Ruby -- Eight Months

Just when I think that being Ruby's mom could not be anymore wonderful, it gets even better. Ruby is SO much fun. She is such a little social bug, and is constantly making us (and everyone else) laugh and smile.

Besides the double ear infection at the beginning of the month, this was a relatively healthy month for the girl, which has not happened much since she started daycare. I keep telling myself that hopefully this means she will have all her immunities built up by the time she is in Kindergarten and will be healthy while all the other kiddos are getting sick all the time.We'll see if that proves to be true, or just a mama's false hope. I'll let you know in 5 years.

Ruby is crawling! It's not full speed crawling, but slow and steady wins the race, right Rubes? She inches her way to whatever catches her eye and grunts and squeals along the way. She's pulling up on things constantly now, and it makes my heart race when I come back into the room and see her standing pulled up on something (like the basket of blankets) that might not be able to support her healthy, chunky self. She's bonked her head a few times, but bounces back like a trooper. She's a rough and tumble little thing, I'm afraid she got that from her mama. Hopefully it wont translate to multiple trips to the ER like it did for me.

Speaking of chunk, when I took Ruby to the doctor for a follow-up for her ear infections (three days after her 8 month birthday) she weighed 20 pounds! My arms are getting SO strong. I kind of couldn't believe it because she has not been eating quite as much, and has been moving a lot more, but I guess she's getting all the nutrition she needs. I love, love, love her thighs. They are so soft and mushy and there is nothing in the world the is sweeter to nibble. Ruby still favors lunchtime, and pretty much refuses to eat anything but puffs for dinner. I think it's mostly a control issue (again, a trait she got from her mama), because she loves to everything by herself, but hasn't quite mastered the art of chewing food. I'm not pushing or forcing her to eat because I know that she will eat something other than breastmilk and puffs eventually. Plus, milk is all she really needs anyway!

Ruby is wearing size 3 diapers and a whole bunch of different sized clothing. She still fits into a lot of her 3-6 month shirts, but has outgrown all of her 3-6 month pants. She wears 6 month and 9 month onesies and 6-12 month from old navy. Most dresses are 6 month and 9 month dresses are still a bit big. It's strange to me that she is so heavy but still fitting into her smaller sized clothes so well. I'm glad she's getting good use out of them, though!

Ruby's sleeping has stayed about the same this month. She's still sleeping from around 8:30pm-7:00am. Can't complain. If she does wake up in the middle of the night she is usually able to soothe herself back to sleep pretty quickly, and if not some snuggles with mama or daddy always do the trick. She's only taking one nap at daycare from 12-2, but when she's home with me during the day on weekends she'll still take 2 shorter naps (1 morning, 1 afternoon). She usually falls asleep in the car on our way home from work/daycare, which is awesome because it's usually rush hour and the only thing worse than traffic is traffic with a baby screaming in your ear!

Ruby is such a little smarty pants (at least we think so...). She has words that she knows and responds correctly to, and is already picking up some sign language that we have been working on with her. She knows "clap", "bye-bye", and "hi". She will usually perform and show off her tricks for anyone. She is able to say "more" in sign language when she wants more of something (PUFFS. Always more puffs.), and is getting close to mastering "all done". We're so proud of her, and I think its shows...maybe just a little. 

Ruby has a tooth! It's a tiny little dagger right in the middle of her bottom gums. It hasn't made its way completely through quite yet, but it's definitely there. Can I just say OUCH?! Oh my goodness. The worst part? When she bit me the other day while nursing, I pulled her off and said sternly "Ouch Ruby! That hurts mama when you bite! Don't bite mama!", she started cracking up. Ummm? We're in trouble....

Other than that specific, terribly painful moment, her laugh brings us so much joy! She is a giggling fool. She has started doing this "fake" laugh, where she will let out a little "hehehe" when you're talking to her about mundane stuff. I can tell she doesn't really think it's funny, but is just giving us a little courtesy laugh to let us know she's engaged. Her belly laughs are frequent and are usually induced by something Banjo is doing. She loves that dog.

Ruby's favorite things:
-Banjo.
-Bath time.
-Mama. Ruby has become quite the mama's girl this month. She is still very social and doesn't mind going to others, but there are times where she makes it VERY clear that all she wants is some mama snuggles.
-Sticking her tongue out (see above pics)
-Puffs. So many puffs.
-Looking at pictures of herself on our cellphones. We will scroll through pictures and she will chuckle with every single one. She loves it! It's so funny.
-Copying sounds. She loves it when she grunts or makes a funny noise and we copy her. She smiles so big and then waits for us to copy her again. It's cute.
-Favorite foods: anything sweet (apples, mango, banana, pear, PUFFS), she also loves avocados.

Ruby's not so favorite things:
-Changing clothes. Sleeves are still the worst thing ever.
-Sitting still.
-Getting her nose wiped.
-Getting fed baby food with a spoon. She wants to do it ALL BY HERSELF. I bought some reusable squeeze baby food pouches and they are working ok because she can have some control. Such an independent little thing.
-Food dislikes (for now, I know as we continue to offer them, she will hopefully start liking them): peas, green beans, plain oatmeal.

Sweet one, 

You are growing so fast Ruby girl. You are busy and keep your dad and I on our toes. We have to watch you constantly because you are always on an adventure looking for something to get into and explore. It can be exhausting, but I absolutely love that about you. I love that you know what you want and don't stop until you get it. I hope you always keep that spark, even though I'm sure it will cause us some grey hairs along the way. We are so proud of you, and feel so incredibly lucky to get to watch you grow, learn, and change every single day. You're the best. Really. 

With every ounce of my heart. 

Love, Mama