Writing it Down, So I Don't Forget

Momma Post: This past week was fairly mellow. While a good portion of the Willamette Valley was covered in snow, our neck of the woods stayed clear and occasionally wet. We did have a few lovely, but bitter cold days. Matt has been enjoying his new walking companion, when taking the dog out.

The girls are growing right before our eyes. They are both developing new skills so quickly, it's easy to forget one stage/step before a new one takes its' place.

Willa impressed me today by rolling over from her tummy to her back. It happened so fast I put her back on her tummy, so she promptly did it again for me. Willa has discovered her pointer and middle finger to suck on...not as good as the pacifier, but will do in a pinch. Willa's is also enjoying mirrors and likes to smile at the baby. Her nap schedule is much more predictable now. She isn't having the reflux problem as much, but this morning she surprised me by completely blowing out of her diaper, right on to our sheets. Thanks to Willa, I'm washing our sheets at least once a week. Now if I actually took the time to iron them like Grandma Beebe...I'd be the ultimate Hausfrau.

Ruby is amazing with her language comprehension and new phrases. I can tell she's becoming more confident, as there is an added maturity lately. We are having less tantrums as long as hunger and being tired are not factors. A couple of phrases are worth noting. First, "I want (fill in the blank)" is often demanded. For example, in the mornings we are woken to "I want BAR", meaning she wants a Nutri-Grain bar. Yesterday, I had a little test of wills with Ruby, as she kept wanting to push Willa in the swing, but wasn't doing it very gently. I was pumping milk, so I had to use my voice in a stern manner. Ruby's feeling can easily be hurt, so she went into the bathroom and proceeding to yell "I want DADDY" for about eight minutes. It's easy to take this a little personally, but being an adult, I try ignoring or diverting this type of behavior. I did tell my friend Beth, that it's amazing how well kids know your weak points.

Other fun phrases include, "No singing, guys" (Matt and I have been demoted from Momma and Daddy); "two minutes" (meaning not now); "three, four, three" (counting); "Oh gosh, spilled milk"; "bum burps" (self explanatory); "come back, sit here", "backwards" (the preferred way to climb stairs); etc. Yesterday after her nap, I asked Ruby if she had a poopy diaper and she corrected me that she had a "BM".

As you can see below, Ruby's become quite the little mother. Ruby thoughtfully likes to help me breastfeed, by pushing down on me to assist with my milk flow. "Helping" she says. At school, she takes scarfs and creates slings for various baby dolls. Don't worry, in the last photo, Willa was only momentarily inconvenienced by Ruby's enthusiasm over "helping" (there's that word again) her sister to smile for the camera.

Who is afraid of Vera Katz?

Daddy Post: Upon Marty's insistence I'm being compelled to post an unprecedented THIRD post in the same day. As you can see we took advantage of a brief break in the rain to enjoy a leisurely stroll down the Eastbank Esplanade. Ruby is a definite watcher when it comes to learning and the fact that she would rather be a "puller" of the wagon as opposed to a "rider" in the wagon is demonstrative of that. The "Vera Katz" Eastbank Esplanade is named in honor of our former mayor whom I personally find a little creepy. To honor her they commissioned a life-size bronze statue of her. Judging by Ruby's response it is definitely not far off the mark in terms of appearances. Ok, enough of me being an insensitive jerk. Later on in our walk we encountered a vivid reminder of the urban forest that Portland resides in as we watched a rather large falcon disembowel a freshly killed pigeon for lunch approximately 15 ft. off of the path. Impressive indeed. Overall, life is good and we've managed to find a comfortable sense of dealing with the numerous challenges that we face. These burdens are our blessings and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Exposing Young Minds to....

Momma Post: Last week Willa and I visited the Portland Art Museum with my friends Janet and Jennifer and their little ones. Joey and John David are Willa's age and Bristol is Ruby's age. I met Janet and Jennifer through prenatal water aerobics at Portland Providence and they have been a special support during my pregnancy and maternity leave. I'm thrilled that we have started another water aerobics class to continue sharing parenting experiences, advice and bouncing off ideas. Also, when the littlest ones are six months old, we plan to enroll in the water babies class. I wish I had done this with Ruby, but it'll be special for me to introduce my love of water to Willa.

