HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

HAPPY
1ST
BIRTHDAY
RUTHIE MACKENZIE

Dear Ruthie--

Happy 1st Birthday my sweet girl.
What a big girl you are. I can't believe that my sweet baby is a year old. We have had a lot of fun in this past year. From discovering your smile to your voice. From singing la la's to making words like: mama, dada, kitty, this, nose, book you fascinate the socks off your parents.
We have so much to celebrate. You are such a blessing to our lives. You make this world a better place. You captivate your parents. Continue to spread joy in the hearts of those you meet my precious one.

We love you Ruthie

Mommy & Daddy

O N E
N
E

A year has gone by. As we transition from baby to little girl I can't help but look back at what an amazing year this has been. I can't imagine it without you. You are a precious gem. Happy Birthday my sweet sweet girl. You're mommy and daddy love you.

One Year Old Stats- 21 lbs (50%) and 29 3/4 in (78%)
You are growing like a weed. A little over average and the doctors are pleased! Your doctor actually made a joke about him being worried at 9 months-- hehe :) You took your shots like a champ. Cried a tiny bit, but then went off and was fine.

The 11 Month Sweet Babe

Waking Up With Smiles

The 11 Month is here and I can't believe my baby is a month away from being a one year old. How is it possible? Time is quickly passing and I'm doing all I can do to hold on to my baby girl as she grows into a beautiful toddler. Ruthie is such a wonderful baby. I am excited to watch her transition into a little girl. She already seems so grown up. This month Ruthie is developing her motor skills and continues to take chances with standing up and taking off one step, two step, three step, drop.

Ruthie was a bumble bee (the cutest bumble bee) for Halloween this year. We had fun dressing her up and going up to Uncle Epic and Aunt Pinky for some hot cider and some PSU football. Ruthie loved getting her hands on the chocolate (more important... the colorful bags the chocolate came in) and of course, loved being the center of attention. Below is a picture of Ruthie in her costume.

A letter:

Ruthie Mackenzie--

I love being your mommy. You are such a sweet little girl. I can't believe in just a short month we are going to be celebrating your birthday. I am so excited. A little sad as I think that you are not going to be a baby baby anymore. You have decided to quit nursing on your 11 month birthday. It was hard for mommy-- but you are so interested in big girl food and were ready to wean which was hard but made life easy. You wake around 7:30 each morning and play in your crib until mommy or daddy comes to get you. Most mornings, we have prepared your bottle and will snuggle you into bed with us as you chug down your 6 oz of ba ba. (bottle). We might get a few minutes of snuggles before you are ready to start your morning. We'll feed you breakfast and then it's play time. You are going through a little bit of separation anxiety lately, but I still manage to get ready and get to work on time. You are making friends with Piper and are learning so much from her. (Mommy nanny's for Miles (3) and Piper (1). Piper is teaching you how to walk ( you have no fear) and I believe also helping you with your words.
Oh my sweet child, I love you so much. Thanks for 11 wonderful months. I can't wait to celebrate your first year in one month sweet girl.

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy

The Cousins
Ruthie, Ava, & Miles

10 Month Snow Angel

Ruthie
Our 10 Month
Snow Angel

Ruthie is 10 months old-- that is two months away from her 1st birthday! How can my baby girl be 10 months old?? I just don't feel like it's possible to be 2 months shy from having a one year old! This last month has been amazing. It's so fascinating to watch her grow and learn so much. She is so close to walking-- ah! She is now waving hi and bye bye all the time. Clapping her hands and playing patty cake! And the list goes on and on!
I am continuing to try and breastfeed her as much as she'll let me. I wish I could breastfeed her more and more often, but she's becoming independent and I guess that is alright too! I am making her baby food and enjoying introducing more and more new foods. She loves cauliflower and corn, squash with potatoes and cheese. She loves to read. She always helps turn the pages and she'll point and look up at me and smile when she see's her favorite Brown Bear. About a month or so ago I introduced a peek-a-boo book and she LOVES it! She'll open all the flaps and smile as I say peek-a-boo! Ruthie continues to sleep pretty well. Two nice 2 hour naps during the day and then sleeps around 11-12 hours at night. She's been waking up early these last few days but I believe that is due to having a cold :( and also some teeth coming in. She's drooling like crazy.
So Ruthie got to experience something we haven't seen in my life time!! SNOW in OCTOBER! October 16th PA got dumped on and as I sit here blogging, it continues to snow!! Power was out in many areas yesterday and I watched as tree after tree and power line after power line came crashing to the ground due to the heavy snow fall on our beautiful AUTUMN leaves. Jon and I took Ruthie to a pumpkin patch just last weekend and enjoyed a beautiful drive through the country. The leaves were absolutely beautiful and now- by the time the snow goes back into hiding, Autumn will be over. BUT!!! Ruthie has enjoyed watching the beautiful white stuff cover our ground. We took her out to play in her first snow-- she LOVED it!!

