Announcement

Of course she wouldn't look at the camera, but it's true. Ruby's going to be a big sister! We are super excited and yet some days when I'm running around after Red and completely exhausted I'm not sure what I'm getting myself into. I'm due April 8 and the Doc guessed another girl this week, but it's still early to confirm it. Either way, we're just praying for a healthy baby and no bedrest like last time. Twelve weeks on bedrest with a toddler would be way worse than last time so say a prayer for me!

First Day of School

Excited to go to school!

Today was Ruby's first day of preschool or Mother's Day Out. She'll only go 2 days a week for 3 hours but I'm hoping it will be really good for her. Maybe she'll learn to share and begin to be ok with not being the center of attention 24 hours a day! One day a week while she's there I'm going to a women's Bible study at another church and the other day I'm FREE!! When I dropped her off she had to be pried out of my arms screaming just like every time we take her to church nursery. But I stood around the corner for a minute and she evenutally calmed down. But when I got back-oh my!! I wish I had had a video camera. Or at least a strong drink for the teachers. All 12 kids were screaming!!!I think after the first mom got there they all realized their mommies weren't there and they lost it. It was pretty funny! But after Ruby saw me she went back for one more handful of goldfish so I think she must have done ok most of the time.

She would not put on her back-pack because she wanted the name sticker off her cup!

Once we got to the church she wanted her bag on

Telling Bibby all about school

Summer Surprise

Summer is coming to an end this weekend and even though we had fun this summer, I'm ready for fall! Bring on the cool weather, fall fairs and skinny jeans (and of course, football!). In our house, football picture day marks the end of summer. The picture always makes us laugh because they are so staged but its a good way to ensure that we have a family picture at least once a year and its fun to look back at how we've changed over just 7 years. I had to wake Ruby up bright and early so she was determined not to smile-instead she looks asian. We're proud of our Coach and "Go Longhorns!".

My cousin asked me to send her a recipe this week for a cookbook that her work is putting together. She works for an oncologist so it will be a fundraisor for cancer research which is great and dear to both of us. I was searching for the perfect recipe to submit in memory of Mama Jackie and today I found it. I was looking in one of her old cookbooks which she heavily supplemented with hand written recipes and newspaper clippings. I came across this recipe card that she must have filled out for someone else since the top line says "From the kitchen of Mama Jackie". She started making this dish a few years ago for a family gathering and we all loved it, especially my sister. I'm pretty sure she made up the name just to make us laugh, but it stuck. So here's Mama Jackie's Summer Surprise. Make it this weekend for your Labor Day festivities before all the fruit of the summer is gone!

I love her extra tips on the back! My mom started adding mango to the mix and its delish! Enjoy!

Wednesday Night Fun

Yesterday Rubes took a 4 hour nap. She rocks! But after dinner that meant she had lots of energy to expend. First we went to the playground. Then we hit up the sprinkler. And she must have worn herself out because this morning she slept until 10:30!! Yeah, she rocks!

Grandaddy taught her how to drink water from the hose this weekend

 

Taking a break

 

Love that smile and those rolls!

I heart the iphone

 Thank goodness for technology! I love my job, but at the same time it really does pain me each time I leave my little red head. I know she's always in good hands, but I always feel like I'm missing out on something. Luckily Korey and my mom like to send me pictures & videos to keep me updated. I was at work last night and scrolling through my pictures and couldn't help but share. Gosh, I love her!



Doctor bag on head-why not?



Sombreros with Daddy



Making a mess as usual! (Please excuse the make-shift closet in the background-we live in a basement remember)



At McDonalds with Bibby (a no-no with Mommy)



Bath time



A few weeks ago, our friend Justin of 375 Photography took Ruby's pictures. I've turned out not to be the mom that gets professional pictures at perfect intervals. My sister did pics at 5 mos, my mom took Ruby to the cheezy place at the mall around 7 months because I never took her for 6 months and then Justin did family photos around 10 months. So to keep things consistent, this time we went with 15 1/2 months.

Justin did a great job! I love the pictures! No, she's not smiling in most of them. And she's probably not cooperating the way we wanted her to in each shot. But that's my Ruby-crazy red hair and a mind of her own. These are just a few favs.

Party Pics

 I just sat down to blog and realized my SD card is in Korey's computer. Bummer. But I also realized I never posted pictures from Ruby's birthday party and those are saved on this computer. So, here they are 3 months later! We had a Cowboys and Indians party and it was so much fun! And what started out as a small get together, ended up a huge gathering! But I wouldn't trade it. We had all the people who mean the most to us and have been there to support us in raising such a sweet little girl! The cupcake stand was from our wedding I just spray painted it and then hot-glued rope to it. And I bought all the cowboys and indians and gold coins on amazon. We also had chili and hot pimento cheese dip. Yum!



My mom made Ruby's little dress the night before. It didn't quite fit, but it was super cute! And those are her new boots from Uncle Tim and Aunt Amy.

Our sweet family

Are these not the cutest 3 cowboys you've ever seen?

Ruby's friend Ethan

Ruby and her Aunt K-K

Aunt  Ra-Ra and Uncle Mikey

My sweet baby girl. I can't believe she's 1 (and now almost 16 months old!). She's changed so much just in the last few months. She's a walking, talking silly little girl!