Memorial Day Weekend

I had a four days off in a row this weekend.  Wahoo!  Josh had some friends in from college, so we didn't see him much.  But, Rudy and I made the most of our weekend.  Friday we hung around the house, made cookies for the boys, and went out to the campsite to visit some of the guys for a little bit.  Saturday we got up and went shopping in Champaign.  Rudy didn't have the best time, so it was a short trip.  It rained ALL day though, and it was nice to get out of the house together for a bit.  The boys all ended up staying at our house because their tents got really wet.  Sunday we did our usual routine with church and youth group.  And today we went and got donuts, went and got a few things we needed at walmart, had some pulled pork for dinner, and set up the baby pool for Rudy.  He LOVED it!  I got to do a few crafts this weekend as well.  I got started on invites for Rudy's birthday party and made a banner for it.  Isn't it crazy that he will be one in a month?  Where has this year gone? 

Here are a few pics and videos for you all to enjoy...

Rudy adores Murphy.

We love each other.  Beaucoup.

All tuckered out before we even started shopping.

Crazy Days

The past few days have been crazy around here.  I had to work Monday and Tuesday, and We. Were. Slammed.  Monday I didn't even get to take lunch until about 4 p.m.  They were by far the craziest days I've had since starting.  So when I got off on Tuesday we hit up the Dairy Barn to help sooth away some stress.  Josh and I both really like peanut buttery ice cream treats, but Rudy isn't supposed to have peanuts or peanut butter for awhile yet.  So... we got him his own ice cream.  Kid size of course.

I'm pretty sure he liked it. 

Today I had the day off, and, of course, it stormed all day.  So we lounged around the house.  Rudy and I took his afternoon nap together.  Went for a late lunch to the new restaurant that opened in town (and got ripped off.)  And just enjoyed being with each other.  The storms got pretty nasty later on.  The sirens in town started going off and a tornado was spotted in a nearby town.  We don't have a basement, so we walked over to the church and hung out in the closet in the basement for about an hour.   

This may be our only family picture of the four of us. 

 All is well now.  It's still raining, but it's the perfect rain to fall asleep to.  Rudy has been asleep for close to an hour and Josh and I are headed in that direction.  So goodnight, blogland!

Visitors

Josh's parents are here visiting for a few days on their way out to a conference.  We love having them.  Unfortunately, I have to work most of the time they are here.  I worked my first Saturday shift yesterday and it actually wasn't too bad.  It definitely didn't feel like a Saturday to me.  I had today off, but have to work Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this week.  Sundays never quite feel like a day off, but we had a good time today.  We went to church, cooked steaks for lunch, went on a walk, went out for ice cream for youth group, and then hung out this evening.  I haven't taken too many pictures since Josh's parents have been here, but I did snap a few of Rudy this morning during church (we were downstairs because he couldn't quite keep quiet.) 

 

So Big!

  

This was actually last weekend, but I just got it off my camera and wanted to add it since we don't have too many pictures of us. 

And here's a little video to show you one of Rudy's favorite things to do right now.  

Girls Rule Boys Drool

Last weekend was my annual TROOPS reunion with some of my very best girl friends.  We always meet up at the Justice lake house, but usually have a little better weather.  It rained almost the entire time we were there, but that didn't get us down.  We ate, played cards, watched a movie, and spent lots of time chatting.  It was so much fun, and so good for the soul.  I love my boys dearly, but I definitely need my girl time.  I actually brought Rudy this year and he was a very good boy with only a few little fussy periods.  I don't think he quite knew what to do with so many loud, laughy women.  He got to meet his future wife, Lucy, and he was in awe of her.  We let Rudy hold her for a minute or so and got some pictures, but I haven't uploaded them yet.  I do have a few pics sent from Rach, the group photog. 

The whole group.

  

Me, Ru, Ray, and Lu.

Both on round 2.

Last year I was about to pop, and Ray wasn't even pregnant yet.  Crazy how much things change in a year!

Love you girls!

10 Months

What's Rudy up to at 10 months old?

He finally got his first tooth on April 22!  (He got his second one on May 5th, but technically that shouldn't be included until his 11 month post.)

He can crawl at the speed of light, cruise along the furniture, run when he holds onto someone's hands, and stand for a few seconds by himself (until he realizes he's not holding on to anything and promptly sits down.) 

He is can still fit into some of his 9 month clothes, but mostly wears 12 month clothes.  He's a little peanut.  He's still in size 3 diapers. He hates wearing hats, hoods, shoes, and socks. He immediately removes them as soon as he gets them on. 

One of his favorite things to do is throw things on the floor and then say uh-oh.  We're not really sure if he knows what it means, but it happens all of the time. 

