We are going camping....

.....Labor Day weekend. It will be Ruby's first camping trip and we are planning on roughing it in tents, sleeping bags, grillin' on a little propane stove and no planned baths. Hmmmm. I hope I'm making the right choice here. I think what concerns me most of all are the naps. OR possible lack thereof. Already she has a hard time napping in her cozy, darkened room when she knows Mommy and Daddy are around. I'm thinking it will be hard to recreate darkness and silence in the middle of the day out in the forest, surrounded by friends and family.  Who knows? It may all work out. Right???

I am excited though. Chad and I used to go camping at least once each summer, but since Ruby was born, we haven't really been able to do so. It's always so beautiful and fresh and crisp. Something we don't really get in the city. Not to mention the foliage and the waters and critters and mountains.... you get the picture. What a treat for us all! I'll have to follow this blog with pictures so you can share in the sights!

Long night

Last night I heard a gun shot right outside my home. I panicked and immediately began the process of elimination about what it "really" was that I heard. Nothing. So I got up and checked on Ruby and then every window (phone in hand), expecting to see someone outside of it. Nothing. No sirens, no cops. Not even commotion from neighbors. I should mention that Chad is in Seattle on this eve. I called my brother because I knew he'd be up. It was now after midnight. He, of course, answered the phone and offered to come by. I asked him to just stay on the phone with me. He did. And he did a good job of getting my mind off of my worry. I was so tired and sleepy that I had to just bite the bullet and go to sleep. 

It took me a while and I woke up with every sound I heard. I had weird dreams and eventually woke up to Ruby crying at 5am. Half asleep and slightly relieved that I could be right next to my girl to protect her, I clutched my sweet pea out of her crib and took her to my bed. Kelly, who sleeps right next to my bed, got up and I proceeded to step on what I described to Ruby as Kelly-poo. All I have to say is that Kelly is lucky to be alive. We eventually fell asleep and I woke up 1 hour later to Ruby climbing on top of me to snuggle. She said, "blanket" which translates into "cover me please" and then she placed her head on the nook between my neck and shoulder. She said, "Mama" and I could hear the smile on her face. All of a sudden, I felt re-energized and so very blessed. 

It was a wild night! The next evening, while chatting with my neighbor Kali, I asked her if she'd heard a gunshot the night before. This is when she told me that her roommate Mikah shot his bb gun from their upstairs deck while messing around with his buddies. I think I want to hurt him!

Today...

I am feeling a bit sick again! I know, I know. Again?? But I am going to nip this in the bud and see my doc this afternoon. I am also missing my husband who is now in Seattle. And my girl, who is at school. I think i get this way when I don't feel so good. Anyway, we had a wonderful weekend. It started off with picking up Hannah and having Mamie over, and it included watching Ruby get smarter and funnier by the minute! We also did some sibling garage-sale-ing (sp?) and had a play date with Jadie! Groceries were purchased, toiletries were obtained. A tank of gas was filled. What more can a girl ask for? I even have some change in my pocket for coffee!!

What I still need to do is this: I need to check out Brian's rental, my bro's new pad and T&T's tore-up house (as a result of repairs and renovations, of course)! I think I may give everyone a jingle and set this up.

Also, I will be working on Ruby's B-day invites this week. I love doing this stuff! I love that you read this stuff! Anyway, talk some more later....m