What Would You Do If I Sang Out of Tune

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Or would you grab me by the eyes, pull me over into the floor and beat me senseless? If you are Elmo and Ruth in our house the answer is like fighting in the octagon.

I am proud to say that we didn't go overboard with Christmas for Ruth. We were able to strike a nice balance in gift giving somewhere between a cardboard box (my idea) and a new car (Natalie's idea). Instead of a cardboard box painted to look like a new car Ruth got a few nice presents. One of which was an Elmo Live. Check it out on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVUPTTkIBVI). In Elmo's defense it is a pretty cool toy. It is completely animated and has quite a repertoire of material that includes jokes, songs, and things like hugs, kisses, and sneezes. For those of you who dance he even does jazz hands....believe it.

Unfortunately, Ruth hates him!

Don't think for a second that we didn't consider that Ruth might be scared of Elmo. He is the perfect height to look her right in the eye, he has red fur all over and bug eyes on top of his head. Not to mention that piercing voice of his and music that comes from nowhere. We suspected that she might be a little hesitant to play with Elmo but we enjoyed his antics so we bought him anyway. Christmas morning we took him out and pulled the tab that opened up the entire montage of Elmo's stand-up career and set him in the floor for Ruth to play with. She seemed interested when she crawled over to him while he was in the middle of telling us how he just flew in from Sesame Street but what we thought was interest turned into rage as she grabbed his eyes and pulled him forward into her lap and commenced to beat him about the back and legs. If this isn't funny enough (it wasn't) Elmo says 'Elmo fell down. Can you help Elmo up please?' repeatedly until you set him upright or he concedes defeat and goes to sleep. So the entire time Ruth is pounding on him, he is begging her to set him upright. After the third time asking he just gives up and 'Takes a nap' (his words not mine). If you have never seen a 10-month old put a toy into a full nelson it is a sight to behold. I could be wrong but I swear I saw Elmo try to tap out. Now when Ruth is around we try to keep Elmo out of her reach. We think that she will like him more as she gets older but she'll probably just be able to tear his limbs off.

On the up side. I think she may be the first MMA fighter on Spike TV. Ruth "Hammerin' Helen" Berry. Watch for it!!

Silent Night (or silent morning,please go to sleep)

Yes, you guessed it, Ruth is resisting nap time next door. Here is a picture of Ruth wearing a dress from at least 1971. My sister Malory wore it in her seven month photos. Ruth is almost 10 months but the dress still fits.

Ruth has put two things in her mouth that has caused me to have to dig them out. The first was a leaf that had blown in from the outside. I may have told you about this in the last post. I saw her chewing something and could see something brown in her mouth. After coughing and then vomiting, I could see it on the roof of her mouth. I worked with her until her tongue moved it to the front and when I pulled it out she thought this was very funny.

This morning I saw Ruth chewing and blowing bubbles in her room. I pulled what looked like half of a paper clip out of her mouth. I don't know where this came from except maybe from clothing or toy wrapping. Needless to say, I have to watch this kid like a hawk. And now I must go stick the paci back in her mouth. The glamorous life of a part time working mother.

Happy Holidays

I am here posting again while my baby tries to take a nap next door. She is closer today than normal.

No pictures or video today but some recap of our first Christmas with Ruth. We left on December 17th to go to Arkansas and made it in one day with Ruth. She was actually a great traveler both ways. We spent time in Arkansas until the 22nd. Every sister got to come home so Ruth was with the entire family except for two of her cousins who were with their dad. It was fun to watch Ruth inspect each family member. She has been army crawling for over two months now but started crawling on her hands and knees while we were in Arkansas. She had started pulling up a month or so ago (I can't believe I did not write all this stuff down immediately when it happened. I always thought I would) and now pulls up on everything and everybody. We have had a few falls but nothing major. She is into EVERYTHING!!! Nothing is safe anymore and I have to watch her constantly.

