Duluth!

Hey Everyone,

Ben, Ruby, and I just got back from a great trip to Duluth. I have so much to say, but don't know where to start. Sorry if I'm a bit all over the place. Ben and his brothers are obsessed with looking for (agate) rocks. I'm not the biggest fan, but I go along with his passion and somewhat (haha) support this obsession. The real reason why we went to Duluth was to get some sort of rock buffer? I don't know. Ben was originally going to go up himself and pick it up and just come back until we decided to make a little trip out of it. I'm SO happy that we did. It was been way too long that Ben (and Ruby and I have spent quality time together outside of our home. In fact, I think it is the first time we have done anything like this. We have of course gotten out, but it almost always includes our families or friends. This was just the best and just what I needed.

We woke up early on Thursday and took off. Ruby still isn't the best about riding in the car. She did pretty good on the way up however. The thing with Ruby is she is almost like clockwork. She eats every three hours and sleeps every three hours. Her schedule goes something like this....Eat at 1:00, be up for about an hour and then nap at around 2:00 for about half an hour to an hour and then be up until she eats again. Ruby sleeps the best in her crib. When we know she is tired we can lay her down awake and she will fall asleep. It's beautiful. When we were out and about or in the car it is almost always a disaster. She will put up a really good fight before going down. We got to Duluth and went to check into our hotel. Our hotel was Canal Street Lodge or something like that. It is a beautiful hotel that is right on Lake Superior. In the morning they brew Caribou coffee. How could you not be impressed? Anyway, Ruby and I took a nap and when she woke up we got ready to go swimming. We mostly went swimming so I could see Ruby in her ADORABLE swimsuit. (Thank you Carley's if you're reading this!) Ruby loved the water. She was splashing around like a maniac and trying to drink some in the meantime. Yuck! After we were done swimming, we got cleaned up and went out for dinner. It was super hot outside, but it was still fun to walk to the restaurant. After dinner we walked along the boardwalk. It was so exciting that Ruby fell asleep! :) Please don't call CPS on us, but we put Ruby's pack and play in the bathroom where it was super dark and away from where we were sleeping and the TV. Let me tell you people....she slept from 7:30 P.M. until 6:45 in the morning. It was AMAZING! The funny thing was that at home Ben NEVER hears Ruby wake up. However, in the hotel he said he went and checked on her several times because she wasn't making a peep. I didn't wake up at all either. It was wonderful!

We had a good night's rest, ate breakfast, and went for another walk. We also dipped Ruby's toes into Lake Superior. It was COLD, but she didn't mind too much. It's kind of funny, the majority of the pictures we took, it looks like Ruby was not too happy. I assure you though she was very happy! I think one of the best parts of the trip for me was turning my phone off. I didn't get on Facebook, I didn't check my email. Well, I lied....I did get on my phone to read my devotional, but that was it! It was so nice to disconnect and pay close attention to my husband and daughter. If you haven't done this in awhile, I highly recommend it. I think I might try to do this once a week. Pick a day and turn it off. We drove up the north shore a little ways, ate some lunch, and headed back home. It was a great trip and SO so good for the soul.

Walking on the boardwalk.

I love my little family!

She is such a happy girl!

First dip in Lake Superior.

Our little fish. 

This is the only time in her life that she will be able to sit like this. :)

6 Months Y'all!

That is half a year, folks! Ruby is half way to her first birthday. Can someone please slow down time? I say this, but I have been trying really hard to be present with Ruby. I know that our future kids won't get the amount of one on one time I get with Ruby. I try not to think or wish for her to be older and I try not to wish she was itty bitty again. Ben and I are so in love with our little girl. Even in this season of grief, she keeps me so happy and puts life into perspective. She doesn't know yet the amount of joy she brings me. Not to say that being her momma has been a cake walk. It hasn't. When I think I truly understand her, her eating habits, her sleeping habits...it changes. She changes. Here are some facts about Ruby:

1. She has gone back to her gremlin/grunting ways. It is a little creepy, but a whole lot adorable.

2. She has not been sleeping as well. Last night she woke up at 12:00, 2:00, 6:00, and then up at 8:00. I would love it if she slept through the night, but I also don't mind getting up with her.

3. Nobody told me how demanding nursing would be. It's SO convenient, but it is also all on me. Nursing Ruby at any time is still my favorite though.

4. She is trying SO hard to crawl. It makes her pretty mad actually. She will get up on her hands and feet. (She can plank with the best of them.) She will rock back and forth and then kind of belly flop the floor. You'll get it soon, baby girl! I actually think that part of her sleeping issues stems from this. I think she is practicing when she wakes up at night and then gets mad. I often come into her room finding her in the plank position. #determined

5. She hasn't had stranger danger as much lately, which makes her Grandparents happy! :)

6. She has a hemangioma on the top of her head. I had this same thing on my forehead until I was about 4. Hers is in a much better location. Last night I had a dream that they kept popping up all over her body. Yikes!

7. She is sitting up and can sit unassisted until she reaches for a toy.

8. She still loves taking baths!

9. She is getting a little better about her carseat. I've realized that timing is everything! It is best if I feed her and then wait for about 10 minutes.

10. She only sleeps well for naps if she is in her crib OR if we are in the car for a long time. The second the car stops she wakes up and she usually won't go back to sleep.

11. Her favorite toy is Sophie the giraffe.

12. No teeth yet, although she puts EVERYTHING she can get her hands on in her mouth.

Well, there you have it. Ruby is quite lovable and has rolls on her thighs that make you swoon. We are having so much fun with her!

                           A rare smile from her carseat.                                      Typical reaction to her carseat.

On this day she was up until about 10:30. Getting kisses from Daddy!

No food yet, but she loves her highchair. 

                                                               All day every day.

2015 = Best/Worst Year Ever

Hey All,

I haven't blogged in awhile. Apologies. 2015 has been the best and worst year of my life. It has been the best because we had Ruby January 29th. She has been the biggest blessing of our lives so far. She brings us such joy. Her smiles, giggles, and even cries signifies LIFE. I will share more about Ruby in a moment. 2015 has also been the worst year because we lost my dad. It still doesn't feel real to me. I still feel like my dad is going to come walking through the house and be 100% healthy. I miss him, but I'm SO thankful that I was able to have good and important conversations with him before he died. I was able to tell him how much I loved him. I was able to share some of my favorite memories with him. He was able to do the same. He shared with me how he wasn't afraid of death. Not everyone gets the chance to have those conversations with people before they pass away. I'm thankful that my dad knew the Lord and that he will spend eternity in heaven. All that said, it doesn't mean that I don't miss him, or that it makes it any easier. I have good moments of remembering him and I have moments where I'm a sobbing mess. I spent some time today listening to old voicemails from my dad. Cue the sobbing mess. ;) I have also spent time just going over fun memories and just smiling. In the end folks, God is still so good. I'm thankful that I can rely and find comfort in Him. I have to say the amount of support that my family has received over the last three months but even more the last couple of weeks has been incredible. People that we haven't seen in ages stopped over and brought food and goodies. It is evident that my dad was truly loved by everyone he came in contact with.

Now, about Ruby. She is such a chunk. She is rolling from point A to point B. She is on the verge of crawling and quite possibly getting some teeth. She has a case of stranger danger, but if you ease your way in, she will be happy to give you smiles instead of cries. She also went through this hilarious phase of grunting. She wouldn't really coo, she would just grunt. When we would go get her in the morning, instead of smiling first she would grunt first. It was almost like a gremlin. Sadly, that has passed, but thankfully she has started talking a lot more. Sometimes it is hard to get a word in. Typical girl. ;) We have spent the last 2 weeks in Watertown, so all sleeping habits that she had before kind of went out the window. Some nights she was in bed by 6 and some nights she was up until 9:30. I'm hoping being back in her crib will provide longer stretches of sleep instead of the 3 hour stretches she was having in her pack and play. Again, Ruby gives Ben and I SO much joy. It is hard to describe or put into words. I think other mommas understand what I'm trying to talk about. Oh yeah, Ben and I are also the proud owners of a mini van. Yep, you read that correctly...MINI VAN! I've always wanted one, but I felt like we had to have a kid first. Lord willing one day that mini van will be filled with little Ben and Anne Harvey's.

Thank you everyone for all the love and support that my family has received over the last three months. When you are done reading this and if you are able, I want you to call your dad and tell him how much you love him. In fact, try to do that with all of the people in your life that you love and are so thankful for. You won't regret it!

My dad and I on my wedding day. He was the most incredible father. I honestly wouldn't change a single thing from him as my dad.  

Ruby and I in Watertown. 

Ruby with her cousin Liam. He just turned 3. I'm surprised that Ruby didn't squish the poor guy.

Ruby had her first in car blowout on the way to Watertown. 

Four Months!

Hey Everyone,

Life has been a little crazy lately. What I have learned in the last month or two is that you should make the very most out of your relationships. Nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow. With God, that reality is ok and comforting.

Ruby is four months old. I'm absolutely loving every. single. day. of being her mom. She brings me such joy through her smiles, giggles, roll overs, intent staring, finger sucking, head bobbling, and so much more. She has been rolling over for about a week now. This is great, however sometimes in the middle of the night she likes to practice this new trick and can't roll back over, therefore crying for momma to come flip her. Ruby will be getting her four month shots on Monday. I HATE seeing her cry. The only time that she really cries is when she is in her car seat, fighting her sleep, or getting her shots. Last go around wasn't horrible. She ran a slight fever for a couple days and that is it. I think it is much harder on us mommas. I know plenty of anti-vexers out there and I respect whatever choice you make for your child, because in the end we are all doing what we think is best for them. For Ben and I, we are pro vaccinations.

Did I mention that Ruby is sleeping in her crib? She is and it is GREAT! Ben is not the quietest person in planet. I love you babe, but you are kind of clumsy. He would bang into the wall going into the bathroom, shut and open the door as loud as one possibly can, not shower until right before bed when Ruby is already sleeping. Now, I get that we are supposed to have noise and have her be a little used to that kind of thing, and she would generally do really well. BUUUT, sometimes when you are super tired and you worked really hard to get your dear one down and sleeping...it's a bit frustrating when she would wake up from the toilet flushing. Ha, end of rant, she is now in her crib in her own room and rocking it! I think it was much harder on me, but now that she is in there it is great. She sleeps well and we sleep well. One of the biggest perks is that I get to stay up late and read. I just finished the book, Orphan Train. My sister just told me about Kindle Fire's and how you can read E-Books from your local library. How cool is that? Well, I ordered one last night! I can't wait to get my reading on! Any book recommendations? I don't like sad or suspenseful books.

Today I went to my first MOMS club meeting. It will be so good to get to know other moms in my surrounding community. I even met a mom who had her baby on the same exact day as me in the same hospital! How cool is that? I'm also going to be joining MOPS through my church in the fall.

Well, that is life lately. If you think of it, would you lift my Dad and family in your prayers? My dad started the chemo pill about a week ago. He has been feeling as well as he can be I think. Most of his pain right now is coming from the hip that he broke a couple of weeks ago. Like I mentioned that nobody's life is guaranteed. I pray that you all will/know Jesus and can trust His plan and know that whatever happens in this world is temporary and that eternity is what matters most. If you have any questions (not that I have all the answers) about that please email me at anne.harvey7@gmail.com or message me on Facebook. I would love to chat about it!

Ruby at 1 hour old and Ruby at 4 Months. Time sure flies when you're having fun! :)

What Makes My Heart Melt

Hey everyone,

Life has been a little crazy lately filled with plenty of ups and downs. I thought I would share some things that make my heart melt.

1. The way Ben looks at Ruby.
2. When I'm feeding Ruby she always holds onto my thumb.
3.  When I can get her to giggle. She definitely makes me work for it.
4. The way she stares so intently at you and then breaks out with a smile.
5. When Ruby wakes up she is ALWAYS happy. The minute you talk to her she smiles from ear to ear.
6. The way she will hang on me almost like a kangaroo. She is always so content when held like that.
7. The way she smells, especially after a bath.
8. The way she talks to her friends. (I call her play mat with hanging birds her friends.)
9. The secon I lay her down for a nap or to sleep at night she immediately turns and sucks on her thumb.
10. Her big brown eyes. Yep, I'm almost positive I have a brown eyed girl. It's kind of funny. I always wondered when I would transition to saying Ruby is so and so weeks to so an so months. Someone asked at the grocery store and I couldn't remember what week we are on, but I did know she was 3 1/2 ish months. I counted when we got home and she is 15 weeks today. We are getting very excited to Daddy home this summer. We also are buying a computer and getting internet again. I can't wait to blog from an actual laptop. :)

