Sunday Special

Some retail outlets and restaurants have specials on given days, and well every Sunday is special for us as a family day…but today was extra special for both of you.

Today started out as sort of a usual special Sunday, Daddy got up early with you Jude to check out the morning news, and then within about thirty minutes we went back upstairs and joined your sister, Emilia.

Typically, Daddy would make a special Sunday breakfast for all of us to share together, but today Daddy was suffering an unbearable tooth ache and so he made you your breakfast banana oatmeal with fresh blueberries breakfast, Jude, and when we went upstairs a short time later, Daddy then made you, Bodhi, some fresh cantaloupe (which you, Jude, decided to share!).  Daddy just didn’t feel up to making breakfast, and indeed when Mommy got up to join us, Daddy then went back to bed after taking some medicine for the pain.

Sometime later Daddy got up again, and made off to the store to find some over-the-counter toothache medicine to rub on his tooth, his prescription pain medication is simply not doing the job!!! By the time Daddy made it back home, the two of you were off to naps and Mommy and Daddy then worked to get caught up on many work projects, though again Daddy didn’t last long as his toothache is so bad L he had to again take some medicine and just go to bed!

When Daddy again wakened, he learned of a very special Sunday special for each of you, GiGi came over to get the two of you to watch through the afternoon, she insisted on spending time with you both, so Mommy and Daddy continued to get some work done (a busy week ahead, Mommy and Daddy going out of town Tuesday, and Friday a special birthday for a special, special girl!). Indeed, Grandma Betty called to plan some secret birthday plans for a special little girl and a special little boyJJ.

Mommy kept busily working, Daddy kept busy trying to combat toothache pain, doing some work, then back to bed, doing some work, then back to bed, doing some work, then back to bed…yikes…honestly, Daddy is hurting sooooooooooooooooo bad!

GiGi brought two very happy little people back home around 7:30 p.m. and shortly thereafter Jude was off to bedtime nursing with Mommy, and Daddy and Emilia Bodhi watched Dora and Diego together before bedtime for her as well.  Mommy had to visit a client but then came home and read you, Bodhi, a bedtime story and tucked you into bed.  All-in-all, a Sunday Special for two special children…and either the end of a long, long week or the beginning of a long, long new oneJ.

If anyone out there in Mellow Brick Road land know any special incantations for toothaches, we sure would appreciate any/all thoughts and meditations!

Peace you two little hippiesJ!!!

Official "Fish"/"Kissy" face :)



Dazed and Confused with some yogurt on her mouth!  Not a good look hee/hee

Bubby, you walk around with your arms all scrunched up hee/hee

Must have been something in the yogurt... Dazed and confused, just like sister ;)-

"Gi Gi!!!!"

More snacking...

Bodhi girl, Momma framed your art, and created my own decorative matte surrounding it.  I also included a picture of you painting the picture :)  You are too cute!

Family photo project! 
Finally, some pictures are up, now we'll be collecting frames to add until the wall is filled from floor to ceiling :)

Hugs and Kisses

Bodhi, as expected, you slept in, and Juder's you were up and at em' early.  However, while Daddy was at work, Mommy managed to sneak in a shower while you played in your play yard, Jude.  Mommy got you both up, clothed, and fed just in time for Daddy to arrive home from work and then we were all off to the Farmer's Market.  We purchased our usual Amish eggs, hot salsa, and Daddy bought two mini Amish pies.  You both seem to enjoy our trip to the market each Saturday.  Someone always comments about how cute the two of you are :)  Daddy wasn't feeling well again today.  His teeth are really bothering him.  So, when you two went down for a nap, Daddy went down as well.  We hope Uncle Mike's mouth is feeling better than Daddy's!   Mommy and Grandmoo both went on the hunt for a sofa.  We both are in desperate need of a new one, Mommy more so than Grandmoo :)-  Mommy can only super glue the holes in our leather for so long hee/hee  Anyway, it looks as though Mommy and Grandmoo will be purchasing the same couch. 

