times and carefully turn corners. Judah is on the move every waking moment. It seems like you finish picking up the damage from one thing and then he is already into another thing. Perhaps that is why I have not sat down to write on the blog lately. I am either chasing Judah or sleeping from chasing Judah. He is a busy but very happy, fun little boy.

Judah likes to play games and explore his world. Together, we stack and knock down his "stacking cups." He really enjoys playing "peek-a-boo" followed by being chased and tickled and looks back at you to see if he is being chased. This month he has noticed his stuffed animals and often picks them up talking to them or attacking them in hugs. He has figured out cause and effect with putting his farm animals away in his barn/silo and getting them out again. Then he plays with his cars/tractors making motor sounds and driving them on the ground. He especially likes to put things in his bucket and shake it to where the items fall out. Judah has also figured out that his shapes go into their container and we often practice putting them in the right hole. And of course, Maestro will always be his favorite toy as he still likes to pull his tail and grab his hair.

Judah has a great sense of humor. Quite frequently he brings over an object to you, pretending like he is going to give it to you, and instead pulls it back again. Other times, Judah likes to look at the world upside down by putting his head on the ground and bending over. He also has started "hopping on pop, " which is attacking Tim with his whole body. He still likes to dance to music and so we have many dancing parties (yes, as a family), only now he also moves his shoulders and and his arms up and down in addition to swaying to the music (which is the cutest thing). Judah gives these silly grins where he will scrunch up his chubby little cheeks.

Sometimes these silly antics get Judah into trouble. You can almost see him turn and look at you right before he does something he is not supposed to do. He does this when he is near the fireplace. You can see him thinking, "Are they watching me?" And other times he just gets into trouble going full speed ahead. For example, as soon as the gate is left open, he is into Maestro's water dish.

Judah now communicates with you by pointing and grunting at things he wants and places he wants to go. Judah often walks around waving his arms just making talking sounds and looking for something to do or get into. He is very social around other kids now (or you can say territorial about his toys). About the only time Judah ever really sits still is to read books. Often he will take his books off his shelf and browse through them or he will carry one to you and plop in your lap expecting you to read it. His favorite books this month has become his alphabet and number books called My First Alphabet and My First Numbers (and even likes the Your Baby Can Read Book). Almost weekly on Friday mornings, we go to the downtown Des Moines Public Library for story time (Lap Time for 0-18 months). Here we enjoy stories, songs, flannel boards, instruments, activities, toys, and interaction with babies the same age. Judah and I like to check out picture books (such as Me Baby, You Baby and the Baby Goes Beep) now to bring home to read.

Judah loves to play outside. If we are not outside, you will find him looking out the front door. Outside, Judah will play in the dirt (most often eating it), throwing or kicking his balls, sticking his fingers in soap bubbles, and picking mommy's flowers. In face one day a call was made to the Poison Control Center of Iowa to see if a mouthful of fertilized potting soil was harmful. We still make it to the park occasionally for a swing or a ride down the slide with mommy. Quite often we take walks to Valley Junction for Thursday Farmers Market in the Junction or to drop off some mail to the post office. We also stroll together on the bike paths or take a bike ride as a family in the evenings. At these moments, Judah enjoys watching the world go by as he lounges and relaxes in his stroller or his bike trailer (often falls asleep in his trailer). When it is hot, the sprinkler comes out for Judah to play in the water. He loves to splash water holding out his hands in the sprinkler and laughs. On a sunny Friday, we often go to a garage sale or two as well.

You would not know that Judah is in the third percentile for height at and weight (at 18 pounds) for how much he eats. This month we started him on whole rice, crackers, oatmeal, pasta, apples, shredded pork, and hamburger, in addition to others. He even had his first couple meals of real table food when we had roast pork and potatoes one night and hamburger, vegetable stew another night. His favorite is still peas and cheerios though. Being totally into finger foods has created a challenge to get Judah to eat some foods. That is when we discovered he likes little cracker sandwiches (with almost anything in the middle). Likewise, Judah still likes his cheerios covered in yogurt and oatmeal for breakfast. He has become proficient at using his cup and likes to drink water (except you have to grab it before he starts playing with it). He started two snacks for the day in addition to his three meals. About halfway through his meal, his bib continues to come off as he somehow manages to pull it off. His clothes are not the only thing that have started getting covered in food. He has started throwing food onto the floor when he decides he does not like it.

