Colorado Vacation - Part One

Alex, Ruby and I joined his parents, the Robersons, and the Hendricks clan for a vacation in Leadville, Colorado.

This was Ruby's third plane ride in her lifetime (first Sweden, then the flight over from the UK). It went much better than I expected and I don't think she hardly noticed taking off and landing.

We spent nearly a week at a neat cabin in a wooded area. Since it was Spring Break there wasn't nearly as much snow as when we've been around Christmas, but I really preferred this time of year because of the warmer temperatures! One person who was NOT a fan of the snow was Ruby. I can't explain why, but she did NOT want to walk on the snow or play in it. This made for an out of breath mama and daddy who carried her everywhere at high altitudes! Anyways, at least she was super cute in her snow attire.









While there, Alex and I went snowmobiling around Turquoise Lake.






And Alex was able to take Ruby innertubing/sledding down a mountain. She seemed to like that!

Ruby is now 22 months old!

Ruby is now 22 months old! When people ask how old she is, I just go ahead and say 'nearly 2'!

She is such a smart little sweetheart. When we are out and about we often get comments that she has a strong vocabulary for her age.

I think the most significant recent developmental change is that Ruby is really learning her tastes and how to express them. And while we do hear 'no' every now and then, the surprising thing is how often we hear the positive phrases, 'okay' or 'I like it.' Ruby lets us know when she enjoys things or gets excited about them. If I can make a rational argument with her she oftentimes agrees and says 'okay.' A few examples of 'likes' include: pistacios, ice cream, cupcakes, the Snow White movie, the Finding Nemo movie, her miniature fish toys, the playground, and being allowed to shake a multitude of mama's spices into a bowl and cook 'freely' (or make a mess rather). There are many others, but I just can't remember them all.

While Ruby does encounter things that scare her along the way (the balloon machine at party city, the weedeater noise, and walking on snow), overall she is becomming a very gentle and confident girl who loves new experiences and spending time with her friends.

Every day I feel so lucky to have her as my daughter.

VIDEO - Ruby scales the outside of the steps

Just when you think your house is childproofed...

Ruby has learned how to scale the OUTSIDE of the steps. The other day it was really quiet and then Alex and I discovered she had climbed all the way up to the first landing just by holding onto the bars. She only let out a squeel when she couldn't figure out how to go around the ledge and continue upwards.

Suggestions on how to childproof this area would be appreciated!

St. Patrick's Day Party/Playdate

My friend Andrea and I co-hosted a St. Patrick's day party at Ruby's house.

Everyone dressed in green and we had lots of green snacks!



Ruby was especially interested in the CUPCAKES!!!





Here is our playgrounp.






I made this dress for Ruby. And Andrea gave her this cute little mini-hat.

Last day of gymnastics class

We've been taking gymnastics for the past 8 weeks, but the time has come and we are moving on to another activity!

Ruby sure has enjoyed it though!

Sneak peak - Ruby's birthday hat

I'm already starting to prepare for Ruby's birthday party! I made her this hat and have many other neat things in the works!

More playground fun with Ruby and Maddie

Ruby and I took Lori and Maddie with us to a neat children's consignment sale, then we went to lunch and a cool playground.