Ruth 6 months old!

Ruth has changed so much over the last month! It's hard to believe she's even the same baby. She continues to bless us daily as she shows us the world through her eyes. I have never met such a happy child. Her smile lights up a room. She is content just to be around people.

Weight- about 15 lbs

Height- ??

Diaper Size- 2

Shoe Size- 1

Clothes size- 3 months and some 3-6 months

Likes- Tags on anything, chewing flip flops, the mirror and flag on her exersaucer, milk, cereal, music class, chewing wash cloths, smiling, being talked too, playing in the bath, chewing her rings, her keys, mama's keys, singing, crawling, being helped to stand up, finding electrical cords, and noticing herself in the mirror.

Dislikes- being laid down for a nap, sleeping with poo in her diaper (who could blame her?), not being able to see a parent, seeing her milk and having to wait for it, being strapped into her carseat, daddy cheering at his football games, taking a nap at church, having to lay down to put on clothes, and being moved when she thinks she is going to be picked up.

Firsts- This month we started solids! Ruth is a huge fan of cereal! The first bite was a bit of a shock but once the shock wore off she decided it was delicious! She is now eating twice a day, breakfast and dinner. Ruth also played at the park for the first time this month. We have walked through a few times but this was the first time I felt ok putting her in the swing. We had a blast sharing this first with our dear friends Cooper and Amanda Barber. Another big girl first we did this month was sitting in the highchair at a restaurant. Steve and I went out to lunch and planned on holding her, however we saw the chair and decided to give it a try. She did great!! The only downside is she can't last as long sitting in the high chair as she can in her car-seat. Regardless we are very proud! Finally, this month Ruth has decided to have opinions on toys. She no longer goes for the toy closest to her she goes for the toy she thinks will be the most fun. Sometimes toys are not the first choice. Sometimes the things that are the most fun are chewing on a table leg or crawling under the table.

On the move- I'm shocked to tell you at 5 and a half months she started to crawl! It started by her being able to wiggle off her blanket and quickly turned into purposeful moving toward a toy. Now she is into everything!! If it's not a toy she goes for it... a stroller wheel, an electrical cord,  lost flip flop are a few of her favorite "toys." Let the baby proofing begin!

I like to hold my friend's hands

Found my toes!

Eating my mirror

Rings are still tasty!

Wearing Mama's Outfit

Excited to try cereal!

I can feed myself

First Swing with Mama

Playing with my sippy cup

Check me out eating like a big girl!

Watch me crawl!!!

My first meal!

Ruth 5 Months Old!

Ruth has been a joy this past month. She is growing like a weed and her smile is infectious. We have concluded that she is an extrovert. She is most happy when she is with people and being held. She doesn't care who she's with just as long as she is with people! She continues to be an "easy" baby who doesn't fuss unless she is tired or hungry. (Who could blame her?) Steve and I often times stop to say to each other just how much we love her and can't believe how blessed we are to be entrusted with her.

Weight-13 lbs 14 oz

Height- 23 inches

Clothes Size- 3 months

Diaper Size- 2

Shoe Size- 1

Likes- Chewing, scratching (filing) her nails on seat belts and her mat, her chains of rings, being held, milk, rolling, her ball, being held while she stands in your lap, Juicy body parts (thumbs, big toes, bottom lip), smiling, being got up from a nap, riding in the stroller like a big girl, and sucking her big toes.

Dislikes- Being strapped in, having to wait on milk, sitting when she wants to stand, laying down for a nap, the smell of a smoker.

Firsts- This month Ruth found her feet and hands. Her feet, however, are much more interesting than her hands. She likes to suck on both though. Ruth also is responding to her name! It is amazing how quickly those little wheels are turning and learning. We have been practicing "no" and "gentle" with Ruth. She has taken a liking to scratching and pinching. I believe she is learning as we are seeing her using more gentle touches already! Ruth attended her first music class this month at church. I decided that I would feed her in the class so she would be quiet. However, it backfired. She was so into the music and watching the kids she couldn't eat! She loved it! The next class I made sure to feed her before it started.

Sleep- Ruth continues to be a good sleeper taking about 3 naps a day and 12-12.5 hours at night. We are so grateful to God!

On the Go- Ruth is on the Roll these days. She is frequently found going from tummy to back and back to tummy. She has also started to get her knees up under her. I believe it won't be long before we will have a crawler. Heaven help us!!

Ruth's 5 month Picture

Meeting Graham

Thumbs up! (Notice my first bracelet.)

First Ole Miss Game

I love my friend Cooper!

My new play mat

Ruth at Music Class

Family Fun

Here is a sneak peak of our trip to Mississippi! We had an amazing time. We are so thankful for our wonderful family!

Hawaii 2013 part 1

Steve Ruth and I had the peasure of going with the TBC youth on a mission trip to Hawaii in early July. Steve and I both agreed it was by far our favorite youth trip to date, and no it wasn't just because of the location :) We partnered with Olivet Baptist Church in Honolulu. They were a blessing to us as they allowed Steve Ruth and I to stay in their ministry appartment. This became the teams homebase throughout the week. Because we had a kitchen and free parking we were able to save a lot of money making the trip only $900 for the students!! The girls also enjoyed the hospitality of Pastor Jason and his wife Emily (former TBC members.) The Hew's and Olivet really showed us the Aloha spirit.

Ruth did outstanding on the flight! She really is an amazing traveler. She has such a pacient spirit for such a little one. She made it all the way until we got to the church before she melted down. That was ok with us as she was able to go right to bed. Everyone else was able to enjoy a nice welcome dinner put on by Olivet.

The next day was Sunday. We dropped Ruth off in the nursery (Which we really liked. It felt realy nice and safe.) and went to Sunday school with the church's youth. We were then enouraged by Dr. Chun GGBTS History professor and TBC member's, message for church. We were then given another wonderful lunch by Olivet (I'm telling you they spoiled us!) That afternoon the majority of the group went on a prayer walk around the churh while Tyler, Juliann, Ruth and I went shopping for the food supplies. It went off without a hitch other than Ruth exploding a diaper and geting it all over Juliann. Thank goodness she is a mother and understands!

Monday started out with an amazing prayer hike on the lighthouse trail. We were joined by another former TBC member Meridith After getting some beautiful pictures at the top it was off to lunch and our afternoon activity, nursing home minisry. The youth played bingo with the residents while Ruth and I chatted with a sweet resident. She was in love with Ruth. The lady had trouble remembering past about 10 minutes so we talked about Ruth over and over again. I was amazed at how she continued to bring her joy for the full 2 hours we were there. I would have continued to tell her about her the rest of the day but we we had to get going and prepair dinner. (Youth can eat!!!)

Each night we ended with a family time where we could worship and share what God was doing and of course after that we had to play a few rounds of Mafia. Here are a few pictures from the first 3 days. More to come soon!