Also while in Arkansas we got to have lunch with a college friend/tri delta roommate of mine, Kara Balentine Ford. Her husband brought her son from daycare and we got to see what an 18 month old acts like. I will tell you that Eston seemed pretty nonchalant (spelling?) about everything shrugging his shoulders when asked what he thought of Ruth and when asked what Santa was bringing him for Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we got to go to our first ever Christmas Eve service. Since Brian and I grew up in small towns with churches that don't have this service and this is the first year I have not been at my parents' for Christmas, this was quite a treat for us. Ruth and I met Brian at a Target (of course) since he had to work that day and we drove to church together. Ruth was taken to the nursery and Brian and I sat in a packed service. I loved the candlelighting: it was very powerful to see how one light was the light that lit all the candles. We can be that light. Maybe the title of this post should have been "The Light of the World is Jesus." That is a great hymn. For those of you that don't sing hymns but sing rock songs at church, you have no idea what you are missing.

At the Christmas Eve service we saw the Scott family (Laura Liz, Will, Emily - all ballet students of mine either past or present- and their parents, Kathy and Rick). Rick was ushering so that was a neat surprise for us. Then we ran into the kids at a stoplight. I had LL turn her radio to the same station I was listening to and we sang to each other out our windows. I love this family. The are the ones who invited me to Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in the first place.

Well, I have gone on long enough and Ruth is not making any noise so this means my time to take a shower is now.

(By the way, Brian enjoyed the Holiday Inn movie. Awesome. Next up is to try to get him to watch Mrs. Miniver with me.)

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

Fat chance here in Georgia. We had a great Christmas morning just the three of us. But since we are about to go on a walk, I don't have much time to post. Here is some more video from the Smith Christmas in Arkansas.



When I started this post we were on our way to go on a walk. Now, at almost 8pm, we just got back from looking at lights. I will try to write about our first Christmas at our own home later. Right now I need to do dishes while Brian feeds Ruth and then it is bath and bed time because Brian promised to watch Holiday Inn with me. Awesome.

Well It's Christmas Time Pretty Baby

The first of several Christmas videos. Right now my child is in her crib not napping. After 45 minutes of crying with me trying to calm her down periodically, I have turned the light on. Hopefully, she will go to sleep. The problem: when we were in Arkansas, anytime she would cry someone would pick her up. Now I know my parents and sisters don't get to see her very much but come on!!!! She was taken out of her crib at naptime (or the naptime that wasn't) by both my mother and my father. No amount of me telling them she needed to nap made the difference. Again, I realize that they don't see her very much and want to spend as much time with her as they can when we visit but it throws Ruth off her schedule and it takes several days to get her back on a naptime schedule. I can hear her in there right now kicking the bed but at least she isn't crying.

Over the River Take 2

Obviously the last post was empty. The connection at my parents' house isn't the best. But we are in Mountain Home today at a coffee shop. We are meeting my friend Kara for lunch today and came over early to do some wireless stuff and to make sure we were not late. Mountain Home has changed so much.

But back to the previous post. It just said thanks to the moms with children of albinism who have posted to an older post. Thank you for the support. I will be contacting those of you who left contact information when we get back home in Georgia with a faster connection. In the meantime, if anyone would like to post, please do so on the most recent entry. It is only by accident that I found those other comments.

And have a Merry Christmas. (This weekend is Christmas for the Smith family so it seems like Christmas everywhere.)

Over the River Part 2

Over The River and Through the Woods

We are here in Arkansas at Memommy and Granddaddy's house. We did drive through what had been ice and snow the day before and we saw some remains of it in the fields along the road. Here on the farm the fields still have some white covering patches.

I want to thank the other moms with children

So This Is Christmas

This is the first year that I can remember Christmas being stressful. I have included one of the pictures from the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Baby's first Christmas party. I am ordering the cd and will post more once I get the cd (and they will be a better quality). I am posting tonight trying to calm myself down before the big trip to Arkansas tomorrow. Let me just give you a glimpse into my mind.

This being Ruth's first Christmas I want it to be special. But so far I have baked less, put up less decorations, not had my annual tree trimming party (first year since 1997), and not sent my Christmas cards yet. Nor I have watched any Christmas movies or gone to see any lights or anything remotely Christmas except Nutcracker and only that because it is part of my job. For those of you who know me, I LOVE Christmas. I love the sights and the sounds, the smells and the hustle. But this year I have lost my mind!!!

