Jude - 14 months old

 Jude Dude,

I'm so proud of you for growing and becoming a big boy, but it's definitely bitter sweet.  I can't believe you're not the tiny little baby anymore.  I miss my maternity leave with you when we would spend all of our days together and I knew everything you did.  You love your school and your teachers, and I'm so thankful for that and that you have a place where they love you so much too!  I pray you always have people who will pour Jesus into your life and uplift you!  We love you so big, JuJu!

Firsts:  I'm not sure anything "new" happened for you this month.

News headlines:  Biden/Harris win the 2020 Presidential election, Covid-19 is still raging.

Milestones:  You have 4 teeth on top and 4 teeth on the bottom.  You are walking all over the place.

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, 12 mth clothes, size 3 shoe, and I'm guessing you're probably about 22 lbs.

Like Mommy: You love books.

Like Daddy:  You love to be outside.

Like Eli:  You love a ball.  You like to kick the soccer ball.

Like Landon:  You both really look up to Eli and like it when you receive his attention!

Favorite Toys:  You love your fox from Abigail and Anna last year.  You also like the Buzz car and Dinosaur riding toy a lot.

Sounds: Mama, dada, awwww, more (say and sign)

*waves hey/bye on command, blows kisses on command

Challenges:  Everyone's challenge is to avoid COVID-19 (a sad, but true, reality).

Our Days:  You've been sleeping pretty well through the night, we get you up for school about 6:15 and we're out the door around 6:45.  Mommy and brothers take you, Daddy picks you up.  You're usually ready for bed by 8:30.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite -  Having you grab my hand when you walk.  Watching you stomp your feet back and forth when you get really excited.

Daddy's favorite - Watching how excited you get when Daddy picks you up and you see brothers in the backseat.  You squeal and smile so big!

Nicknames: Jude, Jude Dude, JD, JuJu, Bubby

Upcoming Events: Christmas, baby's first Wyndham vacation (We're going to Gatlinburg!).

Jude - 13 months old

Jude Dude, it is crazy to see you as a big boy.  It seems like you were just an itty bitty thing, and now you're trying to get all over the place and explore the world!  We pray that no matter where you go in this world, that you would walk where Jesus leads and in step with the Spirit.  We love you so much!  You make the world a better place!

Firsts:  Two big ones - first steps and first birthday party!

News headlines:  Upcoming 2020 Presidential Election between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the Covid-19 pandemic, gas is abotu $1.84/gallon

Milestones:  Walking and taking your first steps!

Measurements:  Size 3 diapers, Size 12 month clothing, 20 lbs 11 oz and 28.5" long

Like Mommy:  We are both grumpy when we wake up in the middle of the night!  haha

Like Daddy:  You both have to have a snack when you get home from school.

Like Eli:  You love a ball.

Like Landon:  You love to play chase around the house.

Favorite toys:  You LOVE to play with a soccer ball, just like all the other Taff boys.

Sounds:  "Dada" and lots of babbling.

Challenges:  None really.  You are an easy and happy baby!  You do want to put EVERYTHING in your mouth, so that keeps us on our toes.

Our days:  We get you up about 6:20 every morning.  Mommy and the 3 boys are out the door by 6:45 heading to school.  We drop you off at daycare at 7 when they open.  Daddy picks you up about 4 pm.  Then we are all back out the door by 5:15 to head to your brothers soccer practices.  You walk around the fields with Mommy and Daddy while they practice.  Then, we come home, eat, get baths, and go to bed.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's Favorites - Getting to watch you take your first steps to Mommy and Landon.

Daddy's Favorite - Seeing you in your Halloween costume.

Nicknames:  Jude Dude, JD, JuJu

Upcoming Events:  the Election, Thanksgiving, and a few breaks from school

Jude - 12 months old

Jude Dude, how can you be a whole year old already?!  You came into this world tiny but so strong and mighty.  You've grown so much this year!  We are all so in love with you!  You are Daddy's buddy already, you love having the attention of your brothers,  and you love your Mommy big-time!

