1/2 a year!

Jude turns 6 months old today! This little bundle of joy has grown into quite the big boy and a busy one for sure. Each day is different from the next which keeps us learning new lessons and developing right a long side our little man.

6 Month Stats
Weight: 17.2 pounds (44 percentile)
Height: 26.75 inches (61 percentile)
Head Circumference: 18 inches (93 percentile...wow!)
First Tooth: broke through last Thursday!
Sitting up on his own as of Saturday
Crawling: not quite but really working at it
First foods: avocado, banana, oatmeal, rice cereal--he is not a huge fan of food yet, he just loves to nurse
First mouth full of dirt: check--we were playing at the park and Jude rolled off his blanket, grabbed some dirt, and put it straight into his mouth. What else should I expect from a little boy?!
Sleeping: after 2 months of horrible sleep, Jude now sleeps 9-10 hours every night without tears (thank goodness!)
Favorite toys: anything that is not a toy including my water bottle, any glass filled with liquid, my phone, my keys, the ipad, my nose, and daddy's glasses. He also loves to face out in the Moby wrap and smile at everyone.

The last month or so has been quite eventful for our little family. We moved out of our little cottage in Santa Barbara, spent three weeks in Tucson, and started life in Pasadena. Jude loved seeing his Nana and Poppa in Arizona and spending time with cousins. We ventured up to Sedona for a few days and loved spending time in the pool every day. Jude is quite the water baby--already kicking his legs and giggling with delight as we splash and blow bubbles. Collin began his new job at Sidley Austin in downtown Los Angeles and is already enjoying the start of his career. He takes the Metro to work every morning which allows him to get some reading done on his commute and lets us remain a 1 car family. Jude and I are starting to meet some new friends in the area and are attending Mommy and Me classes and walking the Rosebowl a few times a week. Our family is also excited to be joining a great community at Central Avenue Church in Glendale.

Please email me if you would like our new address at sarah.s.wedel@gmail.com

Packing up and moving out

It is about that time...the Wedels are moving to Los Angeles this weekend.  From our days at Pepperdine, to the years spent in Palo Alto and now in Santa Barbara, we will no longer live off of the 101 freeway--what a change!  The 210 freeway in Pasadena will be the new main street.

Although we could not be more excited about our move to Pasadena and the thought of being so close to family and friends, we do need to reflect on the last 12 months and what they have meant to us.

Exactly one year ago from this weekend, I was just about 8 weeks pregnant, Collin had just finished taking the Bar Exam, and we were setting up house at our little cottage in Santa Barbara. It was Fiesta weekend in Santa Barbara which meant confetti covered the streets of our new town. This year, we will take our 4 1/2 month old to the Fiesta festivities, Collin will finish up his clerkship before beginning his career at Sidley Austin, and we will set up home on the corner of Lake Avenue and Walnut in Pasadena.

Santa Barbara will always hold a very special place in our family's heart.  The months leading up to Jude's birth were filled with heartfelt anticipation, nursery preparation, long walks, beach trips, sunsets, and date nights.  Since Jude's birth in March, our days have not just been filled with diaper changes, feedings, and tummy time, they have been consumed by heartfelt adoration, walks on the beach, sunrises (from our bed), and family nights. I know Jude will never remember the decorations in his nursery here nor the playtime we had in our front yard, but he will know that he was born in a beautiful and sunny city and had a loving home and community here.

We have spent many weekend afternoons walking the shores at Hendry's Beach and Butterfly Beach, evenings taking in the sunset at Shoreline Park and Franceschi Park, and lunches at Crush Cakes and Jeanine's. Of course, we have also loved to frequent McConnel's Ice Cream, Spice Avenue, Via Maestra 42, the winery on the pier, and the French Press. Another favorite restaurant is Los Agaves.  We actually had dinner there for the first time while I was in labor--Jude was born about 12 hours later. I have loved walking to Alice Keck Park, the mission, Rocky Creek Park, and Elings Park. In the last couple of weeks, we also discovered the fun at The Painted Cabernet and the cinnamon roll goodness at Recipes Bakery. Above all these places though, our favorite spot has been sitting at our table in our front yard under the avocado tree with Jude in our laps enjoying a home-cooked meal (or take-out).