Janet proposed the trip to the museum and we enjoyed touring the relatively new contemporary art wing in the old masonic building. I love the picture of Janet (she's wearing John David in the sling) and children, because it captures the multi-tasking of motherhood.

Glamour Shots

Momma Post: The pictures above show Willa at one of our favorite hangouts...the couch. She was actually chatting it up with me, but our camera's flash kept causing Willa to pause in mid sentence.

Maternity Leave Update - Exciting news for our household...my supervisor just approved a revised leave schedule. Initially I was to return to work full time the week of March 10th. Instead I'll be returning to work February 14th (Valentine's Day) on a part-time basis through the first week of April, followed by my regular full time schedule. This is great on several accounts. First, Willa will be starting at Childroots (Ruby's school) in April, so we'll have her care during March and the transition into childcare covered between the two of us. Second, I'm anxious to return to work, but feel so fortunate for my own transitional time of six weeks of part-time employment. I've said before, if we ever won the lottery, I'd want to work part-time to have some structure in my life, but then focus the rest of my time on my family. So I feel like I've won the lottery for six weeks this winter/spring. This gift is so beneficial for Willa, as far as, our continued breastfeeding and that fact she'll be 5 months when she begins her three-day-a-week daycare schedule. Every month of postponing her entrance into to day care, I view as protecting her from colds and other viruses that can lead to ear infections, which Ruby had quite a few of...so we are indeed lucky.

Resolution Relapse

Momma Post: Wow time flies...here it is mid-January, I haven't posted (slacking on my resolution keep this site current) and already so much as happened. Usually I like to focus on one particular event, but this post will just be a quick summary on the last couple of weeks. First Matt and I had a rare date out on New Years Eve. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Fife, and because we didn't have reservations, we sat at the bar for dinner, which was kind of cool actually. The girls partied at GG's house with GG (naturally), their grandparents, and Amyjoe (Ruby has combined her great aunt and uncle into one entity). We joined the party later for a rowdy game for Sequence.

On January 3rd, Billie and I were at hand for her namesake and Grandpa Bill's "retirement" party. I put retirement in quotes, because Dad still plans on teaching two to three classes a term at Portland Community College. After 30-some years with the Bonneville Power Administration, Dad decided it was time to focus on the finer things in life. We're extremely proud of him and amazed at the longevity one can have with a single employer - very rare in this day and age. Congrats on a job well done!

Grandma Joan had an extended stay in Portland after the holidays to work the Portland Gift Show. We were able to squeeze in extra visiting with her during this time, including a ladies' tea at The Heathman thanks to Nana Jan who came up with the lovely idea. GG, Joan, Amy, Janet and I enjoyed the atmosphere, scones with marscapone cream and other goodies. Willa also took part as we concluded that an infant was an appropriate age to join, but Ruby will have to wait until she's four (that means no Willa next year).

Last weekend we spend a morning at the Oregon Zoo, using our family pass for the first time (thanks to Grandpa Bill and Nana Jan). Going early is perfect. We missed the crowds and got the girls home before nap time. On Saturday Ruby started her first art class at the Multnomah Art Community Center. Our friends Tom and Kristin have their daughter Karen enrolled too. Ruby dove right into the various stations, spending time painting with brushes, marbles and plastic model dogs' feet. At the clay station she enjoyed it when Kristin squeezed clay out of a spaghetti maker for "hair".

At home, we've brought out all of baby equipment for Willa. She's been enjoying the swing in the morning as we make the bed and get ready for the day. Ruby loves to "help" her sister in the swing, which means I have to be ever vigilant. Willa also likes the play mat for short periods of time, kicking her legs and cooing at the star. This is good for about ten minutes, before she tires of it. It's amazing what I can get done in those ten minutes, though. We've really been having fun with our conversations with Willa in the early morning and early evening. She's definitely more of a talker than Ruby was and likes to string two to three sentences worth of cooing together. I told Janet the other night, I hate to interrupt her and try to make sure she done saying her peace before I get in a word. I'm glad she has so many important things to share.