Stepping outside into our crazy Winter Wonderland
October Snow

Ruthie holding a snowball (left) and then immediately putting the snowball in her mouth (right)
She LOVED it! A little cold though!

As I said-- Ruthie is waving and we just had to get this on camera

Daddy does a nice job too!

Ruthie in the Pumpkin Patch!

Ruthie,

Oh sweet child, you are such a blessing to your mommy and daddy. I hope you always know how much we deeply love you. You are an incredible child. It has been so neat to watch you grow up right in front of our eyes. I can't believe you are almost a year old! Time is flying by.
We have started praying with you at each meal. You hold your hands together so proudly. You are a precious gem my little one.

Mommy has to cut this letter short because you are just waking up from your nap. Playing peacefully in your crib-- but I am so excited to see you I just can't wait any longer.

Love you my sweet Snow Angel.

Mommy & Daddy

9 Month Stats

Ruthie Mackenzie had her 9 Month Appointment with her new Pediatricians at Centre Medical & Surgical. With my pediatrician as a matter-of-fact. :)

16 lbs 13 oz (5% in weight)
28 inches (65% in height)

The appointment went well. They were a little concerned about her weight loss so we have scheduled a 10 month appointment to follow-up and make sure she starts to gain some weight. I've also started to supplement :( some formula after feedings and Ruthie (with a little help of prune juice) has taken to it well. We use the Gentle Ease formula to help with her tummy. I have a feeling she can't handle dairy like her mommy. (Poor girl!)

Other than her weight loss-- she is doing very well and extremely healthy. We are going to schedule her an appointment with one of the pediatricians in the practice who specializes in hematology and have Ruthie tested for Von Willebrands in the next month or so. We just want to make sure that if she does have it-- we can be on top of it.

Ruthie is continuing to blossom day by day. Did I tell you I LOVE 9 MONTHS!! It is amazing to watch her learn new things every day. I am convinced she will be walking soon. She walks around furniture and really anything she can lean on. She still won't say dada but will say "rarara" when she see's Jon. :) - too cute! She is also saying "uh oh" :) -- adorable!!!

Ruthie-- mommy and daddy love you!

9 Great Things About Being 9 Months!!!

9 Great Things
about being 9 Months

9. Your personality has blossomed
8. You started crawling
7. You pull yourself up and walk around furniture
6. You can entertain yourself and others for hours
5. You LOVE to eat and eat, eat, eat!
4. You can dance
3. You talk and sing all the time
2. You wave hi and bye bye
1. You believe each song written has your name in it somewhere :)

Ruthie Mackenzie Stube-- I love you! As I said, your personality has blossomed so much in this last month. You are such a happy child and you love to sing and dance all the time. This morning, I was nursing you and I began to hum; all of a sudden you started wiggling to my tune as your ate your morning breakfast. :) I have enjoyed each stage of your life, but this one, by far, is my most favorite!!

Crawling: On August 30th 2008 the whole Marshall side of your family: Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Pinky, Uncle Epic, Uncle Evan, Aunt Natalie, Tia, Uncle Bag, and mommy (everyone but daddy :( ) were sitting down stairs visiting when you woke up from your long 2 1/2 hour nap. I fed you and then put you down on the floor to show off your new dancing trick. To my surprise (along with everyone elses) you got on all fours and crawled the length of the room. I placed you back where you started and you did it all over again!! My jaw dropped as I stared in amazement... my daughter just crawled and crawled in front of everyone to see!

