baby jude is here

Here are a bunch of pictures of Jude Hadley Stratman. He was born Monday, November 2 at 1:18 a.m. at Willow Creek Hospital for Women in Johnson, Ar (just outside Fayetteville). It was a full moon. The pictures are not in chronological order, but we hope you enjoy a taste of more to come.

The official surgery date was set for the 10th. However, Jules starting having small contractions in church during Pastor Breck's sermons. She waited all day, but I finally made her call the doctor around 9:30. We were at the hospital around 11. Our friend Emily came to stay with Ben all night and really helped us out the next morning until Curt and Kathy arrived.

Ben has been a very helpful big-brother. He's very gentle with Jude; his first reaction was, "Mom, Jude is out."

Julia's surgery went very well; we were both impressed by the medical staff.

This was taken when Jude was less than 24 hours old. Thanks to Grandma Jackie for the hat.

This is Ben's first encounter with Jude. He was excited and nervous all at once. Actually, he was more intrigued by the medical machines, tubes, and wires.

Ben's trying to give Jude a high-five.

Curt and Kathy came down immediately. We're lucky to have them play with Ben and help / cook around the house. Here, Ben is trying to put on the hat our friend Trisha made for him.

Ben loves being a navigator in Grandma Jo's car. He wouldn't let go of that map.

Flu Shots

We've been waiting for flu shots around here. Now that Jake and Ben most likely had H1N1 last week (they weren't actually tested, but the doctors were pretty sure) we were really wanting to get the shots so that we weren't out of commission for another 2 weeks in the future.

After this experience, I'm not sure which is worse: getting the flu or getting flu shots.

Eastgate Christian Church was the place chosen by the powers that be to give the community flu shots on Friday, Oct. 30. The church opened at 8am. We were there at 7:45 and waited outside (it just happened to be barely 45 degrees and windy) in line until 9am. Jake had to abandon Ben and me to teach his 9:00 class. So, it was Ben and me to tackle the trauma. As we get in the church I have to fill out paperwork and Ben is barely hanging on after waiting so long. We are both hungry, getting impatient, and then we heard the crying. Ben looks up at me with big eyes and asks why all the kids are crying. As we get closer to the shot room, I am getting tense and Ben is starting to get comfortable in the warmth of the indoors. We get to "the room" and it's chaotic. ---Really--- Kids crying, parents crying, oh geez. So, we first get in line for the H1N1 shot. Because Ben is under 4 and I'm pregnant, we qualifiy for this one. Ben doesn't really get what's going on. He hasn't had a shot since he was an infant, so he's aloof. He gets the first shot and cries hard. He moves around just enough during the shot that he bleeds some and the cotton and blood and band-aid freak him out. As he's crying, I get mine. The best part, we get in line again for the seasonal flu shot. That really made him go wild. I seriously thought I was going to go into labor. I could barely hold him in my arms or by my side. His 35+ pound body is strong! So, I have to force him on my lap, hold his head to my chest, cover his eyes, try to breath calmly, as the nurse pulls his sleeve down from the neck of his shirt and gets him again. He's crying so hard he's barely breathing. Again, he has to have cotton and because he was so upset the shot actually bruised him. I get mine, we sit for just a moment to calm down. I pick him up and walk to the car. By the time we get home at 9:45, our H1N1 arms are really sore. We sit down on the couch, I turn on the TV, and we both proceed to eat many bite size snickers to help our emotions. Ben is eating, watching, and crying with his head on my shoulder. Me too

Trick or Treating Downtown Siloam

Ben wanted his picture next to the scary guy but thought twice once he started to stand by it.

Ben and Main St. Moose.

Ben wouldn't dress up in his spiderman costume. After getting his flu shots, his arms were sore and he didn't want to take off his shirt. So, he was a cool outdoor guy/Cardinal fan/big brother for Halloween. And, he wasn't interested in smiling...at all.

All of Main St. was packed with families and trick or treaters parading the downtown buisnesses for candy. It ended up being a beautiful afternoon to get out and have fun.

October Fun

We went to Ranalli Pumpkin Patch and Ben actually wanted his picture taken. He really hammed up this one.
A few pics of us thanks to Ben's master photography.

Jake and Ben posing as ghosts.

Ben feeling better despite having the flu. He is saying he feels good.

"I feel GOOD!"

Nice belly shot. Thanks, Ben.

These are taken by yours truly.

Ben wanted a picture with his backhoe....

...and his bike.

Ben took this one of our Dogwood tree. It's a beautiful shade of red.

Ben took this one of Jake making dumplings for our soup tonight. YUM

Ben and his friend Charlie

Ben's friend, Charlie, came over to play and they had SO much fun. I think they played this game for a good 20 minutes and giggled every single time.

http://www.doybags.com/floodrelief.html

One of my favorite places to shop is in the Philipines and as you can see from their webiste, the factory is in bad shape. Check it out, splurge on yourself, buy some Christmas presents, support Doybags! :-)

Ready for Halloween

Grandma Jo sent Ben a Spiderman costume for Halloween. He was SO excited! Now he wants dad to have the same costume so they can go trick or treating. I'd like to see that happen....

First day of preschool!

Ben went straight to the "guys" and started playing. He's going to have a great morning! Jake and I went to breakfast together this morning and sat outside...it was a sweet date.
so excited about preschool

Ben took a picture of me...I'm training him early :-)

another ben shot...

he just couldn't be any cuter

can baby brother be just as handsome?

ben wanted to pose just like dad

ben combed his own hair---it was still wet :-)

camping indoors

Ben wanted the tent in his room and he actually fell asleep! Jake is training him early.