Jude - 2 months

Jude Dude, I can't believe you are already two months old.  The beginning of your life has been such a whirl-wind.  Being the third baby, I have learned to soak up and cherish the moments with you.  I've been blessed to stay home with you longer than I was able to with the other two boys, and it's been so special.  I've loved every minute with you.  I am so glad that God gave us you!  We love you so big, buddy!

Firsts:  Trip to Puddin and Nana's house.  Peanut Festival.  Road trip and Thanksgiving.  Met lots of new family.  Camp Swamp Fox event.  Christmas Made in the South.

News headlines:  Trump impeachment trials

Milestones:  You're getting better about holding that head up!

Measurements:  10ish lbs, probably 21 or so inches, Newborn size clothes, size 1 diapers

Like Mommy:  We're both always down for a nap!

Like Daddy:  Those blue eyes.

Like Eli:  You and Eli are both very chill and go-with-the-flow.

Like Landon:  Your eyes are so blue, and you look very much like your brother, Landon!

Challenges:  Not really a challenge for you, but Mommy has so many mixed emotions about heading back to work.  I'm ready to be on a schedule and feel accomplished during the day, but I am sure going to miss you.  I wish you could come with me.  You're so wonderful that I know you'll be great for whoever you're with; I just wish it was with me!  I'm a little concerned about having to get up early for work after getting up during the night with you.  Mommy needs her sleep!

Our Days:  We take brothers to school about 7:10 each morning and then come back home and snuggle together on the couch.  Mommy is going back to work on Dec. 5, so I'm soaking up every minute with you.  We leave here just before 3 pm to pick them up.  You feed about every 3 hours during the day, and get up about twice a night still.

Funny/Favorite Moments:  Our favorite moments would be getting to see you smile and hearing you coo!

Nicknames:  Jude Dude, JuJu, Jet and Jet Jet, Bubby, Tadpole

Upcoming Events:  Mommy going back to work, and of course, Christmas!

Look how much you've changed in just a month!

And, for comparison, Eli and Landon at two months old:

Jude - 1 month

Jude Dude, 1 month old already!?  We love you so much, buddy.  You are such an easy and laid-back baby, and are the perfect addition to our family.  We are all crazy about you.  Actually, everyone who knows you is pretty crazy about you!  We praise Jesus for you, Jude Easton.

Firsts:  Everything - shopping trips, meeting extended family, road trip/soccer games for brothers, bath, trip to the movies (the Addams Family), Trick or Treating (you were the cutest baby mummy), bottle (Mal Mal gave it to you), receiving mail, etc.

News headlines:  Trump impeachment hearings, the Washington Nationals win the World Series for the first time in franchise history

Milestones:  Your belly button stump fell off and you got your first bath!  After ten days you grew enough and your sugars balanced out to where we did not have to supplement you (we were feeing you with a medicine dropper!).

Measurements:  At your two week check-up you were 6 lbs, 1 oz (up about 10 oz from birth) and were 19 1/2 inches long (up 1/2 an inch from birth).  I'm guessing now you are close to 20" and probably 6 1/2 lbs.  You are now in newborn size diapers, and the preemie size clothes are getting snug, but newborns still are very loose!

Like Mommy:  The need to sleep a lot!

Like Daddy:  Goes with the flow.

Like Eli:  You and Eli have very similar demeanors (calm!) and facial expressions.  

Like Landon:  You and Landy look a lot alike in the face and you both have blue eyes.

Challenges:  For Mommy and Daddy, it's definitely getting longer stretches of sleep!  I wouldn't say anything is a real challenge with you though.  We may have had a more complicated pregnancy, but you are a relaxed baby and not challenging at all!

Our Days:  You eat for the last time between 9-10 p.m., and will sleep until sometime between 1-2 a.m.  Right now you are sleeping in the pack and play beside Mommy.  You get up again between 3-4 a.m. and usually again close to 6 a.m.  Daddy changes your diaper and Mommy feeds you when you wake up, but you pretty much always go back to sleep fairly quickly.  During the week, we get up and take the big boys to school and you sleep off and on all morning.  You and I keep the roads hot running the car pool for brothers and all their activities.

Funny/Favorite Moments:  Mommy's favorite moments involve all the good snuggling.  I like seeing you stretch when we get you out of the carseat.  I also love seeing the love your brothers have for you.  Daddy's favorite moment was seeing you for the first time.

Nicknames:  Jude Dude, Jet or Jet Jet

Upcoming Events:  The Peanut Festival, meeting more family, Thanksgiving

All 3 of Mommy's boys at one month!

Landon on the left, Eli on the right, and Jude on the bottom.

