Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sleep... gotta love it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Weekend in review
Friday, February 5, 2010
On the mend
Icky-sickies
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Here's to hoping...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
There are ups and there are downs.
- Poor little Ruby is still sick. In fact, I'd say she's sicker than she was when we took her to the doctor on Sunday night. She's coughing and has a really runny nose and runny eyes. Her throat must be really sore, because she has sort of lost her crying voice. The odd thing is that she can still make noise when she talks, but her cries are virtually nonexistent. You may be thinking that this isn't such a bad thing (and prior to this week, I'd agree), but the problem is that if we can't hear her crying we don't know that she needs something. The noise comes out as a tiny little squeal. As a result, I haven't slept much the last couple of nights, as I am trying to be so cognisant of listening for my little baby. On top of that, every cough she makes during the night wakes me up completely, followed by me listening for her to breathe... not fun. Throughout the day we suck lots of icky stuff out of her nose, but it seems to be never ending. Her little nose is so dry and chapped now from all the wiping. Not a good situation.
- The laundry. Oh my. Another "downer". I'm not sure how- or why- she does it, but we go through at least two outfits a day due to diaper-related explosions. No joke. I'm thinking of buying some of those plastic pants that you put on cloth-diapered babies to try to catch the mess before it escapes onto her clothes. Tyler is such a sport about it and has taken a new love to Oxy Clean. That stuff is amazing.
The Highs:
- Amid her illness, Ruby is still a smiley little girl. While she's not quite herself, she is still so much fun to play with. I love that little gal.
- Ruby's talking has returned. She is once again making noises like a human being instead of her tongue-out-spitting deal that she displayed last week. We LOVE that she is "talking" again. It's so funny to watch her think that she is telling us fascinating stories. Even at 3:30 AM on Tuesday morning, she was going on and on to Tyler (he got up to suction out her nose) about who knows what. On top of being fun to watch and listen to, it's an added bonus that she's no longer causing so much drool and spit to soak her clothes.
We are so lucky that Ruby is an easy, happy baby. She gets a huge smile on her face and wiggles with excitement when it's time to play, but she also allows us to get things done while she has fun with her toys. Since she's been sick, I've noticed that she has wanted to cuddle a little more (I don't mind!), but she is also fine with watching us cook dinner, work on the computer, etc.
I will plan to post more photos soon. Sorry to go an entire week without! :-)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Weekend in review
Friday, January 29, 2010
Play dates and sleepytime
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Like a siv
Another new trick
Monday, January 25, 2010
Still a Vikings fan...
Sunday, January 24, 2010
BIG news alert!!!!!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Pouty Lip Girl
Buddha, Buddha, Buddha
Thursday, January 21, 2010
We're in the clear... I hope!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Time well spent
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Weekend in review
Ty and I had plans to attend a party last night, but Tyler got sick, so he decided not to go. I was still planning to, but Ruby had a bad case of the crankies, so I stayed home, too. Actually, Ruby has a touch of a cold going on. Without going into too much detail, the nasal aspirator has been our BFF this weekend. Poor little thing. She seems to feel better today, but is very sleepy and wants to be cuddled. My mom and dad came down last night for a few hours, so Ruby got lots of love from them.
Today has been spent cooking soup, cuddling and watching the Vikings spank the Cowboys. Ruby has enjoyed watching the game in between her naps.
Below are some other random photos we captured this weekend.
We don't have much else to report today. Have a good week everyone!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Busy, busy baby

Monday, January 11, 2010
My, how time flies!
Ruby and me, Charlie and Emily, Alivia and Amanda
How things have changed! Now, when the guys have a beer, it's while adoring their babies!
Sharon and Charlie, Tyler, Ruby, Strommer, Alivia and Brian
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A quick "Hello!" from Ruby
Friday, January 8, 2010
We made it through week one...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Ruby's first day/week of school
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Found: One pair of feet
Friday, January 1, 2010
Tummy Time Champion
A general update (non-festivities related)
- Ruby has been "talking" like crazy! It's hysterical. Sometimes it seems like she's actually carrying on a back-and-forth conversation with us in her own baby language. Below is a weak attempt at catching it on camera.
- Ruby sounds like a basset hound. Occasionally when Ruby wants something but probably she isn't even quite sure what that is, she'll give a poor attempt at a whine, which ends up sounding like a basset hound. In turn, we tend to make the noise back at her. Is that wrong?
- Ruby has been wearing some 3-6 month clothes! She received two outfits for Christmas that fit already. It's crazy how different the sizes are between brands. 3-6 month clothes in the Carter's brand fit, while 3-6 month Baby Gap is still huge.
