My First Christmas

I just got back from my second major trip to visit family (the first was for Thanksgiving). It was part of my first Christmas celebration. A couple days before Christmas, Mom made some yummy looking things called cookies--I am told they tasted good too. The day before Christmas a lot of people came over to our house, and Mom & Dad cooked some more yummy-smelling food.



I got to hang out with my new friend Josiah--it was fun to have someone to play with in my fort, although he doesn't do much playing yet. I did try to help him figure out how to use his arm, and everyone thought it was soooo cute because I was holding his hand...I dont' know what the big deal was. That night we all went to church, where there was lots of pretty music and a guy up front talking. In a couple years I'll learn what that's all about. It must be important, because we went to church the next morning too, and heard about a little baby who was born in a barn but would grow up to save everyone.

After church we packed up and took a long car ride. When I woke up Grandma, Grandpa, and Great-Grandma Reichardt were there, as well as Aunt Becky and Uncle Matt. They all had a nice meal, and then Grandma started handing out boxes that were wrapped up in bright paper. She gave a couple to me, and Becky helped me rip off the paper (I don't know why you would want to ruin a perfectly good bright-colored box...). But there was some pretty neat stuff inside too. We went to a couple other places with lots of people who held me the whole time, so I was happy.


Then we went for another long car ride and I saw Grandma and Grandpa Konop again. There was more food and more presents, and lots of hugs and kisses. Especially from my cousin Jada :) I got a new toy with fishes that I can hit (I love things that hang in front of me!)

You will have to check out our photo album for more pictures from my first Christmas. I hope you all had a great Christmas too, and a Happy New Year!

-Ruthie

Merry Christmas!

First Giggle!

...actually, the first time I giggled was last week Wednesday when mom and I were visiting Emily. I tried out Josiah's swing (which he is borrowing from Sam), and there are three bears that hang above the seat. Something about it just struck me as hillarious. And to my surprise, and mom's amazement, this strange noise came out of my mouth. I later learned that it is called 'laughing' or 'giggling'. Today after mom finished changing my diaper, she was making silly noises at me like usual. I found this one in particular to be funny, so I giggled again! Adults seem to really like when I giggle, so here you go--Enjoy! :)

-ruth

Updates

I promised updates on the Ebelings and my play date, so here they are:

Josiah Jonathan Ebeling was born early this morning, at 4:20 a.m. , after quite a long labor (at least compared to mine!). He is 8 lb. 1 oz. and 22 inches long (Ruth was just 22 in. at her 2-month checkup!). Everyone is doing well. Congratulations to the new mommy and daddy! We can't wait to meet Josiah. We had hoped to go visit today, but with the 13+ inches of snow we got last night, and a broken plow, we couldn't get a vehicle out of our unplowed alley :( You can see some pictures on Diana's blog. I'll post some here as soon as we get to see the little guy.

The visit to the Rose's went well. Gabe slept most of the time, and Ruthie took a little nap also. So there wasn't much interaction between the babies. Gabe is about 6 weeks old (about 5 weeks younger than Ruth). It was interesting to see how much difference even a month can make at this age. Since Gabe was sleeping in his swing, Ruth got to play with his toys without competition. She really liked his bouncy seat and the animals that hung from it. Gabe's dad, Eric, thinks Ruth would make a good boxer :)

Since it is no fun to leave a post without including a picture...here is one of Ruth enjoying tummy time!

Chillin' with dad

I don't get to spend a lot of time with Daddy, since he has to work all day :( So when he is home, I like to hang out with him a lot.

Yesterday Mom and I were "mall walkers" with our very pregnant friend Emily. We went to Mayfair and just walked up and down all the corridors and in the big department stores. Em has been doing this regularly--she is such a champ! AND she went into labor this morning!! :) I can't wait to meet my new little friend!

I am going to hang out with my other new friend, Gabe, this afternoon. I love having all these buddies--even though they are all boys...
I'll let you know how my play date goes, and update you on Jon, Em, and Baby Ebeling!

-ruth

More new friends!

This weekend I had staring contests with the fuzzy lamb in my crib, and with Scoopie the ice cream cone, who was hanging in my fort. I am still the champ! :)
-r

My Friend, the Elephant

I have been getting much better aquainted with my toys lately. Especially the three elephants that live in my Pack'n'Play. I talk to them a lot, and sometimes even yell at them. But they never say anything back... I also have fun hitting the dangling toys--they at least make noise!

Sucking my Thumb

I've been busy trying to suck my thumb again today. I haven't quite figured out how to stick my thumb out from the rest of my fist. So I've been doing a lot of licking my fingers, and scratching myself once or twice with my sharp fingernails :(. I happened to get my thumb in my mouth in this video--taken just three days after I was born (I was so little!!). I've only found it a couple times since then. I better go take a nap so I can work on it some more this afternoon!
-ruth

2 months old

I had my 2-month check-up yesterday. I weighed in at 11 lb. 11 oz. and measured 22 inches. I also got my first round of shots :( I screamed when I was getting them, but as soon as I got in the car I was dozing off, and I slept a lot the rest of the day.

Ruth: The Early Months

This is a from a series of photo shoots that Emily that shows the progression of my pregnancy from month 2 or 3 until Ruthie was born. Thanks, Em!!
I will put a few others in the photo albums soon.

-kt

p.s. there is a new album of our pictures from Thanksgiving week :)