After FINALLY getting Ruth to sleep tonight, when Brian got home I felt I had to run to the store and then vacuum the car. Well, my hand is hurting right now because I punched the machine at the car wash when it stole $1.75 and then wouldn't work with a credit card or give me a receipt. Of course, there was no number to call to file a complaint. What has happened to customer service!!!

I still have several things to do before turning in for the night. Maybe my blood pressure will be down before long.

It is Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This is a hurried post since I am watching a very active Ruth climb, crawl and pull up on anything and everything in sight. We are going out of town tomorrow so I have many thing to do but wanted to post some pictures to tide you over. We took Ruth to see Santa last Friday at the mall and she did not cry at all. (Those pictures to come) and then we walked around Belk and Macy's looking for photo backdrops (the decorated Christmas sections work great). Yes, we took pictures right there in the mall. But the best ones are of us just hanging out waiting for our pictures to be developed.

We will travel to Arkansas where they have ice and snow. Please pray that we have a safe visit and that my sister from Kansas City gets to come in since she has not met Ruth yet.

And Here's To You, Mrs. Lynn (or Robertson, as the song goes)

Today I thought it was fitting to share a picture of Ms. Leigh Ann. We have been meaning to post a picture of her with Ruth for quite some time, but since Ruth is experiencing separation anxiety, getting a picture has been a little difficult. Ruth loves Ms. Leigh Ann but does cry these days when Mommy leaves. Because Ruth is such a smart kid (aren't they all), she knows when she sees Ms. Leigh Ann that I am leaving. So Ruth smiles when she first sees her and then start crying. Tough on all of us.

But today we thought we would brag on the best caregiver ever again because Ms. Leigh Ann is SSOOOO flexible. Brian and I have had quite a few changes in our schedule this week and often a late night text will ask Ms. Leigh Ann to be here at one time and a morning phone call will tell her another. We couldn't ask for a better caregiver for Ruth, or for us. (And yes, I am hoping this post buys us some forgiveness!!!)

Also today I want to ask you to remember those who are going through tough times. I won't share names but several people are coming to my mind this morning with varying degrees of hardships. Please spread a little good will today.

Here We Go, Here We Go Again

Today we had our second appointment at Emory Eye Center, this time with a pediatric ophthalmologist. If you remember two weeks ago a retina specialist at Emory said that she did not feel confident giving Ruth a diagnosis of albinism. Today we were told not to rule it out and that it is entirely possible that Ruth has a version of albinism. Ruth has nystagmus, the jumping of the eyes, that makes her tilt her head to the side (most often she turns her head to the right and her eyes to the left) to find the null point the stop the nystagmus. (Look at her pictures on the blog). This concerns the doctor the most and she recommended a surgery when Ruth is about 5 or 6 to correct this issue. However, since Ruth turns her head to both sides instead of just one side, this may make the surgery harder.

The doctor today said that albinism can be hard to find in infants if you do not know what to look for and the retina specialist deals with adults and usually not infants. She did say that Ruth seems to see well, although we still do not know how well until she is older and distance acuity still seems to be the issue. Today's doctor also told us that ocular albinism does not happen in girls because it is x-linked unless the parents have it. We knew this from our research and tried to ask the original doctor if Ruth could have OCA (albinism of the skin and eyes) but that doctor just dismissed us. Hence, our search for answers that has lead us to today.

The next steps for us are to have Ruth monitored and checked every six months and wait for the surgery when she is older. So does our daughter have albinism? I don't know. We suspect yes. I can tell you that Ruth is brillant and beautiful. She is eating very well now and enjoys feeding herself. She is crawling and pulling up and today tried to walk holding on to the couch. She crashed and got right back up and tried it again. She talks nonstop and has the best giggle.

I can hear her crying now and should go help Brian with the bath.

