Ruby's New Crocs!

Kristin got some crocs shoes today for the kids. Aren't they cute? The band-aid is from this weekend when Ru took a face-plant into some rocks!

Fun Ruby-isms.

Ruby's speech reminds me so much of Kristin at this age. When Kristin was 22 months old we were house parents to 120 college students at Gordon College. Kristin was around people all the time and I think that is why her speech acquisition was so rapid. Lots of things crack me up about Ruby's speech, but here are a few that stand out............ 1) "Cute boots". She wanted to wear the cute boots on library day. Already a fashion princess (just like her mommy). Nanny Rachael told me that one day when they were at library time Ruby was going around the room to each of the children saying, "cute shoes", "cute shoes", and pointing to their shoes. Then she skipped one child (I think they didn't have on cute shoes, and Ruby knew it!) We will have to work on etiquette. 2) I went into the bathroom and heard Ruby at the door trying to get in. I told her that Grandma was going potty. Next thing I hear is Ruby running through the house saying "Gama Julee potty. Gama Julee potty". (just what I need -- a town crier!) 3) Nanny Rachael heard Ruby say to Carson "Settle down wild thing!" 4) When Ru is excited about something she says "Oh Boy!" 5) Ruby already knows that she is one. (just ask her). Kristin told her once that in June she would be two. So when asked how old she is Ruby said "I'm one". And how old will you be in June "Two!" 6) Ruby is rapidly approaching her two-ness which can mean a lot of things. One is independence, so when Ruby wants to do something by herself she will say very emphatically "SELF!" "SELF!" 7) Carson has a word he made up that is so cute. He calls water "watie". When he wants his bottle of water he has combined the two words and calls it "bottie". 8) "D is for Daddy"

Fun With A Big Box

What could be more fun than coloring a BIG box? This box provided hours of fun for these guys. They colored inside and outside the box. I love the one with Ruby on her tummy coloring the back of the box.

Random Fun!

They were both squatting down examining a worm on the street. Ruby touched it and then was surprised that it moved. This one reminds me so much of Kristin as a toddler because of how she is dressed. I put Kristin in overalls quite a bit. These overalls were in the back of her closet and never worn by her before, and almost too small.

Little Miss Stripes, all the way down to her feet! I guess that is what you get when the Momma works for Adidas! Both of the twins recognize and love stripes and will point them out on clothes. I was wearing Adidas pants and Ruby came up to me and pointed to them and said "Gama stripes".

Ruby was sitting on the pillow watching Little Einsteins while I fixed dinner. She had her snack-trap and was munching Cheerios. I thought it was so cute how Snowy was fixated on her every move, hoping she might spill one for him! Carson enjoys hiding in the downstairs closet. It is an "L" shaped closet that goes under the stairs. He gets way back in there and hides. Today he rode his Pooh-car into the closet and shut the door. I said "No you don't". I turned on the light and snapped this photo of him way back in the closet. Such a silly boy! Bath time...... "Ruby, don't drink the bath water!" These little cars were at the mall. The kids got a hoot out of being in them. We won't tell them for many years that they actually move around if you put money in them. They were happy as could be with them just the way they were.

Library Time for Ruby and Carson

I came down to Vancouver on Tuesday so I could go to library time on Wednesday with the twins and with nanny Rachael. They have been attending regularly for months and Rachael says it is the highlight of their week.

Ruby is so comfortable and takes right off to play and enjoy life. Carson is a bit more tentative, but he, too, enjoys the time. As you can see Ruby, gets right up in the face of the teacher, while most other children hang back with their moms.

(Ruby is the one with the heart dress and purple boots. Carson has on the orange shirt)

Carson asked Nanny Rach to read to him. What else would you expect in a library? Carson enjoys the tunnel! What a cute little face popping out! Bubble time!

Ruby captured a chicken puppet!

Both children were front and center with the flannel graph song.

Peek a boo Ruby

Malia, a friend, was also there. She was enjoying peek a boo!

Wonderful Words to My Ears!

It has been a while -- about 4 weeks -- since I have been with the twins and they are growing and developing by leaps and bounds. Ruby's language acquisition is on the lines of Kristin's -- talking all the time. She is speaking complete sentences. Yesterday Kristin called me and while I was on the phone she asked Ruby to say "Hi Grandma Julee" -- and she did. It was clear and such sweet words to my ears. Darling Carson also said "Hi", for which I melted. Can't wait to see them this week. I'm going down on Tuesday because Kristin is out of town the whole week on a business trip. Then we will celebrate Kristin's 31st birthday on Saturday. Such fun!

Kristin Lookalike

Kristin sent this to me today from her cell phone to cheer me up. I have been sick this week and was in the Dr.'s office when she sent this greeting to me. It made me smile because of how much this little Ruby-girl looks like Kristin.

