After visiting Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon in October we decided to make the goal of taking Jude to all five of Utah's National Parks before he turned one. The weekend before Christmas we went down to Moab to visit Arches and Canyonlands, as well as Dead Horse Point. The town and parks were quiet, peaceful and even got a bit of snow. There is something magical about the desert in the snow. It was windy and 17 degrees at the Needles Overlook so we only got out for a minute to enjoy the view. The drive out there was stunning and covered in fresh, sparkling snow. Arches was sunny and warm compared to the overlook so we hiked to Skyline Arch, Sand Dune Arch Broken Arch and the Delicate Arch overlook. At sunset Sam took some pictures of Turret Arch while I nursed Jude in the car. We also drove to Dead Horse Point and the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands. We had never been to Moab in December before and we loved how quiet and peaceful it was. I want to make it a tradition!
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I haven't posted about a hometown adventure since before I had Jude! We feel so lucky to live in Utah and have such beautiful places to explore all around us. This Saturday we went up to the Uintas to hike one of our favorite winter trails, Shingle Creek. A lot of people hike this trail in the winter so anytime we have gone the snow as been packed down enough to not need snow shoes. Jude started whimpering a little in his backpack and I thought he might want to nurse but when we took him out we realized he just wanted to play in the snow. I stepped off the trail to have somewhere to set the backpack down and take him out and he thought it was pretty funny when we sank down into the snow. We turned around after we stopped to play in the snow because Jude's socks got a little bit wet and we didn't want him to get cold. Showing Jude all the beautiful places we love to explore is one of our favorite things about being parents. Thanks for being such a curious little advenurer, Bug!
Eight months sounds so grown up! Little Juderbug is definitely in a new stage of babyhood. He is increasingly mobile, independent and social. He babbles all day long, scoots and attempts to crawl all over the place, is curious about everything and is starting to want to do things by himself. Clothes Size: Starting to grow out of 6-9 months. Wears mostly 6-12 and 9-12 month. His snow suit is 12-18 months and his snow boots are 12-18 months. Any new clothes I buy in 12-18 months because he is growing so quickly!
Height and Weight: Not sure about height but weight is approximately 20 pounds. Growing like a weed! Health: Perfect health! Sleep: He has gotten so good at falling asleep on his own for naps and bedtime! I think the sound machine helps. He usually takes three naps a day, typically from 9-10:30 ish, 12:30-2 ish, and 4-5 ish. He goes to bed at 7, usually waking once or twice in the night and sleeping until around 7:30 in the morning. He used to wake up at 6:30 and all of sudden started sleeping in later and we are loving it! He slept through the night the other night for the first time (there have been a few other times where he is slept through the night but then woken up extra early, like 5:30 early so I'm not sure if those count) so here's to hoping that becomes a habit! Diet: Nurses about 5-6 times a day. Eats three meals a day: purees: bananas, applesauce, spinach, peas, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, baby oatmeal. Thanksgiving: tried mashed potatoes and turkey! Finger foods: yogurt melts, fruit melts, puffs, teething biscuits. And we are starting to give him little bits of table foods, like pasta! Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove, Baby Goobs, Baby Goose, Little Love, Munchkin, Dumpling, Baby Boy, Little One Likes:
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Happy seven months to the funniest, happiest, sweetest little love! You make every day the best day, Juderbug Steele. Clothes Size: Mostly 6-9 and 6-12 month. Still fits into some 3-6 month clothes and 2-4 month H&M pants!