Eli's Nine Year Old Interview

Eli, NINE years old!?  I can't believe it.  In nine more years you'll be celebrating while away at college!  Mommy could cry thinking about that.  Don't think that doesn't mean you'll be celebrating without me though!  I'll come wherever you are!  It seems like every year goes by more quickly than the last.  You bring everyone who knows you so much joy.  You're so well-rounded.  You love Jesus, your family, friends, soccer, reading, school (especially math), Auburn, sports, and just being outside.  No one brags about my cooking more than you!  You make me look good!  : )  I don't know that we could love you more if we tried!  Happy birthday, buddy!  We love you big time!

How old are you?  9

Favorite color(s)?  Blue, orange, and red

Favorite book(s)?  Who Was/What Was book series

Favorite toy?  Army vest

Favorite sport?  Soccer, futbol

Favorite movie?  Aladdin, live action

Favorite show?  Dude Perfect

Favorite game:  Life

Favorite Bible story?  Moses

Favorite verse?  John 3:16

Recites our family verse *Psalm 25:4-5*

Favorite drink/snack:  Dr. Pepper and chips

Favorite candy?  Blow pops

Favorite animal?  Tiger

Favorite song?  "Oh ... this is the greatest show!"

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  waffles

Favorite thing to eat for supper?  meatloaf and banana bread for dessert

Who are your friends?  Abigail, Evan, Cole, Levi, Levi, Jack, Titus, Thomas, Dax, Drake

Favorite number?  78 and 11

Where do you go to school?  LES

Teachers?  Jones, Wilson, Masuoka

Favorite subject?  math

Favorite thing to do at school?  PE (break people's ankles at soccer) and lunch

Favorite thing to do with Daddy?  Play soccer

with Mommy?  snuggle

with Landon?  Watch TV

with Jude?  3 brothers will be wild.  I'll have to share the TV.

Will you call your new brother Jude or Jet?  Jet

Nicknames?  Squirmy Bug, Squirmy Wormy Doodle all Day, Squirmy

What'd we do for your birthday?  Swimming pool

Favorite Auburn tradition?  Tailgate and watching them win!

What do you want to be when you grow up?  PE coach

Favorite dance move?  *Eli flosses, hits them folks, and dabs.*

Landon's 5 Year Old Interview

Disclaimer:
We were extremely late getting this video shot (like 6 months).  But in now way, Landon, does that mean you were/are less celebrated or loved!  Life just got BUSY!  But, I am always so glad to record these.  I always love looking back at the little people you and your brother were and seeing how your interests and personalities evolve and change over time.  We love you big, Landon boy!

How old are you?  5

Favorite color?  green and golden

Favorite book?  The Old Lady Who Ate the Moon

Favorite toy?  pretend guns

Favorite movie?  Grinch

Favorite TV show?  Muppet Babies

Favorite game?  tag

Favorite Bible story?  person - Jesus

Favorite drink/snack?  blue drink (Kool Aid Burst) and oatmeal creme pie OR gum

Favorite animal?  puppies and cats

Favorite song?  Jesus Loves the Little Children

What do you like for breakfast?  waffles from Waffle House

What do you like for supper?  Lunchables and gum

Who are your friends?  Porter, Eli, Anna and Ivalea

Girlfriend?  No

What's your favorite number?  10 hundred

Where do you go to school?  Lakewood

Who is your teacher?  Mrs. Susan (when he turned 5 .... Mrs. Brown by the time we actually interviewed him)

What's your favorite thing at school?  eating lunch and playing with toys

What do you like to do outside?  play tag, play soccer, play hide and seek

What do you like to do with Daddy?  play on his back
with Mommy?  nuzzle
with Landon?  give high 5s

What do you think of becoming a big brother?  maybe excited

What are your nicknames?  Lanbon, Lando, Landy, Lan Lan

What did we do for your birthday?  You gave me presents and we went to the trampoline park.

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Fly a jet.

Favorite thing to do at Auburn?  Eat popcorn and watch the game.

Favorite dance move?  *Landon flosses and does the shoot.*

Eli's 8 Year Old Interview

Eli, you are E I G H T today! It seems like yesterday you were the little baby on my hip. Seven was a big year for you: you accepted Christ as Lord, you won that soccer championship you’d been wanting, you broke your first bone (wrist), and you gave us quite a scare with your head injury! Through the highs and lows we’ve seen you lean on Jesus. And that’s all we ever want for you - to always lean on Jesus! So, happy 8th birthday to the boy who lights up the room with his smile! We love you so BIG and hope 8 is full of good things for you!