Everyone who is around you comments that you probably won't really master your crawling technique because you LOVE to be on your feet and moving around. I almost believe them, but even in these last few days you've really got this crawling thing down and can move quickly from one side of the room to the other! The other day, Grandpa got home and peeked in your room. You did a complete 360 and crawled 6 feet over to him and pulled yourself up to have him pick you up! Lately, all we do together is you pull yourself up to the standing position on the couch, chair, and/or coffee table and I spot you as your walk around it. Mommy is exhausted of this new trick, but you love it. Every once in a while you'll let go and see how long you can hold yourself up! Mommy is not ready for a walker!!

As I've said, you can entertain yourself and others for hours. Everything fascinates you! Especially when we are outside and you can watch the wind tickle the trees or the grass under your toes! You entertain us best when you are eating. I didn't know a mouth could open so wide! And man, do you love to shove the food in as fast as you can. The only foods that slow you down are green beans and peaches. Green beans, by far, are your least favorite food.

We are a musical family! We love to sing and dance with you Ruthie, and you've picked up on some of the motions. You wiggle and rock when we sing to you. And you love your voice. Lala, and mama are your two vocal sounds! Daddy wants you so badly to say "dada". We love to watch you smile as you hear a fun song come on the radio or when daddy starts singing one of your favorite classics: You are my Ru shine, Snuggle Ruthie, Ruthie Ru, etc...

Just recently, you've started saying bye bye and hi (by waving) to everyone. Just this morning you started wiggling your fingers as your waved. Oh-- I just love how you learn something new every day! Sometimes, if you are tired, you get shy, and mommy has to help you get started... but once you get started, you wave wave wave! Looking forward to seeing how much you change by month 10!

And now a letter:

Dear Ruthie,

Thank you for your love for life. I can't get over how much happiness you bring to your mommy and daddy and everyone else who meets you. Your smile lights up a room. When you dance, you dance without a care in the world. Mommy and daddy are so proud to say we are your parents. You have really recently taken a step into more independence. You have learned that crawling gets you places and you love to explore. You also love to pick up object and of course, taste everything! You are such a blessing little girl. Know that your mommy and daddy love you so so very much and are so proud of you!
You have recently learned the word "no". You are not a fan of this two letter word, but when I say it- you listen. Sometime with a tear, but if I say it, you listen. It's so fascinating. You don't quite understand why I am saying it, but someday you will learn I was saying it because I love you and was trying to keep you from danger.

You are such a joy Ruthie. We love you!! I can't wait to see how much you've changed in the next month because each day you learn so much. Keep continuing to just find life fascinating. Keep smiling! Mommy and Daddy love you pumpkin!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

The 8th Month

Ruthie Is 8 Months!!!

I can't believe you are another month old (and well... since I am late posting this... almost another!) You are such a ham! Oh my-- you lighten the mood in any room when you show off your smile. You definitely have quite the personality and you're not bashful to show it off.
In this last month it has been so neat to watch you discover how to move around the room aka... you started to army crawl. You are still mastering your technique but you are getting it. You mostly army crawl to get over to your mama or dada but every once in a while there will be a "no no" in the room that you can't wait to get your hands on. So as we approach your 9 month and the big Grange Fair to close out the summer, you're going to be on the move and just a little bit harder to keep in one place!
You have also found your voice. Your first word is "mama" and you LOVE to say it! "Mama, Mama Mama" you cheerfully sing! Your daddy is trying so hard to get you to say "dada" but you just shout back "mama" and make him frown :). You'll get it! Mommy is secretly practicing and whispering "dada" into your ear... maybe for your big 9 month birthday! You have also learned to say "More" or "Mo" as you like to say it!! "Mo" is used to ask for more and more food! YOU LOVE TO EAT!! You have discovered lots of new foods this month. You've gone from simple Apples, Bananas, and Carrots too: Yummy Sweet Potatoes, Prunes, Nectarines w/Bananas, Peas, and Apple Sauce.

This was the month your Uncle Andrew and Aunt Kristen took the plunge into married bliss. You did such a great job during the ceremony. Only cooed and awed. You did so well for being out of your routine and away from your bed. I don't think there was one night while we were away that you were in bed at your bedtime and you just dealt with it. :) Happily!

Daddy, Mommy & Ru
Uncle Andrew & Aunt Kristen's Wedding

Uncle Ethan came home from Afghanistan and you were one of the first to welcome him home! It was so great to watch you smile and watch you enjoy your Uncle! You are such a sweet child.

