Jealous?

For Christmas last year, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me a gift certificate for the fabulous Milk and Honey Spa. Then, for my birthday two months ago, my friend, MC, gave me another gift card to the same spa. Because I rarely take "me time" away from Ruby, the gift cards have been sitting in my bedside table, collecting dust.

Today, I'm finally going to use them! Gigi is here and encouraged me to make an appointment, as she wanted some alone time with Ruby. While I'm being pampered at the spa, Gigi will be at home, loving on Ruby and giving her a mini-pedicure. My Mother's Retreat will include an hour long massage and a mani-pedi with hot oil treatment. I hope to return home, refreshed and relaxed, ready to give Ruby some extra kisses and enjoy dinner with my family.

Ruby Loves her Daddy

Bean and Cheese Tacos

The Babysitters' Club

On Tuesday (while I was at the dentist), my friend came over with her son to watch Ruby and hang out for a few hours. It was my first time to leave Ruby with a non-family member and I was a little nervous. We spend a lot of time with Brandy and H though, so I knew that Rubes would be in good hands. When I came home, Brandy and the kiddos were making grilled cheese sandwiches and playing with the dogs. Thank you so much, Brandy. I will return the favor whenever you need a few hours to shop, go to an appointment, or just take an extra long nap.

Yesterday, I babysat another friend's baby while his mommy got a break for a few hours. D and Ruby had a ton of fun, banging pots in the play kitchen and hanging out in the front yard. I was able to snap a picture of them in the front yard. They really were having fun, I promise. I just don't think they were amused by the weird noises I made to get their attention for the photo.

I hope we're able to swap babysitting duties with these friends more often, especially now that Ruby is a little older and can be gone from us for a few hours at a time. It saves us money (no need to pay a babysitter), and Ruby has a great time playing with friends.

And happy early birthday to D. We're so excited to celebrate with you this weekend.

More Halloween Fun

Meaghan took some awesome pictures of Ruby last weekend as our monarch went trick or treating for the first time. By "trick or treating" I mean that Ruby walked around our front yard and went to two of the neighbors' houses to say hello. Here are the pictures to document her first Halloween. Thanks, Megs. The pictures are great, as always.

Playing with Ms. Sherrie's spider glove

Trying to fly away when she realized she wasn't going to get any candy

Pretty girl with her handsome Daddy

Posing in the sun

Posing in the grass

Walking with Daddy

She tried to fly away, but David caught her

Tio doing his best Ruby face

Tio doing his best Stella face.

I'm so excited that Ruby looks just like her Daddy

Hello world!

Happy Halloween!

While most monarchs are heading south to Mexico for the winter, our favorite monarch only headed as far south as the Texas Capitol. Happy Halloween from Ruby Albina!