Watching Ruby Grow

January and February flew by largely due to Emily rejoining us at home and the activity of a new puppy,"little"Auggie who now weighs in at 40# !

The other constant is watching our Ruby grow.  We check in with FaceTime as much as possible with the time differential we face. Often we call at 8:00 pm and they have her strapped on with the Ergo carrier trying to get through the evening "fussiness" and get dinner on the table. Lets just say a lot of bouncing is involved!

FaceTime from our kitchen to theirs

But watching her change and grow is priceless and mind boggling.

Take a look at Ruby's growth since Thanksgiving in Portland:

Love this Baby Einstein aquarium!

Tummy time!

Christmas 2015-and a flight to Montana

A smile for Christmas 

A lot of equipment for babies going around town-and the white noise on an iPod is vital :D

Always sweet with her headbands :D

Loves to smile at her mom and dad!

Loves to walk in the Ergo carrier

A very busy life and loving the sights and sounds. Starting to drool and chew those toys too :D

Daddy's little sweetheart indeed

Blowing bubbles and trying out sounds

Those eyes!

Portraits-momma and babe

They called while Grandma was getting ready for work--one of these days she'll see me in there and smile right at me :D 

She's as sweet as the Gerber baby on her bib!

I took a trip to Portland this month for my 60th birthday gift from Kevin.  My days quickly evolved into their 80 minute routine- feeding Ruby, Ruby playtime (smiling and now giggling), followed by walking (Ruby napping in Ergo) with Nick and/or both Nick and Nicki, followed by feeding, books, playtime and napping all over again! 

I got to babysit on Saturday night (Valentine's Day) while Nick and Nicki had a lovely prix fixe meal at Andina.  I joked on FaceBook that I did "everything wrong but right enough" and I meant it. I tried so hard to keep her awake until at least 7:30 pm and failed. I tried to give her a bath which she did love, but I managed to start the shower on my head! This alarmed Mitch who kept checking on me before he left for the night, but I assured him this flop mop Grandma was doing "fine"!  

I adored every minute with her and she is so engaging. She loved having her picture taken because I have black and white polka dots on my phone case. Note to an entrepreneur, design iPhone cases that double as baby toys!

Emily and I pre-shopped for our girl

Saturday morning in Grandma's bed

She does love reading but she is going for that book corner to chew here

Mesmerized by the dots!

Nick and I walked for an hour in the sun while Nicki worked a few hours on Saturday.

She still looks small with Dad

Loving her whisks

Still loving it

Torrey and Mitch joined us at lunch and we all took a tour of the new neighborhood and saw the exterior of Nick/Nicki's new home and explored the neighborhood!

New home--and a mile from Nick's high school

Their house is at a gentle intersection as you can see, but the backyard is completely private nonetheless. They are within blocks of three parks-all different types-a cemetery that has walking/biking lanes is across the street--it has a view of the valley that takes your breath  away (you could say a "drop dead" view….haha); a forest; and also a children's playground. Throw in a private back yard with terraced gardening and a garden shed and it couldn't be more perfect.  I think they are going to love it here!

Food trucks at Daddy's high school on Saturday

She is such a sweetie-Valentine's Day 2015. Heart throb :D

When she is ready to sleep, this is the way to hold her

He managed to enjoy a 3 hour date but happier to return to Ruby :D

Sunday morning-I propped her in a sweet little seat Grandma Laura bought and she watched herself in the mirror. Mitch doing his taxes. Such a sweet comparison.   Mitch said later the only one crying in this picture was him :D

I love her feet!

Ruby whatcha doing?

Starting to find that the car is not so bad…with enough distractions  

Ditto!

Monday early am pajama party with Grams. Kevin sent me a "Pajama Gram" -how appropriate and timely! Not to mention I love purple polka dots with green ribbon trim-way to go!

She fell asleep in my arms and I very carefully got her onto this soft blanket. 

Nicki sent this picture after I left. She is wearing the same dress in a very memorable shot from December, when she wasn't very happy!

February :D

December :(

Nicki's friend Kellene, has moved to Portland-everyone is happy about that!

Spring had definitely sprung and we went to several parks to enjoy that

FaceTime with Jer snowed in in Boston……

Antiquing in Sellwood   could have stayed all day!

Coulda, woulda, shoulda!

The Portland kids all treated me to a wonderful pizzeria Sunday and Monday we hit the beautiful Forest Park trails again with Nicki before checking in on Mitch at his new place of employment--GP Kitchen   in their new Pearl District (downtown) location --great food! As the management doesn't want fresh food to sit in the fridge all weekend, Mitch usually brings home the goods on Friday nights!
Off I flew on Monday and once again look forward to FaceTime and shared pictures-look what Nicki sent this week :D 

Nicki took a beautiful picture in the sun





Can't wait til next time !