Buddies.

Ruby is my buddy. And as you can see in this picture...she has three buddies of her own. She sleeps with her two monkeys (well, one she inherited from her baby brother) and her baby. I snapped this pic after she had fallen asleep one night. (Side note: there are plenty of nights where these three buddies don't suffice and Ruby wanders in to find her best bud...mom:)

Back to Ruby being my best buddy. As I left for work on Wednesday night Ruby came up to me and said, "Mom I have a secret for you..." I leaned in close and she put her mouth close to my ear and whispered, "I love you." She then proceeded to run away. (In the past I have done the same thing to Ruby...told her a secret that I love her. Everything sticks in that little brain of hers).

The other day Ruby was napping so I turned The Food Network on to watch "Giada at Home" while starting dinner. Ruby came up after her nap, looked at the TV and casually said, "What's Giada making, Mom?" I didn't think I watched The Food Network that often! (although it is the one thing I enjoy watching on TV other than the Jazz.)

I had work again tonight. After a quick family meal when Hugh walked in the door from school, I had to head out. Ruby walked me to the door, looked outside, and said, "It's dark, mom...be careful." She's already looking out for her mama :)

Ruby will always be my buddy, but I know the days when she is a step behind me all day will not always be. She is already telling me on a daily basis she is going to preschool (she spends a morning a week with her cousin Smee who often has to get ready to go to preschool) and that she wants to bring her lunch box with her. Let's not rush this growing up stuff little miss Ruby. And let's be buddies forever.

Happy Birthday Hughie

In about an hour and half it will be my Hughie's birthday. I can hardly believe it has been a year since this little man changed my world. I miss him and love him. His cradle is still set-up in our room...now anxiously awaiting the arrival of his next sibling. I'm sure the two of them are together, which is a very sweet thought. Sometimes it is still hard to believe that Hughie's coming and going really happened...time stood still for those 3 1/2 weeks, and since he left, time has raced on.

I'm working tonight and have contemplated all week if I should wander up to the NICU where Hughie spent most of his life. I haven't made it up there...and not sure if I will be able to for a long time. It will make me miss him that much more. I did, however, run into the wonderful nurse that took care of him the day we said goodbye. Funny thing is, as I walked down the stairs to the cafeteria, the thought came to me, "what if I see Eve down there." Sure enough I did. I guess a part of the NICU came to me :). It was good to see her and say hi.

I love thinking about all of Hughie's unique little features. His cute hands and feet, his tiny chin and the way he held his mouth open with the ET tube, his low set ears, and the way he looked a little like his big sister. These pictures were taken before Hughie went to Primary Children's and before he got really sick and so puffy.

Happy birthday, Hughie! You are always close to our hearts and we are so glad you are a part of our family. Yesterday, your sister Ruby, picked out an Elmo balloon (I was hoping she would pick the cute Mickey Mouse one) to help us celebrate you today. We love you, always.

Cute Ruby.

I walked into Ruby conducting her own family home evening with her stuffed animals yesterday. She was at the piano singing, while her animals were immersed in their own hymn books. Pretty funny. She loves being the one to distribute the hymn books when we have family home evening.

Once the camera was out she requested I snap a picture of her and her Max dogs (yes, they are both named Max after Prince Eric's dog on Little Mermaid).

Hard Work.

On Sunday we talked about the importance of work and teaching our children how to work. It made me think about my parents and how they taught me the importance of work...and mostly through their own hard work. It made me think about the summer Saturdays of my childhood. Mal and I spent most the day outside, while my dad would mow the lawn (with the perfect criss-coss pattern running through it) followed by edging the lawn. As dawn approached, it was always our job to sweep the grass from the sidewalks and driveway. As much as I complained about having to do this (especially the older I got), it really was great bonding time spent with my dad. And it was experiences like this that taught me the value of hard work. My dad worked so hard to make our yard look nice. When the yard work was complete and it was nearly dark, we would pile in my dad's truck and head to 7-11 to get some sort of ice cream treat to bring back and eat on the freshly cut lawn...so we could enjoy the fruits of our labor! It was simple, but perfect. This memory on Sunday made me smile and happy to have such great parents. Not to mention a little proud that Ruby already knows that before we go upstairs for breakfast, we have to make our beds (a lesson I learned from my mom :).

Valentines Day. Circa 2006.

I found this picture the other day in a drawer. Hugh and I were still dating and I made him this awesome cake. Hugh is a babe...and looks so young in this pic. Happy Valentines Day!

Last year at this time...

{Ruby playing at the park. Feb 2010}

I'm just taking a trip down memory lane and I can hardly believe how fast kids grow in a year. Last year at this time Ruby was still learning to walk and now, as I write this she is chatting to me in the background. She just informed me she can't eat her sucker on the couch...she doesn't want to spill. Funny girl. Why is she eating a dum dum at 9 in the morning you might ask...well she has somehow convinced me that if she sleeps in her bed all night, she get a dum dum in the morning. What can I say, I'm a sucker.

I wish it was warm enough this February for some park outings.

And the last of Christmas 2010!

Christmas Eve with the VW's...you can see in Ruby's eyes she was still not feeling well.

Ruby "fixing" the table and chairs she got from "butka" scott...and Hugh supervising.

She has loved having her own table and chairs to do her all her "stuff" on.

Finished the holiday at Grandmas "Sueez"...where Ruby played us a little fiddle. I am really going to miss that cute little bald head when all her hair grows in?

I'm still amazed that Christmas came and went so quickly...and now it's February!! Can't wait for the spring...mostly because we will be that much closer to meeting our little babe.

A little Christmas to get me through another cold, gloomy, winter day.

A rare family photo at the Annual Tovey Christmas part

Ruby with people that love her...and visa-versa (missing a pic of her with my cousin Parker, the two of them have something special) and sipping on some signature "Uncle Chad" hot coco.

Just really liked this photo of my beautiful mom and baby sister

December flashbacks begin.

Ruby's had a great time at her cousin Astrid's birthday party. Ruby and Astrid were born 5 days apart, one year apart. True to her Mexican heritage, Astrid had a pinata at her party...it was a hit!

Ruby waiting with her best pal, Gwen

More waiting...and squinting

The big moment

Pleased with her results as she prances away

The looting

Number 3.

And we couldn't be more excited...and a little nervous. Ruby has been convinced since we told her about the baby in December that she is having a baby sister. We asked if she wanted a baby brother or baby sister...without hesitation she said, "baby sister" and she hasn't looked back since. Guess she wants one of each :). So, I have resorted to calling the baby, "baby sister" as well...if not, I get corrected. I guess we'll see come August 12th!

The other night Ruby and I were singing songs to the baby, and Ruby kept gently patting my tummy. At one point she got real close and said, "it's okay, baby". When Hugh asked her about the baby, Ruby replied, "I'll take care of her." This babe number 3 is one lucky child...one sibling taking care of her now, and one waiting here to take over.

I had my second doctor's appointment yesterday....heard the heartbeat and even got a big kick from the little babe. It felt so wonderful to hear that heartbeat!

We are excited to meet you, babe number 3!