Block Party 2012

In case you haven't been paying attention, we live on an amazing block.  This amazing block also happens to have an amazing block party every year.  Here's Block Party 2009, 2010 & 2011.  The ponies were back, along with the amazingly awful DJ.  I was on my own with both kids for the weekend and was so thankful to have such wonderful neighbors.  Friends fed Eli, held Ruby, kept Eli out of trouble, and gave me a beer at the end of it all.

Eli danced until I finally carried him to bed at 10pm.  Ruby took the day in stride and, as usual, went with the flow. 

Lucky Mommy

Breakfast in bed and a Wonder Woman apron.  What more could a girl want?

Ruby's 6 Month Update

13.7 lbs (aka 25th percentile)

27 inches (aka 90th percentile)

happy, healthy and sweet as can be.

Sitting Pretty

Rewind to Easter & Cherry Blossom Festival

Every year during Cherry Blossom Festival they hold a Kite Festival on the Mall.  Since it rained last year, this was the first year that Eli was really old enough to fly his own kite.

Ruby wasn't very impressed.

We also have an Easter Egg Hunt on the block.  It's amazing how much these kids have grown.

Embarrassing & Totally Awesome

Sorry kid, I just had to put this up.

Smiles

Ruby may just be the most smiley baby ever. Every morning she wakes up with a huge smile on her face and stays that way unless she's hungry or tired. Even when she's not smiling she still isn't very fussy. She's content to sit and watch the world around her.

Bath Time

Much like her brother, Ruby loves to take a bath. Apparently other children don't bathe every night but ours do. First, they love it. Second, it's a nice transition to bedtime for everyone. Third, they're dirty and they need it. Eli manages to get himself sooo dirty that I can't imagine not bathing him everyday. Ruby spits up constantly so unless I grow to love the smell of sour milk she will also receive a good washing everyday.

Plus who doesn't love a snuggle from a freshly bathed baby?

Circus

A few weeks ago the circus came to town and we took full advantage of the experience. On Thursday night Jonathan took Eli down to the end of our street to watch the elephants come off of the train cars. The elephants, horses, ponies, etc then marched from the railroad tracks to Chinatown wear the circus was taking place.

Here's Eli waiting for our train to take us to the circus. When we arrived we found our seats just as the show was beginning. After the amazing opening number Eli said "that was amazing! Is it over?". When I said no and explained that there was a lot more to come Eli looked like he might explode with joy.

Goodnight

Just before Ruby arrived I scored some really nice bunkbeds from another family in our neighborhood. I put them together myself in hopes of getting Ruby to arrive early. Unfortunately that plan didn't work but the bunkbeds are great.
After bath we snuggle in the bottom bunk to read stories and then Eli chooses which bed he wants to sleep in. When he decides that he's going to sleep up top he asks to wear "short sleeves pants and shirts" because "warm air rises up to the top and I'll get hot."

Super Eli

Guess what came in the mail for Eli...a super hero kit. Check out his awesome poses.

Stop Lookin' Like Me

Ruby aged 3 months & 3 weeks:

 

Eli aged 3 months & 2 weeks:

Love of Learning

We recently had our parent teacher conference for Eli. The teacher really focused on his love of learning and how it becomes contagious in the classroom. She was also excited to talk with about his understanding that books teach things. He enjoys going to the library and finding books that can help him learn more about a particular topic.
A few days later I saw Eli coaxing a classmate and his brother under the climber so they could "read" their new library books and teach the brother new things.

More Brotherly Love

Eli loves to help with Ruby especially when it comes to pushing the stroller. He does have to be reminded to slow down and watch where he's going.

He also loves to hold Ruby and sing her songs.

Stats

Ruby at one month:
9 lbs. 14 oz.
21 inches

Ruby at two months:
10 lbs. 15 oz.
23 inches

So far Ruby continues to be a happy, smiley baby. She also started sleeping through the night over Christmas. When she's awake she likes to watch what's going on and is quick to give a smile.

Brotherly Love

Eli is very excited to be a big brother. He loves to show Ruby his toys.

He doesn't quite understand why she doesn't have any interest in his awesome Star Wars guys.  He is also still working on giving her some space and not getting too close to her face.  She's going to be one tough little girl.

Fa La La

For the first time ever, we decided to stay in DC for Christmas. Lucky for us some of our family decided to come and help us celebrate.

Ruby's gift to everyone was this smiling face after sleeping through the night.

Here we are for the first time as a family enjoying Christmas morning in our home.

Eli scored some awesome Star Wars toys and books - he's super excited.  Jonathan received a ukulele which he's quickly learning how to play.  Song #1 is Eli's favorite - Blitzkrieg Bop!

Ruby's Homecoming

Welcome to the Family

It's a Girl

Ruby Jane Smith was born at 10:59pm on 11/13/11. She weighed 7 lbs 11oz and was 19 inches long. She has a full head of strawberry blonde hair. She's absolutely perfect.

Eli Turns 4

It seems like just the other day that we were heading off to the hospital to have Eli and now he's 4. He's such an energetic, intelligent, funny, loving little boy. Everyday he makes us laugh, wears us out, and teaches us something new. Here are some Eli fun facts:
Favorite color - green
Favorite tv shows - Wild Kratts, Dinosaur Train, and Phineas & Ferb
Favorite books - anything dinosaur or super hero related
Favorite things to do - play with dinosaurs, ride his skutt bike, and play outside

Here's Eli celebrating his birthday at school. Luckily another boy in his class has a birthday the same week so we co-celebrated. At 38 weeks pregnant I wasn't up for baking treats for the class.

Eli also had an awesome Dino themed party. The freezing rain kept us indoors but we still had fun. I'll have to save my Dino dig at the volleyball court idea for another time.

Eli and Mom made a delicious chocolate cake for his actual birthday.

First Day of School!

We are lucky enough to live inbounds to an amazing public school that offers a preschool program. We were even luckier to win in the lottery and get one of the spots. Here's Eli walking to school with Daddy and enjoying an after school ice cream treat.  Eli is so excited to go to the "big kid school."

Going Going, Back Back, to Cali Cali

Every time we see Jonathan's friend Liz she invites us to come to LA and stay at her parents' house...this year we decided to take her up on the offer. It was a fantastic trip filled with trips to the beach, ferris wheel rides, delicious food, celebrity sightings, museums, aquariums, and so much fun.