All his growth goes into his hair. Judah's hair now goes down to his eyes and the mullet in back has started curling when it is dry. When his hair is wet, it becomes one very long rat tail. Also, his hair has gotten lighter with a reddish tent to it. He has only been called a girl once but once is all it takes for it to get it cut. Almost always he has long nails (with dirt in them) since the only time to cut them is when he is asleep in the car (fights it otherwise). His body remains slender in all his active play. He does have a long back thanks to the Rittgers family genes. He also has been working on tooth number three on the upper, front right side. Judah enjoys brushing his teeth or combing his hair just like mommy and daddy in the morning (he even combs my hair).

Judah thankfully is just starting to do two naps a day again. After about two months of fighting one nap, Judah is settling back into two naps on occassion(cross my fingers). Waking up earlier in the morning, he usually is ready for a nap about two-three hours later and then again around two or three in the afternoon. Usually one nap is two and a half hour nap while the second one is a much smaller nap. If for some reason he only does one nap, we try to hold him out until a earlier but long afternoon nap. He knows it is nap time after you read him books and get up from the rocker and he starts to fuss. After you leave the room, he settles down usually sometime during the bink throwing and the crib chewing. The funny thing about nap time is you have to be absolutely quiet when he falls asleep but once asleep, you can move furniture around in his room and he would not even move. Bedtime has been consistent around 8:00pm every night. We have moved his baths to the tub now since he splashes so much. Judah has unfortunately gotten into the habit of waking up once between 3-5:00am but thankfully he falls asleep again.

Every weekend in May we went out of town or we had company. To start off the month, our friend Katie visited for a day to play with Judah. Mother's Day weekend we celebrated Judah's birthday with both sets of families. Everyone stayed in town for church the next day with Judah's baby dedication in the second service. Then we had everyone out to the house for a nice Sunday Mother's Day dinner (the catered kind with paper plates). Next, Tim went to New York City for five days to the National Boys and Girls Club Conference and a technology conference sponsored by Microsoft. While he was gone, Judah and I went up to the farm to hang out with Papa and Gigi (Grandma). As Tim was attending sessions on managing staff, Judah and I were going to garage sales, spending the day with Jacob, beating Uncle Matt at Skip-Bo, and taking four-wheeler rides. Then the third weekend we went down with the Rittgers clan to Kansas City to celebrate cousin Gabe's first birthday. It was nice to have all three cousins together for the first time and watch them play. The following Memorial weekend, we had another party for Judah with our friends. Our out of town friends, John and Beth stayed Sunday for breakfast too. The rest of Memorial weekend was spent resting or eating leftovers with friends.

Mommy has been busy campaigning again for one of our Congressional Candidates, Jim Gibbons. Helping with social conservative outreach, some of my spare time has gone to writing notes and making phone calls. I also finally finished planting my garden. In the small garden in front of our porch I have planted another rose bush (called Laura Bush that Tim and Judah gave me for Mother's Day), some Hostas, a Bleeding heart, Marigolds, and Snapdragons with three hanging pots and two ground pots with Geraniums and other filler plants. The side landscape I have turned into a vegetable garden with peas, beans, peppers and windowsill baskets of leaf lettuce and herbs. Now that I actually have time to keep up my garden this year and make it look nice, Judah is at the stage where he wants to dig it all up.

Tim moved into the Director of Operations position this month at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa. This challenging position is a nice transition after doing the Youth Leadership Institute for 6 years and Director of Technology for 4 years. He finds himself busy with managing staff, meetings, grant writing, and program development. Occasionally Tim has gone golfing on a Sunday afternoon for fun.

Happy 1st Birthday Judah!

Judah officially turned one year old on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 12:15pm. He celebrated his first birthday with family and friends.

His day started out by opening a gift from mommy and daddy. Then Judah enjoyed his usual breakfast of cheerios and yogurt. We spent the morning cleaning up the house for company and playing outside in the hot sunshine (the weather was the same when he was born). For lunch, we went to Mustard's for some BBQ with cousins Chase and Ryan and Judah enjoyed French Fries and chicken fingers for his birthday lunch.

