sleeping - around - baskets

Catching up on some reading.

Yup.  That's my girl.  The poster child for healthy sleep habits - NOT!!
Actually, it took a long time, (13 months to be exact), but I can finally say that we've conquered sleep.
I just hope she keeps it up when the new baby comes.  Now that she's finished that book, I think she's got a solid foundation to work with.  (ha, ha).

I'm preparing myself for the arrival of baby #2 by re-reading that book and taking plenty of naps.  I nap almost every day when Ruby does.  Noon is the perfect time for a siesta.  The people of Spain and other participating countries are definitely onto something with that one.  I guess we're missing the warm weather and hammock.... but nonetheless, we should all nap more.  It'd make for a happier, healthier, more pleasant society, I'm sure of it!  (ignore everything you know about the crime in Mexico - that has nothing to do with siesta.  there are just some bad apples out there.  plain and simple).  

So... what else have we been up to?  Going around and around is one thing.

And.... climbing into every basket in the house.

That's about it.

no judgement

Before actually becoming a parent, many of us are filled with ideals about what they will and will not ever do with their kids.  I'm speaking from my own personal experience of course, and from conversations I've had with other new parents. There are so many books out there that fill your head with craziness about raising kids the "perfect" way.

Here are the top examples:

• I'm never going to let my kid watch TV.  
• I would never feed that to my child. 
• I'm definitely going to use cloth diapers - do you know how terrible disposables are for the environment?
• Sleep training?  How cruel.  How on earth could you let your baby cry like that? 

I'm sure the list is going to get bigger and bigger as Ruby gets older and older, but for now, these are the ones that I've struggled with.  As a parent it seems there's always some kind of internal struggle going on.  Am I doing this right?  Will this "ruin" her for life?  What would so-and-so do?  

I do think I'm getting more confident as time goes on.  I've let go of many ideals that I had 2 years ago and try not to be too hard on myself.  Being a mom is a tough gig.  I have a whole new respect for moms everywhere, especially single moms and moms without their own moms in town to help out.  I realize how blessed I am to have so many helping hands around me.   

So from now on, when I see a child eating something that I previously would never feed Ruby, I hold off on the judgement.  When I see a mom in the grocery store with a child having a total freak-out, I empathize and wish I could give her a hug.  And the next time I'm on a plane and discover that there's a kid sitting behind me that will probably be kicking my seat and screaming the entire time.... well.... I might still be a little annoyed, but I'll send the mom a glass of wine to ease the pain... and hope for the best.  

Not sure what prompted this particular blog entry.  We've been having a really nice time, Ruby and I.  She's changing every day and looking more and more like a little girl rather than a baby.  

She smiles now when I point the camera at her and says "cheese".    Her hair is still.... quirky, I guess is an appropriate word.  Can't really figure out what to do with it at this stage, but all in all, she's a keeper.  Cute as a button.  She's talking non-stop.  She's happy most of the time.  She eats everything (and I mean everything!)  She loves me to pieces and makes me smile and feel wonderful every single day.  I love this little baby so much.   Oh Ruby!!!!!!!  I'm glad you picked me as your mommy.  

CHEESE!!

CHEESE!!!!!!!

babysitting

I was thinking about it and came to the realization that I didn't do a lot of babysitting as a young person.  As embarrassing as it is to admit, I can't even remember having changed a diaper before having Ruby.  I'm sure I must have changed one of Ryah's diapers, but can't be certain.  Maybe I blocked out the memory... who knows.

Anyway, I was asked to do my friend Aimee a favour and so our little buddy Elliott came over to play this morning.  He's never been here alone without his mama so I really didn't know what to expect.  I'm happy to report that it was a very peaceful and lovely experience.  Ruby and Elliott played quietly all morning.  I even managed to skip away and do some chores..... cleaned the kitchen cabinets, the bathroom, folded laundry.... it was dreamy!  Ruby doesn't often allow me do all that stuff.  I have to get resourceful when it's just the two of us.  She gets lonely and wants my company - who could blame her?

snack time.

dog time.

I did have to separate them for snack time but that's because I know Ruby all too well.  She devoured her bananas in 4 seconds flat and was on her way over to get some of Elliott's in a heart beat.  She's got some kind of obsession with food and I'm not sure what or how to feel about it.

Thanks for being a good boy E.  It was nice to have you.  Come again any time.
Now I better go and update my resume!

temporary snow

It finally snowed last night and it's already melting away!  We got 8 cm of the white stuff but.... we're expecting 5 to 10 mm of rain within the next 24 hours.  Crazy.

Not to be beat by Mother Nature, we were quick on the draw and went outside this morning to take advantage of the snow while it lasts!  We took Ruby's sled for it's premiere voyage and made a snowman!

Here's the proof:

 Yay Snow!!!!
Come again soon.  :)

and then came climbing

OK... so now we are into climbing.  This is Ruby's latest discovery (and obsession).  It's nice to see her exploring her boundaries but I'm also worried that she's going to come tumbling down.

Yesterday, she started climbing up onto the chairs....... and she hasn't stopped since!  This is actual footage of her first few attempts.  (if you look real carefully, you may just catch a glimpse into the 'whining' I have mentioned lately).

Later today, I was in the kitchen making supper and heard Ruby having a conversation with herself.  This is what I found in the living room:  climbing on the coffee table having the time of her life!

This is fun!  Why hasn't anyone shown me the coffee table before?

We got a special delivery today from Ruby's Grandparents, Papa and Nan Lynn.  An amazing new sleigh (built for two!!) and just the right size for climbing!!!

Oh boy.  Here we go.  

we have a toddler

Everyone knows that kids will get into just about everything within their reach.  That's why we go through various levels of 'child proofing' in the rooms of our homes.  We did that.  We put dangerous things away, tied up chords, keep the bathroom door closed at all times (even though it gets frigid in there as a result).  I even sacrificed one of my deep kitchen drawers and filled it with toys (which was a novelty for about 2 hours.  Now it's just a space where I can throw all of the day's the toys in an effort to clean up in a jiffy.)

What seems to be happening now is that Ruby is trying to get into everything just outside of her reach!  She's stepping up on her tippy toes, reaching for things that I thought were off limits.  She's been playing with the little hand-broom and has become fascinated with the crumbs in the toaster (I keep the toaster in a drawer, not on the counter).  Today she started emptying the middle drawer that's filled with glass containers, which I thought were safely out of reach.  Guess not.  

It's officially time to toddler proof the house.  We have a toddler.

Emptying the contents of the bottom drawer.... toaster crumbs now
cover the inside of this drawer.

We took the tree down on January 1st.  Ruby ran around the house with these beads all afternoon... and the next few days.  They have become her new favourite toy.  Who needs presents anyway?  

I LOVE these beads!