BURNING UP!

Well hello everyone! It is blazing hot all over the US, but tonight took the cake with a heat index of 99 at 7PM! To beat the heat in "Hot"-Lana, we've been spending a lot of time in-doors and at the pool. Going anywhere else is INSANE!

Since mid-July, I have been home from Indy and Nathan has been off the road, so we have spent a lot of time reconnecting as a family after a year of constant travel. My final engagement with BCforward concluded the last week in July, so I am currently in the job market, but we are taking advantage of every minute we have together, trusting that the Lord will open up a door (assuming I knock on as many as I can)!!

During my time off, I traveled to Portland with Nathan and Third Day for some rest and relaxation. We used the time to celebrate my birthday and our 6-year wedding anniversary, which is this Saturday! Jude stayed with Mamaw and Papaw Ehman while we had six days with no baby!! Upon our return, Jude got his second haircut. It was so hard to cut all his curls off, however it had grown unevenly and needed a clean up desperately.

Because Jude's room gets morning sun, he is usually getting up around 7:30, which is early for us (I know, we're spoiled). So Nathan and I have established a good routine of alternating mornings and who gets up with Jabroni (Jude). He is still taking two naps a day, so he usually goes back down around 10:30-12 and we'll have lunch and go to the pool! Our neighborhood pool is great and is the ONLY way to beat the heat. Jude LOVES it and now that he is walking, he spends a lot of time walking around the pool deck, playing in the grass and playing with his newest friend, Liam. This week, we have been practicing counting to three and going underwater. Jude is doing great! He doesn't inhale water or get upset - he just pats his chest and gets wide eyed - its SO CUTE! I'll try and get some video next week.

Last week, Nathan’s career was taken to the next level when he received a gold record for his work with Third Day – their live album and DVD sold over 500k copies! We are so blessed to be included in their "family", as they continue to increase Nathan's responsibilities and input. Recently, he started blogging on their website about his experiences on the road as a crew member. Check it out and follow him on twitter for his funny quips: 8/9 Milwaukee, WI (blog) and follow him on Twitter.

As Jude approaches the 18 month mark (can you believe it!?) he is constantly evolving into a little boy... here are some of his recent milestones and activities:

• Physical: Walking, two ear infections, 19.3 lbs, 3 of four molars in (11 teeth total) and the 4^th molar in the works. His other eye teeth are getting ready to cut too - poor guy!
• Words: ball, go!, uh-oh, truck, “hi doggie”
• Favorite toys/activities: TRUCKS, balls, anything NOT a toy, water, crayons, dropping things over the balcony. He can also complete tasks when asked like “put up the dog bowls” or “put it back” – he will put the item back from where he got it, like laundry or Tupperware from the drawer. He loves turning light switches on and off and pushing any and EVERY button within reach. When asked to "go pet Niles", he knows to go to Niles (not Fiona) and pet him (and vices versa when asked to pet Fi). He points at airplanes and helicopters and yells "uck!" when a truck goes by - even if he just hears it! Last night he fed the neighborhood ducks for the first time and laughed so hard he nearly fell out of the wagon (which he likes to ride in standing up). He still loves books but cannot sit long enough for me to read through one... in time, right!?
• Favorite/New Foods: Spaghettios, waffles, guacamole, supreme pizza, anything dipped in ranch!, ritz pretzel crackers and GRAPES, GRAPES and MORE GRAPES!
• Nicknames: Jabroni, Jabroni Pepperoni, Judums, JuJu, Pickle, Pickle Pants, Homes... thats all that I can recall.

Tomorrow, August 12, he starts nursery school at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. It is not our church, but Kathryn (next door) enrolled her kids and helped me through the pre-screening process. Her son John and daughter Claire will be starting there too so we will hopefully be able to carpool some. Oh motherhood ;-).

