Nectarines

Ruby is NOT a fan.

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 7

Friday was the last day of our Yankee vacation. Ruby wore her preppiest outfit to pose for pictures with Baba and Gigi. Thank y'all for a wonderful vacation! Ruby can't wait to go back down the shore every year.

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 6

Ruby and Gigi designed an alternate babyfood plan for Ruby during her stay in New Jersey. Because Ruby is so advanced, she doesn't need to start slowly with real food, eating silly things like rice cereal and purees. She's skipping all that and going right to the good stuff, lobsters and water ice!

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 5

On Wednesday, we drove back into Philadelphia. First, we took Ruby to Mom-Mom Albina and Pop-Pop's graves. I sat with Ruby in my lap near Mom-Mom Albina's grave and told her sweet stories about Mom-Mom. It makes me so happy that Ruby is named after such a wonderful lady.

Then, Ruby went to meet Great-Grandmom Imelda, Baba's mom. Ruby's Great-Grandmother lives in a nursing home in the city and was very excited to meet her great-granddaughter. Ruby was in a great mood during the whole visit, flirting with nurses and smiling for all the old ladies in the hallways. I must have been told five times how cute my little boy was. Silly Mommy, dressing Ruby in a blue shirt. Only boys wear blue!


Baba's longtime friend, Aunt Kitsy, met up with us at the nursing home, and then we all went out to dinner. Then, we went to see Gigi's best girlfriend from when she lived in Philly, Reeny Feeney. Yes, that really is her name. By the time we got in the car to drive home to Absecon, Ruby was crashed. I should have taken a picture of her sleeping in the car, to document that the child actually does sleep sometimes.

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 4

We're taking it easy today, hanging out with Uncle John and Gigi and Baba. I'm going to dinner tonight with Monica, while the grandparents babysit Rubes.

This morning, Gigi taught Rubina about makeup.


Then, Ruby met Uncle John.


Hanging out in her port-a-crib.

First Time in the Ocean

She loves it!



Gigi has some stellar video skills.

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 3

Rubina and I spent the day with Baba and Gigi in Atlantic City. Because she is such a fan of bathtime and the pool, it's no surprise that Ruby loved putting her toes into the Atlantic Ocean. The water was COLD but she laughed the whole time and posed for several pictures.  Some favorite pictures from today:

Eating lunch on the boardwalk

Ruby needed some more cash for the slot machines, so Baba wheeled her to the cash advance window. 

Dipping our toes into the water

On the beach with Baba and Gigi

My new favorite picture

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 2

Day Two of Ruby's Jersey vacation was a busy one. First, we went to see some of my friends, Monica and Taylor. Monica is a good friend from undergrad who moved up north for law school where she fell in love with Taylor, got married and decided to stay for a few years. I miss her so much and hope she moves back to Texas some day, but was so happy to see her while in New Jersey. 

Monica and Taylor have a beautiful home with a huge front porch, perfect for photo ops.

Ruby loved Taylor.  I think she could smell the baby fever. 

After visiting with the Ruilovas, we made our way down the road to the Memorial Day picnic with my dad's Philly family.  My dad has had the same friends since he was fifteen and they have an annual picnic at the beginning of each summer.  The guest list has grown exponentially, as the friends now all have their children and grandchildren in attendance.  

Yankee Doodle Ruby, Day 1

Rubina and I are spending the week in Philadelphia and New Jersey with my parents. It's Ruby's first official vacation and her first time out of Texas too. Unfortunately, David isn't able to join in on the fun because the Texas Legislature is still in session until June 1st. With Daddy not here, I feel the need to document every moment of the trip, so be prepared for lots of pictures and updates the next few days. 

Ruby and I drove to Houston on Friday afternoon and we left for Philly on Saturday morning. Here we are in the airport, modeling our fabulous mei tai again. 

My big girl, sitting up all by herself like a pro before takeoff. 