Waiting Patiently For Uncle Bag

YAY!
Uncle Bag & Tia Eigia

Dinner Cruise
You Loved the Boat!

Dear Ruthie Mackenzie,

I know I write this in every letter to you, but you are my sweet sweet girl and you are so much a joy to your mommy and daddy. We love you so much. We say it all the time, but last night, as we watched you play with your Mickey-in-the-box we couldn't help but admit over and over again how much we love you! You are so delightful. You have no problems expressing what you like and don't like. You can be stubborn like your Uncles (would never admit that I am stubborn too). This morning I was feeding your oatmeal and prune juice and apparently once again, I was not feeding you as fast as you'd prefer. You slammed your hands down on the tray. I said "no hands Ruthie" and you said "AHHHHHHHHHHH" as you began to cry and scream because I used the words "no". After a few minutes, you calmed yourself back down and were able to continue to eat. :) -- oh boy! Ruthie-- we just love to be your mommy and daddy!! You are so much fun. We love spending our days playing with you on the floor and taking you out for walks... and one of mommy's favorites... taking you shopping! I don't normally buy anything, but you LOVE to walk down the toy aisle and see all the bright and fun looking toys! I promise I won't tempt you when you are older! :)
This is the start of a new beginning my love for the three of us. Daddy is starting back to school. He's a smart guy!! And he's going to go to school to become a school counselor so in a few years, he can have a "normal" 8-5 job and spend summers and weekends as a family! He is also working on top of going to school plus he'll have to study... it's going to be different for you and mommy... but we will continue to keep our eyes on the big picture and these next two years will fly by! Also-- for you and mommy... Mommy is going to work as well but the greatest news is that you'll be able to be with mommy. She is going to introduce you to four new friends that we'll enjoy. I hope you always know that I love you mostest and even though you won't have my one on one attention during the day you will always always be my baby girl and I love you so much! But no fret-- when we are home you are ALL MINE!! :) :) :) I'm excited though. I think it will be good and fun for you to be around other children. I promise to try and make each day fun and interesting. Lots of trips to the park and the library... and yes... even trips to Star Bucks to see your favorite guy... Daddy!
We love you Ruthie Mackenzie Stube!! We continue to pray that you'll stay strong and healthy and at a young age, come to know the Lord.

Love Always & Forever: Mommy and Daddy <3>

7 Month Babe

You are 7 Months Old!
I have no idea where the time has gone.
You are such a happy baby. Always smiling and melting peoples hearts. It is so amazing to watch you as you discover new things. You are always learning. The other day, you wanted something, so you studied it for a few moments and then rolled until you got where you wanted to be. It was so neat. You are talking so much more with each passing day. You love to sing and laugh, it is so cute. I cannot believe you are 7 months old and on your way to 8! I am really loving this new stage you are in. Not that I haven't enjoyed the last stages, but you are so much more interactive and so much fun to be around. You lighten a room when you give them your huge Ruthie smile! You are eating solid food again! AND LOVE IT! You are so much fun. We keep trying to capture video of you panting to get another bite. :) -- so precious! You love rice cereal and oatmeal. I just spent the day in the kitchen making you all kinds of baby food. You love bananas! You're not a huge fan of carrots yet, but I hope that soon you will be. (I did make atleast 5 more servings!) I'm excited to have you try apples and then eventually, banana and strawberries... yum! You are still breastfeeding every two-three hours. I LOVE IT! You will eat three solid meals after having some breast milk. I'm not ready to wean you from any breastfeeding meals, so, for now, I'm going to keep doing what we're doing. :) You are so close to crawling Ruthie! I cannot wait to see you be able to move all around. Though, the house isn't baby proof yet, so I better get myself in gear! Here are a couple of pictures:



I couldn't resist this photo... you were trying to find "mama"

You're first trip to the beach

We took you to the Ocean down in North Carolina when you were 7 months old. You weren't too sure about the water. You liked it until you heard the crashing waves. All in all, it was a fun time!

Meeting Miles Darby

You are a COUSIN to a handsome young man, Miles Darby was born July 6th. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz. We went to visit him the day after he was born. We traveled down to Philly with Ava Grace and Kathryn.


