Jude - 19 months

Jude Dude,  why does every month fly by faster than the last?!  It's true.  Time is a thief and you're growing up so fast.  We LOVE seeing your little personality come to bloom.  You are Daddy's boy, and you LOVE getting attention from your brothers ("Li" and "Bruh").  Mommy has to steal sugars and hugs when she can!  We love you so much, JuJu!  We pray that you and your brothers will always love each other's company like you do now, and that you will all be rooted in Christ!  We love you big, buddy!

Firsts:  Your first little sunburn (from the soccer fields!).  Your cheeks got really rosy.  Mommy's sorry she forgot the sunscreen, buddy.  You had your first trip to Chuck E Cheese (on Abigail's birthday).  We had our first trip to church in 2021 (thanks a lot, Covid) on Easter Sunday (church was outside).  It was WONDERFUL to be back!

News headlines:  Gas is about $2.56/gallon.  More and more people are getting their COVID vaccines (Mommy and Daddy got their second shots with only mild symptoms).  Here in Russell County/Phenix City, there's only been about 0.7% increase from week to week.  Alabama mask mandate finally expires (though many people are still masking up).  The Queen of England's husband, Prince Philip, died (at 99 years old).   Bernie Madoff (architect of the largest ponzi scheme in history) died.  Derek Chauvin was convicted on all charges for the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Milestones:  
You've started giving real hugs.  We love those!  Your molars are coming in - yay teething.  You did really great with egg hunts this easter.  I love listening to you talk and seeing your little personality start to shine!

Measurements: Size 4 diapers, 18 mth clothes, size 5 shoe, 22-ish lbs

Like Mommy:  We both like listening to music and maybe dance a little silly.

Like Daddy:  You and Daddy will both wear your shoes all day long.  You are hardly every barefoot.

Like Eli:  You, Daddy, and Eli all wake up in really good moods and are ready to hit the ground running.  Mommy and Landon always need a moment!  You and Eli also share a love of making people laugh.  You also like to 'move to the music,' like "Li" does!

Like Landon:  You get silly like Lando!  You and Landon also both share (shared) a love of the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

Favorite Toys:  Still a ball!  Throwing balls and kicking soccer balls are your favorite things to do!  Your daycare teachers always talk about how much you love to kick a ball!  You still love being sung to.  Itsy Bitsy Spider is one of your favorite songs.  You love to do the motions and dance.  Peppa Pig is your absolute favorite.  Anytime you see a T.V. you ask for "Peppa?  Peppa!" and try to sing the theme song and make grunting noises like they do on the show.

Sounds:  Lots of words this month!  You will repeat most words and it's fun to hear you say new things.

Challenges:  

Those stinking ears!  They're still draining.  Your nose, your throat.  Basically anything ENT-related is a challenge!  You also do this really loud, annoying, high-pitched scream when you don't get your way.  You are 1000% Daddy's boy, and sometimes it hurts Mommy's feelings.

Our Days:  

You wake up about 6:10 and we're gone by 6:35.  Mommy and brothers drop you off and Daddy picks you up.  You nap at school and usually a cat nap late afternoon/early evening.  We aim for bedtime around 8:30, but with soccer and now living so far out, that doesn't always happen.

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite -  Being back at church!

Daddy's favorite - Watching you do egg hunts.

Nicknames:  Jude Dude, JuJu, JD

Here's all of Mommy's boys at 19 months old.  I definitely see similarities between all 3 of you!

Jude - 18 months

Jude Dude, What a big month it's been, bubby!  We love you so, so much.  I wish we could pause this age.  18 months was one of my most favorite stages with your brothers, and it is with you too.  Still my baby, but growing and learning so much each day!  You make our family complete, JD!

 Firsts:  Sleepover at Nana and Puddin's house (and first night away from Mommy), trip to Universal Studios/NASA Space Center (for all of us!), trip to Daytona Beach

News headlines:  Covid-19 pandemic/Covid-19 vaccine (Mommy and Daddy got their first rounds of the Pfizer vaccine), gas was about $2.60ish/gallon

Milestones:  Your personality is really shining through.  You're walking, climbing, running, kicking, throwing, and really just thriving!  Your vocabulary has improved so much.

Measurements: Size 4 diapers, 18 mth clothes, size 5 shoe, 22-ish lbs

Like Mommy: We share a love of books!  Mommy loves that all three boys love to read!

Like Daddy:  You both wake up happy!  You, Daddy, and Eli are all morning people (not Mommy or Landon though!).

Like Eli:  You both like kicking the ball/playing soccer on the beach (or really anywhere).

Like Landon:  You both love dogs and you both love a snack.

Favorite Toys:  Any kind of remote!  You also love a ball.  Any kind.  You love to throw and kick.  You will SCREAM so loudly if you're playing with it and one of your brothers comes in and takes it from you.

Sounds: Mama, dada, nana, Li (Eli), bruh (Landon), bye bye, uh-oh, awww, hey,  daw-dee (doggie), thank you, diaper, boo-boo, tee-tee, ball, more-more, no no no!, uh-uh (no sound), huh?, and Peppa (the only show you care for)!

Challenges:  For sure this would be your ears and keeping you well.  We battle strep every month, and you're too young to do anything other than antibiotics.  It's been quite frustrating for all of us!

Our Days:  You are up by about 6:15.  We are leaving the house about 6:35 for school.  You go in like a champ every day.  Daddy picks you up every afternoon at about 3:30-3:45 and then the big boys, and y'all come home.  Mommy usually ends up meeting y'all at soccer.  Then we head home for HW/studying, dinner, showers, pjs, and bedtime!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy's favorite -  Getting to spend a week on vacation with you, your brothers, and Daddy.

Daddy's favorite - Being at the beach with our family.

Nicknames: JD, JuJu, Jude Dude, Bubby

Upcoming Events:  Easter

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