Ruby Rubes and Charlotte Too!: January 2010

I know, I know, it's been a while! We've just been busy and at night I have American Idol, Biggest Loser, a cozy couch and an ice cream sandwich calling my name. And the days go by...

Ruby is a blast. She has the quirkiest personality. Her newest game goes like this: "Mom, how about a spider pie", and I say "EWWW gross", "Mom, how about a poopy diaper pie", Me: "EWWW, no way", "Mom, how about a snake pie", "EWWWW!!" And the game goes on. She thinks it's hilarious.

Today was a big day. It was Ruby's first day in panties ALL day with no accidents! She did great! I'm delusional with excitement that my diaper buying days may be over. We even ventured out to Music Class and the park. I must say, her heiny does look awfully cute with no diaper on. :)

So Ruby got to see snow for her first time. Her little friend, Eva's preschool brought in 2 tons of snow as a treat for the kids and it was hilarious!! The kids were all bundled up in 75 degree weather and sliding and making snow angels and throwing snowballs. Ruby played for a little while and then lost interest. She's more of a beach baby.

Pop Pop arrived tonight for a little visit, we're excited to spend his birthday weekend with him! Ruby was really excited to show him all her toys. We're all doing the Susan G. Komen 5k walk for the cure this weekend, it'll be interesting to see how long it will take us with Ruby. I'm sure she won't want to stay in her stroller for too long.

Another thing that Ruby loves doing now is playing doctor with her babies. She gets out her doctor kit and checks their heart, their blood pressure, their temperature, their ears and then, her favorite part, gives them a shot. Yeah, she is a little twisted. But it's always done with love. She says, "It's OK baby, this is just a little shot. It'll hurt a little but you'll be OK."

Things are going wonderfully in our little piece of Paradise, we find out in 2 weeks if Ruby gets into the preschool I'd REALLY like her to go to. She's 6th on the waiting list so I think we have a good chance but it's still kind of nerve wracking. Keep your fingers crossed!

Making pizza with daddy.

Taste test!

Ready to go in the oven!

Explaining to Dolly why she's in time out. (For hitting baby, if you're wondering).

Cuddle time with her girls.

She's in the "I want to get dressed all by myself" phase.

She loves her backpack from Gamma.

"See my backpack, Mom?"

What the heck is this stuff?

Snow, Schmow, I'd rather swing.

Tea party. You should be a fly on the wall, it's sooo cute!

BFFs and neighbors. We love our 'hood!

They truly do love each other. xoxo

Close up!

Rubes loves her Jen!

Happy 2010 everybody! Wow, we have a lot to cover since my last post!! El and B came on the 23rd and stayed until the 26th and we had the most WONDERFUL time. Ruby was so happy to have their undivided attention for 3 whole days. We had our annual Christmas Eve fondue championship which B won this year. Doug didn't have a chance!

Ruby was really into Christmas this year, which made it so much fun. We put out cookies and milk (she insisted on soy milk) and sprinkled reindeer food outside. She slept until 7:30am and was so excited to see all the presents under the tree when she came downstairs. Santa did not disappoint this year and brought Ruby the coveted double stroller she'd been talking about for months along with lots of other fun toys and goodies.

The weather was beautiful and we got to the beach on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We were sad to see El and B go on the 26th but with that came the excitement of Auntie Em, Uncle Stephen and Stephanie arriving that night. We had so much fun with our second group of visitors and Ruby was in heaven again with all the attention. Ruby's favorite thing was for Stephanie (or anybody within range) to pull Uncle Stephen's beard. Hard. "Pull Uncle Stephen's beawd bawy, bawy hawd." We heard this many times over the time they were here.

We got to the beach two more times before New Years Eve and Ruby discovered that feeding the seagulls is really fun. By the end of it, she was getting so brave that she was letting the seagulls take the french fries right from her hand. Ick.

The visit ended much too quickly but just in time to start planning for our NYE block party. We had the best NYE here with our neighbors! We all gathered out back and ate, laughed, played cornhole and toasted the New Year while the kids all played together and were entertained with a magic show. One of our neighbors constructed a big ball to drop, which we did at 8pm for the kiddies and again at midnight. So much fun! I know I've said it many times before but I just have to say it again. We LOVE our neighbors!!!

Ruby is quite the character and is growing every day. The other night, Doug and I were tucking her into bed and laying on either side of her, she put one arm around me and kissed my cheek and then put her other arm around Doug and kissed his cheek and then said, "I love you guys". We are so in love too! She's also mastered the song, "I'm a little teapot", actions and all, thanks to Gamma. I'll have to get it on video, it's pretty darn cute!

Ruby's imagination is in full swing and she still loves to run from pretend scary witches. She also is playing with her babies and dolly a lot more now and is incredibly maternal and sweet with them. I could watch her play all day. Gamma's here for another whole week, I really don't know what I'm going to do when she's gone. :(

2009 was a great year for us, full of exciting changes and new friends and places. We're so excited for 2010 and all the great things ahead for our little family.

Has anyone seen Ruby?