A Bennet Pregnancy: Beginning to End

As the saying goes; time flies when you're having fun. Never was this more true than during the 40 (actually 41) weeks it took to cook little Jude to the right temperature.

After spending hours sifting through the hundreds of photos we took over the course of those 10 months, we were able to put together a comprehensive slideshow of what a Bennet pregnancy looks (and sounds) like. Weddings, birthdays, camping, baseball games, and vacations. We captured it all in chronological order for our (and perhaps your) viewing pleasure.

Many friends and family are included in the video, as you all played such a big part during that amazing time. There was a lot of laughing and a lot of memories leading up to the birth of Jude. This helps us to preserve them. Enjoy....

Before you click play, know that this video is almost 20 minutes long. We told you it was comprehensive!

JB & JG, BFF's

I know, I know, the term 'BFF' gets thrown around A LOT. Especially when you get two babies together, they have to be "besties", right? Well, whatever you call it, seeing a couple of cuties like this together could even get Ken Griggs to smile (for those who don't know Ken, imagine a ginger haired Ebenezer Scrooge).

Thanks to the Girdlers for making time to swing by on their Saturday family trip to Brookfield Zoo. Always great to hang out with Brian, Brynn and little Jacob. The last time they visited, Jacob wasn't crawling and Jude couldn't even hold his head up. Man, time is flying...

THEN

 

 NOW

Whoa...how you do that? 

It's easy, just put your feet under you, and stand up.

Man that looks good

Dad, can I have one? 

Teamwork

Pretty sure Brian was doing one of his many impressions here. Jude is impressed.

playtime

Watch for FALLing Pumpkins

What a great time of year. This Fall in the Chicago area has been a gorgeous one. The temps have been mild, the sun has been out and the leaves have been beautiful.

A couple weeks ago Jude's Gigi (Great Grandma Waugh) made the trip up for some Jude time. While she was up here we made our way to Didier Farms, a pumpkin patch'ish sort of farm just up the road in Lincolnshire, IL. This place had it all; animals, carnival rides, hayrack rides, CAMEL rides, birds, food and yes, pumpkins. It was a great afternoon with another amazing weather day. And as always, we took about a million pictures (350 to be exact).

Here's some of our favorites, but trust, there are many, many more where these came from.

Covered Bridge Festival 2011

It's that time of year again. The air is crisp and so are the apples. The leaves are falling as fast as the temperature, and the thought of (gulp) Winter is not far away. Fall brings a lot of great things along with it; Bears Football, Blackhawks Hockey, and (this year anyway) another World Series appearance by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fall is great, but nothing quite compares to a weekend in rural (very rural) Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival. This year marks our 5th year going as a couple, but for Ashleigh and her family, it's been an annual trip since childhood.

If you've never been to the Covered Bridge Festival, allow me to summarize; camping, Fall colors, fried foods, painted snowmen, funny belt buckles, more fried food, knockoff designer handbags, clothes made for dogs, lots of things made out of wood, and yes, even the occasional covered bridge.

It's a long two days of walking and eating, but it's always great to be outdoors in the cool air. Plus, anywhere that it's socially acceptable to eat a ribeye steak sandwich before 10 a.m. is OK with me.

This year's weather was fantastic, albeit a bit windy. Jude enjoyed the great outdoors, despite getting over a little sniffle. He slept pretty good both nights, and when it got chilly, snuggled with mom and dad in bed. Thanks to Kim and Richard for showing us another great time in the backwoods of Indy. You really know how to show us a great time....and cook a mean HUGE marshmallow s'more. We'll see you next year!

Day 1: In the parking lot getting ready to head into the madness

Jude modeling the new Giraffe hat MaMaw got him, and Ash getting the campsite ready

Our humble abode for the weekend, and a slightly worn sign greeting us

Jude had mixed emotions about the leaves. He was a bit scared at first, but then jumped right in

The bridge and barn in Bridgeton, IN (clever name I know), and Jude enjoying the green grass

Above and below are some family pics we took below the bridge. What a beautiful day!

Some of the fine products for sale at this lovely festival. Belt buckles expressing your political and/or personal outlook on life, as well as silverware turned into windchimes. What's not to love!?

Jude hitching a ride through the woods, and then enjoying the campfire 

Just when you thought he couldn't get any cuter......

And a special Happy Birthday to PaPaw Richard!!!

The World Series begins tonight, featuring our favorite team the St. Louis Cardinals. This video should provide some indication as to how excited we are...

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Spinnin' the Spinner

As we all know, Jude loves his Jumparoo, and has since he was about two months old. But as he's gotten bigger he's discovered that the Jumparoo has more to offer than just bouncing uncontrollably up and down for hours on end. There are purple rhino's, dangling monkey's, and yes, a clear plastic spinning cylinder with an alligator on the inside.

The latter seems to have become Jude's favorite. When he's not trying to jump out of his seat and onto the floor, he's staring at this plastic alligator cylinder, and spinning it with his thumb. It's adorable and pretty hilarious to watch him flick that thing over and over again. Not sure if this is an indicator of what is to come, but perhaps he'll be a professional Golden Tee player!?

Ninja Hands with Mommy

Since he's been just a little guy (ha!), Jude's always done this little thing with his hands where he brings them up slowly in a karate position, sort of like a Ninja. Recently, he started going from that position to clapping, which we think he might have been trying to do the whole time. Either way, it's super cute.

Here's a video of a little Ninja hands action with Mommy.

Music to Our Ears

Probably the best $20 we spent in Mexico was on a tiny little guitar for Jude. Whenever I (John) play at home Jude will crawl close and likes to reach up and hit the front with his hand, like a little drummer boy. He loves the sounds a guitar makes, and whenever we leave our door open, the first thing he does is crawl for my guitar stand.

So the other day I finally gave him his new present. His eyes lit up and he seems to really like it. At first there was a lot of slapping and shaking the MBG (Mexican baby guitar). He wasn't getting too much sound out of it, as you might guess. And then this morning, with Aunt Nessa supporting him, he laid down a few tasty licks. Perhaps a taste of what's to come down the road (multi millionaire recording artist Jude Bennet. Too soon?).