Farewell Brunch with Lon and Toni

Lon and Toni are headed back to the US so we met them for a final farewell brunch. We wish them safe travels and look forward to visiting them when we eventually get back to the US!

Ruby wore her cute sailor outfit for the occasion...

Hands...mmmmmm, yummy

In the past few days Ruby has discovered her hands...and that sometimes she can find her mouth - and suck and chew on them! It is funny to watch her concentrate...



Sometimes she misses...



But, she often makes it...

Ruby at 10 weeks

Ruby is now 10 weeks old! We just had her weighed today and she is one ounce shy of 12 pounds! She continues to smile more and more... and is starting to discover her hands and put them in her mouth.

Here is a pic of her enjoying morning playmat time!

Rainy Day Walk & Science Museum

We took an afternoon walk in Kensington Gardens. I really miss living so close to that park! It started raining, so we sought cover in the nearby Science Museum (Alex's request!) Ruby got to have a mid-afternoon snack amongst the airplanes in the museum.

Second swimming class - she likes it!

Yesterday was our second day of baby swimming class. Ruby was in a much better mood (since mommy timed her feed a bit better!) and so enjoyed being in the water more! We learned how to glide through the water on the tummy, blow bubbles and be DUNKED for the first time (she didn't like that so much!). The thing she found most amusing was the part when I set her on the ledge/side and she was able to look down at me in the water...she thought me being at a different angle/vantage point was hiiiillllaarrious and was giggling at me!

Sleeping through 7 nights in a row!

Ruby is starting to develop a more consistent sleeping pattern. For the past few weeks she has been sleeping through the night some and then occasionally waking around 3/4 am for a feed. But, last night was the seventh night of her sleeping from about 11 pm to 7 am! Yay! Let's hope it sticks.

Saturday afternoon portrait session (Ruby - 9 weeks)

So we made our second attempt at a Macnab family portrait session (Ruby is 9 weeks now). It is always difficult to time this so that Ruby is in her most calm and contented state - after a bottle, but before she gets restless or sleepy. We managed a very short session in the park down the street from our flat...and then the dark rain clouds blew in and the skies opened as we dashed back home!



Here is a picture of me holding Ruby in her favorite position. Sometimes when she lays on my chest she pushes with her feet and arms until she works her way into this strange sideways angle, then she falls asleep. It doesn't look comfortable, but whatever makes her happy!

Meeting daddy for dinner in Canary Wharf

So I braved the tube on my own with the pram and made it all the way across town to Canary Wharf. We met Alex after work and went to Gaucho Grill for a nice steak dinner. Ruby was suprisingly well behaved and all the waiters oohed and aahhed over how cute she was.

We decided to take the Thames Clipper ferry back toward home. It was a rainy evening, but it was still nice to see the sights along the river.

New favorite amusements - the penguin and snail

Since she was just a few weeks old Ruby has shown a real interest in black and white toys and books. Supposedly this is because all babies prefer high contrast images...So, why do they make the majority of baby toys in pastel colours?!?!?! Anyways, in addition to her black and white books, giraffe and small fluorescent bug chimes, one new favorite is a black and white stuffed penguin (came free with some piece of baby equipment!)



The other favorite is a black,white and red multi-image bumper thing we use in her pram. She gets so excited looking at these things - arms swinging, feet kicking, cooing, shrieking bird noises, etc! There is one image in particular that she seems to like best - the swirly snail. She could stare at it for a good 10 minutes without getting distracted. I have rotated the images around, but the other things don't seem to have the same effect.Sometimes, after 'playing' with the snail, she will just fall asleep, happy and content.

Last day of baby massage class

Today was our last day of baby massage class. We learned some good techniques that really relax Ruby after her bath. At 9 weeks she is starting to smile more and more!

Ruby's first swimming lesson

On Monday, I took Ruby to her first swimming class. It was quite a trek to get there (took nearly 1.5 hours there!) but supposedly this place is good as it is specifically designed for baby swim lessons (warm pool, etc). Anyways, Ruby was a bit grumpy since she didn't get to finish her whole bottle before the class...and so, as you can imagine, she wasn't overjoyed to have water splashed or poured on her from a watering can...much less to be carried around listening to the class sing 'wheels on the bus go round and round.' She was slightly stunned by the gentle swishing back and forth in the water, but overall she wasn't that impressed...Fingers crossed she likes it better next time since it is an 11 week course!

