A New Game!

I love that Ruth is actually looking at the camera in this picture.

Brad discovered a new game to play with Ruth this weekend. I love when they play because Ruth's laugh is really funny...listen.

Bear Suit or a New Bed for the Red-Head

My mom got this little snow-suit for Ruth to wear that looks like a pink bear. I love this picture because it looks like she is growling. This face also reminds me of Mowgli from Disney's Jungle Book when he sees a girl for the first time. I put her in the suit so we could go on a walk to the post office and Smith's. I thought I'd try out putting her in the stroller without the carseat. She stayed awake for a lot more of the walk than normal because she could look around.

And of course I have to include another picture of Ruth in the bath. I decided I would start leaving her little blue tub inside the big tub because she makes a huge mess with all her splashing. She's also big enough that now I don't have to leave the little hammock in to support her, she can just sit up in it!


I dyed my hair red today, but you can't really tell in this picture. But the really exciting news is that Brad and I finally got a new bed set! We had been using Brad's old one for the last three years and it had finally gotten so many tears and holes in it that we got a new one. And because I'm such a great bargain hunter we found this complete bed set for $35: originally $129! Hooray for the clearance aisle in Target.

As you can see, Ruth was the first to enjoy the new bed.

The Number 3 or the Curse of the Bald Spot

Tomorrow Ruth will be 3 months old. I took a picture of her in a church outfit, the same outfit I put her in at three weeks old. You can really see a change! At 3 weeks the sleeves had to be rolled up, her tights are loose on her legs and the shoes didn't fit. At 3 months her head is a totally different shape and the dress is way shorter!


In exciting 3 month old news, last night Ruth rolled over. I was on the bed and I flipped her onto her tummy. When I looked back down at her she was on her side kicking her legs. As I watched she slowly but surely pushed herself all the way over onto her back. My eyes were filled with tears. It is so exciting to watch my baby grow and change and develop. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right to see that she is developing and learning new tricks. I'm so proud of her. I wanted to make sure this was not just a fluke, so after hugging and kissing and praising her for her hard work I put her back on her tummy. This time it didn't take so long, she got right to work: dropping her shoulder, kicking her legs and pushing with her other arm. YAY!

Because of all this growing and developing she is also wiggling a lot. And that wiggling has rubbed a huge bald spot into the back of the poor girls head.


In other news, we went to the Market Street Grill yesterday for lunch. All I can say is WOW. I don't even like fish that much but I guess that if it's prepared well it's delicious. My new favorite food is scallops: delicious!

How to Care for Books

April is coming near. This means two things for Katie and I: Graduation and moving. In anticipation of the move I have started to gather boxes and pack certain things we don't use that often. Some of those things include books. The other night I was placing books in a box when Katie interrupted me to inform me that if I didn't want to ruin the books, I was to put them spine down. Her knowledge of book care was gained while working at BYU library for most of her undergraduate schooling. This was not the first time I had heard how to pack books correctly. In fact, today as I was cleaning out my nightstand, I found this comic I drew for her during the first year of our marriage:

















It is funny how objects and subjects surface and resurface together. You will be thinking about someone one day, and then the next day you run into them. I often wonder if coincidences are real. what do you think?

Happy Valentine's Day

So I totally surprised Brad today with an early Valentine's Day treat. We don't normally do anything but I woke up this morning after having a dream about a great spaghetti surprise. So, I got up, got Ruth ready, and we went and picked up a few things from the store. By the time we got back (we walked) it was nearly noon, so I only had 2 hours to pull the whole thing off. First of all I had to clean the apartment because it was a mess. I had to set up a special eating area in our back room. Then I had to get cookin'! I made special spaghetti with hot sausage and baguette crisps and Sprite with frozen strawberries for ice and dessert was cheesecake with a home-made strawberry sauce, YUM! I picked Brad up from school and he was completely shocked when we got home. The best thing too was that Ruth was so cooperative during all my cleaning and cooking. I put her in the swing and talked to her and she was just as content as could be. However, by the time Brad got home she was ready to spend the rest of the day being held and cuddled...but she earned it for being so great!
And in case you were wondering...she still loves bath-time and has recently discovered that she loves the feeling of her bath towel!

These are some other pictures from the week.

This is me and baby just hanging out. I was so excited that I had a hair clip that matched her outfit!

Baby also won her big fight, this is her cooling down in her swing afterwards.

And this is Brad, sympathizing with baby when she was a little grumpy.

Music Blog

Some friends and I have come together and started a review site! We review movies, music, books, concerts, and whatever else. Check it out at:

http://sensesinuse.wordpress.com/

If you are interested in contributing just write me (Brad) at bandsilike@gmail.com

Cute Baby

I really don't have anything to say...I just took some cute pictures of my girl and wanted to post them. She really loved wearing the hat...

...and I thought headbands were cute! She's starting to like tummy time more.

Weekend Fun

Last weekend we just had to get out of the motel...so we went for a drive! It was a beautiful day, even though it was frigid. The sun was out and the mountains were covered in snow. We drove up to Heber City, it was gorgeous. As we passed Deer Lake, Brad asked if I have ever walked on a frozen lake. Doesn't that just sound terrifying? To walk on a frozen lake...even worse to go ice fishing. That means you are intentionally putting holes into the ice! And who would do that when it is so sunny like it was that Saturday. Well, on our way back from Heber City, Brad convinced me to take a walk on the ice. If you look in the background of this picture you can see little black dots farther back on the ice...those are ice fishers. There were tons of them out that day. (The bundle Brad is holding is Ruth.)

This week I decided it was finally time to switch out Ruth's clothes. Her 0-3 month clothes were just looking too tight, the elastic in the arms left red marks, the snaps on the bottom were stretching and we already switched to the 12-18 pound diapers (0-3 month clothes go to 11 or 12 pounds depending on the brand...in case you're not a mom of a baby!) So I put all her 0-3 month stuff in the blue plastic tub and pulled out the 3-6 month stuff. I can't believe my 2 1/2 month old baby is wearing clothes 6 month olds wear!

This green jumper outfit was the first new thing she wore. It's so cute! But I'm pretty sure the reason she is so happy in this picture is because I had just given her a bath, I doubt she cares much about her clothes yet. But speaking of bath-time...this week I filled up the bath, not her little one that sits on the counter, our big bath and held her shoulders and head out of the water while she kicked around for 15 minutes. This girl loves the water!!!

Another thing we discovered about Ruth this week is that she loves Grandma Paula's art. We have several of Paula's paintings in our apartment and whenever Ruth can get the right angle she just stares at them forever. Hooray for an art lover!

I also discovered something else she loves today. I was playing with her on the bed and this little game came about, watch!



Seeing that Brad and I will very soon be moving away from Provo, we're making sure to do things we enjoyed in the last 5 years. Eating out is definitely one of our favorite past-times. We went to Red Robin and Hot Pot. When we got home from Red Robin, Ruth was all zonked out. I think the loud music, tv's and neon signs were a little overwhelming for her little senses!

My Top Albums From 2008

This list reflects the music I found myself listening to repeatedly throughout the year. I am sure that there are better albums musically, technically, and fiscally. However, this is what kept my attention.

1. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
This album received a lot of critical acclaim this year. Just a beautiful set of tunes. I recommend 'Flume' and 'Blindsided'






2. Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Won the NME album of the year award. That should be the third time Elbow has won that award, but whatever. Listen to 'The Bones of You' and 'Grounds for Divorce'


3. Kings of Leon - Only by the Night
I love this guys voice. Ever since the "gold-digger mother" lyric, this band had me hooked. 'Revelry' and 'Use Somebody'





4. Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
One of the voices behind Zero 7, Sia has no problem holding her own. She did however, subject Katie and I to one of the absolute worst opening bands in the history of time. 'Day too Soon' and 'Lentil'



5. Ray Lamontagne - Gossip In The Grain
As long as he stays away from the Honky Tonk, he does beautifully. His voice is a force of pure style. Soul, Pure soul. 'Let it be me' and 'Winter Birds'





6. City and Colour - Bring Me Your Love
A solo project that puts the original band to shame. Dallas Green should dedicate himself solely to the songwriting he exhibits on this album. 'Sleeping Sickness' and ' Forgive Me'




7. Blind Pilot - 3 Rounds and A Sound
Guitar and Drums. A great album from the Portland based group. Gained most of their fame from internet downloads. ' The Story I heard' and 'Go On, Say It'




8. Jóhann Jóhannsson - Fordlândia
Iceland must be a slow place. every time I pick up an artist out of Iceland it is something like this. Is that a complaint? NO! My music world has been blessed by the meloncholic beauty Iceland produces. This is no exception.



9. Shearwater - Rook
Downright cool Stuff. Another great voice. 'Rooks' and 'Home Life'






10. Sixpence None the Richer - The Dawn of Grace
Am I embarrassed that it is Sixpence none the richer? yes. Am I even more embarressed by the fact that it is a Christmas album? yes. However, I loved this album! I listened to it enough during Christmas time to make up for the whole year. You just have to avoid that christmas island trash. 'Silent night' and 'Angels we have heard on High'

Mommy

I love being a mom.


My dad took this picture when we were in Oregon.