Flashbacks.

Looking through my photos tonight I came across these gems. Ruby is about a month older than Hank here. Hence, the importance of picture taking, even if they just sit on my computer...for the times I sit down and look through old photos and let them transport me back in time. And to remember the details of my life my brain just can't seem to hold on to.

I also love pictures because after a day when Ruby has pushed my every button...even ones I didn't know existed, browsing through my photos warms my heart and reminds me that I'm so lucky she is mine. And all the things she did that day to drive me crazy, quietly go out the window...just in time for a new day to start...with new buttons to be pushed (or the exact same ones as the day before :).

Playing.

With the help of big sis...

Another Monday.

Watching Signing Times. I especially love the spit-up hanging out on Hank's chin.

And "fixing" things. She asked me to put this apron on her and asked why it didn't cover her top. I told her it was more of a tool apron. So, by golly, she loaded it up with her "tools" and took it upon herself to "fix-up" a few things around her playroom. Not sure what the stethoscope is for?

All while I finally did some chores. Why have I been so lazy about cleaning the house lately? Maybe because I never really have a huge chunk of time to dedicate to cleaning before someone needs my attention. But, I did decide that holding my chunky Hank while vacuuming does double as working out. How's that for productivity?

7 months and melting my heart. 

{I can't stop laughing at his face in this one}

These days Hank is:

Sitting up mostly on his own (we still have some backward tumbles)

Rolling all over the place! He strategically rolls from his tummy and back to get where he wants to go

Still smiling a lot...making me a happy momma

Not sleeping in his crib...making me a tired momma

Supplying his chunky figure with momma's milk alone. He's won't have anything to do with baby food, which he demonstrates with dramatic coughing and gagging.

Bringing the sweetest little spirit into our lives.

Buddies.

Baby Gray and Baby Hank 

28.

{Me and my right hand gal blowing out my birthday candles}

I turned 28 this week. Only two years left of my twenties....wow! Being so close to 30 is a bit weird...I remember when my mom turned 30.  It's no secret that I love birthdays...I blame my mom :) She always made our birthdays a big deal....every year waking up to a balloon bouquet (mom, remember your wood stand and plastic balloon sticks?) and gifts on the table. I still look forward to my birthday with giddy schoolgirl excitement (cheesy, but true). And I must say, 28 was a great birthday. Thanks to all my family and friends for making my day so special.

The celebrating started on the weekend, so when my real birthday came around on Monday, Ruby exclaimed, "Mom! You get two birthdays!" I think she was just as excited for my birthday as I was...this made me happiest of all. I loved opening the gift(s) she picked out for me...a whistle (which I'm still wondering if this was more of a gift for herself?), some easter window decorations, a fancy pancake pan that imprints bugs on your pancakes, and a package of reese's peanut butter cup eggs. When I asked Hugh how she picked these items, he informed me that her first priority was to get me a whistle, and the rest she just happened to come across at the store. Imagining her at the store picking stuff out makes me smile.

Here's to 28...I hope to make this year a good one!

Rituals.

Sometimes I stress about not having my kids more on a schedule. If you were to ask me what time does Hank take naps, I couldn't really tell ya....other than usually sometime in the morning and then cat naps throughout the day. And his morning nap usually depends on when we wake up that day, sometimes 8:00 am, other times 9:00 am, and if I am really lucky, 10:00 am. Yes, we do occasionally sleep in until 10...which usually means I wake up earlier and think, Oh, the kids are still asleep, I should get out of bed and get something done....only to fall asleep a little longer until someone needs me and then my chances of getting something done are slim to none. A sad tale...I know. One day I will change my ways, and be the motivated morning Meg of the past (she mysteriously disappeared once Hugh was in the picture :). 

But, the other day I had an epiphany. We may not be big schedule people, but we do have daily rituals we can count on. Every day I can pretty much predict these things:

1. Ruby waking me up by asking me to A. Come play with her, and when that doesn't get me up B. Lets go get breakfast.

2.When it is time to go somewhere, I can count on Ruby having a fit that the seams of her socks are hurting her. I try to fix the socks and when that doesn't work, I distract her with some fruit snack.

3. Ruby asking me if she can watch a show while she eats breakfast. Her favorites these days: Caillou, Olivia, and Max and Ruby.

4. Telling Ruby to go pick out some clothes for the day, her telling me she wants me to pick them out with her, followed by her hating any of my suggestions. I usually storm out of her room while telling her, This is why I wanted you to pick out your clothes in the first place. 

6. Putting Ruby to bed, and her asking, Where are we going tomorrow, mom? Going to bed must be easier when she knows the plan for the next day. 

5. My very favorite,  giving Ruby her vitamins, and her asking, Do you want to play soccer? Ever since I added vitamin D to Ruby's vita-regime, we play gummy soccer every morning. Her cup or bowl serve as the goal, and then we each take a turn at scoring and the other blocking. To score, your gummy bear has to kick the gummy ball so it hits the cup. Once we've each scored, the game is over. And she eats the vitamins. It all started when she told me the new vitamin looked like a ball.

And she always asks, What color do you want to be?