8 months with ruby kay

an extremely belated monthly post...

dear ruby kay,

what a sweet girl you are. you are such a good mix of being chill, but you also are still very curious. you are such a good baby, and you make your daddy and i so happy. i am so excited to see who you will grow to be, and i pray that you stay the same sweet girl as you grow up.

right now you are napping, and i am so ready for you to wake up. you are typically pretty cuddly after your naps, which i just love. we finally started a schedule for you, and it has "normalized" life so much. our life has been pretty busy with work right now, but we are so thankful for your presence in our lives.

some sweet things to remember from your eight month with us are:

-you now have two bottom teeth that came through at the same time. your daddy felt them first, and i was so surprised. luckily, teething didn't phase you at all.

-you love your mama, and always want to be by my side, or in the same room as me.

-you are an expert crawler, and getting really fast. we "baby-proof" our apartment by closing our bedroom doors and letting you wander in the living room and kitchen.

-you just started to wave "bye bye"! 

-you had two very special visitors from Thailand- Nina and Aunt Marisa. you love the extra attention!

-you still love peek-a-boo, and are slowing starting to play it with me!

-your hair is just starting to thicken, and your mama is so excited to put bows in your hair instead of headbands!

-your nicknames are RK, rubesies, and sweet girl

-changing your diaper has become quite the task, and i have to pin you down to keep you still

-your favorite book is "my farm friends" and you especially love it when i make the animal noises.

-you now eat three meals a day, and are slowly starting to eat what we eat, just chopped up and softened.

-you are nursing four times a day (8,12,4,8), and take two naps (10,2), and sleeping through the night (8-8)

-we stayed in a hotel for the first time, and you swam in the pool on your eight month birthday. 

your daddy and i love you so much, sweet girl!

{7 months}

{6 months}

{5 months}

{4 months}

{3 months}

{2 months}

{1 months}

baby bump countdown pictures

remember all those pregnancy posts i did last year in my countdown tee? i wanted to compile all the pictures together to see my bump grow. i remember waiting so long to "look" pregnant. looking back, i really only started to show around 25-ish weeks. it's always interesting to see how some people start showing right away, and others take a while.

now that ruby kay is almost 8 months old, being pregnant feels so long ago. looking back, i had a really easy pregnancy with only a bit of nausea and fatigue in my first trimester. i'm excited for the next time we get pregnant, and hope that it also goes smoothly. right now i'm thankful to not be pregnant and can't imagine carrying around ruby kay with a 41 week belly!

i'm so glad that we took these pictures, and hope that ruby kay enjoys seeing her grow in mama's belly! thanks to my trusty photographer, ben, for taking all of these with minimal complaints! :)

painted iPhone pictures

 i recently discovered a new editing app for pictures on my iPhone. it's called the waterlogue app, and can be found here.

i love how it can make an ordinary image look like painting found in an art museum. i have mostly played around with images already on my phone- but hope to use this on trips with pretty scenery. from the few art courses i took in school, i love art and wish that i spent more time on it. here are just a few of my favorites.

fall & our family.

cape fair, mo. & daddy's kisses.

tummy sleeper & valentines roses.

7 months with ruby kay

 

dearest ruby kay,

you are now seven months old, and life with you is so fun. you are active and mobile, and are always on the move. you are such a curious baby, and seem to be fascinated by your surroundings. when we are home, you love to pull yourself up onto the tv stand, chairs, and couch. you love to see all the action, and love being upright. 

you are such a joyful baby, and love to sing and jabber. your smile is so contagious and charming. your mama and daddy just love you! this past month has also been hard- with our crazy schedules full of travelling, and trying to develop more of a sleeping schedule for you. the older you get the deeper our love grows for you- but the more real it becomes. nothing could prepare us for being your mama and daddy- but our selflessness for you is what makes our love so strong!

some sweet things to remember from your seventh month with you are:

-you are still nursing, but eat pureed food 2x a day- lunch and dinner. your favorites so far are squash and sweet potato. you are starting to get the concept of grasping, thanks to your puffs. 

-you are a full blown crawler. you can tromp from one side of our living room to the other pretty quickly. you also now can crawl through the bottom your exersaucer. 

-we are slowly baby-proofing our apartment- luckily we don't have that much to do!

-you can pull yourself up to coffee tables and chairs. once standing you love to bounce- it's the funniest thing!

-you can transition from sitting to crawling to sitting

-you love peek a boo

-your nap schedule is still a little everywhere, but you typically take a morning and early afternoon nap

-your tickle spots are you neck, shoulders, and tummy.

-you are most content mama's hip 

a cute tushie on a curious girl

ruby kay, your mama and daddy are head over heels for you. it is a joy to see you grow, and we continue to be so proud of you!

