This past weekend we went back to Des Moines to visit Marcy's family. There was also a "Meet Jude" party where all the Des Moines family and friends could come and meet the little one. Everyone ignored the no gifts rule, so as you can see on table above Jude was showered with gifts. Pictured above are Connie (Marcy's mom), Marcy and Susan (a long time friend of Marcy), and of course the guest of honor lying on his sheepskin blanket.
Marcy and Jude flew out last Thursday - Jude's third flight in less just two weeks. He did pretty well except on the way down he had a bit of a meltdown which Marcy had to deal with by herself. I arrived Friday and the party for Jude was Sunday. Marcy's parents were thrilled to see their grandchild again, and they were the consumate doting grandparents. They babysat for us on Saturday night so Marcy and I could enjoy our second night out together since Jude's birth. We had a lovely time at an excellent restaurant called Sage. And if babysitting for us wasn't gift enough Marcy's mom somehow managed to pay our bill before we even had a chance to ask for it (thanks Connie, that was a really nice gesture).
Sunday was the Meet Jude party. There was probably about 30-35 people who came and went during the course of the day. Jude did really well for most of the time. He had a couple of meltdowns when it all became a bit much for him, but he was a real trooper overall. It was a great weekend, and it was a sad departure on Sunday night. Jude did really well on the flight back, but his parents were certainly tired when we arrived home around 9:30pm.