Below are some fun pics we took recently. As always, there are more posted on our MobileMe page: http://gallery.me.com/bonnie.ehman

Jude likes to open the armoire and get into his toys. He finally fits into some AWESOME boots his Aunt Vicki bought him for his birthday!

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Jude and Niles are BFF.

Jude and Mama during my photo shoot (by daddy) for a new professional headshot!

Showing off his mad-skills: walking and drinking.

Starting to look like a big boy. Bittersweet....

Just after receiving his gold record from the FedEx man, Jude is giving his daddy a pat on the back - so proud of you Papa!!

Jude and Mama at the Georgia Aquarium!

Jude holding Daddy's hand while looking at the Beluga Whales

Mom?! Look how close I am to these SHARKS!? HELLO!?

Here are some recent videos!

Yes, we are STILL alive...

Its been such a long time since I have been able to sit without a child crawling up my leg, my husband wanting to stare longingly into my eyes, writing a paper for work, or driving to or from Indy!

Last time I wrote, Nathan was just leaving for the Winter Jam tour. It went well, but was a LONG, Long tour - 12 weeks. Of those 12 weeks, he was usually home Monday morning through Wednesday evening. It was such a blessing to working from home during that time because I could take my "weekend" when Nathan was home, versus Saturday and Sunday.

During that time, I became very close with another band wife, Dede, who was pregnant (congrats on Baby Boston being born last night!!) with two other bubbies at home. At the same time, my other two dear friends, Kathryn and Paisley helped me as often as they could by taking Jude when I was sick, leaving treats on my doorstep or providing adult conversation over a glass of wine and Dutch Blitz! So the tour finally ended the last day in March and we quickly turned around, packed up and headed to Destin with Nathan's family.

It was SO wonderful to get away from work, be together and have the best built-in babysitters! It was such a special time - it was the FIRST time (in my 11 years with Nathan) that the WHOLE family went; Matthew, Natalie, her BF Eric and Matt's friend Quinn. Not to mention Mamaw and Papaw!

Our days were spent trying to teach Jude to walk, getting sun burned, playing scrabble and eating lots of fried fish. My most memorable meal was the oreos dipped in peanut butter. Oh sweet mercy.

After Florida, I hit the ground running, sprinting, with a nitro pack strapped to me. As most of you know, its been a long and exhausting spring. We have so much for which to be thankful, but it's still so exhausting to be going at the pace we are! I finally had the real taste of a commuting mother - since April, I have been home a total of 4 weeks, of which, none were 7 days or consecutive.

So, as of last Sunday, I returned to my sanctuary in Georgia. During my escapades to Indy, I managed to make it to 3 baby showers, 1 wedding shower, 1 wedding, mother's day with our moms, fathers day with our dads, Joan's birthday, my dad's birthday, Carb day and the Indy 500. And I almost made it to Chicago to see my darling Christin's baby Griffin. I tell you what.

Jude is now 16 months old, which is hard to even process! He is so hilarious and has more personality than I can even conceive! Its quite often that Nathan and I find ourselves sitting, watching and laughing as he puts on a show for us. He is so smart and verbal. He isn't walking yet, but he is very, VERY close as you can see in the video below which I filmed last Saturday before driving home.

This weekend is the 4th of July and I am really looking forward to the neighborhood parade. We get to dress up in red, white and blue and decorate the wagon with crape paper and balloons! We could even decorate the dogs and walk them along with us, but I don't suspect that would go too well... ;-). They are still enjoying the new house too. The backyard is their "happy place", where they run and chase rabbits or Lucy and Jack next door. Well, I should turn in. I've been on the computer for 14 hours now today and I need a break!

Love you all dearly!

Don't forget to check back a lot at our online image gallery. There are HUNDREDS of new photos there: http://gallery.me.com/bonnie.ehman

Jude Turns One!!

Hello Friends and Family!

Lots of things happening in our world! Nathan has been on the road since the beginning of the year. I am spending most of my time working, playing with Jude, and hanging out with friends here in Georgia. In February, Jude and I ventured to California to visit my parents who are wintering in Del Mar. It was a wonderful time and Jude visited the San Diego Zoo - quite a way to start out!

