Week 24

Size: ??

New things: I feel like Ruth changed so much this week! It was evidently noticeable to me. It was a really neat week in that sense. It's fun, when as parents, we notice differences because being around her more than the average person, it's harder to tell subtle changes. 
She started making D and B sounds this week. I found it interesting that I actually noticed. Up to this point, I don't think I've really noticed when she started making a new letter sound. 

In conjuncture with the above, Ruth started saying Dadadada this week. It's not necessarily tied to THE Dada, but she's able to say it nonetheless! It's fun and super cute!! She loves her daddy!

Ruth started a new "smile" this week. She smiles like she's squinting. It's comparable to young children going through the awkward smile stage (been there, done that!). It may appear that she is trying to get something out:) or that she is getting upset, but she's not...just making a new face! I'm wondering if this discovery has something to do with that fact that we have been outside in the sun more recently, and therefore, have been squinting more...interesting. 

She has also been making a new noise in her throat...like a type of frog noise...one that I can't make. She just randomly does it. 

She started shaking her head back and forth this week, too. She also does this randomly, and it's super cute...except for the fact that this signals the beginning of being of able to shake her head "no". Oh, the things to come !

She makes a new sound with her mouth by putting her mouth more open and in a more "box like" formation. Hard to explain but true!

Fun things: Before Ruth, I had gone through one of my "teacher supply bins" that I had brought to NY. I kept out some of the items that I thought Ruth and I could use/do in our time here. We got the box out this week and worked on a new puzzle, wrote words, used foam letters, and did other nerdy teacher things:). I found laminated weather cards in the bin, so this week we started doing the weather every day. We go outside (or stay on the porch) and go through the cards to determine what the weather is like. Then we go over what day it is on the calendar, say what the weather is for that day, and hang the weather cards on the fridge. I think she kind of likes it, and it's just something routine we can do each morning. 

I discovered that she's ticklish on her butt:). Haha! 

We got to go on a walk at the park with lots of friends this week. Six adults and 5 strollers made for quite the caravan. Unfortunately, during the walk, we lost one of Ruth's favorite toys...her leaves:(. It was a sad loss, but I'm sure she hasn't thought a thing about them since. I still felt bad. 
The three of us went on a date to Coldstone this week. It was super yummy, and Ruth quite enjoyed trying the ice cream as well!
We got to Skype with Grandma Lewton and Aunt Maddy this week!

Ruthie loves: Swinging on our porch swing and watching the vehicles go by. Seriously, she REALLY enjoys this! She gets her love of vehicle watching from her father, for sure! We name the type of vehicle (we keep it simple, of course - car, truck, van; I'm no expert) and the color. And while we're watching, we'll sing sometimes. It's a nice way to be outside even if it's not the best weather. 
Puzzles!! She has four puzzles, and she loves all of them! Each one is different, so each presents a different challenge in getting the pieces off. She can play puzzles for a long time!
My bracelets. If I'm getting ready or doing something in the bedroom, I'll put her on the bed with my bracelets, and she'll play with them while I do whatever I'm doing. Sometimes I'll put them on her arms or legs; she can get them off pretty fast.

Sleep: Night time sleep is still going super well! Ruth is doing great at putting herself to sleep for naps and nigh time. Figuring out her nap schedule has still proven a bit difficult since getting back from our travels, but we're continuing to work on it. It's definitely not as easy to listen to her cry it out during the night and definitely not as easy to sleep when we are in the room (which we tried this week)...looking forward to a 2 bedroom...soon!

Mom and Dad: Busy rotation for Tom! I enjoyed catching up with some of my out-of-state friends. 

Thank you, Lord, for: The joy of experiencing Ruth's growth and learning! It's so cool!