Macy & Ruby Gracie: 14 Months Old

How the heck is Ruby already 14 months old? Didn't we just have her birthday party last week? Sheesh.... someone tell this girl to SLOW DOWN.

Although the weather hasn't really felt like it, summer is in full swing and we have been spending a lot of time outdoors. Ruby LOVES exploring and learning new things. It seems like each day I am amazed by something new she has learned. Just the other day I came home from work and Ruby's Gigi and Tucka were here (her great grandparents). They asked when I had taught Ruby how to come back down the stairs. I was confused because I hadn't. Ruby's been tearing up the stairs for months now but she's never shown any interest in coming down on her own and I always carry her back down. Anyways, Gigi and Tucka were shocked because apparently she had shown them her new skill early that morning and they were sure she was already a pro. Needless to say I was amazed when we took her in and she came right down the stairs (on her tummy) as if she had been doing it for years. She just loves to keep us on our toes!

Ruby learned a few new words this month. My favorites are "Woooowwww" and "Whoooaaa" and of course "Ooohhh". It just cracks me up to hear her enthusiasm. She also says "Ouch" and "Yuck" which are quite funny to hear because she uses them properly. Daddy's shoes are "YUCK!". Classic! Two other FAVORITE words this month:

"Ba" aka Ball - she can't quite get the L sound but she is OBSESSED with any and all balls. We now have quite the collection in the backyard.

"Hat" is one of Ruby's newest words and boy does she LOVE playing with daddy's hat

A few of Ruby's current favorite things:

Her "Bop" - she only has her binky when she is sleeping and other rare occasions but when she's tired she walks around asking for her bop and it's really quite sweet. You can hear the desperation in her voice. The expression on her face when I say, "You don't need your bop" is sort of heartbreaking. I am already dreading the day we say goodbye to the bop for good.
Banzai Bowls - we have an acai bowl place nearby that Chris and I love. They put granola and fresh fruit on top of an acai smoothly and it's delish. Ruby is now a huge fan. Chris sometimes brings us a bowl in the morning and when he does Ruby says "Oooohhh" when she sees it. I love the way she opens her mouth huge like a little birdy when she's eating something she really likes.
Her Dora the Explorer quad. I had no idea that she would love this birthday gift so much but she LOVES that thing. Good call Auntie Megan!
Carrying things. At any given time Ruby likely has two or three items in her little mitts. It's hilarious to watch her gather her items. She loves to carry her things from room to room. The downside of this is that we are finding lots of random things in random places around the house for instance the bathtub stopper in our bedroom or the DVD remote under the stove....
Other favorites: her Daddy Loves Me book, the trash can (don't ask), pushing the water dispenser on the fridge (messy and wet), slides at the park, chewing on rocks (yes, this has happened enough times to be considered a "favorite"), and testing mommy when mommy says "No". Yep, that has already started. Fun times.

Other tidbits from her 13th month:

We took a quick family vacation to Palm Springs
Ruby loves to show people where her eyes, ears, noes, tounge, and belly button are!
1st time Mommy and Daddy were away for the weekend and Ruby did great.
Celebrated her second 4th of July
We met baby Paige who is sure to be a lifelong friend
Still trying to teach Ruby to be "gentle". Ruby is very hands on and we are doing our best to raise a polite little girl!