Baby Smiles

This isn't the best video but it gives you a little taste of our Lucy. We are at Chuck E. Cheese (don't judge!) so that's what all of the weird sounds in the background are. Now..enjoy! Isn't she a DOLL?!?

Happy St Pat's Day!

...Or the Next Julia Child?

Such a good helper in the kitchen!

The Next Mia Hamm?

Who knew she already knows how to dribble?

Smiles

Lucy is full of smiles these days. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to have someone around who forces you to smile, even when you least feel like it. She just lights up the whole room. It is so much fun as she gets more and more interactive and she looooooooooves it when I make the pigeon trill sound!

Random Cuteness

8 Weeks!

Lucy had her 8 week check up today.

Stats are:

Length - 22 inches

Weight - 11lbs 10oz

Head - 14 1/2 inches

For perspective's sake note that Ruby was the same length but weighed only 9lbs 10oz at her 8 week appointment and didn't get to 11lbs until her 4 month appointment! I got a chubby one! Yah! She's just perfect :-)

Annual Idaho Visit

We had our third annual February visit to Boise this past weekend and even though the dad couldn't come with us, we still had a lovely time. We celebrated Jack's birthday, did some visiting and it was great getting ALL of the kids together. What a brood! Who'd have thunk that meeting Amy while playing jump rope 30 (!) years ago, would lead to a picture like this!?!?:

Two handfuls of cute!

Ruby got to see her Uncle Harley again and she was very glad about that. Plus he gave her this Nemo-looking backpack that she ADORES.

Here are sweet Jack and Hannah -- what a couple of beautiful kids!

Jack is very much obsessed with the farm so he had a farm party. Here is Ruby getting in on the act in her cowgirl hat: Oh and the cake! Amy and I worked together to make this awesome farm cake. Are we talented or what? I had an adventure flying with the two kids by myself but it was smooth sailing. Both kiddos were angels. Ruby even got to go in the cockpit as we were debarking on our return trip. The pilot let her come in and push some buttons and pull some levers. Ruby was very impressed! I have to give it to Southwest, yet again. They are, by far, the most friendly folks in the sky that we have dealt with. Ruby had a wonderful time with Grandma Genie and, I think, actually realized that Grandma's are good for a little spoiling. I got to visit with an old high school friend, Lori, which was really cool and Lucy got to meet everybody! We also visited Grandma Grace and Grandpa Jack at their new house -- quite nice! All in all, a wonderful trip as always! More soon.........

Story Time!

Ruby reads one of her favorite books to Lucy. Lucy was suitably impressed.

Smiles!

7 weeks old and full of smiles!

Bath Time!

Visit with Grandma Genie

We had a nice long visit with Grandma Genie who came up to spend Ruby's birthday and to see the garden show. She made Ruby an awesome ape book as well as this cute little cloth house: We were very busy during her visit. We had some birthday parties, went to the garden show and visited the aquarium. Here is Grandma helping Ruby touch the starfish: The garden show had a butterfly house with lots of painted lady butterflies. Ruby enjoyed them from afar but was a little nervous having all of the butterflies out and about. She liked looking at them eating the oranges but did not want any part of holding one. She was content to see them from a safe distance. Grandma also got lots of Lucy holding time in which was nice for me to get a break and able to do some things that I had been meaning to get done. Lucy doesn't look too happy here but she really did like being cuddled by her grandma. However, a screaming baby always makes for a good picture..right?

5 Weeks - Lucy

Our girl is 5 weeks old now and changing so much every day. She is awake much more and really focusing in on things. Now we just await the much anticipated social smile! She's also SUPER chubby and I swear, she's well into the 9lb range though we'll see once we get her on a real scale. However, she's got little fat rolls on her legs and dimples on her elbows and you could just eat her up! Girl pukes like her sister before her so we are forced to carry around huge burp cloths and if things get any worse, I will just use one of our bedsheets! She is a little gassy, which caused some fussiness but a little gas medicine works wonders. Last night she slept for 4 hours and then after eating, another 3 hours. I know that can't last but it was GLORIOUS. Best sleep for the mama for at least 5 months. Thanks Lucy! Anyway, she is looking more and more like a baby and not a newborn and starting to show us who she is.

Dentist!

Ruby had her first official dentist visit this month. She did really great. We were at the bookstore shortly before the visit and I grabbed a copy of "The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist" and read her the relevant parts. When we got to the dentist and she sat in the chair she wondered why it didn't have bunnies on it like in the book. The hygienist was showing her the tools and let her smell the bubblegum scented polish. She asked Ruby what it smelled like and she said, "Blankets." She opened her mouth and let the dentist, "Dr Lucy," count her teeth but would only allow her to polish about one tooth. Better luck next time!

Ruby Turns Three!

Ruby turned three at the end of January and much celebrating was to be had.

Actual birthday with cake and aunties and grandma

Ruby got a tricycle and a "bicycle hat"

Ruby had a little party at our local YMCA. There was time in the gym for the monkeys to get their ju-jus out and then we had cupcakes and more playtime in the little side room. It was the perfect amount of time and everyone got along famously. And for your viewing pleasure, Ruby trying to blow out her candles. I swear it wasn't a trick candle!

So, Ruby at three: She speaks non-stop, loves to sing and is doing really well at riding her trike (while steering at the same time!). She is being a wonderful big sister even though she does get frustrated when Lucy won't play with her. Nevertheless, she loves helping with changes, covering Lucy up and talking about what Lucy will do when she gets a little older. Lucky Lucy!

