A New Year

Christmas is behind us, and it was certainly was one I will never forget. Ruby's first Christmas. She really seemed to love it too. She was in a great mood on both Christmas Eve which we spent with my Mom and on Christmas day with my Dad. Having a child certainly makes you grateful for small moments, and spending time with family is such a treat for me!

Of course, it's hard not to look back at the year and reflect. It's so amazing what we have gone through in the last year, how far we have come. I started the year newly pregnant, full of hope, wonder, and fears of the unknown. I survived morning sickness. My marriage survived morning sickness! Our bonds with our families grew. We faced the worst scare of our lives when we had to deliver Ruby 8 weeks early, in order to save her life and my own. 5 weeks in the NICU. Bringing Ruby home, the most amazing feeling in the world. And seeing my parents, now as grandparents, and my sisters now as aunts... And Louis's family welcoming Ruby, their "minute"... Everyone loving her just as much as we do. Being a Mom. Loving my husband more than I knew was possible.

Sometimes you start out on a journey without knowing the destination. And here I am... The luckiest woman I know. Despite the hardships we faced, it was my journey, and I am who I am because of it. I am blessed to have the family and friends that I do. And I thank you all. Thank you for being part of our journey and making our lives that much easier.

I hope for smooth sailing in 2009. That we continue to be healthy, happy, and grateful. Happy New Year!

Christmas Postcard

Christmas Eve!

I'm so excited for Christmas, and so is Ruby. (she told me) We've been busy getting ready for the holiday and spending time with our friends and family.

Last week Ruby got to try her first bites of food when she went on bottle strike for a day or two, and boy did she like it! She'll get to try something more interesting than rice cereal after her 6 month check up next month... She's still practicing rolling over in both directions. She's pretty good at rolling from her back to her stomach on purpose, and her stomach to her back on accident.

Ruby has been back to my work to visit, and to our friend Liz's house for another Christmas party. She was in a great mood for both, smiling at everyone and looking at all the new surroundings! She can get overwhelmed sometimes, but lately she's been doing great. She was also a fan of Christmas shopping. She really enjoys cruising around in her stroller, and I was fortunate enough to be able to go during my weekdays off to avoid crowds...

Here are a bunch of pics from our fun over the last couple of weeks, I'm sure we'll have lots more to share after Christmas! I'm so thankful to have Louis and Ruby to share this holiday with. I already have everything I want...

Tis the Season

Ruby has picked out and decorated her first Christmas tree and attended her first Christmas party. She is now rolling from back to tummy and back again. I can't believe how quickly things change...

More fun to come!

$227,701.95

That is how much it costs to have a baby in the NICU for 33 days. I've never seen that many numbers on a bill before. That's not my share of course, but it would be worth every penny =)

Look who's talkin

5 months old!

So we now have a 5 month old! Can you believe it? I sure can't. She has now rolled over twice without assistance. She continues to smile and laugh all day long. She is also starting to be more aware and wary of new people and places, but seems to warm up quickly. She also loves to chew and lick fingers, toys, blankets, and mom.

This week we went to pick out Ruby's first Christmas tree. Having a new baby makes the holiday season new again. I love that our house smells like Christmas and am so happy to be sharing this time with my husband and baby.

I also took Ruby to meet my god children at Amy's house, all 6 of them! Ruby was wide eyed and concerned with the chaos. haha. She loved them all one on one, and I know as she gets older and can play she will love to go to Auntie Amy's house to get into trouble.

Work is going ok too. But each day I go it gets harder to leave her. She brings such joy to my life that I can't fully describe it. I just want to be with her all the time!