Bursting at the Seams

Babies and Growing-Up.

I remember taking these pictures of Ruby every month until she reached a year. It is hard to believe that now, she totes monkey around and most currently dresses monkey (and all her other dolls and animals) in babe #3's clothes. And everyone, including herself, must get into pajama's just for naptime!

Looking back at Ruby's baby pictures tonight, I can hardly believe how grown-up she is getting. It is exciting and heart wrenching all at the same time. Ruby and I spent the night at my mom's and she had us all laughing and smiling most of the evening. She is a funny little girl. Very articulate and particular about how things should be done. But she is quick to say "thank you" if you give her a compliment or do something nice for her. Lately, she is also good at making "deals" and just today learned about formulating different "options". Like tonight, when she was coming up with a plan to get someone to go outside with her and after informing me of her plan she asked, "is that a good option, mom?" Ruby also likes all things pretty and quickly let me know tonight that my shoes weren't pretty (only pink, girlie stuff warrants prettiness). She also thinks using "cute" as a compliment is strictly reserved for babies. I told her I thought Troy Bolton was cute and she quickly corrected me that "he's not a baby, mom". I took Ruby to my non-stress test appointment the other day and her sweet curiosity made me proud to be her mom. She even brought her toy doctor bag to the appointment and when the nurse was getting me settled, Ruby whispered to me, "here's my doctor stuff, give it to her so she can use it". I had been nervous about bringing her along, but as we sat there together, listening to our sweet babe's little heartbeat, I was glad to share such a special moment with Ruby. She is my little buddy. And she is going to be a great big sister.

Ruby's baby pictures also have me thinking about the sweet little babe that will be joining our family in a month (or so). I'm getting exciting to meet this babe of ours and have the joy in our home that a newborn brings. I can hardly believe it is getting so close. Naturally, I have been stressing a bit about the labor and delivery...and praying that all will go well in getting this baby here. I've been reading some books and Hugh and I have been practicing our "techniques" for the labor...that's what Hugh calls them, anyway...pretty funny! Hugh is great. When I asked him if he had any intuitions about the gender of this babe...he simply replied in true Hugh fashion, "No. I just know it is ours." And that was the end of that. Tonight, at my mom's, I started working on the baby blanket I'm making for babe #3. The very blanket I will take this babe's monthly pictures on. I can't wait. And I'm sure, before we all know it, I will be babbling on and on how he/she is growing-up right before my eyes. Oh! I can't wait to meet this babe!