Ruby Sue - A sweet sweet blessing.

First sunday garb - almost everything is too big for her!

Kingston made this exact same face (their baby pictures are nearly identical - and I thought a girl would surely look different!). It happens to be the face they both made/make while pooping!

9 Days Old!

She was not so thrilled about the sponge bath

Since Ruby is not a fan of her carseat - and since I have to chase around her VERY active brother - this is how she spends at least a few hours a day! And I love getting to snuggle her like this!

Ruby is a sweet baby. From the day we brought her home we kept asking ourselves if babies were really supposed to sleep this much! She is a bit picky about how she sleeps - she prefers to be rocked, likes to be held, and stays asleep longer if held or in the swing. But I am happy to oblige - after all - she's only little and snuggle once! She will lay in her pack and play and does well at night - sleeping at least one 4 hour stretch, usually followed by one three hour stretch. So much different than the hour and a half stretches for Kingston!

In her first month of life we have had visits from Grammie, Aunt Cathy, Grandpa Ames, Grandma and Grandpa Jones, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Chris and countless friends from church. I have just started to have to cook dinners nearly one month later - we are so blessed by a church family who has provided numerous meals for us! Just this last week we have ventured out to Target, Paradise Park and Crown center - always with other adult help - but it has been nice to be "on the go" a little bit!

Life with two IS harder than I expected. I didn't remember how much time nursing requires when babies are so little - and frequently hungry. Kingston is learning to wait for things - and I am learning that that is an ok thing. We are also learning to balance bedtime routines, activities and playing outside with a newborn. Each day is a learning process. I was terrified the first day I was supposed to have both kids by myself - but it was a surprisingly smooth transition - surely the answer to the many people praying for us! I don't feel back to "normal" yet - and it may be a while. Kingston has given up his nap, and while I do have him rest, that doesn't leave a lot of naptime for me. So I usually head to bed once Ruby is asleep for the night. Someday I will have a predictable schedule and time to myself (and my amazing husband) in the evenings. But for now God has given me grace to embrace the role of mothering two and being a wife. I am thankful for new and abundant grace each day to accomplish these tasks - despite not having much sleep. We have such a great support system for which I am so thankful.

The first 4 weeks have been a delight with Ruby. We do believe she has some reflux issues - although not as severe as Kingston - and will be heading to the doctor next week. Please keep her (and us) in your prayers - we are loving watching our family and her grow!