Here is a pic of us before the class started (along with Brenda and Roman who are also taking the class). At least she looked super cute in her polka dot bathing suit (thanks again for such a nice gift Marie!)

Saturday in London

Last Saturday we went to Covent Garden, down Oxford Street and stopped by our old neighbourhood (Bayswater and Kensington Gardens) for a short walk around. Ruby did really well, managing to stay calm amidst the crowds. She has become quite tolerant of eating her lunch on the go in random places and having impromptu diaper changes in her pram. She is an 'urban chick' as Alex says.

Video - Tummy time

At first Ruby hated tummy time...she preferred to strengthen her neck and back while laying/sitting on our chests. But, in the past few days she has been tolerating it more and more. Tonight after her bath and massage, she managed a few minutes of tummy time/bobbing her head around.

A day of shopping and curry for dinner

Today Ruby and I went to Westfield shopping centre with Brenda and her son Roman. We had a fantastic lunch at Wahaca (nice Mexican food with a relaxing patio) and then browsed a few shops. Going to Westfield is like being back in Dallas - it is a nice, modern mall that is very well designed...Excellent for mums with prams. Then, tonight Alex and I went to our local Indian restaurant for a curry.

Video - Ruby swats at toys

In the mornings Ruby likes to lay on her changing table, look in the mirror and swat at her toys. These bright lightweight bug toys have been fantastic as the tiniest bump from Ruby makes them move and crinkle (thanks for the recommendation Kate!) And, the giraffe is also a big favorite.

Ruby is 8 weeks now!

We are finally getting the swing of things (after 8 weeks, thank goodness)! There is a semi-routine throughout the day and we're learning what works and what doesn't. Tonight we managed to cook and eat dinner in peace (well, it was just hot dogs and Coronas, but still...) using a combo of pacifier (or 'dummy' as they say in the UK), baby swing (best purchase ever for £30 on ebay!) and some nice Italian music in the background. Eating dinner is a major feat, because no matter what time it is, as soon as we sit down, Ruby typically starts crying... But not tonight! After dinner, since Ruby was still in a semi-good mood, we tested out our new baby carrier that just arrived yesterday. We walked to the neighborhood pub (the Earl Spencer) for a pint.

Ruby smiles in her summery dress

Today we met some friends for coffee...Ruby looked super cute in her summery dress, especially since she flashed a semi-smile!

Baby's got blue eyes (for now anyways)

This is one of my favorite outfits for Ruby. I think it really brings out the blue in her eyes. We know they will likely change to hazel like mine, or brown like Alex's, but they are just the most beautiful shade of blue right now.

Daddy has special skillz!

Over the past few weeks I have noticed that Alex has a special skill for putting Ruby to sleep. Yes, I can put her to sleep while she is laying on my chest, but Alex has a specific rocking, swinging motion that puts Ruby to sleep enough he can lay her in her cot...and walk away with her staying asleep! He usually does the 10/11 pm and the 3/4 am (on the nights she doesn't sleep through to 5/6 am) and so this talent comes in quite handy! Anyways, Ruby and I are so lucky to have such a hands on, loving daddy.

July 4th BBQ at Lon and Toni's

This past Saturday we celebrated July 4th by attending a BBQ at Lon and Toni's flat. Ruby got into the spirit of red, white and blue....and even found a friend wearing coordinating red and white polka dots (Leah!) It was bittersweet since Lon and Toni are moving back to the US in August.

Ruby shares her playmat

Thursday after baby massage class, Alex, Ruby and I went out to lunch with Brenda and her son Roman. Afterwards they came back to our place for tea, a cupcake and a chat. Ruby shared her playmat with Roman. In the past week, she is just starting to show interest in the dangling toys and swats at them occasionally.

Heat wave in London!

The past few days it has been super hot! Clear blue skies, blazing sun...and no A/C in our flat or anywhere really. We've been going out for short walks in the morning and early evening, but midday we are mostly at home in the shade. Today was around 90 F which, for London merited a heat wave level three warning. However, this morning Ruby and I headed out to see Lesley and her baby Holly. Here are a few pics from our visit.