Happy birthday to me!

It seems as if so much has been going on in the last week or so since I've last posted.  I pulled up pictures and there are lots to share!...of course I'll probably forget to share something. 

Rudy is still an early riser.  He keeps tricking me into thinking that might change, but he always goes back to his 4:30-5:00 am rise time.  On occassion he has gone back to sleep after a quick bottle until about 7:00-8:00, which is amazing but not happening regularly enough to get too excited about.  When he is up, he's up!  Some days we bring him back to bed with us for a little cartoon action...like on this day...Rufus very surprisingly didn't move right away and Rudy sat there "petting" him (hitting him) and zoned out to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

 

His napping is all over the place, too.  Some days he sleeps 5 hours worth of naps.  Other days he sleeps 1 hour.  He HATES going to sleep, especially if people are around or stuff is going on...but can you blame him??  He has so much energy and go that he has been an absolute joy to be around.  So entertaining and so much fun!

We moved bath time to the evenings (in hopes of "winding" him down at night and giving us something to do during his crabby period when nothing distracts him for more than 5 min...especially on those 1 hour worth of nap days).  We also moved him into the big bath tub and he is loving it!  He is still transitioning, though.  He sits in this inflatable duck that he really enjoys

Little stinker (I find myself calling him that a lot these days!)

Rudy is also officially ready for ... Whatever's Next!!  Uncle Kurt the Great came over for a nice visit last week and brought Rudy his shirt.  He has some growing to do, but it will fit in no time I'm sure.

With the weather being abnormally warm for this time of year, we have been getting out and about a lot more and we are all loving it!  Rudy takes a walk at least once a day and we usually get out to run an errand or two, too.

Cruising in his super comfy, cute cart cover Gran made for him

  

As nice as it is to get out, its still next to impossible to plan things at certain times.  His napping schedule is so inconsistent.  I can't wait for the day it becomes "normal" or when he is only taking one nap and it can be at any time-ish, as long as he gets it (that does happen, right??)

His newest obsession is the foot stool in his bedroom.  He can't be in his room without trying to go after it.  He climbs up on it and just stands there.  I wouldn't mind so much except he is bound to hurt himself on it so I have to stay very close by.  We need to get him a low activity table so he can pull himself up on that and play with toys.  Everything we have, besides the foot stool, it too tall for him to pull up on.  I might get to the design board soon and put Grandpa Ray to work :) 

Rudy is so spoiled (in so many ways...obviously).  Here he is sleeping with his Daddy.  He woke up after about 30 minutes from a nap and was still very tired but wouldn't sleep any other way.  He LOVES napping with John.  He doesn't settle enough or get comfortable enough with anyone else like he does with him.  They slept like this for just over an hour...



Ga-Ga sent Rudy some Kentucky socks to wear during the March Madness tournament...go Wildcats!!

Rudy spent the day at Granpa and Grandma Cicci's last week while John was working on our house and I was at work.  Ray sent me this picture in the afternoon... made me laugh out loud and kept me smiling all day...

Rudy got a little too messy during lunch and had to go for a quick dip in the sink

Grandpa Ballweg had his 50th birthday last week!  Tony came in town for the day to hang with Rudy, John and I and then we had dinner and cake at Mom and Dad's to celebrate.  We bought Grandpa some "Beats by Dr. Dre" headphones and a portable radio.  The salesman was laughing at us.  "So you want these amazing headphones and a radio?  He doesn't have an iPod?"  Nope.  Wouldn't want to figure it out and would prefer the radio anyway.  We thought he could get good use out of them while he is mowing grass this summer at work.  He'll be one hip grandpa. 



John had to work on St. Patrick's Day this year which also happened to fall on a Saturday for the parade.  I went back and forth about taking Rudy downtown for it, but eventually decided it was better for him to stay home with Grandma Cicci and I'm glad I decided that!  It was soooo crowded and hot!  I went with Mom and Dad and met up with several of my friends.  We had a good time, but it was even better getting home to Rudy.  I really miss the little bug when I'm not with him. 

Hey, Mom

What's that you're holding?  Give it to me!

Rudy has also learned how to clap and it is adorable.  He hasn't really figured out the "appropriate" time to clap, so it is very random and throughout the day.  He will just sit up and smile and clap.  Too funny.  Some times we hear him waking up on the monitor and think, "maybe he's just adjusting and will fall back asleep" and then we hear the clapping...

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday.  John has to work today, so we bumped up the celebration.  And it was by far the BEST birthday I have ever had!!! 

We took Rudy to see the Easter Bunny at the mall and to get a bunny at Build-a-Bear.  He was such a ham and loved every minute of it. 

Fluffing Hop (Rudy was so intrigued)...

"Kissing" Hop's heart (or chewing it)...

Getting him all stitched up...

So happy!

The last thing Rudy needs is another stuffed animal, but it made a great afternoon and an even greater memory.  Rudy took a good nap when we came home and John made a delicious dinner for us and all of Rudy's grandparents. 

Birthday flowers and balloons from John

Rudy loved the cake and balloons.  He was trying so hard to get after them

And opening gifts might be Rudy's new favorite thing to do.  He had so much fun with all the tissue paper and crinkling bags!

Everyone chipped in and bought me a new video recorder!!  Woo-hoo!!  I can't wait to start a collection of home-videos.  It will be so great to have and much better than my short little iPhone videos, for sure! 

After I put Rudy to bed I came downstairs to hang out with John and I was in tears.  I am so unbelievably blessed to have such a great family and to be so unexplainably in love with my boys.  I am just so happy.  Hands down, the greatest birthday yet.    

I left Rudy to play in his crib while I showered this morning and this is how I found him...silly grin and all!

10 more days until we close on the new house.  The date and time are set...March 30, 2012 at 8:30 am.  I have an idea of what my first video will be!