Christmas Morning

Here's a short video of Ruby coming out of our room on Christmas morning to her presents. Enjoy!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It's been a busy week here. Earlier this week Ruby and I went to the Fantasy of Trees (an event benefiting the local children's hospital). And then this weekend it snowed; we had our Breakfast with Santa event; the tree lighting at Jackson Square; cut down our Christmas tree and finally decorated it.

Ruby had a lot of fun with all of these events, and so did we. She loved playing in the snow and running around the Christmas tree farm. She tried to help hang ornaments on the tree, but was really more interested in taking off the ornaments that were already hung up.

I will try to scan in the photo of her with Santa Clause when I get a chance -- she sat on his lap well (no tears) but wouldn't really smile for the camera.

Enjoy the pictures, there are a lot of them!

The kids area at the Fantasy of Trees was filled with penguins!

Trying to draw a snowflake.

Went to the Fantasy of Trees with Connor.

Ruby stood in the front yard saying "Ruby in Winter! Ruby in Winter!"

We got quite a bit of snow Saturday morning (but it melted by noon).

Lori from Mother Goose brought all of her goodies to the Santa Breakfast.

Musical instruments at the Santa Breakfast (courtesy of Mother Goose).

Playing in the snow after visiting Santa Clause!

At the tree lighting at Jackson Square.

The "Christmas pig" at an ice cream shop on Jackson Square (where the tree lighting took place)

This tree is just Ruby's size!

You have to be up high to see the good trees.

Running amongst the trees at the tree farm.

Helping Daddy cut down the tree.

Looks like a good tree.

"Carry you, Daddy!" (Ruby's way of asking to be carried ...)

Jason has to carry Ruby and drag the tree!

Helping Daddy hang some ornaments.

"Hi, Christmas tree!"

Daddy's doing all the hard work.

The garland became a new necklace.

Dancing to Christmas music after the tree was decorated.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We had a very nice and relaxing day watching the Macy's parade and eating lots of food and enjoying the company of friends. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures! We just wanted to wish everyone else a nice holiday.

Tomorrow is our niece Natalie's birthday -- so please take some time to think of her and her family. She will always be loved and missed.

I promise new pictures in the near future. Maybe I can even get Ruby to pose with the paper plate turkey she made at a friend's house ...

Playing in the Leaves

We have had a fun weekend! Ruby helped with some raking and loved jumping in piles of leaves. Here are some pictures!

Pumpkin time

Wednesday afternoon we had some friends over and decided to "carve" and paint the pumpkins from the pumpkin patch. We didn't really carve them -- just cut the lids off so that the kids could play in pumpkin goop. And our friend Katherine brought over all sorts of kid-paint so they could have a fun art project.

Well, I went inside to get more cups to put paint in and when I came out, all of the children were working on the pumpkins. Except Ruby. She was eating paint. Yup, my child painted her teeth blue on Wednesday. It was actually really cute, but she didn't seem to like the taste of the paint :)

Enjoy the pictures!

Great Great Aunt Virginia & more

Last Saturday, Jason's great aunt (Ruby's great great aunt) was in town for a conference, so we went to her hotel so she could meet Ruby. Ruby had a blast playing in the hotel room, and I think Aunt Virginia enjoyed meeting and playing with Ruby.

Then, on Sunday, we did another evening at "Boo at the Zoo" with Connor and his parents. It was crazy busy, but we had fun. Next year we'll definitely not be going on the last night though!

Everything is going well here. A group of kids is coming over this afternoon to "carve" pumpkins. (I think they will probably spend time just playing in the pumpkin goop!) And tomorrow afternoon, Ruby is going to a babysitter's house so that I can get a few things done.

The twins are doing well. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and the doctor said everything looks good. She was concerned about some pain that may have been contractions, so they hooked me up to the monitors to make sure these babies were staying put. I will go back on Friday for a re-check, but there doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. They are just very, very active babies -- especially compared to how Ruby was!

Boo at the Zoo and other Halloween festivities

It's been a busy week this week! Wednesday, Ruby and I joined the local mom's group and went back to the pumpkin patch. We had a blast. It was our first time carpooling with April and Connor, and the kids did really well together in the back seat. There was a lot of hand holding and "talking" to each other. It's getting harder and harder to get Ruby's picture when we go out -- she runs all over the place and usually away from the camera.

Then, last night, Jason and I took Ruby to "Boo at the Zoo." This year was a much different experience than last year. Ruby walked through a good portion of the trick or treat stands, said "please" and "thank you" to most of the people giving out goodies, and wanted to hug and kiss every character we saw. (She thought that everyone in an Elmo costume -- whether a baby or an adult -- was the "real" Elmo and she wanted to give them all kisses and tickles!)

Enjoy the pictures!

"Boo!"

A tiger with a Tigger!

Enthralled by the belly dancers.

Ruby talking in "tiger."

Grrr!

If I push him, will he go faster??

I love April.

April's basically my second mom.

Connor, I'll fight you for it!

I choose this one!

Hanging out with the pumpkins.

Pumpkin Patch/Grammy's visit

At the beginning of October, Jason's mom came to visit for a long weekend. We had fun taking Ruby to the Children's Museum and the pumpkin patch. She also got to visit a couple of the area parks and meet some of Ruby's little friends. Ruby got really good at asking for "Grammy" and I think Ruby loved seeing her.

We haven't had the best weather here the past week or so. Lots of rain. So, we've been spending more time inside.

As for the twins, they are growing well. Still have a boy and a girl (glad that hasn't changed!) and they are each about 1.5 pounds as of my last appointment. The doctor has started me on every two week appointments now, which seems so early, but I guess things are pretty different with two babies.

Here are some recent pictures: