Lone (Tooth) Ranger

daddy post: you can see that ruby's a little tired here, but we were short on pics to choose from this week. we're heading down to medford to see the grandparents this weekend so we'll hopefully have some more "exciting" ones to post when we get back. ruby has been crawling and climbing like mad the last week. barely a minute passes when she isn't tearing down books from shelves, knocking over drinks, or harassing the dog. she also has her first tooth. it's on her lower gums. this was discovered as i tried to clean her mouth of some blue paper that i found her eating. marty is already anxious about the upcoming challenges of breast feeding. wish her luck.

Momma Post: Ruby is pictured above in her Grandma Michele's rocking horse. We're so glad the old mare continues on the pony ride tradition. Last Friday (as Matt mentioned above) Ruby commemorated her eight month with the breakthrough of her first tooth or at least her Dad's discovery of it. Lucky for us, she hasn't been fussy through her teething. Ruby's using her new tooth on kidney beans, cooked zucchini, pieces of green grapes and frozen peas. A common theme in her eating, is to the achieve whatever is inside the food item and then spit out the skin. My efforts at being "healthy" are occasionally thwarted by Ruby's father, who has introduced small amounts of chocolate ice cream and fruit popsicles. I'm not exactly thrilled about encouraging a sweet tooth and this has been an ongoing conversation. Although this shouldn't come as a surprise, due that Matt has been know to share his Skittles and Starburst with the dog.

A follow up...Ruby has again found the rewards of a 8:15pm bedtime. The classical piano CDs and quiet time in the nursery is just what she needs to face sleeping in the crib smoothly. Way to go team!

Country Bumpkins

Daddy Post: after 7 years of longing to go to the clackamas county fair, marty finally got her wish this past thursday. marty (and ruby) enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of some oregon rural living. ruby was curious and slightly anxious around the strange animals, but didn't seem to have any childhood scarring events which was good. highlights included giant rabbits, engorged swine, robust cocks, funnel cake, and ice cream. my ice cream cone pictured below was a "normal" two dollar cone. the girl behind me evidently disagreed as she declared, "OH MY GOD!!!" as i took it from the counter. ruby helped me out and quickly became addicted. other new happenings have been ruby taking up to 15 walking steps while i hold her hands. she's rather proud of herself as are we.

Backyard Baby

Momma Post: Every now and then, we need a reminder to stop and smell the flowers, especially those that we have right in our own backyard. These pictures were taken this evening.

Over the past week, Ruby aka "Lindsey Lohan" has developed a few undesirable new sleeping habits. She has been going to bed around 10:00pm. Then waking up several times a night for a few drinks and looking to party. I haven't decided if this is a growth spurt or the dreaded "just a phase". Tonight, I had an "ah ha" moment. While in the nursery, I played a CD of lullabyes on classical piano. Ruby stared at the CD player and gently laid her head in my lap. We rested in this pose for six or seven songs, before I transfer the sleepyhead into the crib. I can't say it worked perfectly. A couple of times, I had to pick up a suddenly wide awake baby and start the whole process over again. Her dad, after wrapping up the Sunday night gaming session, acted as the finisher with a final cradling. It's yet to be seen, if Ms. Lohan will be making an appearance after midnight, but at least we're learning.

Fremont Fest

Momma Post: Ruby enjoyed her first parade this weekend. Although we promised her that she could participate next year, along with the other kids on decorated bikes and tutu wearing dogs, instead of watching from the curb. Dad and Janet joined us for the remainder of Fremont Fest, which included live music, a classic car show, a sidewalk sale and horsedrawn carriages.

For the most part, the three of us stayed close to home this weekend. Ruby continues to crawl and discover new things about her home, like shoes in the closet and books on lower bookshelves. She also has been stalking Jack and that by yanking the dog's tail, it will cause the old girl to growl and then walk off in a huff. Ruby's beginning to pull herself up to a standing position on furniture, mom/dad, and the bathtub to watch the running water in much anticipation. She also has become quite the Night Owl and is prefering a bedtime of 10:00pm (she's still up crawling on her dad as I write this), rather than the 8:00pm time of her parent's choosing. Thank goodness she is sleeping through the night.