Ruth's Blog

We Have Moved!!!!

2009-10-11T13:59:00.002-04:00

This will be the last post on this site. Please follow us to our new site www.ourberryvine.blogspot.com

It is a little sad to be saying goodbye to our cute little girl only site. As excited and ready as I am to expand our family to include Grayson, I sometimes worry how this change will affect my sweet little Ruth. As you can see in the picture above, her little cherub face just makes you want to smile back at her. I worry that this new addition will bring her feelings of being cast aside.

So as I invite you to the new site, it is with a note of reminiscence that we leave this site. Please join us and follow our Berry vine.

A Great Day to Be a Hog and a Hokie

2009-10-11T13:39:00.002-04:00

A Hog, of course, is an Arkansas Razorback. I love my hogs, even when we lose, but what a joy it is to hoot and holler when we win. Brian was working the flu shot event at Target yesterday so Ruth and I got to watch the first half of the Razorback game by ourselves without having to flip the channel to see other games, namely the Virginia Tech game that was being played at the same time. The VT game was a blow out so even when Brian got home we got to watch the Hogs until it was time to leave for our joint birthday party.

Ruth finally called the hogs yesterday. For those of you too unfortunate to live in Arkansas or attend the University of Arkansas, calling the hogs is a time honored tradition. You begin by placing your arms above your head and wiggling your fingers (like spirit fingers) and saying a very loud "woooooo," then you pull both arms down as you shout "pig" and then throw one arm up and yell "sooie". Ruth would do the spirit finger and say "woooo" and would say "sooie" but wouldn't do the rest. Let's hope the hogs keep winning and by the end of the season I am sure she will have it.

We Need a New Name

2009-10-06T20:45:00.003-04:00

For the blog, that is. Everything cool (the berry vine and anything we can think of associated with play on the name berry) has been taken.

So we need your help. Only 54 more days before we will need a new blog address. So send in your suggestions!!!!!!!

Two Funny Stories

2009-10-06T20:21:00.002-04:00

This morning was my doctor's visit. Nothing special. I am on the every two weeks visit now (but I did get the regular flu shot today).

All women who have been pregnant know that every time you go to the OB/GYN, no matter what, they want you to pee in a cup. Those people are fascinated by pee. Today I didn't think I could give them a "sample" (as they call it) and asked if I could wait until the end thinking maybe it would have time to build. Usually, Nurse Karen who thinks Ruth belongs to her holds Ruth for me so I can go in peace. But since I was giving them the "sample" at the end, Karen was involved with another patient. Ruth had to come in with me. No big deal. Ruth just has never seen me pee in a cup (well, not since she was in a car seat in the bathroom). After crying because I wouldn't let her color (I had to write my name on the cup after all), she observed the steps in peeing in a cup. We deposited the "sample" and left.

When we got home I promptly put her to nap eventhough it was only 9am. She went down without a fight (remember, we had a late night last night and she rose at the same early time this morning). When she got up from her nap, I had to go to the bathroom. Ruth took her normal position on her potty (with her clothes on) and then got up, got the cup we use for her bath off the bathtub, put it in the potty and then sat on it. I guess she figured this was the new way to use the bathroom.

Soon after we were having lunch. We usually make her stay in the high chair until we are finished eating. Ruth finished earlier than me, of course, and I was really too tired to fight her so I took off her tray and started to get her out so I could finish my lunch in peace. But Ruth reall just wanted to play with the straps that lock her in the chair. She was able to lock one side but not the other. She lifted her arms and said "dang" and then sighed and said, "pa-strated". This means, of course, frustrated. I have started saying that I am frustrated rather than mad because that is usually the case. I thought it was funny that Ruth said it for the first time in context and so calmly and matter-of-fact.

On the 54th day from now, Grayson will be here!

Our First Emergency Room Visit

2009-10-06T09:47:00.002-04:00

Today is Ruth's 19 month birthday. And we celebrated the end of her 18th month with a three hour tour of the Northside-Cherokee Emergency Room.

Let me set the stage. Ruth doesn't like vegetables. But last night she ate a good amount of black eyed peas. And a little bit of carrot. Very few noodles. And almost no chicken. Brian and I had chili. Brian and Ruth finished dinner early so I retired to the living room to watch some news with my remaining chili while Brian cleaned Ruth up and gave her the liquid Tri-Vi-Sol with Iron vitamins she takes. As soon as my bottom hit the couch, I heard the coughing.