{6 months}

{5 months}

{4 months}

{3 months}

{2 months}

{1 months}

6 months with ruby kay

dearest sweet ruby Kay,

I have probably asked a million times today, "where did my tiny baby go?" you are now six months old, and I am left feeling like time truly does fly by. one of our good friends just had a baby last week, and after holding their little miracle you felt very old in my arms. this past month was a very special month with christmas and new years, and you started to do some very big new things. you now are sitting up and crawling everywhere. you started out with a slow army-crawl, and now are a full blown crawler! 

our love for you continues to grow, sweet girl. you are such a chill baby and love to giggle, especially when you are around people. you are the perfect mix of easy-going yet friendly, and i hope that you never change. you are becoming very curious, and love discovering new things and love toys.

some sweet things to remember from your sixth month with you are:

-you are no longer swaddled and now sleep in sleep sacks. 

-we started you on baby cereal which has helped you sleep through the night (hallelujah!)

-you are now sitting up on your own (more recently) and can sit on your own for a few minutes

-your favorite toys are your stacking cups, wooden giraffe toy, and Sophie the giraffe

-we have a collection of giraffe toys for you, especially thanks to christmas gifts from mimi and nina.

-you put everything in your mouth! we are definitely in the drool stage with you.

-you enjoy swinging in your 'jumping jenny' more than jumping

-you don't like riding in your car seat at night- which results in either your daddy or i sitting next to you to keep you company

-you are very content in your exersaucer, and play with each toy on it.

-you love crawling and exploring. you started out army crawling, then scooting, and now rock back and forth on your knees. If we FaceTime with family- you will crawl towards our phone screens to see them!

-you typically take 2 naps each day, in the morning and afternoon. occasionally you roll onto your tummy mid-nap, and those naps are always the longest.

-you like to blow bubbles, and stick out your tongue. 

sitting up so well on your own 

chubby cheeks

we love you so much, sweet girl, and cannot wait to spend the next six months (and more!) with you.

{5 months}

{4 months}

{3 months}

{2 months}

{1 months}

5 months with ruby kay

 to our beloved ruby kay,

what a month it has been! you are growing so much each day- and are no longer our tiny, brand new baby. this past month you have discovered your toys. you move from your back to your tummy like a pro, and are always moving/wiggling. it is so fun to see you grow and develop- and it is all happening so quickly.

you are still a very sweet baby, but are becoming more work the older you get. you are awake for the majority of the day with a few naps (2-3) during the day time. you are the happiest in the morning, and occasionally fusy in the evenings. i keep thinking that you are teething- but so far no teeth yet, just lots of drool.

some sweet things to remember from your fifth month with you are:
-you love to grab our faces and pull our hair as if you are trying to hug our face. it is very sweet but a little painful. :)
-you always want to sit up, and will push back your elbows while laying down or in your bouncy chair.
-you now are scooting everywhere, but typically at angles. you can crawl on your back with your shoulders (a backwards army crawl) which makes us laugh.
-you are back to nursing in the night, but are officially sleeping in your crib in your own room. you are still only fed breastmilk, and we are trying to hold off cereal and solids until you are six months.
-you still are swaddled during the night and at nap times. you sleep so peacefully while swaddled, but soon we will need to transition to sleep sacks.
-you love your "lovie" and like it when we put it next to your check as you fall asleep.
-we are starting to use your binkie just for sleep, but it still soothes you any time of the day.
-you love standing up in your exersaucer and are content in it for a while. you like to find me in the room for affirmation ever so often.
-your favorite toys are sophie the giraffe (teething toy), your crinkle toys, and a plastic ball with holes.
-your personality is starting to show, and i love seeing your emotions. every now and then you make a face that looks like you are very proud of yourself.
-peek a boo is a favorite of yours, and your laughter is so fun for your daddy and i to hear.
-you saw snow for the first time this month, but didn't seem to phased by it. one day we went on a walk with daddy and your cheeks got quite rosy, even though you bundled up tight.

rubes, your daddy and i love you so much. we are so proud to be your parents, and both agree that you have made our lives so fun. we can't wait to see who you grow to be, but are treasuring each day we get to spend with you.

we love you ruby kay seiler!

{4 months}

{3 months}

{2 months}

{1 months}

4 months with ruby kay

 

to our dearest ruby kay,

happy four months of life! you are growing so big, and it makes my mama-heart so happy. you are such a joy, and your personality is starting to shine so bright. you are very lovable- and your happiness is contagious. you are starting to really giggle- and your daddy and i can't help but laugh when you do. you make the best noises, one second you sound like a creaky door and the next you are talking away. your daddy laughs at how you go from laughing to crying within seconds. you can't stay mad for long!

as you have grown, i have become more aware of the words that we use around you. i want you to grow to be humble and confident in who God created you to be. you are so special, and your daddy and i love you so much!

some sweet things to remember from our fourth month with you are:
-how you love to roll over & over & over. you prefer to roll onto your left side, but can roll over onto your right with encouragement. it started with us putting toys next to you, and now you loves to roll over just 'cause. (back to front)
-you enjoy doing push ups while on your tummy, trying to look around to see where the action is.
-you are starting to really recognize voices, especially mine and like to watch me walk around our apartment
-you are starting to laugh on demand really easily. you like it when we bounce you on the bed, tickle your belly and neck, and when we laugh at you. we are still working on peek-a-boo. so far, you are a tad confused by it.
-you still just have the one tooth, but drool all the time. we time your "going out" outfits very carefully. 
-you are nursing very well, and it is getting very quick and convenient. we tired a bottle again, but you didn't take it. you and i are good pals, and are never separated for more than three hours because of this.
-you typically take 2-3 good naps every day. you are still in our room with us but i hope to make the transition to your crib soon. 
-you still love your paci/binkie and we have started using the "mam" brands 0-6 months size. 
-you really enjoy reading and are starting to follow when i point to objects in the books. 
-red is your favorite color, and love watching anything with a red pattern.
-your second cousin, griffin, gave you a blue ball that you love to hold and chew on. you also are starting to play with the blocks from your stacking rings. you also are obsessed with your tails book and the crinkle noises.

