our baby girl is two

We celebrated Ruby's second birthday on Sunday.

The Birthday Girl.

I can hardly believe two whole years have gone by since she came along and changed my life forever.

If I could write her a letter today that she would understand, it would go something like this.......

Dear Ruby,

You're a very special girl.  You capture the hearts of everyone you meet because you're sweet, even at the age of two.  Your hugs and kisses melt me.  You're pretty and funny and silly and smart.  You're the whole package and I love you more than you will ever know.  

Without asking you if it was ok, your daddy and I went ahead and had another baby this year.  You've been such a good sport with regards to Leo coming into our lives and literally taking over the house.  I'm sorry for the times when I can't 'carry you'  when you want me to.  And, I'm sorry for all the missed baths, walks, meals, play time and bedtime stories.  Trust me, this hurts me more than it hurts you.  My heart broke into a million pieces during the first few weeks Leo was here because I missed being your best buddy.   I promise to make up for lost time some day.  I'm sorry if you were forced into being a big girl because of Leo, even though you are still very much a baby yourself.  You're doing great though, and it's no surprise that you love Leo unconditionally already.  You greet him every morning with a hug and some sweet Ruby love.  You're a great big sister and he's lucky to have you.  

By the time your third birthday rolls around, Leo will be older and a lot more fun.  Thank you for being patient.  Most of all, thank you Ruby for making life so special.  I'm one lucky lady.

Love, Mom ox

Here are a few shots from her party.  As you can see, she wasn't at all excited about the presents.

more stuff

Today at lunch Ruby was a bit hesitant to eat.  I asked her if she wanted her teddy bear to sit at the table with her to have lunch.  She said OK, so up he went on the table.  Here's the conversation that ensued:

Me:     "Is teddy bear a boy or a girl?"
Ruby:  "He a girl."
Me:     "He's a boy!"
Ruby:  "No, he a teddy bear mommy."

The end.

family + vacation = fun!

Summer vacation #1.
The Grant family on the beach.

This past weekend the Grants packed up everything but the kitchen sink and headed to PEI.  I had forgotten how much I love the gentle island until we arrived and a very welcome peace came over me.   The sun was shining, the trees were sparkling and the ocean!!  Oh, just being close to the water gives me such a calm feeling.  We're already talking about when we can go back!  (that's a good sign!)

Ruby was a trooper the whole time and proved to be a very good cottage-sleeper.  We prepped her in advance with talk about going to the cottage and going to the beach and sleeping in her big-girl bed for the very first time.  Miss Ruby did not disappoint.  I don't think the smile came off her face for two seconds the entire time we were there.  (not even when the construction on the bridge held us up and it took over an hour to get from NB to PEI..... she must have said, "I'm going to the beach" about seven hundred times ...)

In the van leaving Moncton.

Taken minutes after arriving - this beautiful smile didn't fade all weekend.  

The trip was pretty special in a few ways.....

One - it was our very first family vacation as a foursome.  We tried a camping trip with Ruby last summer but the weather didn't cooperate so it was cut short.  This time around the weather was perfect.  Crisp, sunny autumn weather.  Still warm enough to allow for a trip to the beach (no swimming) but cool enough to spread some dew on the grass and require a sweater in the evenings.  The only thing I would change is leaving earlier in the day on Friday to make the weekend a little bit longer.  Next time we'll plan to leave in the morning rather than at noon.  

Leo the Beach Bum. 

Second - it was our first extended visit with the other Grants - Papa Grant and Nanlynn.  They live in Saint John and come to visit us often but the stays are generally pretty quick.  Nothing can top this trip (except maybe a longer cottage vacation next summer!).  Bill and Lynn were renting a cottage just down the lane so Ruby got some real quality time with them.  I think some great memories were made by all.  It was a special time.  Our kids are so fortunate to have three sets of grandparents to love.

Third - Uncle Trevor Grant was there too!!  Ryan's brother, Trevor and his girlfriend Samantha just moved to PEI from BC and also rented a cottage for one night.  We had so much fun.  I think it was special for the Grant boys on many levels, including little Leo.  Although he slept through most of it, I think he felt like part of the gang - and what a gang it is!  All that was missing was Robert and Trisha.  Maybe someday we'll be lucky enough to have a family reunion.  That shouldn't be too hard to plan.... hey?

In the mean time, we certainly are looking forward to many more Grant family vacations!

The Grants on vacation.

the cute (and pretty awesome) stuff Ruby says

Miss Ruby is growing up!  I can't believe she'll be TWO in less than two weeks!  I measured her height against the door jam this morning and she's grown about 4 inches in the past six months.  What's really amazing is how quickly her vocabulary is growing too.  It's pretty obvious that she has insanely intelligent parents... probably gets most of her smarts from her mommy.  :)  

One year ago, she was just learning how to walk! 

Seriously, she's been talking well since she was 18 months old and lately she says something new and amazing every day.  You can tell she's absorbing everything that she sees and hears going on around her.

I wish I had started writing this down much earlier but better late than never, right?   

After supper we were driving in the van and Ruby announces from the back seat, "mommy, the clouds are moving!!  the clouds are moving, mommy!!"  Low and behold, I looked out my window and the clouds were moving, quite fast, actually.  

Ryan came home for lunch today and as he was leaving he gave her a hug and kiss and Ruby says, 

"I love you too, daddy".  

Out of the blue last week, she bent down in front of Leo in his chair and got really close to him and said, "Hi Leo.  What you doing down there?"  Now she says it several times every day.  We all do.  

At breakfast this morning, a few pedals fell off the flower bouquet and Ruby said, "uh-oh.  mommy will clean it up."

We watched Barney for the first time a few weeks ago and I caught her singing to herself later that afternoon, very quietly..... "I love you.  I love me."  

From now on I'm going to post all the cute and awesome stuff she says.  We have to preserve the moments on here because I don't want to forget.  

Oh Ruby.  We love you!

One year ago... 

ok... so let's move on already!!

Well Ruby's been better now for several days so I had better get that sad picture off the headline!!

Here are some happier moments we've had lately.

As you can see, she's feeling much better.  Ruby definitely has a personality.  She's funny and jokes around with us.  What she's saying in the second video is "big bite" but she's exaggerating the syllables... making it "bigga bite-a"!  She made this up all by herself and gets quite a kick out of it.  Meal times are loads of fun!  

Leo's growing up as well and is developing his own little personality.  All you have to do is look at him with a smile and he lights up.  It's so sweet.

Cheese!

Miss personality herself. 

This is the first time in his life that he had to wear a sweater.
It was so hot this summer that he was mostly in bare arms, or nothing at all.  

My little hoodlums.    

A slice of handsome anyone?  

My beautiful baby girl.... growing up before my eyes.

Life is pretty much status quo these days.  Not much exciting news to report.  It's raining today.  The first real rain since.... May??  I'm content to stay inside today and .... try to get Leo to sleep.  He's developing a habit of waking up after only 20 - 30 minutes during the day.  He hasn't had a long nap in weeks and well.... I wish he would, let's put it that way.   Ruby was the same way when she was his age.  I think, unfortunately for me, insomnia runs in their genes.  I've pretty much resigned to the fact that my napping days are over.  It was good while it lasted.