Finally, a smile captured on film

Ruby woke up very happy this morning so we couldn't resist capturing the moment. I was delighted she gave up a big smile and that I finally caught it. We even Skyped Daddy at work so that he wouldn't miss out.

Here are a few more photos from the last week.

Nov 12th-24th

Inside Out

One of the most enjoyable parts of pregnancy was being able to share the experience with my family and friends. However, it was especially awesome to share this time with my friend Kate and sister-in-law Eron.
Kate's due date was 2 weeks before mine. Which was fun and a little ominous, while I watched her grow closer and closer to her due date and realizing my fate was not too far behind. In this photo, Kate is 28 weeks, I am 26. They had swung by Madison for a quick visit the weekend of the 4th of July.

At my baby shower, Kate is 35 weeks and I am 33. It was fun to have so many people compare our bellies. Thinking back, the majority of guests at the shower guessed Kate was having a boy and I was having a girl. At the time, I totally balked their guesses as I was feeling pretty sure I was having a boy.


Alas, I was very wrong :).



Kate had a handsome baby boy September 13th. On September 12th, Kate had a baby shower in Milwaukee and had been having contractions all morning. When I arrived at the party, I was not mentally prepared to see a woman in early labor. Kate really wanted the shower to continue. Can't let a little labor slow her down! It was amazing and crazy to watch Kate in early labor through the party. She left the party to head to the hospital and it was less than 16 hrs later that baby Trey arrived. Ruby took her time coming to meet the world and Kate and my 2 week due date difference grew and grew. Four weeks later, Ruby was finally ready. Carl, Ruby, and I loved having a visit from Trey when Ruby was 3 days old as we had not been able to meet him yet due to the travel restriction that is normal of late pregnancy. Kate and I swapped babies to pose for our first photo of the babies on the outside!


In May I decided I couldn't put off a trip to see Willy, Eron and Leif before becoming too pregnant to travel and not knowing when I would be able to see them next. It was so nice to spend a little time alone with my brother, sister in law, and nephew without having to compete with the rest of our family. It was also nice to share some time with Eron who was expecting their second baby 5 weeks before our baby. On the last day of my trip, Eron and I posed for this photo documenting Eron at 23 weeks and me at 18 weeks.


Ingrid Lily decided she wanted to have her birthday closer to Ruby's, making her about 10 days late, born September 15th. Exactly 1 month later, Ruby was born. On our most recent trip to Leavenworth, the baby girls (cousins!) got to meet on the outside. Here is Ruby at 3 weeks and Ingrid at 7.

Ruby's First Visit to Leavenworth

At 2 weeks and 6 days old, Ruby made her first trip to Leavenworth to meet her cousins, Leif and Ingrid, Aunt Eron, and Uncle Willy. Ruby is both Leif and Ingrid's first cousin, as well as Willy's and Eron's first niece. My parents were also able to make the trip out and enjoyed copious fun with their 3 grand babies.
Ruby did very well on vacation, with the only struggles being with late night traveling. But honestly, that is something that Carl and I struggle with each time we visit Leavenworth too.
Leif is getting so big, smart, and loving. He certainly has his defiant 2 year old moments, but he is more often agreeable and fun to be around.
Ingrid is a very sweet little girl. We love her spiky hair, intense blue eyes, sweet smile, and funny cry that sounds more like a series of grunts than the usual baby wail.
Willy and Eron are doing well, but just as busy as always. Eron is trying hard to get back in the swing of things as a garden manager for a resort, but is finding that 2 little people can make it nearly impossible to get anything done. Willy is a one man band as he farms their organic garden. He is also an extraordinary cook and made us so many wonderful meals. I can't deny that may have been one of my favorite things about vacation :).

Please enjoy the photos from our trip:

Leavenworth Vacation

Happy One Month

Dear Ruby,

Today you are one month old. Congrats! You have met lots of new people and done lots of new things. I constantly think "hey, this is the first time you've been here, or seen this, or met this person". Of course, you will never remember these firsts but your mother and I will. I can't wait to share the story of the first time you pooped on me with your first serious boyfriend. We were riding in the car the other day and a crappy 80s song came on the radio. I realized two things: a) you had never heard that song before and b) 80s pop will be to you like 50s rock is to me. It will be that strange music your Dad listened to when he was little. Weird. I am old.

We took our first family trip last week to visit your Uncle Willy, Aunt Eron, and cousins Leif and Ingrid. It was a very relaxing vacation and the perfect place to go with you. Lots of people said we were brave (maybe crazy) for taking you on a trip so soon. There is a rash of nasty flu going around (H1N1) which by the time you read this no one will remember or everyone will had died from. But we decided this was a trip we very much wanted to take. Family is important. Sometimes you just have to weigh the risks, decide whats important, and go for it. And here you are.


Love,
Papa

From Ruby 1 month old

Halloween and Rozas Meet-N-Greet

Busy weekend as we did several more firsts.

Ruby meet her Great Grandparents Ehster before heading off to her first Halloween party full of shenanigans and tom foolery.

Halloween

We also enj0yed a lovely impromptu party hosted by Grandma and Grandpa Rozas to meet many beloved friends and family. Thank you to everyone for the kind words, support, and many awesome gifts. Ruby is spoiled in the best way. :)

Rozas Meet-n-greet