Play-date with Carson!

My friend Kara and I have had the best fun getting our little ones together. We met at the mall the other day. You can see a picture at The Cain News. We taught at Trinity together before we both left the world of teaching to raise our children. Carson was born just 2 weeks before Ruthie. So, through our whole pregnancies (even the awful first few weeks!) we were able to talk and pray together! What a gift from God her friendship is!!

Cheering for Nap time!

Yes, ALL mothers cheer for nap time, if they're honest with themselves. Some may not admit it to the world, but I don't shy away from such honesty....

Ruthie usually (Praise the Lord that I can write this sentence...if you're wondering what I'm talking about check out this post) takes a 2 to 2-1/2 hour nap each afternoon (and a 1 to 1-1/2 hour nap each morning...!) but this is ONLY accomplished if she is in her bed.

Funny, I was so worried when she was a couple of months old and would NEVER nap in her bed that I was creating some headache for myself in the future... funny how with a little bit of hindsight everything is so much clearer...trust in the Lord Ladies...it will save you from a lot of worry. But, I'm off on a Rabbit trail...

Anyway, On Thursdays I teach with a homeschool group that meets at my church and it works out perfectly because I can bring Ruthie with me and usually our Pastor's wife (and close friend), Mama D, watches Ruthie in the office while she works, I mean as she tries to work. My classes are done at 2pm and I usually hightail it out of there to get Ruthie home BEFORE she falls asleep in her car seat. Which is a death blow to the whole napping thing.

Yesterday, I had an unexpected Parent conference. Don't get me wrong, I care about my students and want to communicate well with their parents, but I have a one track mind when it's regarding Ruthie's nap. Being a little delayed, it was touch and go there for a while. I though she would bite the bullet and crash in her carseat. I don't mean crash as in a car accident, I mean crash as in..well you know what I mean!

So... in order to keep her awake I came up with this little cheer... Chant it with me...

RUTHIE ROO, I LOVE YOU. RUTHIE ROO, WOO WOO WOO!!!

To my great surprise and wonderment it WORKED!!! Her little lids would close as I said her name, but then during the WOO WOO WOO part they would spring back open so she didn't miss what I was WOO-ING about!! AND, YES we did make it home, she in her little crib (with dry diapers... another important part of the napping experience!) and slept for 2 and 1/2 hours. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

WANTED: Birthday Ideas!

Janelle at snot and kisses asked me if I'd thought of any ideas for Ruthie's first birthday... and I honestly hadn't really thought of anything yet.

I mean I have a ton of pieces of ideas wiggling around my head, but no full on WONDERFUL ideas for such a special celebration.

So I thought my bloggy friends could help...

Please send my your ideas....send me your friends ideas... talk amongst yourselves and send my those ideas... you get my point!! Can't wait to read about them all....

No PAIN no GAIN?

Just wanted to shout out to all of you who are reading... I'M IN PAIN!!! I went to the YMCA yesterday to start my work to get back in shape after the baby... a little late, I know. (Do I hear a "Better late than never"?) I enjoy the classes. I guess I have to have a live person telling me how to move my body in unbelievable ways that bring tears to my eyes, sweat to my forehead, and some huffing and puffing in order to be motivated enough to MOVE!!!

Does anyone relate or am I all alone here?

I know some people are annoyed by the totally teeny tiny person at the front yelling to "make it burn" and "just 800 more to go", but I happen to like being yelled at. At least I've chosen this person to yell at me? It could be worse...

But seriously, the Lady at the Y was very motivational without inflicting unnecessary embarrassment or heartache!!!

It's great...just one more thing...

Will someone come help me off the couch today... MY LEGS, ABS, ARMS, BACK, BUM, (and other muscles I didn't know existed) are in major PAIN!!!

Help- I worked out yesterday and I can't get up today!!! :)

Look Who's Talking NOW

Talking may be pushing it a bit... but certainly babbling!!! Listen in...

Birthday Party for Toby!

My bestest girl-friend in the whole world had a wonderful birthday party for her special boy!! He is ONE YEAR OLD!!! Not only did we get to sing happy birthday and eat cake, we also got to have a wonderful day at Ft. De Soto Park. It's a beautiful park on the tip of the coast that used to be a Military Fort for the Spanish American War. We had a wonderful cook-out, Toby and his doggy friends played on the dog-friendly beach, and we walk a little ways to see the fort! What an amazing view it would have been if it hadn't been so foggy! The day was actually pretty cool to cold for us Floridians... and was really windy at the park because it was right on the ocean. So we bundled up our little cutie really well and had a wonderful day! Here are some pictures from our adventure!



Ruthie in her motor coach under the pavilion



Grandma and Ruthie



Aunt Holly and the Birthday Boy!



Sleeping quite well in her little cocoon!




The Fam on top of the Fort... See the beautiful Florida Coastline (it's under the fog!)


Toby's Birthday Cake- It was yummy!


Toby wore a bandana that said, "Birthday Boy" (In case you can't read it)


The Hubs and Sweet-pea standing in front of a Spanish American War Gun!

6th Months OLD!!!

We totally can't believe how fast time flies!! I can't believe that our sweetpea is already six months old. Just incase someone is wondering...we did have a tiny party for her- Well, I made a cake for her 1/2 birthday, but she was asleep before we got a chance to enjoy it!! :) Here are things that she accomplished during her 5th month:

* Started saying "da da" and now is talking in syllables all the time. She has added the sounds "t" and "s" to her repertoire! Has even reached for Tony and said "DaDa" at the same time!

* She turned around in her stroller (went from the carrier to the regular stroller)

* She sits in highchairs and in shopping carts!

*She's still sleeping well...about 12 hours per night and now taking 2 GOOD naps!! What an accomplishment!

* Weighs 14 pounds and 14 ounces and is 25 inches long.

* Has added Pears and peaches to her fruits and Squash, green beans and carrots to her veggies.

* We're starting to introduce her to the sippy cup, although I don't think she's quite ready for it as she totally freaks out when you try to give it to her. She does love to bang her hands on it and hear the noise it makes against the highchair! I may try a different brand. Any advice from bloggy world?

* She's been doing this since she was born, but I don't know if I've blogged about it and don't want to forget: when she's nursing she rubs her feet up and down my leg. It's so cute and sweet to see/feel her telling me she's a happy baby when she's nursing! Speaking of feet: Her feet are very expressive and ALWAYS moving. IF she's mad they move fast and with force, if she's impatient they move fast, if she's happy they dance, if she's content she moves them slow. She's always playing with them or moving them. TOO CUTE!

* She had her first Christmas and New Years!!

* Gives kisses and hugs. The kisses are mighty "wet" at this point, but they are precious and I wouldn't trade them for anything! She also gives "binkles" (which are eskimo kisses for the rest of the world) It is so cute to see her lean down to you and put her nose on yours and then move her head back and forth with great speed to give "Binkles!" Ruthie is such a loving little girl. She is happy and receives LOTS of love, but she also gives LOTS of love back. What a blessing!

Here are some pictures!



Eating my toes... they taste VERY good!! :)



In my bumbo SAFELY on the floor!




I have so much to say... :)