When you both woke up from your afternoon nap, Sean Franky stopped by to pick up Daddy's car for the weekend,.  He caught some absolutely precious moments of you two on camera!  Thank you Sean Franky :)  Once Mommy returned home, Daddy wanted to get out of the house.  So, Daddy took us to TJ Max to look around.  You both enjoy shopping for about an hour, but after an hour, you both start fussing.  Once back home, Mommy nursed you to sleep Jude.  Bodhi, you and Daddy curled up on the couch and enjoyed some cartoons together.  Mommy had to check on a client and administer a drug screen, Mommy's least favorite activity!  Once Mommy finished work, I picked up dinner and gave you Bodhi a kiss and hug goodnight.  Today was not very eventful for the two of you, but hopefully tonight Mommy and Daddy will actually get some work done and tomorrow will be dedicated solely to the two of you.  Mommy is excited about going to the Bob Dylan concert in Evansville Tuesday, but I'm already dreading leaving the two of you overnight.  It has my stomach in knots!  I know Sister Kelly will take excellent care of you two, but I really don't want to leave either of you, not even for my all time favorite artist!  Sweet dreams baby butts! 

HUGS! :)

Kisses! :)

Buddha, you love to stick your hands in people's mouths!  Bo Bo, you use to do this too!

Awwwww!!!!

"Amused Buddha" :)

A Mommaless Day

Momma can't tell you two much about your day, Bodhi and Juders... Momma has been on the go go go all day today.  I must say, it was nice getting some time to myself to get things I've been wanting to get done, done.  However, Mommy called to check on Daddy, and he said everyone was fine, but Mommy had to come home and get a baby fix anyway.  I had been away for an hour and you two had awakened from your naps, so I came home to see you both and nurse you, Jude.  Then Mommy was off for a second run.  Grandpa Kurt came by to visit you both and Mommy, but Mommy wasn't home, so he enjoyed a nice visit with you two and Daddy.  He got the biggest kick when you BOTH gave him a kiss and hug goodbye.  Daddy and Grandpa Kurt talked about what an athlete you are going to be Jude man.  They can't get over how coordinated and active you are for your age!  Don't worry Bodhi, Grandpa Kurt thought when I was your age, I was going to take after GiGi and that I wouldn't be into sports, but he was shocked at how athletic and into sports your Momma was, and he says I had enough Grandmoo in me!  Oh, and Juders, you love to play with phones, and Aunt Ti got you to hold the phone to your ear and say "hello," today :)  You said it a couple of times for me when I arrived to pick you and your sister up this afternoon.

This evening, Sister Kelly and the Governor came over while Mommy was out running the streets hee/hee.  Sister Kelly took several funny pictures of Big Arlo, Little Arlo, and Governor Arlo all passed out.  Bodhi, you and Mr. Murff man were the only ones awake.  Juders Mommy had put you to bed, so you were fast asleep in your crib.  Bo, you got to stay up super late!  Mommy and Daddy didn't put you to bed until well after 10pm, it was your Friday night treat.  You were a happy little thing for being up so late.  You are all about your sleep, and you will go to the stairs when you have had enough and are ready for bed.  Mommy was amazed that you stayed up so late :) 

Tomorrow we are all going to the Farmer's Market.  We were going to go visit Aunt Debbie and Aunt Terrie, but Aunt Debbie's husband, Uncle Mike, isn't feeling well.  His teeth are bothering him.  Your Daddy's teeth have been killing him the past week or so as well.  Daddy had his dentist call him in two new prescriptions to help him get through the weekend :(  Mommy hopes both of our special Michaels get to feeling better! 

Ju Ju playing with the animal puzzle Great Great Aunt Chris bought Bodhi last year :)

Buddha, you love animals just like your sister.  You got the biggest kick out of the animal noises... Mommy needs to work with you on animal sounds, Bodhi, knew all her animal sounds by your age, ooops!

"Playful Buddha" ;)

Sleepy boys!

Chillin' with the Papa Bear!

Bo Bo, you put a shoe on all by yourself... you have always had a shoe fetish, and it's rubbed off on your bro too!

Bodhi cleaning all the shoes with her broom :)  Such a good girl!

Taking a break from cleaning shoes, standing in Sister Kelly's shoes watching cartoons!  What a sucka!

You've managed to get more and more binky time each day! Uggggh!

Sleepy Mr. Arlo



Governor Arlo catching some Zzzzzz's



Big Arlo sleeping with the remote!  Such a sucker!

