merry christmas eve

...and she's up!

Around the middle of November, Ruby started climbing up to her knees.

Then she became more brave and used us to climb her way to her feet.

Pretty soon, she was pulling up on things that were her height or shorter.

Then today, my little 8 1/2 month old baby girl pulled up on the sofa.

Watch out world. Ruby Ellen is standing!

Welcome to Winter!

This morning when I got up I noticed that it seemed brighter than usual outside. I peeked through the blinds and saw a beautiful blanket of SNOW. What? I had no idea it was supposed to snow. It was 70 degrees just the other day.

I went into Zoey's room to wake her up and told her I had a surprise. We all (Ruby, too) got bundled up and I had Zoey close her eyes while I opened the garage door. She was so excited!

At first she wouldn't walk in the snow. But after I told her she could walk, lay down, roll, etc., she loosened up and had a blast!

On her own, she laid down and made a snow angel. I don't even know how she knew how to do that, but she did.

By this time, she was pretty wet and chilly so we stomped the snow off our boots and headed inside for breakfast. I never got any shots of Ruby since I was holding her but she was rather unimpressed with her first peek at snow.

conversations with Zoey... first installment

Daddy: "Ok, guys. I'm heading to class."
-passes out kisses to everyone
Zoey: "Oh-tay. Be careful. Love you. Come home soon."
-said all in one continuous sentence

Mama: "What are you doing, Zo?"
-asked as Zoey is leaning over the kitchen trash can
Zoey: "Just spitting."
-however, she can't say the 'sp' sound so it comes out as a bad word
Mama: "Why?"
-trying not to laugh
Zoey: "I took a drink and I had too much water in my mouth."
-said while laughing

Zoey: "I hear the ocean."
-said as she holds a sock up to her ear

Mama: "Zoey are you all done going potty?"
Zoey: "Yep. That's all I got."

Mama: "Zoey, who do you want to pray for tonight?"
Zoey: "Grammy, Papa, Millie, Witty, Leo, Dosh."
Mama: "Do you mean Uncle Josh?"
Zoey: "Yeah, Unka Dosh, Unka Witty, Unka Leo, Unka Grammy, Unka Papa, etc..."

As I was taking off Zoey's wet diaper after naptime...
Zoey: "My diaper's a wittle wet. I tied to stay dry."
Mama: "It's OK, Zo. I know you tried."
Zoey: "I tied but the peepee keeped coming out."

-Zoey was looking through the clean clothes basket and came across her new hat and mitten set. At first she could only find one of the mittens. Zoey: "Here's the hat, but there are supposed to be two glubs. Where's the other glub?"

Zoey: "I need something to cuddle with."

Zoey: "First we're gonna go to the zoo and get all the animals and take them on the ark."

-Zoey was going #2 on the potty while Ruby was in the bathtub splashing. Zoey: "Woo-be. This is the truth! No splashing while I'm going poo-poo." -said VERY firmly

-Ruby was trying to get to a lamp cord but Zoey intercepted her and had this very firm, but loving conversation with her. Zoey: "Woo-be, this is the truth. Obey the Lord your God and do His word. Deuteronomy 27:10. This is not for play. It's a no-no. We can't play with this. This is the last time, Woo-be, do." (Woo-be, do = Ruby-do...my nickname for her.)

This last one was, by far, my favorite. The best part was the last phrase. Even though in the midst of loving correction, Zoey chose to use Ruby's nickname to make it personal. I love keeping a record of all of these precious conversations. I'm sure there will be more to come, soon.

our family

This was taken at Ruby's dedication this past Sunday at our church. It's rare that we get a shot of all of us looking in the same direction and even more impressive...one of Zoey smiling a "real" smile. Way to go, Erika.

On another note, check out my new favorite site for editing pictures for free. www.picnik.com

Pumpkin Patch 2009

October 28, 2009

Zoey 2 yrs, 10 months

Ruby 7 months, 1 week

more pics on facebook to come soon

Ruby Ellen @ 7 months

Our little Ruby Ellen is already 7 months old. How time flies! Zoey and I took her to her doctor's appointment on Wednesday for her check-up. She did great. Her tear ducts are still a bit clogged but we're hoping they clear up in the next 2 months. Out doctor was a tiny bit concerned that she hasn't doubled her birth weight (8lbs, 8oz), yet, but since she looks like a little chunk, he wasn't very worried. Although Zoey was a super-duper big sister during the visit, singing to Ruby and holding her hand, she completely lost it every time Ruby started crying. At one point I had Ruby on one shoulder and Zoey on the other...both in tears. So sweet. Ruby was exhausted the rest of the day and took extra long naps and she was in a great mood for our mini photo shoot. OK, people-out-there-who-think-Ruby-looks-exactly-like-Zoey. What do you think now?

Ruby's stats:

16lbs, 9.6oz (45%)

27 3/4in (90%)

three shots in those cute thighs

sweet sisters

"Peace Out"

our little ballerina

This morning Zoey and I were looking through her dress-up box trying to decide what she's going to be for Halloween. She had lots of fun trying on all sorts of costumes and looking at herself in the mirror...or "window" as she calls it. It wasn't until she put on her leotard that she asked me if I would "picture" her. So, we had a little photo shoot and I took this video clip.

By the way, we were reading the Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat the other day and I asked Zoey what she wanted to be for Halloween and she said, "I want to be a princess or a big birthday cake." Two very good choices, sweetheart.

daily pre-nap time conversation

Mama: "Zoey, it's time to put on your pull-up for nap time."
Zoey: "Oh-tay. I can stay dry?"
Mama: "Yes, try very hard to stay dry at nap time."
Zoey: "Oh-tay...pause...I might go pee-pee."
Mama: "Well, you just went potty so you should do just fine. Try really hard not to go pee-pee in your pull-up."
Zoey: "Oh-tay, mommy. I try...pause...But I might go pee-pee."

When she actually sleeps during nap time, she wakes up dry. It's when she plays that I think she gets bored and goes potty. We keep telling her that when she turns 3, she will nap in her panties. I might be in for some pretty interesting afternoons with lots of laundry.

rice cereal is yumm-o!

The other day we gave Ruby her first rice cereal. She is 6 months & 1 week old and definitely showing signs of readiness. Here is a little video of her first taste and 8 pictures that I took of the big event. Then we passed the camera over to Zoey and she took the other 11 pictures. I promise...Zoey, our 2 1/2 year old, took those shots.

Zoey took the rest of these pictures. Well done, kiddo.

she's sitting...kind of

This was taken a couple days before Ruby turned 6 months old. She can sit for a minute before she falls over. Things I love about this video: Ruby's left knee chunk, how Ruby's face lights up when she sees Zoey and how Zoey mimics my voice when I'm talking to Ruby.

My goodness, I love these girls.

sharing clothes, already???

While I was getting Ruby ready for bed the other night, Zoey asked if she could put on Ruby's pants. Here are some pics from the fashion show.