Paradise Pond

Ruby and I met Nicole and her daughter Kaylee for playtime at Paradise Pond. It is a neat play area with all kinds of separate centers and play equipment. Ruby loved it! She was so worn out from exploring and playing!

Shayne's birthday

Ruby and I went to Shayne's first birthday party at a local pool splash park. Again, her favorite part of the festivities was the balloons.






Looking as cute as can be in her tutu bathing suit and crocs.

Pajama and Pancake Playdate

One of the gals in our baby group hosted a pajamas and pancakes playdate. All the babies wore their pajamas and she made yummy buttermilk fruit pancakes. Here's the host, Preston, showing Ruby how his car works.

Ruby is now 15 months old

Ruby is now 15 months old. This is my absolute favorite stage so far! She's walking and talking and just becomming such a fun and silly little girl. She has started waving hello to strangers and saying bye bye even when someone leaves the room. She loves to climb on anything and everything and is starting to test me by trying to dangerously balance on the arm of the rocker recliner chair. She enjoys carrying things around, especially her little pink teacups. I've introduced her to my old hot wheels car collection and when playing with them she makes a vroom vroom sound, usually says 'wheel' while spinning the tires and then rolls them on her head (which is what daddy does with the cars). Ruby can follow some basic directions (like hug/kiss the baby doll, go get your kitty cat, or go look out the front window to see the doggy outside) and can point to where her bellybutton, eyes, nose, ears and head are. She knows several words and seems to be adding a few every few days...'Wow' is one of her new favorite words and just I love hearing her use this expression when I take her on little mini-adventures (which might be as simple as a trip to the shoe department at Target).

According to the Dr., Ruby is now 21 pounds and 11 oz. and is 32 inches tall. So, she is tall and skinny! She is a pretty good eater, but is just on the move so much. Everywhere we go people comment how tall she is and how long her legs are. She has just moved up to size 5 shoes, size 5 diapers, and is now wearing size 24 month pajamas. Her eyes are still blue and each day her hair grows a tiny tiny bit more.





I like this picture because I can see a bit of Alex in her face. And, Alex says he can see a bit of me in her.

I sewed a pillowcase dress for Ruby

Alex gave me a sewing machine for my last birthday. I recently took a sewing lesson and have been practicing with my machine.

This is my second attempt at a dress.


I am quite pleased with how it came out! I think Ruby might even be able to wear this out in public.








It is made out of a bandana.








I think she likes it!

Neighborhood gettogether at our house

Some friends in our neighborhood take turns hosting the group for bbq once a month. It was our turn this month and we made pulled pork tacos for everyone.

Spinach or pepper tortillas?

Ruby got to play with her buddies. Here she is with Hudson.





Alex dressed festively for the occasion.

Date night

Alex and I had a date night last weekend. This is such a rare occasion! We enjoyed a nice steak dinner, complete with caviar. I had some fun cocktails including one with cotton candy and one with a stick of rock candy mixed in.

It was a luxury to eat dinner in peace, without juggling Ruby, a highchair and her mess!


Afterwards we went to one of our old favorite casual hangouts - the Gingerman. We listened to some live music on the patio.





They have lots of great beers on tap.




Enjoying a pint with the hubby. We had a great time. Thanks to the Macnabs for watching Ruby for the evening.