Abigail Ann Franklin Feolo!

Or at least that is what I call her when she is getting "in trouble". (her real name is sans the Franklin... I just add it for effect) You can ask anyone about Ruby and they would say she is and always has been a good listener. She never climbed on tables, destroyed things, climbed in flower beds, climbed in window sills, ran in the street, ran down the street(you get the picture - this is just a small array of the "cute" things Abby does AT 18 MONTHS OLD!!!). My not so little Bean is giving me a run for my money. I have to paddle her bottom every time we are outside because she is a runner. Her goal is to get as far away as fast as possible. If she goes toward the street, I paddle her. She used to care. Now she just doesn't. Ruby doesn't like me paddling her. She tells me "Mom, are you going to spank Abby?"... honey..."Only if she goes in the street". Abby likes the thrill of the chase and doesn't really mind the spanking... it's all apart of the game, right?

Her other obsession is climbing on the kitchen table. Every time I leave the room I here Ruby: "MOM! Abby is on the table again!". When I tell her to get down, she starts jumping and getting pissy. The other day I came out to find this: My mom brought over two bags of garlic bread. She put them on the table. Anthony and I were in the other room and walked out to:

This is the bag of garlic bread that was not attacked by Abigail Ann Franklin Feolo.

This is the second bag. It was all over the table, chair, floor, her face. Her cheeks were stuffed with bread like a chipmunk and she had greasy garlic spread all over her face!

I also left a box of wipes on the table and noticed there were crumbs and grease all over it.

Oh, that's why, whe was shoving the bread through the whole!!!

Don't get me too wrong. Abby is one of the sweetest, most loving babies I know. She loves to snuggle, give hugs, and gives kisses. She is actually pretty sensitive, too. If she knows I am really upset with her she cries and I hate it. She has a very pathetic "how could you" sad cry. I ADORE her personality, she just has A LOT OF IT! My dear Bean: thank you for being you! I wouldn't want you any other way! I love you pudding pop!

***video disclaimer: all of you will probably say "just get her off the table". But seriously, every time I blink she is on the table. I guess she just likes the view. Usually she gets herself into the blue infant chair that is attached. I give her some food, she eats, gets out and back onto the table, then on the ground again. It is a battle that I would say I am losing, but in all honesty... I've already lost!

Back in the Saddle, again.

Kind of... just some up dates on life in general. I am tired, work is busy, and the girls are FULL speed ahead! A couple of weeks ago my sister came down for my parents 35th Anniversary Party! It turned out to be a very successful one, too. We had family from Eugene to Tahoe to Ojai to San Diego! We truly are blessed with amazing friends and family! Thanks Mom and Dad for Everything!

Check them out... so cute!

Aunt Lore and Jessica!

I'll update more on the next post!

Back to School Night!

Last night was Ruby's first Back to School night! She was a little confused about going to school in the evening:) They put on an awesome party with two bouncers, a maze, games, small rides, and tons of food! I had a great talk with her teacher, Miss Lani. She said Ruby is very inquisitive and smart. She played well with the kids and was a good listener. I asked: "So, when you tell the class to sit down for story time, crafts, lunch... she does?". Yep! I am so happy Kim brought Trevor to this wonderful school and led us here!

RUBY artwork!

Ruby and Trevor showing off their "me" art.

Ruby gave herself a tail.

Bean and T.T. owning the bouncer! Look at Taylor getting AIR!

Where is my baby going?

I Survived!

My Dad always says pride is cheap and I agree. Having said that, I couldn't be more proud of Ruby! She has always brought me so much joy and continues to surprise me. She has been so excited to start school. She kept talking about getting a pink back pack and that Trevor was going to have a Spiderman back pack. I knew that all that excitement could fly out the window when it was actually time to leave her there. When we first got there Kim had just arrived with Trevor and T.T. Trevor was so cute... he kept telling Ruby he was going to show her her cubby. We went inside the classroom and she walked up to the train table and just started playing with the other kids. As I watched her play my eyes began to fill with tears. Where had the time went? Why did these three years fly by so fast? Here is my little girl with almost no trace of babyhood. She is a kid. She is becoming more independent. She is searching out her world and beginning her own path away from home. She is becoming her own person. Personally, I, like a lot of mothers, feel guilty about a lot of things related to parenting. Am I yelling too much? Did I handle that wrong? Do I consider myself a good parent? For that one moment, when time was standing still, I watched my little girl make this huge transition and I thought maybe I have been a good parent. Maybe I have done things right. I looked at her and I felt so happy and proud! When it was time to leave I got on my knees and very matter-of-factly told her that mommy and daddy were leaving and I would be back after lunch to pick her up. She asked me if I was going to work. I told her no, that I was going home and she needed to listen to her teacher, share with the other kids, and pay attention. I again told her I was leaving and would be back to pick her up. She smiled and gave me the biggest hug and said "Thanks Mom!". That was it. We left. No tears. No clinging. As I walked down the hall I teared up again. Really! That was it? "She's all grows up now" - to quote a famous saying:) When I showed up to pick her up she was sitting in one of those tiny chairs at a tiny table in her class eating lunch. I didn't make a big deal. She just said "Hi Mommy!". The teacher said she was really good, asked a million questions and had a great day! Thank you my dear sweet Ruby for making your mommy so happy and so proud!

I could not get her to look at the camera!

Thanks to Trevor and T.T. for making my first day not so scary! I love you!

Checking out the lizard tank.

Having fun at the train table.

Ruby and her teacher, Miss Kiesha!

This morning was just a smooth. Today she has dance at 10:30pm. An instructor comes to the school and teaches the kids on campus. We had to get her tights a leotard and ballet slippers! How cute! There is another bonus to Ruby being in school: I get to spend more one on one time with my darling Bean! I took her to Knott's Berry Farm - thanks for the pass Christy! We had a blast and I'll post about it later!

It's weekends like these...

That make me wish I was a stay at home mom! Nothing too eventful or overly exciting. Just life we my family and friends!

These pic's are out of order. Friday night we had Bunco! Kelly won!!! We had a lot of fun just chatting with girls and catching up! Saturday we brought the kids to the pool at Del Valle. All in all, that is the best bet for waring the kids out, degree of difficulty:), and longevity. We were there for 3 hours, they came home clean and fed, and took great naps. Saturday night we stayed home, but Anthony went to see some bands play with his cousin Greg. Sunday I took the girls to the Farmers Market and for a walk by the Marina. Sunday night we went to Kim's for Pizza and the Dodger game... thanks Kim. Since they have the play room now, we can actually watch Adult tv! Monday Kim and the kids came over for a bit, then we headed to Bud and Sandi's for Bud's birthday! Happy Birthday Bud!!!! We love you very much!

Daddy and his girls in the jacuzzi at the Young's house.

Bean Bean waving HI!!!

Sweeet baby Addison. Ruby is absolutely obsessed with this girl! Isn't she darling!?

Ice cream cheesecake and apple pie! The cheesecake was so good and SOOO easy to make, let me know if you want the recipe... it was really easy.

The birthday boy!

Fresh out of baths... all the kids at Kim's on Sunday night!

Monday we made cheesecake and apple pie. Trevor and Taylor came over to help. Trevor was so intrigued and so helpful with the pie! He was my special little helper and gave me a big hug and kiss and told me he loved me! T.T. has always been my girl, but Trevor really had me that day! I love both of you to pieces!!!!

Abby's first mixer attachment licking experience... you should have seen the fit she had when I took it away!

I took the girls to East side Mario's on Monday for lunch... they were so good!

Can you believe she starts school tomorrow??? I think I am going to be ill!!!