Potty Training

Well, our little girl is officially a big girl. She is potty trained!

How did we do it you may be wondering... well, one day walking through Costco Presley spotted a collection of My Littlest Pet Shop figures that she thought were the neatest thing her little two-year old eyes had ever seen. So after trying everything from treats to stickers, I had the idea of going back to Costco and buying the pet shop things and letting her pick one every time she used the potty. Sure enough, by the time we were out of toys she was fully trained and accident free.

She has said a lot of funny things throughout this growing up process, but I think the funniest this she's done was a couple weeks ago when Mark and I were finishing up dinner, when all of a sudden we heard her yelling from the bathroom...

"Daddy Jaymes Ruttan, you come here!"

Apparently she needed a little help and has learned from us that using the middle name means serious business. We love it that she thinks "Jaymes" is everyone's middle name and not just hers.

P.S. for more on our potty training adventure check out our other website healthofmyfamily.com

Big Girl Bed

Presley never ceases to amaze me! She has been through so many changes over the last couple of months so I figured that when we moved we would keep her in her crib for a while longer so that she could have something familiar in her life. Well, on move in day we quickly realized that her crib would not fit down the hallway unless we took the whole thing apart and then put it back together once in her room. We didn't like that idea much, especially since we knew we would only be living here for a few months, so we decided to throw her in the big bed and see how she liked it. The first couple of nights she cried a little and asked for her bed, but in no time at all she was telling everyone what a "big gril" she is. I am so proud of her and thankful that God gave us such a resilient little girl. Considering we are living the life of modern day gypsies, her easy-going personality is a blessing.

Next comes potty training... Yikes

Change happens whether you're ready for it or not

As for my family, change has become our new norm. Nothing is as it was just a few short months ago. Just days after returning from Washington and our annual 4th of July beach vacation we were surprised to find out that I was pregnant and Mark, for reasons completely out of his control, was once again out of a job. To add insult to serious injury, within a weeks time we were faced with a second pregnancy ending in a miscarriage. God obviously had something very different in mind for our immediate future than we did. Thankfully we know we can trust Him even when nothing in our life makes any sense.

Anyhow, fast forward through the rest of July and into August and what you will find is my precious family, still together, but living in the God-forsaken heat of Palm Springs. (Thanks Kath, for the use of your house, we love you, but seriously, why couldn't you have a place somewhere cooler?) Also, during the whole move, Mark and I were completely blown away to find out that I'm pregnant once again...REALLY, right now!? This was not a part of the plan. Well it turns out that the third time may be a charm. We got to see the baby last week and so far everything looks good, heartbeat and all. Today I'm about 9 weeks along and can barely get out of bed because of the progesterone pills they've got me on in hopes of maintaining the pregnancy. My poor little Presley, not only has everything about her life changed, but now mommy is sick all the time and no fun at all! She keeps telling me that she wants to go home and it just breaks my heart. I know that in time she will adapt and be just fine, probably about the time we are ready to move again. As for right now we've been telling her that "we're on a new adventure." So now whenever we're in the car she asks, "we going on a new benture, mommy?"

Home Sweet Long Beach

Long Beach was really a lot of fun for us this year. Presley had her first experience camping and I think it was a lot of fun for her. I grew up camping here with my family every year over the 4th of July, so it was awesome to see Presley experience it. Now that we're back home in Cali, Presley is still talking about the beach and when we can go back to the beach where we built the big, giant sand castle. The weather was beautiful, our whole family was there and we even got to see some good friends that we haven't seen in a long time. Dana and Andrea...so glad you two were able to come out for the day, it was awesome to see you!

Summer In Washington

Ah Kravitz Port... it just wouldn't be a trip to Wa without sending a day or two at our best friend's house on the bay. You just can't beat getting dirty, huntin' for crabs, goin' fishin' and pealing that fresh corn on the cobb. I love vacations that give the kids a chance to just be kids.

Father's Day

Let Me Tell You Something!


So, here we are on Father's Day doing a little indoor climbing. This is something we would do every weekend if there was a gym closer to where we live. Maybe we'll just have to open one of our own. Presley had the best time and loved to see us reach the top of each climb and ring the bell. She even did a little climbing of her own. Who knows, maybe someday she'll go pro.

Our Little Swimmer

This is the day Presley became a little fish. It was so amazing to see her level of confidence in the water at the beginning of the day compared to the end of the day. All she needs is to see other kids having fun and she wants to be right there in the action. We swim a lot these days now that its getting warmer out. I think this week we'll head over to Yuma and spend some time with my parents swimming and soaking up the sun.