We have met so many wonderful people here during such a short amount of time.  Our church community has blessed us immensely with their friendship and support.  Colleagues of Collin's, mommy friends of mine, and the caring individuals I met during my pregnancy have all made this year so full of joy!  Thank you, you know who you are :) 

Plans for the next month or so: We move to Pasadena this coming weekend.  Collin will be back up in SB for the work week, Jude and I will set up house, and then we will all head to Tucson for 3 weeks on August 11th.  After a wonderful stay with the Wedel family in Arizona, we will be back in Pasadena.  Collin starts at Sidley Austin in downtown LA the week after Labor Day.  After 4 years of college, 3 years in the Bay Area, and 1 year in SB, the plan is to call LA home!

Enjoy some pics from our year in Santa Barbara!

Our cottage

view of SB rooftops from the tower at the Courthouse

sunset walk on the beach

6 months pregnant with our little xmas tree

Bar swearing in ceremony - Dec. 2011

8 months pregnant belly--sitting in the sand

Bismarck cuddling with my 9 month pregnant belly

proud daddy

leaving the hospital

wine tasting on the pier

resting on the couch

Daddy giving a bottle under the avocado tree

Father's Day

walk on the beach

all smiles

playtime in the front yard

walking to McConnels for some ice cream

This one's for the dads!

Happy Father's Day (2 days early)! In celebration of our family's first Father's Day, I want to take a few minutes to celebrate all of the men in my life.  I am so blessed to know that my son will grow up in a family full of strong, caring, and loving male role models.  Jude has a perfect daddy, two doting grandpas, one caring great-grandpa, and five supportive uncles who will all guide him, protect him, teach him, come along side him, and love him. Jude also has the perfect love and grace of our heavenly father!

My best friend, the love of my life, and now the father of my son, Collin is truly an incredible man, and I am so blessed to have him in my life.  Each day I discover something new I love about him! After almost 7 years together, nearly 4 years of marriage, and 3 months of parenthood, it just keeps getting better and better! On behalf of Jude, I have to say that he is an incredible daddy!  I love listening to the two of them have conversations, watching them look at one another, and hearing Collin sing to him.  There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the man you love smile and kiss your son--it is perfection. I want to thank him for giving me such a beautiful baby boy and for being the perfect father to Jude.

I also would like to honor my own father who has consistently been a wonderful man in my life.  He has always loved me, guided me, and inspired me throughout the past 26 years.  It is a beautiful joy to be his daughter, and I am proud to be a daddy's girl! Watching him care for Jude has given me a glimpse into just how many precious moments he must have shared with Rob and me while we were infants. Jude loves being held by his Papa Chip and listening to him sing and tell stories about their future camping trips.  I want to thank my dad for nurturing me and my son!

I would also like to thank my father-in-law Rick for raising such a wonderful son and for loving our little Jude so much.  He is a wonderful Poppa to our little guy, and I know the two will share many memories together over music, great books, and when he is much older, bourbon. Rick, Collin, and now Jude all share the impressive middle name of Partington. Rick has taken a couple thousand pictures of Jude already, and I could not be more grateful for that collection of keepsakes!  Rick has also been a very caring man in my life, and I am so grateful for how he loves me like a daughter.  I would like to thank him for welcoming me into his family and for loving our little guy.

My Papa Frank, Jude's great-grandpa, is another wonderful man worthy of thanks. I have always shared a special bond with my Papa Frank and love spending time with him.  He is so kind and caring, and I am so grateful Jude has been able to be held by him!