Health: Excellent health! Sleep: He has been napping so well! We have been working on him falling asleep by himself in his crib for naps. He takes three naps a day and they are usually for 1-2 hours each. He can be up for 2-3 hours at a time now and loves playing! At night he usually wakes up once but every once in awhile he wakes up a few times in the night. He is very snuggly these days and gives lots of hugs and kisses all night long. Diet: This kid loves food! He still nurses about 6 times a day and also eats food 3 meals a day. He loves bananas, applesauce, peaches, pears, yogurt, peas, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, green beans and zucchini! The only things he hasn't loved are eggs and avocado. Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove, Baby Goobs, Baby Goose, Little Love, Munchkin, Dumpling, Baby Boy, Little One Likes:
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Happy half birthday, Jude! This munchkin has the sweetest, most playful personality. He has a sense of humor and is always making faces to make us laugh. He loves being outside and going on adventures. He makes the cutest face when he is proud of his accomplishment and we sure are proud to be his parents. We love you, baby bug. Clothes Size: Mostly 6-9 and 6-12 month. Still fits into some 3-6 month clothes and 2-4 month H&M pants!
Weight and Height: 17 pounds 15 ounces. 28 inches. Health: Excellent health! Sleep: Usually three naps per day, sometimes 4 if the first few are short. His nighttime sleep this month has not been great due to teething. He has been waking up several times in the night, sometimes crying or screaming because of his little teeth. Last night he went back to only waking up once to nurse though. We are hoping he goes back to the once a night routine! Diet: Mama's Milk and he tried banana for the first time yesterday and loved it! We are going to try giving him sweet potatoes and carrots later this week. Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove, Baby Goobs, Baby Goose, Little Love, Munchkin, Dumpling, Baby Boy, Little One Likes:
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Yesterday our sweet baby boy turned five months! He is curious, affectionate, happy, and eager to be independent and on the move. Clothes Size: Still some 3-6 month (and a couple 2-4 month...H&M has weird sizing) but moving into 6-9 month and 6-12 month size! He's growing fast!
Health: Excellent health and happy as always. Sleep: Usually three naps per day: one morning, one midday and one late afternoon. He is wanting to take shorter naps these days so we are working on that. We are also working on making sure he can go down for naps in his pack and play (he usually sleeps in our bed) as we are looking forward to ski season aka grandma gets to babysit! He is sleeping really well at night. He goes down at 7:30, wakes up once or twice to nurse and then wakes up between 6:30 and 7:30. The whole time Daddy was in Berlin he woke up at 7:30! I really needed that. Thanks, baby boy. Diet: Mama's Milk. He is getting more interested in food though so we will probably be starting that in the next few weeks! Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove, Baby Goobs, Baby Goose, Little Love, Munchkin, Dumpling, Baby Boy, Little One Likes:
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Clothes Size: 3-6 months
Height and Weight: 25 1/2 inches tall and 16 pounds 6 ounces Health: Excellent health! Sleep: We have transitioned to three naps a day and an earlier bedtime. He goes to bed at 7:30 pm, I feed him at 10 ish before I go to bed (he stays asleep while he nurses...I don't know how this works but it's awesome), wakes up around 3 to nurse and then wakes up for the day at 6:30 am. He naps from around 8:30-10 (though sometimes its only til 9:30, sometimes til 10:30... we are strict about bedtime and wake up time but a little more flexible with naps), naps again from around noon to 2 and then 4 to 5. He can stay awake for 2 hours at a time now and loves playing! Diet: Mama's Milk Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove, Baby Goobs, Baby Goose, Little Love, Munchkin... How is this kid ever going to know his real name? Likes:
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Jude turned three months last Sunday, July 10. He is a babbling, drooling, kicking baby now and is learning and growing every day. Clothes Size: 3-6 months
Health: Excellent health! Sleep: Wakes up 1-2 times a night. Goes to sleep at 9 pm and wakes up at 6:30 am (except today. Today he woke up at 5:30 am. Too early, baby bug!) 4 bigger naps (2 morning, 2 afternoon) and one smaller power nap (evening) per day. Usually naps around 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm. Diet: Exclusively breastfed. Eats 7-8 times per day, usually around 6:30 am, 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 9 pm sometimes with an additional evening feed. We are liking our schedule but also like to keep it flexible. If he is hungry, I feed him! Nicknames: Juderbug, Baby Bug, Bug, Babes, Mr. Jude, Buggaboo, Love Bug, Punkin, Juderlove Likes:
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Little Jude is already two months old! Now that I've caught up on his one month update I can hopefully stay on track with each month from now on. Jude is more fun and playful every day! He is smiling and wiggling like crazy and growing fast. We love him more every day! Clothes Size: 0-3 months. His footie pajamas are getting a little snug in this size though! Weight and Height: 13.1 pounds and 24 inches long. Health: Excellent health. We had his two month appointment today and he had to get three shots. He cried loudly for just a couple minutes and then calmed down pretty fast. Brave baby boy! Sleep: We are officially on a schedule as of a few days ago! It's very much based off of his natural eating and sleeping rhythms so it is working very well. We are loving the predictability! Jude has five naps a day: two morning, two afternoon and one short evening nap. I think he will soon be moving to four naps a day and get rid of the small evening nap. He usually wakes up once a night around 2-3 am to eat. He has been waking up at 5:45 am for snuggles and then we feed and get up at 6:30 am. Let's try sleeping until 6:30 little one! Diet: Exclusively breastfed and eats about 8 times per day. Likes:
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So I am obviously a little late with this one since little Juderbug is already two months old but I wanted to make sure I keep track of every month! I'm writing this as though I were writing it the week he turned one month old. Life with a little baby means much less time for blog updates and much more time for snuggles and showing our little one this beautiful world. Clothes Size: Newborn
Weight and Height: 10 pounds and 21 inches long. Health: Very healthy! Eating well and growing like a champ! Sleep: He naps well throughout the day and wakes up twice at night, usually at 1:00 am and 4:30 am. He doesn't have a schedule yet. We are trying to figure out his rhythms right now. He is good at falling asleep by himself and sleeps sometimes with a pacifier and sometimes without. He sleeps in his cosleeper, bassinet, stroller, carrier, in the car...This kid can sleep anywhere! Diet: Exclusively breastfed and eats about 10 times per day. Likes:
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Bumpdate #12: 38 Weeks Baby is about the size of a pumpkin! Total weight gain: About 27 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Only one of Sam's jackets fits me now. Maternity leggings (they are getting holes from so much wear!), maternity jeans, maternity shirts, Sam's shirts. I just recently had the realization that one day I get to wear regular clothes again! Stretch marks: No stretch marks. Lots of cocoa butter and belly balm. Belly button: Outie. Wedding ring: On. Movement: I frequently feel a foot pushing out on my right side near my ribs. Baby gets hiccups every day. Lots of movement in the morning and right before bed. Sleep: I wake up many times every night to go to the bathroom and usually one of those times I have a hard time going back to sleep recently. Heartburn has also been waking me up. However, when I'm asleep I sleep really well and I have been taking naps! Cravings: No cravings. Last doctor appointment: We go every week these days so we had an appointment with our midwife on Tuesday. Everything is looking great! Measuring right on, both baby and I are healthy. In fact, my midwife said she wishes she could clone be and have all of her moms be as healthy and easy. She also said to be ready but also keep living our lives. What a strange time of life. Feeling: This morning I had the thought "We are having a baby THIS MONTH!" Even if baby is late (my midwife will induce if it's a week past my due date), that is still only 3 weeks from now. We are so excited and can't believe we get to meet our little one in the next 0-3 weeks! I'm also excited at the idea of not being pregnant anymore. Mostly I have loved being pregnant (at least the second and third trimesters), and I especially love feeling all of baby's little kicks and movements, but I am looking forward to being able to easily put on shoes, easily turn to look out the back of my car when I back up, not wake up to heartburn every night, wear regular clothes, etc. We are also continuing with nesting mode. I've been scrubbing baseboards and stocking the freezer and organizing baby clothes! Missing anything: Non-maternity jeans, beer, easily backing out of a parking spot Best moments this week:
