11 Months and Walking!

Hey Everyone,

Ruby is 11 months old, although I don't have a pic to show for it. I think I will blame the Christmas hoopla on that. Ruby starting taking some steps on her own around 10.5 months. I think it is safe to say that she has mastered walking. For awhile she would see her target and basically lunge towards her target. Now, she has realized she can take her time and take many steps and get there without any bumps on her head or knees. I just can't believe how fast she is growing and changing. Let me also say, that homegirl has also developed a bit of an attitude. She knows what she wants and has taken to the screaming approach in order to tell me that. This usually revolves around more food. We are working hard on signing more and please. Ben and I have not been consistent with this, but now with the screaming...ooofta...signing it is. Ruby has also started laughing this big belly laugh, which we LOVE. Seriously, nothing is better. Ruby got a couple off dolls for Christmas and I was very interested in how Ruby would treat these dolls. I've showed her rocking and being really gentle with the babies, but so far she has just tried chewing on the babies hands and feet. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come! Speaking of, I'm 24 weeks pregnant. When did that happen?

With Ruby, I knew the exact week and day if someone were to ask how far along I was. Now, I went into my calendar on my phone and have reminders of how far along I am. I've had a really simple pregnancy so far. No morning sickness. I was tired as all get out the first trimester, but now I feel great and more myself. I'm starting to feel the baby (Stella Louise) more consistently. I'm 99% sure that Ben and I are done having babies after Stella, so I'm trying to appreciate and hold onto all of these feelings while being pregnant. Now, I say we are 99% sure we are done now, but keep in mind that we haven't left the baby stage yet. We won't for another two or so years, so there is a good chance that percentage might go down in a couple of years. We shall see. Usually whenever we set plans for ourselves, God changes them. I have had some mommy guilt of having another baby so close in age to Ruby. I say this in the way that I love Ruby SO much and it almost breaks my heart having to love another child. I don't think it is possible to love another as much as I do Ruby. Is this normal? I'm not sure, but I'm praying this guilt goes away. I'm sure it will. I'm not a fan of New Years Resolutions because they usually don't keep, but my "New Years Resolution" is to stay off of my phone/computer while Ruby is awake. The only time I can check social media will be when she is napping or has gone to bed. I'm usually pretty good at this, but I think this resolution might help me keep a little more accountable. I would like to keep this as Stella comes into the world, which means I will probably never be on social media. So, if you wonder if I've gone missing...just know that I"m busy trying to be a mom who is present.

2015 was the best year for having Ruby, but the worst year for losing my dad. Not going to lie, that completely sucked. It still sucks and it always will. I don't know that we will ever understand why here on earth, but we need to just trust that God's plan is perfect. I'm still at a point that I don't like thinking about what happened, I don't like thinking about my dad if I don't have to. I know that sounds awful, but it is still just doesn't seem real. Its hard for me to see pictures of my dad or to see his name pop up on my friends list on Facebook. I know that it will get easier or maybe a little more normal I don't know. I know that as time goes on, I will remember my dad for the good memories I have and the hilarious things he did and said. I'm excited for a fresh start in 2016. I'm excited that my mom is living in Maple Grove. I love that I can call her and go over to her house any time I want instead of it just being a phone call. I love that we often have "pizza" night at my moms where my siblings meet up at my moms. Last night my mom came out to Maple Lake and stayed over night so that Ben and I could have a date night. I'm excited for baby number 2 to arrive! I'm excited that I have made so many great friends through MOMS club and MOPS and I look forward to continuing that. I'm excited to see how Ruby grows and changes in 2016. Speaking of. Ruby turns 1 next month. As in 29 days.

I'm throwing a "Minnie Mouse" themed birthday party for Ruby. We went on a disney cruise in November and so I just decided...year of disney..Minnie Mouse it is. When Ben and I were in St. Cloud we stopped by Party City and I filled up on Minnie Mouse stuff. They only turn 1 once right? I'm also going to try and make my own Minnie Mouse cake with fondant frosting. Anyone out there tried this? Any tips? I've watched several youtube videos and they make it look so easy. I'm going to practice before hand. We will see how my practice sessions go. Maybe, just maybe I will document this endeavor. So, that is where we are at. Thanks for reading, thanks for praying, and thanks for being you and awesome!