Firsts:    birthday!, set of tubes, sips of juice and water,

News headlines:  Gas is about $1.78/gallon, COVID/masks/social distancing are still things, the upcoming Presidential election is very much talked about

Milestones: You can really move!  You crawl so fast.  You "walk" holding on to the couch or walkers/stools/chairs/anything not nailed down.  You have even started standing all by yourself for brief periods of time.  You can clap, you give kisses, you have bye-bye.  Your favorite thing to babble is "da da".  

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, 9-12 mths sized clothes,  20 lbs, 28.5" long, and 19" head circumference.

Like Mommy:  We both stay up late, but then sleep hard in the morning when it's time to get up!

Like Daddy: Y'all love to be outside.

Like Eli:  You both love to play with a ball.

Like Landon:  You both love a good snack!

Favorite Toys: You LOVE the bbq grill set the Downeys gave you for your birthday.  You also love 

Sounds: (babbling) dada, bye-bye, uh-huh (that's our favorite)

Challenges:  We learned at your 12 month appointment that your hemoglobin was a tad low.  We just need to make sure you're eating more iron-rich foods.  Sleeping through the night is still off/on a struggle.

Our Days:  We get you up around 6:15 each morning.  We're out the door by 6:45.  You are usually the first kid at daycare each morning (we're sitting waiting for them to open).  You have gotten to where you start reaching for her as soon as you see Ms. Gwen.  : )  You are doing great at daycare and that makes Mommy and Daddy so happy!  You are napping about 3 hours a day there.  Daddy picks you up in the afternoons and feeds you an after school snack with brothers.  When Mommy gets home you get a feeding.  You eat pretty good at supper too.  You love play time after school.  You scoot all over the house, and love when we go outside to play.  You get one really good nap in the afternoon/early evening, and are asleep before 9:00.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite - I love watching all the new things you're doing this month.  Seeing you stand, clap, scoot around, and do things on purpose to get a laugh has been so fun and fills me with joy!

Daddy's favorite - Watching you stand up for long periods of time.

Nicknames: JD, Jude Dude, JuJu, Bubby

Upcoming Events: Your birthday party (parties), covid-style.

Look how much you've grown this year!

Brothers at 12 months old!

Jude - 11 months

 Jude Dude, how in the world are you already 11 months old?  It seems like just the other day, but at the same time the world has changed so much since you were born.  (For the record, it's better because you're in it!)  Even with all of the craziness, uncertainty, and at times, chaos, in this world, Daddy and I pray that you would know and trust in Jesus.  He's our peace.  He's the certainty.  He is always faithful and he is always so, so good, and we pray that you would know that all of your life too (Mommy's favorite song).

Firsts:  Day at a new daycare, first end of summer, pulling up on things, boat ride at Baba and Pops house.

News headlines:  Gas is about $1.84/gallon, Covid still in issue (we have gone back to school with a hybrid model.  Only half the students come at a time.  The other half have to log in remotely.) - many things cancelled or delayed (like football season).

Milestones:  You've got some teeth breaking through!  Finally!  You've started eating a little better too.  You are now beginning to pull up on things and will stand while holding on to something for support.

Measurements: 20ish pounds.  Size 3 diapers.  Size 9 months clothes.  A little more than 28" long.

Like Mommy: We have a cranky/grouchy side.

Like Daddy: Blue eyes and smile.

Like Eli:  You love to be held like Eli did as a baby.  You don't like to be alone and panic if you can't see someone in the room with you.

Like Landon:  You and Landon love a screen!  You both love Mommy and Daddy's phones.

Favorite Toys: You love things that light up and make noise.  You get excited for a remote control or an iphone.  You really love to play with the alphabet magnets on the refrigerator.

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, bye bye (though not necessarily associated with anyone in particular).

Challenges:  Eating has definitely been a challenge.  You are supposed to start speech soon to work on that, but your new class at daycare has definitely helped.  We've had a few choking incidents that have been scary, but you are really starting to improve!  Your sleep habits are still exhausting.  You're up 2-3 times a night, but we have surgery scheduled for tubes soon!  We put the gastro exploration issues on hold until we get the ears figured out.  We're also trying to get you to take a cup, but that's not been very successful lately.

