The Calm Before the Storm

Hey, quit bugging him. He's playing there and he wants no part in adult supervision. Oh well, let him live his life I guess. 

Just a small peep in a big kitchen corner.

Yeah, I think I like him to stay in that corner. Make sure he stays in that corner. 

Okay, he left the corner. Come on Jude, let's just go back to our corner and stay there. Okay? good. 

Note the size non-difference between the year apart boys. 

I think that you can probably tell that the steam is about to come out of marin's angry little ears. Luckily for you, I have such steamed pictures coming tomorrow. 

Who me? Take a gooooood look at this face before tomorrow's post.

Dirty Bum Seal Beach

We were lucky enough to go visit the seal beach. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to convince her, Jenaeth would not go touch the seals. She chickened out, can you believe it? Talk about a story worth telling. Maybe the monkey bite made her nervous about animals. But these guys? Come on. 

Duet. 

Nothing brings two young chaps together like a nice full garbage can. Nom nom, garbage. 

I'm not sure if you can see it but Marin has a dirty bum. Just joking, you better be able to see it. There was just about one puddle in all of California while we visited and guess who found it? What can I say, he's a genius.  A genius with a wet and dirty butt. 

Chillin. The too cool California attitude really suited Jude well. 

Vaca.

I like to think of this as Jude's growing up picture. He officially is just too cool for pics with mom. He's already mastered his annoying, too cool, teenage boy face, don't you think? 

Just chasing that California sun. I like that you can see Marin and Easten approaching a cliff in the background. I mean, I guess one of us is the more safe parent. It's fine, some people lose touch with safety as they age. 

Jude's attempts to hold hands is rudely ignored by the small boy in the nearby car seat. If only holding hands was more enticing than that small blue maraca. 

I'm not going to say that Marin has inattentive parents. I'll show it. 

Seal beach. More to come. 

Sand Baby

We were able to spend some time in a thing called "sand". Jude has seen it before, but at the stage when all he wanted to do was devour it, so for the most part we stayed away. But now, he only kind of ate it, so he was a free man! 

You may have your thoughts regarding shows like "Teen Mom" and my potential to be in them- though you would be sorely mistaken- but it is become more and more clear that age has no effect on how charming your offspring may be. This, dear friends, family, and facebook strangers alike, it how Jude smiles. When you say smile for the camera you get this. Try to tell me this isn't so cute. 

That's what I thought. 

The California light really just is a good look for the bug, don't you think? But, like any good plus size model, he really can work any light. 

And in response to popular demand- demands maybe made by myself or my mom- here is a picture to just remind you how big Jude's eyes are. You're welcome, me. 

Crib Love

Often when marin would wake up, he would ask for Ba-Du. I mean, when Badu was placed in his bed, he immediately regretted it, but he asked nonetheless. So, let's just say he asked and everyone can marvel at the cuteness. 

Admiring his older, not much bigger, cousin. 

Working very hard. 

The "me dump, you pick up" game. It's a favorite of Jude and apparently Marin as well. 

Surveying his kingdom and his chubby, half nude subject. 

Explaining the rules of the kingdom. And maybe, just maybe, biting a ball in anger because Jude is touching Thomas. Just maybe. 

Listen, Badu. I want you here. But I don't want you to touch anything or look at me, and I want to hit you. Okay? 

California Dreamin

No time for pictures, a man has to run. 

But, wait. Sunchips? Oh, I can stop for one second. This will probably be all I eat today. 

Ahh the milk cup. It was a much sought after prize. There was no real winner or loser. Except for in this particular picture- Jude wins. 

A nice series of Marin being alone, independent and on a mission. This is what I call "hands off" parenting. 

Can't you just feel the love?

I don't know about this kid, Mom. Jude was wise to always keep an eye on Marin. You never know what you'll get with the melon head. 

Hiya! Cousins.

One thing Jude loved during the visit was all the tickles and attention he got from his fam. One thing Marin hated about the visit was all the tickles and attention Jude got from his fam. 

Jude actually took to his Uncle Micah super quickly, I was so surprised! In fact, Easten was very bitter because Jude was giving Micah all of his "eyes" and "tricks". Not to upset the ladies, Jude did begin giving Easten and Jenaeth his best flirts...and yeah, they were good. 

Me and my favorite almost 2 year old!

Jude was hard at work at his independent reading when Marin got other plans. 

Would you trust him?

YOU FOOL! NEVER trust a Marin with a sword. 

I never realized how perfect this series was. It really emphasizes which baby is sweet and which is sinister. 

Actually, Jude holding this vanilla ("ice, ice, baby" as Marin calls it) may have been the cause of the violence. 

In other news, teaching marin to call vanilla "ice ice baby" may be one of the coolest things Easten has ever done in her life.