Updates

Just some general updates of how things are going. Since we have moved Ruby to a "big girl" bed, she has not skipped a beat. She goes to bed every night, never gets up, and when she wakes up in the morning, she just calls for me. Naps have been nearly perfect, too. For all you parents who have bedtime woes, I am aware that she can change on me at any given moment. Potty training, I think, is over (except sleeping). I can't remember the last time she was in a diaper or that she had an accident. Again, I know that this can change, as well. For now, I am very proud of her! She is so excited to start school. Every day she asks me if she can get a pink back pack and go to school with Trevor. My heart aches at the thought, so be prepared to hear some VERY sappy posts come September. I am already having a hard time because I feel like something happened when she turned three. It was the first time I looked at her and thought she looked like a little kid, instead of closer to a baby. It hurts in the strangest way. She is the most sensitive and compassionate kid I know, and sometimes I feel really bad because I don't keep that in mind when I need to discipline her. Last weekend when Abby was giving me a really hard time - sick - we were leaving the park and I just strapped Abby into the car seat - she LOVES her car seat, so she finally stopped crying. Ruby looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "Mommy, how are you feeling?". I just looked at her strange, and then she said "You feel better now? Abby stopped crying." She really picks up a lot on peoples feelings, especially mine, so I have to remember on those stressful days.

Speaking of Abby, she is back to normal... for now. She is done with her antibiotics and full of get-up-and-go! She does have a strange rash around her neck, but I think it just may be the heat. She is so jolly, cheerful, adventurous, silly, and loving. She fills my heart with so much love. It hit home to me when Azure said how it feels to know that when your baby looks at you, you know she loves you... that's an amazing feeling. She lights up every time I get home from work and it always cures a stressful day. She isn't really talking, yet, which is so strange to me. Ruby was probably reciting the pledge of allegiance at 15 months (I kid), but Abby is perfectly happy with her babble, and I am, too. The only thing she says consistently is momma, hi, daddy, and uh-oh, yes, and what's that. We have heard her say Nana, bye-bye, ball, and a few others. One of the funniest things she does: You can ask her anything - do you love me? do you love your sissy? do you love daddy? is your momma skinny? - and she will always answer YES!

The differences between them: Last night I took them to the concert in the park. We had so much fun! A true difference between my girls. Abby figures she doesn't want to climb up the steps anymore to go down the slide. She wants to climb up the slide to go down it. Yes, she just turned 15 months. All of the 2-3 year olds kept getting sick of waiting for her and just started going down the slide and taking her out. I overheard a nearby parent yell at her son -"be careful, she is just a baby" I walked over and let her know that it is perfectly ok, she needs to learn the park rules, plus... have you noticed she laughs every time she is taken down? I find Ruby under the fire truck with a strange look on her face. I ask her if she has to go potty, she says no and cowers away. I get mad because I think she does. I pull her out - no accident. I walk away and notice she is hiding again. I go back over and tell her that if she has an accident, we are leaving ASAP! She seems unusually upset. Finally I get her out - I couldn't see that some older boys were running in and out and yelling and rough housing - she was scared to death, poor girl. We left to go watch the band play. Ruby frolicked with all the little girls dancing. It was so sweet to watch. Abby just kept trying to figure out how to get under the stage, on the stage, unplug any wire, etc. Every now and then she would stop and start dancing and crack everyone up! I AM BLESSED!!!!

Tonight: Bunco - I hope I don't win, I think they will scratch my eyes out!
Tomorrow: Anthony has a surf contest, so I am braving that adventure!
Sunday: I'll let you know!