Playing

 We've been having a lot of fun these days. 

Here's a few of Liv pushing Camila in the doll stroller. 

The girls are having more and more fun playing together.

Aunt Kim sent a snowsuit for Liv, she had to try it on! 

We even practiced snow angels on the slippery hard wood floor. :)

We even made a fun trip to Super Franks a giant play space for kids of all ages.  

Christmas "Card"

 Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

I opted out of sending real cards this year. I'll try again next year! I usually love writing Christmas cards for the inspiration to think fondly of our friends and family that we don't write or call very often. But I did write a letter with the most prominent happenings of our lives in 2010, and included links to some of our blog posts and pictures from the year. Here is a copy of the letter.

Twenty-ten has been another extraordinary year for us; first and foremost with the birth of our daughter, Camila Luna, born January 30, 2010. Jim & Leslie Anne traveled to California for the birth of their newest grandbaby, and generously extended their stay when Camila came a bit later than anticipated. While Emily was enormously pregnant, we were not altogether surprised when she, like her sister, waited until the full moon. Emily labored happily at home, then on the freeway (perhaps less happily), then at the hospital for about 10 minutes before baby was born!

Camila Luna underwent a miraculous transformation in her first year, from helpless infant to mobile, communicative, playful little person! She is now 10 months old, she uses some sign language, just started walking, she turns the pages in her favorite board books, loves her music toys and “dances” to any music she hears, she plays peekaboo, and flat-out adores her sister!

In March, Olivia turned two. She is totally toddler: testing her boundaries, her capabilities, her parents… She is a terrific little talker, and is currently experimenting with her emotional range (god help us when she hits adolescence). She sings and dances, draws and “reads”, climbs and builds, pouts and whines, howls and whimpers, laughs and giggles. We try to capture and share some of these moments on our blog, and we invite you to visit it (and us) on the web. The Ruoss Family Blog

In April, Jeff took a new position with Covanta Energy as the Facility Manager at the Stanislaus Waste-to-Energy Plant. He has barely a 10 minute commute, almost no travel, and is home for dinner with his family every night! He also has a bucket load of new challenges – but those of us who know Jeff, know that he loves a challenge! In October, his plant completed a major maintenance outage on schedule, on budget, with no accidents and no surprises! Great Job, Jeff!  His plant was also recently recognized as a Cal-OSHA Voluntary Protection Program Star facility.

Jeff plays a bit of golf here at Diablo Grande and on vacation with his brothers-in-law and/or parents. He frequently takes Liv and her tiny pink putter out on the course with him; it slows down play… but is good fun for all! He has a bit of trouble with his back, but seems to be in good shape recently.

This summer we had a couple great vacations with our extended family! We spent a terrific Independence Day week with family at a lake house in Florida. We swam, and boated, and jet skied, and golfed, and played in the sand – it was perfect! Then in late August, Emily and the girls spent a few wonderful weeks at Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks, Jeff came out for the last week, and his parents drove up for a visit, too! We had many visitors and felt much loved. It was a great time and what feels like the beginning of a tradition.

We are grateful for our continued good fortune, good health, loving family, kind friends, safe comfortable home, and enough good sense to appreciate it. We wish the same for you.

We wish you every joy of the holiday season, and we hope that happiness, love, and prosperity accompany you throughout the coming year.

Self Feeding with a Spoon

I have consented to allow Camila to try feeding herself with a spoon.

What a mess! But she is pretty proud of herself and she's obviously been watching big sister and thinks she can manage this, so far (with sticky foods: mashed sweet potato, yogurt, oatmeal) so good.

Fire Station Field Trip

 The MOMS Club had a feild trip today to the local Fire Station.

A much anticipated outing!

Firefighters Tom & Justin showed us around the engines, equipment, and the station house.

Livvie was a very good listener (Camila was not).

"Don't be afraid if you're in danger and you see me crawling toward you."

We all agreed we'd try not to be too afraid, and would not run away.

Big Engines - Little Kids

"I Visited the Fire Station"

Stylishly sporting the plastic fire hat in the back seat.

A gang of kids running up & down the handicap ramp! 

Precious little hood ornaments.  :)
(click on the image to see full-size)

Unfortunately, the field trip also included an emergency run to AutoZone - after another Mommy helped jump the van, the diagnostics showed that the battery needed immediate replacement. Boo.

The "autozoners" were very helpful with the testing, and installation. I was so grateful, especially considering that I had two sleepy babies in the car.



Bath Time

Bath time can be a lot of fun as you can imagine...

 

of course it can come with a bit of teasing

(here's Liv playing shark and pretending to bite Camila)

Camila got excited and "splash, splash, splash"

and got Livvie back!

Good Times!

Camila Walking

Finally caught this on "film" to share with you!

Decorating the Tree

We had a really good Thanksgiving weekend. We shared a feast with friends, enjoyed every minute of Grandma & Grandpa Ruoss's visit, put up some Christmas decorations, and worked on a gingerbread house project.

While it was all EXTREMELY pleasant, and totally enjoyable, I felt distracted, and not wholly able to focus on each beautiful moment as much as I would have hoped. ((This, I hope will improve as the girls get bigger.))

I didn't take any pictures except for these tree trimming ones.

 It was a magical experience for both Liv and Camila, but especially Liv as she helped unpack and discover each ornament, and then hang it on the tree. (this back corner of the tree ended up with a dozen candy canes hanging in a 1-foot x 1-foot area)

Camila is, of course, in love with the tree and all the lights, and pretty shiny bells in her living room.

First Steps!

Camila has taken her first solo steps!!
Two days ago she took four steps several times!! And yesterday, she did it again.

I have yet to catch it on video but I'll keep trying! 

Letter to Santa

We were at the toy store yesterday, and Liv found a game that she liked. I suggested that she put it in her letter to Santa, and ask for it for Christmas. She looked at me like I was a complete idiot (I suppose I had better get used to that), and told me:
"We don't have to ask Santa; they have it right here at the store!  See?!"

Liv's Art

Livvie got an early Christmas present from Grandma Maryalice. Paints and Brushes! How exciting! 

I let her choose 2 colors to work with. 

Warming up:

Really getting into it! 

Fresh Start

Finishing touches

Liv's also been practicing with scissors. Sometimes mommy even lets her glue. 

She made this terrific green train with 2 pink birds. (I helped a little with coaching like: "would you like to put wheels on your train?") And then I asked if she's like to "sign" it. I fully expected an "O" for Olivia, but not much more. next thing I know she's writing the "L" and the "I" - she asked for help with the "V" and needed help with with rest. But, whoa! I was so surprised and impressed!

here's a "garden" 

- we did rubber stamping, then cut out the flowers, and stuck them on a green sheet.

here's the back of the garden, more flowers and some frogs and butterflies, too.

more cutting and gluing.

and one of my favorites:

"Mama and the Whole World"

Story Time at the Library

We always have a good time at Story Time.

...and we love playing with the rhythm sticks!

Playground Meetup

 Our Friday took a surprise turn that had us home all day. 

Happily, we weren't the only ones and we met up with a bunch of our friends at the park!

 Liv and Klaudia sharing raisins.

(Liv wasn't sure she wanted to at first, but she graciously did, with everyone!)

Pretty mommy & daughter!

Another pretty mommy!

Sweet Lilian

Klaudia exploring with Liv's new magnifying glass

Getting bigger & bigger! 

Our little Camila Luna

Hot, sweaty, and looking a little like one of Dr. Suess's  Whos

... no wonder I'm getting "The Look"