- Monday brings a new challenge for us: Ruby starts school. We'll see how it goes trying to determine a new routine. Tyler will be getting the little one ready in the morning and doing drop-off (which will be interesting in about a month, as I suspect Rubes will have hair long enough for a ponytail on top of her head), while I will do pick up. I hope to be organized enough so that after work I can stop at the gym before picking her up, then running home and starting dinner and STILL (and most importantly) finding time to play. Seems like a huge task, and I'm praying we can make a smooth transition.
I think that's all for now. One of my goals is to figure out how to get the video from our Handycam onto the computer, as I have lots of footage of Ruby for your viewing pleasure. Until then, the grainy not-so-good footage below will have to suffice.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
More Christmas partying
Friday, December 25, 2009
Fancy Lady
Merry Christmas!
We came home this afternoon and are spending the night at home- just the three of us.
Tomorrow we plan to spend the day celebrating Jesus's birthday with Ruby's grandma Therese, Tom, Amanda, Erin and Brita. Sunday we will go to Grandpa and Grandma Engquist to party some more.
Merry Christmas to all (and to all a good night)!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Baby Girl is TWO MONTHS OLD TODAY!
More importantly, we have growth reports to share:
- Height: 23" (75th %)
- Weight: 11 lb, 7 oz (68th %)
- Head circumference: 15.4" (62nd %)
Dr. Wineinger said that she is "perfectly healthy". Great news!
After her doctor appointment we went to Ruby's school to drop off her registration materials and to meet the people who work there. Danielle will be her teacher, and Dawn and Lindsey are the assistants in the infant room. It was good to be able to talk to Deanna a bit and to discuss routines prior to Ruby's first day. We did make note of the several children who were running around with snotty noses. Ironic after the doctor had reminded us minutes earlier to have people wash their hands before touching Ruby! I guess it's par for the course... it won't be long now before Rubes has a chronic crusty, runny nose. Can't wait for that.
Tyler went to work today, so Ruby and I are spending some quality time together before the peak of the Christmas chaos starts tomorrow. We will be attending church at Faith to watch little Erin and Brita sing, then we're heading up to Foley tomorrow night. Christmas day is at Therese's and Sunday at Bob and Susan's. I am hoping for the predicted winter storm to shank and miss us completely, but that's not bound to happen, so... safe travels to all and Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Buckle up...
Monday, December 21, 2009
Dinner time!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Good news all around
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Dare I say... she slept throught the night?!
Friday, December 18, 2009
A simple update on Rubes
- On Tuesday Tyler had to go into the office for a short while, so Grandpa Bob came over to spend some time with Ruby. Sounds like she was a good girl!
- On Wednesday my cousin Katie came over to meet Ruby for the first time. Katie will be the one to teach Ruby to appreciate the goodness of Foley Fun Days and the MN State Fair
- I almost had a nervous breakdown: I went in to pick up registration information for Ruby's school so she can start on the 4th. The director of the center gave me a new rate sheet for 2010, and told me that the cost of daycare went up $25 a WEEK! I almost passed out. Then I got angry. Because I had paid a deposit already, I felt she owed me a notification of a rate increase. After some crisp discussion, she agreed to keep our 2010 rate at the old price. Thank God, because otherwise Ruby would have been attending the daycare that smells like poo (see post from 4/13/09)
- Today Ruby gets to go shopping with her daddy for a boy gift that he needs to give tomorrow (nothing like waiting til the last minute, eh?)
- Tonight we plan to go to the St. Francis basketball game. Hopefully Ruby will have a chance to meet her friends Scarlett and Anders Hauge, as well as see her friends Ella Waterworth and Drew Julson!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Yet another new trick!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Weekend in review
Friday, December 11, 2009
Big-eyed beauty
Ruby's eyes make me smile.
Last night when we were attempting (operative word) to get her asleep in her crib, I rocked her until she was snoring before slowly and gently placing her into her crib. By the time she was down and on her back, I looked down and all I saw were her huge eyes staring up at me.
And then I melted.
Later on last night, after Ruby worked her magic to get out of her crib, Tyler was laying on the bed in our room with the lights off and had Rubes sitting up on his stomach, wide awake. I walked in and the first thing I saw were these big, beautiful eyes looking around the room. My frustration for her lack of interest in sleeping escaped me, and I just had to laugh.
This girl knows how to use those eyes!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
"What the heck is this white stuff?!"
