seven months.

dear ruth,

on christmas eve you will turn seven months old. seven months. oh, honey. slow down a little, okay? you're growing so very fast.

a couple of nights ago you and your daddy hung out for awhile while i did some last minute christmas shopping. i felt a little lost without you. you and i have our little dance down pat. whenever we are out i wear you in your sleepy wrap, tucked tight against my chest. for awhile i would face you outwards but i've learned you prefer to face me. you can still see everything but when you get tired or overwhelmed you can bury your face into my chest. and every now and then you look up at me and smile, reach your chubby little hand up and pat my neck. it melts my heart every single time.

you light up when your dad comes home from work in the evenings. and if anyone were to look at your finger they would find him there, wrapped tightly around it.

you like your baby food quite a bit. you usually eat about five spoonfuls before you get full. i've learned when you gag you are full and if i coax one more bite in you will barf everywhere. you seem to like peas and pears the best. today we are trying pumpkin for the first time.

i read about a bazillion articles and books on how to introduce baby food, combine solids and breastfeeding, etc. everyone has an opinion on what you should eat, how much, when, etc. but here is what i have learned...i am your mama. i know you better than anyone else in this world. so, i'm just going with my gut on this. following my instincts and taking our time with this. and you are happy as a clam about it.

you started "talking" this week. you chatter constantly now. you put yourself to sleep talking, wake up talking and constantly are telling us stories. you come by it honestly though...having two parents that love to talk so much. especially your daddy.

you are doing great in the nursery at church. so far you've made it through three services without me having to go in there and soothe you.

you're learning to scoot, getting more and more sturdy at sitting on your own. you love rolling around on your quilt on the floor and playing. you have a million toys but anytime you see a dog toy you zoom after it like a torpedo. you adore allie and i believe the feeling is mutual. i often catch  you both staring at each other. and wherever you are, allie is never far away. often at night, while i nurse you, she leans over and licks your head.

you still wake 2-3 times a night (on good nights). but i don't mind. soon enough this will all be a memory...and until then i cherish those quiet moments deep in the night, just the two of us.

we adore you, sweet girl. christmas seems a little bit more magical this year because we are experiencing it with you. it seems a little more holy, a little more awe-filled. because now i know Christ also came to earth to live and die for you, too, my sweet ruth.

may you soon know and accept His love and salvation. and may your daddy and i be faithful to teach you and live our lives in a way that reflect His love and glory to you.

merry christmas, ruth.

i love you,
mama