Thanks for the Memories

(I think the title of this blog is a Bob Hope song? Have you noticed that we try to use song titles for our titles? Anyone?) Thanksgiving day photos

We've Got So Much To Be Thankful For

(If you do not know the song I referenced in the title of this blog, you MUST rent Holiday Inn. It is sooooo much better than the movie White Christmas. You will love it)


I cooked my first Thanksgiving meal, although it looks merger in this photo, we actually had quite a bit of food. Ruth seemed to like what we gave her.

We Need Your Addresses!!!

Please e-mail me your mailing address for the cutest Christmas card this side of the Mississippi (well, at least out of this house)!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Our trip back from Warner Robbins last night took an extra hour and a half due to the wonderful holiday traffic. We had spitting snow this morning and Daddy took Ruth to the hardware store so I could have some time to exercise. This next Saturday Ruth will be nine months old so the saying "nine months up (weight gain) and nine months down (weight loss)" is fast approaching. I don't think I will make it. I got down to four pounds left but everything is redistributed (is that what Obama means?) that I don't look like my old self. And I think I have gain a few pounds since stopping pumping. (Chocolate is so good!!) So hence the need to exercise.

These pictures are from Ruth's seven month photo shoot. I will be including more in the days ahead as a sort of cyber Christmas present to you. Thanks to Kara and Katie for telling me how to update the blog for a more festive look. Now, can anyone tell me how to get Ruth's picture bigger?

Hogs and Hokies

As I sit in the hotel room watching my husband's beloved Hokies fight for the chance to play in the ACC, Ruth sleeps in her travel crib. Brian had to work in Warner-Robbins this weekend and so, rather than stay at the house for three very long days by myself, Ruth and I came down with him.

Yesterday Ruth slept through most of the Razorback game and I did take a nap during the third quarter but we saw the all important end. Let's hope today turns out as well.

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving with just us this year. I cooked my first Thanksgiving meal and Brian said it turned out good. We played with Ruth in the yard after lunch and then put up our Christmas tree that night. We decided at dinner to drive to Warner-Robbins Thursday night after Ruth's bath so we wouldn't have to get up so early Friday morning and fight black Friday traffic. I am glad we did. I have never seen so many cars on the road down here like I did when I took Brian to the store. Forget about trying to find a parking spot - he got dropped off at the door.

We open (and close) Nutcracker in two weeks and I may let Ruth watch a rehearsal one night for her first Nutcracker experience.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

With ears like these, it is no wonder her hearing is so good!!!!

Splish Splash I Was Taking A Bath

It is late again, so here are some cute pictures of Ruth at Grandma and Papa's house in Virginia.

I'm crawling on my hand and knees!!!! (Some of the time)

Ruth started army crawling mid October, actually while we were at Coker College in South Carolina (in the hotel with Daddy). This morning she took three steps on her hands and knees before falling into the crib and crying. Well, it is a start, right?

We got our cds of the photo shoot from October so expect to see a lot of pictures of Ruth. Brian also bought me my Christmas present early which is an awesome camera and we have been playing with that as well.

My First Haircut

Here is some video footage of Ruth's first haircut. I am too tired tonight to write anymore.

Ruth and Emory Eye Clinic

I did not believe that Ruth had vision problems until I saw my friend Erika's baby. I could tell right away that there was a difference between the two. Still, Ruth has such seemingly normal vision and so many of you have put Ruth on your church group's prayer list that I told Brian a month ago I would not be surprised that if when we went to the retina specialist at Emory and were told that Ruth does not have ocular albinism I would not be surprised.

But surprised we both were when that is exactly what we were told today.

We took Ruth today to see a retina specialist at Emory, one of the top ten hospitals for ophthalmology in the country. Ruth was given a test today where electrodes were attached to her head (man, she screamed). Ruth was shown a series of flashing lights and the electrodes measured how the light was viewed. Then, we saw a very nice retina specialist. Dr. Yan told us that while Ruth had some lack of pigment on the sides of her retina, she did not feel that Ruth had ocular albinism, or if she does, it was VERY slight. (Remember, albinism is a spectrum disorder). Brian and I just sat there dumbfounded while Ruth climbed all over us talking away to whomever was in earshot.

