The Francis Family Blog: March 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008

Wichita

We made it here! We are in Wichita for the next week or so. I'm trying to look at it as a vacation, so we're trying to find lots of stuff to do. Did you know that the world's largest ball of twine is in Kansas?

Jack had a fun drive down due to the new portable DVD player. I don't think he whined or complained once!

And Ms. Ruby is as happy as ever!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Easter Pics

We had a wonderful Easter at great-gramma & great-grampa's house. More pictures of the kids' completed Easter presents later!

Birthday

Jack had a great birthday last Thursday. We had a sleepover at aunt Sarah's on Wednesday night-- Jack and Livi didn't last too long sleeping on the floor in Livi's room. We went to the SoccerZone in Granger where the kids jumped around in super-huge bouncers. Jack was a little cautious, but ended up having a lot of fun. It was a great "special day".

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Three

Today you are three years old. There are so many things that you love to do-- paint, bake cookies, play with your sister, and anything that has to do with Spiderman. You love playing pretend, your imagination is endless. Everyone loves your cute, high-pitched voice. You have an amazing amount of enthusiasm, and your voice just adds to it.

You love to get your hair cut by George. You always talk about your "best friends"-- Livi, Lanie, Henry, William, Owen, the list is endless... I love that you are so light that I can still carry you around. Boy, do you love snuggles. You ask for snuggles about a dozen times a day, especially when you are tired. I've never heard a kid say "I love you" as often as you do. Actually, it's usually "I love you so much" or "I love you all day". It will be a sad day when you decide that you are too old for that.

I still remember the few minutes after the NICU doctor told me that you had to have chest tubes put in to repair the hole that had developed in your lung. He said that he had done the procedure many times, but of course there were serious risks involved. I was so scared. It was the first moment in that whole experience that I stopped and thought, "my baby might not be okay". I can't imagine the past three years without you, and I am so excited anticipating the rest of my lifetime with you.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

1/3 of a year Birthday

Today Ruby is 4 months old. It is amazing how quickly the time passes and how quickly she has grown. She is such a happy baby; if she is fussy then you know it is time for a nap. After a little rocking, she happily falls asleep. She babbles all day long, sometimes screaming so loud that it causes me to run to her to see what's wrong, only to find her with a huge grin on her face. She smiles so big that her eyes disappear.

Her left ear sticks out a little more than her right ear, I love it. She loves her brother. She especially loves grabbing his face, which he glady puts as close to her as possible. She's started sucking on her cheeks, as you can see in the pictures, and it gives her the cutest face. Happy 4 month birthday, Ruby!

Yummy goodness

Oh yes, those are homemade donuts. And this picture was taken before they were brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Mmmmm, heaven. I found the recipe for these oven-baked (not fried!) donuts here. I have a recipe box that I use for only my very favorite recipes, and this one is definitely going in there.

These are the kids' Easter outfits that I finished today.

I made Jack some corduroy pants with patches on the side, and a matching bowtie (with a polo shirt that I bought). I made Ruby a simple dress, with patches to match Jack's pants.

I also realized that Ruby will be able to wear the dress as a shirt later, along with the pants!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Sundays

We love spending Sunday afternoons with Gramma and Grampa, especially when BBQ ribs are on the menu!

Feather and Fan

This is my mom's birthday scarf-- my first attempt at "lace" knitting. It went pretty well, except for when Jack took the whole thing off the needles. I think that happens with every knitting project at least once.