He is into everything.  He pulls everything out of the cabinets (probably time for some baby proof cabinet locks), climbs on anything he possibly can, and is ALWAYS up to something.  He takes about 100 spills per day and is 100% boy. 

He officially hates baby food, but loves table food.  He will eat almost anything you put in front of him as long as it isn't pureed. 

He is still not sleeping consistently through the night, but on occasion will.  He still takes 2-3 naps a day, depending on when he wakes up. 

He is still obsessed with Murphy and loves to go lay on Murphy's face.  He is very lucky that Murphy is so nice to him. 

His favorite toys this month have been a couple of helium balloons that he got for Easter.  He can't get enough of them. 

He is absolutely hilarious.  He smiles and laughs all of the time.  Loves to babble.  And he keeps us on our toes. 

Mother's Day

I have been blessed to have a wealth of amazing women in my life. 

My mom is one of the most genuinely kind people I know, she would do anything, for anyone, at pretty much any hour of the day. 

My step-mom, Pam, is so much fun and has always been so good to me, for which I am so thankful and blessed. 

I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law.  She loves the Lord and goes out of her way to let me know she loves me. 

My grandma is an amazing cook (and woman) and has become one of my dearest friends over the past few years.

I have a grandma that is no longer on this earth, but she made quite an impact on my life.  She was funny and creative and I miss her dearly.

I also inherited two pretty amazing grandmas when I married Josh.  His grandmas are so sweet to me and I feel as if they are my own.

 

I was also blessed to be able to know, and remember, all of my great-grandmothers, which is pretty amazing to me! 

Happy Mother's Day to you all!  You've made quite a legacy for me.  

What a privilege it is to be a mother. I have experienced and learned so much in my short 10 months as a mom.  I have felt more joy than I ever knew was possible and have come to understand love in an entirely new way.  I feel like I have a better understanding of God's love for his children, and I am completely humbled by it. 

I'm so thankful to be a momma to my sweet, sweet Rudy Thomas.  I love you, little boy!

Tidbits

Today, I had the best day.   Minus the fact that Rudy is sick.  He started running a fever late last night, right before bedtime, and I haven't been able to get it down under 100, even with Tylenol.  Hopefully it will break soon or I might be making a trip to convenient care for my first Mother's Day.  He's had a little bit of diarrhea but doesn't have any other symptoms.  He is just a little more tired and cuddly than usual.  Which helped contribute to my fabulous day.  We hung out all day together.  We made monster cookies (my specialty), watched some of the Royal Wedding that I had DVR'd, watched Pride and Prejudice, and had lots of cuddles and naps.  I also tried my hand at making some Martha Stewart poms, just for fun. 



This is the face of a very sweet little sick boy. 



I may not be good at many things, but I make a mean monster cookie.  



Not bad for my first one. 

We were supposed to go to my niece's (Maddie) 4th birthday party, but didn't think it was such a good idea since I have no idea what is causing this fever.  She had a princess party and dressed up like Snow White.  My mom made her costume and it was so cute.  I'll have to add a picture when I get one. 

Some other little tidbits:

This week is not only my first Mother's Day, but was my first Nurse's Day too.  Looks like I started working just in time! Haha.  Friday was actually Nurse's Day and nothing too exciting happened since I had the day off.  Nurse's Day is the kick off for Nurse's Week, though.  So if you want to send me candy or flowers or something there is still time.  Haha.  I kid, I kid. 

We found out that Rudy loves pickles this week on a trip to Jimmy Johns. 

Crazy kid.

I also just wanted to throw this picture in here.  Rudy loves to climb.  He never stops.

His newest endeavor. 

I think that's all for now. 

PITME. 

Half Marathon/Last Weekend

I just came off working three 12 hour shifts, so today is the first time I have opened my computer since Sunday!  We had a great weekend though.  The weather was beautiful for the half marathon, with only one little patch of strong wind.  I felt good the entire race and got my best time yet!  I don't know if it was because I trained at a faster pace this year, or if I just felt really good that day, but it was nice.... was even able to give a pretty good kick for the last three miles! 

Pre-race



Post-race

The marathon ends at memorial stadium, on the football field, so that was pretty fun.  Becca ran this half-marathon last year and Brittany (Long) Olson ran it the year before, so I have watched it twice, but never run it.  It was a good course... nice and flat!  This was Jessie's first half marathon and she did awesome, especially since she sprained her ankle a few weeks ago and had to stop training for a bit.  Although,  I did hear her say it was the "worst idea ever."  Haha.  I felt that way after my first one too!



Afterwards we had a birthday party for Liana at my grandma's house.  She is turning 15 next week... Craaaaaazy! First wienie roast of the year!!

And here are a few pics from Easter dinner that I stole from my sister.