When we reached the checkout, I was holding Ruby facing over my left shoulder. A middle aged gentleman came up behind us and was instantly enamored with her. They were smiling back and forth at each other for several minutes. The man told me how adorable she was and how beautiful her eyes were (how nice to hear something aside “Wow….she’s really small.”). They continued smiling at each other and it seemed like Ruby was really putting on a smile show for him.

After a few more minutes, the man asked me what her name was.

“Ruby.” I replied.

He stopped for a second and with tears welling up in his eyes he said, “Seriously?!” I shook my head and wondered what he meant.

He said, “Well you might think this is crazy but that was my Mother’s name.”  and continued, “Today was her birthday.”

I could tell he was a little taken aback with emotion and I replied, “Well, she must be looking out for you today!”

Ruby continued smiling and began to coo at him.

I said, “Its not a very common name, you know?” He shook his head and continued smiling with her with tears in his eyes.

Another minute of Ruby hamming it up continued (can you tell our cashier was old?) and I curiously asked him, “What was her middle name?”

“Mae.” he said.

I felt chills on the back of my neck.

Now I said, “Seriously?!” He looked at me curiously.

I said, “I swear to God, her middle name is Mae. Ruby Mae Reese”.

He began to cry.

I began to cry.

We just stared at Ruby, who was still smiling and cooing. Ruby reached her hand toward him and he took a step closer to her. A cashier at the next aisle over asked the man if he wanted to be checked out.

He said, “No, I think I’ll stay with Ruby Mae a little longer.”

Photo by Vida Mia Photography

Today was Ruby’s 4th month checkup. She is now 11lbs, 4oz and 24 inches long. For her age that puts her in the 25th percentile for weight, not sure about her percentile for height but the Doctor said she is tall and skinny for her age and if she is lucky, she will stay that way her whole life. Ruby is hitting all of her milestones, babbling, rolling over both ways, grabbing/holding toys. We were anxious about her shots but she took them like the little princess she is, only cried for 30 seconds or less and was fine as soon as Mama was holding her.

I have so much I want to share from Jude’s birthday/Halloween, I’m going to try and get on that soon Plus, we just took family portraits on Sunday and I can’t wait to share all of them with you when they are done. We got a 4 picture preview and the one posted above was a part of that. The cuteness KILLS ME DEAD.

It has been too long since I’ve had time to do anything with two hands besides breastfeed, change diapers, fold laundry, cook, clean or drive. But here I am, on a real computer with two free hands (Thanks to Jude’s exhaustion and Michael playing with Ru).

I can’t believe it has been four months since Ruby was born but on the other hand, I can’t imagine our family without her. Things have been….busy. I seriously feel like having one child was like being on vacation compared to this. Having two babies at the neediest stages of life, what was I thinking? Not that I would have it any other way, but I was kidding myself before trying to imagine how difficult it would be. It’s like running a marathon with no finish line. It’s also more intense this time around because I am breastfeeding, which requires SO MUCH MORE work, dedication, patience, planning and sleep deprivation. It is so unbelievably worth it to me though, I love it. It forces me to take time for just Ruby and I to bond. I really wish I would have been able to experience nursing Jude, but I’m glad he was still able to receive breast-milk in a bottle.

Jude’s interest in Ruby seems to increase by the week. The more Ruby is able to talk, wiggle and interact with him, the more he loves her. We have to be careful though, because sometimes he is a little too excited to play with his sister. He is doing so much better on the jealousy front, but there are still times when I am nursing Ruby that he decides is the perfect time to try and jump on my lap. It makes me feel so bad to try and juggle that time between the two of them, but I know it is just a phase.

Ruby sleeps okay at night. She wakes up 2-3 times (for about 30 minutes), but at least when she is done nursing, she usually goes right back to sleep. I’m not sure what her stats are yet because her next doctor’s appointment isn’t until November 1st. I look forward to it. I don’t worry about her eating because that is all this girl still likes to do it seems She began talking and making beautiful little cooing noises and squeals about a month ago. I haven’t gotten a “real” giggle or laugh out of her yet, but she is the happiest lil baby I’ve ever seen.  Everywhere we go people stop us to tell us how beautiful she is, how cute and tiny she is. I can’t help but agree. Her demeanor is so delicate and lovely, soft and sweet. I joke that after having such an energetic child like Jude, I’m deserving of an “easy baby”. Ruby is so fascinated by Jude’s energy and laughter, her face lights up watching him.

No matter how tired or stressed I get, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest Mama in the whole world. Because I am.

Earlier today:

Besties:

These muffins only require two things: 1. Boxed cake mix (spice cake mix was recommended but I had yellow on hand)
2. Can of pumpkin.

I simply mixed the two ingredients together, put the mixture in paper cupcake liners and sprinkled powdered sugar on top. They do take a little longer to bake (350 for about 22 minutes).

