Wooby Twos-day

Dear Ruby,

Two years ago you gave us a scare of a lifetime when you decided that a placental abruption was the best way to enter the world. After arriving with a bang you slipped into our family and made it your business to teach us a thing or two about taking care of 3 kids.

For instance: the triple bath

 You have always been different from your laid-back, easy-going siblings. You have a much more spirited personality and you are never going to get lost in the shuffle of the 3 Raine Circus - your get-up-and-go is exactly what we need around here. Most of the time. But feel free to give me the occasional break, hey?

You have been through a lot in your two short years. You had so many allergies - dairy, soy, gluten, egg, corn, rice, peanuts, pistachios, and all fruit except berries, apples and pears. It's no wonder you've been so cranky at times, and kind of a miracle that you are so full of joy and light most of the time now.  You love to be the centre of attention - you can be in the middle of a full-on tantrum but if you realize someone is looking at you, you'll burst out laughing and screech "peek-a-boo!"

I love that you are happiest when you are playing with your brother and sister. You guys really are the best of friends - even though you freak out if your brother tries to claim one of your toots as his own. I wonder at what age we can expect that to flip to everyone blaming Declan for their farts?

 
What do I want to remember most about 2 year old Ruby? You love Dora ("Swiper no swiping! Awwww, man!") and princesses, especially "Arella." You are already too cool for Mommy to call you Baby Ruby, and correct me with an indignant "I NOT Baby Wooby; I good girl Wooby Waine!" You love babies and always have a doll in your hands.

Unlike your brother and sister, you are constantly moving. You run, you jump, you climb. The physiotherapist who was assigned to you when you were too stubborn to roll as a baby has since closed your file and picked up your siblings instead.  It's so funny, compared to your siblings, sometimes Daddy and I feel like first time parents getting used to an active toddler for the first time.

Your bedtime friends are your two elephants, Elly and Another Elly, your ladybug (which is actually a unicorn but whatevs) and as many books as you have managed to stash away in there during the day.

I'm not sure what gives me the biggest scare - finding your empty bed or realizing that you are once again sleeping in the top bunk with your big sister.

You do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Case in point? Today I tried to get the traditional "Raine kid with their bear on their birthday picture." You weren't having any of it:

"I too busy playin' LeapPad."

"No! I no look at Mommy!"

"NOOOOOO! No cheese! No smilin'!"

Smooches for bear.

What's that, bear? No, I don't think she realizes she's not getting a good picture today.

"Hi Deckie! I smilin' for Mommy!" (Mommy's note: she's a liar)

Screw this, I'm outta here

You march to the beat of your own drummer and although it is trying at times, I love it and know it will get you far in life. Whatever you put your mind to, you are going to achieve. I am so thankful you put your mind to potty training because I did not think we would ever get you on board with "le pot."


You love to dress up. One morning last month you woke up before anybody else, went into your brother's room, took the full knight costume (helmet, shield, chest plate, cape, and sword) out of the tickle trunk, put it all on, and woke me up by poking me in the face with your sword. It was pretty much the funniest thing ever, even at 6am.



Whenever we can't find you, you are always in Declan's room at the books, half buried under a big pile.  Somehow you know your colours and can count to 10 - good thing you're good at picking things up, you poor, neglected third child!!  At the end of Twinkle Twinkle every night, you point to the picture of the blonde, curly-headed baby with her mom and tell Daddy "Dat like me, and dat like Mommy."

Your favourite food is oatmeal with blueberries, applesauce, flax seeds and hemp seeds. You are a wee bit high maintenance when it comes to food but I don't mind. How many 18 month olds would routinely ask for quinoa? 

You love bare bums, and whenever you see one (which is pretty often in a house with 3 preschoolers) you squeal "Moon! Moon! I see the moon!!!!" and run to pinch the cheeks of whichever sibling is being a nudist at the moment.

You're one of a kind, Woobs. Thanks for making every day an adventure. Can't wait to see what you get into tomorrow.

Love,
Mommy

- 5

I love winter, but I have to admit: our multiple long stretches of forty below have been hard on us this year. I'm ready for spring. So the weather this past week has been welcomed with open arms. It has been so good to walk to Grammie's house and play outside for hours!

Next fall, on that first morning when we wake up to frost on our car windows and a frantic search for last year's mittens, I hope I remember how good - 5 actually feels. It's all about perspective.