holy fluff

The fluff is now invading us.
Here's what we're dealing with:

This was at 9 o'clock in the morning.  

The warm, dry weather is ideal for the fluff.  

It gets stuck in all the nooks and crannies.

After supper.
This is how much fluff accumulated throughout the day.

If we left it, it would not blow away.
It gets smashed down into the surface creating a yucky mess.

Part of me wonders if I should send these pictures to the City of Moncton and ask for help with the clean up although I'm sure they wouldn't care.  If you know me, you know that I'm a lover of trees but I have very mixed emotions about these particular three.  I think I dislike these trees and would not be sad to see them go.  It's bad enough we have to rake 50+ bags of leaves every fall.  (yes, that's right - more than 50 large orange bags every year!)  Oh boy.  

the times they are a changin'

In the words of a beloved songwriter, the times... they are a changin'.  

First and foremost, in three short weeks we'll have a new baby boy living with us.  He'll be sleeping lots, eating lots, being cute.... and likely crying a fair share as well.  I think I blocked the nitty gritty details from memory, but I do know that Ruby had a spell where she cried a lot.  It's kind of a blur.... perhaps for the best.  Everyone says all babies are different, so we'll just go with the flow on this one and hope the swing we're getting does the trick.  I can remember putting Ruby in her car seat and swinging that thing back and forth with one arm trying to soothe her.  It worked, but boy, a car seat is not designed for swinging.  Too heavy.  A swing, with all the bells and whistles, is an essential piece of equipment this time around!  (and I hope it works).

In two weeks Ruby will be 21 months.  She's on the verge of the "terrible two's" and while we've been really lucky with her so far, she's had a couple 'freak-outs' recently.  I know it's perfectly normal and part of growing up, so my plan is to take it all in stride and try not to freak out myself.  

Her appetite has also changed.  She used to eat everything in site, no questions asked.  Now, we're lucky if we get half of the meal into her.  It's a little worrisome, but I'm pretty sure she's getting enough.

And, the last and most frustrating things that's changing is bedtime.  It's getting later and later every night, coming close to 9:30 on some occasions!  That's just too late.  I'm exhausted.

Here are some pictures of the good old days when she slept like a baby.

Asleep.  9 hours old.  

About a week old.... still sleeping.

Two weeks old.... still sleeping so nicely.

Asleep during her first walk in the stroller.  (3 weeks old).

A few weeks old. 

Good times.  :)

she thinks she's reading

Ruby's latest trick is "reading".  Wherever we go.... when she sees words (mostly store signs or logos), she'll start saying random letters of the alphabet.  I catch her doing it with books too.  It's really cute (and makes story time slightly complicated, yet entertaining).  I tried getting a sample on video.... it's not the best, but you get the idea.  (She's camera shy and Ryan entered the scene unexpectedly which was a major distraction!  Thanks Daddy.)

uncle trevor

Ryan's brother came to visit from Vancouver with his lovely girlfriend Samantha.  While we didn't get to spend loads of time with them (vacations are always way too busy!), we sure are happy they were able to meet Ruby.  I think they were both a little smitten with her, as she was with them.

Is there a resemblance?  

Playing with some awesome vintage toys!

Vancouver - the West Coast - the mountains....... sure is a long way away.  This country of ours is huge.   It's difficult when people you love are so far away.  Ryan and I both have brothers on the west coast that we miss and would love to see more often.  It's sad that they're missing out on seeing Ruby grow up.  And, it happened so naturally and gradually to the people who see us every day, but a major transition from mere sibling to 'parent' has taken place over the past couple years.  Ryan and I are different now, because we're parents.  I wonder how it looks to our siblings?  

Hm.

american idol

Among some my other more intellectual pursuits, I've become somewhat of an American Idol fan over the past couple seasons.  The other night when Phil Phillips won this year's title, I was overcome with emotion.  Ryan was already upstairs in bed.  He wasn't there to hand me the box of Kleenex so I just sat and sobbed all over myself.  

What got me was his parents.  I was thinking about how proud they must be of their son.  Why they named him Phillip Phillips is beyond me but I admire them for one thing - they raised a boy who obviously loves them.  Phillip left the stage mid-song to join his family in the audience for a long and tight hug.  It was beautiful.  

I hope that I've been able to make my own parents even half that proud on one or more occasion.  I know that I certainly gave them their share of grief over the years (and I'm truly very sorry guys) but I do know they love me.  They're wonderful parents and I'm lucky to have them.  I hope they realize just how much I love them too and am thankful for everything they do to for me and my growing family.  

I know that I'll be filled with pride on many occasions as Ruby and baby boy grow up.  As they find their way through life, I hope to be a compassionate and encouraging mom.  I promise to do my best.  Please hold me to it.  

Who wouldn't be proud of this?

fencing and dining

As promised, here are some progress pics of the fence project.

Day one.  Three panels up.

Day Two.  Ruby is excited to start sweeping the living room.  

She also helped carry a few pieces of gravel from one hole to another. 

Everyone's in on the action.
Daddy's inspecting.

Later on, Ruby and I went out for a delicious BBQ at the Jorgensen's.  It was our first BBQ of the season and truly yummy-licious!  You know what's neat?  Ruby and Elliott have known each other for their entire lives.  Cool.  

Two crazy bambinos.

Three Amigos. 

Ryan stayed home to work on the fence with Norbert and Roy.  It's coming along nicely and everyone is hopeful that it'll be finished by tomorrow!  Fingers crossed!  

summer IS coming

For a while there I was doubtful that summer would happen but after waking up to sunshine that lasted the entire day and spending most of my wakeful hours outdoors, I'm confident that spring is indeed drifting into summer.  The leaves are almost in full bloom on the trees, which is earlier than normal and spells one very messy 'fluff fest' for our household.  Yes - the three ginormous poplar trees beside our house are going to start shedding very soon.  Stay tuned for updates on that fiasco.  

Back to summer -  Ruby and I started the day by going for a walk around Jones Lake.  I've been really worried that her resistance to being restrained would be a big problem once the baby comes.  I haven't been able to enjoy taking her for walks in the stroller since she learned to walk, which was 9 months ago! As soon as I strapped her in, she would fuss and basically make both of us miserable, so I gave up.  Today was amazing.  She was relaxed and seemed to enjoy herself as much as I did.  This is good news because I have to get out there walking.  When Ruby was born, we walked every single morning until fall drifted into winter..... and I intend to do the same this time around with both of them.  And, for the next 6 weeks I intend to make it around that lake as many times as possible.  I may need to ask a stranger if I can use their washroom halfway around...... wouldn't that be hilarious?  No, I really hope that never happens (but it's a distinct possibility).  I'll just bring some t.p. with me in case of an emergency.  

Anyway, it was a lovely day and the long weekend is here.  The weather is supposed to be wonderful.  

We've still got some yard work to do and we're breaking ground tomorrow for our new fence!  

Pictures of all the activities are a priority.  

Happy Weekend!