But this wasn't normal coughing. This was choking. And the worse choking ever. As I walked in to the kitchen I could see Ruth's face as Brian took her out of the high chair in the dining room. She was red and coughing but obviously gasping for air and looked scared. Brian was remaining calm but I could see the look on his face: fear. She threw up the contents of her dinner on his shirt (so much for vegetables) and on herself. She was crying but still didn't sound right. We stripped her and Brian's shirt and washed her off a little. She wouldn't drink water and wouldn't take a paci. We finally got her calmed down and the two of them cuddled in the rocking chair looking so much like they did when Brian would hold her when she was a little bitty baby - both bare chested (or "naken" as Ruth likes to say). Ruth sounded like Lou Rawls when she talked, had a bad cough and still sounded a little wheezy when she breathed. A quick call to the nurse line confirmed that we needed to take her to the hospital. They said we didn't have to take her to the children's hospital in Atlanta (thank goodness) so we went to our little local one here.

Ruth is fine. During our three hour tour Ruth was checked over and had her first chest x-ray (I couldn't go because of being pregnant) but Brian said she did great. She was sounding much better by the time we came home (the two crying fits helped clean her out). The x-ray revealed that her lungs were clear. She sounded congested this morning but is sleeping great now. We didn't get home until almost 10pm and then she was up at normal time this morning at 6am. I had my doctor's appointment at 8:30 but Ruth went down without a fight at 9:15 and is still asleep. Let's home for a nice long nap so she can recover.

Not that I am a fan of the proposed national health care plan at all, but I did think last night how lucky we are to have good insurance and for Brian to have a good job that we were able to get care for our baby girl. So many other families would have been so stressed financially by the emergency visit. We were able to pay the co-insurance without worry. Most of you who read this blog are probably in the same situation we are in - insured with good coverage. But how many aren't? Socialized medicine is not the answer. But what is?

We are Okay!

2009-10-02T15:55:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. With all the rain, appointments and grading papers, I haven't had the time or energy to post. Brian's parents are going to be here soon and we plan to take Ruth to the zoo tomorrow.

I will try to post next week.

Game Day

2009-09-20T07:24:00.007-04:00

Football season can be so crushing. Yesterday, during Brian's afternoon Virginia Tech game, he was frustrated and disappointed during most of the game until the last two minutes when VT pulled out a win. I was excited most of the first quarter, scared the second quarter, hopeful the third quarter, and sleeping and then ticked the fourth quarter. And that, folks, is college football.

As I update this blog, all three of us are in bed. Ruth is sitting on Brian's stomach singing and bouncing. Poor Brian is trying to sleep. We have decided to stay home from Sunday school and only go to church today. Brian is too tired and I, frankly, don't want to hear people who didn't even go to Georgia go on and on about how great they are (when we all know that Georgia is overrated).

But I digress.

I thought it would be fun to see pictures of Ruth and Brian from GAME DAY (it is in all caps because it is the first game of each season) from this year and the last year. How Ruth has changed.

The game heats up against Alabama.

Things are looking good at this moment.

Look how little Ruth looks in Daddy's lap last year!!!! Ruth and I took a nap during the second half of this game.

This is still her favorite seat in the house.

Rain Rain Go Away

2009-09-19T10:18:00.002-04:00

First, I want to tell you I love rain. I grew up learning not to curse the rain (farming community) except if hay had been cut. My dad always liked to gamble with the weather and cut more hay than he could bail in a day. Seems almost every year we would lose at least some hay to rain because of this.

But today it is me who is losing the game to weather. We planned a yard sale 2 weeks ago, advertised in the paper and waited. It has rained all week. Our yard sale started at 8am. No rain when we woke up. Brian and I had stayed up late getting ready. He built a sign for the road, we finished setting up the garage, Ruth and I ran to the grocery store for balloons. At 8am, it started to rain. So far we have only had three customers but have made $126 (this does not count the $20 of expenses that we have already paid our selves back). But our garage is still full of stuff. One customer told us that we should put the ad on Craig's List for free and then have it again next Saturday. We shall see. We have several more things that we would like to see sell so we can evaluate during the week.

Ruth is now down for a nap and the rain is comining and going. Brian and I are going to enjoy the quiet of the rain and each other's company. If you are in the area, come on by and see us. I'll make a pot of tea.