Our Days:  You still wake up 2-3 times a night.  Hopefully tubes will change that issue.  You get up about 6:20 each morning when we all start moving around.  We leave the house about 6:45 to get you to daycare by 7:00 when they open.  You're always first or second kid there.  Daddy picks you up each afternoon.  You love to have an afternoon snack.  Mommy feeds you when she gets home and again at bedtime.  You are eating table food at all 3 meals.  You are BUSY when we're at home.  You are all over the place and love to "help" fold clothes.  : )

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite- Watching how excited you get when you see Mommy, Daddy, or especially your brothers.  Your arms and legs get to shaking because you're so happy!

Daddy's favorite - Singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider with you and doing the hand motions.  You LOVE this and get so happy and giggly!

Nicknames: Jude Dude, JD, JuJu, brother, Bubby, 

Upcoming Events: Your first birthday...wow!  I can't believe it!

Brothers at 11 months:

I think you're a good mix of your brothers and still perfectly unique!

Jude - 10 months

Jude Dude, I am in denial about how fast the months are flying by!  You are so fun, loving, and cuddly.  You're the perfect fit for our family.  We four love you so big, and thank God for you!

Firsts:  Trip to Callaway Gardens, 4th of July (fireworks show in Auburn), swimming at Baba's house

News headlines:  Gas is around $1.84/gallon.  The 'rona is still messing everything up (we're all over it).  Our beloved daycare of the past ten years closed and we had to find somewhere new for you.  The Lord provided a great place for you, of course, but we were sad to have to leave what we had.

Milestones: You're pulling up on things and starting to stand while holding on to something.  You are starting to really turn around/scoot more and more.

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, size 9 month clothes, about 18 lbs and 28" long

Like Mommy:   You love our family walks each evening too.

Like Daddy:  Waking up early!

Like Eli:  You love to "swim in the pool".  You love the water and splashing.

Like Landon:  Loves to nuzzle Mommy at night and for naps.

Favorite Toys:  You love to bang a cup, haha!  Any kind of blocks/shapes.  Any thing that will fit in your mouth!  You do enjoy your jumper.

Sounds: You are a babbling machine!  You say "mama", "dada", "nana" (but not really directed at the right people).

Challenges: You are still getting up frequently at night.  We saw a pediatric gastro dr, but we weren't really pleased and got no real answers.  We may explore going to Atlanta.

Our Days: We're soaking up these last few days of summer and our time together.  You wake up frequently at night.  We just roll with it during the day!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-Being with you (and the rest of the family) all day.  I enjoy our walks that have come from quarantine.  It's my favorite time of the day.

Daddy's favorite- Watching you play in the water, whether in the pool at Ginny and Pops house or at the beach at Callaway, you were a lot of fun to watch!

Nicknames:  JD, Jude Dude, JuJu, Bubby

Upcoming Events: Back to school

Look at my brothers at this age.

Jude - 9 months old

JD, I can't believe how close we're getting to one year old.  You're getting so big and we love seeing your personality shine through.  You are such a sweet boy, and you love Mommy and Daddy big.  It's so fun getting to see you problem solve/figure out new things, move around more, and love on your brothers.  We pray as you continue to grow that you will grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Firsts: Slept in your crib in your room (just once, then you were back in Mommy's!), scooting/spinning on the floor while on your belly (not quite crawling), first time eating multiple "meals" (food) in one day.

News headlines: COVID, of course (we're OVER it), conversations/awareness/protests for racial injustice, gas is about $1.85/gallon.

Milestones: You will "dance" sometimes now.  You love a good beat.  : )  Still waiting on those teeth to drop in.

Measurements: Size 3 diapers, 6-9 month/9 month size clothes, about 19 lbs

Like Mommy:  We can't take the heat outside!  haha
Like Daddy:  You both need an afternoon snack to make it through the day.
Like Eli:  You make faces like Eli.

Like Landon:  You both like to dance.

