Ruby is 3 Years Old!

Yesterday we had Ruby's THIRD Birthday party, a costume party in City Park. It was AWESOME! Thank you everyone for participating by wearing your super cool Halloween costumes...everybody looked so great! We had a fabulous time. For those who weren't able to join us here are a few pics to help you pretend you could make it (thanks to Rob for sharing his photos...I only snapped a few of the kids in costume before the party really got swinging).

This is SERIOUS! Ruby and Elvis as the Wonder Pets' Ming Ming and Tuck.

Ruby loves her Ming Ming costume & being 3 years old!

Elvis wore his Tuck costume the entire length of the party (much more than I can say for Ruby).

I can't say for sure, but I think Papa's costume was "a football fan graciously missing the game for his great grand daughter's birthday"! :)

Mimi was a beautiful "Pumpkin Fairy"!

Rob wins for easiest to put together costume, a tourist!

Our favorite arm sniffing Becca...I mean Mary Katherine Gallager.

Lil' B & MKG

Ruby requested CUPCAKES...thank goodness she didn't want a Ming Ming shaped cake! Not being able to make it easy for myself I made 72.

You can see Alex's and my (sort of) costumes here. We were Woody and Bo Peep from Toy Story.

The BOYZ!

The WINNERS of Ruby's 1st annual Costume Contest: The Puccio Family as Mystery Inc. aka The Scooby Gang

(Anyone willing to attach facial hair to their infant instantly wins extra points in my book!)

I wish the last pic I had was of Ruby, but she was too busy running around playing with everyone. So, here's Elvis saying farewell from the party...see y'all next year!

Ruby was very much surrounded by people she loves and who love her yesterday. She is more than excited about all of her big girl presents (which include Barbie Dolls, art sets, big kid puzzels and a SKATE BOARD). While playing base ball with the big kids Ruby actually hit the ball with the bat but ran the wrong way (not toward 3rd base but completely away from the field all together). There was so much fun had, she (and we) are so lucky!

I asked Ruby this morning if she can believe she is 3 years old and she responded with an are you kidding me "YEAH!" It seems like yesterday that I was in that hospital room not knowing exactly what to expect from this little being I was about to meet. I can't believe I'm about to cry. She was so beautiful yet alien to me at the same time. I knew I loved her more than anything, but there was still a hesitance about it all. I wanted to make sure I could take care of her, love her, do what she needed me to. I was afraid I wouldn't measure up, know what to do, be able to do things right. I am so thankful that instinct and LOVE took over. Some how when we got her home by some miraculous unseen force everything fell into place. The farther from the hospital we drove everything got less and less foreign, it seemed as if Ruby had been there forever with us. She was a piece of us that had been there the whole time just not physically. As she sits on the other side of the room from me this moment with her mouth agape watching a movie (Monster's vs. Aliens for the 3rd time in 2 days...gotta make the best of a rental) I look over at her and try to imagine a world without her and it isn't possible...not at all...ever! I tell her "Mommy is writing a blog about how much I love you" and she rolls her eyes. That's my girl! We are so blessed to have both of our children, but today is all about my Ruby.

So, today is Ruby's actual birthday and we have a little fun planned. In the typical Austin Family style, we'll be going to the movies (probably Where the Wild Things Are) topped off by dinner at Chuck E. Cheese (They have a fabulous birthday club that sends coupons for free stuff...I have Ruby's and Elvis's coupons! Awesome!).

xoxo