God has blessed me with some wonderful "fathers" in my life, and I know Jude will grow into a wonderful man one day because of the example these men set for him.  Thank you to them in advance for sharing your love with Jude. Happy Father's Day...we all love you!

Too much fun with our little guy!

Jude is now 10 weeks old and is growing into quite the little man.  He is 12 pounds 12 ounces and 23 1/2 inches tall! We are so grateful to God for blessing us with such a perfectly healthy and happy baby boy.  His precious smiles and adorable voice remind us daily how beautiful life is and just how good God is.  What a gift he is!

Jude and the judge

Jude with his nana

We have had quite the fun these past few weeks.  Earlier this month, Collin's parents visited us from Arizona.  Jude loved hanging out with his Nana and Poppa.  We visited the mission, went for walks on the beach, and enjoyed some delicious meals out. That weekend, Jude met the judge for the first time.  Collin's judge is a natural with babies--Jude loved him immediately.

Getting ready for the weekend away in Cambria!

For Mother's Day, Jude and Collin took me to Cambria with my parents.  Collin took care of Jude while I got to go for a run along the coast.  Later, we went out for a nice lunch and went wine tasting.  That evening,  Collin and my dad made a gourmet dinner for my mom and me at Moonstone Beach.  They cooked salmon with dill and roasted vegetables all on the grill.  It was delicious!  Jude also gave me a strand of pearls that Collin's dad had given Collin's mom on the Mother's Day after Collin was born.  The pearls are beautiful, and I can't wait to one day pass them onto Jude's future wife when they have children (oh wow!).

All bundled up for our dinner on the beach

Jude also had his first visit to the beach a couple of weeks ago.  My cousin Julie and her daughter Kiran visited us in Santa Barbara for a couple of days, and we spent a morning at Hendry's Beach.  I made a little tent for Jude, so he would be protected from the sun.  He took a little nap, and I was able to go play in the waves with Kiran.  Later that weekend, Jude and I spent the day at Bacara Resort with my parents.  Jude hung out with my mom under an umbrella while I went swimming.

Jude lounging by the pool at Bacara.

Future tennis player?!

The three of us spent Memorial Day weekend with my parents, Rob, and Kelly in La Quinta near Palm Springs.  We had a fabulous weekend.  Jude spent most of his time inside the cool hotel room or under an umbrella, but Collin and I enjoyed the sun.  Collin played golf and tennis, and I went for a few runs, went swimming, and lounged by the pool. Jude loved having time with his Uncle Rob and Aunt Kelly! We wish they lived closer.

First Date Night - Coldplay at the Hollywood Bowl!

Collin and I ventured off to LA for our first date night, and it was a blast!  I spent Wednesday morning getting our things together--who knew a 6 week old required so much baggage?!  I did three loads of laundry and packed up the diapers, burp cloths, blankets, extra outfits, and his plug (pacifier).  I also put together the different bottles as to increase the chances of Jude taking one...and of course stored the milk I had pumped over the last few days preparing for our night away.  Jude and I also managed to get a walk in before Collin arrived home after his half day of work ready for our little road trip to LA.

We made it to my parents' house with a little bit of time before taking off for the concert.  Collin and I left our little guy with my mom (Two-Mommy), dad (Papa Chip), cousin, and her husband.  I think between the four of them they have about 100 years of parenting experience--he was definitely in good hands!

We arrived early to the concert and enjoyed a delicious picnic dinner from Marston's (http://www.marstonsrestaurant.com/picnic).  Our good friends, Caitlin and Willis Robertson, met up with us for the show, and we all had a blast.  Coldplay truly put on an incredible performance.  The special effects were amazing, and they played all of their greatest songs--new and old!  We spent the night on our feet singing all of our favorite songs!  I have to admit--I did check my phone every 5 or 10 minutes to make sure everything was okay, but I was never worried! It was such a treat to sneak away with Collin and enjoy ourselves.  We missed our little guy but truly appreciated a fun evening out! It was a perfect reminder of how important our marriage is and that our love is the most important.  We truly believe that the stronger our relationship is the better parents we can be.  I have never been more in love with my hubby!

