Ruby.

My little buddy.

This new babe coming has caused me to think about my two kiddos here and how much I love them. Just like her brother, Ruby can drive me crazy. But most of the time, she is the best sidekick around. She still calls me "Meg" most of the time, which I get funny looks from some people when they hear  her do this. But to me, it explains a lot about our relationship. We are buds who spend everyday playing, arguing, laughing, and figuring out life together. 

Hank.

Need I say more?

Me: "Hank, how old are you?

Hank: "two august"

I can hardly believe it! And let's just say, I'm pretty sure we are in for some terrible twos! Love him...but he keeps me going all. day. long. Such a blessing that this kid likes to nap...and sometimes at his request, "binkie, bankie, nap" Also a blessing that he can make me smile and laugh right after driving me mad. On Wednesday, he broke a glass bowl by pushing it off the table. On Thursday, he broke a glass lid to a glass jar (not sure how...I just heard it break from the other room). And when I entered the scene, he scurried onto the corner of the couch with the cutest guilty face I have ever seen. *Sigh* 

Where's Henry?

While Ruby and I sat through our second sacrament meeting last Sunday, Hank found himself a storm drain to play in. Let's just say, I was not surprise in the slightest. (Hank's dad may or may not have been his accomplice in such an act).

These two.

Are becoming quite the pair. 

The top two pictures tell their relationship so well. Hank spends a good portion of the day following Ruby's lead. Some mornings he even wakes up asking for, "Ruby?" And when I'm not doing what he wants, he moves on to ask Ruby, "Ruby, 'mon". On the other hand...they have their fair share of quarrels. There are many a time I just pretend I don't hear them fighting and hope they resolve it on their own. They usually don't. But I relish in the happy moments when I hear them in the other room playing together and sincerely enjoying each other. Just the other day, I couldn't help but smile and feel my heart warm as I heard them talking, playing, and eating granola together under the blankets of the fort Ruby had made with her Grandma Marilee. In that moment, all was well in my world. (I'm glad I soaked it in for those few minutes, because it wasn't too long before yelling, crying, hitting, and spilled granola ensued!) You take what you can get. 

Pictures like these are great reminders for me to slow down and take the time to include me kids in what I am doing. So often I feel the need to get everything done quickly and efficiently, that I put off my kids pleas for me to play or be with them. But when I slow down and let them help me...we all win. Just the other day I let them help me wash the lettuce for dinner. Hank sat on the edge of the sink with his feet dangling in and Ruby was on her stool...both so pleased to be helping me with dinner. Sure it took longer, but I remember distinctly thinking I need to do this more often. So this post is my note to self. 

Babe #4.

 You are loved.

I can hardly believe I am 32 weeks into growing another human. This little one will be here before we know it...ready to rock our world! I can hardly wait to meet this little babe and see his/her sweet face. The part I am increasingly becoming apprehensive about is reigning in my wild man Hank with a newborn in stow. All I can do is take a deep breath and pray this babe can weather Hank's energy and attitude...me too for that matter!

This babe is quite the active one, especially at night when I finally crawl into bed. Much more active than Hank was in the womb (ironic?!) I love laying in bed, feeling this little one kick and punch...and I have already forgiven him/her for the many painful jabs to my ribs. I think about this little babe a lot, and wonder what kind of spirit he/she will bring to our family. I am getting kicked and jabbed as I type. Mostly, I just hope this little one will know he/she belongs to our family and I can't wait to experience, again, the increase in love that comes with each child. For that, I feel truly blessed.