let's put it to a vote...

Okay, so Cranial Technologies has an annual calendar for their banded babies and I want Lyla to make the cut. Problem is, I can't seem to decide on a photo. I can only submit one. So I thought we could take a vote. Look over the photos below and tell me which you like best - or scroll down and look at previous ones and tell me if you like another one better. I'll number them to make it easier. To vote, just click on "comments" at the end of the post and let me know your choice. Thanks!

number 1


number 2


number 3


number 4


number 5


number 6


number 7


I had to add this one. This is an Owen look if I've ever seen one! Don't vote for it though. =)

last photos of the old paint...

Before I repainted Lyla's band, I took a few more photos of her in the pink dots.





Only four more weeks to go!

You're in the right place still...

So I'm having a week of cleaning and organizing our cluttered life - the office, the kids room, laundry, etc, etc. In the middle of it all, I could no longer look at the jumbled blog I had, so I chose to simplify it and go with Owen's current favorite color of green. My new favorite color is orange, but that looked to Halloweeny for the blog, so green it is - today.

Just some random updates here - Lyla visited Cranial Tech today and we found out she only has one more fitting and then her graduation! So that's four more weeks total - only all of the hottest month of the year, hehe. We are super excited to say goodbye to the band and hold our sweet little girl's head next to us soon. It got a new paint job today, which I'll post pictures of later.

Owen is enjoying his newfound swimming skills this summer - not quite swimming on his own, but a new confidence in the water for sure. His favorite topics to discuss lately are time (how many minutes till we get to...) and Heaven (what kind of house will I live in, when does your skin fall off to get there, and most importantly - will Ray be my neighbor there). Anyone care to explain these to him, I'll pay the phone bill.

Kevin has managed to build a garage and keep our yard amazingly lovely this summer. He's a real green thumb - and I'm a real lucky lady.

And I'm keeping busy with the photography stuff. I have my second wedding booked this weekend and I'm super excited! Weddings are always fun because most everyone wants to be photographed looking their Sunday best. And those who don't can typically be bribed with a cute red sucker. =)

Happy Birthday Mimi!

Happy Birthday to my amazing mom! She doesn't look nearly old enough to be a grandma, but she is definitely a favorite around my house. Always my biggest supporter and fan (except when I use black and white photos instead of color), I am incredibly blessed to have her in our lives. Sweet Kathy Sue is always ready with a smile, an encouraging word, and a bottomless pit of both useful and useless information. Always ready for adventure (just back from her second annual weekend float along Current River) - and always looking for someone to hunt arrowheads, a.k.a. ROCKS, with her. There's no dream too big for her to tackle - she went to college right after my graduation, and is now today a successful physician's assistant. And I couldn't be more proud to call her MOM. Happy Birthday! We love you!

Peanut-free baseball...

Well, Owen got to see his first baseball game last night! For those who aren't aware (or apparently have never been around me in the last four years), Owen has a severe peanut allergy. To most, a baseball game is an every day event - but to anyone with a nut allergy, a game is a reaction waiting to happen. Kevin and I both were disappointed this summer when we realized we couldn't take Owen to a White Sox game, for fear those around us would be enjoying those nasty legumes. =)

Then Enjoy Life Foods (www.enjoylifefoods.com) partnered up with the Kane County Cougars to host Peanut Free night at the ballpark. The stadium was powerwashed, along with all of the kidzone bouncy houses and slides, the concession staff was educated, and both teams agreed to keep the dugouts peanut free for the night.

Owen donned his Cougars shirt, Grandma came to babysit Lyla, and Kevin, Grandpa, Mom and Uncle Bryan loaded up the car for the fun to begin. And FUN he had! We arrived early enough to take in all the pre-game happenings, and didn't leave until the last car was in the lot. He danced between pitches, bounced in the bouncy house, pitched a ball 19MPH, ran the obstacle bouncer, ate hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, ice cream, rope candy, and pizza (really -all of that fit into his 35lb four year old body). Washed it all down with lemonade and soda. This of course, allowed him to have the pep to stay awake for the fantastic fireworks and running of the bases.

We are already looking forward to the game next year!

He's four!

Well, it seems I blinked and my baby boy turned four. Owen has spent the last two weeks celebrating his birthday with friends and family and now the festivities will end with a firework frenzy.

As a healthy, vivacious four year old, Owen is a ball of fun to all who know him. He's never met a stranger, as he introduces himself and greets anyone who'll give him a look. For a paranoid mom, this is of course, a stranger danger nightmare. However, I am reminded that he sees the world with a pure heart - the way God intended for us to see it.

He loves his friends - the neighborhood kids making the top of the list. He adores family, with an extra sweet spot reserved for sister Lyla. At the moment, he's crazy about Scooby Doo, Caillou, Spongebob, and Spiderman. Favorite snack is a Hershey's chocolate bar, and he can drink his weight in apple juice (diluted, of course, for all you worried moms out there). His favorite "job" at school is holding the door, and he loves to practice in public - making this southern mom proud of her little gentleman. Owen also has a witty sense of humor (gets it from his dad for sure); he often asks me to order him peanuts with sesame seeds at the "MisterDonald's" drive thru. This, of course, would kill him (remember those nasty food allergies), but he thinks it's funny all the same.

Four years ago I had lots of hopes and dreams for my new little one. I can honestly say he's all I dreamed and then so much more. We are incredibly blessed that we get to be parents to such an amazing kid.

Owen Ruff - Happy Birthday! And in response to your question about driving a car now that you're big - you only have to live four times as long now (and then we'll think about it). We love you!

Cousins...

My cousin Carla visited with her family a few weeks back and we had a fantastic weekend playing in the yard and the park. Of course, this is not reflected in the end group photo - but is rather a typical scene when trying to get four kids four and under to POSE for a photo. The pictures reminded me of many we have at home from our younger days with cousins. We are incredibly blessed to have a family that still gets all the kids together whenever possible - even though we all live in different cities.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to take a quick minute to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day! And by everyone, I really just mean the dads of the world. =) I am so grateful for all of the father figures in my life (Dad, Grandad, Terry, Father in-law) and to be married to one AMAZING father (that's you Kevin). And then of course, we are all incredibly adored by our Father in Heaven - and that's pretty amazing!

when life gives you lemons...

Well if you add sugar to make lemonade, then you'll just add a bunch of calories and get fat. Or fatter. And really, to make lemonade there is a little EFFORT required. I say let's just suck the lemon, make the ugly face, and let it pass.

It's been one of THOSE weeks here in the Ruff house. We started the week off with a 7am commute in rush hour to Skokie (for those not in Chicagoland, it's about an hour and a half stop light to stop light) to see the Cranial Technology tech for Lyla's band. She'd had a weekend of sleepless nights and a nasty rash on the head. After an adjustment that included Wet n' Wild ruby red lipstick and a few more hours of healing, she was back in the band. Sleep not included. That was Monday.

Tuesday, Kevin called just after lunch to let me know someone broke the glass in his car to take the GPS from his dashboard. Of course, insurance considers a GPS a household item that is covered under homeowner's policies, so there is a thousand dollar deductible (per incident). I want to meet the idiot who needs the GPS in his HOUSE. Luckily, the glass is fully covered and was replace the next day.

Then came Wednesday. After a completely sleepless night with Lyla, I thought I might pass out. I thought this was from the exhaustion of being awake all night, so I opted to try some caffeine. By lunch, I had the chills and a fever and extreme pain in my chest (think breastfeeding girls). After a call to the doctor's office, I was on my way to CVS for a dose of antibiotics to cure MASTITIS. nice. My sweet mother in law came today to help with the baby, and luckily I was feeling much better by mid-day.

Then there's this whole insurance game of semantics in paying for a DOC band. I can explain it offline to anyone who really wants to know, but I find it rather boring to read about personally so I'll spare you. I found out there is a grant offered to help when insurance covers little or none of the cost - then I found out we made exactly $2,000 too much last year to be considered.

I don't need sugar here. Salt and tequila - I might make the effort.

So it's Thursday now - Lyla is getting used to the idea of the band, Costco had a great GPS on sale, I'm feeling much better, and the kids got some Grandma time. Also, I plan to tell everyone I know who childed gets "banded" about the grant (www.uhccf.com) - perhaps they can benefit from it, though we can't.

Here's looking forward to a pleasant weekend celebrating the men we adore. Happy Father's Day!

it's still us...

Hey there! I've changed the blog template - so don't leave! You're still in the right place. I found some adorable free blog templates at www.quirky-bird.com. There's a linkeroo to them down there on the right side of this page. Somebody please use the cutest gnome page I've ever seen! For some reason I didn't see it until after I'd already loaded this birdy one, otherwise you'd be staring at super cute garden critters as we speak (well, technically as you read I suppose). And for all y'all out there who want to be on my linky list there, no worries - I'm still updating it from the old page.

Always exciting around the Ruff house. Owen and Ray are outside watching the roofers roof the garage. Lyla is sleeping - still getting over yesterday's drama of six month shots. Really, it was all of thirty seconds for her. Now Owen is panicked about his four year old appt because he too will get the stick. Lyla's helmet had to come off al of yesterday because of a nasty skin irritation. It has to heal completely before we can put the thing back on her cutie head. On the plus side, she slept almost through the night last night without it on. So mom and dad got some much needed sleep.

Now I am off to the gym for some much needed exercise! Enjoy the weekend.

she's a happy girl!

Lyla has taken to the band well (with the exception of sleeping). She and Owen love to sit on our front porch and watch the squirrels, birds, cars, etc.

lyla's got a brand new do...

Our little cutie got her DOC Band today. These are photos from her "fitting." At first, the band was too low over her eyes and ears. After a few adjustments, it fit fine (sorry no photos yet). I managed to paint it tonight, so I'll get a photo of her in it tomorrow. Thanks to all who have called and emailed today to see how it went! We so appreciate your prayers and concern!

random happenings...

We've had lots going on around the Ruff house the past few weeks! Owen finished his second year of preschool - four year olds, here he comes! Lyla is busy trying to grab anything in site - she successfully grabbed, then spilled my large glass of iced tea all over the dining room rug last week. Both kids are loving the warm weather - Lyla loves the breeze in the stroller and Owen has taken an extra liking to the mud puddles after each rain. I think I rinse him and the tub three times a day right now. Somehow he too has mananged to leave his mark on the dining room rug - and the white rug in his room - and the carpet down the stairs. We have a no shoes in the house rule, but the warm air has gone to his head I think!

Below are some random photos. Before you think we've put Lyla in the torture chamber, allow me to explain. In order to build the cranial band she'll be sporting next week, an exact replica of her cutie head has to be created. They put a stocking on her head to assist in getting the precise photos needed. It lasted all of a few minutes. Needless to say, she wasn't thrilled.

Owen had costume day for the last day of preschool.


Looks like she's going to rob Babies R Us...





Here's our happy camper once more! Daddy makes everything better. =)

Owen's got a new ride...

Well, it's a little early, but Owen got his birthday bike! After the brakes failed down a hill while riding his 12 inch bike and he had to jump off to avoid the road, Kevin and I figured better safe than sorry. So YES, he got his gift a month early, but I'm sure he won't be without other gifts come the big day.

it wasn't five thousand, but...

I just have to tell you this. God uses us when we least expect it, and it really is such an amazing feeling to know that the Almighty allows us to be part of his work!

Two of our very best friends, Brian and Lori (and their adorable ball of one year old sunshine Camryn) moved into the house kitty-corner from us over the weekend. It's a beautiful 1920s bungalow similar to ours (just a little side note because I love the style so much).

I had my cousin Carla and her cute family visiting for the weekend - and let's just say with four kids, the house was busy. Carla and I prepared spaghetti for our two families, along with some bread and brownies (we're southern girls, so no meal is complete without sweets at the end). As we were finishing dinner, I was just about to put the leftovers away when the phone rang. It was Lori. The conversation follows(paraphrased)...

(ring, ring...)

Sandy: Do you have dinner?
Lori: That's weird, I was just calling to...
Sandy (interrupting of course): I have dinner for you. We have all this spaghetti.
Lori: Are you serious? I have a lot of people.
Sandy: Yes, please take it.
Lori: I'll be right down.

She was technically just calling to see if I could suggest a carryout place. When she said a lot of people, let me clarify - 11 or 12. We had six. That pot of spaghetti was 2lbs of meat, 2 jars of sauce and 2 boxes of spaghetti. You do the math. 18 people and there were leftovers.

While Prego I'm sure would like to take credit, I'm not giving them the chance. This was God.

One of my very favorite passages in the bible is when Jesus feeds five thousand people with a couple of loaves of bread and a few fish. He got them from a young boy who was just willing to share. I know he had no idea how Jesus was going to do such a miracle with them. And you know he certainly never forgot.

And I won't either. The lesson for me was that God takes what we offer and uses as only He can. Some had time, some muscles, some food.

So I say we all put some water on to boil tonight and see what happens.

On second thought...

Well, little Lyla's head isn't getting better, but in fact worse. Looks like she's going to be wearing a DOC Band, used to treat positional plagiocephaly. Basically, she has a flat spot on the right side of her head behind her ear. It's somehow pushing the right ear and forehead forward, creating moderate facial asymmetry. It's our understanding that if left untreated, she will have significant asymmetry later in life, beginning in the grade school years. One side of her face would likely be larger and more dominant. So, since it's fixable, we're electing not to take chances.

I'm including her initial photos and will post later ones as she progresses. We're waiting for the insurance preapproval and then her head will be digitally recreated for a custom fit band. For those who are confused and/or interested in learning more about plagiocephaly, you can go to www.cranialtech.com. You'll see examples of other children's cases and progress.

Lyla's case is considered moderate - not nearly as severe as those pictured. If you look closely at her photos (particularly the second page of them), you'll notice it better. You'll also notice how incredibly adorable she is. =)

Sunny San Diego...

The Ruffs took a much needed long weekend and headed to San Diego, California. All weekend Owen kept asking when we were going to see Diego (for those who don't watch Nick Jr., Diego is Dora's cousin). He also kept saying we were in "YOhio." I don't know.

Our good friend Tim Rogers, aka Rog, drove down from LA and spent the weekend with us - providing Owen with endless entertainment and conversation. Did I mention he is a GREAT friend?? =)

A few photos of the trip are below.

refusing to smile...




Owen's first time at the ocean!



Lyla is FIVE months old now!


I found the self timer on the camera - finally!




photos courtesy of Rog (from the beach outside our door)...









Balboa Park




Bye Rog! aka John, Chris, Bill - Owen couldn't remember his name for some reason.