Halloween Hijinx

So let's start with the obvious. The frequency with which I've been updating this blog is rather..er.. very.. pathetic. I've come to realize that, after making a blog-book out of Ruby's first year blog posts, her second year blog-book will probably resemble a pamphlet :(

Alas, the frequency of my blog posting is correlated with a few things.

1. Our camera went kaput. The images ended up all blurry and I thought we could make do with my iphone but that extra step of getting images off my iphone and onto the computer is not happening.

2. Our computer is slow as molasses. This may be an indication that we need a new one or need to get this one fixed. Unfortunately it is one of about 7 appliances and 2 cars that are on that same replace or fix list and we have yet to find a Venture Capital fund that wants to invest in the McVeigh family. Shocking I know. So- unless I find a great app to blog directly from my phone or find a sugar-daddy ASAP... expect fewer blog posts :(

3. Like everyone else... I'm busy. I think at least twice a week of something that would be fun to write about or a good story to tell on our blog... but by the time Ruby is asleep I'm half way there too..

Ah well. Excuses aside, I haven't given up and I'm writing this blog now because I knew it was unfair to deprive you all of the cuteness that was... RUBY AT HALLOWEEN! Unlike last year, we were on our game for Halloween 2011. We actually got pumpkins this year and visited the cutest pumpkin patch where they had pig races!!!!!! Ruby also "carved" her first pumpkin although she wasn't a fan of handling the goop and seeds. She had a great time trick-or treating although she was more interested in unpacking the candy bowl than the candy itself and her attempts to run into each and every house indicate that she has "trick-or-treating" mixed up with "tour-of-homes."

All in all, she had a great time and she was hilarious to watch.

Oh..and a positive update from the last blog post.. no more biting and pinching!! :)

Until next time, take care and please send all investors and sponsors our way.

(sorry the pictures are all in the wrong place... the website is having issues but I didn't want that to prevent me from posting :) )

Pinchy Parts

Our sweet baby has learned a few new skills- pinching and biting.

Sugar and spice and everything nice...right? uh... no. Since her vocabulary is limited, we figure it's Ruby's way of expressing frustration. Usually, we try the typical things... telling her "NO, that hurts," distracting her with something inappropriate that she shouldn't be playing with but loves to chew, ignoring her, etc. Unfortunately, there are some instances when this doesn't work and getting away from her is impossible. Take diaper changes for instance- an epic battle at times that now includes pinching. Unfortunately there are more "pinchy parts" for her to target than there used to be!

On a trip to Target last week, I had Ruby in the Ergo (baby carrier) since she's been teething and wanting cuddles. As we walked through the store I realized she was attempting to bite my chest. Unable to ignore or escape the vampire, I used my serious voice and said "Ouch! NO!" after which she decided to switch tactics and scratch and pinch the heck outta my chest. (point of clarification: by "chest" I mean chest, not boobs *thank God* she couldn't reach those!). By the time I left the store, it looked like I'd been attacked by a small wolverine.

We finished the week on a high note...
I was about to give Ruby a bath and noticed that the tub could use a scrub so I started cleaning it while she watched, anxious to get in. I guess I was taking a little too long because as I leaned over the bathtub in my low-rise jeans, I got bit....IN THE BUTT.

Let's look at the positive though... the Fall weather has motivated me to start running again so maybe there will be fewer "pinchy parts" in the near future :) Halloween 5K- here I come!

The child-proofed drawers don't help so much when she can get her arm in up to her elbows!

Hangin' out at the pub. It's happy hour!

Party animal

I'm on a roll with posts tonight! Before I get a little shuteye, here are a few pics from Ruby's "tea party" during our visit to Canada.

It was so GREAT to see so many family and friends in one place.

My only complaint is I wish we'd had more time to visit.

The guest of honor.

Ruby-roo's friend Maggie-moo arrived to the party in style, sporting a "big-ass bow" :) She sure is cute but don't let that smile fool you...this girl knows how to pull hair like nobody's bizzzzness!

lovely ladies.


The party sure was different than parties we've had in years past... lots of kiddos!

When your sister works for a toy company, the party favors are pretty AWESOME.


good friends :)



Some great high school friends and Ruby's "birthday buddy" Hannah!

I'm not sure anyone actually drank tea, per se, but we had a great time!

B is for Buffalo and Bocce's

We couldn't make a trip home to Canada without stopping to visit the fine folks in Buffalo.
Ruby was warmly received by Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Bob, and a whole lot of family and friends.

This woman clearly hates babies ;)

Marilyn and Bob were kind enough to host a little get-together so that everyone could meet the superhero in person.

While Buffalo may be the home of some good pizza,

and yummy wings,

it is most definitely the home of some GREAT people. These folks were pulling for Ruby from the very beginning and were such a support during her early days. It meant a lot to be able to share a few hugs...

some bad jokes (Rich is famous for these)...

and introduce Ruby to her Buffalo family.

Let's go Buffalo!!!

Oh Canada!

We finally had a chance to bring the little bean to Canada. It was a very special and long-awaited visit. Since my doctor had advised against a trip home later in my pregnancy and we couldn't fly with Ruby during her first year, it had been almost TWO YEARS since I'd been home. That is far. too. long.

