7 months already!

That's right,Ruby is 7 months old already. Time flies!


Milestones:
She is a champ when it comes to rolling and sitting up. One of her favorite pastimes is to roll around the room, pop up into the sitting position, and then do it again in a different direction. She usually does it when your back is turned, which is hilarious because she is so quiet. One moment you turn around and she's by the couch, the next she's by the lamp, and so on.
She's also getting pretty good at the "army crawl" She uses her arms to pull herself forward while pushing off tips of her toes. Her favorite thing to crawl towards, you ask? Any and every dog toy-- poor Scout-- he's so picked on now! It can't be long before she starts to crawl...help us all when she does!


Eating:
Little Roo started eating solids this past month. She has made it through all the vegetables (she only refuses to eat green beans) and most of the fruits. As soon as she finishes up with the fruits the doctor gave us the green light to try second stage foods.


Teething:
I took her in to the pediatrician last Friday because I was sure that she was either teething or had an ear infection. Turns out that she's teething. She has two little teeth on the bottom that are just about ready to pop out. Teething is a little rough o everyone, so hopefully they make their debut quickly.

Little Ray of Sunshine!

You are my sunshine,



My only sunshine,



You make me happy when skies are blue,



You'll never know, dear, how much I love you



Please, don't take my sunshine away.

The dog ate my library book. No, really-- he ate it!!

When we first adopted Scout he went through a "chewing phase". Most of the items that he destroyed were harmless and easily replaceable (i.e. flip flops, strings, buttons). He has long since grown out of that phase; however, if he doesn't get enough attention he will occasionally feel mischievous and find something new to victimize. Since Ruby was born it has happened twice-- first to my nice Pottery Barn pillows and now to my library book. I left it on the bed and when I returned a few hours later I found this:



Notice how much was destroyed and how little evidence was left behind. It all comes out in the wash. If you know what I mean. But really, what else should I expect from a bark connoisseur? After all, paper is just another form of bark.



The real kicker is that I waited nearly 8 months for this book to become available from the library. I was nearly finished with it when he chewed through the first 50 pages. Oh, and I had already decided that I hated the book but was finishing it with the hope that the author might redeem himself in the end (BTW, he didn't).

So, today I paid $29 for a book that I'll never read again. But, the lesson was priceless.

The tHriLL of the Hunt!

I have a new hobby-- couponing! Suddenly, grocery shopping isn't a chore anymore-- it's an adventure.
Today Kroger had a super sale, between that and double/triple coupons I saved $59.26. Here were some of my best buys:
Kellogg's cereal- $1.13 box
Kellogg's fruit snacks- $1 box
Pizza crust- 40 cents each
baby food- 29 cents a jar
Hellmanns mayo- $1.87 a jar (extra big jar)
Nature Valley Granola- 39 cents a bag
Pampers diapers- 18 cents a diaper
yogurt- 50 cents a pack
And I got these items for free, or was paid to take them:
Glade scented warmer
Baby oatmeal/ rice cereal
candy bars
Lest you think I'm a glutton, a lot of this I use for rotating food storage. Lest you think I'm crazy for storing food, I live in a hurricane zone. One can never be too prepared. Last year when Ike hit we didn't have power for 2 weeks and it took days before the grocery stores were open (and not much was being stocked).
If anyone else is interested in adopting this hobby, too here are some good websites to check out:
www.couponmom.com (print coupons, find the latest deals at your grocery store)
www.shortcuts.com (load coupons onto your grocery key chain card)
www.pgesaver.com (also loads coupons directly onto your grocery key chain card)
One last thing, those online coupons that you download to your grocery key chain card can be used in conjunction with manufacturer's coupons and store coupons. Happy bargain hunting! Thanks, Becky for sharing your coupons and teaching me all kinds of cool tricks.

Happy half birthday, Ruby girl!

That's right, Ruby Roo is 6 months old now! Where has the time gone? Here are her stats from her latest doctor's visit:
weight: 16 pounds, 8 oz (70%)
height: 26 1/2 inches (75%)
head: 17 1/4 inches (90%)
So, she's finally filling out-- and I think it's all going straight to her chunky little legs.



In other news, she started eating vegetables a few days ago. She is not a fan of green beans (I'll try and post video evidence later this weekend) and is slowly warming up to squash.



She rolls EVERYWHERE and loves to grab stuff (usually plates and food). Earlier today we noticed that she does a modified army crawl to get toys that are placed just out of her reach-- very cute. A few days ago she started sitting by herself. She can't pull herself up to sitting position, but if you put her in it she can maintain her balance for quite awhile.

The most enjoyable part of this new stage of life is seeing her emerging personality. Our Ruby girl loves to laugh and smile and huff. She even has a little attitude. This is how she routinely sits in her high chair if I don't attach the tray:

Bear Lake Festivus

Me and my girl

Whenever my in-laws get together for a family reunion it becomes "festivus." For those of you who aren't Seinfeld fans, festivus is a made up holiday in which one's family participates in the "airing of grievances" and "feats of strength."


Feat of Strength-- Who can go the fastest on the seadoo


Feat of Strength-- racing to the bouies


Grandkids playing in the sand-- generally it's the adults who are the most competetive and find feats of strength in which we can participate

It always makes for an unforgettable family reunion.


The three of us in our matching family shirts

It has been about 4 years since the last family festivus, so it was good to see all the aunts, uncles, and cousins.


Ruby and Cousin Emily


Ruby's Uncle Casey-- ladies, he's single!

This year was extra special because Brandon's grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary-- what an accomplishment! I hope that one day Brandon and I will be as fortunate. They are wonderful people and make a fantastic couple.


Great Grandma and Grandpa with Ruby and her newest cousin, Eliza (just 4 weeks old)

Amidst the friendly competition, Brandon and I took a break and squeezed in some alone time to take Ruby on a nature walk.


We love the baby bjorn

The majority of the time, though, we spent with the family at the beach or hanging out at our cabin (that's right-- all 29 of us slept in the same house and shared 3 bathrooms).


Our Linford Clan on the top deck of our house-- what a view!

Loved the company,


Beach play-- sitting in the sand is easier than on the carpet

loved the lake,


Matching toenail polish-- precious!

loved the time away,


Just the three of us on the beach

love being home again...