17 Months Old

Dear Ruby,
I don't know if it's the cowgirl boots you've been wearing or what but this month there were numerous times I looked at you and saw a 16 month old going on 13 years..... seriously SLOW DOWN!!! You are making mommy nervous. Another reason you seem so "old" all of a sudden is because of how often we are taken aback with proof of how much you really understand. Like when you shocked daddy by trying to put the keys in the ignition of the car while sitting up front in the truck the other day. Who showed you that? You sure don't miss much! And I get the biggest kick when I see you mimic me. You are quite the little copy cat these days and I just find it adorable. I am sure there will come a day when this is not quite so cute. :-)

We had our monthly "photo shoot" in our new backyard this month which you seem to approve of. I just love watching you be you! Such a curious little one. Here are a few of my favorites:

In the middle of playing you decided you were done with the toys and you'd prefer to dig in the flower bed. You LOVE getting dirty and I have finally decided to just let you do your thing, well, not all the time.....

Proudly bringing mommy a chunk of dirt. How sweet.

Things we want to remember about you at 16 months:

• Mama became Mommy this month. Not sure what prompted the change but you do like adding "eee" to words. Dada has remained Dada. For now...
• You are officially addicted to animal crackers aka "cooks". You are nuts for them - I never leave Target without a few bags!
• You love music. You spend quite a bit of time playing in your room but you now insist on having music playing in there at all times. When the ipod stops you come and get me, take me by the hand, and lead me to the ipod and point and say "Muu - muu" for some more music! Your favorite albums are by Hap Palmer and Greg & Steve.
• Sesame Street may be your new favorite tv show. You love Elmo - you even pointed him out on a can of soup the other day. Always keeping me on my toes.

We started your 16th month out with a check up at the doctor (forgot to go at 15 months - whoops!) You had your shots which you took like a champ, a lot less crying that the last round. You weighed in at 22 pounds (25th percentile) and were 32.5 inches tall (75th percentile). Mommy can't remember your head measurement but it was the in 50th percentile. And no surprise to me the doctor thought you seemed VERY verbal.

You are becoming quite the independent eater. You love to feed yourself however your utensil skills need a bit of improvement. An "A" for effort though.

I love this picture. This month you finally decided it was OK to wear a hat and glasses which you never went for before. Of course we all have to ohh and ahh to motivate you to keep them on but you LOVE attention and laughs you get from everyone. You are quite the entertainer!

You helped both Skylar and Aussie celebrate their birthdays this past month.

It's random, but I want to remember the way you say "shhh" and it was captured ever so slightly in this picture. I don't know who you were telling to "quite down" but what I love it the way you do it. Instead of placing your finger to your lips you stick your finger up your nose (with a very serious "shh" face) - it cracks us up each time. Oh, the little things....

Ruby, I can't believe you are going to a year and a half next month! Wow. We'll definitely have to have a little half birthday party with some balloons and singing to celebrate the occasion.

I don't know how it's possible but we really do love you more each and EVERY day.

Kisses,

Mommy & Dada