Our Little Angel turned one on February 21. It was a glorious day - Nathan had a show in Nashville, so Jude and I drove up to spend the day with him. After the show, we spent the evening with Jude's God Parents (and our best friends) Ashley and Jimmy. Since then, Jude has been pulling up on everything (although not walking yet), eating a lot more sweets and even had his first haircut!

I have posted images of California, his 1st Birthday Party and his 1st Hair Cut on Facebook. Please follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=405028&id=804750231&l=3d3765fdbd

Lastly, instead of finding a photographer in the area and spending all our money on portraits, we bought a fancy camera and now I am the family photorgapher! Enjoy Jude's 1 Year Portraits below.

LOVE YOU ALL!

January-Shanuary

Good day.

All is quiet in the house. After a long span of time in Indy, Jude and I are back in Atlanta. Nathan's grandfather, Jack (Granddad) Ehman passed away and we spent the last two weeks celebrating his life and then adjusting to life back at home. Nathan has been traveling with the Winter Jam

tour so I have been keeping myself busy with play dates, dinner dates, working out (can you believe it!?), and work.

Jude had begun pulling up a fair amount, but I think he was slightly deterred during all our travel. Now that we are home and in his familiar living room, he is exploring and climbing. He has also cut 5 teeth in 30 days. Literally - since the day after Christmas (a month ago today), his fangs, two bottom teeth and right top front tooth have cut. We are just waiting for one more top front tooth to cut and he will have a darling toothy grin. Right now, he looks like the Child of Dracula. Then maybe I'll get a break from the middle of the night Motrin doses!

Nathan and I spent a lot of time this week decorating the house. Jude's 1st Birthday is only a few weeks away, so I am trying to get the house somewhat prepared for its first "official" unveiling. During the redecorating process, I managed to use one of Nathan's guitars as a corner piece.

Jude has since discovered it and makes a break through the foyer any chance he gets! I snuck up on him the other day and recorded a darling video of him "strumming" his first tune... I will post that below. I am currently between projects and have taken advantage of the daytime to get healthy and plan Jude's first birthday party. Its so bizarre to imagine that we have been holding Jude in our arms for nearly a year. What a year it has been!

In the last several weeks, I have learned about the pregnancies of FOUR dear friends! It definitely gives me a tinge of the "baby flu", but that is quickly remedied by the 5 weeks of teething, colds, diarrhea (Jude's, not mine!!) - and nights where a 4 hour stretch of sleep is promptly celebrated.

Right now, Jude is napping (although it is late in the evening) and I am waiting for my deep dish veggie (no onion) pizza from pizza hut to be delivered. Niles is standing statuesque at feet, awaiting my inevitable migration to the couch where he will keep my lap warm. Fiona is already perched on her "throne", also known as Nathan's spot - which they frequently battle over.

As for the weather, it is most often 50 degrees and sunny. Although we do have days of high-volume rains, its RAIN and not SNOW!

Well, my pizza has arrived and I suspect I should wake Jude, if I have any intentions of getting sleep tonight...

Love you all. Here are some fun pics of our new decor and (suprise!) some art I created!

The Holidays in a Nuthouse - I mean Nutshell!

Hi Everybody!

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season with friends and family. We had a WONDERFUL time celebrating Jude's first Turkey Day and Christmas in the world outside my womb. For both holidays, we traveled to Indianapolis to celebrate the season with our family.

For Thanksgiving, we drove to Indy with the two of us, Jude, AND Niles and Fiona. We found a vet in town (who I love), so he gave us some awesome sedatives. They knocked the dogs out for the entire 9 hour drive. It was a riot. Fiona woke up a bit here and there, but was by no means coherent.

We visited with Jude's Great Grandparents and had some very special moments. We played lots of games, cooked and ate GOBS of delectable goodies.

