Dear Jude - and other times

Posts Tagged ‘Dear Jude’

22 Jan

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Months 18-20

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Dear Jude,

Today is your 20-month birthday. I was too sick to write to you when you turned 18 months old, and we didn’t have an internet connection at home when you turned 19 months old, so today I write to you in honor of those months as well as this month of your life.

November was a tough month for all of us. You, Papa, and I were all sick at various times. The weather turned cold that month, and we started having to dress you in layers upon layers of clothing every time we wanted to leave the house. For Thanksgiving we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Galesburg. You had a lot of fun playing with Aunt Kenzie, Aunt Erin, and Uncle Grant, and you had a blast playing with Daizy. However, our trip got cut short by a day because you and I were feeling pretty terrible.

December was colder and snowier than November. We spent a good portion of our playtime in the church nursery playing with your friend Annabel and her mom Helen. One cold, snowy night in December, you, Papa, and I and Helen and Annabel walked to the Lincoln Park Zoo and took in their display of Christmas lights. You seemed to really enjoy our time there, despite the icicles that were forming on your eyelashes. During Advent you made your theatrical debut in the annual Church of Our Saviour Christmas Pageant. You were a sheep, and everyone was impressed by how well you wandered around during the play.

On December 20th we moved into our new apartment in Rogers Park. Though it was a tough move to accomplish because of its timing, Papa and I really wanted to be in our new home in time for Christmas…even if it meant we wouldn’t have time to put up tree. On Christmas Eve you opened your special gift from Papa-a new pair of pajamas! Normally you would have also received an ornament to hang on the tree, but this year we didn’t find one for you until after the holiday. On Christmas morning you opened gifts from Mama and Papa; Grandma Rose and Grandpa Mike; Great Grandpa; and Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Troy. You received blocks and books and clothes and a puzzle…a good haul, indeed!

Early in January, we traveled back to Galesburg to celebrate (Orthodox!) Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa and all your aunts and uncles on Papa’s side. Not only did you receive some pretty awesome clothes, books, and toys, but you were also gifted (well, we all were!) the news that you’re going to have a baby cousin later this year! How exciting!

Last night I went to an inauguration party with Dr. Meggie. I was only gone for about four hours, but I missed you terribly. When I got home, you gave me so. many. hugs. It was incredible. I don’t like being away from you, Monkey, but I do love it when we reunite.

Since my last letter to you, you’ve grown by leaps and bounds. You can actually get your feet off the ground a bit when you jump. You can say “ball” and “shoe” and “bye-bye” now, and you’re learning how to sign “book.” You’re even more willful today than you were yesterday, and that’s saying something. You like to pretend that your Larry the Cucumber magnet is a phone…actually, you like pretending that most of your toys are phones. When you wake up in the morning, you like to get your slippers off of Papa’s night stand and say “shoe, shoe” until either he or I puts them on your feet. You sing and dance along to The Terrible Twos. You’ve nearly grown out of your size medium Fuzzi Bunz. Your hair is getting so, so long.

This winter has been tough for us, Jude…we’ve been stuck inside a lot. It’s hard getting bundled up and it’s hard facing the subzero temperatures Chicago has been experiencing over the past few weeks. I’ve lost my temper more than I would like to admit, and I worry that you’re bored having to play with the same old toys day after day. I long for spring and for the chance to play outdoors with you without having to dress you in 15 layers of clothes plus a snowsuit. Soon though, Monkey. Soon we’ll be visiting the local parks and going for daily walks just like we did when we first moved to the city. Before you know it, the sun won’t be setting until 8pm, and I’ll be struggling to convince you that it’s night time. I promise. It’s right around the corner. Until then, I’ll do my best to make the rest of the winter more bearable than the first part of it has been. Do you think you hang on until the cold weather breaks, Jude? Can we try… together?
Love,
mama
24 Oct

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 17

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Dear Jude,

Today is your 17 month birthday. You decided to humor me and go to bed early, thus allowing this letter to be written on time (for once)…

Well, that’s how this month’s letter began, Monkey. A millisecond after I typed the period at the end of the second sentence, you woke up, and I was unable to complete this letter. So, like many of your monthly letters, this one comes to you a few days late.

I’m not sure when it happened, exactly, but sometime over the past month or so, you grew up. No, you’re not driving or dating yet, but you’re simply not the baby that was born 17 months and 1 day ago. You’ve done a fair amount of growing into yourself over the past 30 days. Your personality has developed even further into something we can only call “you.” Your activity level has increased 10-fold (if that’s even possible), and your ability to communicate and comprehend blows me away.

