2 Months Old!

I can't believe the boy is already two months old (actually 9 weeks as of yesterday). He had a check at the doctor yesterday and is weighing in at 11 pounds 9 ounces and 23 inches long- right in the 50th percentile, not too big, not too small, just average! :) He is so precious and has evened out and cries to eat and to be put to sleep. Oh yeah, he doesn't cry, but screams bloody murder with baths and car seats and if you take too long changing his diaper in the middle of the night! He has been smiling since at least 4 weeks old, but I always got the smirk from people assuming I'm just a gushing mom and then the comment, "it's probably just gas." Nope, not at all! It's hard to catch that smile on camera because it has usually just been with his parents and Ruby when we're holding him, but I was able to catch him smiling at the mobile on his swing which he just started to tolerate this week. He is so sweet and according to everyone looks just like Ruby!

Summer Conference

At the very last minute (3days prior) we decided to accompany Jason and the Marshall students to RUF summer conference in Laguna Beach, FL (right next to Panama City). It's a longer story why it was such last minute, so I'll spare you. Other than the 14 hour drive down there which is not fun with a baby that absolutely hates the car seat (why have I not yet gotten one of the normal babies who is lulled to sleep by the car?!- this was my cry, literally, as we traveled), it was a great week. It is a working week for Jason who taught a seminar every morning and was in charge of one of the kitchens at most meals, so it left me with the kids. But, at least we had the beach, at least 5 swimming pools, and the fellowship of old and new friends in the other campus ministers' wives. Lincoln spent the week in the sling since it freed up my hands and he loves it so much. Ruby spent the week getting to know some of the many small children their with their parents. Mostly she hung out with Knox and Owen Westmoreland and JayneMac, Asher, and Eloise Rhodes (see their blogs for more pics, I haven't figured out how to allow you to click on the text to get to their sites.). It was refreshing and encouraging to see friends and also to see the enthusiasm and work of the spirit in so many college students (I think there were over 700 there, and this was just the first of two weeks they hold summer conference). I cannot reiterate enough how blessed I am to be a part of this ministry!

Happy Easter

If you've read any of my other posts or even just looked at the pictures, this look on Ruby's face should be familiar- so cute, but there's that twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Nothing naughty necessarily. Like a sweet sister she colored an egg for "brother" with an L on it. After getting home from lunch with friends on Easter Lincoln was asleep in his car seat so that's where he stayed (we did bring him in from the car, don't worry). Ruby decided to hide her eggs. We soon discovered she gave one to brother, too. See, not naughty, actually she was sharing! It made me laugh because my mom tells the story of when my sister was a newborn and at Easter she found her in the cradle surrounded by jelly beans that I decided to "share" with her (I was two at the time). I guess Ruby more than just looks like me! Happy Easter to all!!!

The President

I am so overjoyed to announce that on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 5:06pm Lincoln Matthew Driggers arrived safe and weighing in at......8 pounds 11 ounces- causing a great gasp to go out amongst those present (and now those reading!). He is 20 inches long and absolutely precious! Big sis Ruby could not be more excited and attentive! I really don't know what to say without gushing, so I'll just leave it at this- I am blessed beyond measure and feel the love of my heavenly Father so lavished on me as I sit on my bed with my little family around me reading stories, giggling, and saying bedtime prayers- truly tasting heaven here on earth!

Flour Child

Isn't that picture perfect- sweet little girl, cookie cutter in hand, apron tied neatly around neck and waist, helping grammy make Christmas cookies. And it was, to be sure, but if you think the memory ends there, you haven't met my Ruby. It's a good thing I love a little personality and spunk, even if it means a mess- that's where all the fun is! So, if a little flour on the cheeks gets a smile.....
Then the recipe calls for a little more.....
Until the whole room is in an uproar and what was left of the picturesque little girl now looks like someone out of national geographic magazine, a tribal ritual of some sort!

Who's Your Favorite Uncle

I know it's been a while since I posted, so I'm having to play a bit of catch up, so stay tuned...

Just before thanksgiving my brother, TJ, decided to stop by WV for a long weekend on his way back from business in NY or NJ or something. He even drove through a bad snow storm to get here! Some of my favorite memories were made that weekend. We didn't do anything special, but seeing Ruby bond with her uncle was priceless to me. One morning, she was trying to patiently await his emergence from bed, but his door was cracked open and the temptation just became too strong. She stood in his doorway fake coughing and slowly pushing the door open to be sure he heard her. When I told her it was okay for her to go give him a hug and wake him up, she said no, he was sleeping. But that didn't seem to keep her from feeling guilty over continuing to stand in the doorway and cough! He taught her, through endless repetition- "who's your favorite uncle?" To which she even still replies, "UNCLE TJ!"

Flurries '08

So this is what it takes to get me blogging the day an event actually happens- snow flurries! I can't believe that both last night and this morning I could look out my window and see big gorgeous white flakes falling, actually quite a lot of them, though none of them stuck around very long. I do love snow, however mid-November is a little early for 30 degree weather, cabin fever, and snow reports! What happened to fall- it's as if the weather took its ques from retail and jumped right into Christmas and winter full force. Once again, love Christmas and the holidays, but where is the wonderful fall thanksgiving anticipation! Ruby's little face makes those transient questions fall by the wayside as she informs me at 8 am- "I need to put on my hate and mikkens (she's got a slight cold right now) and go look at the snowflakes and make a snowball." Notice the mismatched mikkens..... some one's been so eager to wear them that she plays with them and has lost one of each, she could care less! She didn't miss a beat when the snow had stopped and there wasn't enough to make that snowball, she improvised with brushing the bit of icy snow off her slide! The only way I could coax her in was to tell her I'd make hot chocolate and marshmallows, a first for her, but something she's seen often on a favorite curious George video. And it did not disappoint! Look at her drinking from her own big girl cup! What could be better than that hot chocolate smile!! I am so blessed!