Squirrel Hands

I love Ruby's little squirrel hands in this picture of her with Angela!

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Tracy

Aaron and Tracy flew up from Florida to meet Ruby this weekend. They came up to Grand Rapids for a few hours then all of us went down to Mom and Dad's house to hang out together. It's been mighty cool for the middle of July, so we have been sitting around wearing a lot of clothing and looking for more logs to throw on the fire. Either way, we love being together as a family and it's really special to have Aaron and Tracy up here in the cold north.

Beautiful Summer Weekend

Things I've learned this month

Ruby is one month old today, which gives me a month of parenting under my belt. Here are a few recommendations for new moms during their first month with a newborn. The following has worked for me, but I offer no guarantees.

• Get a spare key and hide it somewhere for when you lock yourself out of your house
• Try to laugh at yourself because you're gonna mess up
• Clip a baby's fingernails while you're feeding them and they're distracted
• Buy some dry shampoo for yourself since it may be 2-3 days between proper showers
• Read Babywise 4-5 times and follow accordingly... Feed/Wake/Sleep routine really works!
• Invest in a great stroller and take lots of walks
• Have fun with your spouse, go on a date, spend time just the two of you
• Newborn onesies only fit for a few weeks - don't buy a million of them
• Take some naps, eat some food, don't forget to drink lots of water!
• 

In other news, Ruby weighs 10 pounds already! Check out her chubbiness! WOAH!

A Disaster Waiting to Happen

I was watching TV yesterday morning and a commercial for vibrating mascara came on. WHAT!??

• First of all, I can't even apply non-vibrating mascara properly. Most days a good amount ends up somewhere on my face/finger/mirror/wall instead of on my lashes.
• Secondly, wouldn't intense vibration on your lashes make your eyelid vibrate a little too? And wouldn't a vibration on your eyelid make your eyeball watery?

This just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Has anyone tried Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara? I'm not trying it. I'm too scared.

Visiting Granger

Ryan was on call on Sunday, so I took Ruby to Granger for a couple of days. My mom has the ultimate "grandma" set up at her house - thanks to a handful of her friends, mom has everything Ruby could possibly need, including a crib, bathtub, swing, and even some diapers and wipes at her house! Incredible!

Camp Adventure started on Monday and we got to see my dad for a few hours before he left for camp. This is Ruby and dad in the RV. I don't know many senior pastors who spend two weeks every summer pouring into the middle school students in their church, but my dad always does. He loves it. He gets revived by it. He decided to follow Jesus when he was a 7th grade camper at Camp Adventure - so it's a really special place.

Granger hosted the first SpringHill Day Camp this week as well! Mom and Ruby and I went on Monday to see the elementary kids having an awesome time. Granger's campus was transformed into a 2nd grader's dream land with a water slide, euro-bungee, climbing wall and a bunch of other games. There were dozens of really cool college-age counselors there to help. The auditorium had contraptions where kids were harnessed in and swinging from the ceiling. There was a lot of happy squealing going on. So fun!

Mom and I spent a lot of time out on the porch because Ruby loved it out there! The weather was gorgeous and Ruby loves looking at the contrast between the bright sky and the outline of the trees. I think she liked hearing the birds too.

We missed Ryan so much. Ruby gave him a big cheesy grin when he got home from work today. I wish I had my camera for it!

4th of July Hike

This afternoon was the perfect day for a hike, so we packed up the car and headed over toward the lake shore for some time in the great outdoors. Ruby did great - mostly just slept in the front pack other than peeking out through the arm hole a couple of times.

Did you wear Red White and Blue today? Apparently we did. USA! USA! USA!

He Went To Jared!

Five years ago today Ryan and I got married - and began our journey of life together. These have been the best 5 years of my life. I've never been more in love with Ryan than I am today. He is remarkable in every way.

When Ryan gave me my gift we laughed a lot as we acted out the entire "he went to Jared" commercial, then I opened the box and saw a gorgeous Ruby necklace! He said that I gave him a Ruby and he wanted to give me one too. So romantic - so thoughtful - so special that it represents our little girl.

Last night Ryan's mom and dad took care of Ruby (our daughter, not my necklace) so we could have an anniversary date. Since I couldn't eat sushi when I was pregnant Ryan took me out for my favorite spicy tuna sushi. We haven't found any really great sushi places in GR... and always find ourselves comparing all sushi to what we had when we lived in Chicago. Needless to say, the sushi last night was pretty good. 

We decided to follow up our sushi date with dessert at Chili's, and once we got there Ryan decided to order some little big-mouth burgers and fries before dessert... he is hilarious eating dinner again after our sushi.

I love you Hunny, you've made me the happiest woman over these last 5 years and I am thrilled that I get to spend the rest of my life with you. Here's to another 95 years!!

Behold, the dimple

I heart my mom.

Becoming a mother has made me more grateful and appreciative of my own mother than I can explain in words. My respect and admiration for her has always been huge, but now it's just ridiculous. 

When Ruby was first born and Ryan went back to work my incredible mom came to stay with us for a week. She helped me more than I could ever explain - cooking, cleaning, reminding me to eat and holding Ruby while I slept. 

Everyone needs a mom when they first become a mom. I hope that someday I can be as helpful to Ruby when she is a new mom. I love this picture of Ruby and my mom.