Bend but not break

Written by Shannon Leigh

Today was a windy day.

Windy, but warm.

It smells like track season and my birthday.

I was reminded that warm weather is coming to stay.

Praise the good Lord.

I feel a lot like this little willow tree, especially lately.

Exposed to the elements, blowing in all different directions.

Bending to the point of near uprooting.

Thankfully I am planted in truth & love.

A Few More...

Written by Shannon Leigh

ok, a LOT more.

Like Mommy, Like Baby?

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby in my six week dress...

Lauren Sue Sneak Peak

Written by Shannon Leigh

PLEASE check out Miss Lauren Sue on my photo blog.

Meet Mr. Hooper

Written by Shannon Leigh
Please check this guy out- over at the photo blog.

Who Woulda Thought...

Written by Shannon Leigh

A dirty black bucket could be this cute?

Man I love these 2. They're my buddies.

One Month

Written by Shannon Leigh

(more photos to come soon).

So Ruby had her first well-baby visit this morning.

& the verdict is... she's tall and skinny.

She was in the 73rd percentile for height (22 in) and in the 18th percentile for weight (8lbs 13 oz).

She is otherwise very healthy.

Dear Ruby:

A few things about YOU at one month.

You're really starting to smile/talk responsively.

You love Mr. Giraffe. We watch and listen to him while I change your diaper.

You love bath time (most of the time). Your favorite part is when we put warm water on your head.

You're still in new born clothes.

You put weight on your legs, especially when you're mad.

You hold your head up like a champ.

I still can't decide what color your eyes are going to be. In some light they look blue, in some light they look brown.

You are super cranky when you're tired and fight going to sleep.

I LOVE your little toes.

Your fingernails grow like crazy and I can't possibly keep up with them.

You can only sleep for a long time if your swaddled tightly.

You have your daddy wrapped around your little finger.

Can't wait to see what the next month brings,

I love you Ruby!

If you want to view paradise...

Written by Shannon Leigh

Simply look around and view it.

News flash, Spring has sprung!

Granted, spring keeps coming and going and until it comes and stays for good I hate to celebrate.

"Spring" is pretty fickle here in Illinois. Our poor house doesn't know whether it wants the air conditioner or heat running.

And since most of you come here to see pictures of Ruby, I will oblige.

This commercial= hilarious

Written by Shannon Leigh

I sort of want to buy their product just because I love this commercial. Way to go Kotex, your ad department did good.

Check out Carter Easton

Written by Shannon Leigh

Check out little Carter Easton on my photography blog.

Easter Sunday

Written by Shannon Leigh

Ruby's first Easter went off without a hitch. Nana and Pa got to come to church with us which was delightful.

Although Ruby's little dress was ADORABLE, I don't think she cared much for it. She was kind of cranky until we changed her into a onsie. She's a simple girl, what can I say?

For your viewing pleasure...

An Adventure

Written by Shannon Leigh

I'll admit it, I'm an over-packer.

BUT I had no idea what over packing was until I travelled with a baby, especially one that I have only known for 22 days.

We pulled up to the Hotel Burnham and I'm sure the valet thought we were staying for a week. I was slightly embarrassed, but hey I left my bouncy seat at home. The bellhop should count himself lucky.

Matt had a hearing in Chicago early Thursday morning so Ruby and I tagged along. One of the many perks of being a stay at home mom...

The 30th of March marked 6 YEARS since Matt and I had our first date.

It was like yesterday that we were sitting in Steak N' Shake talking into the wee hours of the morning. (The 24 hour Steak N' Shake in Carbondale happened to close one night a week for cleaning and that fateful night happened to be it. We literally got kicked out). It feels like I blinked and now we have a baby.

We decided we'd celebrate with dinner out in Chicago. We went to the Rosebud (one of my favorites) and dined in style, as stylish as it gets with a 22 day old baby in tow. Although the waiter did compliment us on the behavior of our child. "Why thank you sir, we've trained our three weak old well."

We had a great view of the Chicago sign from our room, as well as the Joffrey Ballet. Ruby and I gazed out the window and watched the dancers prance as she drifted off to sleep.

Thankfully the baby slept like a champ and we were ready for an "adventure" in the morning.

Luckily there was an H & M attached to the hotel, so we didn't have to go far.

We even had time for a little photoshoot in the hotel.

I've recently discovered my child has no neck. She kinda looks like Humpty Dumpy with skinny little legs. Oh well, she's the cutest Humpty I've ever seen.