Dr. Yan did say that since Ruth has nystagmus (moving of the eye) we needed to see another doctor. Dr. Yan is such a specialist of the retina that she does not feel comfortable discussing nystagmus. Brian and I have not had the time to do much research on this but we know that nystagmus could be something as simple as weak eye muscles to something as serious as a brain tumor. Again, we are speechless. We got back to Emory on December 4th to see the other doctor. This means we do not need genetic testing.

We still believe that Ruth has vision issues. It could be something as simple as being near sighted. We don't know. But we are focusing on the blessing and miracle that Ruth has been cleared of ocular albinsim by the leading retina specialist in the state!!!!

Praise God!!!! Thank you all for your prayers. While many days I would be so stressed that I would just sit and watch Ruth, many, many, many days I would have an odd sense of peace about Ruth and her future. I contribute this to those of you covering us in prayer. Now, if I can just submit every area of my life to this same peace. It is so humbling.

Some of you knew that Ruth decided last week she wasn't going to eat from the bottle. She is eating somewhat better (although now she is waking up in the night and staying up - Brian and I got 3.5 hours of sleep last night) She looks like she may have lost a little weight but is still going strong crawling and climbing over everything and everyone in her path. So far, nothing will keep her away from my dance magazines and Brian's This Old House. Thank you again for remembering us. Praise the Lord!

Eat It, Just Eat It

Weird Al must have been singing to Ruth when he remade Michael Jackson's song. Little Ruth is not taking the bottle. A week and a half ago Ruth and I went back to her GI doctor, Dr. Patel. You may remember from another post that we were cleared not to go back. Ruth was eating six to eight ounces five times a day for a total of 31- 34 ounces a day. But this past week she slowed down a little. I took her to the doctor on Thursday (just the pediatrician) and was told she was fine but to watch her over the weekend. Thursday she only ate 22 ounces and then Friday was only 12 and Saturday was only 10.5. Needless to say, I am stressed. Brian was out of town some last week and I did not handle the stress of Ruth not eating well. I have promised Brian that for the next seven days I will defer to him and if he says not to be stressed, I am going to trust him. But it will be hard. I will be calling the doctor again on Monday.

We have tried giving her milk in a several different kinds of sippy cups and an open cup. The kid will not have it. We have tried different formula. She will take watered down juice but just a little. She is eating food fine but she still needs milk and liquid. I am losing my mind and have been in quite a panic. To make matters worse, we had to take me to urgent care Saturday morning. I had intense pain in my abdominal and pelvic region. Come to find out, I have a bladder infection and am full of crap. Yes, literally. Now, I know that this may be too much information for some of you and others will appreciate the irony. So, I am on a liquid diet for two days (although Brian did let me cheat last night) and on some really horrible tasting medication. I have been so worried about Ruth and it turns out I have not been drinking enough either.

So if you will please remember Ruth and her eating in your prayer time, I would so appreciate it. Also, we met a little four month old girl named Jessie at the doctor last week who has sleep apeana. She stops breathing when she gets in a deep sleep. Her poor mother stays up at night to watch her sleep and is not getting any sleep herself. Please remember them as well.

Here is a picture from Halloween with our favorite bagger at Kroger, Mr. Robert.

Our Weekend, no catchy title

On Saturday we went to an albinism parents' meeting at the Center for the Visually Impaired. Our speaker was a high school student with albinism who is legally blind (20/600) and a state bowling champion!! Other parents there also had preschoolers or young elementary students. A couple of kids had ocular albinism like Ruth. Our little family then spent some time in Atlantic Station and enjoyed lunch and the city atmosphere.

Saturday night the Target pharmacists got together at a Dave and Buster's for a little fun. Ms. Leigh Ann was out of town with her family enjoying the weekend but our friend Ms. Amanda Owen agreed to keep Ruth. I must admit that I was nervous having someone new keep Ruth at bedtime but both seemed to survive the night. Brian and I really appreciate Ms. Amanda for giving us a night to be people and not parents. I kicked Brian's butt at shooting hoops and skee ball (getting my first hole in the 100 a couple of times). It was a great night.

Sunday we got to have lunch with Phillip and Carolyn (I hope I spelled your names right) from church. They are an older than us couple that we have come to know. We enjoyed getting to visit with them and hear about their kids and grandkids. And thanks again for the great pancakes!!!!

