Wouldn't it be Loverly?

Ruby's Letter

2012-02-22T00:00:00-08:00

Dear Ruby,

Where do I start? I confess already you’re getting stuck in the 2nd kid syndrome, as I haven’t written your 6th-month-old letter. But let’s not dwell on Momma’s mistakes… So to begin, let’s go with your nicknames.

You’ve gained lots of ‘em in this family: The Great Rubinski, Ruey (before Ada learned how to say your name), Roudini, Ruby Jean Drama Queen, Grabby Grabby (because you try to grab everything!), The Pterodactyl (because you shriek like one), La Rue, MY SISTA (You can guess who came up with that one!), oh and Daddy’s favorite, Ruby Tuesday.

Sisters Sisters: You love following Ada Lynn around and want to touch anything and everything she has. Ada’s pretty good about pushing you over, but you also do a great job of tattling on her with a very offended cry. When you cry, Ada always tells you “No cry, Ruey, it’s ok.” and goes and gets your favorite stuffed animal. It’s definitely a love-hate relationship right now.

But don’t worry, I assured Ada yesterday that you will be best friends and she giggled quite excitedly. She keeps saying that “Ruby get bigger and we play!”

The Funny Things you do:

Always insist on sharing your binky with me and insist on it going in my mouth, which you then quickly grab back

Your faux-hawk

Your ability to push doors open and crawl through them at 8 months old

You love to say “hi” and wave, repeatedly

You love to dance to music, and by dance I mean full body shake

You have an excellent and very distinct head nod. We think you’ll fit in great in Japanese culture.

Putting your finger in daddy’s mouth (even though he bites it every time).

Your Challenges:

You have gone through several clingy stages where you won’t take anyone but momma (quite tiring for momma)

Your acute sense of taste at such an early age

Grabbing and pulling Ada’s hair anytime it is within your reach

Yelling at the top of your lungs at the dinner table… though it is funny to see your face turn red and your eyes bug out

Scratching people’s faces (why child, why?!)

Losing your binky in your crib - instead of looking for it, you always stand up and cry for us. As soon as we put it in your mouth, you’re right back to sleep.

We love you dearly Baby Ruby, and though it’s hard to let go of Baby Ruby, we’re excited you are becoming little toddler Ruby. Here’s your verse:

“If you seek wisdom like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:4-5

When I read this verse, all I can think about is you crawling all over the floor to find any little “treasure” of food. I hope one day you will seek out wisdom as you did the crumbs on the floor!

Love Ma-ma and Da-Da

One Tough Cookie

2012-02-17T00:00:00-08:00

What started as a relaxing spa day for mommy down at Kelsea’s Beauty College in Everett with Kay, Marti and Esther, ended a little traumatically as I held Ada in the ER with a gaping hole in her forehead.

A mean trip over a set of blankets into the coffee table left Ada with a gash between her eyebrows. Bjørn had to clean the gushing blood off of Ada while calling 911. A friend came over to watch Ruby as Daddy and Ada rode in the ambulance to St. Joe’s where I met them in time to sedate Ada for getting stitched up.

It was an all around traumatic experience for Ada, Daddy and Mommy. But by the time we reached the hospital parking lot, Ada was back to her old self.

Do be forewarned all parents children: Coffee tables look all innocent and lifeless, but they are a world of pain!

Almost One

2012-01-31T00:00:00-08:00

And walking (albeit assisted) down the hallway!

Double Decker Manger

2012-01-30T00:00:00-08:00

Having the girls sleep in the same crib together was getting a little cramped, so last night Bjørn brought home a new piece of furniture to solve the problem. Yes, folks that is exactly what it looks like… a double decker manger! The girls didn’t take to it so well at first, but once they realized we could push them around the house in it, they became quite big fans.

Now they can be close yet still separated!

Mommy Trained?

2012-01-20T00:00:00-08:00

I have begun the process of potty training Ada yet again. The lovely weather in the picture above gives away the fact that it has been several months since the first attempt.

Especially since this is how it looks outside our house currently.

But alas, it is a New Year, and though I am not one to publicly own my Resolutions (so that I don’t have to publicly admit defeat), I will say that I am determined to get my little smarty of a daughter to use the “loo” properly!

Merry Christmas

2012-01-20T00:00:00-08:00

A late Merry Christmas from the Bulthuis’s.

