What's Up Doc?

daddy post: as you can tell, ruby's getting excited for her first easter. we're getting ready for a family vacation to seattle and whistler BC this week. we leave wednesday and will stay the night in seattle before continuing the drive on thursday. our friends wendi and che are getting married there so it should be a lot of fun. we have to drive all the way back to portland on sunday which will be a stretch for ruby so wish us luck. marty recently bought a cigarette lighter adapter for her breast pump so that should help out on the drive. hopefully, we won't get too many truckers giving us honks of approval as we drive down I-5. hope all is well with you all.

First Day of Spring

Momma Post: This was taken on Monday, which was an incredible sunny start to the Spring season. Ruby spent a good portion of the day outside, due that we had the Subaru in the shop for a 30,000 mile check up and thankfully we have so many wonderful activities within walking distance. After Matt went to work, Ruby and I walked to the Kennedy School to attend our weekly movie date with Kristin and Karen. It took 50 minutes there and 50 minutes back, plus later that afternoon, another 20 minutes to walk up to Fremont to collect the car. Ruby was a trooper and seems to enjoy the sights and sounds. It was definitely great "baby walking" weather. If we're able to have another child, I've got to remember to plan my maternity leave during a sunnier time of the year, because days like this one are ideal.

Back in Black

Momma Post:This past week we've noticed how fast Ruby's been growing. I packed away all her 0 to 3 month clothing and felt a little sad about it. But, this was soon alleviated when I pulled out all the new outfits she'll be wearing, including the ACDC themed shirt that Matt has her wearing (thanks to Uncle Mark & Aunt Cindy).

Ruby's pictured here with Carson. Carson was born in July, 2005 to our friends Steve and Beth. On Saturday, Ruby and I enjoyed a walk along the sidewalks in Sellwood and a sweet trip to Grand Central Bakery with Carson and Beth. Beth and I discussed the Baby Boom that's happening in Portland right now, which was very apparent by the need for stroller parking outside of the bakery. I look forward to sharing special outings like these our kids - amazing how simply activities are so much more meaningful and new with children.

Ruby's become even more tactile (e.g., sucking on her fists, batting at objects, clasping small toys and bringing them to her mouth, assisting with her bottle feeding). I'm actually watching her right now playing with the mobile hanging from her bouncy chair - reaching for the toys and kicking her legs in excitement. On the floor, she's holding her head up for longer periods. Matt calls this the "King Cobra" pose. She can roll over, from her stomach to her back and does this quite forcefully. When hungry, Ruby nashes her gums and makes loud smacking sounds. She also tries to find the breast with her mouth, regardless of whose arms she resides. Ruby's pretty trusting of our friends and family members and in quiet moments is willing to coo and giggle with those individuals holding her.

The Legacy Continues...

Momma Post: Here's a photo taken by my good friend JJ of her daughter Suzanne and Ruby. JJ and I met as wee ones through the friendship of our mothers, who had lived in the same co-op at Oregon State. Now JJ and I are fortunate to have had little girls so close in age. Suzanne was born in February. We're also lucky to be practically neighbors with JJ and her husband Scott living within walking distance. I see lemonade stands in the future for these two.

Ruby aka Little Miss Muffet

daddy post: good times this morning at brunch with nana jan and grandpa bill. marty deemed this an opportunity to adorn ruby with the outfit given by aunt cheryl and uncle darryl. evidently, the little house on the prairie look is still in style. marty insists that it is a vintage victorian style. we also had a great breakfast on friday with great grandma alice at the cadillac grill. once again, we all ordered the custard filled hazelnut french toast. ruby has spent the week laughing like a monkey.
hope all is well with everyone.

Momma Post: I can't believe Ruby is now twelve weeks old today. This past week our family got back into it's routine after three busy weekends of travel - it's nice to be home. Ruby has become even more loquatious, giggling in the mornings and many conversations throughout the day. She also is starting to touch or bat at things, but she's not quite grasping them.

On Thursday, we began our Book Babies class at the Hollywood Library. I was thrilled to hear about this program because I loved the library as a child and am excited to share this great community resource with Ruby. Book Babies is a wonderful half hour program (it's free, too), where both the parent and child learn songs, play games, share picture books and interact with other families. Ruby's favorite song is "Itsy-Bitsy Spider", but I think the "Criss-Cross Applesauce" is a close second. See link for storytimes.

Mysterious Beast Stalks The Huntington

daddy post: while wandering the grounds at the Huntington botanical gardens we were suddenly stormed by a wild beast of sorts. it rushed out and charged wajma, knocking her camera before vanishing back into the thicket. fortunately ruby slept through the whole ordeal and she was sparred any psychological trauma inflicted by this monstrosity. it is best described as having long arms and a protruded "ET" like belly. the above photo is our only evidence of this encounter. you have been warned.

California Dreamin'

Momma Post: We're back home after a wonderful trip to Southern California - many thanks to Steve and Joan, where we were attended the opening night of Mark's art show and were able to visit John and Wajma's stomping grounds in Pasadena. Even though it was just two nights, it was a huge accomplishment for our little world-traveler-in-training and we're very proud of how Ruby handled everything. She had no problem with either flight, sleeping and eating through both. Although she did manage to blow through two outfits by the time we arrived in Burbank, but that's more of her parents issue to deal with. Ruby continues to drool profusely, so Grandma Joan treated her to several much needed chin bibs to absorb the wetness from the leaky lip she inheirited from her dad. Wajma so generously opened up her lovely condo to Joan and the three of us. Ruby met Mark and Cindy finally and we're all excited to celebrate their marriage later this year. We toasted their engagement at the Barn Burner, where we all overdosed on protein. Mark's opening was impressive and came off with a lot of class. Please view the ah gallery link under artists for an example of Mark's show material. On Saturday our good friends Che and Wendi drove up from Laguna Beach to join us on a pleasant day touring The Huntington gardens and museums, followed by Mark's opening. Other highlights of the trip included the quality time Ruby had with her Grandma; the fish tacos and Italian joint (John's food haunts); the cactus garden at The Huntington; and watching Cindy pysch out John into consuming the pico de gallo salsa (actually it was only diced habernero peppers). All in all...a very relaxing trip.