Jude - 17 months

Firsts:  First time selling the only home you (and your brothers) have ever known, first night in our new/temporary home.

News headlines:  Trump was acquitted by the Senate of his second impeachment on Feb 5.  Tampa Bay (Tom Brady) beat the Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes) in the Super Bowl, Covid vaccines are becoming more accessible to the public and, overall, covid numbers seem to be going down.  Gas is about $2.30/gallon.  There is more talk of a third Stimulus package.

Milestones:  You are do "touchdown!" really well.

Measurements: Size 4 diapers, 12-18 mth clothes, size 5 shoe, I'm guessing 21-22 lbs

Like Mommy: You love to flip through a book.

Like Daddy:  You both love to play silly games.

Like Eli:  You swing that left arm when you get to running.  So funny and adorable!

Like Landon:  You loooove school and don't seem to mind when Mommy leaves you. (Which Mommy is grateful for, but also gets her feelings hurt over.)

Favorite Toys:  You got a bunch of sensory rattles and noise makers from Z, Amber, and Will at Christmas, and you've been loving those lately.

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, Lie (Eli), bruh, bye bye, uh-oh, ball, awww, hey,  trash, thank you, hat, more, "no, no no!" (while you wag your finger).

Challenges:  Strep and your ears (sound familiar?) 

Our Days:  We get you up about 6:20 each morning and Mommy, Eli, and Landon take you to school.  Eli has been having to get you out of the car when we get to daycare, because Mommy is struggling with just one arm.  Daddy picks you up after school.  There's been a lot of packing and taking stuff to the storage unit/cabin.  The big boys are back to soccer practice 3x a week in the evenings, so it's usually just you and Mommy at the house at night.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite - Enjoying the last moments in our home.

Daddy's favorite - Same!  Enjoying family time at home, knowing that it's some of our last at this house.

Nicknames:  Jude Dude, JD, JuJu

Upcoming Events:  Building our new home.  Spring Break.

Jude - 16 months

JuJu, we love you so big, buddy!  We're so glad you're apart of our family.  Seeing your personality develop and how you interact with your brothers brings us so much joy!  You  make life better!

Firsts:  You moved up to a new class at school (the class you originally started with)!

News headlines:  Gas continues to climb $2+/gallon, Biden/Harris have been inaugurated.  Second rounds of stimulus/COVID-relief are being sent out.  Trump was impeached (for a second time) following the Riots on the Capitol on January 6.  Covid numbers in January spiked a lot after the holidays (Seems like we know sooo many people affected by covid-19).  Covid vaccines are beginning to be given.

Milestones:  You are getting better at climbing the stairs.  You looove when that gate comes down at home.

Measurements: Size 4 diapers, 12-18 mth clothes, size 4 shoe, 20-ish lbs

Like Mommy: You thrive off of having a routine.

Like Daddy:  Y'all both love music.

Like Eli (at this age):  You love to throw away trash.  You throw away your own diaper and say, "Trash!  Trash!"

Like Landon:  You love the remote.  Half the time we can't find it because you run off with it.

Favorite Toys:  Puzzles, balls, toy microphone and hearing the sound of your own voice

Sounds:  Mama, Dada, Nana, trash, thank you, "no, no, no!", bye, hey

Challenges:  Strep throat, ears, etc.  Keeping you well!  When you're sick your sleep habits are terrible and it takes an effect on all of us.  More of a challenge for Mommy, but ... you're starting to self-wean yourself and it hurts Mommy's heart.

Our Days:  You get up about 6:20 and we're leaving the house around 6:50.  Mommy and brothers drop you off at school and Daddy usually picks you up.  No soccer practice the month of January, so we've all been able to hang out at home together in the evenings.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite - Snuggling with you while you sleep.  Feeding you before bed.  I know those times are starting to end.

Daddy's favorite - Family time!

Nicknames: Jude Dude, JD, JuJu

Upcoming Events:  Getting our house ready to sell.  I can't hardly think about it!

(I can only find Landon's 16 month picture.  Sorry, Eli!)

Jude - 15 months old

 Firsts:  Christmas in Destin, first time having strep throat, Wyndham vacation/trip to Gatlinburg

News headlines:  Gas is about $2.18/gallon, Biden will soon be sworn in as our 46th President

Milestones:  Lots of teeth, you've become a great climber, you're finally eating so well!  You love to wave hey or bye-bye to people!  : )

Measurements: Size 4 diapers, 12 and some 18 mth clothes, size 4 shoe, and I'm guessing you're 23-24 lbs.

Like Mommy:  We get cranky when we don't feel good.

Like Daddy:  You love being outside and when we open the windows.

Like Eli:   You love to climb stairs.

Like Landon:  You are obsessed with screens/phones (you SCREAM when we take them away).

Favorite Toys:  the fox, the Star Wars toys from the Downeys, Eli's chair .... not a toy, but you loooove to watch Peppa Pig!  : )

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, bye bye, thank you, "no no no!" (as you wag your finger)

Challenges:  Strep throat and having to rearrange our Christmas plans at the last minute.

Our Days:  Christmas break had us lazy!  : )  Typically, we get you up about 6:20, we're out the door by 6:50 for school.  Daddy picks you up after school.  You go to bed between 8:30-9:00.  You take a good 2.5 hour nap each afternoon usually.  You and Daddy love to have an after-school snack the moment you walk in the door.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite - watching you with brothers

Daddy's favorite - Christmas morning

Nicknames: JuJu, JD, Jude Dude

Upcoming Events:  New class at daycare!  : )

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!