The sound of Abby

These are too adorable not to share. This type of quality singing typically only happens during potty time, so when she started belting out songs after dinner, we had to capture it on camera. Abby really has a knack for picking up songs. Last week she came home after nursery and surprised us by knowing all of the words to "I Am Like a Star Shining Brightly," which was learned completely from nursery singing time. (And, according to her nursery leaders today, she never actually sings during nursery--just sits there and listens attentively. We'll have to work on her stage presence.)

Rua - 5 Months

Dearest Rua,

Five months old! This past month has been so fun. You have been a ton more active and interactive and so so happy.

                                                   

Some things from this month:

• You have finally started using your rolling skills more. Especially at diaper changes. When that diaper comes off, off you go. You seem to be having more fun with moving around now too, like you are playing more than just practicing moving. 

• Bubbles, bubbles, all the time. You have really perfected blowing raspberries and sometimes get so into it that spit comes flying off, covering your little face in drops. 
• Speaking of being wet, all your drooling has indeed been teething, you got your first tooth two weeks ago. Along with that came the first signs of biting when nursing. Not ok, little one. Hopefully we can curb that quickly. 
• You have sure found your voice, and it is a loud one. You like to make all sorts of noises, and when you are the happiest, it escalates into a loud happy screech. Yikes, you really know how to be heard. 

• You have finally started to grab and hold onto things more. Your toys (favorite is definitely Sophie the giraffe), blankets, fingers, shirts, bibs, whatever comes in your path. And of course, all of these head straight into your mouth.
• You still love your thumb. I have given up trying to convince you to take a pacifier and have accepted that both my girls just prefer their fingers. Honestly though, it is so nice at nights especially for you to be able to soothe yourself with your thumb. 

• This love of your thumb though has made it hard wearing the splint that you got this month. We visited the occupational therapist for the first time this month and she made a splint for your left hand, which is to help straighten out your middle finger which is bent. She tried to make it so you can still get your thumb in but it doesn't seem to be working too well, and you sure don't like having that thumb out of your reach. Thankfully you only have to wear it at nights. 

• Still love baths

• You love watching Abby. You start cracking up laughing so easily, she doesn't even have to been doing anything funny. 
• And your sister sure loves you. She is always asking if you are awake yet when you are sleeping and always wants to be right there playing with you.  

We love you too! Happy five months, little Rua.

Love, 

Your Mamma

Abby's baby carrier - sewing project

Probably one of my favorite sewing projects in a while. Loved how this turned out!! Now Abby has her very own 'ergo' as she calls it, though it is actually a mei-tai carrier. Here is a link to the tutorial I used. 

Rua - 4 months

Dearest Rua,

Happy four months darling girl!

Some firsts and fun things from this month:

• You have officially learned to roll over, both directions. You did back to tummy first then just last week did tummy to back. It's funny, the days you figured these out, you did it over and over. And now, its hardly ever. It's as though you had to practice, practice and now you can say, 'check, can do that. Don't need to do it any more!'

• Along with all your rolling, you are becoming more mobile in your own, four month way. While lying on your back you can scootch yourself around, so that you rotate yourself in a circle. 
• All this moving most often happens when you are diaperless. I guess it's easier to move around without a huge cloth diaper bum.

• Full of smile and laughs. Just yesterday, Abby and I discovered that you think the noise of my phone taking a picture, and even more a video, is absolutely hilarious. You were cracking up so hard each time I pushed that button. 
• You make all sorts of cute sounds

• Still drooling all over yourself and whichever unsuspecting person happens to be holding you.
• Abby finally succeeded in getting you to take a pacifier, a least a little bit. She has been awfully persistent. However, you have also discovered your thumb, and seem to much prefer that.
• Speaking of Abby, you just adore her. You love to watch her play and she loves to play with you and read you books. She often also tries to offer you her fingers to suck on. 

• You had your first beach trip
• Another first - you were baby-sat for the first time yesterday by someone other than Dad. And it went terribly. I was only gone less than an hour for a job interview and you would not calm down and you were soooo mad when I came home. All that stress and crying must have worn you out because you proceeded to take a five hour nap. 
• Another sad first - you had your first cold and it was heartbreaking to see you sick. 

I love you little girl!