“For unto us is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

Christmas Vacation

2012-01-20T00:00:00-08:00

Between Southworth with Bjørn’s family and Blodgett with my family, it felt a little like a Dr. Seuss book: we drove here, we drove there, we drove up, we drove down. We drove all around! Ruby was quite clingy and as we later learned, sick for a majority of the trip. So it was a chaotic time.

But time was well spent with family, delicious dinners eaten, coffee dates with sisters relished, marathons ran (not by us, but Peter), and more. It was a good time!

Ruby’s First Christmas.

Ada helping Daddy open his gift.

Ada with the Georgians.

Ada got to spend time with this guy.

And we got to spend time with this little guy.

Peter waving to Ada as he finished his marathon.

A rare Ruby moment.

Some of the Bulthuis Women. And yes, I did notice how much Esther and I look alike in this shot. Eeiry.

We finished off the break by celebrating the Eide Christmas Get-Together on New Years Eve.

Just Like Mommy

2012-01-18T00:00:00-08:00

Ada’s fabulous Christmas gift, handcrafted by none other than my very talented, albeit slow (9 months slow), buy talented husband.

Chicago, Chicago my dad's hometown!

2012-01-18T00:00:00-08:00

The Christensen family did it up in style this year for Thanksgiving weekend. After sharing the actual day with the Bulthuis family, we flew out to the Windy City in order to attend my cousin’s wedding, an informal Christensen Family Reunion, and all of the sites and sounds of the city.

Four Generations: Grandma O Connor, Greg Christensen, myself and Ruby Jean at dinner the first night.

Saturday morning, we loaded up the 15 passenger “Transporter” (as Chaueffer Grandpa Christensen called it) and drove to Glen Ellen, to check out my dad’s stomping grounds in high school.

Glenbard High: Gregory J. Christensen, Class of 1968

This was quite the impressive school, or dare I call it a castle? Though you can’t tell from this side because it is on a hill, there are actually four stories to the building. Dad said there were all kinds of tunnels and passageways he and his friends would sneak around in.

We made back in time for naps and the Wedding, which was held at the Pheasant Run Resort.

Cocktail Hour with the sisters

Celebrating with Grandma O’Connor (my dad’s mom)

Sunday morning we enjoyed a brunch at our cousin’s house, before sending Jeff and Whitney off to the airport.

Grandpa Christensen and his favorite little people outside our cousin’s house.

Monday morning, we were up bright and early for a day in the city. Our first destination was Jeanette’s nephew’s apartment. As you can see from the photo below, he has an excellent view of the Chicago Skyline from his apartment roof.

The Magnificent Mile and more.

View from the apartment window itself of Industrial Chicago. Jackson was ecstatic to see a real train come down those tracks.

Our next stop was the Museum of Science and Industry. Real Trains, Lego-made cityskapes (including our beloved Seattle), a Dr. Seuss exhibit, Christmas trees from every country, had us all pretty stoked to check this place out.

“Christmas Around the World” display

Dr. Seuss Exhibit

But the real winner was the coal mine exhibit. We took an elevator down the mine shaft below the museum to a “real coal mine” and got to see the machinery in its natural environment and ride in a coal train through the tunnels. It was so cool! Unfortunately no flash photography was allowed.

We ended the day with a driving and quick stop tour around popular buildings and streets. We of course, had to make a stop at Wrigley Field.

Here’s Wrigley Field in the early 1900’s.

There’s that famous sign from my iPhone camera.

Jill and I on the corner of Clark St by Wrigley Field. If it weren’t for the color, you’d swear we were back in the 30’s wouldn’t you?

And that my dear friends, is the end of our Chicago trip. As Frank Sinatra said in one of his many songs about Chicago, you bet your bottom dollar you can lose your blues in Chicago, that wonderful town! And boy did we!

Autumn

2012-01-17T00:00:00-08:00

One very “Fallish” morning, much to the chagrin of an Aunti, the girlies and I headed over to Stoneyridge Farm for a taste of fall. We decided to embrace it all in one morning: apple cider donuts, warm fire outside, farm animal petting zoo, apple orchard, corn maze, hayride…. AND, what am I forgetting? Oh yeah! Some punkins!

Over there!

Obligatory Fall picture with a pumpkin and a sister.