Ruffino's Three Little Birds

Update! Havent blogged in two years

2012-01-13T02:03:00.000-08:00

Its been a long two years and I haven't written at all. Life just got in the way. My New Years resolutions, well one of them, was to write more frequently. Since my last post, we have had a new addition to the family. We welcomed Vincent Marco on October 25, 2011 at 1:51pm.

Isabella is now 3 1/2 and is doing very well. She was hospitalized back in September for a terrible bacterial disease, but is doing much better.

Shawn is now 15 going on 16. My emotions are all over the place. He is my first born and I remember now, as I look at Vincent what is was like when he was so small. I miss him like that. There are things I regret, and wish I should have done better as far as being a parent. But I was so young and really did believe I knew more than anyone.

Stephen and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary on December 29th, 2011. He was the sweetest, though don't tell him I said so. He gets a big ego boost from it. He made me a slideshow of pictures to the theme of Kenny Rogers, Through the years. And on top of that, he had a mini quilt made with pictures of our children sewn in and the colors of our wedding. He is really a good guy.

I will update more later. I am tired. New momma for the third time and all. I have lots of pictures to share. Till next time...

2009-07-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

Isabella is just getting so big. She hasn't learned to walk yet but she is getting there. I am so proud of her. She is doing really well with the "your baby can read". She is picking up a great vocabulary. Shawn is heading to the 7th grade. UGH> he is already looking for a girlfriend.

Stephen and I both started with the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online division. It allows us to get our Bachelors online. He is going for Culinary management and I for Photography. I am so happy for that. Especially for him. Now he can become what he wants to be. All right must go. Bella Bear is crying. She just woke up.

What a weary day

2009-05-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

So today I found out my Mother passed away last Oct. The reason I didn't know at the time is because we didn't keep in contact. She was a drug and alcohol addict for the past 30 years and didn't raise me. But we kept in touch my whole life. She always called on my birthday and wrote letters. But in the last few years she became really mentally unstable. I don't think she even understood who she was anymore or what she wanted for herself. She gave birth to 4 children, me included. I don't know what to say. My heart is definitely broken.. and I am saddened she died without me there. But I don't think I could have handled that. I pray she was at peace when she passed. I will miss her and will hold onto the good memories I do have of her.

I love you mommy...04/07/1958-10/26/2008

OMG its been so long

2009-05-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

Well Isabella is almost 14 months old. Or she will be on the 6th. Its been a really wild year. She isn't walking yet but she is crawling, still scooting.

Recently we started her on that "Your Baby Can Read" program and she is doing so wonderful on it. It is so educational for her and she doesn't even know it. She gets a kick out of reading the books and doing the flash cards. My baby. So smart

Shawn is 13 now and the teenage adolescence has begun. I now know what they meant by telling me when I have children I will understand. I understand. Now I have to learn a whole new form of parenting that won't turn me gray,lol. He is a good boy though. He means well. But he sure does know how to push my buttons.

Recently this week I cut my foot on my son's scooter as I was coming down the stairs. Can you say OUCH. I ended up at the emergency room for 3 hours and had to get 8 stitches. So needless to say I am off my feet for a week.

I also started my own AVON business. I love it. I didn't think I would but its great. I love the products and giving them to to the customers. It makes me feel like I am in the working world again. Plus its a great way for me to get used to having a business for myself. Especially since I plan to be a freelance photographer when I am finished with school.

That leads me to say that I will be starting the Art Institute in July for 4 years. That means I will be 36 by the time I am done. But that's alright. Well, I am honestly falling asleep from the pain meds. I will try to post again for next month. With you all well and Thank you for taking your time to read.

Isabella is 10 months old.

2009-02-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh. It has been forever since i have been on here. The Holidays, I started back at school full time in January, and just the fact that Isabella keeps me super occupied. I also have Shawn's activities. So with that said, I guess I will get you caught up on all of our little ones progress.

Well, In the last few months, she learned how to

Gestures:

Blow kisses
Wave bye-bye
Signal come here
Sign sleep
Sign eat

Movement:

She still scoots everywhere, just at 90 MPH now.lol.
She can pull herself to her knees
She can stand and walk with assistance
Rocks back and forth on knees
Gives kisses and hugs
Can use pincher fingers to pick things up
mocks faces
She can Identify book, car, apple, baby, ball, cup, food, Eye.

Food:

She is doing well with all foods. We introduced eggs last month once but she did not respond well.
She is also not a big fan of yogurt, so we will try again another time.
She eats all veggies, fruits, only poultry,cookies, crackers.
I make her food for her most of the time.
She also is drinking from her cup regularly now, but we make sure not to let her carry it everywhere. We do not want her to get into the habit of using it like a security blanket.