Look at your little pink shoes
Marmee got you your first pair of shoes. Shortly after this picture was taken, I put you in the car to go up and visit Ava. Within a matter of seconds, your cute pink shoes were in your mouth.

A Note To Ruthie

Ruthie,
My precious little girl. You are growing up way to fast. I can't keep up! You're such a big girl now. You sit up and play by yourself and are so content. You also roll from your back to your tummy all the time while you play with all your toys around you. You are also getting very close to crawling. You dive at everything! You would dive right off the couch if I wasn't holding you back :) You love to say "mama" and our learning more and more sounds each day. You make the "d" sound every once in a while, so dada is coming soon too! You've become quite the cuddler these days. (I, of course, LOVE it!) When you get tired at night, you'll lie your head down on my shoulder. It's so sweet. You also love to be sung too. (Really, that's been since day one) but we can keep your attention and you'll just smile up at us while we sing. You are especially fond of your daddies voice (not that I'm surprised).
The other day, to earn a few extra bucks, we had a guy come in and video tape you and ask your mommy and daddy some parenting questions. You, my dear, we PERFECT! I mean, you're always perfect and we love everything about you, but you were so happy and smily! The camera man was shocked! You would look up at him and just smile :) -- priceless. I can't wait to see the video. What a fun way to earn some money.
Well, 8 months is upon us soon. You slept through your fireworks. Let's see how you do celebrating Wedding style! Uncle Andrew will be getting married a few days after your 8 month b-day. Maybe you can show him what a big girl you can be and crawl for him. :)
We love you Ruthie.

Mommy & Daddy

Two Front Teeth

6.25.09
Ruthie's Teeth

Well, the week started off like any normal week. Jonathan is off on a Missions Trip in Annville, PA and I'm working on unpacking all of our things at our new place in Central PA! I figured Ruthie would be a little out of sorts with the move and her daddy being out of town, so I didn't plan too much for the week. Figured we'd relax, maybe spend time with her bestie Ava Grace, but nothing definite. Well... Did my little girl having something completely different in store for mommy.

Jonathan helped unload the moving truck on the rainy Saturday afternoon, helped set up Ruthie's crib, and then started his journey back to Leesburg, VA. I worked as hard as I could in Ruthie's room while she napped in my parents room. I got a lot accomplished! (Good thing!) Ruthie had a pretty uneventful evening, but things were getting ready to change... drastically!

Ruthie and I celebrated Father's Day fatherless... well... sort of :) -- I woke up at 6:30 am to feed my precious little girl and then took her downstairs to play while I made my 1st EVER Father's Day breakfast for my daddy! (He always gets up way before I ever could!) I made my dad eggs and coffee and brought him breakfast in bed. We got ready for and left for church and then after the service, headed home. We had plans to go up to Eric and Pinky's place for an early dinner and then off to the Spikes baseball game later.

Ruthie didn't nap up at Eric and Pinky's that afternoon so I knew the evening was slowly heading toward disaster. We got up to the Spikes game... but that's about as far as we got. I walked around with Ruthie and she was pretty content but as soon as I went to sit down... she wanted to be up and moving again. I decided after an hour, that for my sanity, it was best just to take her home and put her into bed. Good decision momma!

The next morning, if she was awake, she was crying and fussing. I knew instantly there was something up, but figured she was just having a hard time adjusting to the move and not having her daddy around. I tried taking her for walks, playing outside, ... but she was a mess! The next day would be the same. By the second day, I was figuring it was probably her teeth so I gave her some teething tablets and every once in a while, a little Tylenol to help with the pain. June 22nd 2009 Ruthie's first tooth appeared!

I thought things would be different after the tooth popped through, but Ruthie continued to be fussy and very clingy. Two days later, her second tooth appeared!

Ruthie is doing much better now that her bottom teeth are through! Of course, daddy came home the next day and found a very happy daughter waiting by the door to greet him.

Now we are spending a few days down in New Bern, NC with Jonathan's family. A nice way to end the month after such a crazy last few weeks.

6 Month!

RUTHIE MACKENZIE
6 MONTHS
16 lbs 13 oz 26 1/2 inches

I cannot believe my baby girl is 6 months old! Wow does time fly!! What a wonderful 6 months it has been getting to know my baby girl and getting to know my husband as a daddy. Life is good, challenging, but good.

