1 Month, 2 Weeks, and 4 Days

Dear Ruthie,

Today you rolled over, from your tummy to your back!

We think it was a fluke.

You were doing tummy time while I unloaded the dishwasher and your daddy straightened the living room. You were whimpering a little, but not crying. All of a sudden, your daddy said, "She rolled over!" I turned around and - sure enough - you were on your back, waving your legs in the air!

We congratulated you and were so excited.

So, of course, we put you back on your tummy to see if you would do it again so we could watch!

And you didn't.

Of course.

You got pretty close - almost up on your side - but didn't quite know to throw that leg over and complete the roll. That's okay. We'll keep working on it.

We are so proud of you - you are getting oh-so-big and strong!

Love,
Mama

1 Month, 2 Weeks, and 3 Days

Dear Ruthie,

Today we:

Made you pose in your JHU hat with my newly framed diploma...
Sorry about that, Ruth. You did NOT like it. 

Shopped at Target and had coffee with Papa at Starbucks

FaceTimed with Aunt Paige, Cousin Blaire, and Uncle Brad...
and listened to their Bible bedtime story (until you started throwing a fit!)

Sent pictures to Aunty Jade in your flower crown!

Big day for a little girl... here's to more memory making tomorrow!

Love,

Mama

1 Month, 2 Weeks, and 2 Days

Dear Ruth,

Tonight, your new friend was born! Adeline Elizabeth made her debut in Anchorage! We are so excited for Hannah and Brandon and I can't wait for you to meet her, baby girl!

I foresee many American Girl playdates, adventures, and laughter in your future.

Love,
Mama

1 Month and 2 Weeks

Dear Ruthie,

There are so many little things I want to remember:

• How you lay your hand on my breast while I feed you and how my body nourishes yours
• That little sly smile you've started to share with us
• How long the hair is at the nape of your neck
• How talkative you're becoming
• The spit bubbles you started blowing last week
• How sometimes, you just seem to need your mama to hold you - and often, as soon as you get in my arms, you start to calm
• Those little whimpers you make right before you fall asleep in your cradle
• How your hands and feet get so cold, even with socks and gloves on... just like mine
• That red streak in your hair, surrounded by brown (it makes me think you'll be a fiery little thing!)
• How you sometimes fall fast asleep in the car... and sometimes you scream the whole ride
• Your blue boots
• The way you snuggle into my arms

SO many things to remember, baby girl. If only we could bottle up memories, like Dumbledore does in Harry Potter, and relive them anytime we want! Tonight, while praying with you before bed, the Lord impressed on me the importance of numbering our days. I'm sure "before we know it" you will be starting Kindergarten, graduating from college, getting married, and having your own babies. 

So right now - as long as it is called today - I want to remember these things. I want to remember YOU.

Cutie Patootie!! We love you!

Your little smile. Your spunkiness. How you are starting to stick out your tongue. That cute sound you make after sneezing. Oh my lands. We are so blessed to be your parents. And I love being your mama!

Love love love,

Mama

1 Month, 1 Week, and 6 Days

Dear Ruthie

Tonight, you were so fussy right before bed. It was close to 10:30pm and we knew you were exhausted... but like always, you fought it hard.

I held you close in our bedroom, where your white cradle is currently nestled in the corner, close enough for us to reach you in an instant. I held you close, one arm under your butt, one hand behind your neck. I held you, just trying my best to comfort you, shhhh-ing you and bouncing and occasionally rubbing your back.

Then the Lord brought a song to my mind:
I love you, Lord,
And I lift my voice
To worship You.
Oh my soul: Rejoice!
Take joy, my King,
In what You hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear.

And I was struck, baby girl, by how my song was worship to Him... but perhaps your whimpers and cries were, too. In Sunday School, Jeff brought up Psalm 8:2, which says, "Through the praise of children and infants, You have established a stronghold against Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

Your daddy and I pray daily that you will know the Lord... and not just know Him, but follow Him and walk with Him, not turning to the right or to the left. What an honor we have to teach you how to worship Him as an infant.

Love,
Mama