 How old are you?  8

What's your favorite color?  red and blue

What's your favorite book?  Notebook of Doom and Project Droid books

What's your favorite toy?  table corn hole

What's your favorite sport?  soccer and kickball

What's your favorite movie?  Incredibles 2

What's your favorite show?  Phineas and Ferb

What's your favorite game?  Scrabble

What's your favorite Bible story?  Any Jesus story

Recite our family verse:  "Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."  Hebrews 13:16

What's your favorite drink/snack?  Salt & Vinegar chips and Root Beer

What's your favorite candy?  lollipops

What's your favorite animal?  dogs (Bailey)

What's your favorite song?  "Good, Good Father" by Chris Tomlin

What's your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  doughnuts (Krispy Kreme or Golden Doughnut)

for supper?  Mommy's chicken and wild rice casserole

Who are your friends?  Abigail and Anna, Levi and Ivalea, Jackson T, Jackson H, Jack, and Evan

Who's your girlfriend?  NO ONE!

What's your favorite number?  78

Where do you go to school?  LES

Who are your teachers?  Mrs. Ownes and Cutt

What's your favorite subject?  Science

What's your favorite thing to do at school?  Lunch, PE, and free time

What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy?  play outside

with Mommy?  nuzzle

with Landon?  play with him

Nicknames:  Squirmy, Squirmy Bug, Squirmy Wormy Doodle All Day

What did we do for your birthday?  Eat Fuji's and went to the Phenix City Pool

What's your favorite Auburn tradition?  Play with the football

What do you want to be when you grow up?  a PE coach

Who's your hero?  MLK Jr (kinda), Daddy, Mommy, and Jesus

Show us your favorite dance move.  (Eli does The Floss and hits them folks)

Landon's Birthday Interview (4 years old)

It seems like I only dust off the old blog for birthday posts, and to be perfectly honest, I'm embarrassed at HOW LATE this post is!  Landon, you turned F O U R over 3 months ago.  We celebrated you hard.  It hurts to see you growing up so quickly, but at the same time, it brings us so much joy!  Daddy and I love you so, so much!  You are our boss baby.  You are funny, sensitive, full of energy, creative, and full of imagination.  You play so well by yourself, but you love playing with friends (especially Eli) as well.  You are every bit the athlete your brother is, and are going to give him a run for his money here soon!  You are a rascal who loves life and loves his family.  You love reading books, playing outside, and are always up for a good "nuzzle" (snuggle).  We are so proud to be your Mommy and Daddy, and we can't wait to see what you do in this great, big world.  We love you, Landon boy!  Happy 4th birthday!

(Daddy filmed this with his Go-pro camera.  That's why *insert eye roll* it looks like you're in a fish bowl.)

Enough of the mushy stuff.  Without further ado, here is an interview with a FOUR year old!

How old are you?  4

What is your favorite color?  Green, gray, blue, pink

What is your favorite book?  Olaf (the one from the library)

What is your favorite toy?  Batman toy (from a happy meal at Burger King)

What is your favorite movie?  the Flash (the Lego movie version)

What is your favorite T.V. show?  Muppet Babies, Peppa Pig

What is your favorite game?  Sorry

What is your favorite snack/drink?  Kool Aid Jammers (blue/red drink) and fruit snacks

What is your favorite animal?  doggies

What is your favorite song?  Go Fish (???)

What do you like for breakfast?  pancakes, waffles

What do you like for supper?  Subway

Who is your girlfriend?  Mommy

What is your favorite number?  11, 5, and 4

Who are your teachers?  Mrs. Trish and Ms. Joleasa

What do you like to do outside?  Play baseball, football, and soccer.  He loves all the games!

What do you like to do with Daddy?  Put out the trash can

with Mommy?  Nuzzle her

with Landon?  Tell jokes

What are your nicknames?  Landy, Lan Lan, Landon boy, funny boy (no one calls him this, haha!), rascal, stinker

What did you do for your birthday?  jump-oline (otherwise known as the trampoline park, Launch)

Who are your best friends?  Bowden, Zachary, Madisyn, Porter, Maggie, Connor, Carley (all friends from school and church)

What do you want to be when you grow up?  A shark and eat goldfish.  But then he realized a shark will get water in its face (which Landon HATES), so he changed his mind and decided he wants to be a bird.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

Do yourselves a favor....GO MAKE THIS!

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs uncooked chicken breast (can be frozen) cut into 1-2" chunks

2 - 15 oz cans white beans (drained) -- (I used white Navy beans)

1 - 15 oz can of white corn (drained)

1 onion, chopped (sweet Vidalia)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 package taco seasoning

1 - 7 oz can of green chilies

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 - 14 oz can of chicken broth

Toppings:

1/2 cup sour cream

2 T lime juice

finely chopped cilantro

fresh shredded cheese (I used colby jack)

corn tortilla chips

Directions:

Place cut up chicken in the bottom of the Crock Pot.  Add beans, corn, and onion.  Mix the next five ingredients and pour over the top.  Cover and cook on low for the next 8-10 hours.

Before serving, use a potato masher to break up the chicken, quickly with pressure and alternating directions.  Consistency should change from brothy with chunks of meat, to thick and even.

Add cheese, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, and chips before serving.  This did not disappoint!