The amazing Jude-dini

Baby Jude made quite a move of his own last night just two nights after we moved him from the bassinet in our bedroom to his crib in the nursery. While swaddled he managed to free one arm, turn his entire body 90 degrees, and move two feet in the crib. Guess he takes after his mommy...another sleeper who moves around a lot (which is easier after daddy gets up for work)

Artist rendering of amazing crib move

Jude's arm was like this in the crib

The amazing Jude-dini has 'escaped' the swaddle before

In praise of: The Combi "pack n' play"

We registered for the Combi Solutions Playard DX instead of the traditional Pack N' Play brand product because frankly we liked its sleeker look and color better. Plus it had no ruffles...a high priority for Greg. What we did not expect, was how awesome it would be.

Combi Travel Solutions DX

Usually you get a large playpen with a bassinet and changing pad that hang over the top until the baby is too big to use them. We unpacked the thing and were surprised to find it also included a separate stand for the bassinet attachment. The convenient rolling stand allows us to move Jude into the kitchen or by the dinner table. Jude was quite a fan of being able to lay around and sleep instead of sitting in his bouncy seat all the time.

How well this looks in our dining room :-)

Jude in bassinet on stand
Now that he's older it works great for his baby workouts as well. He's going to be the best backstroker I know!

Jude working out on Combi changing pad

George Regains Some Status

We have once again reduced the number of bodies sleeping in our bedroom from 4 to 3. Mr. Jude is outgrowing his moniker "Little Baby Jude" and nearly touches each end of the bassinet when stretched out from head to toe. This meant that we needed to either a) move the crib into the bedroom, or b) move the baby into the nursery we so carefully prepared for him. I vowed to only put that crib together once, so it stayed where it was.

This is a mixed bag... tremendous pride that he is ready to sleep in the "big baby's bed" already, but trepidation that he's growing so fast. I think Kara in particular is holding tight to that vision of the little 8lb. baby snuggling in her arms (and yes, I know that Jude was 9-4 when he was born, but Kara thinking of a 9lb+ newborn still gives her bouts of post-traumatic-stress-disorder, so let's allow her to fudge the memory a bit!). The little guy is moving along in life so quickly, it seems, in such a short time.

George is less concerned about the implications of the whole thing, and is preparing to "move back in" to his bed's previous location at the foot of our bed.

And, in case I haven't shouted it loudly with glee enough, the kid sleeps a lot. The majority of the past week he's gone to bed around 9:30p and wakes up at around 7:30a. Seriously... at 8 weeks! We realize how fortunate we are (trust me, it's not due to any inherent parenting skill) and don't know how long it will last, but we'll take it while we can.

Jude in his first full night in the crib

Jude's road trip

Jude, Mommy, and George made a trip to Normal, Illinois to visit Grandma Carole because Dad had to travel to New York for a conference. Mommy was nervous but Jude slept the entire 2+ hour car ride until right at the end. We arrived in Grandma's garage with the baby screaming.

George sleeps sitting up in car

Jude at Grandma Carole's

Thanks to Grandma Carole for a relaxing wonderful visit. We even took Jude to a shady spot in State Farm Park. Its the employee-only recreation facility for State Farm Corporate employees. Jude enjoyed sleeping in his stroller and eating from his bottle. Mom is not in the photos because she is riding on the lazy river intertubes and generally enjoying being outside.

Jude sleeping near water spout sitting area

Jude dines poolside

Editor's note: If you're reading this far you're probably fairly interested in the life and times of Baby Jude. I just added pictures from Brookfield Zoo to the July 4th posting if you want to check them out.