Just shy of his first birthday, Jude has transformed into a wielding Quazi moto with his wild blond fro and equally adventurous escapades. While bathing, one must pay particular attention otherwise he will manage to snatch every shampoo bottle and try nursing them. Although the soap’s acidic flavor is anything but sweet, he never seems deterred and can be found nursing Bumble & Bumble or a personal favorite, the lavender scented Johnson & Johnson bedtime bubble bath.

Speaking of baths, one morning I was taking a shower as Jude was munching away on some cheerios. I heard him toddling over to the bathroom, pausing to roll the fun toilet paper dispenser and explore in a few vanity drawers, then to the shower. Silence. A moment later, the curtain slides open and a giggling, rosy-cheeked baby is staring at his mommy. “Hi Honey!” I shouted over the spray of the water as I instinctively covered my private parts. Curtain slides back. Closed. Seconds later, pulled back again, water spraying across the bathroom and giggling ensuing…This activity lasted until I called for Matt to take Jude as the floor was rapidly transforming into a flood zone.

Jude knows what he likes, and doesn’t stop until he obtains his object of desire. Before, the philosophy of “out of sight, out of mind” ruled, but that has given way to an excellent memory that never forgets where I hide things. He is determined and isn’t afraid to show frustration when things don’t go his way. Unfortunately, it seems he is very similar to both of his stubborn parents.

One development I particularly enjoy is Jude’s ability to imitate and copy sounds and actions. His pediatrician informed me that we need to start brushing his teeth- even those four hard-to-reach back molars. At first, when I attempted to stick the brush in his mouth, Jude pitched a fit. I quickly learned that when a demonstration is provided- “See Jude, Mommy is brushing her teeth. Uma ham ijaihe nkano Jude?” – he’s highly inclined to repeat the action.

Ditto for exploring all things Mommy and Daddy use. Just last night, he climbed into the dishwasher and found a cup and immediately began “drinking” from it. I’m beginning to think he has quite the oral fixation.

Many people are now asking if Jude is beginning to walk. Well, while he enjoys pushing his block cart, but doesn’t quite understand the concept of bending his knees. Instead, he toddles about with his cart as though he recently received prosthetic limbs- stiff with no bounce.

Tuesday afternoon, I managed to obtain court-side seats for the Portland Trailblazers game. Our usual babysitter had a fever (later I learned she was hospitalized for dehydration), so we desperately called around until one kind-hearted friend signed up for Jude duty. It was only on the way to her apartment as we navigated our puttering car around on the frosty streets that I began to worry that he may become distressed over being in a new environment, similar to what happened when we first brought Jude to daycare. Much to my relief, upon arrival, Jude barely glanced back at us before heading off to play with Sadie, a sweet silky black lab/hound. “Later guys!”

After the game (Porter’s #30 was retired and we beat the Kings!), we arrived back at the apartment only to find Jude wide-eyed and cheerful having covered every nook and cranny of their home. Erica informed me that he ate (“devoured” was the term she used) all his dinner of sweet potato, beef and carrots, then “fed” Sadie and carried on with a little more exploring. Even though it was nearly 10, Jude showed no signs of slowing down until he was strapped in his carseat, blissfully asleep in the warmth of the heated car.

Portland also had its first snowstorm last Sunday, which was certainly exciting. We woke to a blizzard and virginal white, pillowy layers of snow, dulling sharp lines and dulling all colors. Although Jude greatly resembled the brother in “A Christmas Story” with his down snowsuit, he was certainly guarded against the cold. A neighbor loaned us his snowboard and Jude enjoyed his first “sled ride” down the backyard hill. One time he fell off the snowboard and gracefully rolled down the hill like the making of a snowball, all the meanwhile smiling.

My last day of work was on Thursday and I’m looking forward to spending lots of holiday time with Mr. Jude.