They got the Jude approval (his “cheese” face).
They turned out super moist and much more natural tasting than most pumpkin muffins I’ve tried!

I can’t believe it has been a year since I wrote your last birthday letter. But you have changed and developed so much, maybe it seems possible. (I have a feeling most of my letters will start with this thought.) Not to mention you have a 3 month old sister now, who has already figured out you are the coolest person alive. Since your last birthday, you have begun walking, talking, running, jumping, etc. Basically, you have become the worlds most energetic person. People often ask your Daddy and I “Is he like this all the time?!”. (Yes, America…yes he is.) We wouldn’t have it any other way because life with you is so much fun! There is never a dull moment.

A favorite part of my day is hearing you wake up over your baby monitor. You have been in your big-boy-bed for several months now and trust me when I say you enjoy all the liberties it brings you. In the morning (about 7 am) we hear you rolling around. Wait, I need to first explain that you REFUSE to sleep in your actual bed. You only wish to sleep on the ground, preferably near the right window and air vent. You are a freak and we love you for that. So, we hear you mumbling to your cutie little self and making adorable stretching noises for about 30 seconds, until I suppose you realize that you are awake. Then, in the happiest, loudest, most excited little Jude voice you start yelling, “HI! HI! HI! HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!” so that Daddy will know to come and get you, change your diaper (hopefully you will be done with those by your next letter) and bring you into our bed where Ruby and I are waiting. You SLAM open the bedroom door and run to your sister, at which point you kiss her toes and face about 3-5 times (depending on the amount of sleeping you’ve had) and you make the sweetest “MUUUU-AHHHHHH!” noise. Daddy and I always “Awww!” and then try to get you to give us kisses too. Sometimes you will give kisses but most of the time you’ve already spotted a glass of water to stick your hand in or an electrical chord to try and chew on.

Your whole life is a search and destroy mission. You go from one mess to another. This drives me insane but in my defense, it even drives your sloppy Father crazy. It can be entertaining sometimes, when I’m not so worried about the mess having to be cleaned up right away. The first part of this last year was spent greatly enjoying watching you learn to walk/run. Until we figured out we would also be forced to run after you. Once you started walking, all hope of keeping you from your search and destroy mission was lost. You win.

You still love music and dancing just as much as your first year of life, if not more. We love to have dance parties, you seem to be the most into pop & rap music. I’m most likely to blame for your terrible taste. I try to imagine the future and wonder if you will play in a band like Daddy or take dance lessons like I used to do. But you are only turning 2 and that is enough heartbreak a Mother can take today.

You are obsessed with water! You love the bath, shower, pool, lake, pond, puddle, glass…anything filled with water, you’re stoked. We enjoy taking you to the Splash Park when its hot to watch you splash your crazy little hands in all the sprayers and run in circles around the other children (who are often also asking us “Is he like this all the time?” Yes. Yes, children of America.).

We have shared countless fun adventures with you over the past year! DISNEYLAND, your first pony ride at Apple Hill, admiring the animals at Folsom Zoo, spinning in the teacups at the Carnival, the birth of your cousin T2, Ruby’s baby shower, the birth of your baby sister and making music videos at Zeum  just to name a few.

You have such a vast imagination now. I love watching you play with your cars (you are OBSESSED) and see you “driving” them all over the living room, making “Vrooooooom” sounds. You tend to fixate on really strange things to play with aside cars too, such as paper, Tupperware, toothbrushes, clothing, plastic bottles, etc.

Something you don’t like so much? Eating. Unless it involves Chicken Nuggets or anything to do with sugar. For about the first 6 months you were eating “real” food, you would eat just about anything we gave you. Now? No. You are very particular. You seem to think you are the boss and have no problem making your opinion and emotions known. Which is exactly like me, so I can’t really blame you. Also similar to Dada, you like to laugh and try to make jokes when you are in trouble. It infuriates me because it is rude, but secretly I kind of like it.

When your sister was born, Daddy brought her out of the delivery room to the hallway where you were waiting to meet her with all of our family. You yelled out, “SIS!” and as he brought her closer to you, you swatted towards her. You didn’t hit her thankfully, but you seemed like you wanted to. We were so worried you would hate her and us, forever. Annnnnnd you pretty much did for a good month or so. I quickly discovered though, that it wasn’t her you didn’t like, because you love her so unconditionally…..it was us.  After a bit of convincing I think you realized that we still love you just as much as before Ruby was born, if not more.  You are such a loving big brother and I can’t wait to watch your relationship develop over the years. You are always trying to help me soothe or feed her your snacks (which you still don’t understand why she can’t eat chicken nuggets like you do).

