Jayden LOVES the zoo, friends, swings...everything!

Jayden absolutely loves swings... Jayden and his friend, Hailey Mei

Jayden and his friend Lizelle

Jayden had a great day at the zoo with his friends, Lizelle and Levi. Apologies in advance for the quality of the pictures-- they are from Mommy's cell phone. Both Mommy and Auntie Nena's cameras have keeled over (I'm sure due to recent overuse-- probably since oh, about June 23rd of last year) and haven't been replaced yet. Jayden also took his first New Mexico roadtrip with Mommy and Auntie Nena (formerly known as Auntie Mei Mei--Mommy found out from Auntie's Mom that when she was a toddler she called herself "Nena Yalsh" and Mommy decided to change her name) to Las Cruces so that Auntie could do a training. Jayden had a great time meeting his new friends, Hannah, Hailey Mei (pictured above) and Tommy Kao.

Jayden is the "picture of health"

Jayden had his nine month check up today. His pediatrician described him as "the picture of health". He is 20 lbs, 3.5 oz (50th %) and is 29 1/4 inches tall (75-90%). He is crawling like a champ and pulls himself up to standing on anything he sees.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Wynn

I know this is belated but I just wanted to acknowledge the birthday of Jayden's wonderful Grandpa Wynn. He was an amazing, intelligent, kind man who loved his family more than anything. He gave Jeff and Steve their strong work ethic, their sense of humor (I'm not sure I should be thankful for this one) and their kind hearts. Grandpa Wynn passed away before Jayden's birth but I like to think that he had a big part in God sending Jayden to us. Jayden would be his grandpa's delight. He spent many hours talking about his desire to be a grandfather and I would like to say, Happy Birthday Grandpa Wynn! We miss you. We promise to do our very best to teach Jayden about you.

Happy Purim & St. Patrick's Day & Easter

The Todes have had a wonderful March so far! A move into a beautiful, new home, a first tooth and an adorable attempt at crawling (video to follow). Steve is working hard at a difficult school schedule and Erika is working on a telecommuting proposal for her employer. Papa Jerry plays with Jayden during the week while Bubbe Cheryl helps Erika and Auntie Nei Nei (formerly Mei Mei AKA Webmaster Mei Mei) at work. Hope you all have a wonderful month!

Purim is the most festive of Jewish holidays, a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats. The Festival of Purim commemorates a major victory over oppression and is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther. Purim takes place on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar. This year (2008) Purim begins at sundown on the 19th of March.

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people (usually in Australia and North America). Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green. The holiday is celebrated by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (such as Guinness or Baileys Irish Cream) and attending parades.