Jude was not yet eating much table food, so he didn't enjoy much of the Thanksgiving feast but he didn't seem to mind. We stayed for a few extra days so I could spend some time in the office and then traveled to Columbus to pay a much-overdue visit to the Miller family - our dear friends that God blessed us with when Nathan was with his former band.

We spent the first few weeks of December at home in Georgia and enjoyed Nathan's time off the road by getting the whole inside of the house painted, christening our new mantel with stockings, and shopping at too many malls to keep track of.

Jude's God Parents, Jimmy and Ashley, came down from Nashville for a whole weekend. It was the longest period of time we had seen and spent with them since April of 2008 (before I was even pregnant!?), so it was a LONG overdue slumber party.

The week before Christmas, Nathan went out to play "Santa" and called me around 6 to meet him for dinner. Like any other evening, I through my hair back in a pony tail, switched out of my sweats and threw Jude in the car seat. After about 15 minutes of waiting at the restaurant, Nathan came into the small Italian joint and said "come here, I have something to show you". I'm thinking that maybe he has something big in the car, something he won't be able to disguise, so he has to give it to me now.

I walk out, Jude on my hip and walk to where my car was parked. We stop in the parking lot and he pulls a key out of his back pocket. The early gift wasn't IN the car... it WAS the car. A new car!! Nathan had spent the last 4 hours at the local Toyota mall, wheeling and dealing, to buy me a sexy, black certified Toyota 4Runner. I mean, really?! For ME!?

So, needless to say, my Christmas started off with a bang. I mean, BANG.

We celebrated our Christmas on Saturday, December 21st by waking up, drinking coffee and opening our gifts in our jammers. Jude quickly learned how to rip the paper off and enjoyed eating the tags and bows over playing with his new loot. It had been so odd going up in down the aisles of Toys R Us with a cart full of toys - but not toys for me (it had been at LEAST 15 years for both of us)! Eventually, Jude realized that the items IN the boxes were fun too, so our toy store splurge had not been in vain.

Nathan's big gift this year was a PS3. With our new big tv and sound system, he had managed to "tell" me about it since at least Halloween, so I decided to play dumb and reiterate how we "didn't need a gaming system", despite knowing that it also had a Blue Ray player, Internet access, and a 160GB hard drive (for all our media storing needs).

Jude also received a car from Santa...!

We wrapped up the day (no pun intended) with an afternoon next door with our new neighbors (the Phillips' - no relation) eating yummy soup and playing games.

We drove to Indy on Monday and spend several days with the Ehmans, playing games, eating, seeing movies and visiting with family. On Christmas Eve, after dinner, we went to my parents' home for the remainder of the visit, opening more gifts, eating more food and playing more games! We are truly blessed.

Among some of our other gifts from family was a bread maker, a doggie septic tank (yes, really, google it), clothes, Beatles Rock Band for PS3, a Le Crueset dutch oven and a college fund for Jude!!

We headed home a week after we arrived and drove through the snow and freezing rain to get back home to warm Georgia.

Over the holidays, Jude started many new things. He turned 10 months on December 21 and is crawling like a pro. He only army crawls and I am beginning to think that he is never going to do the hands/knees crawl - but oh well!

The day after Christmas, his first tooth broke through the gum. Within the 4 day period following that, three more teeth have erupted. He is working on his two upper eye teeth (like Dracula) and his two bottom teeth. I will be sure to post photos as soon as I can get a shot of his toothy grin; you can't really see them yet...!

The last milestone was his sudden ability to pull up! While playing on the floor the other night with Nathan, me and the dogs, he crawled right over to the mantle and pulled right up! Here is a video to prove it (this was the second time he pulled up):

And here we are! Nathan begins Winter Jam, a three month tour, this week. It should be a great show and may be coming to a city near you - check it out!

As always, family photos have been posted to our Mobile Me site: CLICK HERE!

Love y'all!
B, N, J, N, & F