It's a Girl! No Seriously.

We were blessed to welcome Zoe Fran into our family on Friday morning. She is a happy healthy baby. She is one of the smaller Brubaker babies at 7 lbs and 11 oz but not so small compared to other families. We were able to come home from the hospital on Saturday and we have been working on settling in. Her middle name is after Steve's grandma Mary Francis. Grandma won my heart early on in Steve and I's relationship when she told him that she liked me because I was a 'good eater'. Finally someone noticed my skills! Joking aside, she is a great woman who is loved and respected by all she meets. She raised nine wonderful children and keeps her family close. I don't aspire to the nine children, but I do look up to her as a important role model.

Ruthie is adjusting well to her new sister, but I am assured that won't last. One thing that people warned me about but I didn't totally grasp was that Ruthie would look so old to me once the new baby came and that is definitely true. After a small nap time argument this afternoon Ruthie and I were cuddling on the floor of her room singing nursery rhymes and it all hit me. She is no longer a baby. She has a mind of her own and she is not afraid to show it. Her tantrums now include 'no thank you' over and over again and 'but I want it'.

With my lack of posts lately, we have left out quite a few events and let's be honest, I am not even going to try and keep up. But here are a few cute pics including one from Ruthie's second birthday.

It's a Girl!

Well, I kept putting off this post because I wanted to find time to sit down and post a few pictures and maybe a paragraph or two about being knocked up vs being pregnant. But, I have yet to find the time, and I want to share my news. We had an anatomy scan (ultrasound) of the baby on Monday. It is definitely another girl. Being that I never had a sister and always wanted one, I am excited for Ruthie. Steve's comment when the tech told us was, "Yes! Now I won't have to bail anyone out of jail". Oh what Steve doesn't know about girls. Everything on the anatomy scan looked good and my due date should still be memorial day. I see my regular doc on Thursday, so we should get the official word then. Christmas was great and Ruthie is doing well. She suckered Gramma into a few treats when they went shopping the other day because she was showing off all the words she knows. Apparently if you can say what it is then you get it. I kept trying to use the words 'spa day' in conversation with my mom, but I guess it only works for grandkids. Pictures and the difference between knocked up and pregnant will come soon!

Super Cute

Ok, so I may be a little bias, but I do think that I have on my hands one of the cutest Wonderwomen ever. Ruthie especially appreciated Halloween this year, since she got to sample a few more types of candy than she ever has. As new parents, we quickly learned that toddlers don't do well with taffy. Who knew? Ok, maybe most parents with common sense, but that obviously isn't us.

We trick-or-treated, as is tradition, at Aunt Di's with Ruthie's cousins.

Steve calls this Ruthie's White Snake photo, since she is on top of Uncle Pete's white camero. Yeah, I guess I was busy listening to Young MC and Paula Abdul.

We also went to Halloween With Horses in Parker. Ruthie got to ride a horse.

But more importantly she got a sucker afterwards, so all she wanted to do was stand by the fence, eat her sucker, and kick dirt.

She won't even put the sucker down for the petting zoo. I guess I do have an 'indoor' girl.

She also got to carve a pumpkin with Grandpa. She has to wear her camo for this heavy duty work. Camo is courtesy of Grandpa and Marilyn. Definitely not mommy.

Suzie's Wedding (I guess Mike's too)

We had the fabulous opportunity to attend my friend Suzie's wedding in Breckenridge in October. She made an absolutely gorgeous bride to say the least. We had a great time catching up with everyone. Isn't the cliche, 'Its been way too long'.

Matchmaker Sarah and the beautiful bride.

Steve hadn't gotten to see his boyfriend Scott in too long. He was obviously excited. Not quite sure if those are anti-war signs or gang signs. I guess you get to make your own interpretation.

College friends from near and far.
Ivory and Jamie (Steve's other boyfriend) looking fabulous.

Long lost Lisa. I miss Lisa. Lisa lives in Texas with her adorable family. Her boys were the cutest ringbearer ever.

Fire Station

Dad and Grandpa took Ruthie to visit Uncle Doug at the fire station. I am not quite sure who was more excited about the trip, Dad or Ruthie.
Rutie definitely wasn't excited about this shot. I guess they took the keys out.

She did get to pose like a rock star with the truck though.

Plus she got this super cool hat and a badge. Even though there was a traumatic experience with Grandpa and the elastic chin strap on the hat, she still wears it occasionally to watch Elmo.

Rocky Trip and More

Britney, I mean Ruthie and Ashly posing at Aunt Di's B-day.
Ruthie and Daddy playing firefighter at the Children's Museum. She wasn't interested in the hat or jacket. It would ruin her look.
"Steve Farrell's got nothing on me!"
Ruthie's Senior picture pose.
Daddy dressed you? Wow.
We spent labor day weekend in Rocky Ford. We were doing the math and hadn't been down there in almost a year, so I guess we were due for a little Mission Deli (for those who don't know, the best mexican food EVER) Ruthie had a photo session at Pop's plant.

Large Marge loved playing in the big truck although Mom thought she needed a Purell bath afterwards. To put it in prospective, the first truck we opened had mouse traps in it, so this was the clean one.
She wasn't too enthused abou the sand. Guess she is an indoor girl like her momma.
We also got to play with Jenna and Lauren. Jenna and Ruthie are just a year apart. They played well together including licking their spoons and then switching them back and forth at dinner. Nice.

Ruthie has been growing like a weed. She tries to repeat you if you talk slow. Guess mommy and daddy are going to have to start watching what they say. She is enjoying the toddler classroom at school. We get to bring home an art project everyday on her shirt and we often get one on paper too.

In no particular order

I have once again failed the motherhood test. I have forgotten my camera and have to resort to stealing pictures from others. This set is from my mom and hopefully Steve will figure out his mom's camera to get her pictures. We have had a busy summer with visits from all of Ruthie's cousins. The Texas Brubakers came out to spend a few weeks. The next couple of pictures are from Shelby's birthday.

Ruthie loved Tommy. I am not so sure he was quite as impressed with her.

Maloree and McKenna were so helpful with Ruthie. The break to sit and talk with adults was nice. Oh, the little things.

My cousin Alysa stopped by with her two beautiful child on the way to their new home in Kansas City. And of course it is always fun to see Emma, Max, Tonya, and Charlie.

The South Carolina Brubakers also came by for a visit.

Lots of love from Shelby!
Grandma Paula couldn't resist the matching dresses. Sorry, Jimmy.
Ruthie has loved the swimming pool this summer. She is absolutely fearless in the water. I know it is a cliche, but she is growing faster than we would like. She moves to the toddler room at daycare next Monday. This means a bigger playground, more structured days, and no more crib. She was more than ready to go though because her three girlfriends had moved up the few week prior. She is chattering more, signing more, and practicing her animal sounds. Sorry Katie, we don't have our mutliplication tables down quite yet.