Favorite Toys:  Your stacking rings, and anything that lights up/makes noises.

Sounds: You are babbling and making sounds frequently.  I think you like the sound of your own voice.  You love to laugh and will do it for no reason.  No "words" yet though.

Challenges: SLEEP!  Your ears are not helping any of us get consistent sleep at night.

Our Days: Because you are not a great sleeper, we take full advantage of these lazy summer days and don't get moving until 8-9 each morning.  You take 3 naps a day:  a cat nap before lunch, a long afternoon nap, and a 30-45ish minute nap in the evening before bed.  We stay up late at this house, and you jumped right on that schedule like the rest of us!  You hardly ever take a bottle, but that will change once school starts back.  We aim for you to eat food at every meal; sometimes you do, sometimes you don't.  Apples, bananas, avocado, sweet potatoes, peas, and prunes are your favorites.  You also really like oatmeal.  You love Ginny's baked beans too!

Funny/Favorite Moments:
Our favorite- Our trip to St. Andrews State Park for Camp Nana Puddin was so much fun.  We enjoyed watching you play in the sand and splash in the water!

Nicknames: Jude Dude, JD, and JuJu are the most popular

Upcoming Events: 4th of July, beach trips, enjoying the last little bit of summer

Watch me grow!

Brothers at 9 months old:

Jude - 8 months old

JuJu, I can't believe you've been with us for eight whole months now!  We've had you longer (for a few weeks now) than you were ever in my belly.  That's crazy to think about.  I couldn't imagine our family without you.  We all love you so big!  You are so easy going.  We pray daily that one day you will know Jesus, and that you will boldly shine for Him all of your days.

Firsts:  Sitting in the stroller like a big boy, facing forward while we walk (no car seat!), "swimming" in the pool, sleeping in the pack n play like a big boy (without the basinet), first trip to Ginny/Pops house, making a "face" on command and on purpose, to get a laugh from everyone else - you scrunch your nose and stick your lips out - it's a very "Eli" face.

News headlines: Ahmaud Arbery/George Floyd put a new focus on racism in our country and reignite the Black Lives Matter movement, BLM marches and protests take place all over the country, COVID-19 continues to spread however many things are "opening" back up, gas is about $1.56/gallon.

Milestones: You continue to sit very well and you are leaning over to reach things.  Crawling won't be too far off, I think.  You can scoot backwards (but usually only when you are upset).  Still no teeth.  You're getting close to being able to roll over back to tummy.

Measurements: Size 2 diapers, mostly 6-9 mth clothing but still some 6 mth clothing, about 18 lbs

Like Mommy: You love being around family.

Like Daddy: You wake up early and in a good mood.

Like Eli:  Make a mess on your shirts.  (😂Eli came up with that one on his own.)
Like Landon:  You love playing with toys.

Favorite Toys: Anything that lights up/makes noise.  You also have some squishy, rubber blocks that you love to chew on.

Sounds: You love to laugh and do so often!  You do not like loud noises though.  If we holler for Eli or Landon you burst into tears.  It's pitiful to watch your chin shake and your lips set into that frown

Challenges: You have had another ear infection and been on more meds.  It's messed with your tummy and messed with your sleeping habits.

Our Days: You're up around 5:00 each morning to eat and then for good around 7-8 each morning.  Sometimes you will go back to sleep until 9 am after you eat that second time, but not every day.  You take a few cat naps (30 minutes or so) during the day, and usually one long nap (2+ hours) around lunch time.  You're still not big on baby food.  Sometimes you will eat it, a lot of times you won't.  There's no rhyme or reason.  We put you down to sleep around 10:00 each night. (I know, I know.  If we had to get up and go somewhere in the mornings though I'd put you down a lot earlier.)

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite-When you reach for Mommy to hold you.

Daddy's favorite-When you laugh really hard.

Nicknames: Jude Dude, JD, Jet, JuJu, JuJu on that Beat

Upcoming Events: Fathers Day, first Camp Nana Puddin', Mommy's birthday

Watch me grow!

Brother-brothers at 8 months old!