everyday play

Sometimes its the ordinary household items that Jude seems to enjoy playing with the most. Perhaps its because it reminds him of actual toys he has or has played with elsewhere? Or perhaps, to my and Toys R US's dismay, the ordinary stuff really is fun too.

Among Jude's favorite actual toys are those pretend plastic lawnmowers. We don't have one (yet) but there are a few at our church nursery and at the children's museum near our house. He's been known to go wild and push two around at the same time.

Kara wonders if that's where he got the idea for a new use for our folding outdoor Ikea table.

lawnmower interpreted

Jude also loves to play with food boxes. We discovered this in Baltimore when he had laugh out loud fun carrying around two boxes of Stovetop stuffing. He liked them so much he kept searching for the boxes when Grandma or his parents put them away. Back home in Oak Park, Kara pulled out her stuffing containers, a coffee can and a mac and cheese.

Jude the builder

Jude tried shaking them for awhile but then he figured out they also worked as blocks. Kara was just happy he was grabbing something other than her cellphone, keys, or breakable objects.

mommy tells me this is a developmental milestone?

The one flaw in the plan was that Jude figured out how to open the mac n cheese box and spilled a few pieces. A little packing tape solved the issue. It seems like we better keep that packing tape handy for the next few years!

I vow to conquer all childproof latches!

The great Dorito caper

That extra bag of Doritos in the kitchen waiting to travel to the basement storage pantry? Ya... whatever happened to that thing?

The story opens with a mysterious crunch crunch from the front hallway. Kara's quick steps and surveillance photos help solve the crime!

a semi-authentic surveillance photo

Doritos are Greg's favorite snack, and sometimes a dinner entree, when Kara isn't home. Jude apparently decided they were just too good to send to storage.

is this the color my mustache would be?

Jude managed to tear open the bag and help himself to a few chips. Kara believes it to be his first taste of Doritos, however Greg might give another answer.

its not a mouse or George... its Jude

Kara was laughing so hard she had to grab the camera and share the moments with all of you.

the guilty but adorable party

rudolph's relatives

Jude and his parents stayed up late the other night (8pm for baby!) and spent a freezing evening strolling nearby Forest Park. The small stores had live window displays and treats for Christmas. Our favorite was a green faced 'grinch' complete with his small pet dog wearing antlers.

bundle baby

We zipped Jude in his down-filled jacket and snowpants (Thanks Grandpa Henry & Grandma Nancy!) even though there was no snow. He seemed comfortable even if his dad was chilly.

his baby 'sleigh'

Kara wanted to show Jude the live reindeer because he seems to smile and react to animals. She was not disappointed. He instantly perked up and reached for them.

jude meet the reindeer

They even had a handler with a small reindeer the children could touch. Our brave little boy enjoyed feeling the soft animal hair.

Jude also got his first introduction to Santa Claus.

friendly santa

It was a fun night. Jude thanked us by sleeping in til 8am the next morning instead of waking up at his usual 7am.

18 months

We hope you're holiday preparations and celebrations are going well. Here is a look at the Miller Christmas Tree of '09. And...drumroll please...check out the wooden fench Greg built around the tree to keep little Jude from touching it.

Christmas Tree '09