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ruby giggles
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Weekend in review
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Ruby's Room
The family tree: There is a baby photo of each of our immediate family members on this tree
"From Small Beginnings Come Great Things"
Ladies who Lunch
She is her father's daughter
Smiley
Monday, November 30, 2009
Weekend in review
Thursday, November 26, 2009
We are thankful.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy one month birthday, little one!
- Seeing Ruby for the first time is something I will never forget. The 6-pound baby I was expecting to arrive was placed on my chest at a whopping 8 pounds, 1 ounce! I thought there was no way this could be my baby- she was far too big!
- Enjoying the first couple of days in the hospital with our little girl was a lot of fun. We couldn't get enough of her- all we did was stare at her.
- The whirlwind 24-hour period of getting news that she may have some unexpected health complications: having her moved into the NICU; making the trip home without our little girl in the backseat; the sleepless night; waiting for x-ray results; praying for poop then seeing the most beautiful poop ever; being a bystander in the NICU and seeing how lucky we truly are compared to some other families
- Taking our little pumpkin home- it was a great ride!
- Watching Ruby's funny faces: her pursed lips, scrunched up scowl, pouty lip
- Being so amazed and proud of her ability to hold her head up so well so early- we
tummy time! - Seeing how happy our little baby makes others when they stop by to meet her- thank you to all of our visitors!
- Sleepless nights but very restful days (for Ruby, anyway)- having her days and nights flipped around was a challenge, but something we were able to overcome after a alot of hard work.
- Finding out that Ruby needed to gain weight, then hearing that she gained like a champ and is continuing to grow so well. She's a tall little girl, and we still wonder where that comes from?!
- Listening to Ruby talk to herself in her sleep. I wonder what she's dreaming?!
- My favorite: Ruby's smiles. She begins with the cutest little half-mouth grin that quickly turns into a full wide-mouth giant smile when you make eye contact with her and prompt her to smile. So funny.
It's been a crazy, fun, wild, exhausting, happy month for the Engquist family. We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy child and we are looking forward to the holidays with our little gift from God!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
This girl is a-growin!
The most exciting news I have to share is that little Ruby now reciprocates smiles! It is so fun when we make eye contact and Ruby will actually smile back at me when she sees my smile. I love that little toothless grin.
Below are a few photos from her first photo session on November 2nd (the day she peed in my hand).
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Weekend in review
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Ruby loves bath time!
Ruby is 3 weeks old!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Our at-home photo shoot
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Two-week well baby check
Monday, November 9, 2009
Our first walk; fun, not fashion
Nothin better
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Ruby's Fan Club
We appreciate all of the love that has been given to little Ruby in her first days of life.
A tribute to you who have shared in her first moments...
Weekend in review
Ruby was showered with gifts and a lot of love
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ruby is 2 weeks old!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Too much of a good thing?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Our new "normal"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
A very busy weekend creates a very sleepy baby
We also placed Ruby in a pumpkin, cuz of course, she's our little pumkin!
When we got home, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Jean and Wyatt were here, so Ruby got to meet her only boy cousin for the first time! They spent the night here, then Grandma and Grandpa Kaproth came over today to celebrate Grandma's birthday.
Ruby was also paid a visit by her "auntie" Nicole and Paul Hydukovich. She got lots of love and hugs from them, which she loves. We cheered on the Vikings to beat the Packers, and I think Ruby's cheers won. Also of note- the Gophers beat Michigan State on Saturday night; daddy and uncle Jeff were at the game, so mommy had to teach Ruby the MN Rouser and the signal for "touchdown"- cuz there were a lot of them that night!
After all of this excitement, Ruby is tuckered out and is enjoying quiet alone time in her bouncy seat and mommy and daddy are hoping for another restful night.
Daddy goes back to work tomorrow, so it'll just be mommy and Ruby alone all day. We plan to go shopping for a party dress for Ruby's shower at Nicole's on Sunday.
Ruby's Fan Club
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy one week birthday, little girl!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fun stuff
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ruby's clean bill of health!
Uncle Jeff and Auntie Jean came to the hospital to visit Ruby on Sunday right before we received the news that she wouldn't be coming home. The brought her a fun gift, including the book, "Everyone Poops". At the time, we thought the irony was pretty funny- yes, everyone poops except Ruby! Now we are happy to celebrate the fact that YES, EVERYONE POOPS- EVEN RUBY!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Her first full day at home
What a difference a day makes
Monday, October 26, 2009
Photos of the Babe
PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Additional information on little Ruby
All prayers are welcome
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ruby's first full day of life
A prayer for Ruby
Friday, October 23, 2009
Baby E has finally arrived!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hospital Admission Day
the baby's bedroom. Each dot will have the baby photo of one of our family members as a baby. I have painted the dots to coordinate with the bedding and am working on decopaging the photos onto the dots. Something I should've done a lot time ago...
