Everything just sort of came together. I think we both were a little tired and would have been happy to stay home, but there wasn't anything keeping us back. Ruby took a late nap, so she would be able to stay up a little later. Jordan came downstairs dressed in a tie and a red shirt declaring that we were going, so I dressed Ruby and I up in some festive attire as well.

Just look at her.. I think she knew that this was special.
Jordan particularly loved this photo of her eating the table.
They brought out Ruby her own ice cream, so I guess they weren't too offended that we brought her to their fancy restaurant. Thankfully she shared with us.
I kept the photo above because of her little fingers in the bottom corner..
Ruby, We hope that you know that you are incredibly loved. We are so thankful that you add a little more fun to our lives. We can't wait to take you on a little date again next year!

I don't have too many links to share with you this week. Thankfully Jordan got off early yesterday, which was such a treat! And his day off this week is today, so we're currently soaking up our 'weekend'. I'm trying not to think too much about how he has to work the real weekend. boo.

Last night we took Ruby to a fancy restaurant with white tablecloths and servers in tuxes,  somewhat on accident. Thankfully she was very polite and not too loud. I have some more grainy iphone photos if you would like to see more of our evening, which hopefully turns into a little tradition to come.

Well, here are the very few links I have this week, but I added a little story, so I think it's worth it!

The best dubsmash videos I've seen yet

This timelapse of Cincinnati gives me all the feels for the city I grew up in

Back in the day when I told Jordan that "I just wanted to be friends" he would show up at the art library where I would hang out between classes. He would be reading Harry Potter, my all-time favorite. It totally worked and now we often reread the series together.

I love that they are turning the eighth book into a play, and It seems only fitting that it comes out on our five year anniversary this year. I think I convinced Jordan that we need to visit London to see it and celebrate. I mean, we always wanted to visit Europe for our five year anniversary anyway. Reading the book will be cool too, I guess.

I also wanted to say thank you for all of the feedback on this random post. You guys are the best. I seriously just started typing and all of the thoughts swirling in my head just turned into words on the screen. I felt a little nervous and vulnerable after posting, and somewhat ridiculous, but am so thankful for you all. You are so kind.

Are you doing anything to celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend?

Jordan says that he's making me a nice dinner, and he's not bad in the kitchen, so I am pretty excited. I told him about my idea for homemade heart-shaped pizza and he just looked at me a little funny.

I also almost showed Jordan the card Ruby got for him early, but I stayed strong. I did read the book  we got for her though, but she has no idea what's going on. :)

Also, we just booked a flight to Phoenix and Denver... what should we do there??

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photo above from our trip to Seattle

At first I didn't think that this would be worth the extra effort to do this... and is it really worth ruining a towel? Yes. Yes, it is. Trust me, your towel will serve a much, much greater purpose.

It actually ended up saving me so much time and energy. Since, the top of the cake was mostly flat I didn't need to trim the top of the cake, where usually it's rounded. Icing the cake was a breeze since, it didn't need to be trimmed, there weren't and crumbs to get in the way. I was able to stack the layers together, and it looked way better.

I was able to use a large square washcloth to fit both pans. I cut it out in a zig zag like pattern, so that the square cloth turned into a long strand. I wanted it to be long enough to tie at the end and not have to use safety pins.

Also, a quick talk about Funfetti. I can't believe that I forgot about it's goodness. I haven't had it in way too long. I always say it's my favorite, and a coworker even knew on my birthday a couple years ago, but I always forget about it when at the store. But, never again.

Also, I love how Natalie spotted the box in this picture on instagram. Haha.

and just for fun.. here are some more sweet, pink, and heartfelt gifts for your little:
(all under 20 dollars, because that's how we roll)

more books:

the book I mentioned in this post
the other book I thought about getting for Rubes (I also saw this at Target)
for your princess
romeo & juliet boardbook
hug machine

other fun gifts:

the best baby socks ever
the heart rattle in these photos and this heart teether
this pink flower headband

and i've been eyeing this sweet ballet dress for Ruby (it's on sale! but, i will still wait for a coupon!) and this matching cardigan, and ballet shoes!

I already can't wait until next year when she will actually be able to pick out a card for her papa again. Hopefully this turns into a fun little tradition.

are you getting your little anything for valentine's day? do you have any traditions?

Man, I had more thoughts in my head than I realized. If you're like me and sometimes can't quite handle that many words, here's the recap:

Ruby slept in this morning and I woke up feeling awake and refreshed for the first time in too long.

Ruby is a crazy, fearless baby, and is growing and changing faster than either of us can handle. It's messing up both of our sleep.

We stayed in and watched the superbowl. It wasn't too exciting, but fun fact: Jordan and I's relationship started after he took me home from a superbowl party years ago, or so he says.

I rambled about how I entertained myself during the superbowl by finding new blogs and had some good reflection time on my own blog.

I asked your opinion.. what do you want to see on here? what are posts or things you like about my blog? What bores you? (My endless rambling...??)

I also went off on a tangent about commenting on blogs... so I'm going to feel really uncool if noone comments on this post.

I also mentioned how we visited the City Museum this weekend. It was awesome. You need to go.

That's all. Happy Monday! oh, and text raincheck to 888222 today for a free chipotle burrito. totally legit.

also, I wish I would have bookmarked some of the new blogs I found. If I find the time I may have to go through my internet history to find them. Are there any new or old favorite blogs that you have been reading?

If you have started to realize that my relationship with my husband revolves around sending links and texting, you're right. Because, Jordan works such long hours, that we communicate through mostly text, with an occasional phone call, maybe a facetime here and there, and if we're really lucky we get to see him in person.  I guess this is my way of keeping things light and a way to share in what I am reading and laughing at during the day. I have some screenshots of texts we've shared about Ruby that I have saved that I may share too sometime. They're pretty humorous.

Again, Jordan loves anything with The Office, this one of Michael Scott saying phrases and words wrong is pretty funny. I also sent this gif which is pretty much me anytime I talk.


found this one floating around facebook. any settlers of catan fans out there?

i thought this was interesting, but Jordan probably already fully understands this theory without any visuals.  or that's what i tell myself why he didn't respond.

So, I sent Jordan this link this week... and he responded with this one. Such a pessimist.

What are you up to this weekend? My brother and his wife (or Uncle Jo and Aunt JoJo) are currently visiting. We went to a St. Louis Blues game last night. I don't know much about hockey, but it was fun to watch. They will be here all this weekend, and we're dreaming of what we want to do. The city museum may be a good option, think we can just throw Ruby in the ergo? People have explained it to me as an adult playscape. Jordan actually wanted to go as a date in the early months with Ruby. It just sounded way too intense and not my speed at that time.

Do you have any suggestions on fun things to do in St. Louis? It's still a little weird calling this 'our home' when we still feel like visitors.

Have a good weekend!
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The above photo is one of my favorites of these two. Only a day old and already smirking at her papa. I started going though these photos from the hospital again. I hope to share them along with Ruby's birth story, that is if I don't get caught up in nostalgia land.