Swimmers

Uncle Pat and Daddy showing Rubi just how easy it is to jump in the pool!

Rubi has gone from a full life jacket to just arm floats! What a great summer!

Releasing Rubi's ladybugs

Once again, for Rubi's birthday she received a fun, educational gift involving feeding and watching a house of insects grow. Last year we loved watching her butterflies grow and this year Rubi experienced the life cycle of a ladybug.

watching her bugs grow from tiny larvae to adult bugs.

and finally, releasing the ladybugs.

Visitors!

Aunt Alana and Margot

Uncle Kyle and Margot

Daddy and Margot

Uncle Pat and Margot

Grammy and Margot

Aunt Tawnee and Margot

Grand-Pop and Margot

Aunt Katye and Margot

Margot's first few weeks

Rubi being a great big sister, helping with tummy time.

Tummy Time!

Rubi showing Grand-pop and Margot her "back butt".

Margot & Great Grammy and Grandpop McDaniels.

Margot getting used to the flashbulb.

Happy birthday Margot!

After nine (very) long months, Margot Rose McCann was born Memorial Day, May 30th, 2011 at 12:07 p.m. I labored at home for a few hours, was admitted to the hospital around 8:00 a.m. and after a little scare with Meconium, we were able to see our (big) little baby.

Margot weighed 9 lbs 4.2 oz. at birth and was 20 1/2 inches long. As the nurses were taking her to the warming table, we kept hearing over and over again "what a big baby".

(I have a feeling I will be looking up at both Rubi and Margot to scold them as teenagers.)

Rubi immediately gave Margot a kiss when they were introduced for the first time, then asked for some juice.

Although it's taken a few days, Rubi has really warmed up to Margot. We heard several times, "can we send her back?", but overall Rubi has become a wonderful big sister. She's even taken on the role of taking the dirty diapers to the garbage, to a four year old obsessed with poop jokes, this is a big deal!

Margot is fitting right into our crazy home. She's the cherry on top of our little family.

Princess Birthday Party

This year Rubi's Princess Birthday Party turned out a little cold and wet. Does that stop a four year from enjoying herself? Nope!

For weeks we've been asking Rubi what she wants for her birthday. Her answer (consistently) has been POOP! Or, a BIG GIANT PILE OF POOP! Well, because they do not sell edible poop anywhere (that I know of) I made Rubi her BIG GIANT PILE OF POOP. As you can tell by the picture above, she really enjoyed it!

Kira modeling some sunglasses Elton John dropped off for the party.

Kiley, Tori, and Rubi enjoying the bowl of jewelry (what girl wouldn't).

Rubi allowed taking of pictures for about 5 minutes at this year's party. It's a good thing I wasn't in the bathroom or I would've missed it.

Rubi turns four (a little late).

Happy Fourth Birthday Rubi Lyn McCann.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four! (She's almost as tall as her father..tear!)

I cannot believe that our little-tiny-baby Rubi is now FOUR YEARS OLD (and not at all little or tiny or a baby)! It's both heartbreaking and exciting to see her blossom into a li

ttle human. The heartbreak often occurs when i ask her to give her mother a smooch or to cuddle and she looks at me and says "NOOOOO".

Don't get me wrong, Rubi is by far the most affectionate little girl i've ever came in contact with. Often, during dinner she stops eating looks at us and says "Mommy, I love you...Daddy, I love you too". She then drops her fork and asks for hugs and kis

ses. If i was able to use her candle this year to make one wish, it would be that she always remain this affectionate.

Rubi is still the most careful child I know. She still chases other children on the playground, screaming BE CAREFUL!

This year when I asked Rubi what she wanted to be when grew up, she said, "STOP IT, leave me ALONE!" Oh well, there is always next year.

Rubi now has standard lines that she uses every day...

"That sounds like a good idea, right?!"

"I waaaaant Grammmmyyy"

"I'll be the princess and you be my majesty"

This year has passed so quickly I can hardly stand it. Rubi has certainly developed into her own person. She is still very outgoing and talks to almost anyone willing to listen. Just this past weekend at her birthday party, she invited a woman walking her dog to sit down and join the party.

I cannot express how much I love this little girl. It's hard to believe I will be able to experience this much love for another child. I think that Rubi (while it may take some adjusting) will be an amazing big sister. She is caring, loving, and very kind. I can picture Rubi talking Margot's ear off from the moment she enters the house. The only request Rubi has made so far about the new baby is that she get her own bedroom and her own car. Fair I'd say.