My, how things change... we now have a bottle drying rack that has made it's home on our counter. Ty washed and dried all of the bottles last night- they're ready and waiting for baby, just like us!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
No-Baby Update: The Self-Pity Edition
- Visiting hours are 11-8
- You must sign in and be screened prior to coming to our room
- No visitors under the age of 5 will be allowed
- Non-immediate family visitors must be above the age of 16
- Maximum of three visitors per patient at a time
- Visitors must follow strict hand-hygiene procedures; foam in and foam out prior to entering or exiting the hospital room (and prior to holding my baby, darn it!)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 40 weeks and 3 (long) days
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Here we are... 10/17!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 39 weeks and 5 days
10/14 has come and gone...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 38 weeks and 5 days
This week's appointment brought some slightly disappointing news... it's unlikely that Baby E will arrive on my so-planned date of 10/14. Shocking.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
SFHS Baby Shower
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Final Countdown
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The nursery is {almost} ready!
Doctor appointment update- 37 weeks and 3 days
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 36 weeks and 6 days
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Q: "Are you ready?" A: "Nope."
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Take THAT!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Future Husky
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A message from Baby E...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
34 weeks + 3 days
- I have gained the appropriate amount of weight for my height/frame (even though it's a bit difficult to see that number getting so big on the scale!)
- My blood pressure is good (which is remarkable, since this was the first day of school, which equates to a very hectic day)
- If I should go into labor tonight, there will be no attempts made to stop it (this is the moment that I asked the doctor to re-check my blood pressure)
- Mercy Hospital has an astonishingly low rate for C-section, at only 14% (they pride themselves on this, as the national average is around 30%, which means that the team of doctors at Mercy only do C- sections when it's absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of the baby and/or mother)
- Baby's heart rate was 140 (hmmm.... low again. Does this mean Baby E is a boy?)
- Baby E will likely be a small baby, as he/she is probably only a little over 4 pounds right now and Dr. Schoel thinks it'll be a little one (which has sent Tyler into a slight depression, as he doesn't want his child to be the one always standing in the front row for class photos, etc. Let me remind everyone of our family genes. It's unlikely our child will be a center on the basketball team)
- The amount of Baby E's movement indicates that he/she is good n healthy and getting plenty of oxygen (wish I could say the same for mommy- she's having trouble getting a deep breath due to the large mass that has affixed itself on my lungs)
- Baby E is head-down (which means it has been giving mommy some pretty swift kicks in the ribs which I previously thought must've been it's noggin. Maybe Baby E will be a punter like it's "uncle" Tyson?)
As we count down the minutes to the birth of Baby E's cousin (affectionately known as "BK" (baby Kaproth), it is exciting to think about all of the changes that lie ahead for our family. When I spoke with my brother a few minutes ago, I reminded him that there are only about 9 hours left that the Jeff & Jean Kaproth household is made up of just two people. Next time they go home after tomorrow, they will be toting their new little bundle. Soon, it'll be our turn, and we're so excited, but also a bit nervous.
What the heck are
we going to do with this thing when we get it hom
e?!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Daddy's gettin Baby E's toys ready!


Friday, September 4, 2009
Weird? Yep, definitely. Cool? Uh-huh.
Monday, August 31, 2009
He/ She is enrolled!

Thursday, August 27, 2009
A little hiccup in the situation
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Baby Shower Fun!



Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wierd malformations of my belly
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Girl or Boy? Tough call.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Doctor appointment update- 30 weeks and 2 days

After the lab tech told me my result was good, I took a deep sigh of relief, but then remembered what was about to happen next: the Rh- shot.
Because my blood is Rh negative, I am required to have a shot during each pregnancy and again after delivery. This shot is given in the butt, and it stung! Not like a shot stings, but a shot sting PLUS burning of the medicine as it was going in. Tyler kindly documented the whole process on camera, and afterward, stated, "you did well, Jill". He is no longer invited to appointments.
After the shot, I was free to leave. I expected to get a sucker or something for enduring so many pokes and sticks today, but nothing. Good thing I had a granola bar in my purse.
Next appointment: September 10.
WARNING: Big, naked belly photos below!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Baby E with friends and fam
Baby E with Daddy at auntie Nicole's wedding (7.25.09).












