The life of Ruth

Ruth finds a sucker. She tries eating it.Realizing it must be opened she gives it to 'EE'.

Ruth enjoys the sucker.

Ruth shows her sucker to Daddy & David.

Yesterday morning I found Ruth in her crib eating an ice cream cone! At 8:00am in the morning. When I questioned Eden she said, "she wanted one'.

Ruth is a parrot. She repeats words and loves the attention we give her. This is what I heard in the car the other day.

Eden: "Ruthie, say baby."
Ruth: Ba
Eden: "Ruthie, say bird."
Ruth: Ba
David: "Ruth, say burp."
Ruth: Burrrrp

I guess we'll see what kind of a child my children raise :).

St. Patty's Day

Green dinner.
Ruthie's expression is awesome.
(note to self: next year prepare food that is already green...you will get better results)The weekend before we went to Chicago for the Saint Patrick's Day parade. The Miskin family joined us. It was cold. There were A LOT of people. There was A LOT of green.

It was fun. However the parade was a disappointment. Where were the floats? A bunch of people walking along a semi-truck with a signed taped on is NOT a float.

Paul said it was classic "Irish" production. Whatever that means. David was so cold he sat in Ruthie's stroller the whole time. Eden collected as many coupons and candy as she could. Ruth waddled around while people kept tripping over her.

Later that afternoon we enjoyed true deep dish Chicago pizza at Giordanos. It was heavy.

Engaged 2005

You know when you are engaged and you stay up WAY too late together because you don’t want to say goodbye. Then you get up early and hurry through your day so you can be with them again? I found this picture. It made me laugh. We are tired with messy make-out hair.

Happy 6^th wedding anniversary Paul.

We totally look the same…tired and I always have messy make-out hair (minus the make-out).

Our kids are so excited to have a sleepover with the Wallins so we can go on a late date. We are so excited to sleep in on Saturday.

Church play

17 months

Look at those big teeth!

David

Let me update you on David.Lately, what I love most about him is his speech.

A few common phrases:

"I really need to go outside bad".

"Give me a spoon. Please. Please give me a spoon."

"You see that picture? It saids: meat."

"Mom, you wipe my bum?"

A few conversations:

David: Mom, remember when I went to the hospital and got a poky? What is it called?

Me: an IV

David: oh yeah, I got an IB and blood came out.

David: Mom, Mom,
Me: Yes?
David: Mom, Mom, Mom
Me: Yes David?
David: Mom, Mom, MOOOMMMM

(a few minutes later)

Me: David, David, David,
David: what?
Me: David, David, David,
David (screaming): Stop mom. I said what!

Playing '20 questions':

David: I'm thinking of something. It's an airplane.
Eden: David don't tell me what it is.
David: Ok. I'm thinking of something...it's an airplane (said in a whisper).
Eden: Let me guess....ummm...is it a car?
David: No
Eden: Is it an airplane?
David: Yes Eden. You got it!

This kid is so fun. I love him.

16 months

Ruthie Toothie Snuggly Bear

(what the Wallins call her)

Talking with Ruthie. Filmed a few weeks ago.


What a butterball of delight. She LOVES attention and to make us laugh. As you can see Eden is her master and commander in communication.

Not sure what to call this post

* Eden helped Ruthie on the table and gave her a snack.

Everyday…everyday it never stops.

The messes, demanding, screaming, fighting, teasing, crying, hitting, throwing, talking, NOT LISTENING. What is happening? I seriously can’t control my three children.

I have normal children. They are a product of my parenting....which I guess sucks.

This winter is really doing a number on us. I have been going to bed at 8:30pm and waking up exhausted. My bones need warmth. The kids are sick.

Yesterday about killed me.

I was at the doctor’s office for 2 hours. Ruth rolling around on the floor…screaming. David jumping on the office desk…. throwing his airplanes and spitting. Eden nagging, pulling and touching my face trying to get me to listen to her.