So Cute

With Ruby's speech taking off, she is doing some fun and cute things daily. I don't want to forget them, so I'm memorializing them on my blog. She now asks herself questions, to which she will answer "Where's my Daddy?" "I don't know!" "Where's my binky?" "I don't know!" Then yesterday Kristin got home from work a bit earlier than usual and took the kids outside for a walk about. They love the girls that live at the top of their street -- I believe they are 2 and 4 years old. The older one was so careful with Ruby and kept telling her to "stay out of the street, baby Ruby!" Kristin suggested Erica take Ruby's hand and show her where it is safe to play. They held hands for about 30 minutes and Ruby thought it was grand! Then Carson and the other sister got in on it and all four of them were holding hands. Both Kristin and the other Daddy said "Where's the camera when you need it?" When it was time to go, Ruby kept saying "Hug", "hug", and was giving each sister a hug. Then she went into her kissing routine -- "Kiss", "Kiss". How sweet is that -- but Kristin is convinced it is Ruby's way of prolonging the good byes!

John C. Stennis

(Click on the photos to enlarge them)

This morning I watched as the John C. Stennis aircraft carrier came into Puget Sound on its way to Bremerton -- right past my house. I had to get out my flag, that I had put away during the wet winter months, and proudly display the red, white and blue.

"Thank you to the men and women who serve and protect our country (and my grandbabies) aboard this magnificent vessel!"

Goodnight Sweet Babies

Sammy The Seal is one of the favorite bed-time stories for the kids. They both love having their mommy at the same time.

Ruby seems to have problems saying her "s" sounds -- we thought. She says "Honey" for Sonny the dog; "Howny" for Snowy; and "hofty" for softy (her bed-time got-to-have). But when asking for this book she said to me "Hammy the Seal". Where did that "S" come from???? She said SEAL clear as she could -- but still calls him HAMMY.

Got to run this by her Great Aunt Stephanie (the family speech pathologist)

Nanny Rach --The BEST Nanny in the World!

All of us are thankful for Nanny Rachael. She is so great with the children and works with them each day on their learning. We know the babies are in good hands with her.

The other day Rach was putting Ru down for a nap and told her she loved her. Ruby very matter of factly responded "No, Mommy Loves ME!"

Random Cute-ness

"Where are your pockets?"

Carson is still teething and drooling and loves to lick/bite/suck on his jackets that come up close enough to his mouth to reach -- hence the photo below!

This is the official 2010 World Cup Soccer ball that is made by Adidas -- of course it is the child-size one. Not many kids have this at home to play with!

Table Fun

Grandma Carrie and Grandpa Ray got this cute table for the kids for Christmas and they sure enjoy using it for many things. Ruby is so into coloring that she will sit for 30 minutes or more and color in her book. (Notice in the single photo how well she is holding the crayon!) Carson enjoys it, but only for a few minutes, then he is up and gone, and back again, and so on!

A Few Fun Videos

I had fun trying to capture the busy-ness of the children as well as some of Ruby's talking. One of the problems I had with trying to get Carson on video, is he would see me starting to record, and he would run towards the camera because he wants to see the pictures I've already taken. But I did manage to get one of him being Mr. Busy (and Mr. Tidy with finding a tiny piece of paper on the floor and dashing to the trashcan to toss it away!)

GRANDMA

Yesterday when Kristin got home from spending the weekend with me, the twins were over-the-moon happy to see her. Ruby hugged and kissed and hugged and kissed her, and Carson literally did somersaults! Kristin was thrilled that the twins actually seemed to miss her and were happy to have momma home. Casey had told Kristin that over the weekend Ruby was really saying "Grandma", so when Kristin got home and called me, she asked Ruby to say Grandma, and I heard it over the phone. Now, I realize Ruby had just spent the entire weekend with Grandma Carrie, and had plenty of opportunity to use her new word and get positive reaction, but it made my weekend to hear those sweet words -- "GRANDMA"!

Amen!

From early on, we all have taught the twins to pray before they eat, and they really get it. In fact, as soon as you put them in their chairs and get the tray in place, they are putting their hands together and wanting to thank Jesus for their food. And sometimes during the meal, they will get a desire to pray again, so we pray again! Ruby ends with "Amen" and Carson says "man".

The other day Rachael, their wonderful nanny, was taking them for a long walk and romp at the park -- and they were most happy to be outside because of all the rainy days they had spent indoors. Rachael says to the babies "We should thank Jesus for the sunshine", to which Ruby spontaneously added "AMEN!"

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yesterday was my birthday and Kristin drove up after work to spend 3 days with me -- alone. (Thank you Casey, Carrie and Ray for keeping the twins so KJ could join me!)

Kristin arranged for Katharine to meet us at a very fun Italian restaurant in Seattle for dinner (www.baroloseattle.com). KJ and I went over on the ferry and met Kat there. I didn't know Katharine was coming so it was a real special treat to have her join us. What a fun evening with my girls and fabulous food. I sure love my girls!

(P.S. Bill is in India with 10 students for 2 weeks)

Seattle is having unseasonably warm, mild weather for January (We are getting what Southern California gets, and vice versa!) It wasn't even cold outside on the ferry, and the pictures were so clear and lovely. I particularly love the reflection of the city in the water.

The Olympic Mts. are covered with snow are are gorgeous from the ferry. That is Bainbridge Island in front of the mountains.