Week 23

Size: ?? I squeezed her in a 0-3 month outfit for the last time today. Wanted to get one more use out of it. 

We've been driving Tom's truck more, and I noticed as we drove in it today that her cheeks shake as we drive along. 

New things: Ruth is getting so smiley and giggly! She loves to be gotten and chased!! She smiles when we get her up in the morning!

Ruthie sits up with us at the table in her highchair and "eats" with us. We give her a bowl and a spoon, and she practices while we eat. We also still give her small tastes of what we're eating...she LOVES it! 

Ruthie played with boxes with her dad this week. They/we played tractor, dump truck, combine, kitchen, beauty pageant, and band. Who needs toys? 

I've been using YouTube to introduce Ruth to different things...ballet, opera, sports, instruments, etc. It's not the ideal way to learn, but it works when you're 5 months old and don't get to experience a lot of those things yet. 

Fun things: We got to go on LOTS more walks this week!

We got to spend some good time with Tom at home as his rotation allowed for that. 

We went on a Dunkin' Donuts date as a family. Ruthie enjoyed the paper bags that the food came in:). 

Ruthie and I went to see Tom at school this week during one of his labs. She got to meet one of his professors and some of his friends!! It was fun! While there, Ruthie got to meet Mike (a big horse) and Mini (a miniature horse) and a very large pig that is being treated there. Ruth rode Mini. She was more interested in the horse's hair and tried pulling it! 

We also went to watch Tom play basketball. I had shown Ruth some videos of men's and women's basketball, so we went to watch a "real" game. She enjoyed it!! (she's been to a game before, but this was a little less stimulating, and she's older now:))

We went over to some friends' house yesterday as we'll be watching their animals for a few days. Ruth got to see some chicks, bunny rabbits, and birds. She really enjoyed the birds and the bunny rabbits (black and white). We tried to help her "pet" the chicks, but she wanted to grab them:). 

Ruthie loves: Zippers

Chewy Cow...I think Chewy Cow as made it on here before, but she REALLY loves this cow. 

When we sing and dance for her; she has to think we're nuts!

New songs she's been enjoying: "Barbara Ann" (even though I don't know all the words); "Shake Your Grove Thing" (I don't know all the words to this song either)

Beards...she seems to be fascinated with men with beards. She just stares at them. 

Glasses...she seems to be interested in people with glasses, too. She doesn't always reach for them, but she does like to stare (she is definitely a starer at this point in her life...wonder where she gets that from!?!). 

She enjoys my hair (she's not allowed to pull it, though!). 

Fireplaces! We had dinner at some friends' one night this week, and she was mesmerized by the fireplace! That will have to be a "must-have" for our first home purchase:).

Sleep: Sleep training is AMAZING! We couldn't be happier! Ruth is now sleeping about 12 hours a night. She has one middle of the night feed, and if she wakes up more than that, she's able to put herself to sleep. She also puts herself to sleep when we put her down in her bed for the night and also after her feeding. It's so wonderful! I've been getting 10 hours of sleep almost every night this week which I was feeling a little guilty about, but then my husband reminded me that I'm making up for the past 5 months; I like that reasoning! We're soooooooo proud of Ruth and soooooooo glad we ALL are getting sleep (her included)!! It's been a very healthy and much needed move for our family. It came at just the right time. Ruth has responded so well to it. She was ready, and she needed it. Naps are going pretty well, too. She is able to put herself to sleep for those as well. We're still trying to figure out her new nap routine, though. She is also falling asleep on her own in the car easily and hardly gets fussing any more. 

Mom and Dad: We've enjoyed playing with Ruth together this week...whether it's one of us chasing the others or going for a walk or dancing and singing (thankfully, these times aren't recorded:))...it's been a lot of fun! 

We also accepted a job this week!! Excited about that and so proud of and happy for Tom!!

Ruthie and I babysat a friend this week (almost 2 years old). Watching two at the same time (even for just a few hours) makes one think about what it would be like to be a mom of two!

Thank you, Lord, for: Two vehicles, a job, sleep, and time at home together this week.