Dear Ruby,

Hello my little Rooster!

I have to say, you have quite the name for morphing into easy (and cute!) nicknames. Some of our favorites-Roo, Roo Bear, Roosicle, Rooster, Ruby Tuesday.



I cannot believe you are two months old-how in the world did that happen so quickly? Your personality shines through a little more each day-it's like we're pulling back the cover and revealing a new portion each and every day. You're still the easy baby you always were-we're due for a monster of a child next time, I believe.



Since your first month of life, you have toured a good portion of the country, accumulating over 4,800 miles of travel on your odometer. We took our first family vacation to Indio, California, then it was back home for a day before getting back on the road to travel in the other direction. All of your extended family in Missouri were thrilled to see you. You were a dream-child to travel with, sleeping nearly all of the way unless you were hungry. You celebrated Christmas in five places-once in California on Christmas day, which we celebrated by going to Sea World, once at home with Mommy and Daddy, once at both Grandma and Grandpa's, and once in Missouri-you got quite an assortment of loot! You also stayed up with the best of 'em to celebrate New Year's-not wanting to miss a thing, you insisted on staying awake until Mommy went to bed with you, meaning 2 AM.






You met Uncle Eric for the first time when we were in California, and he just loved you. He brought you a hot pink teddy bear that he made especially for you at the Build-A-Bear workshop (this image just gets me every time-what a good uncle!) And like the little ham you are, you let him hold you and gave him all sorts of smiles.

You've mastered smiling which usually sends your mommy and daddy into fits of giggles-you seem to smile at the appropriate times which is even more humorous. You blow bubbles like a professional, and you can practically stick your tongue out on demand (kudos to Uncle Corey for teaching you how to do this when someone does it to you first). You have found your fingers and love to suck on them when the pacifier is not near. At times you get overly excited about this and gag yourself, then look at me as if I was the one who caused it! And guilty mommy must admit, I have gagged you on occasion when placing your pacifier in your mouth-you have a very sensitive gag reflex.

You're talking and cooing a lot which is also quite adorable (okay, so I can't really think of anything you do that isn't adorable). One of your babbles sounds quite a lot like "Hi!" You love to be held in someone's arms on your belly-on the rare occasion that you get fussy (most always when you're overtired), that will usually soothe you.

You got your first cold after coming home from Missouri. I wasn't naive enough to believe you would be spared (Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma, and Great Grandma all had something icky), but it was hard, nonetheless. You handled it extremely well after the first night (which was miserable-I think you and I got an hour of sleep total).

It's bittersweet to watch you grow-you're no longer my wrinkly little squeaking newborn. Instead you are my alert, smiling, "talking," and wiggly baby! If I could, I would bottle you up as you are-savoring your sweet baby smell, your fuzzy little head, your buttery soft skin and milky baby breath. I'd save the moments that I can't get enough of-your endless smiles, our snuggly nursing times, and the times where we just sit and stare. It's amazing to see you change, but a little sad that you won't stay this little forever. Just two months ago, you took your first breaths in this world, and your daddy proclaimed, "It's a GIRL!" We were amazed at how perfect you were and have never stopped wondering how we were blessed with such a perfect little being. I can't wait to see what the future holds for uncovering your little personality some more. We love you more than you will ever know, and I cherish every single second with you-you're a sweetheart and a blessing directly from above.

I love you lots, sweet baby!
XOXO,
Momma