We spent a fair amount of time reading Pat the Bunny this past month. You LOVE this book and insist that your Papa or I read it over and over and over again at each sitting. (Your, eh, enthusiasm for this book has caused Papa to hide it from you, on occasion). You also request I’m as Quick as a Cricket and Charlie Parker Played Be Bop on a daily basis, and those, too, are read at least half a dozen times every time we sit down to read. I love that you love books. I hope you’ll love Harry Potter as much as I do, Monkey, ’cause I can’t wait to share those stories with you

We haven’t spent quite as much time outside as I would have liked to this month, partly because your nap schedule has been off for the past few weeks. You’ve been waking up later (yay!), which means you nap later, but by the time you get up it’s time for lunch, so we don’t have time to play. Normally we would nap after lunch, but your late morning nap means you don’t go down until 2:30 or 3, and by that time your friends are up and ready to go, but you’re ready for sleep. Hopefully you’ll get back on track over the next week or so.

This is your fancy new raincoat. Our friend, Betsy, found it while she was out shopping and picked it up because she knew I was looking for one for you. While we didn’t play outside much this past month, we did go for quite a few walks in the rain. Let me tell you, this coat came in very handy as we braved the rain and wind that defines Chicago.

You stomp your feet when you dance. Papa and I call them your happy feet. Sometimes, when Papa is laying on the floor and playing with you, you stand on his chest/belly and have happy feet up there. It’s great fun to watch, though painful to be on the receiving end of, I hear.

Lately, when you wake up from your afternoon nap, you like to veg a bit, so we watch Veggies Tales on YouTube together for a few minutes. I love the way you lean your head against mine, and I love how you clap along to your favorite songs.

I’m looking forward to spending the cold winter months with you, snuggled up under blankets, with your favorite book in hand. I can’t wait to build snowmen and play in the snow with you. I think we’re going to have a blast together this winter, Jude. Aren’t you excited?

Love,
mama
22 Sep

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 16

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Dear Jude,

Yesterday you turned 16 months old. I know I’m a day late in writing this letter to you, but yesterday was a busy day for us, so I took the easy way out and just wrote my weekly Sunday Drive post. I was tired and didn’t feel like I had the energy to put as much into this letter as I wanted to. Today, however, I’m more than up to the task.

This past month was much like the months before it in that you learned a ton of new stuff. I suppose that’s how things work when you’re little: you learn and learn and learn. Still, it’s awesome watching you develop and pick up new skills. Just this month you learned how to spin around (after only watching Papa do it once!)! You’ve started giving running hugs and you can (and do!) climb like it’s nobody’s business.

I’ve discovered that you (really, really) like goat’s milk cheese, smoothies, and Greek yogurt, so most days you and I indulge in at least one of these items. I love sitting on the playroom floor with you and sharing a yogurt cup. Most of the time you’ll bring a book over for me to read to you in between the spooning of the yogurt. Speaking of books, you’ve been devouring your books lately. No, really, you’ve literally been eating your books. Your papa and I have tried and tried and tried to discourage you, but you love the way your Sandra Boynton books taste.

We spent a lot of time playing outside this past month. We visited a few new parks, shared scones and ran around together at Green City Market, and took a bunch of walks around our neighborhood. Papa led us on one or two adventures, and even got us successfully to our final destination on occasion. Now that Autumn is here, I’m looking forward to showing you the leaves as they change color and spending time with you outside, just breathing in the crisp fall air.

I’m grateful for every minute we get to spend together, Monkey. Sometimes, when you’re having a particularly tough day, I get frustrated and need a bit of a break. But I want you to know that there is nowhere I’d rather be than with you. (Oh yes, and with Papa!)

Love,

mama
25 Aug

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 15

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Dear Jude,

A few days ago you turned 15 months old. I can’t believe how big you’re getting. I can’t believe how much you can do on your own.

This past month was big for you. You learned to sign “please” and “thank you” and “water.” You can tell me (when you’re in the right mood) that a cat says “meow” and a dog says “bow wow.” You’ve started to say “Papa” when prompted, though you’ll usually say “Dada” instead. You use “hello” and “hi” interchangeably, and you answer “yeah” when asked a question to which you’re in agreement.

You’ve handled our move to Chicago fairly well. The first week was a bit rough, but Week 2 in the city was a breeze. We’ve fallen into a routine that really seems to suit you, and I’ve been trying my best to stick to that routine (for your sake as well as mine). The change of scenery hasn’t changed your sleeping habits. You still run to my side of the bed when Papa or I ask you “Where do you go for milky?”

You’ve become friends with a little girl named Eleanora from the play group we go to on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. She’s one day older than you, and she’s got blonde, curly hair. Up until this point, you’ve spent most of your time with her trying to keep her out of the play cars you like to ride in so much. However, you did share your Teddy Puffs with her, so I think you’re finally starting to understand this sharing concept.