Other likes include: Itsy Bitsy Spider, counting to ten with Mama, barking like a dog and meowing like a kitty, eating doughnut holes, watching Shrek & Cars, playing outside, playing at the play area at the mall, going to the park, watching the slideshows I make for you, hiding things that are important, saying “Hi!”, waving and blowing kisses, brushing your teeth, plugging your ears, jumping up and down, messing up piles of laundry, sitting uncomfortably close to the TV, banging your hands on the computer, stealing our cell phones, sneaking things off the kitchen table, swinging, making Dinosaur noises, trying to break my breastpump, Mama’s singing, stomping, rice-crispy treats, closing/opening doors, pushing any kind of buttons, things that light up, chewing on books, trying to walk from the kitchen to the bedroom with your eyes closed and running into the refrigerator, throwing your food everywhere, popcorn, balloons, tickling, Mama, Dada, playing with Ruby, etc.

Other dislikes include (but not limited to): nap time, bed time, eating, being told no, sleeping in bed, being told to do anything that isn’t your idea, anything that isn’t your idea, vacuums, silence, clean houses, grocery stores, the Doctor’s office, etc.

In two years you have learned a lot, but you have taught me so much more. Your excitement for life sparks joy in my heart every day. I can get so caught up in stupid little details, but then you come along and remind me how exciting and fun just playing with a balloon or dancing to a terrible pop song can be. Your smile makes my chest feel like its going to explode with joy. Your laughter is one of the best sounds in the world. You are so adorable I can’t help but kiss and squeeze you. I’m lucky to get to be your Mom. The love we have for you is truly indescribable. Thank you for making our lives so amazing.

Happy 2nd Birthday darling boy.

Love,

Mama

Budgie is 29lbs! 35.5 inches tall and his dome is 19.5 inches around! Go Babybear!

I also couldn’t resist weighing lil Ruby, who is now 10lbs 5oz, averaging 7oz a week weight gain! Woo!!!

So proud of my babies

Love, Jude & Ruby

I think one of the unexpected trials of Motherhood is the stress it brings to all the OTHER areas of your life. Your body, marriage, friendships and work suddenly take a blow and learning how to balance that part of life properly is a science I’m still experimenting with. I mean, Ruby is still tiny… most of my days consist of trying to fit in time to take a dump, shower or (God-willing) both. So I’ve had to learn to take it pretty easy on myself when it comes to my expectations. I’m learning its okay to be a boring, tired wife for now. That my house will not be like this forever. That the weight isn’t going to come off overnight. Work will come again and I’m sure all I will do is wish to go back to the days I’m living now.

Jude is turning 2 on the 29th of this month. It makes me want to cry when I think about it. I keep trying to force him into bear hugs all day long, its really cramping his independent style. He is coming out of his crazy-coma a little and starting to get back to his old, sweet (yet still psychotic) ways. I don’t know what I would do without that little boy’s smile every morning. Right now he is really into, “HIIIIIIIIII!”. He smiles at me with an admiration that is indescribable. The kids bring us a happiness unlike any other. He just adores his sister. I used to think he liked giving her kisses because every time he would be praised with an “Awww!” but we have caught him tip toeing up to her in the bouncy chair when he thinks we are not looking to kiss her toes.

Photo by the talented Priscilla Newton.

Obsessed with sand.

9 weeks.

10 weeks.

]]> http://fancyandfriends.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/life-as-we-know-it/feed/ 1 fancyandfriends highres_51145281 IMG_2512 315042_10150776591755374_729100373_20521463_6700907_n 10 weeks http://fancyandfriends.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/rubys-2-month-stats/ http://fancyandfriends.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/rubys-2-month-stats/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:53:23 +0000 fancyandfriends http://fancyandfriends.wordpress.com/?p=2986 ]]> Ruby had her 2 Month checkup today! She is still tiny- weighing in at 9lbs 4oz (What Michael weighed when he was born). I was feeling pretty bummed because I was worried the Dr would be upset about her weight, but she actually said she was in the 15-25th percentile and not worried. I asked the Dr if Ruby only gaining 3-4oz a week is something we should be concerned about and she said as long as she is gaining and developing normally there is nothing to worry about. Babygirl is now 23 inches long, she has very long legs. The Dr was very impressed with Ruby’s strength! She can hold her head up pretty well and when she is on her tummy can do a ‘lil baby push up move that is so cute. She also is trying very hard to roll over already. The Dr kept saying, “That’s 4 month stuff!” For something so little she packs a lot of energy! It is so adorable watching her smile now and listening to her make noises. I pretty much cry almost every time she starts cooing at me. I know, I know…but I can’t help it!

‘Lil baby pushup (iPhones need flash).

Kisses.

At her appointment

Oh!! Also? We have been hard at work on Ruby’s nursery. At first we were planning to do a shared room for the kids, but we changed our minds. They are different people and deserve their own space. I can’t wait to share it with you guys when we are done!!