Let's go fly a kite

Witness our first kite flying session.  It was a great day for it. You should have seen it.  Picture me wearing Ruby on the front of me in a carrier, camera slung over my shoulder running back and forth trying to get the kite in the air.  I give the handle to Stella and tell her to run away, meanwhile Ruby and I run backwards away from Stella to try and get the shot with the camera only to have the kite crash and burn right before I can get the camera up.  Now multiply this scenario times 15 and you've got the picture.  We had a lot of fun.  Stella had had enough after several attempts but I wouldn't let her quit until I got a couple good photos!  :)

Ruby's first time in a swing.  She was a little confused at first.

Some favorite photos of Ruby...

Stella got a kick out of being able to push her little sis in the swing and Ruby loved it.

Sunday photos

Ruby tries her first popsicle.  Our favorite, banana!

She loved it and kept leaning in for more

 Ruby is just days away from being 8 months old.  I can't believe it.  She's crawling, mostly on hands and knees now.  She takes steps forward while standing up and holding on to just my hands.  She eats fun little flavored rice puffs and loves them.  She has a favorite blankie now and sucks her thumb when touching it and just before nap and bedtime.  She enjoys being in the pool and had a great time yesterday splashing vigorously with her arms.  She didn't even care she was splashing it into her face.  She does this during bath time too.

Stella loves to be active.  Here she is mid-jump.  The other day I asked her to come sit with me on the couch and cuddle.  She said no at first but I gave her a sad face and she reluctantly said, "Okay but just for a little bit"  About thirty seconds later she told me she had 'to go be Spiderman now' and got down.    Now I know how M.J. feels.

Now Playing: Outside

Our neighborhood pool opened up last weekend.  There had been some cold nights and mornings in the week prior to the opening party so I wasn't sure if we'd get in or not.  I didn't take my camera to capture Stella's first dip in the pool. So here is the second dip in the pool and Ruby's first.  We went yesterday and it was so nice.  Ruby really liked floating around in her tube.  She tried several times to eat the water, but if we could distract her with toys that helped.  Stella was a little nervous to go out into the open waters on her own despite all her gear, so she mostly stayed on the steps but had a really good time.  Our friends who live across the street also came and so Stella enjoyed playing with them. 

I absolutely love these matching swimming suits.  I like to get Stella and Ruby matching outfits here and there.  I think it's adorable. 

 Ruby's showing off her two bottom teeth

Sunscreen:  Much more than just UV protection!  It also makes a splendid chew toy

Dowtown Greenville.  It's so awesome.  Stella really enjoyed running around in this fountain.  Especially after seeing antoher girl whom she took a liking too run through the fountain as well.

This girl loves to pull herself up whenever and wherever she can.  She often does so on me!  Ruby is army crawling like crazy now as well.

                                              
So thrilled to be standing up and playing at the same time!

No this is not a pillow pet Dad and Stella are laying on.  It's good old Millie.  She's so patient and kind.  I think Millie is just glad to be getting some attention even if it hurts a little.

Ruby's first time in the grocery cart.  They were so cute driving together!  Ruby was thrilled to be hanging out with her big sister.

The other day we went to Michaels.  Stella picked up nearly everything in the store and asked if she could have it.  I told her, "Stella you may not have one of everything in this store!"  To which she replied, "That's a problem." 

on Mother's Day

What a funny thing life is with all it's titles:  Newborn, Toddler, Ugh...teenager, Friend, Sister, Daughter, High Jumper, Student, Aunt, Teacher, Grandaughter, Coach, Girlfriend, Wife.  Mother, that's the one that really is the best one, the title you have to earn, the one that carries the most weight, the one that has a Sunday in May assigned to celebrate it.  We get things like cards and gift certificates and if we're lucky, Spa Days (Thank you Randy)!  But I've got to take a moment and be cliche when I say that getting a hug and a smile from your child is really the best gift ever. 

I love my girls and I love being their mother!  What a wonderful thing motherhood is and I am so very lucky Stella and Ruby have given me this new role and new life.  Thank you to my own Mom for being so wonderful and putting our lives and happiness ahead of her own . 

 A picnic lunch with our friends.

 Stella does such a wonderful job of playing with Ruby.  She is good with sharing her things (except for her one special baby and blankets)   And Ruby really thinks Stella is great! I always said, "Ruby will be so much happier when she is able to sit up."   Well now that she can sit up all she wants to do is stand up.  She is very strong but still just 7 months old, so she's too wobbly to do this on her own too much yet, but she sure wants to and is getting better and better at it.  It seems to have been just yesterday that we bought this activity table for Stella for her first Christmas.

 Ruby loved being outside and in her jumperoo!  She got the biggest kick out of Stella hoola hooping!!!! You have to watch the video below!

The amazing thumb sucking Kruse kids

Well, I have this new camera see and I can't stop taking pictures!

Thanks again to my big brother Matt for the awesome gift.

 This picture is a bit blurry but shows off her super cheesy smile. 

 Ruby would prefer to be held, or held up all day long.  But there are moments she can be happy on her own as well.  She is, mostly, a very happy girl.  Just as long as Mom is very close.  Like just behind the camera...

 We've been enjoying lots of time outside.  It has been so beautiful here.  Ruby is extremely ready to keep up with her big sister.  She really wanted to get her hands on all the sidewalk chalk this day, but as we all know, Ruby likes to bite and taste everything.  Sidewalk chalk is not however on the list of appropriate foods for baby.  If it was I'm sure Gerber would make it in pureed form, as they make everything else these days...Vanilla Custard with banana, Hawaiin Delight, Vegetable risotto with cheese, Macaroni and cheese with vegetables, Garden vegetables with whole wheat pasta, Strawberry and Granola, Pear with Oats and cinnamon.  Geez, this girl is eating fancier things than me.  And she loves everything.

 Check out Stella's necklaces.

 I know, I know, photos of Stella to Ruby are like 2 to 6.  Stella is not into getting her photo taken these days.  She's over it for the time being.  But I keep trying and sneaking them.

Tonight both my girls were in the living room, I came back in from a quick trip to the kitchen and both girls were sucking their thumb.  What a sight.  It was very cute, and then it occured to me that I have not one but two children to break of thumb-sucking!

Today Stella went on her first run with me.  She asked me if she could go on the run with me this morning and I told her that when I got back we could go out together to run.  She patiently waited for me to go for my run and come back to get her.  When I walked in the door she asked, "Can I go for a run with you now?"  Of Course!  Who could say no to that? So we got on her special running clothes and shoes, put her hair up, locked and loaded Ruby into the jogging stroller and off we went.  Stella did awesome for a 3 year old.  When we started out I told her to use her arms...she put her arms straight out like she was headed towards someone for a big hug, or an 'I love you THIS much' gesture!  It was so funny.  She jogged for about a minute before she had to stop because her side hurt. Then we walked for a bit, turned around and ran together back home.