Ruby made a crown for herself and one for Lucy. I was trying to take the picture while holding Lucy which is why it's a little crooked, but you get the idea.

Ruby and Lucy, Royalty

Queen Ruby

We had a visit from Sarah (due TOMORROW) and Cici so Cici was able to see what's in store for her very very soon. Ruby and Cici had a picnic outside in our unseasonably warm weather. What fun to picnic in January!

Lucy's First Bath

Nope. Didn't like it, not one bit.

Actually...

Ruby's new word is, "actually," as in, "Actually, I would like to wear this shirt," and "Actually, I need another sticker." Ruby and her dad went to the Children's Museum yesterday to give me some Mom time. There were two things that stood out for Ruby. One, the teeth were scary. There is an exhibit that shows teeth munching up food and then poop coming out. The teeth were scary to her, the poop, hilarious of course. The second thing was that Daddy got lost. Evidently, Dustin did not know exactly where it was and got a little turned around. Ruby says, "Actually, Daddy was lost." Poor Daddy will not live this down for a while! However, when all was said and done, they had a wonderful time! And so did I! At home. By myself. With just a sleepy infant. A great Saturday for us all!

Hello Kitty!

Auntie Christine made Ruby and Lucy matching Hello Kitty hats. ADORABLE!!

Check Ups

Both Ruby and Lucy had their check-ups this week. Ruby had her 3 year old check up and was pronounced "fit as a fiddle!" She weighs in at 27 lbs (15th percentile) and 34 1/2 inches (8th percentile) so, while on the petite side, she's all on track with her milestones. We love our doctor's office and though I am sure they are super nice to ALL of their patients, I am pretty sure Ruby is a favorite with everyone there :-)

Ruby feeding her babies

Lucy, on the otherhand, weighed in at 7lbs 15oz which means she's gained a pound since our visit a week and a half ago! She also grew over an inch, measuring in at 20 1/4 inches. It's looking like we may not get the same mileage out of the clothing that we did with Ruby! I've already noticed some chubs happening on her legs -- darling girl!

Lucy chillin' in her swing

Ruby and Lucy

Dressin' Up with Otto

We had a visit from our friend Kerry and her sons Otto and James. Ruby and Otto had a marvelous time dressing up!

We're On Week Two

It's been pretty low key around our house as we all adjust to the newest member. Dustin was home for the first week and we had a few family outings and got used to coordinating an infant and toddler and all of their gear. We've had a few visitors (all arriving with food-nice!) and that's been a lot of fun!

Ruby seems to be adjusting to her sister pretty well. She adores giving her kisses and giving her the chupa chup and sharing her toys with her. It's not all smooth sailing though. When Magy and Ian asked her about Lucy she said, "She's a BAD baby! She snatches my purse!" Ok then!

Ruby helps her dad with the jig saw

Ruby is hitting the threes with gusto and it makes the "terrible twos" look like child's play. There's a lot of limit pushing going on so we are dealing with that. However, her wicked sense of humor, playfulness and general good attitude more than make up for her more trying moments. I think having a new baby is also contributing to her wanting to see just how far she can go...sometimes literally as we are working on not running away from me when we are out and about. Next time I go shopping with the two of them, we are going someplace that has a cart big enough to hold them both. That's all I'm sayin'

Godfather Pose

Buy a $2500 onesie, get a baby for FREE

Lucy is doing great -- she's eating a ton and already starting to get some chubs on her legs. Is it possible we may have a chubby one this time? She does not love the chupa chup as much as her sister did but does enjoy finding her thumb and sucking on that. She's also been sleeping really well and giving me at least one 3 1/2-4 hour stretch a night which is doing wonders for her mother's beauty sleep. But, as we know, this is all temporary so we just take each night and day as it comes! She's been great though and we like to just sit and stare at her. We love baby tv!!

Spooky Baby Part II

Like her sister before her, we present our newest spooky baby:

Whose Ears are These?

Hey family members, any ideas???

Three Year Olds Are So Literal

I was telling Lucy all about her big sister this week and I said, "Lucy, this is your big sister, Ruby. She is going to be a great big sister and she's going to show you the ropes!" Ruby jumped out of her seat, muttering something about butterflies. She reappeared with her butterfly-handled jump rope and said, "Lucy! This is my rope! It has butterflies!" Nice to see she's not going to waste any time showing Lucy the ropes.

Welcome Lucy!

Lucy was born on January 1, 2010 at 2:21 pm and we are all so happy to finally have her here! Stats:

• 7lbs 1.4 oz
• 19 inches long
• dark hair

LUCY

Ruby meets her sister

Dustin and his girls

Everything is going really well -- she's breastfeeding like a champ, sleeping well and other than slightly elevated biliruben levels, is totally healthy. Ruby loves her and is demanding to play with her hourly ("Put her on the floor! I want to play!") so we are teaching her a new vocabulary word, "Eventually." We are really enjoying getting to know Lucy and seeing what she's all about. Here's what we know about Lucy so far:

• She has a funny little pterodactyl squawk when she starts to cry
• She is very strong and will lift her head up and look around while on her belly or on your shoulder
• She takes after her sister and her mom and has already started the spit up parade -- goody.
• She has really long fingers and toes. I mean, like really long, like monkey feet. It's super cute.

We had our two day (technically 5 day) check up today and she is now only 2 oz away from her birth weight so her love of the eat shows! I will be posting some more pics of Christmas very soon :-)