Fun with Nana

We packed up the car and made the trek to Bakersfield this week to spend some much needed time with my mom, Nana. We kind of have a policy of no Bako trips in the summer, so it was fun to spend a little time over there when it was under 100 degrees. My mom has this great old house near downtown and Judah loves visiting, especially since he gets his dog fix with Winnie. It was a great trip, other than the fact that we all got sick. It was the first time in years that my mom was there to take care of me, sick in bed and, oh what a treat. We still managed to make it to the California Living Museum (CALM), which I haven't visited since I was little. Judah loved it, especially since it was so small and there weren't many people there, he was able to roam around all by himself. It was kind of, well... interesting. Nothing like seeing a ground squirrel in a glass cage. They had a ton a reptiles that Judah got very up close and personal with and don't forget the two skunks that welcomed us. It is pretty cool though, all the animals have been rescued and you can see their injuries that make it impossible for them to survive in the wild. My dad is a veterinarian and when I was a kid he would often treat wild animals that would end up at CALM. We once had a mule deer living in our 'fort' in the backyard while it recovered from being hit by a car. Anywho.... it was a great trip and I miss my mom already. Here are some pics of the kids...

Happy Valentines Day!

To: Katie & Annie

From: Joey (daddy) & Judah:

Be Mine.

=============
Judah & I are very thankful for the girls in our life. So we have a little Valentines Day song to sing in this video.

We love you Katie & Annie!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

The little love of our lives turns 2 today. With all the excitement of a new baby sister life has been anything but easy for all of us, but we are so proud of the new big brother, Judah. Sometimes in the midst of life I forget how much our lives have changed in the last 2 years and how much the better we are for knowing and loving our little nugget. In honor of his birthday, I decided to write him a letter...

Judah,
Sometimes when I look at you I swell with pride so much that it hurts. I think all parents think their children are genius, but you really are. I look at you and can't believe that you are a part of me, that you were once so tiny that you were contained in such a small place (since out of the womb keeping you contained is nearly impossible). You are such a little man these days showing us love and compassion, making us laugh hard enough to pee our pants. Sometimes when we're hanging out, I want time to freeze. I can't imagine you growing up any more and not seeing the you just as you are right now. You are a so special and so treasured. Here are some things that your mama especially loves about you right now...

1) You are a born entertainer.
2) You are so extremely compassionate with Annie. Every time she cries you try and comfort her and tell her, 'it's alright baby Nanny.' On that note, when we were walking the other day, we saw a 'sleeping' dog on the side of the road and you wanted to kiss her better. so sweet.
3) You are mommy's fierce physical trainer. Whenever I stop to get a breath on a run you encourage me 'run mommy'. You also drop your toys while I'm running so I can get in some much needed lunges. You love doing exercises with Mommy and Daddy, counting all of Daddy's 'perfect pushups' and teaching Mommy better sit up form.
4) You are so smart. You can count to 10 (who needs 8 though, right?) You are learning your ABC's so well and you know all your shapes (thanks Sesame Street!)
5) You love to read and memorize your books.
6) You are fearless. Climbing and jumping are you new past times.
7) You have some hot dance moves.
8) You have an insane ear for music. You can pick out the piano, harmonica, violin, drums, and guitar in music and act them out. My favorite is your harmonica.
9) You already have the ability to give love and make people feel special and valued.
10) You are quite a negotiator, just like Daddy and Papa. I could see you following in Daddy's footsteps.

I dream about you becoming a man it makes me sad to know that it will be so hard to explain to you what you were like as a child. I know that sounds really weird, but I wish grown up Judah could have the pleasure of knowing baby Judah. My precious boy, the day you were born changed my life forever. Just a few months before we found out you were going to be born, I lost a baby. God has used you to help restore things that were lost and to heal some of the pain of that time. Some good friends found this verse about your biblical namesake...

"AND SHE CONCEIVED AGAIN, AND BORE A SON: AND SHE SAID, NOW WILL I PRAISE THE LORD: THEREFORE SHE CALLED HIS NAME JUDAH." GENESIS 29:35

Love you a million,
Mommers