This is the look that Ruby gives us when she is waiting for us to get her or she is about to do a belly laugh. We love this little girl SO much! 

My dear friend Erin McBurney came over for the day today. She brought me some sparkling grape juice to bring in the new year. 

Ruby's Gets A Sister!

Hey Everyone,

If you are my friend on Facebook, you know that two big things happened this week. We found out that we are having a baby girl in April and Ruby started walking. Ben and I both were hoping/praying for a girl. Some may disagree and that is completely fine, but I just think that every girl needs a sister. My sister and I were 4 years apart and I don't know that we really became good friends until she went off to college. Until then, I was the annoying little sister who wore all of her clothes behind her back and secretly did everything just like her. :) There are things that I feel like I can tell and do around my sister that I can't do around anyone else. It is a bond that you can't really explain. I'm SO excited that Ruby will get to have that same bond and that her and her sister will be so close in age. I was asking Ben if every boy needs a brother and he said no, which is kind of funny to me because he grew up with four brothers. Ben and I actually made a bet on if the baby would be a boy or a girl. I had a feeling that it was a boy and Ben said girl. I feel like since I wanted another girl, that we were for sure going to have a boy. Anyway, we bet $100. Ben won. The funny thing is that I don't make any money. So, really...this just means he gets to spend $100 without ANY judgement or "Are you serious?" looks from me. :)

We plan on naming baby number 2, Stella Louise Harvey. Stella has multiple meanings for us. Ben goes on a mission trip every summer to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and one year there was this girl named Stella that Ben and the team was helping out. Ben later went on to name his beloved mustang, "Stella." I didn't know this when I offered the name Stella to Ben, but apparently Ben's Grandma Ruby's mothers name was Stella. Isn't that crazy? We have Ruby and Stella. Mother and daughter. Louise was my middle name growing up. When I got married, I legally changed my name to Anne Kennedy Harvey. This is a way to bring Louise back. I think it sounds great with Stella! So, we will have a Ruby and a Stella. It is my prayer that they grow up as best friends and encourage one another to follow the Lord.

I feel like I've been a little more paranoid this pregnancy for some reason. Maybe it is because it's my second go around and I know what to expect a little bit. Maybe I've read too much online of what could happen during pregnancy and labor. I was a little nervous to go to our ultrasound. Those nerves went away the second I saw our baby with a flickering heartbeat. I'm just in awe at technology along with God's creation. My due date remains April 19th.

The other big news is that Ruby has been walking. Now, when I say she's been walking, I don't mean she walks all over the place. I mean she takes a few steps here and there. It was kind of bittersweet watching her take those first steps by herself. I was so happy for her and seeing the joy in her eyes, but I was also a little sad seeing her walk knowing that she's getting bigger and older. It makes me SO thankful that I'm able to stay at home with Ruby. It is not easy living on a one teacher income, but to us it is SO worth it.

Again, thanks for reading! Please continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and that I would be able to soak in as much time with Ruby as an only child as I can!

10 Months, Cruises, Christmas!

Hey Everyone,

I feel like life has not slowed down one bit since having Ruby 10 months and 2 days ago. That's ok. I would rather be busy than idle. I can't believe that Ruby is 10 months old. I feel like even more now than before she changes. Her personality comes out more and more each day and let me tell you. She is such a goof ball and I love it! She is honestly the happiest baby! I can't say that she has always been so happy. Remember the time that I was basically starving her? Yeah, she wasn't as happy then. :) She has been standing on her own for a couple of weeks now. Each time gets a little bit longer and longer. Her smirk keeps getting a little bit bigger while doing it. She's getting more and more confident and I don't think it will be long before she is taking the heel toe express. She did take one step the other day. I think on accident, but a step nonetheless. I feel like the hemangioma on her head keeps getting a little bit bigger. The hemangioma is really soft, but doesn't bother her any. Thankfully she is blissfully unaware. Some of you may know, but I had one on my forehead until I was about 4. Apparently they grow and grow until around age 1 and then gradually start decreasing in size until gone. You can have them surgically removed, but it isn't necessary. I didn't have mine removed. I still have a little bit of an indent actually on my forehead from it. At least Ruby's is on her head and will easily be covered by her hair. And if it isn't, I shall call it her beauty mark. ;)