Some big, but awesome changes. We've been following Babywise (I highly recommend it) from Day 1 of Ruthie's life. It has been a great guide in helping our baby get good rest and being an easy, manageable baby as well. Around 2 weeks in age, Ruthie began sleeping "through the night" what a blessing. It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but it's been good. When she woke, I'd feed her and put her right back down to sleep and she'd sleep another 4+ hours. Recently, Ruthie changed up her schedule on us and began waking up every two hours at night. YIKES! After a few restless nights (more likes weeks) we decided to read Babywise again and come up with a plan. The plan you ask... to get our baby sleeping through the night again. What we learned is that Ruthie should be able to go all night without being fed... so on June 1st-- we put our plan into action. Here is how we began:

June 1st- carried on our normal schedule during the day.
6:30 pm- breastfed and rice cereal
*bathtime
*snuggles and books
7:30 pm- breastfed
8:00 pm- Night Night

1:00 am- woke up crying. We let her cry it out for 11 minutes and she put herself back to sleep
4:30 am- woke up crying. She cried it out for 1/2 hour and put herself baack to sleep

6:30 am- Wake-up time and breastfed

OUR NEW SCHEDULE

6:30 am- Wake Up
8:00 am- Nap
Wake Up & Eat- No Earlier than 9:30 am- so if she fusses... let her put herself back to sleep
- No Later than 10:30 am

10:30 am- Breastfeed
12:30 pm- Breastfeed & offer cereal
1:00 pm- Nap
Wake Up & Eat- No Earlier than 2:30 pm- so if she fusses... let her put herself back to sleep
- No Later than 3:30 pm

3:30 pm- Breastfeed
6:30 pm- Breastfeed & Baby Food
7:00 pm- BathTime
7:15 pm- Books
7:30 pm- Breastfeed & Bed

** Ruthie has really adapted well and quickly to her new schedule. She's been sleeping through the night now for 1 1/2 weeks. Only two nights of waking and crying herself back to sleep (mostly less than 10 mintutes with the exception of one 1/2 hour cry on the first night) and now she sleeps soundly! GO RUTHIE!! *

Dear Ruthie--

6 Months Old Baby Girl! Wow! You're such a big girl. You are such a ham. I love you to pieces. You are sitting by yourself for longer periods of time now. Taking two or three great naps a day and then sleeping through the night! I can't believe that we just celebrated your half birthday! You are always happy! Smiling smiling smiling. You'd love more than anything to stand up and walk, so you try and pull yourself up any free moment you got!
The other day, I was painting my toe nails while you played on your play mat. You kept reaching for the toenail clippers so I had to move them far away. That didn't stop you this time. You rolled over onto your stomach and the rolled again on your back. Focused on the clippers, scooted a little, and then rolled over onto your stomach until you could grab them. (Little Stinker) I was amazed but then knew it was time to focus on baby proofing the home since you were learning how to get into things you really wanted!
You're a little fish in the water. :) -- I take you to the pool almost every day. You absolutely LOVE the pool. You kick you little legs like a little frog :)-- so precious. Every time I pick you up you instantly stick your thumb in your mouth and hold me tight. I love those moments. :) You are my sweet little girl. I love you so much Ruthie Mackenzie. These next few months are going to be very exciting. For you 7 month, we'll celebrate with some fireworks! How does that sound :) --
Your parents love you Ruthie. I can't imagine life without you.

Love Always,

Mommy and Daddy

PS- Keep practicing mama... you almost got it!

Another Tackled Milestone

Ruthie Mackenzie
Sits Solo
23 weeks 6 days
May 19, 2009

My precious baby hit another milestone today. She had been sitting with some support for some time now, but today, she decided to sit by herself.

Mommy stayed close by, but she sat for over a half hour and we talked and she explored around her. I captured a few shots towards the end before she broke down and cried (I also got those moments caught on camera too!)

Great Job Ruthie!!

PICK ME UP!

Mommy!!

Look at what I can do!

Seasons Change

A quote from my husband
"Look Ru... normally daddy has his hands up in front of me or under my pillow but you're their so I have my arms down by my side like a freak!"