You and I have been doing a lot of singing this month. You’re starting to learn the hand motions for The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Five Little Monkeys. You’ll also clap your hands during If You’re Happy and You Know It (and you also give me kisses during the last verse since I sneakily changed “shout hooray!” to “kiss your mom!”). Your pool of dance moves has grown exponentially this month, and you seem to find great joy in stomping your feet and waving your arms all around.

You’re charming everyone you meet in this big city. We can’t take a ride on a city bus or on the L without multiple people commenting on how cute/happy/friendly you are. You have such a fantastic personality, monkey (and you’re super cute to boot!). I’m amazed at how much autonomy you’ve gained in the past month…how much you seem to have grown into yourself. You’re fantastic, Jude. Each day you leave me in awe of something you say or do. I feel so lucky to get to spend every day with you…to watch you grow and learn and comprehend new things. Your mere existence blows my mind.

Love,
mama
21 Jul

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 14

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Dear Jude,

Today you turned 14 months old. Where, oh where, did the time go?

This month you earned yourself a new nickname. Now you’re not just Mama and Papa’s Sweet Baboo, you’re also their little monkey. Last month you mastered walking. This month you’re perfecting your climbing skills. You started out by climbing on top of an old diaper box and then quickly moved on to climbing onto one of your plastic abominations. You’ve scaled the yoga bolster that’s blocking you from some wires in our bedroom, and you’ve about mastered the climb to the top of the suitcase that is holding close the door to Papa’s closet. You use your toes to grip the ground as you walk and the step onto which you’re trying to climb. You LOVE bananas.

One of your new favorite things to do is open my dresser drawers, pull my clean clothes out, and either track them all over the upstairs or put them on your head (this includes, but is not limited to, my underwear). Sometimes Papa helps you put the clothes on properly. Sometimes he helps fasten my purple sparkly bra around your waist.

Your vocabulary and your understanding are growing by leaps and bounds. You don’t hesitate to say “mama” or “dada” anymore, and you LOVE to say “hello, hello, hello” to everyone you meet. Just yesterday you started signing “more” again, and this time you’re doing it with authority. On Sunday we went food shopping and I wore you on my back. As we walked through Wegmans, you took great joy in “clap, clap, clapping” and making kissy sounds and putting your arms straight up in the air as I called out action after action of what Simon Says. Speaking of kissy sounds… you give kisses now! Mostly you kiss your stuffed monkey or Pat the Giraffe, but every now and then you toss mom and dad a bone and slobber all over our faces as well.

I’m a little worried I’m going to cause you to be a bit OCD when you grow up. I noticed the other day that your papa and I instruct you to do things in groups of three: clap, clap, clap; shake, shake, shake; chew, chew, chew; dance, dance, dance. I hope that you don’t end up having to touch each door handle three times before you leave your house when you get older or hop on one foot three times in a circle before going to bed at night. I promise I’ll try to vary the way I teach you to do things from now on. I might even try just saying the word once and seeing how that goes.

You, Papa, and I have been doing a lot of fun things lately. Just yesterday we all went to the state park for a swim. We met Aunt Demy and Uncle Scott and some other friends there for a picnic dinner, and afterwards, when it started to rain on our game of Frisbee, you happily hung out in the backpack on my back getting soaked to the bone. It was so much fun, Baboo. I can’t wait to do it again!

And the big news, Jude, is that your papa got a job in Chicago, so we’re going to be moving in just a few short weeks! I’m so excited for this move, Monkey. It means a huge lifestyle change for all of us. I won’t be working as much once we get out there, so you and I will get to spend a TON of time together. Do you remember the zoo we went to back in April? Jude, we can go there every day once we move! We’ll only be about a mile away from there, and the best part? It’s FREE! You know what else, Jude? Wrigley Field is a short train ride away, so we can go and see the Cubs play WHENEVER WE WANT! Oh! Oh! And there’s a beach in Chicago, too, Jude! It’s right along Lake Michigan. I’ve never been there, but your papa has, and he says it’s great. I can’t wait to take you all over the city. We’re going to have such a great time.

Love,
mama
22 May

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 12

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Dear Baboo,

Today you turned one year old. I can’t believe how fast the past twelve months have flown by. I could swear that just yesterday I was able to hold you in one arm; that it was only last week when you learned to roll over, sit up, and stand. Was it really much longer than a month ago that you started crawling? Where did all the time go? How did your growing up sneak up on me?

This past month has been a joyful month for you, Papa, and me. You’ve become so very vocal. You talk and sing to us nearly non-stop during the day. Just in the last three days or so Papa and I have started signing to you, and you’ve already gotten the hang of signing “milk” back to us. Tonight I witnessed you take about eight steps on your own. I don’t think it will be long until you’re full-on walking.

