Short but sweet

Today in the car, I asked Ruby what her favorite color is. Her response?

"I like pink tigers."

One Word Wednesday: Trampoline!

(Yes, we have a safety net in place now. These pictures were taken last week, before set-up was complete. And yes, Ruby has the best Gigi and Baba ever for getting her an early birthday present that the whole family can enjoy.)

Ruby in her Loungewear

Ruby Albina in Michigan

The video from our wonderful trip in August.

Happy, Jo!

Happy Birthday, Jo! We loved being able to celebrate with you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner today.  Thanks for letting us crash your family dinner, for the super fun mariachi music and dancing, and for giving us an excuse to eat pink cake twice in one week. We love you!

Thanks for the pizza too. Ruby thought it was delish.

Ten on Tuesday, Again

1. We headed south last weekend to celebrate my birthday with our good friends, Jesse and Meaghan, aka Tio Chuy and Aunt Megs. We left Friday afternoon, drove to Robstown, and hung out with Jesse's family at his parent's house for the night. Jesse's parents were wonderful hosts, letting us stay in our own private guesthouse, supplying us with delicious food and alcohol, and having a beautiful backyard for Ruby to explore. Ruby loved spending time with Tio Chuy's mom and dad, and I think they liked her a lot too :)



2. After eating homemade breakfast tacos with fresh salsa on Saturday morning (omgyum), we headed to the beach.  I had never been to a beach where you drive your car up to the water before.  It's awesome to not have to drag all your stuff down to the water.



3. After the beach, we cleaned up a bit at the hotel, went out to eat some oysters and burgers, then came back to the room to shower and watch football. Unfortunately, the Texas game wasn't on the tv in the room or in the hotel bar.  We ended up just hanging out in the room, watching different football games on tv, and playing with Ruby.  It was a great way to spend our Saturday night and made for a super cute picture.

4. Tio Chuy and Aunt Megs ordered chocolate cake from room service to celebrate my birthday.  We didn't finish it all on Saturday night, so I ate leftovers for breakfast on Sunday morning. You're allowed to do things like eat cake for breakfast on your birthday.

5. Back in Austin, Ruby and I went with friends to Baby Bloomers at the Children's Museum on Monday. We haven't been in about a year, as I felt Ruby was just too young last time we were there. But she LOOVED it this time. She especially loved the room dedicated to milking cows. Surprise, surprise. Ruby also loved the huge sudoku puzzles and the shaving cream activity.

6. As we were walking towards the museum, I noticed that Ruby had snuck an extra skirt on under her dress. I wasn't too surprised, as she loves to practice dressing herself and is a big fan of layers.  I took off the skirt and we kept walking down the street. About a half a block up the street, I looked down and saw that Ruby was also wearing one of my thongs! It had fallen to her ankles and was dragging on the pavement.

7. I couldn't stop laughing as I took the underwear off of her ankles. She started laughing too, exclaiming "Ruby's rainbows pants!" She wanted to hold them, but I let her know that underwear wasn't for playing with in public. When we got home, I realized it was the same pair of underwear she was carrying around a few months ago.

8. During the sing-a-long portion of Baby Bloomers, all of the kids gather in the lobby for a musical performance. As the performer was singing "I've been working on the railroad," Ruby grabbed my arm and with a very concerned face said "No, Momma. Hook 'em horns song. Hook 'em horns." I think she already bleeds burnt orange.  I was so proud.

9. After hearing about the "Do Fun Stuff" album on several mommy blogs and from a few friends,  I downloaded it the other day on itunes.  It is awesome and much cooler than any other children's albums I've heard. Ruby has already asked several times today for the caterpillar song. Download it for your little one.



10. Ruby can drop it like it's hot. 

 

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head...

Today was rough - like really, really rough. There were tears. There were tantrums. And Ruby wasn't in a good mood either. Ruby is having some issues with napping (or should I say a lack of napping), making for a cranky toddler and a worn-out momma. The issues are further magnified by the non-stop rain that has been hanging around the last few days, flooding parts of town and keeping us inside the house.

But while today was bad, yesterday was awesome. It was one of those days where I go to sleep with a smile on my face, thinking about how lucky I am to be a stay at home mom and how much I love my perfect little family.  On days like today, I need to remember days like yesterday. So, for your entertainment and to get me back in a positive mindset for tomorrow, a recap of our rainy Tuesday at home:

We started our day with fingerpainting. Please note the blue paint in her mouth.

Then, the monkey and I ate some homemade banana-chocolate chip muffins while making animal noises.

We took full advantage of the sugar high by starting a dance party in the living room.

We moved the dance party outdoors and Ruby dressed up as a "bal-reena." We stomped in puddles, played in the "waterfall" (gutters) and laughed a ton. Ruby loved every minute of it, as did her momma.

The dogs did not approve of our shenanigans.

After our outdoor adventure, we came inside and got a shower.  Then, we put on fresh pjs and spent the rest of the day just reading books and hanging out in the playroom.

It doesn't seem like much when you consider that we never left the house, but it truly was a fabulous day.  It was the kind of day I imagined before becoming a mom, when I would think about how amazing it must be to spend every day with your favorite little person.  And lastly, a picture of my sweet little toddler to remind me of how gorgeous she is when she smiles.