Ruth 1 month

Well technically Ruth was one month old yesterday, but close enough. It's hard to believe that she's over 4 weeks old already, time is really flying. We have been really blessed by her temperament so far. We've been able to breastfeed the whole time and gotten plenty of sleep to keep up with a toddler and needy Woo. I can tell she's really filled out and I can't wait for her doctor's appointment tomorrow to see how much she's gained. We're still wearing newborn diapers and clothes, but plan to make the switch to size 1 diapers and 0-3 clothes for the trip to South Carolina. Enjoy some pics...

Man It's Hot!

Well, only a couple more days until we leave the Kansas heat, for some South Carolina humidity.

Here's Rachel playing with the water hose outside after dinner. I figure my goofy girl doesn't need much caption descripton. Enjoy.

It's "Biteyear"!

The base library has a summer reading program with events for the kids each week. This week was the Buzz Lightyear story time. I knew Rachel would love to see Buzz Lightyear in person, so we made the trip.

"Biteyear", as Rachel calls him was apparently lightyears away, so we had to entertain the kids for a while. Here's Rachel coloring.

"To infinity and beyond!" He's finally here.

Buzz helping with story time.

 

Rachel enjoyed watching him from a distance and the safe spot in Mommy's lap.

Here's Rachel watching "Biteyear". I was trying to get her to go up and take a picture with him like all the other kids were doing.

I finally got someone else to take the picture, but Rachel wanted to keep her eyes on him.

She didn't want to leave him, but there wasn't much going on after the picture segment. All she could talk about was "Biteyear" for the rest of the day!

Fun at the pool with Grandma

We took Rachel and Ruth to the pool today to cool off.

Here's Rachel and Grandma in the big pool.

Rachel giving this boy the evil eye - stay away from my toys!

Ruth 3 weeks and 1 day

Exploration Place with Grandma

To change things up we took Rachel and Ruth to Exploration Place.

Here's Grandma and Rachel before we went inside.

Here they are in one of the flying simulators.

Rachel operating the wind fans

Mom and Rachel in the tractor simulator - plowing the fields.

The keeper of the plains statue from Exploration Place window.

Rachel checking out the fossils on the wall.

Rachel playing in the tot spot with the tractor.

Rachel cleaning up. Now if we can get her to do this at home.

Rachel preparing stuff in the kitchen.

Rachel riding the horse outside of the castle area.

Ruth's Baby Shower - July 18, 2012

A huge thank you to all my friends here in Wichita that put on and came to the shower welcoming Ruth!

Precious Angel

Heather B and Ruth

Melissa G and Ruth

Jen, Cat and Jessica

Sonja and Jolene

All the kiddos enjoy some yummy food

Laura and me

The loot!

Roza and Ruth

Opening some gifts

The crowd...thanks Jen for helping to get the timer set up!

I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and neighbors. They made me and Ruth feel so special and loved. Thanks again to everyone that came!!!

There were many more pictures, here's the link to the rest: https://picasaweb.google.com/ajoppelaar/RuthSBabyShower?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIKgx_eB7rX96QE&feat=directlink

Fun with Friends

My friend Jondra invited Rachel over to play with Emma's new blow up water park. Even though they're a few years apart they had the best time playing together.

Here's Rachel playing in the pool area and checking out the climbing wall portion. She actually ended up climbing up the wall, with a little assistance from mom, and going down the slide several times!

Here's an action shot, but I got Rachel and Emma hanging out in the water.

Rachel had a blast jumping on the trampoline. This was her first time jumping on a real, big one.

Good bye and Hello!

After spending around 2 weeks with us my parents had to head back to SC to go back to work. So we wished them good bye and we'll see them all very, very soon!

Pepaw, Memaw and Ruth

Rachel was not happy about taking this picture, so we did our best to be happy enough for her.

Welcome Grandma Alicia! We decided to visit the zoo today to give Rachel and work out.

Grandma pointing out the frogs to Rachel.

Checking out the really big fish

Good picture of Ruth with her eyes open- a very rare occasion!

Gone to the pool

Rachel loves the pool on base. They have a splash zone that the kids can walk into that goes only to 1 foot and then the big pool has lots of slides that are shaped like a castle. She calls it "Sassle".

I was hanging out with Ruth and Rachel wanted to stop by and sit with me a while.

Rachel swimming with Pepaw

"Getting ready to jump in"

"Come on, lets go"

Having a snack after swimming with Pepaw and Memaw.

Ruth appears to like the shade and get some rest (2 weeks, 1 day)