Sunday afternoon we were so excited to see our friends Candice and Andrew and Caroline. Caroline has grown so much!! She was walking around and even played with Ruth like she was teasing her with a toy. Ruth loved it. I got to talk to Candice about parenting like we used to (I miss you!!!) and Brian and Andy played Wii Sports. I don't know who won those games. I like to protect the innocent.

I know, still no pictures but soon. We should have our CDs from the seven month shoot and although the link is in another entry, we will put up some pictures here.

Bye Bye Love

Today Ruth had a check-up with her GI doctor, Dr. Patel. First, Dr. Patel is very nice, young and funny. While he is pleasant looking, he isn't as good looking as another mother said he was. Still, since he doesn't give Ruth shots or make her cry, it is an easier visit to see him than her pediatrician. We got the all clear and don't have to see him again. Ruth now weighs 16.15 and is eating well. Yeah Ruth!!!

But the neatest thing happened today. I have been picking up Ruth's hand when we leave and saying bye-bye and waving her hand side to side. Today, I picked up her hand and said "bye-bye" as Dr. Patel was saying his good-byes to us. He started to open and shut his hand (like other people have done to her, including us) and Ruth opened and shut her hand back at him!!!! She waved bye-bye today! Ruth has been opening and shutting her hand for quite some time now and often just stares at it, but she has never done it during a bye-bye session. Today was the first time. Dr. Patel was very excited about it too. Just to make sure it wasn't an accident, we practiced it at home with Daddy and Ruth performed again, twice. Good job, Ruth!

Three top teeth are in but it looks like maybe two more are on the way. Ruth still has a runny nose and blows snot bubbles when she laughs. Gross, I know, but cute. She has given me a runny nose and sore throat. That's the news from the Berry house. Enjoy the beautiful leaves - get outside.

Now I Can't Sleep

Ruth is doing well. She did cry out a few times in the night but went right back to sleep. However, I woke up at 6:02am and have not been able to sleep. The house is warm, Brian and baby are sleeping, but here I am, at the computer. I could not stop thinking about burp cloths (I am trying to make my own) and kept singing this horrible song we sang in music class on Tuesday "Let's put our instruments up" to a techno beat. It drives me crazy.

Tonight we are taking Ruth around to a few houses of my students in a neighborhood close by here. Brian is all for taking people's candy, but I told him it would look like we were using our daughter to get free candy. I sense many years of Brian offering to take her trick or treating.

We will post pictures of her adventures!

Now I Know How My Mother Felt

My poor mother had five children. That means five children to worry about and five children to be up with at night when they are sick. Hence, this post.

This is the second night in a row that little Ruth has not slept well. She has a stuffy nose and can not suck on the pacifer and breathe at the same time. So instead, she cries. Tuesday night she was up many times and I tried her in bed with us but that only ran Brian out of the bed. Tonight, I went to the nursery and got in the guest bed with her. No luck. The good news is that she sleeps better by herself now, but the bad news is that she is just not sleeping. I have given up myself tonight and just hope to get a nap in today. I wasn't able to nap yesterday and on Monday when I tried to sleep with Ruth, she only proceeded to try to crawl so much that I gave up then too. Alas, sweet sorrow.

But since I am up and there is no going back to sleep for this weary traveler, let me tell you more about our trip to South Carolina. As I said, I had a residency at Coker College. Brian became the primary caregiver to Ruth and I became the worker out of the "home". We had a total role reversal in terms of emotions, interactions with the baby and with each other. It really helped me to understand what Brian goes through when he "gets to go to work" and for him to understand what I go through on a daily basis with Ruth and having to have all the answers for him. It was definitely an eye opener for each of us.

I don't hear any more sounds coming from the crib so I guess she has finally gone back to sleep. I don't think I will be able to so it is time to check your blogs. If you have a blog that you haven't told me about, please send the address this way.

Ruth the Rabbit

I'll write later, but for now, here are some pictures of Ruth from music class. What a sweet little Rabbit!!!

