Month 16

Ruth started saying "horse" for horse instead of just making her horse noise:).

Grandma and Grandpa Lewton and Aunt Maddy came for a visit. We just hung out at home and played...which Ruth loved! Tom got to go ice fishing with one of his friends and really enjoyed it!! We got to go out for Valetine's Day! We went out to eat to a Mexican restaurant in one of the neighboring larger cities (it was the one that a lot of his coworkers had recommended:)), and then we got some Starbucks, talked, and walked around the mall. Then we did some car seat shopping...oh, the life of parents...even on a date:). Maddy and I had a girl morning the next day. We just went to Walmart, and I got her some treats for Valentine's Day, and she helped me find some jeans. We had fun! Before they headed home, we all went out to eat at my dad's favorite local restaurant. It's always a nice way to end our time together.

Ruth is really into her new necklaces that some friends got her for Valentine's Day. Tom got her bracelets for Valentine's Day, and she likes those, too. Although, she doesn't seem to like the fact that they fall off every time her hand goes down:)...

She can turn herself around in circles. She says, "round and round and round".

Ruth is using a spoon to eat now. She doesn't use it "perfectly" yet, but she's doing it!

Ruth is now saying "more _____" (what she wants) more often instead of just "more" (and then we have her say more of what).

Ruth has started running away when she thinks she's in trouble:). It's kind of cute.

She also has started saying "hey, you" when she finds herself in a situation where she thinks we would say that to her (it can a silly or more serious {meaning something she wasn't supposed to do} situation).

Ruth can say "Holy cow!" (I believe Tom said this, and she repeated it) and "football" (wootball...totally cute).

Ruth has learned how to open her granola bars that we have in the pantry.

Ruth had her 15 month appointment this month. She is 22 lb. 14 oz. (72 percentile) and 32.5 in. (96 percentile). Tom and I aren't sure about these percentiles. They don't seem accurate (especially the height)...meaning, we think they might be high.

Sometimes I will watch Cupcake Wars online while I'm working out, so Ruth will see it when she wakes up from a nap, or I'll finish an episode after she's up. She can say "Cupcake Wars" and can refer to it on her own.

Ruth is putting together more 2 word combinations more frequently now such as "no, thank you" (I can count, but I guess I'm counting "thank you" as one:).

Ruth has not been wanting to slide down her slide. She gets to the top and says "out".

Ruth and I have started going to basketball with Tom again. Ruth loves it! She loves basketball!

Ruth is able to go down the stairs pretty well now. She still needs assistance, but she is getting the concept for sure. She is also now more aware that she needs help going down them and just can't make the plunge herself.
She actually LOVES going up and down stairs and seems to gravitate toward them! She especially loves the stairs at our church.

Ruth and I flew to NY this month as we had a wedding in PA and wanted to visit our NY friends as well (since we were so close). Our 2nd flight to NY got canceled, but thankfully, we were able to get on another plane that was to arrive at a nearby airport (it made for a bit of an emotional evening), and our friend who was to pick us up was willing to drive the hour to still come get us...THANK YOU! We had the whole row to ourselves on our 1st flight and sat by a very sweet grad student on our 2nd flight. She played with Ruth, held her, and we chatted almost the entire time. I wish I could remember her name! She was amazing! We stayed with some dear friends in both NY and PA who took such wonderful care of us! We did lots of catching up!! While in NY, we visited my old work place, had lunch with a friend and her son, had a play group at our old church with some friends, and got to go to our old church on Sunday. One of our friends picked us up in NY and drove us to PA. It was great catching up with her (we stopped at DD on the way for a little snack, too:))! We had a play date with some other friends while there, got to visit my old work place, and went to visit one of the older ladies I used to work with...she fed us so many things (she always does!)...it was great to see her! The wedding was beautiful, and we're grateful we got to go!! Ruth and I had fun dancing together at the wedding. She almost even fell asleep on me while doing so. Ruth got to play with lots of kids while on this trip and some kitties which she LOVED. Ruth did so well despite being out of her norm. She also warmed up to quite a few of the adults on our trip...I was grateful for that. She didn't remember them, but it didn't take her long to want to "fall in love" with them again! It was a fun adventure. We're grateful for safety both in the air and on the road (especially the back roads of PA:))! Again, thank you to our friends who housed us, fed us, and drove us around. We are truly truly grateful!

Note: I also learned a lot in terms of being on my own with Ruth without family around...this was my first time with her by myself with grandparents or something being with me. I had to constantly be on my guard for sure! My mind was on overdrive! It made me so grateful for my wonderful husband who is such a great father and husband! I'm grateful we are a team when it comes to this parenting thing! Couldn't do it without him!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!