Is it really the middle of March?

My blogging loyalty has been suffering in 2010! But hey, I have an excuse! I'm sure all of you know by now but Baby Vogt #2 is on it's way. I'm about 13 weeks pregnant and am FINALLY feeling human again. It was a rough 8 weeks or so of constant nausea but we've finally turned the corner.

We told Ruby we were going to have a baby when I was about 10 weeks pregnant and she had the best reaction ever. She was so excited, she was kissing and hugging my belly and looking in my belly button and asking all kinds of questions. She continues to be excited about her "baby brother" (she insists its a boy), and proudly tells people that she's going to be a big sister. She really is going to be a great big sister. Baby Vogt #2 is a lucky little peanut.

Ruby is busy, busy and I'm happy to say - fully potty trained!!! YAY!! At least our diaper bill will go down for a few months. What a difference it is to have a potty trained kid - so much easier. I don't think I could have handled changing a poopy diaper while I was so sick so it kind of worked out pretty well.

Ruby has turned into a teenager overnight. She has started rolling her eyes at me and letting out huge, dramatic sighs when I ask her to pick something up or put her shoes on or help me with something. It's actually pretty funny but I can't let her know that. :) Her feisty personality is continuing to grow and Doug and I are often at a loss for words. I've actually found myself saying, "I'm the mom, you can't boss me around like that." OK, I really have to find some better authority statements.

Rubes did not get into the preschool I had hoped but we have signed her up for another one that I've actually become very excited about. She'll start summer camp in June, 2 days a week, just to get her used to school and then in the Fall, she'll go 3 days a week. The school is doing a soccer program called Happy Feet that I know she'll just love. Even though I'm very excited about getting a couple mornings a week to myself, the more I think about it, the more I'll miss my Rubes. She's so ready for school though, it will be so great for her.

I've joined a group called Charitable Moms were we do what we can to help out those in need. Our first big family project was to have a yard sale to raise money for 4 Kids of South Florida who were placing orphans from Haiti to new homes. It was so great to get the kids involved. Ruby seemed to understand some of what we were trying to do. She had a lot of questions about the babies that didn't have homes or mommies or daddies. I am really excited to be part of a group that will help teach my children how to help others.

We're excited for our upcoming visit from the NC Vogts! Ruby has been talking about Uncle Dave, Aunt Toni, Andy and Emily for some time now - just a week away now. Ruby got to see more cousins a couple weeks ago when Mike, Pam, Luke and Evan were in Naples visiting Pop Pop. We had such a great time, Ruby and the boys just love each other so much and had so much fun together.

Finally I want to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nana today. We love you!!! xoxo

The shirt Daddy made Ruby for our breast cancer walk.

After the Susan G. Komen 5k.

Ruby with her buddies at Alden's b-day party.

Ruby waited very patiently for the cake to be served.

Our little daredevil.

Up, up...

...and away!

Valentine's Day.

I love this picture.

Testing out the Valentine's Day cookies we made.

At our Charitable Moms yardsale, Ruby took to this bear. Yes, we own it now.

Painting Daddy's fingernails. She LOVED this!

Not bad for a 2 1/2 year old!

Ruby's favorite party of Savannah - the candy shop!

Trolley ride!

Arrr matey!

Shiver me timbers!

In ATL visiting Sam and Lexi. They had so much fun!

SNOW!!

Ruby got a little carried away icing her cookie.

Reading a story with Evan, Auntie Pam and Luke.

Daddy and Rubes in Naples.

Cuties getting ready to head to the beach.

Budding artist.

Rubes and her friend Bella at the beach.

Long time, no blog...

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!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and all that jazz!

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?

El and B arrive!!

Mr. Fondue Champion 2009

The loot on Christmas Eve.

A DOUBLE STROLLER!!

Getting situated.

And away we go.

Her first creation on her new easel.

The finished masterpiece.

Opening her new Hess Truck from Pop-Pop.

Wearing her necklace Grandpa made her when he was in the hospital.

Sporting our hats Ruby made us (with Gamma's help).

Ruby's gingerbread house from Uncle Donnie. A big hit!

Christmas Eve Day at the beach.

El and Rubes waiting for a big wave.

On the breakwater.

Ruby and her shell collection.

Ruby definitely did not inherit her mother's fear of birds!

Daddy and Ruby taking a run on the beach.

CUTE.

Throwing food for the seagulls.

Getting brave. This seagull took the french fry right from her hand!

With Auntie Em and Uncle Stephen. Being caught by a wave.

The cornhole crew minus Doug.

Stephen actually put her to sleep, she slept like this for over an hour.

Party like it's 2009!

The NYE Ball on it's first drop!

She went a little crazy after hanging out at the chocolate fountain for a good majority of the night!

Ruby loves to climb this tree in front of our place.

Gamma and friends.

Making breakfast in bed for Gamma.

She got soap in her eye in the bathtub and insisted on putting a band aid on it.

Tea party with Daddy.

Ruby and her BFFs Eva and Ellie at the zoo.

Pigtail cuteness.

We have a climber on our hands.

Carousel cuties.

Ruby thought it was stinky in the bat cage.