Goodbye Roo

Last week (May 2018) we said goodbye to our Roo. He was Mom's first baby, the one who taught me how to be a mom and love unconditionally. Roo was a pound puppy, rescued by Mommy at just 8 weeks old out of a litter of 8 puppies. A few weeks later he was in the Vet Clinic on an IV drip fighting for his life after getting Parvo. We were once told by a vet he’d probably live to be 8-9 years old, in December he would’ve been 12, we got a couple more years than we thought. He’s been on many adventures with us, he moved across the country twice and was a trooper both times. He hated elevators, shiny and hardwood floors. He’s made us happy, laugh, he’s frustrated us, he’s creeped us out (with his “I’m hungry” stare). Both of you girls loved him dearly, Ginny especially. She would often crawl in his bed with him in the evenings to snuggle.

We sent him out in style with a couple days of spoiling, including long naps in the tall grass, cheeseburgers, ice cream cones, and endless snuggles. He’s was one heckuva dog. There will never be another Roo, we are gonna miss you big boy, you can swim for as long as you want now.

Ginny's 10, 11, and 12 months :)

Only six months behind :)

9 months!

Ginny is 9 months old!  You have 4 teeth (two on the top and two on the bottom), are crawling, are pulling up (but haven't really started walking around while holding onto things), you clap (yay Ginny usually gets you going), you occasionally will say "hi!" and wave, and you are a total momma's girl.  You still only really say mom when you are hungry, but you babble about daddy frequently.  You gave us a little scare recently with pneumonia, but you seemed to have kicked its butt (with the help of lots of antibiotics!).  We love you tremendously, Ellie most of all :)

You weigh 17 pounds 10 ounces
You are 27.5 inches tall

7 months!

Don't mind that was posted after you 8 month photo :)

Let me try to remember what you were doing at 7 months...you were on all fours rocky, but not moving anywhere and getting mad that you couldn't move.  Still had just to lower teeth.  Still nursing, but SLOWED down quite a bit.  Still love your sister and daddy's tickles make you giggle uncontrollably.  You love you momma snuggles very much :)

8 months!

You have have your two bottom teeth and the two uppers are JUST starting to poke through.  You started crawling at 8.5 months, you definitely lead with your hands.  HUGE dramatic hand movements, but you drag you left leg and step with your right leg.  So you really more bear crawl, than traditionally crawl.  You are eating all kinds of foods, and LOVE to feed yourself.  Your favorite right now is to bite of little bits of peeled grapes with your little bottom teeth.  You survived your first airplane rides just shy of 8 months.  You LOVE animals of all kinds, especially when you can get your hands on then.  So far Mandi and Roo have been tolerant of this, but you definitely
use your new found mobility to terrorize them :)

8 months ago and now :)

Auntie Sarah gave Jenn and I matching Hokie outfits when we were both pregnant, this past weekend Callum and Ginny got to sport those fancy outfits :)

Ellie's First Day of Preschool

Today Ellie you started your first day of preschool at Robbinsdale Elementary.  Auntie Danielle (who works at the school) gave us the inside scoop on preschool through the school system, we put you on the wait list and in less two weeks you were placed in the 3-year old class! Your teacher is Ms. Lewis (you call her Ms. Sarah) and the teacher's aid is Ms. Mary.  You started about a week behind all the others, while we were waiting for a spot.  But you will catch on fast, I am sure of it!

You were so brave this morning, both mommy and daddy came with you drop you off on the first day.  We lined up outside and waited for the bell to ring.  A school bus drove by with kiddos and you started jumping up and down, screaming "A real live school bus, with real kids!" Just a small measure of your excitement :)

 I tried to explain the bell last night and you asked if it was like santa's bells (jingle bells)...hehehe.  But when the loud bell rang you got it! You stopped playing in the rocks and lined up behind all the other kiddos.  Ms. Mary and Ms. Sarah were there shortly to great you and you marched right out, never even looking back at mommy and daddy!  You are fearless in some regards and I love that about you.  You will do great things my little lady :)