KA-BOOM-EEE!

Okay...so I'm about to overload you with a windfall of blog updates....so prepare yourself.... I haven't stopped writing this whole time...just to lazy to upload the pics that go with my writing and hit the post button. Judge not please. Happy Reading!

Tuesday morning started off as any ordinary day. I woke up, turned on the coffee, and went to go get my bug out of his crib. After changing his diaper, we started our trek down the stairs. Kelly and I have been working with Jude on going down the stairs on his belly. Just in case the little guy slips, I always walk backwards in front of him. Well, it all happened rather quickly, so I don't know cause of the event. Just the effect. I, Anna Marie Johnson, tumbled down my stairs. Did you know that the name "Anna" means "one of grace". A curse, I tell you! I'm talking Scarlett O'hara in Gone with the Wind, fall down the stairs. I couldn't stop myself, just flew right down my hardwood steps. Our metal baby gate at the bottom of our stairs broke my fall. Well, my tailbone actually broke the metal baby gate. Score: Baby gate zero/My butt 1. I was kind of knocked silly and Jude was still at the top of the steps crying "Momma." Poor baby was probably scared to death. I hurried and hobbled up the stairs where he was still sitting, because fear immediately set-in. I didn't want him falling trying to get to me. I mean who does that?....falls down the steps stone-cold sober....ME...I do! I have a cut on my arm, a knot on my head, and two big bruises on my rear. Jude keeps pointing at my arm saying momma "boo-boo" and when we go up the stairs he'll say, "momma fall down." He's probably thinking "I'm not so sure you should be carrying me up these things lady!"

Well, I entitled this blog Ka-boom-ee, because that's what Jude always says when he jumps on the bed, wrestles, or pushes a matchbox car off the edge of the table. Now, mommy is a Ka-boom-ee too. Jack of all trades, I suppose.

In other news, Jude was under the weather again this week. So, we forwent Mother's Day Out on Thursday for Mother's Day In. Whenever Jude is sickly, he doesn't eat much. In an effort to get some food in his tummy, I took my baby to his favorite place to eat.... PERKINS! Jude is a local celebrity at the Perkins in Collierville. As soon as we walk in the door he screams, "Pancakes!" The excitement is just too much! Our Perkins happens to have their fair share of retirees (probably because of the allure of the 55 plus deal menu). All the Grannies and Grandpas always eww and ahhh over Jude telling him how beautiful, cute, handsome he is. And my son, just eats it all up, batting those eyelashes, smiling and saying "Hi Friend." On Thursday, in addition to his meal, the Perkins ladies had a surprise for him. Jude always plays with the claw machine with the stuffed animals in it, trying his best to get a toy out. (even though no quarters have been inserted.) While he tried to win his prize, the waitress went to the back and pulled out a stuffed toy for Jude..... a Jeff Gordon NASCAR stuffed man. (How appropriate, right?) Jude ran towards it, hugged it, and just to turn the "charm dial" up one more notch....he then said "T-ANK you." All the hearts in Perkins melted (including mine). So, in case you have any difficulty getting into the Perkins in Collierville, tell them you are a friend of Jude Johnson. You will surely be seated immediately. Love to all~ Anna

Exhibit A- The Jeff Gordon doll in all his glory

LITTLE HIGH, LITTLE LOW

As life goes, it is full of highs and lows. Last week was no different. My husband was hardly at home due to his ever increasing work demands. Last Tuesday, his company scheduled a national conference call and announced some "restructuring." Which is an annoying, impersonal way of saying, "people are going to lose their jobs." I swear I had heart palpitations all Tuesday waiting to hear if my husbands job was going to be affected. Luckily, we survived this round. But, it makes me so sad that people continue to be laid off. Families having to worry about how to provide for their children. It also makes me wonder, if we (and by "we" I mean my husband and our kiddos) are going to survive this changing health care environment. Pro-Obama-care peeps talk about the good that "could" come from the new health care laws. But, from my chair, our friends are just losing their jobs and my co pays, labs and insurance are sky-rocketing. Not trying to turn my blog into a political forum as I truly believe only time will tell how this will all shake out.....BUT this is my family's new reality and fear.

Despite Tuesday's lay-off scare and my hubbie's schedule, I really tried to make the most of every day. Ever since sweet Evie's passing, I have promised myself to cherish all the time I get with Jude (no matter what life throws at me). So last week, we went on a lot of Jude and mommy dates. Monday we went to the Collierville Town Square and had lunch at Silver Caboose. Jude was mesmerized by the model trains chugging around the restaurant, which makes for a pleasant dining experience with a 21-month old "active" child. The weather was nice Thursday night, so we headed back to the square to run off some energy. Jude's friend from school, Bennett, was there too, so they picked up sticks together. Adorable and such a boy activity. We then joined my mom for a little Thai food at Bangkok Alley. They have a great outdoor side porch that calls my name every time we have nice weather. Friday, we met my friends Meredith, Laura Beth and Ronnie (with all their kids in tow) at SEGA gym. My old gymnastics coach Pete (my coach for 9 years) owns the gym. I haven't seen him since I was 17. I had to tell him my name....He didn't recognize me which made me feel crazy old. Do I really look that different? I still have the body of a 17 year old cheerleader, right? (Don't answer that) Then, Coach Pete followed up our reunion with "WOW, that was a life-time ago." AWESOME. Balloon. officially. popped. Any-who, SEGA has a pre-school open gym Friday mornings. Pre-schoolers can run around like Tasmanian devils on a padded surface and jump on the trampolines until utter exhaustion sets in...making for a great long afternoon nap and happy mommies.

Jude staring at trains at Silver Caboose

After a long week of missing my husband and Jude missing his daddy, I woke up Friday morning to a little happy. A sweet note from Kelly. In all his busyness, he started my coffee, laid out my fave coffee cup, and made Jude his milk before heading onto work. It's little things like this that remind me of how blessed I am to have married such an amazing man. Love to you and yours~ Anna

Our morning note :)