Ten on Tuesday!

1. I need to be better about documenting our lives on the blog again, hence this post tonight. David pointed out that we used to post so much when Ruby was little, documenting the tiniest details about her life and celebrating each milestone. I don't think I'll be able to keep up with the blog like I did when it was just Ruby (I had THIRTEEN posts for her the month before her 2nd birthday), but I can at least attempt to get an occasional post in about the girls. And I love any excuse to post cute pictures of my ladies.

2. My favorite time of day with the girls right now is the first moment that they are both awake. Beatrice usually wakes up first, and we hang out in her room until Ruby is up too. As soon as Bebe hears Ruby's door open, her body starts to shake with excitement, she runs to the hallway and whispers "Ruby awake, Momma. It Ruby! It Ruby!" Then, they meet in the hallway and hug. I need to record the interaction so that I can replay it for them in ten years.

3. I recently took the girls down to the Capitol to witness history being made on the Senate floor. State Senator Wendy Davis was attempting to filibuster a bill that would greatly limit the rights of women in Texas. I obviously didn't explain the women's rights issues to the girls in great detail. I simply told them that we were going to support Senator Davis because we agree that women should be able to make choices for their own bodies. I felt that keeping it as simple as possible would limit the questions I'd get from Ruby, but also help her to understand why I felt it was important that we go witness the filibuster. We only spent a few moments in the gallery, as it was very crowded and we had to be home before bedtime. I hope, however, that this is just the beginning of showing the girls how important it is to be a part of the political process and defending their rights.
 

4. Beatrice continues to ask regularly for Stella. It makes me a little sad, but it also makes me so happy. I love that Stella was such an important part of the first 22 months of her life and that she misses her furry friend.

5. Beatrice was examining me the other day with her doctor's kit and a flashlight. She kept shining the light in my mouth and telling me to "open my mouse." It was too sweet, I couldn't bring myself to correct her.

6. Beatrice Lolly will be two at the end of the month. I love this age so much, because she is starting to be more of a big kid, but she still has baby moments where she needs her momma. Here she is, enjoying a baby moment, passed out at the beach for naptime.




7. Fridays are my favorite day of the week. I have the girls to myself, and we have established a pretty fabulous routine. We usually meet Henry and Aunt Lo at Deep Eddy Pool (where Ruby is now swimming on her own thanks to a week of swimming lessons!) and then head to P. Terry's for cheeseburgers. It's a pretty perfect Austin day, and are lucky enough to do it once a week.





8. Dress up has become a favorite for both girls in the last month. I think part of its revival is due to the necessary escape from the summer heat. I also think Ruby likes helping Beatrice create fancy ensembles to model for me.



9. Our spotify playlist has a lovely mix right now of songs from the Brave soundtrack, Scissor Sisters, Bob Schneider, Miley Cyrus, Willy Wonka, and The Princess and the Frog. Afternoon dance parties are also an excellent way to beat the heat.

10. We spent a week in July in Branson with my parents. It was a great vacation, and I already shared a ton of photos on Facebook, but I'm sharing this one again. It's my new favorite picture of my three favorite people. I printed it this week and plan to frame it by my bed.