Day 5

waking up as a three year old.

We started Rubi's birthday morning with some presents and ballerina wrestling,

then we spent the rest of the morning on the beach,

(above) Rubi having an anxiety attack in Mama's arms.

we had dinner at Rubi's favorite restaurant Chuckie Cheese...dressed as a ballerina.

enjoying her cake...we are out of state, Rubi still decided to save Grammy a piece of cake.

Day 4

On Tuesday, we headed to the Virginia Beach Aquarium.

After the aquarium and dinner we went to the beach. Rubi has developed a lot of anxiety about the beach, mostly the waves crashes on the shore.

it started off pretty well...

then Rubi ran...and ran.

The only way she would walk relatively close to the ocean was if Daddy promised to carry her.

Eventually, Rubi walked pretty close to the ocean. Every night (so far) we've brought her back to the beach for a walk. Maybe next year her anxiety attacks will dissipate.

1,2, and 3

year one,

year two,

and three.

Our little baby is turning three years old today. It still boggles my mind that she is actually three. In September of 2006 we found out we were going to have a baby, we had no idea what to expect with our first child. What we now have is a wonderful (little) family. A family that works like a well oiled machine. A family I'm extremely proud and honored to be apart of, largely because of Rubi.

Rubi is hands down the funniest person i know. She is smart, happy, stubborn, charming, beautiful, caring, and affectionate...all the makings of a wonderful well rounded human being.

Over the past year Rubi has grown increasingly self sufficient, even asking sometimes to be left alone. I can no longer carry my little baby around, not because it's physically impossible, it's because "I'M NOT A BABY ANYMORE MOMMA!". "Momma" is also a welcomed change Rubi has made to my name this year, which I LOVE. Every sentence/demand sounds cuter starting with Momma.

"Momma, I miss you", "Momma, I need a drink", and my personal favorite "Momma, you're my best friend". SO CUTE. She could ask me to drain my entire bank account, if it started with Momma i would ask if she wanted small or large bills.

Last year we added a new addition to the family named Cooper, a Boston Terrier. Rubi and Cooper are really good friends, but like any family members they have their spats. Rubi always defends Cooper (like any big sister would). Her defense for Cooper usually is, " but Momma, Cooper is my best friend AND your best friend...AND Daddy's best friend." This almost never works, but the effort is adorable.

Rubi is one of the tallest children in her class, she towers over most of the boys. She (in August) will be moving into the preschool room at school. This is, like the change from the infant to toddler room, exciting and terrifying. I know she is more than ready for the move, I however could use another year or two with my baby. Rubi is both psychically and academically right on track with her age (of course as her parents, we think Rubi's intelligence is far beyond her years).

I asked Rubi what she wanted to be when she grew up, at three her response is, a Ballerina and/or a princess. Every year I plan to ask Rubi what her ideal career would be, I'd imagine this goal is going to vary through the years.

Living with such a happy little person has made everyday fun, exciting, and miraculous. We try our best to remind Rubi how much we love her, and appreciate everyday we have with her. We treasure everyday with Rubi, the last three years have been no exception.

Happy Birthday Rubi Lyn McCann.

Day 3

With rain in the forecast for our third day, we decided to skip the beach. Rubi was going a little stir crazy (pictured above wearing almost every princess dress she owns), so we headed to the mall.

(after Rubi was able to blow a few bubbles)

The mall has a large carousel. Rubi loved the ride, I think her favorite part was getting the pony stamps on her hands when exiting the ride.

Day 2

This year, unlike last year, Rubi LOVED the beach. The sand, the ocean, even the sunshine.

We were able to spend about three hours at the beach (a Rubi record)...her nap was even longer.

Vacation, day 1

We had an ideal (8hr) trip to Virginia Beach this year. Rubi was wonderful, she didn't shed a single tear and only asked 5-10 times whether or not we were actually going to the beach.

Dad and Rubi gazing at the ocean off the Chesapeake Bay bridge.

Rubi didn't waste any time getting familiar with her new surroundings.