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:

Last Swim Class!

Today was Ruby's final swim lesson and "graduation!" Jason came to the lesson with us so that we could have some pictures and video of Ruby's new tricks. It was a lot of fun, and Ruby even got her first certificate. Enjoy the pictures!

Changes for Ruby

It's finally turning into perfect park weather here in Tennessee! Mid-70s during the day and cooler at night. We're able to have the windows open and we are loving it. That means we have been doing a lot of outdoor play dates with friends.

Ruby has had a couple of big developments recently. First, we moved her to a "big girl" bed. It didn't require any physical moving because we just took down one side of the crib and put up the toddler rail. Night time is going well so far and I think nap time will go well once we get a good routine down. Today was a bit of a struggle for her nap, but she did take one in her big girl bed!

Also, Ruby has started to tell us when she needs to use the bathroom. I think we only had one wet diaper today and that was when we were running errands. If we are at home or at a friend's house, she prefers to use the toilet. I don't really expect this to last, but she seems to enjoy going "potty" so we'll encourage it as long as she wants to do it.

We also started painting the twins' room. Blue on the bottom, yellow on the top with a white chair rail in between.

Not a whole lot new here. Jason's mom is coming for a visit tomorrow, and I've included a few pictures from today (nap time in the big girl bed and going out for ice cream.) Enjoy!

Not much new here ...

I'm really slacking on updating this blog, but there hasn't been too much "new" going on here. Ruby had her 15 month check up almost two weeks ago. And, as usual, she is HUGE (she's very proportional, just the top of the charts!) She weighed in at 25 pounds, 13 ounces (88th percentile) and 33 inches tall (98th percentile). Even her head circumference was in the 94th percentile.

The doctor said Ruby is doing great in developmental milestones and eating. The child has not found a food she won't eat (actually, she won't eat cantaloupe, but since she will eat pretty much every other food we put in front of her I think it's ok).

We also had a quick trip to the doctor the day before her 15 month checkup because Ruby got her first two ticks. We spent a day at the arboretum with some friends and the next morning I noticed a tick in her hair. I tried my best to get it out, but she was really fighting me, so I just took her in to the doctor to let them deal with her. Of course, when we got there the tick in her head had come off, but we discovered another one in her leg! So, the doctor showed me how to properly remove a tick. That was an adventure.

In baby news, there's not much to say. I can officially feel Baby Boy kick and move around a lot, but can't really feel Baby Girl yet. I have the "big" ultrasound on Monday (even though we already know what we're having), so at least I'll find out how big they are getting. And, I think they will even put this ultrasound session on a DVD for us.

I will try to upload some pictures later. We have a birthday party tomorrow at the Splash Pad and should have pictures to post.

A Boy and A Girl

Yup, Baby A is a BOY and Baby B is a GIRL! We found that news out a week ago and I've been meaning to update the blog, but keep forgetting to do it. We weren't expecting to find out gender, but since I got another ultrasound (since they could only find one hearbeat on the doppler) the ultrasound tech took a peek. Jason was very excited to hear about the little boy (he was excited about the girl too, but I think he almost jumped out of his seat when the tech said boy).

We've also had some nice weather here lately. Not too hot and a nice breeze. So, we took Ruby to the arboretum on Sunday for a morning walk. She loved it there. And this morning we had a play date with some friends at a local park.

Here are some pictures of Ruby's recent activities!

Got new slippers and a hat from Grandma & Grandpa Anderson :)

What do you mean "don't throw rocks"?

Love my daddy.

Found a big stick!

Daddy and me!

Walking with mommy.

Going for a hike.

Daddy and me at the arboretum.

Swinging at the park.

I'm really into climbing these days.

Coloring with the cat, but she tries to steal the crayons.

Playing with my chalk ... I don't eat it (too much) anymore!