Bumpdate #11: 36 Weeks Baby is about the size of a honeydew melon! *Last week I wrote that baby was the size of a honeydew but honeydew is actually 36 weeks. Last week baby was the size of a coconut! Total weight gain: About 25 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I wear a variation of the same thing every day: maternity leggings, sneakers, one of Sam's shirts or one of my two maternity shirts, a cardigan or Sam's hoodie and a scarf. Stretch marks: Still no stretch marks. Yay for cocoa butter and belly balm. Belly button: Outie. Starting to see it poke through my shirt! Wedding ring: On Movement: Constant, which is making me think that baby is a boy. :) The other morning Sam counted the baby kick 34 times in a minute and yesterday the baby body checked me so hard I thought he/she was trying to get me to fall out of bed. Very funny, little one. Sleep: Sleeping well! I have to get up a few times every night to go to the bathroom but I haven't experienced any of the dreaded third trimester insomnia yet. I feel lucky that I'm still sleeping so well! Cravings: Still apricots and they are still out of season. :( Last doctor appointment: We had one on Friday and have appointments every week now. Baby has dropped and I'm measuring right at 36 weeks! We are right on track! Feeling: Hips and back are tired but feeling pretty great for the most part. Honestly I thought I would feel more pregnant at this point but I guess since I have been gradually getting more and more pregnant it doesn't feel as extreme as I expected. Still walking and making the most of the spring weather (before we get snow again tomorrow.) I can't believe we get to meet our baby in just a few weeks! Heartburn isn't quite as bad now that baby has dropped. Missing anything: Lying on stomach and back, yoga, bouldering, a world without heartburn Best moments this week:
Bumpdate #10: 35 Weeks Baby is about the size of a coconut! Total weight gain: About 22 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Maternity leggings and maternity jeans, maternity shirts (although my button-down maternity shirts are looking a little short with the bump these days!) or Sam shirts, open cardigans and jackets. Regular bikinis fit fine in Vegas! Shoes fit fine. Stretch marks: Palmer's Cocoa Butter and Honest Company Belly Balm. No stretch marks! Knock on wood. Belly button: Very much an outie. Wedding ring: On Movement: Kicks in my ribs anytime I slouch (thanks for helping me with my posture, baby), tons of movement all day, especially early morning and when I get in bed to go to sleep. Sleep: Still pretty good. It's sometimes hard to fall asleep because of heartburn (yay Tums!) and hard to fall back asleep after getting up to go to the bathroom but besides that I am still sleeping comfortably. Cravings: Still apricots and they are still out of season. :( Last doctor appointment: We had one last Tuesday. Everything is looking great! Baby is head down, blood pressure is great. Everyone is very healthy! Feeling: A little more pressure in my chest just from baby's current size. Still hiking and walking almost every day! Getting very excited to meet our little one. I can't believe our due date is only 5 weeks away! People keep telling me the last month feels really long but I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to speed by. Missing anything: Lying on my stomach, lying on flat on my back, putting shoes on easily, skiing, beer Best moments this month:
Since Baby Noertker is due in just 5 weeks (!!!) I took a little girls trip to Vegas with my lovely friend Erika. We were in need of some vitamin D so we picked a hotel with a fabulous pool where we could soak up the sun. One of our days was not quite warm enough for the pool so we headed to Valley of Fire State Park to do some hiking. It was absolutely beautiful! We hiked through a slot canyon and hiked to the stunning "Fire Wave." A lot of people made comments about me carrying two and one lady even told me to get out of there because she had a baby at 8 months pregnant. Luckily, no babies were born on our girls trip.
Since I'm not working (thanks, Sam!) in preparation for baby's arrival and being a stay-at-home mom, I've been taking advantage of my time by crafting some things for baby's room. This leaf mobile was easy to make and adds some much needed but gender neutral color to baby's room! Step One: Gather/purchase materials.
Step Two: Draw and cut out leaf shapes.
Step Three: Attach leaves to embroidery hoop.
Step Four: Repeat with more leaves and embroidery floss until you have desired number of leaves hanging from hoop. Step Five: Add embroidery floss for hanging and finish with ribbon.
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