Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Momma Post: Thursday of last week, our family drove to Sauvie Island to cut down a Noble Fir from Bender's U-Cut Tree Farm. Matt and I discovered the family-run operation last year, when at 30 pounds heavier with nine months of pregnancy, we were determined to select and decorate a tree before Ruby arrived and was brought home. Creatures of habit, we went back to Bender's and took more time in the selection process, than the actual cut down and tying the tree to the roof of our Subaru. Ruby was a little awed by the green newcomer, hovering in the corner of the living room, but soon made friends and loved wrapping her self up in the tree's string of beads. My dear childhood friend Meg, stopped by for a visit and presented Ruby with a very practical/warm knit hat and mitten set. If the weather improves, Matt and I plan to take Ruby up to Mt. Hood Meadows tomorrow for her first glimpse of snow, so the new warm accessories are perfect. I wish Auntie Meg lived closer than her current residence in Seattle, but it makes our visits that much more special.

We'll...we have quite the little character on our hands. Ruby's quickly approaching "toddlerhood", even those she'll always be my baby, I'm recognizing she's her own person with her own mind and opinions. For example, when she's done with an object (e.g., bottle), she'll toss it. One lesson we're working on is when Ruby starts throwing food/feeding the dog, mealtime is over. Ruby's very expressive about saying no (vigorously shaking her head and waving her hands simultaneously) and is beginning to point at what she wants. Ruby loves books and will carry a book over and plop into a ready lap. She's very adept at turning pages and pointing to illustrations. We're doing a lot more with signs and words. Ruby loves learning and patting/pointing to her body parts, "head", "nose", "belly button" being favorites.

The pictures below involve Ruby attending Jackson's 2nd Birthday Party at Pump it Up, a gym for kiddos. I was co-hosting my friend Carrie's baby shower, so Matt will have to write his observations - looked like a lot of fun.