tummy time

feelin' like Christmas

The tree is up

Twinkling lights are all around
Letters to Santa are written
We've been singing Christmas Carols ... I {love} listening to Ruby sing Jingle Bells
"Elfy" our Elf on the Shelf is here ... and up to a little mischief!

There is a lot some snow on the ground
Christmas stories are being read ... sometimes under the Christmas tree

The days are being counted down
Family Christmas parties are underway

The stores are filled with last minute shoppers ... including me!
We had a visit from Jolly Old Saint Nick himself!

Christmas Cards are addressed and sent ...
and
boy is it cold outside!!

It's feelin' like Christmas!
I love this time of the year.

The Nutcracker

One of Sophie's wants this Christmas was to go see the Nutcracker ... and Logan made it happen.  He purchased two tickets for Sophie and I to go!  It was such a fun night hanging out with my girl!

She was sooOOo excited!  We dressed up all fancy like and headed off to the ballet.  She could barely contain herself when she saw the Capital Theatre all lit up with giant Nutcrackers in the window.  

We were a little early so we went across the street and indulged in some yummy hot cocoa and creme brulee! 

 Delicious!

Sophie took a couple sip of her hot cocoa and then danced around the little restaurant  showing me all of her ballet steps she has been learning in her class.

Soon it was time to head inside ... but not without some pictures!  I just love her excited smile!

Once inside she couldn't think about anything but a nutcracker souvenir.  She had a hard time deciding between a tree ornament or an actual nutcracker.  Ultimately she chose the nutcracker and it hasn't left her side yet!

I was pleasantly surprised by just how much she like the performance.  She sat and watched intently the entire time clapping along with the audience at the appropriate times.  One of my favorite moments was watching her wave back to Mother Buffoon.  She loved every minute of it!

On the ride home we sang Christmas carols and talked about our favorite parts of the night.  I love my little lady and I am so glad that I was able to spend the evening with her.  Thanks babe for putting it all together for us!

in the kitchen ...

Ruby and I made cookies!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Yummy!!!

She was a fantastic helper!

The ingredients says "NO MORE taking pictures!"

We didn't follow the recipe exactly! {grin}

Ruby carefully placed each chocolate chip one by one in the batter.

Ruby: It okay I put all dese in there?

Mom: Sure!

Ruby: Oh!  It okay I put one a dese in my mouf?

Mom: Of course!! 

  From then on it was one for the cookies, one for her!

Thanks for baking with me Ruby
I had a lot of fun!

Belle Party

Ruby wanted a Belle Birthday this year ... and that is what she got!
She fell in love with this cake online and I decided she just had to have it.  So I put my cake making skills to the test.  It turned out pretty awesome if I do say so myself! However, Ruby wasn't quite as impressed.  In fact she wan't impressed at all and was disappointed that I didn't make the cake pictured on the cake mix box!  Oh well.

It was a low key party with the Grandparents, and Ruby loved every minute of it!  Pizza, presents, and cake!!  What's not to love?

Admiring her cake ...

She had a lot of help opening her presents from an eager brother and sister.  I had to keep reminding them who the birthday girl was.

She is one loved little girl ... and it shows.  She was totally spoiled.

She has been talking about this binky baby for a while now ... and it was a hit!  She is such a little mommy!

Cake time!!!  Ruby didn't eat one bite!  I later learned that she doesn't like frosting ... I think because it gets you messy.  Good thing I had some unfrosted cupcakes for her to eat later in the evening!

 Blowing out the candles ...  I think she had some help in this area as well!

Happy Birthday my little princess!  I can't believe you are three!!

Lyla, Month III

To My Lyla:

You are three months old!  How can that be?  You are growing and changing each and every day.  You have become quite the content little lady and you are rarely fussy like you once were.  You are smiling more and more, cooing lots, and even laughing some ... although every. single. time. I get you to laugh you get the hiccups!

You sleep well ... although you haven't slept through the night in quite a while {maybe you could work on that some more!}  You no longer cry each and every time we get in the car.  Yeah!  You are starting to become interested in toys.  And you rolled over onto your tummy once all on your own.  It must have been a total accident because you haven't done it again!  

You are the cutest baby!  I can't get enough of your cheeks ... I pretty much kiss them all day.  And your thighs ... especially your left one ... I love them.  The sight of those baby rolls makes me want to squeal.  They are so cute!  Your little fingers and toes ... perfect!  I love when you eat how you will often hold onto my fingers.  Your hair is getting lighter and you seem to be losing it now.  I am afraid that you may soon be sporting a bald spot in the back.  

You struggle in the eating area.   For some reason you don't like to eat these days.  Especially in the morning.  Mommy feels like she is forcing you to eat at almost every feeding.  Despite your eating strike you are still happy and continuing to gain weight.  I guess I am forcing you to eat just the right amount!  I really hope you take an interest in eating again soon.

You have been battling eczema lately and because of this I have been slathering you in creams and lotions each night and it has quickly become my favorite time of the day.  You blow raspberries, laugh, kick and coo in delight the entire time.  I think you are definitely ticklish!

Here's to three great months my little monkey!

Love,

Your Momma

For Ruby

Dear Ruby,

Today you are 3 years old!  Three spunky years you have been a part of our family!  Three fantastic years.  You are one beautiful, sweet, fun loving, sassy three year old!  Life with you is never dull ... and we love it!

To say that you are full of personality would be an understatement.  You are the happiest little girl that I know ... except for when you are mad!  Your body language just exudes joy!  You never walk, you dance!  Everywhere.  All. the. time.  I love getting you dressed in the morning and then seeing you get up and dance around in your outfit for the day!

You are a girl who knows what she wants, when she wants it!  You are very opinionated about what you wear, how your hair is done, who makes you warm brown {chocolate milk!} and so much more!  Since your baby sister was born, you have become very attached to me!  So much so that Dad can't do anything for you.  Sometimes this is very hard for you as you have to wait for Mom to finish up what she is doing with Lyla.

Speaking of Lyla, you have taken to the role of BIG sister so nicely.  I was so worried about how you would react to having a new baby in the family, but you are such a sweet big sister.  You are always talking to Lyla, loving on her, and getting her toys and stuffed animals.  You constantly bring me blankets for her and on occasion you even share your lovie with her!  It makes my heart melt to see how much you love her!

Your favorite color is purple ... and pink!  You love any and all things girly.  Your favorite thing to wear is dresses.  You love babies, barbies, and dressing up ... you can often be found in a Tinkerbelle costume.  Your favorite movies are Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears.  You love princesses and decided all on your own that you were going to have a Belle Birthday this year!  Your favorite book is Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly.  You choose it every night for story time.  I am pretty sure you have it memorized!

Ruby Jane we love you so much!  Life is so much better because you are in it.  How blessed we are that you are a  part of our family.  I look forward to the year ahead ... watching you grow and seeing your personality develop even more.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I hope it is all you dreamed of and more!

Love you to pieces,
Mommy