Jude's first professional photos

On Friday, November 11th, we took Jude to JCPenney to get his pictures taken. Since we have a very nice Nikon and I'd like to think both Daniel and I are skilled at photography, I originally planned to take all of his photos ourselves. But after visiting the portrait studio "just for fun" and talking to the really awesome photographer and manager there, we were sold. It was too good a deal to pass up. I figured we could just try it and if we weren't impressed, we'd know never to go back. I don't want to regret anything with Jude. I don't want to pass things by and then later wish I'd done it. I only get to do this once so there is no doing things differently with our next baby.

Our experience was great. I was impressed that the photographers got down on the floor with the camera and it wasn't just set up on a tripod, all cookie-cutter and generic. The main photographer also has his own photography business outside of work and he plays in a worship band at his church. It was just perfect. Such an enjoyable experience. He really cared about getting the right shots and adding special touches to make them even more precious.

I absolutely loved being able to do this. Having Jude's pictures taken was one of the little silly things I always wished I could do with Avery. Bringing in my adorably clad baby for people to coo at. Helping to pose him and looking at his irresistable shots at the end, trying to pick favorites to be printed. It made me so happy. And it was worth spending all my birthday money on!

Just one of the many beautiful shots of our sweet boy!

15 weeks

I really can't believe Jude has been here for 15 weeks. He has grown so much, I cannot believe it. To me, he's huge even though he's still pretty small. He's still the size of a newborn, probably around ten pounds right now (he hasn't been weighed since October 21st. Then he was 9lbs). Jude's adjusted age (preemie lingo there) is just six weeks. And I guess he looks it and acts it. Except he seems wiser and more alert. He has had quite a bit of life experience, after all. ;) I wish I was better at taking the time to blog and document things, but it's better late than never, right?

Since my last post, in dwelling on the fact that I can't have anymore children, I have gotten a bit better. Sure, I have my moments where I feel angry about it, or something reminds me of it and I feel bummed for a while, but it's no longer my every waking thought. I'm not allowing it any longer to affect my day to day life with Jude. I would rather ignore it and pretend it's not true until the time where I would have wanted to start trying again for another, when Jude is a few years old. I'll save it for then. And by then, maybe I will have learned to accept it. Or maybe somehow, adoption (or dare I say surrogacy??) will be possible for us. I pray for that. But either way, Jude will be enough if he's my only living child. He's brought more joy in these last 15 weeks than I could have ever imagined. I am so in love with him.

I have many many photos to share of my sweet boy. I haven't shared any since he left the NICU! So here are just "a few":

This was the day after Jude came home from the NICU (9.2). Still so surreal. So wonderful.

Jude's first bath at home! (9.3)

Jude on Labor Day.

Holding Daddy's finger.

Jude's first walk through the neighborhood and his first time in his stroller! (9.8)

Silly hat :)

I love catching those precious smiles in his sleep. <3

Daddy captured this one... My little rockstar!!

Love it! So true!! ;)

So sweet!! (9.25)

Jude on October 2nd, his original due date. He's 9 weeks old here!

Yes, very handsome.

Jude is definitely mommy's dream come true.

Another sweet little smile.

Jude's first time visiting his big sister, Avery. (10.5)

:)

Sleeping on me. I love this.

Silly boy!

Just hangin' out in his bouncy seat.

I can't believe how chubby he looks here. He's come a long way since 3lbs at birth!

Precious boy!

My little family (minus one) on my 28th birthday (10.23)

My baby and me.

I love his expressions.

Gorgeous face.

Daddy and Jude.

Mommy and Jude.

Jude's first Halloween! He was a candy corn! (13 weeks)

Jude fell asleep during tummy time. So cute!

<3

That's all for now. Hopefully I won't wait so long to update next time! ;)