There's a New Sheriff in Joseph, OR

Momma Post: We've just returned from Wallowa Lake in Eastern Oregon, a six and a half hour drive to the far corner of our state. The route took us along the Columbia Gorge and then south to La Grande and the towns beyond. We were impressed how well kept the small communities of Elgin, Lostine and Enterprise were. Occasionally the smell of warmed spearmint identified one of Oregon's largest agricultural crop.

We shared a contemporary house with a lovely view of the Wallowas with our friends the Alvarez' and Fitzpatricks and their girls, Stella, Izzy and Amelia (Melia). Ruby enjoyed bubbles and coloring with Stella and was in awe of the "big girl" 3-year old Izzy. Melia was simply referred to as the "baby". Amazing how different things will be in a year.

Along with several other close family friends, we enjoyed boating and Matt was able to wakeboard. Friday evening we held a bon fire with smores (see picture of Ruby below with extra marshmallow padding), which included a few too close encounters with deer. Matt, Ruby and I enjoyed the Joseph Days' parade with all the area's rodeo queens, tractors, church bands, fire trucks, and Smokey Bear representing the Forest Service. Later we attended the Nez Perce Pow Wow. My highlights were the simple pleasures of relaxing in a beautiful setting and reading a good book.

Ruby's new words to share: boat, tiger, deer, help, mine and Elmo.

Ms. Bubble

Momma Post: Amazingly Ruby had yet to have a true "Mr. Bubble" bubble bath until this past weekend. I was surprised that the grocery stores no longer carry the box of Mr. Bubble powder that I remember from my childhood, but rather containers of liquid soap. Ruby has been saying "bubble" for awhile but now has more context with the word. Ruby experimented with a bubble faux-hawk and beard. Bubbles were also great for hiding her bath friends amongst the suds.

Ruby's becoming more vocal with the following words: dada, momma, GG (Great-Grandma Alice), Amy, Joooe, Jack, dog, cat, meow, baby, dolly, bobo (bear), baahh (sheep), spider, dooie (cookie), bite, cracker, puffs, wheats, milk, water, cheese, apple, hot, school, side (outside), bike, swing, slide, play, hole, rain, pool, ball, bath, bubble, uh-oh (something was dropped), up, down, light, on, off, please, tree, flower, hi, bye, yes, eye, nose, mouth, cheek, mole (pointing to Matt's mole), toes, shoe, hat, poo-poo, pee-pee, potty, choo-choo (train), book, tv, Noddy (PBS cartoon - God, help us). Favorite word? "NO"! Closely followed by "Up".

I'm writing this as Ruby shows her dismay at our determined bedtime compromise. Lately Ruby's been going to bed around 9:00pm, due to hot weather and too much light in the nursery. We've noticed increased appearances of our little "crabby pants" and have decided ideally an 8:00pm lights out or even 8:30pm would suit our general household needs, getting closer to the previous 7 to 7:30pm bedtime prior. Wish us luck!

....8:45pm, success!

Here Comes Trouble

Daddy Post: Ruby's little sister is on her way! Everything is going as it should and Marty has been "enjoying" the nightly dance party in her belly. Here are some of the 3D ultrasound images. Some are cute, some are creepy. It's easy to forget that she still has another 3 months to go.

Portland Children's Museum

Momma Post: This past Thursday Janet joined Ruby and me for a fun filled morning at the Portland Children's Museum. Ruby was much more interactive than her first time at the museum at 12 months of age. In the hospital, Ruby tried to comfort three dolls at once. She loved the slides in the indoor garden. In the digging corner she found her industrious side. Ruby tried her luck on stage, but was in awe of the older kids. Finally she got her hands deep into clay. After a lovely lunch with Janet, so much activity led to an extended afternoon nap.

More Fourth of July

Momma Post: More photos from a Fourth of July bar-be-que at Beth and Steve's. Elysa and Carson are pictured above with Ruby on Carson's cool backyard toys (Ruby was impressed). Ruby tried to balance playing with others with her desire to conquer Fischer Price for herself. Ruby was introduced to watermelon for the first time and made quite a feast from it. I was a little worried about how the neighborhood fire works were going to affect bed time, but once Ruby fell asleep...it was lights out.

Cool Cat

Daddy Post: Most of these pictures are from the 4th of July. Ruby has been quite the little sassy pants lately with lots of demands and acts of defiance. Not sure where she gets that from (lol), but I suppose that's a good thing in the long run. Ruby has already made several trip to our friend Jenny Alvarez's mother's pool. I was out playing paintball yesterday with a bunch of friends, further proof you can't take the boy out of the man, while Marty and Ruby went swimming there again. Marty reports that little Ruby mustered up the courage to jump off of the diving board into the deep end of the pool with mom there to catch her. I'm not sure if she'll be doing it again anytime soon but I was very proud to hear of her courage and act of faith. Everything here is well while we wait for Ruby's little sister to arrive. She could use the competition. Next weekend we're heading to the Decemberists concert with Andrew and Tia. The following weekend we'll be spending the weekend out in the Wallowas for Chief Joseph days so hopefully we'll have a lot of pictures to share. Hope all is well and we'll talk to you soon.

Anniversary Weekend

Momma Post: Wow, it's been 18 months since Ruby made us a family. Her doctor's appointment was this past week. She is now 33 inches tall and 25 lbs. 2 oz. Her head size is still off the charts, which her doctor calls due to her "big brain". Ruby received two shots in her left thigh and was given a Tigger sticker and book from the nurse for her vocal effort. Dr. Linn is still monitoring, but remains unconcerned about Ruby's umbilical hernia. Next appointment won't be until 2 years.

This weekend Matt surprised me with an anniversary trip to the Oregon Caves in Southern Oregon (very cool, sweetie). Goodness it's been 5 years already. Anne and Peter generously watched Ruby, while we headed down I-5. This location was particularly special to me. My parents met at the Oregon Caves, while working during their college summers. Mom worked in the Chateau, while Dad was one of the cave guides. Nothing has really changed much in the 30 plus years, with the exception that the National Park Service is now involved in the maintenance and public education of the site. And, the lounge next to the dining room has become the gift shop.

Matt and I underestimated the drive to almost the Oregon and California border. We arrived in time to take the 90 minute tour through the caves. I was impressed that in my pregnant state, the moderate to strenuous cave trail was manageable. Following the caves, we squeeked in the Chateau tour and learned more on the history of the place. After dinner we attempted a short walk, but the bats kept swooping in on us. Apparently their sonar needs a bit of tweeking.

Around 9:00pm, we officially were missing Ruby and made a call from a pay phone to Anne and Peter to receive an update. The next morning at breakfast in the retro coffee shop, Matt felt Baby Stockton kick and jab for the first time.

Cooling Off

Momma Post: The first week of Portland Public Schools officially being out for the summer also marks the opening of the various public pools through Portland Parks & Recreation. Matt was in between terms at PCC, so on Thursday we went to our favorite outdoor pool down at Sellwood Park. It's a great pool for the introduction of aquatic enjoyment to the toddler set. Although, we were quickly reminded that gangs of 6th grade boys trying to surf on stiff gym mats quickly make any public space feel very small.

Ruby enjoyed the water and was most interested in lunging back in forth between mom and dad. She also put her face in the water a couple of times and didn't seem too fearful. A small tantrum did ensue upon leaving the cool water for the women's changing room. Any unhappiness was short lived due to the adjacent playground and snow cone stand.