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.

Five Great Drummers You May Not Know About

In no Particular order:

1. Joe Easley - Dismemberment Plan




















2. Tim Arnold - Days Away


























3. Carla Azar - Autolux























4. Richard Jupp - Elbow























5. Matt Tong - Bloc Party
























Creative, Simple, and just plain good.

Day of the Doctor

Ruth had to go to her 2 month check up and get the dreaded immunizations. I really didn't know what to expect because she is so calm about everything. I thought she might just sleep through the shots. However that didn't happen...she was definitely wide awake. The nurse really knew what she was doing though, it took a total of 2 seconds to get all three shots into her thighs. After the first shot Ruth's entire face turned bright red. After the second shot she started to whine and after the third shot she started crying. She was really upset and this was really hard for me to handle because Ruth NEVER cries or gets upset. I was so sad for her...especially since the nurse made me hold down Ruth's arms! She got over it in about a minute and we went to Wendy's and Target to spend the rest of our afternoon hours. However that evening she started to get really fussy, almost hysterical crying for minutes at a time. The doctor said that increased fussiness, tiredness and a fever were side-effects that many babies experience after getting immunizations. So the fussiness was to be expected. However, when I went to change her diaper I realized the reason she was so upset is because I had left her in her huge sweater (seen below)! Once I'd stripped her down to the diaper she was happy as a clam! Silly mommy!


Also at the doctor's we found out that Ruth weighs 12 1/2 pounds and is 23 1/2 inches long, this means she is in the 80th percentile for height and weight and the 30th percentile for head circumference. She has gotten better at body control and has really strong legs she can hold herself up with. She has also mastered the letter "o!"

The End of Vacation

So our vacation is coming to a close. I don't have much more to say. Saturday we had a birthday party for dad, his birthday is really Tuesday the 27th, tomorrow...but that's when we leave. Josh, Laura and Jeremiah came over as well as Joe, Meg, and Brynn. We ate lasagna and delicious cake and then played Win, Lose or Draw. We had a blast. Then on Sunday it snowed, but we still had church (surprising since we're in Oregon). I went to primary with my mom and started to cry when the kids were singing "We Are a Happy Family." I really miss Brad.

Today we woke up and immediately got ready to take pictures. Ruth is always so cute when she first wakes up, cooing and smiling and we wanted to catch that on camera. These are just some snap shots I took of her. One in her pretty church dress and another in her blessing outfit that actually fits her now!


Isn't her hair adorable in this picture! I love that she has a faux-hawk! (I didn't realize I was also taking a picture of my foot...lower left corner if you didn't notice!) Mom is finishing up the dress that she's sewing me and I'm watching the Bourne Identity--love those movies! I've also been spending time this weekend sending out tons of resumes to be an apartment manager here in the Portland area. If I get a job doing that then I can stay at home to be with Ruth and still be making money, huzzah! So, we'll see what happens. Our future is still up in the air and we are trying to get any work that's out there come April when Brad graduates.

Apparently picture taking wore this baby out! I love her chunky legs and ballet slipper socks! Can you tell I'm obsessed with headbands?

Crafts and Mobiles

Our week has been filled with all sorts of crafts. I've been making headbands and mom has been sewing her heart out. She has already made my wonderful nursing cover and is now working on a nursing dress! I'm so excited. I had no idea that anyone made nursing clothes...how cool. Now I can wear a dress to church and not have to pump a bottle for Ruth to drink. I still don't get how it's gonna work but something about a magical lifting up flap.

As I mentioned a few days ago, we have found out that Ruth loves mobiles. This morning mom and I went over to Tigard so mom could take Megan and Brynn to the doctor. While they were gone Ruth and I hung out at Meg and Joe's apartment. (Brynn had to ride to the doctor in Ruth's carseat because Joe forgot to take out Brynn's carseat before he left for school at Pacific University.) As you can see from the photo, Ruth LOVED the mobile. After Megan and mom got back we went to Deseret Book looking for dad's birthday present...then we had lunch at the teriyaki place next door! YUM! Another interesting point from the day is that Ruth fell asleep at noon and slept to 3:30 when I fed her. After her late lunch I caught her sleeping on my dad's shoulder! We struggled to keep her awake all afternoon and evening, and when I say struggle I mean we were completely unsuccessful. It is now 10:15 and she is wide awake, cooing and not showing the slightest sign of sleepiness. The nice thing about her sleepiness is that I've finally found some time to do some reading. Brad got me "Frankenstein" for Christmas and it is so good, not the monster story like the movies show.

Ruth woke up in time for our yummy artichoke/chicken pizza dinner after which she promptly blew out her pants! That's always fun. Then she was kind enough to pose for a picture with mom...you can tell she was still waking up.

Another Vacation Day

This morning we slept in and then went on a walk. I saw shingles scattered all over someones lawn and drive way, in case you needed more proof that it's ridiculously windy over here. Then we came back and mom made us French toast, yum. Then mom and I spent some time making a new nursing cover for me...it is so cute! I was the model and mom did all the sewing, but I still gave some input.

After all this dad had a photo shoot with Ruth. He got his umbrellas set up and made a little seat for Ruth from our bean bag. I put Ruth in a bunch of cute outfits...but once I put her pretty dress on she had had enough...so dad took care of the situation. She calmed down after a cuddle with grandpa, a diaper change and a change of clothes.

Later in the evening we went to baby sit Jeremiah, a boy who is 5 days older than Ruth and the son of good friends of mom and dad (Josh and Laura). After babysitting we had dinner and dessert with them at their house. We had a really nice time chatting and baby talking.

We came home and watched Ugly Betty and ate delicious home-made cookies!

Baby Gear

So yesterday my mom and I went to JoAnn's and bought flowers, buttons and ribbons so I could make things to go in Ruth's headbands. Today I started making the clips by hot gluing the accessories onto hair clips that will go right into the headbands. I just love the way these flowers and other clips look on her head. It just makes makes a cute girl even cuter! I also weighed Ruth today...she's up to 12 pounds!!!


Also, this morning mom told me to try out her mineral makeup. I felt like I was twelve again playing with makeup. I forgot how much I love eye shadow. I came down looking and feeling good.