My parents reported back that Jude was a little angel for them.  He was a bit fussy with the bottle, but they all persevered! He was playful and enjoyed spending time with Two-Mommy and Papa Chip.

Collin and I made it back to my parents' around midnight, and Jude had already been asleep for a couple of hours.  He slept until 5 AM, I fed him, and we all slept for another hour before having to wake up to hit the road.  Collin made it back to work in Santa Barbara by 9 AM, and Jude and I settled back in at home after our quick 20 hour trip away.  We cuddled up for a late morning nap together and are about to head out for a walk!

Jude is excited to spend this coming weekend with his other set of grandparents.  Nana and Poppa arrive from Tucson tomorrow morning!

1 week old pictures

Our good friends, Maz and Courtney Ameli, were married the day before baby Jude was born.  We were actually in labor while the two were getting hitched.  Unfortunately, we were not able to be there for their big day.  We originally planned to attend with our 2 week old son, but Jude took his time and showed up 13 days late. The following weekend, the newlyweds called us from the airport on their way home from their honeymoon wondering if they could come visit our little guy. Naturally, we were so excited to see the new Mr. and Mrs. and eager to introduce Jude to them. During their visit, Maz was kind enough to take a few pictures of our little guy on his 1 week birthday!

Our Jude--5 week update!

Jude celebrated his 5 week birthday this past Sunday, and Mommy and Daddy are still in awe of what a miracle new life is!  He is a growing boy, and we love all his extra rolls (and chins!).  We wanted to share some updates on how our little guy is developing and how we are learning new things every day.

Most importantly, Jude is a very healthy little guy.  He eats every few hours during the day, and what a blessing it is that breastfeeding is going perfectly.  I am so grateful to have those feeding times to bond with him and know that he is getting all the nutrients he needs to grow and develop.  He weighs in at just around 11 pounds--a big growth from his 7 pounds 12 ounces at birth.  My arms definitely feel the change. His little umbilical cord stump is yet to fall off--we are quite excited to see his cute little belly button and to give him a real bath when the time comes.

We have to thank Jude for being such a great sleeper.  At 3 weeks old, he would sleep 6 hours straight, wake for a quick feeding, and then sleep another 2 hours.  Now, at 5 weeks old, Jude sleeps 8.5 hours straight at night!  He takes a huge feeding right before bedtime and another one when he wakes up.  We are truly lucky parents to be able to get a full night of sleep.  I know it gives me the energy and patience to be a better mommy to him during the day.  Let's hope this routine of his sticks around. This is him napping in his favorite "Touchdown" position.  At night, he loves to be swaddled.

We are using gDiapers with Jude and are loving how cute they are.  We do have some problems with leaks but are still happy with our choice to use cloth diapers.  They are very soft, stylish, and easy to use.  We also love how friendly the company's staff and website are--it helps us to troubleshoot any problems we have with the diapers.  http://www.gdiapers.com/

We spend our days going for walks, reading books, listening to music, changing diapers, having tummy time, going out, and chatting.  Jude is a great little "talker" and loves to explore his voice. He also likes to be read to.  Right now I am reading Grapes of Wrath out loud to him. I started the book on my due date, got through most of it before he was born 13 days later, and am now finishing it with him.  I assume any language exposure is good at this point.  We also read Dr. Seuss and nursery rhymes to mix it up a bit.

Jude is also just starting to smile and is making great eye contact.  His smiles are usually immediately followed by some sort of bodily function (spitting up, burping, or passing gas), but sometimes they are initiated by Mommy and Daddy's silly voices and faces. Each day, we learn something new about our little guy--what his expressions mean, how to soothe him best, and a new way to show him how we love him.

Collin and I are loving this adventure together.  It is so joyous to find new ways to support one another and demonstrate our love in new ways through this change as our family grows!