Mr. Murff Man waiting for Momma to return home :(

Bodhi girl waiting for Momma to come home

The start of our family photo (floor to ceiling) wall, the planning stage... the two big frames on each side will display each of your first paintings (Bodhi, Mommy has your first painting from when we went to the IUK Center with the Federspill girls)

Some Bodhi Firsts

Bodhi girl!!!  While Mommy and Daddy were at work, you were at Aunt Ti's having a blast, playing and dancing with all the kids!  You were so excited and having so much fun, you started saying "Ti."  You were also exposed to Justin Bieber (Mommy sadly, until today had not heard any of Justin Bieber's songs), but you liked him and music so much, you sang "Baby, baby, baby, oooooh baby!"   Mommy, unfortunately, did not get to hear you sing, but I did get to hear you say "Ti," and watched you dance around with little Lizzie.  You two are such a hoot and so darn cute.  Ju Ju, you sat on Mommy's lap bopping your head and waving your hand to the beat of the music.  Lizzie at one point, tried dancing with you.  You are as big as she is, you two ended up falling to the floor (no one was hurt though).  

Mommy got you both home and in bed for your afternoon naps.  Bodhi, Mommy awakened you when Ms. Connie arrived for your Speech Therapy appointment.  You cried and cried and cried AND cried.  Ms. Connie felt so bad.  You slept for three hours, you shouldn't have been so tired, but you were. However, Ms. Connie was able to lift your spirits and get you laughing in no time.  Mommy spoke with Ms. Connie regarding all of our concerns with your behaviors, and Ms. Connie, though not licensed to say so, believes you are absolutely not autistic.  She says you make eye contact, you pretend play, and you engage in several other behaviors/activities that autistic children don't do.  Ms. Connie said she'd speak with Ms. Heather, and see what she thought.  Mommy felt much better after talking to Ms. Connie. Mommy has been slacking with teaching you new sign language, so Mommy is going to have to really step it up.  You did actually say "cow," twice.  The first time, Ms. Connie heard you and said, "I think she just said cow," so we listened and asked you to say cow, a few minutes later you said it again :)  Jude, you babble and imitate Ms. Connie's sounds the whole session!  Ms. Connie said, "boy he's right on target with everything, hu?"  With Bodhi, a superstar attention seeker sister, you have to be hee/hee   

After our session, Mommy fed you, Jude man, and Bodhi, Daddy mistakenly gave you fruit right before Mommy was going to feed you, so you didn't want to eat dinner at your usual time.  Mommy then had to make an unannounced drop-in visit on my client and drug screen her, so you two stayed behind with Daddy.  Sister Kelly and the Governor came by this evening and played with you both.  Sister Kelly got you to say "No no Momma, and no no Daddy," all while shaking your head and wagging your finger.  It was hilarious!  Mommy had got you to shake your hand and grunt, but I couldn't get you to put it all together.  Buddha butt, you were fussing when Mommy got back home, so I took you straight to bed, after watching Bodhi tell everyone "No no!"  I think your stomach was bothering you, because you could not get comfortable while nursing.  Bodhi, Daddy put you to bed early, just as Mommy was finishing nursing Jude.  Mommy tried putting you to sleep, but you wanted Daddy to, despite his stressed out bad mood :(-  This week is finals week for Daddy, so the rest of us are walking on egg shells right now Booo! 

After you two were tucked in bed, Mommy went and picked up a painting of Mr. Murff and Mr. Arlo, a friend of Mommy's, Brandi Titus, painted.  Mommy had commissioned her to paint it this time last year, and it's finally done!!! It's so stinkin' cute!  Mommy is hanging it above our piano.  I absolutely love it!  I can't wait for you, Bodhi, to see it tomorrow.  I know you'll notice without anyone saying anything, you notice everything!!!  Ju Ju, Mommy hopes your tummy doesn't keep you from sleeping soundly tonight! Mommy and Daddy love you both so much!  xoxoxo

A Brandi Titus original... Mr. Murff and Mr. Arlo, my painted pups!

Love Love Love!

Emilia and Jude, Bodhi and Buddha, Brother and Sister, Bo and Boo, Monkey and Piggie, Pumpkin head and Puppy!  You two are so special!!! 

Ms. Bodhi and Ms. Lizzie ;)

Juders, you love to rock in the glider by yourself.  Mommy let you rock before putting you to bed :)

Sweet Boy!

Look at those chunky legs :)-

PS  Bo Bo, Mommy didn't get any good pictures of you today, thankfully Aunt Ti snapped a few cute ones... I'll make up for it tomorrow!

