Ferrara's in Florida

When looking at Sable's and Ruby's two-week-old photos, they look very similar. Babies faces change so quickly. Only one month later, their six-week photos show a resemblance but not the uncanny one seen in the two-week photos. One month stats comparison: Sable 90% height, 40% weight; Ruby 50% height, 75% weight Dressed Up Ruby (above) & Sable (below) @ 6 weeks Bathing Beauties Sable @ 2.5 months Ruby @ 1.5 months

We had the pleasure hosting Alice, Kristin and Stella for a fun sleepover. Sable loved reuniting with her longest-running friendship, Stella DeGeus. So much has changed since they were introduced to each other in April 2007! Prima Ballerinas Hot Bods Piano Prodigy: Following in Daddy's Footsteps Breakfast time Stella performing moves from her ballet repertoire Ruby loved being soothed by Grandmaw Alice (Check out Ruby's swimsuit!)

http://www.shelideratophoto.com/Proofs/ruby/

In so many ways we've enjoyed having two children. This past month our hearts enlarged to twice the amount of love, our laughter more than doubled and life twice as nice. Also growing two-fold: laundry, diapers, bath times...Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one"

Sable may have quite a wardrobe, but Ruby--at only one month of age--has quite a designer shoe collection. Check out the latest pair: satin cheetah ballet flats complete with powder pink bow. LOL! Soon to be posted: Converse high tops and high heels as soon as she can fit in them. If the standard starts this high, we may need to invest in Louboutin, Jimmy and Manolo so we can profit on Ruby's purchases. (And to those who will ask the question, the answer is yes-->all three pairs were gifted from NYers [and former NYer])

This morning a handful of our friends caravaned to Newberry, Florida, for a field trip to a real farm founded in the 19th Century. We walked the trails and peered into the farm houses. One of the farmers fed us sugar cane and let us feed the horse and roosters. Perhaps Sable and her buddies had the most fun being able to roam freely in the great outdoors. With all the way she's adapted to the Sunshine State, one would never know that she spent the first two thirds of her young life in the concrete jungle.

I turned my back to the pantry while I washed the high chair tray after lunch. Apparently Sable wasn't "all done" eating as she climbed up three pantry shelves and pulled down the Cheetos, all with no shame.

Ruby - 2 weeks Sable - 2 weeks

Sable thinks her baby-sitter Josh is her personal play pal. On Tuesday mornings she walks around the house saying, "Josh. Josh!" until he arrives to "play" with her.

4 baby gators young gator This morning we took our girls on a walk at Lake Alice on UF's campus. The weather proved "fall-like" for Florida with temps registering near 88 and a nice steady breeze to keep things bearable. The nature and wildlife in Gainesville is quite breath-taking and our stroller allowed us to enjoy more of it than we thought we could get to. We have the most amazing stroller (phil & teds 3e) that we take everywhere because it always fit through nooks and crannies in NYC, could do crooked sidewalks in Queens (and Metairie) and navigates off-road nature trails quite viciously in Florida. I'm looking forward to jogging with my babies in tow although little Ruby Simone is quite hidden behind Sable's high horse seat. double stroller can you spot ruby's feet? cooling off in the chapel checking out a gator always keeping an eye on Ruby who is in the stroller

THANK GOD for my awesome friends who helped with Sable during labor and our hospital stay, meals the past few weeks and for making trips to the grocery for us...and for all the other things. And thanks to Dad and Mom for staying a whole week to make our life tremendously easier!!!!!

In the past 2 1/2 weeks, or what constitutes the entire span of Ruby Simone's young life, we've been to the pediatrician 3x and I've had multiple phone conversations with my midwives and lactation consultant. What started as Ruby Simone's 3-day check-up and Sable's 18-month check-up turned into a second visit as Sable had an ear infection and then a 3rd round of appointments--Ruby's second week check-up and Sable's ear re-check...as soon as the doc said both kids were perfectly healthy, my left breast started tightening up and aching...then at 3am I woke up shivering in sweat, fever and pain radiating from that same breast. Called my midwife who started me on antibiotics at 4am the same night/morning...then more antibiotics a few days later from the lactation consultant. Turns out I had mastitis. I feel much better today, almost normal. I would never wish that infection on my worst enemy. Thanks to my truly wonderful mom who helped me during Sable's ...

Everyday Pops would take Sable for multiple bike rides or stroller rides. She loves going "dow-dow" (translation: "outside"). She also liked helping Mimi with her daily make-up and hair.

Because it's quite challenging to reiterate my labor story via phone (or even answer the phone right now for that matter), here it is. And I laugh as I can see Sam cringing ( http://www.thelopezspot.blogspot.com/ ) but for me it was as picture perfect as "labor" (aka hard work) can get. First day in a week that I feel "ready" as the other days I was feeling full of endless energy. 6pm Labor Day we enjoy a nice dinner with close friends the Chapov family. 9pm at home, hanging out with hubby my water breaks in the kitchen. Keeps leaking out for 90 minutes but I can feel baby's head on my bladder so dismiss it all as "pee-pee" in Sable's words. 10:30pm Call midwife, tell her I think it's urine not amniotic fluid but if I feel a gush down my legs to come in the morning to get checked. 10:35pm Sleeping in bed 11ish Gush down my legs, definitely not incontinence 11:30 Cleaned up and back in bed 12:00 Contractions start 13 minutes apart. Ask Phili...

Exactly who does this girl resemble? We haven't an answer as of yet. Work never stops for a new business owner A big sister's work never stops either Sable picks out her own shoes now. Today she opted for her wooden clogs, courtesy of Stella DeGeus.