Love, 

Your Mamma

Rua - first beach trip

 We realized a couple Saturdays ago that we hadn't yet taken Rua to the beach. So we fixed that. The girl has now seen the ocean.

Catching up - Christmas 2014

Yes, it is a month after Christmas. And yes, I know probably no one else cares at this point. So this is really just for us, but here is our Christmas. :)

Christmas was so fun this year. Abby was so excited for it all, which made everything that much more fun. We stayed in SD for Christmas this year, so it was just our little family.

Christmas baking - Abby loved helping us make Christmas cookies. Good thing Eric talked me into make the sugar cookies (I'm not a fan and wouldn't miss them).

                         

                                                

                                                

                        

Santa - Abby, for the second year in a row, was terrified of Santa and sitting on his lap. We visited two Santas, at the church party and at story time. She did not want to go near him, I asked her if it would be okay if I held her and we stood next to him and she was ok (barely) with that. Definitely didn't want to push her to sit on some strange guy's lap. And we hadn't talked up Santa, if we had, maybe she'd be more excited. We just haven't decided how big a role Santa is going to play in our family, so we just kind of ignored him this year. 

                       

                                              

Isn't this one great? And he played the part extremely well. (story time Santa)

Christmas lights - Eric did his research and found us some of the best Christmas lights in SD. This street was amazing. We will definitely be back.

                         

                         

Abby had to introduce her Rudolph stuffed animal to all the Ruldolphs we met. So cute!

                             

Christmas Eve we kept really simple. Homemade mac and cheese with pigs in blankets for dinner (per Eric's request). We saved the traditional Anderson family 'walk around dinner' for New Years Eve. Abby loved the walk around dinner and has more than once since then talked out the 'snack party' as she called it. 

And of course we had to act out the Nativity story. We all played part while Eric found a recording of someone famous reading the Christmas story. 

Going to bed that night, Abby was all wired up and kept coming out. So she of course got a glimpse that we were up to something out there which did not help things and we had to do some pretty impressive ninja moves to cover things up before she saw. :) Rua seemed to know something was up too, she woke up right a midnight ready to start the day. 

Christmas day was also simple and fun. Stockings and gifts intermingled with a yummy Christmas breakfast. Then we spent time together as we prepared our little Christmas ham dinner. 

Our little Christmas tree. Can you guess what Abby got?

Rua's first Christmas!! 

Abby loved showing Rua the gift she gave her.

Rua - 3 months

Dearest Rua,

I looked at my phone today and saw the date and then suddenly realized that you are 3 months old today! How did that happen? You have had a wonderful 3-month-day. You have been so happy and all smiles (and have taken some great naps).

What a fun month you have had! You had your very first Christmas and New Years. Unless you count waking up at exactly 12:00am on Christmas Day ready to smile and be awake, you didn't really seem to notice any of it, but you did like all the lights and music.

Some things about you at 3 months:

• You laughed for the first time. You've done some little half laughs in the last couple of weeks, but today you gave us your first real full-on laugh. I loved it and the way your little eyes just lit up. And what made you laugh for the first time? Abby of course.
• You have started to talk to us a lot more in your little noises. You usually make a cute little 'guh' sound.

• You have been making lots of bubbles with your mouth and drooling a ton. 
• Along with drooling and bubbles you have been putting those little hands in your mouth a lot. Maybe the start of teething? I try to get you to suck and chew on your teething toys but you aren't interested yet. 
• You sleep so well!  You are usually in bed around 6-6:30pm and don't wake up until at least midnight and often not until 2 or 3am. That is such a welcome change from the consistently dreadful two hour wakings (EVERY two hours) your sister did for a really long time! You are still taking several naps during the day.

• You took your first ride in my new (yay!!) jogging stroller this month. You liked it for about ten minutes and then you screamed. Same thing every day so far, My best bet seems to be to try to get you to fall asleep if I want any sort of run. And while you cry, Abby is usually happy as a clam, singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or The Itsey Bitsy Spider next to you. We'll make a runner out of you yet.
• You are getting stronger and stronger. You hold your head up like a pro and love to stand up on your feet.
• You love your baths! You are all smiles and coos while we wash you. Abby loves to help wash you too.

Love you little girl!

Love, 

Your Mamma