Spring Hats and Ruffle Skirts

Everything about this get-up makes me smile.

We are with friends, headed to the children's museum in Raleigh.

It's a beautiful day

with my beautiful girl.

Almost Two

Dear Ruby,

Photographing you has become a challenge of monumental proportions. As soon as you spot the camera, you want it. "See more babies!" you shout. "See more Rubies!" And then quick, the camera is put away and we move on to other things.

Last night you really wanted to hold the camera and push buttons. You really, really wanted to. You cried for fifteen minutes straight, the big, hiccupping kind and so earnestly told me what you wanted, and I, just as earnestly and very gently told you that cameras aren't for babies. Let's do something else!

It didn't work, of course. But you did finally let me hold you and rub your back and you let it go. You're almost two and darlin', it shows."Ruby do it!" is something you say all the time. You also say "Hi Baby" to me and Dada all the time. The other morning, you woke up and touched Dada's face and said "Hi, baby. Nice to see you." That's some sweetness right there.

You are turning out to be very good company. One thing we do a lot of is go to the grocery store, the nice one with the scones. We shop for dinner, we buy some scones, and sit outside to snack and people-watch. It's a slow moment in our busy days. This is new, this glimpse into companionship. And it's so so good.

I'm filled with love for you, my little Rubles. Even when you push my buttons.

love,
Mama

Gingerbread Babies

Well. The computer is telling me I'm out of disc space something something, blah blah, so I'm not able to upload our most recent pictures.

These oldies but goodies will have to do.

This is pre-Christmas gingerbread baking. Ruby is into it.

A fully formed gingerbread man. We are pleased.

Still pleased. And now calling him her "babydoll". Much rocking and loving ensues.

Tragedy strikes. Could it have been prevented? We ask ourselves that question to this day.

(Lots of "Fix it, mama!" requests. Sadly, I am not a gingerbread miracle worker. Ruby's road to disillusionment begins in earnest.)

Happy Birthday, Aunt Patty!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Patty! We hope you have a fabulous day off grilled cheese, playgrounds and baby-sightings!

Now, scoot. I've got big and important work to do.

love,

Ruby

Counting

Ruby and Isabel

How does she know twelve? That's the part that keeps me up nights.

Toddlers Be Crazy: A Glimpse Into Bedtime

Pillows! Pillows! Here are the pillows! No! Don't touch the pillows! They stay here! They shouldn't be here! Where should they be? Not here! Dada's pillow. Mama's pillow. Baby's pillow. Did you just touch that pillow?! What did I say about that? ARE YOU DEAF, WOMAN?

Now I'll stack the pillows! The pillows are in a pile! Did you look at these pillows? No! No!

YOU WILL LAY YOUR HEAD ON THE BARE MATTRESS AND YOU WILL LIKE IT.

Now let's snuggle.

Num num!

She pretends now. I think it started about a month ago. A favorite is to put a little baby doll in my shoe and say, "Sit. Mama's shoe. Sit. Okay!"

Also, she likes to feed the animals.