Ferrara's in Florida

Sable Yukari napping on the couch after church New Year's visit with NYC friend Colleen & her fiance Ilya Ruby Dooby!!!!!!! (16 months 01.02.10) My little chef donning her Publix alligator apron After breakfast sit-and-spin in their matching PJ's from Aunt Bonnie

Here's the scoop--Our senior high school baby-sitter stayed all day as my surgery was postponed more than 3 hours. She said the girls were extremely well-behaved the ENTIRE time, WOOHOO. That's a miracle in itself, especially for someone other than Mommy to give account of a perfect day. As for me--Hubby drove me to the hospital and stayed with me (except for one quick service call he took during my 3-hour delay). Because my surgery was pushed back, I enjoyed down time. I had fun watching the Food Network without my computer, work or my girls. Felt like old times, haha! Except if it were truly old times, I wouldn't have defined "down time" as watching an 8-inch TV on a 'bed with wheels' wearing a completely open-back 'gown' with IV fluids dripping into my vein. Onto surgery--Two surgeries instead of one. Despite Tuesday's X-ray, the Mirena IUD was not found in my uterus so Dr. Cook tried there first then had to go through my belly butto...

It's been 4 days since my surgery and I owe an update to everyone who prayed for me. First of all, thank you so much for praying for me because God is alive and answers our prayers!!!! Second, I owe my husband a big thank you for spending all day with me in a window-less surgery room, three of the walls were curtains. He made me laugh and we had a lot of fun. Third, I owe the medical staff a big thank you. They were wonderful. I especially liked the anesthesiologist. He was so nice and made me feel right at home. This was the first time I was "put under" and I still find it humorous how he said I would just fall asleep. I didn't believe it would be so easy but sure enough he was right--I woke up in post-op with my obgyn speaking sweetly to me. If Philip were allowed in the room with the anesthesiologist, he would've joked, "It's been nice knowing ya" (Dad & my hubby are so much alike!) That's how quickly I fell asleep. Thanks to my p...

This Wednesday at noon I will be put under for a hysteroscopy, a surgery of the uterus to remove the Mirena IUD. This morning all the pastors at my church prayed for me, and I would appreciate your prayers as well. My story of the Mirena: What I wish I knew 1 year ago-- The morning after Ruby was born, my midwife came to my hospital room and discussed birth control options with me. I was completely against IUDs, particularly the Mirena, as a young woman in my church became pregnant on it (1 in 300 women will carry a healthy baby to term with the Mirena). Midwife refuted the rarity and insisted it was a wise option because it was safer and easier than the pill. The price was nice as we own a small business which means we pay 100% of our health insurance. Despite the high cost of the Mirena (a whopping $650), it would allow us to save $600+ per month as we would opt to decline maternity coverage on our family health insurance plan. With our business only 7 months old, the price loo...

I can't say life is easy but it sure is fun. Our naked jaybirds wrestling after baths. Notice who's in the headlock...

What, it's been a month since my last post? Longer than that since I posted pics of my girls? Holidays, Holidays. Merry Christmas everyone!

Surprising to me, several friends and family have asked me what a typical day is like for me with my girls. Here you go, a day in the life of the Ferrara's in Florida: 6am -- Daddy gone for the day with coffee in hand...a few crumbs left on the counter from a ww bagel 7am -- Welcome the day with sweet Ruby waiting for me to wisp her out of her white crib 7:01am-- Ruby and I open Sable's door. Ruby squeals with excitement to see Sable and she pops up to hug her "baby sisser" 7:10am-- Breakfast served, computer turned on 7:30-8am-- Gina checks work email, cleansup breakfast, makes a good-morning call to Daddy and of course, Sable participates with the usual, "Morning Daddy. Will you please come home to see me?" 8am-- Ruby plays in her crib, Sable and Mommy do "school" aka arts and crafts, computer learning games (Sable likes to go fish for letters :). 8:30am-- Mommy works at her desk. Ruby is playing or 'reading' books in her crib. Sable is d...

Sable yields for suckers (that is, yields her behavior) Tinkerbell aka Ruby Simone Jaida, Ruby's personal assistant Jaida got tired so I took a turn with Ruby Raina & Spencer, so glad the Shey's came to town

For our tenth anniversary (which is in 4 months), we "trashed" my wedding dress. We had so much fun taking pics together. The best part had to be wearing my DRESS! I finished putting it on in a parking lot before our photo session started, so I didn't see myself in it. But then we walked past a store front window and I caught a glimpse of my dress and OH MY GOSH, all the wonderful memories of my dress flooded my heart and mind...I felt like a bride again and I remembered all the unforgettable memories like it was yesterday. This day is added to the unforgettable memories. All of these pics were taken at Ginnie Springs, a renowned diving location 30 minutes from our home Some scuba divers from Ohio went into the Springs as we were taking pics. They thought we were newlyweds and congratulated us :)

Though I have only two children, everyday seems like a circus. This morning hubby was running out the door while the pest control man was walking in. Although he was scheduled for downstairs only, he checked upstairs as well. There I am with my bath robe on and a towel wrapped on my head. Standing by my side are my two confidants--one bare bottom with panties in her hand, the other in the midst of pulling off her diaper...fun times. When we weren't looking, Sable & Ruby loaded up real groceries from our pantry Free entertainment: Tractors in the Town Center To Sable these aren't mere tractors, she calls them what they are-- diggers, bull dozers, mini excavators Weekly playdates with Aiden James & Ella Joy (Sable uses their full names these days lol) Dion and Sabes

Late September we took a long-weekend with friends Craig and Rhoda and headed to the beach...leaving our babies behind. It was the longest we've been away together since June 2006, and it was so nice to do something we love to do together--vacation! St. Armands Circle, Longboat Key Heading to dinner Our beachfront condo Taking care of business: The life of my handsome business owner

Tonight Ruby and I had our first conversation. I love chatting with my little girls, and tonight was special because Ruby Simone talked back. I asked Ruby to do something and without skipping a beat she replied, "No, no ma'am." (Somebody's been listening in on big sis Sable's conversations with Mommy.)

Continuing our annual tradition of meeting once a year, we reunited in Birmingham at Kristen's home. Last year there were 3 babies and 3 in utero; this year there were 6 babies--all 2 years and under! The most amazing part is that we actually coordinated 6 babies' naptimes and bedtimes and had a chance to catch up and enjoy reminiscing back to our days at USM. Needless to say, we ate all meals in Kristen's home and our big outings were few: the playground, Whole Foods, and a walk. We looked like the stroller parade going up and down the hilly streets of B'ham. Sable and Alex puddle jumping, Eli onlooking Ruby likely doing something mischevious Reunions these days: Minivans & Homes Playing Harmoniously with Sidewalk Chalk (little Ruby in the mix with the big kids) Wow, we miss everyone so much and love them even more than ever!

Ruby Simone at 12 months Sable Yukari at 12 months

We always have a fun time with Pops and Nana The day after they left, Sable woke up and asked me if Pops could come back to her house.