A couple of weekends ago we went to Philly to see you Aunt Lauren, who was visiting from Maine. It was the first time she got to see you since you were born, and she was so excited to spend some time with you. Aunt Lauren gifted you a fantastic zippy that says “Maine” on it. It fits you great, and I’m sure you’re going to spend the vast majority of next fall and winter in it. During our visit with Aunt Lauren, we all went to the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey. We saw tons of fish, penguins, seals, and turtles. (And tons of other animals… too many to name!) You really seemed to enjoy watching the fish swim all around. More than once you put your hands out to the glass tanks and tired to touch the fish! I’m sorry you couldn’t get to them, but it was sweet watching you try.

For your birthday, we celebrated with friends and family at South Ab’s park. Papa went to the park early to stake our claim on the picnic benches under the pavilion. Papa (with some help from Aunt Michelle and DJ) decorated the tables and pavilion with streamers and balloons… it looked really beautiful. I baked you a banana cake because you love, love, love bananas! You spent the afternoon playing on the grass and being adorable. Everyone was excited to celebrate with you.

Early this morning, Papa and I took you to Pop Pop’s Workshop to pick out your birthday present. You came home with a little wooden car and a little wooden truck. Papa and I had been looking forward to taking you there for some time. I hope those little wooden vehicles will entertain you for many hours to come!

You had a fever a few days ago, but Papa and i attributed it to teething. Dr. Jennifer checked your ears, and they were all clear, and you didn’t seem sick otherwise, so neither Papa nor I worried too much about it. Today you have a bit of a rash, and that has me a little worried since we haven’t changed our laundry detergent or anything of that sort. I’m hoping to get a better look at it tomorrow, and hoping even more that it will be gone away by the time I go to check it out. On the upside, you don’t seem bothered by it, so I guess I’m probably worried over nothing.

Jude, I know I’ve said it before, but you bring your Papa and I such joy. I can’t imagine my life without you. I’m so grateful for this past year, and I’m excited about the years to come.

Happy Birthday, Jude.

Love,
mama *=

Blogged with the Flock Browser
22 Apr

Posted by
Jillian Frank

Category
Letter to Jude: Month 11

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Dear Baboo,

Oh my word. You turned eleven months old on the 21st, and that means you’re only one month away from turning one YEAR old. Wow. Just wow.

You’ve spend the past month refining your waving and shaking techniques. You now wave “hi” but haven’t figured out “bye” yet. After many a walk outside with your egg shaker in hand, you’ve learned to “shake, shake, shake” whenever instructed to. It’s really adorable… Papa did a great job picking out your first musical instrument.

We recently spent week in Illinois. You traveled *amazingly* well. You spent most of your first plane ride nursing and sleeping, but during your awake times, you made friends with everyone on the plane. The train ride from Naperville to Galesburg was a teeny tiny bit tougher. It took you a while to settle in, but when you finally did, you slept for most of the remainder of the ride. The first few days of our vacation we visited your grandma and grandpa, and the last few days we spent in Chicago while Papa attended a conference for his web design job. Everyone was super excited to get to spend some time with you… Grandma and Grandpa; Great Aunt Lois, Great Uncle Don, Andy, and Amy; Aunt Erin and Uncle Grant; Uncle Richie; and Aunt Kenzie. They all wish they could see you more often.

You, Papa, and I were lucky enough to get to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field during our trip! Uncle Richie met us there, and so did Papa’s friend Kierstin. You really made out that day; not only did your papa and I buy you a Cubs hat and two Cubs onesies, but your Uncle Richie also bought you a Cubs hat for when you get a little older/your head gets a bit bigger!

It was super fun walking around Chicago with you tucked firmly inside the Ergo carrier. Everyone smiled at you and many had kind words to say.

Sadly, during our travels you picked up one nasty cold. You had a low-grade fever for two days or so, and you still have a runny nose and a hacking cough. None of this is slowing you down, but it makes Mama and Papa sad to hear you cough.

While on our trip, you got to experience grass for the first time. At first, you wouldn’t even touch the grass! You cried every time either your papa or I tried to put you down to crawl on it. Eventually you decided that grass wasn’t so bad, and your second time out (at our friend Marty’s house), you were crawling around with the best of them.

You seem desperate to walk these days. I’m sure you’ll master that skill soon enough. I can’t believe that not too long ago you couldn’t even roll over. It amazes me how quickly you’re learning new things.

In a few short weeks you’ll be one year old. I’m amazed at how quickly this past year has gone by. You are the best thing to have ever happened to me, Jude. You are all the best parts of your papa and I combined (and you’re super cute, to boot). You’re happy and sweet and smart and expressive and just plain old wonderful. I can’t imagine life without you.

I love you, sweet one.

Love,
Mama