Ruby was good on the plane, sleeping on 30 minutes in true Ruby fashion. Gigi and I sat together and passed Rubina back and forth between us for the three hour flight. 

Lookin' good, Rubes!

My first cheesesteak of the trip, with mushrooms and onions of course. 

Uncle Michael and Rubina, gumming her first Philadelphia soft pretzel. 

Sitting on the stoop at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house. 

With Gigi at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house. 

Finally, a relaxing duck bath to end a long day of traveling. 

Mei Tais by Gigi

Ruby and I got to Houston on Friday afternoon and were greeted by Gigi with a beautiful new handmade-with-love mei tai. Gigi worked hard all week to finish it in time for our trip and it is GORGEOUS. The amazing Gigi didn't even have a pattern; she copied one that I had borrowed from a friend and was able to recreate it. Thank you Gigi, you're the best.

My Two Favorite People in the World

Rubina's Favorite Song

My dad used to sing this song to me when I was a little girl and I loved it. I now do the same with Ruby while her daddy dances around. She thinks her dad's sooo funny.



Ciao!

Little Red Riding Hood

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

After a long nursing session tonight, I smashed up half a banana that was left from baking muffins and had David feed it to Ruby. I figured she would eat a few bites and then just play around with the spoon. Our big girl, however, ate the whole half of a banana! Granted, she has a ton of it on her face, but that's pretty typical.





After her banana feast, Ruby got a bath and posed for some pictures in the front yard. Oh how I love her eyes.

Pool Party

Our wonderful neighbors Curtis and Bud allowed us to swim in their pool last night. It was Rubina's second time to go, having swam earlier in the week with her mom. But this was dad's first time to get an opportunity, and, honestly, Ruby took to the cool(ish) water better than her pops.

Skinny man desperately in need of sun with cute daughter in her mom's 27 year old swim suit.


Hot mom with cute daughter.


Right after dunking Ruby underwater for the first time. Emilia's so cruel. Ruby's mullet is looking particularly mulletastic in this picture.


Emilia just had to find out: Ruby can hold her breath for only 12 seconds. What a baby.

Ruby's First Poker Night

Ruby is bound to love poker- it's in her blood. Last weekend, she cooperated long enough for us to get a poker game started with Baba and Gigi. Just when I was on a roll and taking everyone's money, Ruby woke up and joined the game. Apparently she's her daddy's good luck charm, because he ended up taking all the money. I guess the hours spent on Full Tilt have their benefit, Dad.

My opponents:



My short lived victory dance:

Meet Veyda Grey, Ruby's Newest Girlfriend

David's childhood friend, Mark, became a daddy this week to beautiful Veyda Grey! Since we were in Houston, we were able to meet her when she was barely one day old. Veyda is gorgeous and looks just like her daddy. Lucky girls, having such cute daddies.
Congratulations, Mark and Lori!

Aunt Lolly McDoodle de Snot

Unfortunately, Aunt Lolly and Uncle Jacob live far, far away in San Diego. Ruby loves to dance and laugh for them on the gchat video but wishes she got to see them in person more often. Luckily, we were all able to meet in Houston this weekend and spend some time together. Aunt Lauren and Uncle Jacob gave Ruby lots and lots of hugs and kisses, along with two sweet sundresses to wear this summer. It's always wonderful to get to see Ruby's favorite aunt and uncle but so sad to say goodbye. We love you Aunt Lolly and Uncle Jacob!

Happy Mother's Day!

We had a perfect weekend in Houston, getting to see old friends and hang out with both sides of the family. It was a special treat for all of us, as Aunt Lauren and Uncle Jacob were in town for the weekend. We took a ton of pictures and I have several posts to make tomorrow, but I wanted to put up just a few before bed tonight...



Thank you, Ruby Albina, for a wonderful first mother's day. I am so proud to be your mommy and wake up every morning excited to spend the day with you. Thank you, Gigi, for teaching me everything I know about being a kind, loving, and fun mom. I love you both and feel so lucky that we got to celebrate my first Mother's Day together.