Visiting the Gibson's

I heard once that in adulthood, if you have a good friend, or best friend for longer than 5 years, they will remain your best friend all through life. I am a very blessed woman because I don't just have one of those. God has blessed me with 3 friends who I keep in touch with, talk with frequently and get to visit with every few months. These are women who, no matter where I live, or what's going on in our lives, I know I can always count on them and they will always be my best friends. 

One of those lady's is Jess. We met almost 11 years ago in freshmen orientation. I'm pretty sure God had her there just for me. We were both in the nursing learning community, and became best friends through living in the same dorm and taking several classes together. Then she decided she didn't want to be a nurse and completely changed majors. But our friendship was already there, and God allowed us to stick together even after that. 11 years later, we're both married and have kids and live in different states but she is still one of my most favorite people and one of my very best friends. 

Visiting her was such a nice little get away. Usually Curtis does not do well travelling, so going anywhere is very stressful and without Isaac, I actually don't enjoy it at all. But Curtis did well, he ate, he slept, and he loved on Jess' little one, Will, which was unexpected and very appreciated because I was afraid he'd bully him like he tends to do. We got to catch up on life and watch our littles become friends. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon and morning, than with my best friend and her kid sharing a cup of coffee and chasing the littles around.

We also had a nice little treat of all 3 kids being asleep by around 7 and we got to enjoy dinner and conversation kid free. I never get to do things with other adults kid free, so that was much needed and a wonderful break.

I hate that we live so far away, but 3 hours really isn't bad, so I am thankful for getting to see each other every few months when she is out of school.

Here's a few pictures from our time.

Having fun playing on Aunt Jess' bed, jumping and crawling/falling off

Becoming friends

Such a brave and fearless little boy

A little bit of wrestling

Some mirror fun

Judah left Will a spoon on the floor

Getting in to some mischief together

He loves that monkey

Aunt Jess has such a good kid house

Judah is 10 months

Our Little Bug is 10 months old. It doesn't seem possible that in just 2 months we'll be celebrating his 1 year birthday. He just seems to be growing so fast. He is walking along on the furniture and pushing chairs and bigger toys to help him walk across the floor. He eats most things I put in front of him, although I've learned he does not like to eat when he first wakes up. He's gonna be one of those people, I think, who don't eat breakfast, or at least not right when he gets up. That's sometime I will have to get used to because it's pretty much the first thing I do every day and Curtis eats first thing in the morning. He's still nursing, although I've weaned one feeding in the morning and almost have weaned one of his afternoon feedings. I'm pushing him 3-4 hours in between feedings, with giving him solids and water, in the hopes that he will be ready in May for me to go back to work.

Him and Curtis are quickly becoming good little friends. He follows Curtis every where. I have some fun pictures of their "brother mischief" they are learning to get in to together. Luckily, it's nothing too bad yet, but I know it's coming once he starts walking. But it's so obvious how much Judah already loves and looks up to Curtis, and most of the time, Curtis is really sweet with him. They do like to wrestle though. It's a fine line of letting them be boys and begin to learn to wrestle and saving Judah from bonking his head too hard or being crushed by Curtis. But it's fun to watch them. 

He seems to be getting more and more independent each day, which is what I'm working towards. I am finally being able to keep up with dishes during the day and make meals in short bursts while Judah entertains himself with a book, or some cars and kitchen stuff.

He's definitely not sleeping through the night yet and seems to have gone through a sleep regression lately, which I know is developmentally appropriate, but it's rough. Since he's not nursing as much during the day, and so busy burning calories during the day, he wakes up wanting to nurse and is usually up 2-3 times every night. I'm looking forward to this stage being over with. I've never been one of those mama's who loves getting up and nursing their little during the night or who will miss those quiet, sweet times. Yes, it is sweet when he falls asleep nursing or falls asleep on my shoulder, but I like sleep, and really need it to function and be a good mom, so I really can't wait till the time when I can get a full nights sleep.

This month we'll continue working on weaning, with the goal of completely taking away 3 feedings. I'm also gonna be working on him taking at least one nap with me putting him down awake. That will not be easy, so we'll see how it goes :)

Here's a few pictures from the past month. 

This was right before Judah started screaming. He was not very happy with these pictures.

My little Broncos fans

Some brother mischief, they like bothering Baxter together while Baxter is in his crate.

Trying to figure out how to drink/eat a smoothie, which is Curtis' new favorite snack

One of Curtis' favorite places, climbing into the window sill

Judah actually has a lot of fun with this. I was pretty strict at first to make Curtis stop, but when I saw that usually Judah laughs and smiles, I figured I would let them play.

One of Judah's favorite past times, such a guilty look

My life, with the dog in the center

My matchy boys (and husband)

Possibly one of my favorite pictures ever