Then…the pharmacy took another 2 hours. I left empty handed as the nurse never got our prescription right. After waiting in the LONG line THREE times (with 3 kids, mind you) I was told to come back tomorrow. 5:00pm came around and my very helpful nurse became very Unhelpful.

As I was relaying my day to Paul he was laughing. I was laughing too.

I am smiling.

I just figured it out…it’s the doctor’s visits.

Last week David split his lip open. He ended up going into surgery at the hospital later that week. We also recently learned Eden needs oral surgery to remove her back molar. Apparently it never came through and is anchored to the bone.

Hospitals + drilling + doctor’s chairs + boogers = me feeling out of control, inpatient and unable to control my children.

Thanks for this therapeutic chat.

* Eden & David trying to take a picture.

Quick trips

Before Paul went back to school we took two day trips. On Wednesday we went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It was AMAZING. Since it was a free day we didn't pay anything but if we had paid it would have been well worth it.
David's favorite: planes, trains, tractors, explosion workshop
Eden's favorite: The Christmas trees around the world and the mirrors where she could see herself dance in.
Ruth's favorite: children playland with water, balls and a little slide.
Cyndi's favorite: The whisper display . Paul whispered "you're hot" and I could it loud and clear across the room.
Paul's favorite: the real-life submarine

After the museum my darling (former) mission companion watched the children while we went to the temple. Her husband is going to Northwestern University and I am so happy to have her close. She is one of my favorite people in the entire world.

* sleeping on the way home*

The next day we went to Linton, Indiana to visit Grandma Dorthy and her daughter.

The kids loved visiting and playing with some toys Diana had. Grandma is doing well. She has a wonderful separate room and bath. Grandma still has her humor and her muscles. She rocked David for 1/2 hour.

*Thank you Grandma for the treasures you gave us.

H-A-P-P-Y new year

Paul snapped this photo a few weeks ago after I put all the kids to bed. I laid on the couch for 3 hours. I didn't move. I laid there, watched some TV, read...and laid some more.

I don't remember being UNHAPPY. I was simply relaxing, enjoying the quietness in my new robe. But I look so sad. I look mad. I look exhausted. I look depressed.

This year I am turning 30...which honestly, already has me feeling down. I can feel a mid-life crisis creeping up. I can see myself ordering Cindy Crawford's anti-aging line. Becoming a regular customer at QVC for jump suits & Marie Osmond dolls. I still have 7 good months in my 20's. So, why is this bothering me?

I usually have a talent for seeing the good in situations. I can see beyond the moment and take faith in the future. So, why can't I see it now? Why do I look so old in the mirror? Why do I care so much about how I look? I assumed the older I got...the less I would worry about what I looked like. Oh, I was wrong.

In 2011 I want to be happy in my face.

( I should probably add: less self-centered too)

Merry Christmas

*Christmas Eve with friends.

Keepin up w/David

* Don't mind our Christmas mess.

Ruth dancing

For Gigi

5 years old

The princess finally turned 5! She has been anticipating her birthday for a long time. Eden loves to dance. She is very good at using her manners (and correcting anyone who doesn't). She likes to help. She makes healthy food choices. She LOVES to be complimented. She gives wonderful hugs and is so nice to her Mommy & Daddy. We love her so much.

4 years old

David woke up super early and opened his presents all by himself. The rest of us awoke to him playing with his toys. He wanted an airplane and a helicopter. That's what he got. He is so easy to please. Later that day, he told me we were out of eggs, shrimp & doughnuts. Those are his favorite foods. He had a great day playing with toys. We ended the night with a family trip to Chuck-E-Cheese.

David LOVES toys. He is happy to be 4, but he doesn't want to grow up. He has the most beautiful face. He still asks me to sleep with him every night. I love when he waves his hand and saids, "come over here mom." He does not like Eden to tease him. He has a hard time sharing. He likes to destroy things. I love you David. You are such an important part of our family.