Toys:

She loves anything she can bang on, especially my pots and pans. Its OK though,I have ear plugs and Tylenol.
She LOVES books and has learned to point at the pictures and turn the page.
She has learned to transfer object from their place of origin and back.

Words:

I am proud to say she has a pretty unique vocabulary for someone her age.

Her words are

Baby
Ma-ma
Da-da
Bye-Bye
Ball
Hi
Eye

Games:

She loves

Pat-a-cake
Peek-a-boo
she love for you to say " I'm gonna get you"
plays the ball back and forth with you by throwing it.
She loves to dance,(by rocking back and forth) and sing. And by singing I mean screaming.

And I think that does it. If I come up with anything else. I will write them down.

So tired can't ty pe an y mo r e . ..........................

6 months!!!!

2008-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well. I haven't been here much. I must say Isabella has been keeping me busy. We took her to the Doctors for the 6 mos. Check up.

She now weighs 17lbs. 3oz. and is 26 3/4 in length.
What a big girl.

We started on some finger foods. She is actually doing very well. She is also drinking out of a sippy cup too. I can;t believe how big she is.

We also started to child proof the home but still need to pick up some gates.

She has begun to move herself around and can maneuver her self in circles. She also rolls both back to front and front to back all over the house.
She is able to get up on her knees and rock back and forth a little. I predict within the next few weeks we will have a crawler in our house.

She loves to give kisses. She will hold your face with both hands and pull you close. Open her mouth and slobber on your cheek. Its the cutest.

She is also able to sit on her own now,, but still has a hard time with the balance. I am not rushing her though I am enjoying every minute.
I want to say I believe she has some teeth that are starting to make their way in. She's awfully sensitive there and cries a lot if you touch the lower part of her mouth. I feel so bad for her. I know how it can hurt. At least she won't remember it.

Well sorry I will try not to wait so long until the next post.

Back from Florida!

2008-08-31T22:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have been back since Wednesday. But I was trying to recoup from our visit. It was a really great visit, just cut so short.

Everyone raved on how big Shawn has become and how well he is. I am very proud. I suppose I have more patience than I thought I did.

Isabella and Shawn both got really spoiled.

Shawn had a blast on the airplane. He was so excited and couldn't wait to fly again. I, on the other hand could have done with out the turbulence.

Isabella pretty much slept the entire way.

So now we are back and Shawn has started school and loves his new teacher. He has already made a lot of friends and has an interest in someone already.

Grandpa Mac bought a new Jumperoo for Isabella. She really can't get enough of it. She is just too funny.

Here is the latest Video

She LOVES her new Jumperoo 8/31/08

Catch Up

2008-08-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well I haven't updated this blog in a week so just to catch up...

I have been busy trying to plan a trip to Florida to see all the family, or rather them see Isabella and Shawn. So its been chaos since Shawn is supposed to be getting ready for school. Granted I know that going on a trip this late in the game is probably a tad irresponsible, but what can I say. I am spontaneous like that. When I see opportunity I feel I need to hop on it. I am usually glad with the decisions I make as they help me learn from my mistakes.

Any who, I am just trying to get info from the TSA and the airline to see what I need to do as seeing I have not been flying since I was 12. Did I mention I have an extreme FEAR of flying and Airports in general? So I am a complete wreck but I am trying desperately to keep my composure for Shawn as this is his first trip. I think I am doing OK he seems to be looking forward to it.

I have a feeling that Isabella will sleep the whole way. I am carrying her on my lap. I really can't wait for everyone to finally meet her. This is something very exciting I will make sure I document as much as possible and post it here.

As for Stephen, he is going to stay here in Charlotte. I so wish he was going, but he just started a new job and is up for a possible promotion. I am happy for him. He seems really satisfied with his job. I see his passion for culinary slowly returning.

I know he will miss us, ahem, I mean the kids tremendously. (Just kidding)
But I know it will be nice to sort of get away from each other for a little bit. I will miss him so much more that way.

Shawn is also getting ready, we have decided to have a Mother and son day and I am going to take him clothes shopping, lunch and a movie. I know most kids dread that, but he is a really sweet boy and loves that one on one time.

Anyway, I will post later about our trip and how it went along with LOTS and LOTS of pictures!!!!

SO..... STAY TUNED!!!!

Happy 4 Month Birthday Baby!!

