Two Months and Growing

Ruby had her two month checkup today at the pediatrician, and she's still a big girl. She's at 24.5 inches (98th percentile) and 12 lb 8 oz (89th percentile). Happy two month birthday, Ruby Albina!

Miss Ruby in her Pink Business Suit

Miss Ruby would like to know if anyone is interested in buying some pretty red lipstick or a new eyeshadow. She's working very hard towards getting her very own pink Cadillac.

My Two Moms

This is Mother Martha. She's been my second mother since a summer vacation at the Jersey shore when I was about fifteen. Mother Martha and Gigi came to visit for a few days, mostly to spend time with Ruby, but also to see David and me. Mother Martha celebrated her birthday while she was here. As you can see, she LOVES having her photo taken.

We ate delicious food, went shopping, stayed up late, and learned new vocab words from David.

Ruby and I were very spoiled during their stay. Here is Ruby modeling her new sleep sack and awesome hat. Thanks MOMS for a lovely week. We love you both.

Baby in a Bumbo

I have officially been replaced

In a surprising coup, Stanley has declared himself to be Ruby and Emilia's father and husband, respectively.


If you need to contact me, I'll be in the dog crate.

Ruby's First Roadtrip

I woke up on Monday morning, exhausted after a tough night with Ruby. She was up and down all night long, wanting to feed and not wanting to sleep more than about an hour at a time. I called my mom to whine and she suggested we come to Houston for a few days. After running the idea by David, I packed up the car and headed to my parents' house. David was so nice to let me go and get some rest, I'm sure the house was lonely without his wife and baby girl around in the evenings.

Ruby and I had a great time. I got TONS of sleep thanks to Gigi a.k.a The Baby Whisperer. She can make Ruby sleep like no one else. The timing of our trip was perfect because my dad had off Monday and Tuesday. He got to spend some quality time with both his baby and his baby's baby.

When Ruby and I loaded up the car to come home last night, we had a cooler full of food, all clean clothes, a spotless car, and a case of diapers. We should make roadtrips to Houston a regular thing :)

Weekend Pics

Happy Inauguration Day, Mr. Prez

Ruby wanted to join in on the celebration surrounding President Obama's inauguration, so she had her own Hope poster made.

Ruby's First YouTube Videos

Ms. Ruby Goes to Washington

Well, Austin, anyway. The Capitol, specifically, to see me on the first day of the 2009 legislative session. Her visit was a wonderful respite from an otherwise busy day, and I got to show her off to the accumulated staff and visitors that were in from all over Texas.

Ruby Albina, legislative intern, class of 2030

Dad, Ruby, and Jo Cassandra


Ruby knows who signs Daddy's paycheck


Ruby relaxing with the Senator

Another pic from Monday

As Gigi would sing: "Hey pretty lady with the pink suit on, you can do the boogie all night long."

Some pics of Ruby from today, just hanging out at home.

Stan took it upon himself this afternoon to give Ruby a bath since I had not yet...please note the dirt he smeared all over her head and face. At first she wasn't sure what to think of it, then she decided it was funny.



Ruby loves to look up at her mobile and smile at the stuffed animals on the far side of her crib. She laughs more and more each day, she's such a happy baby girl.

Happy Birthday, Lauren

I love you Aunt Lolly, but wanted say,
No gift shall arrive on your birthday.

I spend my days eating and pooping a bunch,
From mommy's boob is where I find lunch.

Thus I haven't had time to go the store,
But I trust that your big day has not been a bore.

So please rest assured that you'll get a gift,
I don't want you to be overly miffed.

I'll visit you soon, that is my word,
When I get there, can you say "bird?"


And a haiku:

California aunt
I love you more than mom's milk
You are so pretty

Our daughter is a model like Zoolander

Ruby, Emilia, and I spent a good portion of yesterday laying in the front yard and enjoying a few hours of 80 degree weather. It's in the 40s again today, making the nice weather but a memory.

So Far, So Good

I would like to apologize if my earlier post freaked anyone out.  While I was just writing honesty, I think I might have come off as more dramatic than I had planned. I am sad about David going back to work, but I know it will be fine.  And I know I was very spoiled to have him for so long when most new dads get very little time off. 

Today actually went really well.  Ruby's good mood this morning has continued all day.  She seems more alert to me today than ever before.  Her eyes have been wide open and she is just taking in the world around her.  I love to watch her study her surroundings so intensely. 

Our wonderful neighbors, Sherrie and Elizabeth, came over this morning to play with Ruby and give me a break for a little while.  Elizabeth is a natural with Ruby; they cuddled for an hour while Ruby took an early afternoon nap.  While Sherrie and Elizabeth were here, I was able to shower, blow dry my hair, eat lunch, and do a load of wash.  It was wonderful and much appreciated.   

Then this afternoon, Ruby and I had our first play date. We went to a local playground in Cedar Park with some new friends. Ruby and I had a great time, she was passed out in the backseat before we even left the neighborhood.  Thanks, MC, for the invite. 

Sad and a little scared

First, it was Gigi that left us. I stood at the front door, holding my baby and crying as I watched her drive away. She had stayed for two weeks, doing all of our cooking and cleaning, plus working her grandmother magic on Ruby when we needed a break. The two weeks with Gigi went so quickly and I was scared about David and I doing it all on our own. I knew that we could though and found comfort in the fact that David would be home with me for two more weeks.

Today, David left us to return to work. I didn't stand at the door and cry this time because I was still in bed, trying to sleep a few hours after a rough night with Rubina. Now that I'm awake, however, I'm sad and a little scared. David has been doing the cooking and cleaning since Gigi left. He ran all the errands and changed more than his fair share of diapers. He brought me tea and snacks while I was nursing and stuck on the sofa. I don't know how I'm going to get along without him for eight hours every day.

Ruby must know that her momma needs to have a good day, because she has been an angel all morning. I know I'll quickly adapt to daytime on my own, but I am still so sad that David had to return to the real world. The house seems very quiet and empty without Daddy here.

Thank you, David, for a wonderful first month with Ruby. I am so glad that we had you home for an entire month. I loved every minute of it.