Ruby had a great time hanging out with her goofy cousins.


Every morning we went for a walk along Lake Ontario.

We listened to the geese honk and enjoyed a double-double (and I'm ashamed to say- we even tried a triple-triple!!.. a little coffee with my cream and sugar) from Tim Hortons.

the early morning cuddles by the lake were pretty sweet.

We even took Ruby to experience the Canadian classic- Swiss Chalet.

She was so classy- kicked back with her feet up on the table.

My sisters joined us for walks almost every morning and, after a week of quality family and "sissy-bud-time," I have to say... I was alllllllmost ready to pack up our stuff in Atlanta and move on home.

So if anyone knows of:
- 2 good jobs for Scott and myself (with little or no commute)
- someone who wants to buy our house in Decatur for more than it is worth
- a free house down the street from my family
- a way to transfer Atlanta weather and restaurants to Oakville/Burlington

...then we'll be all set to make the move!

We miss you Canada. We definitely won't wait so long before visiting again.

and....she's off!

We've gotten a bit lazy providing updates on Ruby-roo.
She's walking! She is almost out of the zombie-walk stage and has been gaining speed and agility. Good thing she likes to practice.

Here are 2 videos: one of the kiddo WALKING (yay!)

and one of her stealing my iphone and grooving to the dance tunes.

The only problem with this whole walking thing is that Ruby HATES shoes. Hopefully we can find a pair that she'll tolerate before her toddling goes "off-road"!

5 am at our house

Lately, Ruby likes to wake up at 5am. Yes, 5am. Picture Scott or I groggily climbing out of bed well before our alarm is due to go off. As soon as the obligatory diaper change is complete, with eyes at half mast, we usually take her into the living room (which now resembles a toy store-help!) so she can entertain herself for a little while as we wake up completely.

Instead of playing happily with her toys, she immediately makes her way over to the large plastic pink and purple car that is sitting near the front door. Hey, who says you have to wait until your 16th birthday?? This lovely ride which has been dubbed "the pink-mobile" is Ruby's favorite birthday present. (Thanks Uncle Jason & Aunt Jen!- I think...).

Anyway... so yes, she mosies on over to her pink-mobile and begins patting it. The patting quickly becomes more insistent and is accompanied by whining. At this point, Scott or myself yawns, groans, and - with effort- gets up off of the rug which we have been pretending is a bed. By the time we get over to the pink-mobile, Ruby is crying and slamming her hands on the hood of her ride.

...and so... we put her in the driver's seat, buckle her in, and off we go. Still in our pajamas, we push her back and forth (and back and forth...and back and forth) around our tiny living room, kitchen, and hallway. Did I mention the pink-mobile has a horn? yup. So just add the sound effects and there you have it, the complete picture.

...because come on, what else would we be doing at 5am???

(**disclaimer #1- above picture was taken on an afternoon, outdoor pink-mobile ride. Pictures do not happen in the McVeigh household before 6am).
(disclaimer #2- you will notice that Ruby is drinking and driving. we do not condone nor promote this behavior)

California girl returns

Look who's slackin'! Time to catch up on my blogging habit.

We recently returned from a very special vacation. One year after leaving the intensive care nursery at UCSF with our superhero, we returned so that Ruby could get a check-up at the CDH specialty clinic.

Here we are leaving the hospital last year:

- so relieved but a little scared to be on our own!

and here we are again this year. wow :)

celebrating a beautiful and happy baby :)

Now let's be honest... we didn't really have to go all the way to California for her annual check-up... but there were a lot of reasons it made sense. First, the doctors and nurses at UCSF are ahhhhhh-maaaaaaay-zing and, although she has clearly kicked CDH's butt, it is comforting to know that Ruby is being monitored by people who really know what they are talking about.

Second, we will take any excuse possible to visit Napa and San Francisco. Sunshine, ocean, wineries, good food- sold! The area is also home to some wonderful family members and the amazing friends that adopted me for a month when I resembled a beached whale on crack (err I mean during the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy when I was waddling and hormonal!).


We made a little present for the nurses and doctors- no matter how hard we try we can't seem to thank them in a way that feels satisfactory. We are very happy; however, to be supporting Dr. Keller's research on CDH through sales of "Ruby's Recipes." We've raised well over $3000!!! (thanks everyone!)

It was a bit surreal to step back across the hospital's threshold- thinking about how we were feeling and what we all went through last year and how much different things are now. The folks at UCSF were so amazing they put together a little lunch so that Ruby could get together with her favorite doctors and nurses.

The pics are a bit fuzzy... oops.

Ruby was excited to see everyone.

Posing with Dr. Gonzalez

Flirting with Dr. Keller...

2 of Ruby's favorite nurses.

ID badges make great toys!

Here's Ruby in my belly last year... posing by the golden gate bridge.


and here we are this year.

hip hip hooray! we did it!!!! we kicked CDH's butt!

Even though Decatur is home, San Francisco will always hold a special place in our hearts. For our family, San Francisco is where miracles (named Ruby) happen.