Swifts

Momma Post: Saturday evening we spread a blanket up at Chapman Elementary School in NW Portland with our friends the Pace's. September is the month where the locals honor the beginning of fall by participating in the annual swift watch. Hundreds of families and couples on date night laid blankets and/or picnicked on the hill looking parallel to the old school's brick chimney. The mood was festive and amused. The swifts moved in groups, spinning in organized funnels, all the time wary of the lone hawk perched on the chimney ledge. Shortly before dusk, a silent signal is let and groups of the swifts dived into the chimney, while the crowd cheered on or booed at the hawk causing the first causality of the night. Ruby and the Pace's daughter Karen were for the most part oblivious of what was happening above them. Ruby did notice towards the end that a cloud of birds were suddenly disappearing, watched for about a minute before returning her interest to the crowd at ground level. Kristin and I agreed that music from the movie Fantasia was the only thing missing. Welcome autumn!

Daddy Post: As the picture of little Ruby might indicate, her new nickname is "Carpet Shark". While Marty was typing her post Ruby snuck up and rather forcefully bit me on my big toe with her two new teeth. I probably deserved it, but please don't encourage her. I'm sure it won't be the last time.

How 'Bout Them Ducks!!!

Daddy Post: Fresh off the Ducks miraculous win over Oklahoma this weekend Ruby decided to wear her Duck outfit and show her school spirit. Regarding the win it should be noted that my former high school algebra teacher, Gordon Reese (a longtime Pac-10 referee) was the Ducks 12th man in the replay booth. Keep up the good work Gordon. Evidently, Ruby had a Sooner fan in her daycare today who decided to bite her on the shoulder (see picture). Ruby has also been spending time with her hammer as she pretends that she is Thor. Beware Zor! Other than that, all's swell.

Momma Post: While Matt was in Eugene this weekend, pouting back at the tailgater during the last three minutes of the fourth quarter believing it was all over for the Ducks...Ruby and I were out trying to find more age appropriate toys. Ruby is making new connections between objects and their purpose, all the time honing her motor skills. Rattles and other infant toys just don't provide the same level of stimulous, so we're on the look out for sturdy toys that provide more activity and don't drive mom crazy with battery-operated music/lights/vibration that has flooded the toy market. At our local children's resale stores, Ruby personally selected out a few items, a wooden "pound and roll" with balls and hammer (loves the hammer) and another wooden gizmo.

Ruby has become more mouthy, no back talk, just a lot of gumming and biting. Guess what...she has her second tooth! It is just to the right of the existing bottom one.

The Baby Makeover Story

Momma Post: Amazing what a little jar of plums will do (see the last picture)! These photos also demonstrate that Ruby will do anything for her bathtime and a rendevous with her fish friends. In addition to the soap down, brushing her tooth has been incorporated in the nighttime routine. If zoomed in on the toothbrushing photo, the sole tooth on the bottom gum is visible. I was modeling how to brush teeth and Ruby excitedly gummed the bristles, happy to share in the joint cleansing practice. The fruity toothpaste was a big hit and Ruby fussed when the toothbrush was put away until morning.

As the pictures demonstrate, Ruby is perfecting her oral fixation phase. To learn about an object, Ruby sees it, grabs it, tastes it and throws it. Other lessons from Ruby: 1) paper, kleenex, napkins are fun to shred; Mom and Dad will fetch items if casually "dropped"; waving at people is cute; clapping is fun, but refuse to do on demand; crawling is for babies, therefore pulling self up into the standing position allows for an improved advantage; the dog's water bowl is VERY interesting; kissing involves lots of tongue and drool; twisting around while getting a diaper change is good wrestling practice.....

Ruby this past week decided that she was officially a Daddy's Girl. Mom still is good as the meal ticket and as a night/naptime companion, but Dad is where the party's at and in a crowded room surrounded by relatives, Dad is who Ruby wants and clings to... Not an easy phase for me, but I'm thrilled that Ruby loves her Daddy.

Three's Company

Momma Post: Ruby's hanging with the boys, as shown here with Dylan (middle) and Aidan (right), our friends Ryan and Maisie's kids.

A Lot of Labor Day Weekend!

Daddy Post: Good times in southern Oregon this weekend visiting the great-grandparents. Ruby's grandparents (my folks) also made the trip all the way from Virginia. Lots o'fun, but we're feeling a bit tired. Thus, we're finally getting the post up for this week. What day is it again? Ruby's newfound enjoyment of mobility has also caused extra energy to be spent. Enjoy the pics. Hope all is well.