A Hard Day’s Night

The Beatles made popular a song by this title, and the sentiment applies to our lives together. Mommy and Daddy each had a long day working, and so you two, Bodhi and Buddha, spent the longer part of the day with Aunt Ti. But when we all got back together there was laughing, and kissing, and hugging, and loving…and it all made the hard day a lot better!

Mommy slept in this morning until 9 a.m. for some much needed rest, and Daddy and Jude started the day very early with the early morning news, to then join Emilia Bodhi in her room where we enjoyed breakfast. Jude chowed down on some banana oatmeal with fresh blueberries, and Emilia enjoyed some fresh cantaloupe mixed with fresh blueberries. After Jude finished his bowl, Emilia began sharing what she had left of her fruit, first with her brother and then she insisted Daddy have some bites too.

When Mommy awakened, again like Daddy promised, both Bodhi and Buddha were dressed and ready to go. Mommy had to get showered and dressed, then off to work she headed, first taking the two of you to Aunt Ti’s. Bodhi, you nodded your head yes when Daddy asked if you wanted to go to Aunt Ti’s and you smiled that smile that I know is your “tell” when you are being (or anticipate being spoiledJ). Buddha, you were your exceptionally happy self this morning, sharing a good many “DAAA’s” your code for “Daddy.” As busy as Mommy and Daddy are with work and appreciative that you both have a safe, loving place to be, we both nonetheless always regret that we just can’t spend the whole day with the two of you---and that is the real explanation for why it was such a hard day.

Today was a first with both of you staying with Aunt Ti through the afternoon, and taking your naps there instead of at home. And sorry that you’re being tagged with a label, Buddha, but Mommy has officially declared you a “Bodhi Blocker” because whenever Mommy attempts to spend time with and show special attention to your sister, well you throw a fit so as to “block” Mommy’s effort to bond with your sisterJ. Mommy did have some alone time with both of you, giving each of you a bath, Jude first while Emilia you and Grandmoo drew chalk pictures in our driveway and on the porch, then you Emilia while Daddy and Jude yukked it up with guy time together. You both smelled like fresh little babies when bedtime hugs and kisses were passed aroundJ 

Sister Kelly, the Governor, and Sean Franky also came by and visited with you both for a while.  Juder's you especially enjoyed all the attention!

Well, Mommy and Daddy are having a late dinner (Daddy made a special tossed salad for mommy and Daddy  (yes, Daddy was on top of his game todayJ, and GiGi brought over some fresh sweet corn,  which Mommy is preparing, then both of us have more work to try to get done before we can settle down for rest.

Both of you, though, are off to dreamland, being entertained by love and imagination in a dream home movie starring the Prince and Princess of IndianaJ…

A rare sight... Sister Kelly without the Bodhi butt!  Ju Ju was tellin' Momma... "Momma, I just want to be loved too!"



"Ha Ha Bodhi Blocker... your attempts were adverted!"



"Look at me... the Governor is playing with me!"  "I love today!"



"Come on Sis, I got the keys, I'll drive!"



Sweet Bo Bo! ;)



Always trickin' someone into giving you a drink!

"Redneck Buddha Belly" ;)

Bubbs with the Bubbs ;)

My Big Boy.. walking around the porch like big people!  You even tried to open the door to let Mr. Arlo out :)

Sweet Boy ;)



Bodhi, you slept at Aunt Ti's...Momma is so proud of you big girl! ;)



Yay!!! Juders fell asleep without the help of a boob! :)-

Growing Concerns

Every morning it never fails hee/hee Daddy can be up for a couple of hours before Momma, since he goes to bed well before me :) and as soon as I walk down the stairs with you, Juders, Daddy jumps in the shower, knowing very well that is where I was headed!  Today was no exception.  So, Mommy decided to shower but instead of washing my hair, I put it in a dirty bun hee/hee   So, this actually freed up a lot of time and we ended up getting to Aunt Ti's on time today (first time in forever).  However, Aunt Ti overslept, which put her off schedule and she was out of whack the rest of the day :(  Mommy and Daddy spent the day working, and you two maintained your routine of Aunt Ti time, followed by a long afternoon nap.  Mommy had to go back to work this evening, so Grandmoo came over to sit with you two for a couple of hours.  GiGi also came by to see you both, and she helped Grandmoo manage you two.  Grandmoo's back went out, so she too was having an off/and bad day.

