Ruby's Birthday - May 13th, 2012

 We celebrated Ruby's birthday at home on her actual birthday. I continued our tradition of getting her a white chocolate raspberry bundt cake from a bakery I like. She got to eat cake for breakfast this year!


 She opened packages (including a red purse, ponyville playsets, polly pockets, a red princess dress, games, bean bag toss, Barbies, and a Barbie jeep). Then we went outside where she got to try out her new bouncehouse (a bargain I got from a garage sale) and sandbox.







So much fun for the birthday girl!

Ruby's 3rd Birthday Party

 Ruby had a great 3rd birthday party! I found a neat indoor play area with a bouncehouse, slide, dress up center, and various other stations to keep the kids entertained. Ruby had lots of family and many of her friends from school and playgroups there to help celebrate. I went with a fish theme because Ruby has had an interest in fish for a while now.



Blowing out her RED (fave color) candles!










She doesn't look that happy in this pic, but she was having a blast at the party!



Ruby and her friends.




Graham and daddy. Can't believe that he will be 1 year old in less than 6 months!

Ruby's birthday weekend

 Ruby was well celebrated this year! Grannie and Grandpa brought her fun gifts- a new princess rocking chair...







A really neat castle with kings, queens and horses.



And my Mamaw gave her a really neat dog guitar which she loves!




Thanks Goodells!

Goodells come visit

 My family came in town for Mollie's graduation and Ruby's birthday.

Congratulations Mollie!
Preston and Camlin played Hungry Hippos with Ruby.




Grandpa Goodell with Ruby and Graham (who looks so much like him!)

Graham is now 6 months old!

 Graham is now 6 months old. At his checkup he weighed 19 pounds, 3 oz. and was 28.5 inches long. He continues to be in the top percentiles for weight and height compared to other babies his age. He wears 18 month clothes now.

He has two bottom teeth.

He can sit unsupported.








And he is learning how to eat...he just had his first mum mum here. 






He is so happy, expressive, and strong. He adores big sister Ruby and it seems each day they interact more and more.

Cooking class

 Ruby and I took a cooking class together. While I juggled Graham in his Baby Bjorn, Ruby got to mix up some cupcake batter, learn how to cut up fruit for a fruit salad and put together some tomato tartlets. Lots of fun!

Graham eats

 Graham has made lots of progress eating solids. We've now tried carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, pears, bananas and avocado. No signs of allergies yet.

Favorites are bananas and sweet potatoes. Not a fan of avocado or green beans.

Ruby still seems interested in feeding him every now and then.

Slip N' slide

 I set up the slip N slide for Ruby on a warm afternoon. She liked splashing in the sprinkler spray, but didn't really get the sliding part.

Graham's first solid meal

 At 6 months we started Graham on solid food. We let Ruby do the honors feeding him his first meal of rice and pears. Of course he made faces as if everything tasted awful, but Ruby did a great job gently encouraging him to try it!

Backyard cooking

 Ruby and I "cook" in the backyard in her water table. We pretend grass is spinach and rose petals are strawberries. It is so neat seeing her use her imagination!

Graham's first sink bath

 We'vestopped using Graham's baby bath. Now we usually bathe him and Ruby in our garden tub or in the sink. So much easier!

Renaissance Festival

 Ruby and I went with some friends to the Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie. The girls loved seeing all princesses and fairies...





Enjoying some bagpipe music.

Zoo trip

 Ruby, Graham and I went to the zoo a while back. She wore her zebra dress...



 Graham in his Baby Bjorn carrier.
 She even got to ride the carousel!

Graham's new moves

Graham has been moving a lot! He is sitting, rolling and stretching. Diaper changes are becomming more challenging! He has pulled up his knees under his tummy which usually means crawling is just around the corner.

Graham loves blocks

 I was playing blocks with Ruby, while holding Graham, and I noticed how interested he was in knocking them over. It is now one of his favorite activities which we do almost every day.

Graham's first tooth at 5 months

 Graham's first tooth came in right at 5 months. He was fussy for quite some time, but fortunately teething has not affected his nighttime sleep!

Now he is back to being super happy.

Ft.Worth Train Ride

 Ruby, Graham and I met some friends to ride the train near the Ft. Worth zoo. It was a bit of a challenge trying to juggle Graham as the train went over a bridge and through the park, but Ruby enjoyed it!

Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens

 On a beautiful weekend morning we strolled around the Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens. Ruby enjoyed feeding the fish.








And we snapped a picture of Graham sitting (in the same spot we took a picture of Ruby sitting at his age).