At 4:00pm after nap time our garage and yard turned into a war zone with sidewalk chalk, soap bubbles, Badminton Shuttles, toys, and lots of spilled lemonade. With five families totalling ten kids, our guests enjoyed our barnyard of cupcake animals, sticker animal balloons, and animal hats. Everyone had a chance at hitting the Badminton, playing Hop Scotch, and riding little tyke cars. Good eats of Sloppy Joe sandwiches, fresh fruit salad, chips, fresh veggies, and birthday animal cupcakes along with good conversation topped off the evening.

Judah enjoyed his party immensely. At first he ate soap bubbles. Then he attacked his presents, taking apart the ribbons. Being so excited, he barely ate his food of pasta and cheese. Instead, he found every cup sitting on the floor and spilled out everyone's idle lemonade. Once we got out the cupcakes to sing happy birthday, he grabbed two cupcakes (a pig and a chick for each hand) at once putting it into his mouth, laughing. Judah enjoyed the activity that he was uninterested in opening the fun gifts: books, clothes, and a jungle animal game.

Bed time barely went unnoticed except for the fact the kids started to get fussy, the Badminton net fell down, Shuttlecocks and Frisbees were all on the roof, chalk was all over our clothes, and empty cups were laying all over the garage . Kids went home with a hat and balloon while the parents went home with sticky, sweaty, and tired kids. Judah enjoyed being the center of attention so much that he would not fall asleep until 10:30pm. Mommy and Daddy quickly picked up the leftover food, washing out the garage again before the ants found the spilled lemonade.

Here are some other fun scenes of Judah's Birthday! Good times were enjoyed by all!

Celebrating Judah!

This weekend was a big weekend for all of us but especially Judah as we celebrated his first birthday and his baby dedication with family.

Starting at 4:00pm (after nap time) on Saturday, we celebrated Judah's first birthday with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our house was transformed into a barnyard with animal hats, a red barn cake, and animal balloons. Judah particularly enjoyed looking at his "Happy Birthday" banner and barnyard-themed plates. Cousins Jacob, Caleb, Hannah, and Isaac made sticker animal balloons, played with the barn and farm set, and banged on all the musical toys when they arrived.

The adults mingled, watched the kids, and played a little farm bean bag toss themselves. Then at 5:00pm, everyone enjoyed Sloppy Joe sandwiches, vegetables, chips, fruit, and of course homemade chocolate birthday cake. Judah just ate his vegetables and pasta for his birthday supper but he did taste cake for the first time. He took his time touching it and observing the red frosted chocolate cake before finally taking the plate and dumping the cake upside down on the floor.

After dinner, Judah opened his gifts following the reading of the Barnyard Dance (by Sandra Boynton). He tore through the wrapping paper (as the other kids observed and helped) to find several fun toys: a John Deere Combine and tractor book from Papa and Gigi, stacking blocks with shapes and a book from Grandpa and Grandma Kreis, a tractor with animals plus a laughing duck from Cousin Jacob, and Lego-type Fischer Price farm blocks from the Book Cousins. Daddy and mommy gave him a farm-maze puzzle, blocks, books, and a frog towel and washcloth set.

Overall, Judah had a good time just interacting with his company, playing, and enjoying the new toys. The evening turned out to be fun and everyone had a good time. While parents took tired kids home/hotel to bed, Judah, himself finally fell asleep for the night. However, the cake and the excitement kept him up several times throughout the night.

The next day on Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9), Tim brought me breakfast in bed (eggs, sausage, and homemade muffins) before Judah woke up. When Judah woke up, we got ready for church. Then we met family at church before the second service for Judah's baby dedication. Tim also had corsages for the mothers to celebrate Mothers Day. During the service six families dedicated their children to the Lord as part of the service, vowing to raise their children in a Godly environment. Taking up two rows, we sat with family members for the rest of the Celebration Service of testimonies and baptisms.

After church and family pictures, everyone returned to our house for a catered meal of Felix and Oscar's Italian pasta. Seating twelve people at our table, we enjoyed each other's company before people took off for home or a long nap.

With everyone having a good weekend, a lot of memories were made! Here are a few: