8 Weeks Until D-Day!!

It is hard to imagine that I'm only 8 weeks away (maybe less... but maybe more) from meeting our sweet little child. As I look forward to meeting this precious child doing gymnastics and playing soccer with my ribs, hip, and belly I am also trying to enjoy every moment of being pregnant and being a mommy of one!! It's hard to imagine I'll be the mommy of 2 very very soon- but I can't wait! Ruthie has been an awesome 1st child and it's hard to imagine what the 2nd will be like. Will he/she look like me, therefore, look exactly like Ruthie... or will he/she be Jon's double? All these questions and we'll find out soon! I can't wait to compare- although, that sounds bad... bu seriously, compare my children. Not the good verse the bad, but just see how they are similar and yet, how they are different. It's very exciting!!

Today Ruthie, Piper, and I went to my doctors appointment with Dr. Patel. She's so very awesome and I hope she's apart of my delivery with little Stube. Pregnancy is continuing to go well and Dr Patel is very onboard with doing whatever she can to help make my delivery dreams, come true! She is secretly scheduling a c-section date (one out 42 weeks) so that if I don't go on my own and I have Have HAVE to have a c-section, I will be scheduled with one of the MY doctors and not just a random doctor in the hospital. She is not telling me any more information and letting me continue to visualize having a natural childbirth. Thank you Dr. Patel!!

My glucose test came back great and the doctors only had one minor complaint and that was I am very anemic and they would like to see some more iron in my diet. Dr Patel asked how I have been feeling and after I told her lately I've been more tired than normal and a bit irritable, she told me she believed I could change that a little with some iron- so... bring on the iron! And to think- I could have had more energy had I known sooner ;)

My next appointment is scheduled in another two weeks (Heather and Nat's Anniversary). After that appointment, they will schedule one last ultrasound (hopefully) to measure the baby. So far, I am measuring a tad bit smaller which could or could not mean I'm carrying a smaller baby?!?! We'll see...

I'll keep you posted :)

2 Years Old!!!

My Sweet Two Year Old

Dear Ruthie- I decided to start this blog entry a little different then all the rest... 1) I sent out a blank post to send confusion to all my faithful readers and 2) I'm now starting this entry with a letter to sweet little you! I can't believe two precious years have gone by. You are such a blessing to me and your daddy. I can't even get over how much fun these last two years have been. I've always known that I was called to be a mommy and have looked forward to that day for a very very long time. But honestly, I had no idea how truly blessed I was going to be. It's been so much fun being your mommy these last two years. You are forgiving and so loving and wow... I am blessed! I just had no idea the amount of love I had to give until I held you in my arms on December 4th 2008 at approximately 11:30 pm. I will never forget as I sat in the recovery room how excited I was to hold you. I knew you were in great care with your daddy, but I dying inside to see you, to really see you and hold you tight. Your Gaga Marshall at one point came down to visit and brought the computer so that I could video chat with your Uncle Andrew as he pointed the camera into the nursery so I could watch your daddy rock you. What a special moment. :) What an amazing experience. I will never ever ever forget it. And as you grow older, I look forward to creating so many more amazing experiences with you. I know we will have our mother/daughter moments, but it's my prayer that even in those tough times, you will know without a doubt that I love you and you are my very special blessing. Tonight, as you "rocked with mommy" I just ate up every moment of sitting with you and talking about our day and what we get to look forward to tomorrow. Gosh girl, I love you!!

Love Always, Your Mommy

Ruthie Blowing Out Her Candles

What a fun day celebrating your 2nd Birthday!! You were so excited for your party!! It was so much fun to plan the details with you. I wonder if you'll remember but you helped with most the planning. Choosing your theme: Hello Kitty! Choosing what you wanted to give each of your friends. :) Deciding what you wanted to eat at your party, and of course, choosing the fun decorations. It was absolutely wonderful. I know I wouldn't have changed a thing!! Ava, Liam, Ceci, Zaani, Jack, & Lucy came to celebrate your special day. You were so excited to see each of them.

Ava (Ave) and Ruthie at the craft table

Just so we never forget... here is what we did!

Set-up: We set up a "craft" table filled with Hello Kitty drawling pages, stickers, and Hello Kitty headbands. We also had some toys to keep you all occupied but I think truly the biggest hit was the gigantic Hello Kitty Balloon that Ruthie picked out!!

Food: Ruthie decided on PB&J sandwiches that mommy cut into Hello Kitty's. Ruthie also wanted some special yogurt, so we made Hello Kitty bowls with yogurt, blueberries, and strawberries. Hello Kitty Apple Juice drunk out of cool Hello Kitty cups that mommy and Ruthie made and a yummy Hello Kitty Cake (and cupcakes). Adult(ish) food: Meatballs, Mini hotdogs, veggie tray.

Entertainment: Daddy brought down the house with your favorite music!!! "If You're Happy and You Know It", "ABC's", and "Mr. Golden Sun"!! (Ruthie absolutely LOVED this time.. and at times... I felt like it was just her and her daddy in the room) :)

(Ruthie singing and dancing)

Presents followed music time and then we concluded with singing Happy Birthday and having some yummy cake!! All in all, a great success!!

Ruthie's 2 Year Old Stats!!

Ruthie is a remarkable 3' tall!! They are predicting that she'll be 6' (just like her daddy) by the time she's finished growing. She weighs 31 lbs 12 oz and is in the 99% in both height and weight. Her check up went well. She impressed her doctor with her vocabulary and with how well she could comprehend what the doctor was saying. Of course, as her mommy, I already knew she was brilliant, but it was absolutely wonderful to hear her doctor give her so much praise!! Ruthie is now dropping whole milk and is on 2% milk instead. The doctors gave her a clean bill of health and sent her off (but not before giving her two shots :() Of course, the one was just brutal and I couldn't help but join her with tears as she grabbed me around the neck and held me tight as she cried out in pain.

Ruthie and Mommy traveled to Boyd's Bear Factory in Gettysburg right after her appointment. We met up with Ruthie's friends Landon (who she saw over the summer) and Elsie (who she hasn't seen since she was a little biddy baby) The mommy's and kiddos had a great time catching up and checking out the different rooms!

More Fun Facts About Ruthie Ru

Favorite Colors: Green and Purple
She continues to excel and perfect her colors, numbers, and ABC's.
Vocabulary: This girl can talk talk talk!! And you have to be very careful what you say these days- she catches and repeats EVERYTHING... maybe not the exact second after you say something... but she remembers and can always bring it out when you least expect it.

Ruthie loves art and music. She looks forward to each and every Wednesday because that means she gets to go to art class AND share a bowl of oatmeal with mommy! Music- I so badly want to get her into some type of music class. Ruthie loves to sing and dance!

Ruthie is wearing "big girl" panties now!! I decided to stop putting her in pull-ups and (knock on wood) we haven't had a single accident! She continues to wait until diaper time to go poo poo- but I'm okay with that! We'll get there when we get there... I am in no rush.

Ruthie is excited for "our baby". She is well aware that when she's not gentle with me and I say "ouch" that she hurt the baby :) ... (not so much me) haha! She loves all my doctors and nurse appointments. Both nurse and doctors have done a great job with allowing Ruthie to be involved with listening to the heartbeat and when we get the chance... to see the baby. I have no doubts she's going to be an awesome big sister... even if she's not so sure of him or her at the beginning!

Ruthie is moving into a big girl bed this weekend! As we move into our new house, we are going to set up her room with all her new Hello Kitty accessories which involve a Big Girl bed!!! We are excited!! I hope she is too!

Ruthie Mackenzie- it is an honor to be your mommy! Thanks baby girl (big girl) for being my daughter. I love you!