Pictures of Ruth in South Carolina

Here are some more pictures. I have time to update the blog tonight while I burn Cd's for my students.

It's Been A Cold Day's Night

For those of you who did not know, we were out of town last week. We left on Sunday and returned on Friday. I (Natalie) had a residency at Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina. I taught classes and set a piece of choreography on their students. It was a good week and nice to teach different students for a change of pace. Brian was able to take the week off to watch Ruth in the hotel. When we originally planned this trip, I was still pumping. But two weeks ago I stopped pumping. Ruth got six months of exculsive breast milk and one month of supplemental but now I am done. It was a little sad but I do have more time!!



Hartsville doesn't have a whole lot to do but they do have this old mom and pop restaurant called Ruth's Drive In. It is next to the old high school. I found it on the chamber's webpage before we went and was determined to eat there but everyone we asked made a face. I told Brian we were going anyway. We had a snack there of sweet tea and the best cake I have had in awhile. It was homemade and tasted like our grandmothers used to make. We were there around 3:00PM in the afternoon so the owner had time to talk. The only other customer was a young man a few years younger than us who had gone to school (then it was an elementary school) next door and had spent every afternoon doing his homework in one of the booths while he waited for his mom to pick him up. He lives out of town now but was back for some "home cookin'." Let me tell you, there food was good but the kind that will give you a heart attack. The restaurant has been around since 1945 but if Obama is elected, then the restaurant will probably be forced out of business due to his un-American "re-distribution of wealth." program. Anyway, the restaurant was started by the current owner's grandmother (Ruth) and was then run by her mother and father (the father was a Virginia native and there were pictures of him in the restaurant wearing a Virginia Tech hat). I bought a t-shirt but they didn't have any in children's sizes.

Another thing we did was visit these wonderful gardens that are open to the public. I will attach pictures of our hike next. We took Ruth in the stroller down steps and over a fallen tree in the path. It was a really beautiful park with walking trails next to a creek.

To get to the title of this post, when we returned, it had turned cold here in Georgia. It had been cold in South Carolina as well and Ruth got to try out some of her winter clothes. I tried to turn the heat on in our house upon our return on Friday afternoon but we learned shortly thereafter that our heater was broken. Ruth had to sleep with us that night because the house was 59 degrees before Brian turned on the fireplace. We had to buy a new system. A big chuck of change of was spent on Saturday to get the house warm again and to get our bed back sans baby.

Sleep was good last night. Even though the Razorbacks lost to dang Ole Miss. The only game I wanted to win this year was to beat traitor Houston Nutt. The season might as well be over now.

Thank-you Granny and Grandpa

Thank you Granny and Grandpa for the Halloween card. That pumpkin on the front looks just like me with my round head and little sprig of hair sticking up in the back. Daddy wants to use the magnetic frame to stick a picture of me onto the side of his truck but Mommy says he is crazy. It looks like I will be a bunny this Halloween and maybe Easter too. I will be sure to make Mommy and Daddy take lots of pictures for everyone but don't expect to get any of my candy. Daddy says I get to keep what I earn...so I expect to eat it all myself.
Love, Ruth.

My 7th Month Pictures

Here are two links to Ruth's photo shoot. They contain different pictures. They were supposed to be on the same order but somehow ended up on two orders. We hope they don't make us pay twice!!!

https://www.thesmilestation.com/home.asp?AC=LTTT0787101507TAR
guest name: Natalie lBerry (that is a lower case L...they made a mistake obviously)

https://www.thesmilestation.com/home.asp?AC=LTTT0787101506TAR
guest name: Natalie Berry

The green dress Ruth is wearing is the same dress I wore in my seven month photos. These didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. Ruth was tired and fussy and the photographer was loud and in the beginning people kept coming in and out. We were going to go to a "real" photographer instead of a photographer in a box at Target but the prices are crazy!! We decided to wait until she is one year old to go to a "real" photographer.

Enjoy the pictures!!!

Thank You Ms Leigh Ann

Ms. Leigh Ann has just left my house on this beautiful Saturday. The weather has a slight chill in the air making me miss the football game days in Fayettville. Even though we always tell Ms. Leigh Ann how thankful we are, I wanted to publicly thank her again. I know she checks this blog as do others and want you all to know how blessed we are.

