Well, it's official. My baby has been in the world longer than she has been in my belly. It's a strange feeling considering the 9 months she was in my belly felt like the longest 9 months of my life, yet the 9 months she's been with us out in the world have been the quickest. Funny how time will do that to ya.
Ruby has rolled with the punches this past month has her little world changed drastically by adding another kiddo to the family. She loves to play, and she does that no matter who is in our house. We got close to adding a little "brother" (9 days old!!) to our family last week, but ended up deciding it wouldn't be the best for us, or her. It's difficult to pray through these placements quickly and try and decide the future for your family and these kids in 10 minutes. God has been faithful in giving us the correct answers, and we're so grateful for his peace and comfort in the times we have to say no.
We're still struggling with ear infections, and colds, but it's sadly just become a norm and doesn't really even affect her mood. I've noticed that it does affect her sleeping when it's really bothering her, but other than that, she's still her happy little self.
Like I said, Ruby is crawling at full speed and is into everything. She is also pulling up onto everything and cruising around like a boss. She even climbed some steps this week at our friend's pool. She's brave, and strong and shows off all the time. She has had a few bumps and bruises from her adventure but is really a tough kid. She falls and just gets right back up to go about her adventures. Her teachers at school are amazed by how much of a little rough and tumble girl she is, and say something about it almost every time I pick her up!
I've gotten a few comments this month about Ruby thinning out (TEAR!), but she is definitely still chunkalicious (that's a word, right?)! She hadn't gained any weight since her doctors appointment right before her 8 month birthday, but had gained some length. She was 20lbs and 27 inches at her appointment putting her in the 75th % in weight, and 50th % in height. I'm sure with her new found mobility she will continue thinning out, and it makes me a little sad to see her loosing her baby fat! I hope it sticks around for a while longer.
She's still not a huge fan of eating anything other than mama's milk. She eats great at daycare, but closes her mouth tightly to foods when we offer them at home. I'm not stressing about it, and just continuing to offer her new things to try. She's nursing in the morning before I leave, and then 2-3 times after daycare. She LOVES to nurse, and would probably nurse all night long if I let her. She's at the stage where she can make it very clear what exactly she wants by pulling on my shirt and trying to chew on my boob through my shirt. It can get a little awkward in a big group of people, but we embrace it! It's pretty hilarious to see.
Ruby is still sleeping great (besides the few nights that her ears have been hurting). She has started going to bed a little earlier, but not because I want her to! I really enjoy and cherish our evenings together and kind of liked that she was staying up later, but she had been giving us lots of cues of being sleepy around 7:30. So, instead of dealing with a fussy, tired baby, we just started putting her down earlier. She's sleeping about 11 hours usually, and wakes up around 6:30. Can't complain!
Her hair has really come in this month! It's like it's growing overnight at this point. It's long enough for a clip, which makes this mama so very happy. Except, she will not keep them in for the life of her. She LOVES pulling them out and chewing on them. Oh well. It's cute while it lasts, and it's pretty funny to watch her search for it, reach up and find it, and then examine her treasure. ;)
Ruby's favorite things:
-Banjo
-Mama & Dada
-Bath time
-Playing constantly
-Swinging (Ruby's Dano & DD bought her a playset and we are loving it!)
-Clapping
-Squealing
-Dancing
-Being crazy
-Tearing stuff up (if I ever need a spare moment, say to pee, I just give her some toilet paper and let her go to town tearing it up...she thinks it's the best thing ever)
-Puffs
-Frozen peaches and mangoes
Ruby's not-so-favorite things:
-Sleeves are still the worst thing ever.
-Actually, just getting dressed at all is pretty horrible.
-Being told "no" is pretty high up on the list of things Ruby hates. (she loves to play in Banjo's water bowl and we hate to clean up the mess that ensues when she does so. we take her away from the bowl and say "no" and she gives us the saddest look ever known to mankind and then bursts into tears). It's almost enough for me to just let her play in the water, but I know she has to learn eventually!
-Getting in her carseat after I pick her up from daycare. I understand this one. She hasn't seen me all day long, and she just wants mama to hold her, but I want to get home and hold her. She just can't understand the logic.
My Sweet Love,
Mama and Daddy are so proud of the fun, quirky, loveable little person that you are. You make us SO happy! We always talk about how lucky we are to have you, and how wonderful we think you are. We are so happy to be apart of your life, and watching you grow is the greatest privilege we could ever wish for. You're the greatest, Rubes.
Love,
Mama
