Since I’m short on time, I thought I’d update by sharing some photos with all of you.

Before Christmas, Josh, Jude, and I met up with some friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo. We walked around and saw all the lights they had displayed, and Jude rode the carousel for the first time.

Now, all he wants to do is “Ride Kevin more, Mama.” (Kevin is the name of the “snipe” in the movie Up. The ostrich Jude rode looks very nearly like Kevin.

On Christmas Eve, our tree looked like this:

This is Jude’s special ornament for 2009. He unwrapped it and hung it on the tree before bed on Christmas Eve:

On Christmas morning/afternoon, Jude really enjoyed playing with his new train set from Great Grandpa (with additional track pieces from his step-great-grandparents):

He also really loved his new family of “babies:”

I think his favorite toy, or at least one of his favorites, was his drum set from Grandma Rose. In this picture he’s pausing between songs to ask, “Too loud?”

Finally, here’s a picture of Jude on the morning of the 26th as we headed to my in-law’s place to celebrate Christmas. He was on the verge of being pretty sick, so please excuse the glassy-looking eyes!