Bodhi, GiGi is so worried about you, as she expressed to Mommy today.  You are in this "stage," well we all hope it's a stage, where you are fearful of noises, which in itself isn't our complete concern.  You will no longer go outside if you hear something that scares you, and if the noise occurs while you're outside (some days, not everyday) you go into complete melt-down.  Also, you become very frustrated when you are trying to communicate and no one understands what you are saying, again to the point you completely melt down... flailing of arms violently, shaking, crying, screaming, and wanting to be picked up.  Granted, we all anticipated a level of frustration with you not talking, but it's disturbing to everyone around you when you go into melt-down mode.   Now, Mommy believes this is just a developmental stage, but I'm worried like Daddy, GiGi, and Grandmoo, that the manner and intensity to which you react seems a little off.  You definitely march to a different beat, you are so sweet and unique, and you've never really acted like a typical baby/toddler, but you've got us all wondering if we're missing something.  Daddy recalls an incident when you were about Jude's age, ten months, when you fell into the side of the glider in your room, and it left a deep mark on the side of your jaw.  You were always banging that big head of yours on something, and you always had a new bruise or two on your head each week.  However, this deep set injury took forever to go away.  When it happened, you grabbed hold of the side of your face, and ever since then, you always rub your jaw when you become upset or when you are in  complete melt-down mode.  Daddy wants to have you checked out to see if you have some type of old physical injury that is affecting you.  Grandmoo thinks the fact that Mommy was induced, pumped full of drugs for three days since the induction drugs didn't work, and then had to have a c-section, 29 hours after your water broke, and after three days of being induced, this all caused some kind of damage or effected you in some way.  AND we're all wondering if maybe you don't have some form of autism.  Hopefully, we are all wrong, and you are just quirky.  Mommy and Daddy wouldn't characterize your behaviors as bratty, but as if something is off.  Mommy always had this fear, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, as you were Mommy's first born and I have no siblings, but as I've watched your brother develop, my thought that there is something very different about you, becomes more evident.  We know every child is different, but you skipped coo'ing, babbling, and just plain acting like a curious baby.  Recently, Mommy has observed more "typical age appropriate" behaviors from you, since being at Aunt Ti's around other children, however, occasionally I and other's still observe some oddities from you.  You also are very sensitive to touch.  You are obsessed with having a blanket but you have to touch everything, like when you feel your blanket and say "oooooh."  Sometimes, you "freak" when other's touch you.  There's no real pattern to your touching melt-downs though.  You've become more affectionate with me lately, but when you don't want to be held or touched, or when someone tries to redirect you, you sometimes go into melt-down.  One thing EVERYONE agrees on, you are so incredibly smart.  Mommy thinks that might just be the answer to everything.  You have things figured out beyond your years and it's a matter of time before you can verbalize those intellectual thoughts constantly churning in your head.  And maybe, being around other kids, has only confused you, as you've developed and taken on some quirky behaviors of others in an attempt to conform hee/hee Anyway, Daddy is set on getting to the bottom of it, first stop doctor's office.   I will say, Grandmoo is the only one that confirmed my concerns that you are unique from day one.  I being a first time Momma, went to Grandmoo, my Momma with concerns that something was wrong with me for having these thoughts.  She's been on the lookout ever since.

Ju Ju, you HATE your ear drops but you are doing very well.  You seem to sleep much more comfortably, and hopefully you will be sleeping through the night real soon.  Mommy has to ask my nursing friends when and how often I'm supposed to nurse you, once you do start sleeping through the night.  Dr. Zentz told Mommy, your sister needed 24 oz of formula at your age, so I don't know how to gage how much Mommy milk you are getting.  It's evident that you are currently getting plenty hee/hee but I don't want to short you.    You nurse on average five times in a twenty-four hour period... nap time, bedtime, midnight, 3am, and 6am.  After the difficulties and complications I had nursing your sister, it's a miracle I'm still nursing you.  Just goes to show, each baby is different... nursing you has been so easy.

Mommy and Daddy love you two beyond words and there is nothing either of us wouldn't do for you both!  



Bodhi multi-tasking television time with Daddy and the newspaper :)



"Daddy, I thought I was off the hook for pictures today!"  "Momma hasn't had time to follow us around snapping pictures."

"Bedtime Buddha" :)

Buddha, you grabbed the medicine dropper after Mommy finsihed giving you your nightly dose of Benadryl and Tylenol... you were being a little stinker!