I have told you that the person Ruth was named for was my grandmother. That is not technically true. However, I just say that she was to save explaining the whole situation. Let me explain here. My mother's mother lived in Kansas when I was little and then when she moved to Arkansas, she wasn't able to do much because of strokes. My father's parents lived just three miles from us but weren't that emotional (I guess due to the times and also due to their natures). But the woman, Ruthel, and her husband, Stanley, who kept us became our grandparents. We called Ruthel Jenny for whatever reason and spent holidays with them. They kept all of my sisters and me when my mom was teaching at school and when we were sick. We would spent the night at their house sometimes and visit them all the time. Jenny was the best cook and was everything a grandmother should be. They didn't have any children so we became their grandchildren. We were in the eulogy (spelling?) at the funeral and even in the will. We carry their memory with us. I can still hear her laugh and remember how soft her hands were although worn from years of hard work. My earliest memory in life is at their house. (My sister Malory was patting my huge cheeks while I tried to sleep and Stanley from across the room said "Now, Malroy, you leave that baby alone." Malory did not comply.) We were so lucky to have been given Jenny and Stanley.

This brings us to Leigh Ann. She treats Ruth so well playing with her, reading to her, singing songs with her. She rocks her and does everything she needs. It is obvious how much she cares for Ruth in her actions and when she talks about Ruth. Ruth lights up when she sees her too which makes Brian and me feel good about leaving Ruth with Leigh Ann. Leigh Ann has opened her house to Ruth sharing with her the joys of living in the country, something we want Ruth to have since we both grew up in the country. Leigh Ann has a beautiful daughter of her own who will play with Ruth and gives her great care when she sees her. Ruth doesn't even cry when Leigh Ann's husband makes funny faces at her!! We are so blessed to have them in our daughter life.

Thank you for sharing in our joy over Ms. Leigh Ann. We love her!!!

Some more pictures!!!

I will post some video later. I need to get up and get my work done while Ruth is sleeping. Laundry and dishes seem to never be done because as soon as you get caught up it is feeding time again and more dishes and laundry appear soon after you are done!!! By the way, several of you have told me in person, sent word with someone or e-mailed us and said you keep up with the blog. Thank you so much for doing that. Feel free to post a comment anytime. We would love to hear from those of you who do not e-mail regularly.

Little Pumpkin

Brian and I are still learning how to work around and through Ruth's albinism. Today at the pumpkin patch Ruth didn't want to look at the camera (partly because she was immersed in a sea of orange and partly because she could not see us very clearly from a distance. Brian pulled out a large umbrella from his truck to block the sun and the movement of the umbrella helped draw her eyes up to the camera.

Yesterday, we had a similar problem. We had her seven month pictures taken. I had been looking forward to this day for months. I had my pictures taken at seven months and Ruth was going to be wearing one of the same dresses I wore in my picture. And it was my birthday so I thought what a great day to have my baby's picture taken. Well, she didn't get a good nap in and the picture studio inside Target must have been at shift change because the women kept walking in and out of the room and bothered Ruth so much. Strangers dressed in black walking in and out of the door and around the room distracted her and upset her. Plus, the photographer kept trying to talk to Ruth and since Ruth could not see her very well, her voice also made her upset. Brian and I would get her to smile and then the photographer would make a sound and Ruth would cry. Needless to say, the pictures did not turn out as well as I had hoped. But, I think Brian and I have decided to purchase a good camera for me in the next few months and see what I can do. I have always wanted to be a part time photographer anyway and think I could do as good a job as they did yesterday.

Pumpkins for Our Little Pumpkin

Today Ruth had her booster shot for the flu vaccine. Afterward, we took her to a little pumpkin patch at a local church. Brian and I went to this same patch last year. It was fun to take Ruth today. I had envisioned a cool, fall day but Georgia weather did not cooperate. It was close to 80 degrees. Ruth was fairly good even though she had not napped and it was getting close to lunchtime for her. Here are some pictures to enjoy!