Halloween

We had quite a Halloween weekend! There was a lot to do and Stella had such a great time. Friday night we went to a friend's house for a little pizza party with many of Stella's friends. We all walked to a nearby park for 'Goblin Fest' which was super packed with people, but we were able to take a train ride with the kids. On our way back from the park one of her friends fell down and cried a bit. Stella said, "Aw, poor thing." Saturday there was a neighborhood Halloween party to go to. Stella enjoyed walking around to the different stations and getting prizes. Her favorite station was picking up the duck; she kept picking up and putting down all the ducks. And she did quite well at pin the nose on the pumpkin. Sunday was trick-or-treat night in our neighborhood. Stella loved walking from house to house getting more candy. She kept saying, "I have to get more candy." She had no problem walking up all by herself and knocking on the doors. Though she was easily distracted by what was in her pumpkin, we had to keep stopping to dig into the treats. We certainly got our money's worth out of the bumble costume this year, and got so many pictures I had to make a video. Enjoy.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

graduation from the crib

Stella is now in her big girl bed, and she loves it.  We made the big move yesterday both nap time and night time have been a success both days.  And I'm thrilled.  You never know what's going to happen I suppose.  I made a big deal about the two of us moving her babies and pillows from her crib to her NEW bed.  I also showed her that all her clothes were now in cool dressers in her NEW room.  She was very excited.  So far she's done as I asked, and has called for me when she wakes up and I come and get her.  I am hopeful that it lasts.  Yesterday it occured to me that I was so caught up in making the process seem very exciting for Stella so that she would like it, that I didn't think too much about the milestone that it actually is.  She is no longer in a crib, no longer even close to anything 'baby'.  And while I know we've got so many wonderful things to look forward to in the future I'm still a little sad to say good-bye to Stella's past.  I know, I know, I'm nuts.  :)
Stella had  her 30 month well check Dr's appointment Monday.  She watched me get a flu shot and then she got two shots.  Poor thing, she really cried, but got over it quick enough.  She's now 38.5" tall and weighs 33 pounds. 

Ruby had her 1 month well check today.  That's right, she's already 1 month old!  She now weighs in at 11.5 pounds putting her in the 97th percentile and she is 22" tall, which is in the 88th percentile.  The girl doesn't miss any meals!  She doing wonderful.  Caught a cold last week from big sister, but is over it already. 

more family in town!!!

A silly photo to start things off. 

I bought the dvd  'CATS' - you know,the musical and broadway play by Andrew Lloyd Weber.  We have watched it now for 2 weeks straight!  Stella is beginning to be able to do some of the dance moves and loves to sing into her microphone.  We also have been watching an Elmo video that has a bunch of songs on it and it is another of her favorites.  She's a dancing machine.

We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of my brother and his family on Saturday.  Stella and I made lots of sugar cookies together. 

        The cousins, Reagan and Maggie, arrive!  And they brought presents. Stella couldn't be any happier!  Check out Stella's cool new hat and beads.

                                    
                                                               Uncle Matt and Ruby

                                     Ruby with Aunt Kandi; she could put Ruby to sleep almost instantly

      We picked up some pumpkins Sunday and Uncle Matt and the girls carved Stella's together. Stella wasn't as creeped out this year by the inside goop, but still did not put her hand in there to help.

We had a great visit with family and are thrilled that they have moved to NC!!

more visits from family

A great gift for Ruby from friends.  Go Pack!

 Pagi and Grandma come for a visit to Greenville.

Pagi and Stella pose with General Green downtown.

 Ruby is quickly approaching 1 month old!  I can't believe it.  We get one good 6 hour stretch with her at night now and that is nice.  But after that she wakes every 2-3 hours.  Pretty soon we will be dropping her off at college somewhere...Harvard maybe?  And so I don't mind all the newborn things now, as I know I will miss all of this someday very soon. 

Stella REALLY enjoyed visiting with Pagi and Grandma. 

And was pretty much trying to get anything she could off of them, hats, watches, keys, phones etc. Look closely at her arms.  :)

                                                          Grandma Julie had the touch.



fun with stickers

Sweet Ruby

Stella got a card and some stickers in the mail from a friend of ours.  It was very sweet of her to congratulate the big sister too.  :)  Well, Stella REALLY enjoyed the stickers, as you will see in the progression of photos below.

One for baby sister...

One for Millie....

                                                        One for Grandma's dog, Maizie...

                                                        And some more for baby sister!!

Ruby was a good sport! :)



extra time for posts with Grandma here

Stella has been having a blast walking Grandma's dog

Sisters!

See....Stella is already sharing her toys!

I think this is where we get the saying, "slept like a baby"

We had a Doctor's appt.  Monday and Ruby was back up to 8lbs 12 oz. already. 

Meet Ruby Eileen

Monday morning, Sept. 27th,  6 a.m.

8:14 a.m.  Happy Birthday Ruby Eileen Kruse. 

Wow, that was quick!  :)

8 lbs. 14 oz. & 20 1/2" long

Head circ. 14" Chest 14"

(notice all the fourteens?)

First bath, the nurse informed Randy he was being too gentle!

                                               Mommy, Stella and Ruby.  I am sooooo lucky and
                                                                  in love with my girls

Grandpa Kruse with his grandaughters

What a week it has been!!  Ruby is such a wonderful addition to the family.  And we are so glad to finally have her here with us.  She seems to already have a very sweet disposition.  She sleeps and eats great and very rarely cries. 

Last night I had to wake her up every 4 hours to eat!  I got so much rest.  Much more than when I was pregnant. Stella has been an excellent big sister and has yet to act out in any kind of way or act jealous.  She doesn't mind at all when I hold or feed her sister.  She'll grab up her own baby to sit with.  Things are just going extremely well.  Randy has been so wonderful as well.  Helping me so much, as I have to limit my trips upstairs and around the house.  He has been just great.  I'll be sad when he has to go back to work.  My mom will be here all week and we're so glad she was able to come.   Last week Grandpa and Mimi Kruse were here to stay with Stella and I know she had such an awesome time with them.  We are so very fortunate to have our family!

I am recovering very well and much quicker than with Stella.  It is true what I've heard from friends, that the second time out of surgery is much easier. 
Many more pictures to come!