Confession

I was born in Springfield, Virginia. We lived there until I was 4 before moving to South Dakota. My moms best friend in Virginia was Sharon Hewitt. We always called her Fluto. My mom and Fluto called each other Mun. I soon became little Mun. I then termed Ruby-Mini Mun. Anyways, In November, Fluto found out she had cancer and it spread throughout her body. I don't want to say that she lost her battle because she didn't. Fluto knew God and now gets to spend eternity in Heaven. That my friends is a great victory....not a lost battle. 

I started this blog when I was pregnant because Fluto said my updates on Facebook gave her great joy and sometimes got her through the day. I'm SO happy that Fluto lived to see Ruby (in pictures.) I would send her pictures every day of Ruby and send her updates and keep this blog going. 

Fluto truly is a very special person. She was absolutely hilarious and cared about people to no end. Her and her husband came out to Ben and i's wedding and I feel so fortunate! She brought decorations, she helped decorate the venues, and she was there to provide comedic relief. I'm so happy that our last memories in person were at the wedding. Fluto would always get my mom to be more spontaneous. She would would make my mom laugh harder than I've ever seen her laugh. That's just the kind of person Fluto was. 

I sent Fluto a picture of Ben holding Ruby and her response was, "We all have something in common-no hair!" Even through cancer, Sharon kept her humor. She will definitely be missed, but our memories of her will always be happy memories that will bring smiles to our faces. That is her legacy. Love you Fluto!

Ruby's Life at 3 Months

Hey Everyone,

Life has been pretty busy since Easter. Time is a funny thing. Given that we get the same amount each day, time can seem to go really fast or really slow. Last month went super fast. I can't believe Ruby is 3 months. She changes every single day and I'm so happy tha I get to witness this! The love we have for our little girl is unreal. I don't think you can possibly know what this love feels like until you become a parent. Here are some fun facts about Ruby.

1. She hates her car seat. If she isn't asleep in it she cries. In fact, the only time she really cries is when in her car seat. Any tips are welcome!

2. She continues to roll over from tummy to back, but it is very sporadic.

3. I heard her giggle twice and my heart melted. I then proceeded to act like a fool in order to get more. It didn't work.

4. She sleeps from 7 at night until 3. I feed her and she sleeps again until 7ish. It's wonderful!

5. She still loves baths.

6. She has discovered how to "yell." I always put her in her pack and play as soon as she shows any signs of being tired. She sometimes will yell at me before falling asleep. It's kind of funny.

7. She has started sucking her thumb and it is adorable! If only she would comfort herself in the car seat.

8. At church last Sunday I accidentally shocked Ruby on the nose and she went ballistic and cried until I picked her up. Oops. Lesson learned there.

9. We are going to start transitioning Ruby to her crib. I'm quite sad about it actually.

10.  She is roughly around 12 1/2 pounds.

Ruby has a doctors appointment on June 1st. She will get her second round of shots then and get weighed and all that fun stuff. Ruby is generally a happy and content baby, but she is not a fan of going to the Doctor. Our Doctor is GREAT, but she is very popular. Therefore the nurse will usually do all of Ruby's vitals and then it takes a long time for her Doctor to come in, so she gets a little fussy.

I have grown to love breastfeeding and become more comfortable about it. It is very convenient. Two weeks ago we were coming home from church and there is a train track near our house. Well, Ruby was hungry and screaming. All of a sudden the train got slower and slower and eventually stopped. Having no idea when it would start again I crawled in the back, took her out of her car seat and fed her. About a minute later the train started moving again. I won't say whether or not Ben just drove home while I continued to feed her. (We only live a couple of blocks away)

Ben hast just over a month left of school before summer break. We are SO excited about this. It will be so great to have him home more during the day.