Birthday Portraits

Here are some pictures we had taken for Ruby's first birthday portraits. I will send hard copies out in the mail in the next week or so -- let me know if you want one!

More birthday pictures!

Here are some more pictures of Ruby opening presents and eating cake and generally enjoying her birthday!

Trying to knock over my new nesting/stacking blocks.

Seriously, the wrapping paper is the best part.

Find me more presents!

It's my new plate and you can't have it!

I'm the birthday girl!

Kitty needs a hug.

Cake.

More cake.

Cake all over the place!

Birthday Cake!

Here's the video of Ruby eating her birthday cake today. One year old. Amazing.

Jason Jessica & Ruby

Happy Birthday Ruby!

Wow. I can't believe that Ruby is a year old tomorrow -- it's kind of amazing actually -- she went from this tiny, squirmy baby into a walking, talking toddler! This time last year I was in the hospital being induced and tomorrow (the 27th) at 12:59 p.m. (central time) Ruby was born via c-section.

We don't have any big birthday plans for tomorrow, just a family dinner and cake and presents. But, we're having a birthday party for her June 6. Here are some pictures from the past year -- look at how much she's changed! I will post more after tomorrow and her party!

Barely three hours old!

Almost a year old! (playing in the fountains at Market Square)

Five hours old and already snoozing in Daddy's arms.

Walking, talking, happy tot!

Update

Well I'm sure you all caught the big chunk of video we got uploaded last night. There's tons of good stuff in there. Ruby is walking, talking, and havin' a good time. We just enjoyed a great weekend with Aunt Maggie, though the weather wasn't cooperating with our plans to do things outside.

It's been fairly rainy here in the last two weeks, but things should clear up soon and we'll transition right into summer. Though there is a pretty big event on the horizon before we get to that....

Someone's going to be turning one year old! We're two weeks to the day from the 1 year mark with Ruby Ann Hill. There's no way that's right. I realize that things start to move fast when you get older, but good grief! One year? This time last year I was worried about driving from Tennessee to Iowa in the middle of the night if Jessica went into labor. Little did I know that someone had other plans to be a little late to the game.

Almost one year ago Jessica became a Drake Law graduate, we packed up the house and moved to Tennessee, and Ruby made her appearance at long last. She's almost 4 times the weight she was when she left the hospital, and we've grown a pretty significant amount in height. She's taller than some of her 14-15 month old friends.

Jessica and Ruby have been keeping a pretty regular morning play/walking date at the Oak Ridge marina with some friends, and Ruby just continues to enjoy the outdoors. We finally had to break down and mow the yard - I think we were the last ones in the neighborhood. With all the rain, there's no way I can wait that long to mow again.

We hope everyone had a great Mother's Day, Jessica's gift from me was a Wii Fit, and Ruby got her a movie that she's been wanting to see. Hopefully this week the stove gets fixed and I can make her a belated Mother's Day dinner.

This has been Jason reporting live tonight from the basement at the Hill household in Tennessee. Signing off.

Swinging

Here Ruby tries out her new swing in the front yard.

Read a book to Mom

Here Ruby "reads" a book to her Mother.

Play time with Dad

Here Ruby and Dad play on the floor in the living room, then Ruby decides it's time to do some walking.

Happy Walker

Here Ruby walks down the hall into the living room and demonstrates some of her newfound verbal skills.

Walking

Here Ruby goes for a short walk in the living room.

Ruby tries walking

Enticed by the thought of food, Ruby takes a few steps in the living room.

Video Posting

Okay. We've not uploaded video in quite some time. Ruby's walking up a storm now. We've also learned ~25 words and are picking up some sounds. This video shows Ruby in her room walking, sneezing, coughing, and "playing". Enjoy!