2008-08-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Isabella is 4 months today. Unbelievable how big she has grown. we are so Proud of our baby girl!! Whom I may say has recently discovered her feet. She is too funny and seems to think they are the coolest things in the world. And who could blame her.

Also she tends to stick her belly out a lot lately and squish her face . I thought at first it was gas, but after speaking to some wonderful mom's about there babies, their were all doing the same thing.

Shawn in 6th Grade

2008-08-05T00:24:00.000-07:00

Shawn will be starting the 6th grade in 3 weeks. Unreal. He is so excited to finally go back. He has also gained some independence and wasn't to do his own school clothe shopping (within reason of course)lol. He will be starting back in soccer in about two months. We were going to try his hand out in football but he changed his mind and decided to do another sport. I guess the adolescent years are starting. He is starting to also gain interest in other things too I notice.

We Ate Some Cereal!

2008-08-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today Isabella had her very first cereal feeding. I was a little nervous about giving it to her not knowing how it might upset her digestive track. But so far really good. She hasn't shown any signs of it upsetting her stomach, Not to mention I think she really enjoyed it. She actually began to get mad when I took the spoon away.

All in all it went well. We also recorded it for our family to view her very first spoon feeding.

Our little Black Dress

2008-08-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

So I was out today and happened upon this little number. Its a black onsie that read. "This is my little black dress"

I thought how adorable I must get it.

Here is Bella posing for the shot!

16 weeks already

2008-07-31T06:43:00.000-07:00

Isabella is 16 weeks already and has accomplished so much. Its unbelievable how fast they grow.
Shawn I can't believe he will be a teenager next year.

Isabella could pretty much hold her head up at an angle since day one.
She started smiling at 4 weeks.
She laughed at 5 weeks.
She slept through the night and had a routine by the time she was 8 weeks.
She also rolled over at 8weeks.
She has developed tantrums already, but I can't help but laugh because she looks so cute.
12 weeks she began to grasp for toys. And put them in her mouth
13 weeks she developed the habit of playing with her hair while eating or sleeping.

She has a growth spurt now and then and that throws her a little off track but after a few days we are back into our routine again. I have gained a little sense on her personality.

For instance, she loves being lifted in the air and tickling her belly with you head.
She loves when you sing to her, especially twinkle twinkle little star. She will sing with you.
She loves the sound of your own voice. She gets mad if its time for her to eat and you are not moving fast enough, so I have to be prepared before she wakes as to be ready for her. She loves to sleep all cuddled next to you and on her side. she is very happy playing independently with her rattles or toys. Even if you try to get involved she will ignore you. She loves her bumbo seat.

She does not like being video taped. She will stop what ever you are trying to capture her doing and stare at you.

She loves her car ride but not the seat. She loves to sit at the dinner table with us while we eat. Its funny she recently started to mimic us. She stares continuously at us moving her mouth in a chewing motion.

We have decided to wait until the 6 months recommendation before feeding solids. I want to only do whats best for her. After reading the APA article and research on babies who were introduced early to solids had a higher chance to develop allergies and digestive problems.
We would rather not take the chance.

We were told that Breast milk and formula can give all the nutrition she needs until at least 6 months of age.

But recent;y we picked up a food processor from a friend and we plan on making her baby food from home. I thhink its the best thing next to breast milk I can give her nutrionally.
I feel good not giving her processed and manufactured junk.

I belong to a group of woman who have babies all born in April and their babies just love it.
I am still trying to decide between two of them.

I will keep you posted on our final decision.

And we have a screamer!

2008-07-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

I am in so much trouble when this one gets older! She was trying to get her toys and started to scream at them!! I just love this kid. Shawn got a big kick out of it.

First Fourth

2008-07-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

So today we took Shawn and Isabella to a small town a friend recommended named Faith. I should have realized it may not be a perfect day considering all the confederate flags along with the monster trucks we spotted on the way in. It was more of a carnival than a celebration. Of course Shawn had an amazing time so It wasn't all that bad after all. Unfortunately for Bella it was loud hot and really no place for me to take her out onto ground.

Last year we went to Matthews and enjoyed a live band, sat on the grass, ate burgers and hot dogs and Shawn had his face painted played in a jump house. Should have gone there. Now we know. So although it wasn't the best place for parents. It was an awesome day for Shawn. And I am happy if he is happy.

First Day

2008-04-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

Isabella was only a few hours old and she wasn't very happy.

Welcoming Isabella Florence

2008-04-06T18:46:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to have her hear. Shawn has the little sister he always wanted and is such a great Big brother. And we have a daughter. I am the luckiest person in the world!

Born April 6, 2008 6:46pm