This photo was taken after a very long week and a VERY LONG NIGHT! We told our wonderful Youth Group last night that we'll be moving back to PA so Jonathan can go back to grad school to become a school counselor. God is so good. Yes, we shared many tears, but the kids we're awesome and showed us their support. We spent the rest of youth group sharing memories and praying with one another. Huge blessing. Jonathan will be sharing the news with the vestry tonight.

Jonathan and I are both hoping to get some rest this week as the days leading up to last night caused us much stress and sadness. Oh.. and Ruthie is awesome! She fell asleep during a loud game of dodgeball and slept until we were able to tell the youth group. When she woke up, she brought smiles to our youths faces and then finally asked nicely to eat!! :)

Ruthie turns 5 months Old!!!

Ruthie Turns 5 Months Old
15 lbs 7 oz

4.27.09- Ruthie tastes rice cereal. She ate it with one of those... "what are you putting in my mouth" kind of faces. It was actually mommy who had a harder time with it and decided to hold off for a little while longer. Besides... right now feeding her rice cereal is for the practice and we have lots of time to practice... later :)

4.30.09- Ruthie officially rolled over from her back to her stomach! She was lying in her crib when all of a sudden I heard her screaming. When I went in to bring Ruthie her po, I found her on her stomach! Go Ru!!

Letter To Ruthie Mackenzie:

Dear Ruthie,

I can't believe you are 5 months old! Oh my goodness! What an amazing month sweetie. You are such a gem. I think I write that each month, but it's the truth. I love being your mommy and spending each day with you. You discover new things every day and it's so much fun to watch you find new discoveries. This month so much has changed. I don't even know where to begin so I'll start with...

You rolled over! It is so neat to watch you tackle big milestones. You also tried some rice cereal and then peas and carrots. You haven't cared for any of these yet, so for now, we are sticking to breastfeeding because I love it and you seem to too. This month is beginning to be one of the hardest since we've brought you home. You are still an angel, but a teething angel. Poor thing, you are pretty miserable. I can't wait to see that tooth appear. If I could take away your pain, I would sweetheart. You cry and cry and all you want is your momma. It's so sweet but can also be very tiring. (Especially when mommy's getting ready for your baptism and guests). As soon as your daddy gets home though, you stop the waterworks and just look at him with love. You do love your daddy. The other day, you rolled over onto your stomach and then pulled yourself so high in your crib you were looking out the sides and then tried to pull yourself up. YIKES! We lowered your crib today (5.12.09) You are also practicing sitting up by yourself. Sometimes you can sit for up to 10 seconds before tumbling over. Any day now sweetie! Keep working hard.

This past weekend was Mother's Day weekend and what an amazing weekend to celebrate my first Mother's Day! Daddy watched you on Friday and let me go out for a massage. It was wonderful! You were (of course) great for your daddy! Soon after I got home, guests began to arrive for the weekend. You were baptized on May 9, 2009. Your Godparents: Aunt Kat and Uncle Blair (and Ava) and your Godmother: Aunt Katie stayed with us for the weekend. Also, your Uncle Nat, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Kristen, Uncle Eric, Aunt Pinky and your Grandparents: Opa & Grandma Stube and Grandpa and Marmee Marshall came into town for your special day. Aunt Heather was going to come, but she was sick that week so she had to stay home, but I gave her a kiss for you. :)

Your Opa performed the ceremony along with Mary Kay. It was so special Ruthie. I accidentally scheduled the ceremony over your nap time, but you were such a champ. You were starting to get fussy and then your Opa held you and baptized you and you put a huge smile on your face and enjoyed every moment of it!

Below are some pictures of your baptism. I love you Ruthie. I can't wait to see how much you've changed in the next month.

Love you Ruthie Mackenzie,

Mommy and Daddy

Look at you holding you po :)

Your Godparents

Our Happy Family

Ruthie Meets Aunt Natalie

Ruthie Meets Aunt Natalie

After a wonderful road trip down to New Bern, Ruthie and decided why not another road trip up to Pennsylvania. Especially since Uncle Evan and Aunt Natalie were coming for a visit.

It was a beautiful weekend. The weather was gorgeous so we took advantage and had a cookout at Aunt Pinky and Uncle Epics place.

4 Generations
4 Oldest Children
4 Girls

Aunt Pinky

Uncle Evan, Ruthie, Boomer, & Aunt Natalie

Great Grandma Yingling