yes, we are thankful

We're getting pretty used to holidays being busy around here and this Thanksgiving weekend was no exception.    It started out with a hiking trip vacation for Daddy, then a camp fire and two turkey dinners.

We're definitely lucky to have so much family around and as usual, we had loads of fun.  Here's proof.

Saturday night:

The Grants!  Leo's first Thanks Giving and first fire!  

Ruby and Uncle Matt clowning around.

Ruby clowning around all on her own.

Sunday:  

Uncle Trevor played the wooden flute (sorry I do not know the proper name for this beautiful instrument) and Ruby was over the moon with excitement!  She clapped, screamed "again, again", and smiled from ear to ear as he played several beautiful songs for us.  

Uncle Trevor and his flute.

We're all so happy to have Uncle Trevor and Auntie Sammie back on the East Coast.  We look forward to celebrating many more holidays with them and having them here to see our kids grow up.  Family really is what life is all about.  You get a more solid understanding for that when you actually have kids and ours are so lucky to have aunts and uncles literally all over them!  

Our Sackville Family.

On Monday we headed to Lower Coverdale where we enjoyed some time outdoors and dinner with the Ginn crew.  Uncle Matt is in town and thought we all wish he could stay longer, I'm glad he got to meet Leo and spend some time with Ruby.

The Ginn's.

Ruby and her beautiful smile!  

Uncle Matt and Leo.  They really do look a lot alike.  

Ruby.  :)

So... another year has come and gone and here's a list of things I'm thankful for:

- a patient husband who loves me even though he's often last in line to receive my love in return.
- two healthy children.
- three sets of loving grandparents for my kids.
- helpful aunts, uncles and cousins who share their time and lives with us.
- close friends to talk to about life's struggles and share life's pleasures with.
- sunny days.
- sleep ins.


I'm a very lucky lady.
Thank you all for being part of this journey called life.

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.  

the girl is back

Oh my.  Ruby has been sick for almost a week but I'm happy to report that she woke up today with her  signature personality in tact.  I was beginning to get worried.... 

It all started last Tuesday at supper time when I picked her up and noticed she was basically on fire.  She had a fever of 39 degrees and no appetite.  We were at a BBQ the weekend before and the parents of another sick kid didn't realize he was sick..... with HFMD.  (yuck..... hand foot and mouth disease.  sounds terrible and it is!)

Her worst day was Wednesday (and I hope she doesn't get mad at me for this some day in the future), but here's a shot of poor Ruby feeling the worst she has ever felt in her short life.  

no comment

She was absolutely miserable and didn't know how to express it.  It broke my heart to see her in so much agony.  She had a fever and sores in her mouth that made it difficult to eat... (so she didn't ..... for days.... ).  How would I have felt if she needed to be hospitalized or have an operation... or if she was injured?  I hope I never have to find out.  

It's become clear to me over the past few months that Ryan and I are so fortunate to have been blessed with two healthy children.  So many parents have to face challenges that, thank goodness, we won't have to face.  My heart goes out to moms and dads who have kids with special needs.  It's hard enough being a parent to a 'normal' child.  (forgive my ignorance .... I'm tired and can't think of a better word).  

Anyway..... that's enough about that.  I'm glad she's getting better.  If you can believe it, she has never been sick before in her life.  She had a fever once... that lasted for 24 hours, but that's the extent of  it.  I hope she doesn't get sick again for a long, long, long time.  But... she's starting gymnastics in a few weeks so she'll be mingling with other kids....  It's bound to happen again and I can't stop it.  I guess I better get used to being helpless with regards to my kids cuz I have a whole lotta years to get used to it. 

I love you Ruby.  I'm so glad you're back.  :)