Doctor's Appointment Summary (Ruby's two year and Willa's two month) - What a better way to start off the New Year than with immunization shots!!! I have read and listened to other parents share in their concern over the possible link to immunizations and autism. Other parents spread out the immunizations, as to not have it be so traumatic for their kids. Kudos to these other parents, but between toys made in China, rising obesity in children, violence on television...we gave ourselves immunity on this topic and had the nurse load the girls up. The aftermath was angry screaming and un-fun had by all (but, hey, the dirty deed's done). Ruby conversation of choice for a couple days afterwards was "doctor", "arm", "hurt".

At two years, Ruby weighs 27 lbs. 9 oz. and is 3'-3" tall. Dr. Lin said Ruby's height was impressive and one predictor of height would put Ruby at nearly 6' when fully grown. Matt and I just shook our heads in puzzlement. Ruby won't be back to see Dr. Lin until her three year appointment (hopefully). At two months, Willa is 11 lbs. 9 oz. and is 2' tall.

Willa's White Christmas

Momma Post: I'm trying to be equitable in my posting of the girls. Here are a few photos of Willa during her first Christmas down in Jacksonville, Oregon. Some of the photos are thanks to Cousin Tia, as I seem to have my hands full these days.

A couple of notes about the trip down south...driving with children takes about 1.5 to 2 hours longer and be prepared for surprises, like Ruby getting car sick twice. My grandparents recently moved into the Pioneer Village, a retirement community downtown Jacksonville. So it was important for the entire family to check out their new digs and we were fortunate to have everyone present (a gift in itself). Matt's immediate family (minus Wajma) also made the trip to stay and visit with Grandpa Doyle.

Christmas was definitely a whirlwind for us and the girls handled it as best they could. We split our time between the two families and the solace of our motel room. Ruby did struggle with sleeping and naps (what nap?), eating meals and finding her place amongst her older cousins. But, this was to be expected. Highlights of the trip included the snowfall Christmas evening; Grandma giving us all a photo during WWII of a very handsome Papa Jack; Cousin Michele's banana cream pie; my Grandma and aunts passing around Willa; and Ruby in her "birthday outfit" (thanks Aunt Cheryl) and her retro red outfit (see earlier post).

Willa was a super easy baby during the Christmas madness and simply enjoyed getting passed around to various family members. And, if they were lucky, she would offer them a series of smiles or a cooing conversation.

If anything, our girls are constantly offering us life lessons, for example the need to simplify. While this Christmas was significant and special for many reasons, Matt and I decided (even before the trip) the need for us to start our own family traditions/rituals and we will be spending Christmas next year in Portland. I'm writing it now to ensure that it will happen. Goals for next year will include baking cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and taking the girls to the Cathedral sometime during the advent season.

Below are a couple of pictures of Willa in Portland prior and after Christmas.

Ruby Red

Momma Post: These pictures were taken the morning after Christmas in Jacksonville, Oregon. Ruby's Great Grandma Martha pulled out of the cedar chest the hat and muff my Mom had posed in and the red coat my aunts Joan and Anne had worn, proving vintage never goes out of style. Grandma had asked me if I might indulge her...but it was truly a pleasure seeing Ruby in retro (and sentimental).

The 12 Days of Ruby

Daddy Post: With Ruby's 2nd birthday falling on xmas we're still figuring out how to best celebrate her amidst the holiday onslaught. We had a party for her in Medford as well as back up here in Portland. While those were her "official" celebrations she more or less received persistent gifts and attention over the past 12 days (hence, the title of this post). Ruby has been a real ball of energy as of late and she is exploring the various aspects of her personality including the hair stylist, the artist, the rodeo rider, the princess, the movie star, and the burrito. We're lucky to have such a great daughter and big sister for Willa.