Our cruise was a lot of fun. I was pretty nervous about it actually. I didn't know how Ruby would do on the plane, on the ship, how she would nap, how she would sleep at night, etc. Let me just tell you though, she was AMAZING! I honestly don't think she could have traveled any better. She had a nasty cold and ear infection the week and a half leading up to the cruise. It made me so sad to see her sick like that. I was worried that her ears would hurt her on the airplane. Well, God is good and prayers were definitely heard because her cold cleared up completely the day before we left and her ears didn't bother her one bit on the airplane or anytime for that matter. I was so happy to not have to use the nose sucker on vacation! Ben didn't fly with us on the way to Miami unfortunately. He wanted to put in one more day of work as he doesn't have a whole lot of leave. 2 babies in 2 years doesn't leave a lot of extra time I guess. haha. Waoooops. Anyway, I flew out in the morning with my mom, Jon and his family, Sarah and her family, and my first nephew Jaz. Ruby and I had a window seat. I broke the ice immediately with the kid (maybe in his early 20's) and told him that if Ruby got unruly that I was handing her off to him. He laughed and kept talking to me, so I didn't scare him off. Ruby fell asleep in my boba carrier about 20 minutes before boarding. Of course she woke up right before taking off. I panicked when she started crying and tried getting her bottle ready super fast so she would have it during takeoff. Well, I ended up pouring half of the bottle of water down my shirt. Oops. We got it worked out and she drank her bottle while we took off. She then played and was very curious. She fell asleep with about an hour left in the flight and woke up just in time for our landing. She was able to have another bottle to help with her ears. The cruise itself was a lot of fun as well. Not as easy having to work around a 2 naps a day little girl, but it was still fun. Ruby got to meet the disney characters and load up on some great food. The only bummer part was when we had our sailing day, we were traveling through rain and wind. This made for a pretty rocky boat ride. Who knew a giant ship could rock that much. Well, it did and it left Ben feeling a little green all day. He hung out in bed for most of the day trying to catch some relief. I think there was one member from each family who was sick. We went to a show that night and I kept waiting for one of the dancers to fall. It didn't happen. They must be used to it. haha. Anyway, our flight back went well too. This time I had Ben next to me, which was a big help He is a great entertainer and Ruby sure loves her dad!

Christmas! For those of you that know me well, you know that winter and Christmas time is my absolute favorite. Honestly, living in Alaska for 3 years made me love and appreciate winter more than I ever did before. I think the snow is absolutely gorgeous and such a great reminder that our sins are washed clean. Christmas is a great time of togetherness and it just seems like everyone around you is a little more cheerful. It seems like this year with everything going on around us in the world, we all need a little more cheer and most of all we all need a little more Jesus. I'm thankful for Jesus' birth and it is my prayer that He is the reason for this season. It is so easy to become wrapped up in the lights, the trees, the presents, and great family time and forget why we celebrate in the first place. I'm excited for Ruby to witness Christmas for the first time (outside the womb) So far she is more into the lights plugged into our outlet cover instead of the tree itself. I'm ok with that. I'm not sure that will stick, but here is some wishful thinking. I put up our little Charlie Brown tree in Ruby's room. It is fun praying with Ruby. She witnesses Ben and I praying and honestly whether we are praying at dinner or whatever, she silently just watches. Ruby is not that silent. It is just really cool to see her notice something a little different. I also sing to her every morning when I go get her in the morning This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it......She gets the biggest grin and dances away in her crib. It's my favorite. Anyway, this just goes back to my prayer of teaching Ruby about God and praying that she will grow up to follow Him. I think Christmas is such a great time to step back and focus on God and be thankful. Thanks for reading this long post! I appreciate all of you! Merry Christmas!!