Monday Nights at Caruth Park

Almost every Monday evening we head down to Caruth Park in Highland Park to run our 38-42 minute route. After we are done and arrive back at the park Caleb either hits golf balls, throws the football (the boy can throw a wicked spiral) or plays on the playground. This past Monday we decided to change it up a little and met another couple for some tennis instruction. I had so much fun learning and I really am excited to take tennis lessons through the cold winter months in Pittsburgh. I'm secretly hoping I can get the rock star legs those tennis ladies sport. Caleb was a great ball boy. He would sit perfectly in the Wimbledon ball boy position at the net. One would think he had experience.

Before our friends arrived, we had a little time to kill, so Caleb hit a ball with Daddy. He to me, and I know I biased because he is mine, but is absolutely amazing for a 2 year old. You can pitch a ball at him and much of the time he connects.



Makaylee started crawling last week and really is getting around. While, I was filming my future MLB star, she was cruising around the tennis court. She was doing quite well until her arms gave out and she smacked her little teeth against the extremely hard ground. She waled, blood flew, and I was very concerned she might be toothless until seven. However, she seems to be okay. This is the second blood related incident associated with crawling. Last week she fell and gave herself a pretty good bloody nose. I really don't remember so much trauma when Caleb learned to crawl. She started pulling up to a standing position yesterday and I am definitely not looking forward to the pain this brings as she develops her stability.

After, the lights failed we decided to go run with our friends. I have to say it was a nice alternative to the normal food related social time. Don't get me wrong I always enjoy some good eats, but it was cool hanging out and feeling really productive with the time. I love communing during a run.

One more thing that I don't ever want to forget is how cute Caleb is as he tries to be like Mommy and Daddy. He runs all the way through the park, at least a quarter mile. Then when we're done and it is time to stretch the way he attempts to contort his little body into the quad stretch is really endearing. What a fun family I have been blessed with.

On the Move Again...

Well we purchased another 4wheel drive, which seems pretty stupid for a family of Texans, but this family will soon be calling themselves Pennsylvanians. We found out Thursday Cory's boss really wants him up in Pittsburgh, so soon the Ruiz's will be North easterners. I am no stranger to moving, this will be my 25th move since Kindergarten and my 8th state to live in, but Texas is as far east as I ever thought I would live. It is so strange to me that my children will think of themselves as from the northeast. Overall however, we are excited.
PROS
The area is beautiful with numerous outdoor activities. Pretty much an outdoor lovers paradise. Upper Saint Clair or Peters, the 2 townships we are considering living in have absolutely amazing public school systems with 96% going on to college. Cory's office is actually located about 5 minutes from the area we are going to live in, so there will no longer be the battle of a commute. The neighborhood is actually outside of the city. Maybe, comparable to living in McKinney or even Anna. I know you are probably asking yourself now what about the winters, but I grew up in Montana and below 0 was a normal part of life. I am not excited to return to months of winter, but there is a ski resort 45 minutes away. I grew up on the mountain and think it will be fun for Caleb and Makaylee to have the opportunity to enjoy this activity. There are other things we are excited about but these are the main things that Dallas doesn't necessarily offer.
CONS
I guess the biggest thing is leaving our loved ones. We have built so many amazing relationships here and I can hardly even think about leaving these behind without tears coming to my eyes. There is rarely a day that goes by that Caleb doesn't ask for Hampton and Jackman or say he wants to go see Ellie, Anna and Mr Mike. He loves all his friends, as do I. We just had him enrolled in school were Aubren will soon be his classmate and Holly and LeeAnn are his teachers. Oh, it is so hard to say good-bye.
At times it has been hard living so far from family, but it is only a short 5 hour drive to Grandma and PaPa. Pittsburgh well, it is a bit further. I know this transition will pose its challenges to say the least. We will work it out though Gammaw don't worry.
Basically, we need to processes this with our Community group and barring no red flags I think the plan is to move at the end of May after birthdays are over, some of the precious new babies have arrived Reengage is over and my sweet friend Alyssa is married. I feel really good about what needs to be done. LeeAnn helped me see how amazing the Lord has been to pave the way to make this transition as doable as possible. Back in October we sold our house and have been living as simple as possible for the past months, so packing up will be easy. We thought we were moving up there back in July, which would have posed many challenges with a newborn, but now Makaylee is sleeping through the night and then some. We know more about our current market, so housing wise we know what we want to do. And finally and I think most importantly, Cory and I have learned so much about each other and our marriage from when Pittsburgh was originally put on the table. I think we thought then we could handle living up there to some degree in isolation at least until we found friends, but looking back we would not have had the last 8 months to process with people that love us some areas of our marriage that growth was necessary. I think we are on a great path. I am alittle scared because it really has been amazing doing life with people, but I see the tremendous value in this type of relationship. I know I will be diligent to pray for the Lord to provide this up in Pittsburgh. Besides, I have recently become a face book freak, so I can always commune through cyberspace.

First Day of School/Cowboy Day

Caleb absolutely loves being a cowboy so it was really fun that his first day at school/mdo was Cowboy Day. He seemed extremely excited to be going to school and didn't seem even a little phased to be saying bye. The awesome Thomas the train table was very inviting to my little man. The day was cut short with winter weather approaching. School was cancelled around 12:30. I wasn't able to get much accomplished in 3 hours, but I think it was a perfect way to start my time away from Caleb. I really did miss him and was ready to pick him up. It always warms my heart to see his huge smiling face and so much excitement to see his mommy. I did however really enjoyed my time as well. Makaylee and I went to Starbucks and enjoyed some pumpkin bread and time in Psalms 19.
I asked Caleb what he did at his first day of school and with an excited voice he replied, "make COW BOYs boots mommy." Holly also informed me that during story time when talking about rodeo Caleb made sure everyone knew the BULLRIDERS are at the rodeo. He loves bullriding. It is very interesting to me how our little ones develop there interests. There is rarely a day that goes by that Caleb doesn't ask to see cows or bulls. Whenever we drive past an open field he is convinced there are horses to be seen. It kind of makes me sad we live in the city, but I guess of all cities Dallas is probably one of the rare few where occasionally there is a horse in an open field.

Makaylee's Army Crawl

She finally got motivated to get a move on.

Sits Up

On Sept 6th you started sitting up when we put you in the sit-up position. You love to play noise games with mommy as you sit up like a big girl. You are such a happy baby always giggling and smiling. We are going through a bit of a rough patch with nap time. You are so alert and don't want to miss out on any of the fun. If it is not completely quiet you want nothing to do with sleep. Just like your mommy you are a light sleeper.


Hanging around the house one evening. Brother thought he would lick Sissy and see if she tasted good. Umm Umm Good!

Makaylee's 1st Bath

caleb's arrival

Shutterfly | Photo Books
Your umbilical cord was cut wrong so you had to go to the NICU. Mommy was not doing well with the Magnesium, so she didn't get to see you for 24 hours. This was very difficult for her but Daddy was taking good care of you. You also had a hard time with the Magnesium so it was a good thing you were in the NICU. You were the biggest and healthiest baby in the NICU. They stuck you in the back :(, but you had a great night nurse, who got you on a good schedule. We were glad she was there, nights were your tough time.