 

ruby kay seiler- your daddy and i love you and are so thankful for you. thinking about last year at this time, you were still our secret, but we were so excited for you to come. now that you are here- you have exceeded our dreams. we love you.

{3 Months}

{2 Months}

{1 Month}

a visit from papa

my dad was in town visiting the grandbabies (and us) this past week. it was his first time to meet ruby kay's cousin ellanora- his 6th grandbaby. we had a great week together, taking turns hosting dinner, going on errands- and just spending time with papa. we laughed over how much over lives have changed with babies. the last time dad was here before the babies we would go nonstop eating out, going to movies, staying up late, etc. now we are bigger homebodies, and everything revolves around nursing every three hours.

on friday, we had a girls date with papa and visited a fayetteville favorite- loafin joes. 

thanks for visiting papa- you are welcome anytime!

ruby kay on instagram

 

pumkin patch festivities

we visited the pumpkin patch for the first time with our ruby kay. the weather was absolutely perfect- not too cold and not too hot. we enjoyed taking pictures with our little pumpkin (haha!) & tried our best to make her smile while she was sitting up without spitting up on her homemade pumpkin onesie. it was quite the experience.

my sister and her baby also went- but in the true nature of babies, we weren't even able to get a picture of them together due to fusy-ness and nursing at the pumpkin patch. yes-- i was that woman nursing her child at a pumpkin patch. 

the pumpkin patch was full of these beauties along with a few other types. i'm a fan of the warty ones, but took home a regular one in hopes of carving it soon.

daddy lovin'

mama lovin' 

this was our second time to dickey farms in tontitown, but our first with our baby. i think i like pumpkin patches with babies more than without. it will be even more fun next year when ruby kay is 15 months and toddling around!

ruby kay's birth announcement

i wanted to share Ruby Kay's birth announcement that we mailed out after she was a month old. i ended up taking her "newborn pictures" and used an etsy designer for the announcement. i love etsy  for announcements and christmas cards- the designers are quick and cheap, and then i take the finished design to a local printer (see our christmas card from last year). 

looking back at that sweet newborn chubby face makes me sentimental. even though ruby kay is just 3 months old- I can still see her changing so much each day. the picture was taken when ruby kay was still swaddled 90% of the day. 

we sure love this girl, and are proud to be her parents!

3 months with ruby kay

to our dear ruby kay,

happy three months old little one! what a joy this past month has been with you. as always, it seems that you grow so much right before you turn another month old. this past weekend, you seemed to be growing by the second. you are getting so interactive with us- and we love it! you have the brightest smile, and your coos melt our hearts.

you are still so chill, but are so happy whenever we talk to you. you already seem to be a people person. i am so curious to see who you grow to be. my prayer is that you grow to love Jesus so much that even strangers can see Jesus through you.

some sweet things to remember from our third month with you are:
-how you love to giggle whenever we laugh (aunt Bethany's laugh is what started it all!)
-you are such a kicker! we wear a lot of socks around here since your workout legs are always kicking blankets off
-you are starting to move around when we put you on your tummy- but you are still pretty content to stay in the same place when we lay you on your back
-you still sleep so well in your velcro swaddle- I love the consistency and comfort of a tight swaddle for you
-you have started mimicking our faces- so far we have seen you copy smiles, surprised, and scared faces.
-you & your (nameless as of now) giraffe are best buddies. it melts my heart how you cuddle with your giraffe and even slobber on him.
-you are grasping and pulling on toys with your hands! you also love to hold and play with my hand- especially when i sit next to you on long car rides.
-you sleep so well when a blanket or pillow is pressed softly against your face
-you now have a tooth! your daddy saw it first, and i didn't even believe him when he told me. sure enough you are an early teeth bloomer and have a tiny little tooth on your bottom right side.
-we are finally getting comfortable and good at this nursing game. i think it's just something that takes time. especially for first time mamas.
-we are now pretty consistent with your nursing schedule: 6am,9am,12pm,3pm,6pm,and 9pm. when you wake up in the night, i re-swaddle you and give you a paci to soothe you.
-especially the last week, you are baby-talking up a storm. we love it!
-you can hold up your head so well, and enjoy sitting in your bumbo and exersaucer for short periods of time

rubes, we sure love being your parents. we are so proud of you, and so thankful that God chose us to be your daddy & mama.