In Memory

2009-09-15T13:11:00.003-04:00

A long standing member of my home church, Sidney Baptist, passed away Sunday night. Ms. Lillian and her family have known me since before I was born. This picture of Ruth, me and Ms. Lillian was taken on September 17, 2008 - almost exactly one year ago. Ruth always seems so transfixed by her.

Not to be preachy, but in the tradition of a Southern Baptist funeral, if you were to die today, could you say without a doubt that you will be in Heaven tonight? If not, I urge you to get down on your knees and ask Jesus into your heart. If you want to know more, you can e-mail me or call a local church.

Today

2009-09-11T20:39:00.002-04:00

Just so no one thinks we forgot, we do remember. I have replayed my day several times. Brian chooses to do something different today and focus more on today rather than reliving the past. I have taken several moments to thank God for the many miracles of that day and to hug Ruth a little tighter.

I hope everyone had a day of hope and joy today.

We also had ice cream.

Ruth practicing her "jumping"

2009-09-11T20:19:00.002-04:00

Daddy and Ruth being Daddy and Ruth

2009-09-11T15:55:00.002-04:00

Video from Savannah in early August

2009-09-11T15:42:00.003-04:00

The Adventures of Ruth

2009-09-11T15:29:00.002-04:00

Ruth had her 18 month appointment on Tuesday morning. She is now up to 20 pounds and 12.8 ounces. This raises her from the 5% in weight to the 6%. However, she is in the 80% for head size. I guess from the post about Ruth asking to be taken to the mirror and pronouncing that she is cute is enough to tell us all that Ruth as a big head.

Wednesday evening the Sears repairmen came to my house. My husband was able to get the microwave up by himself but it took two of them to take it down and put it up. I am sure one could do it but that it made it faster. Ruth and I watched as they used electric screwdrivers to unscrew all the many screws to take it apart. As they lifted the back off the microwave, Ruth said, "Ta-da!"

One of the Sears men cut himself and bled on my kitchen rug. Now, it wasn't that much blood but even at the doctor's office if you have a band-aid with blood on it they put it in a special trash can. So I called Sears and filed a damage report. We are buying a new rug and are awaiting Sears to tell us if they will pay for it. Don't hold your breath.

Friday mornings are a little crazy at our house. Fridays are the day I step out of the mommy role and go be a "real" person at KSUand teach a lecture class. As Brian and I were getting ready for work this morning, Ruth did her usual go between her room with puzzles and our room to talk to us. At one point when she was in her room, she started yelling for us but we couldn't understand what. I walked into her room to find that she had crawled up on the big bed and from there crawled up on the changing table. She was sitting there, reaching for the wipes saying "dy-per".

Great, my child not only climbs but apparently feels that her diaper needs to be changed when barely damp.

Hormones Talking

2009-09-08T22:08:00.002-04:00

As I update this blog, my sweet husband is sleeping next to me and my daughter is asleep in her room. The house is quiet except for my typing and our humidifiers. It is peaceful. Grayson and I are awake. He is kicking probably due to the massive amount of dark chocolate chips I ate today. Come to think of it, that may be why I am wide awake at the late hour of 10pm.

Ruth had her 18 month check up today. Brian was able to go with us. I was so glad. The nurses always have a ton of questions for you and forms to fill out so you can't give your full attention to your child who is either trying to get into stuff or who needs comforting. In addition, Ruth is in a Daddy phase. At dinner she will only let Daddy help her. I tried to help her tonight since I was done eating (I started before everyone else) and Brian was trying to eat. She would hold out her fork and say "Daddy" and I would try to take the fork and say "I'm happy to help." Ruth would pull the fork away from me and re-extend it to Brian. Oh well. The two of them enjoy each other so much who am I to get in the way. Besides, it gives me a break. And I am the one who gets to "wing" with her in the afternoons on the front porch as we watch the "kool bas" (school buses) go by all the while singing on demand and changing mid verse from "The wheels on the bus" to "the horn on the bus", "the wipers on the bus", "the kids on the bus", "twinkle", "itty-bitty" (itsty-bitsy spider), to "speak a speak" (the theme song to Martha Speaks). I have gotten pretty good at being a quick change singer.

In the words of the characters in the movie Hope Floats, my cup runneth over. (yes, I know this is from the Bible too).

My cup runneth over and over and over.....

Pictures from Arkansas in July

2009-09-07T15:52:00.014-04:00

For those of you who know me, you know that I am not an animal person. The fact that Brian says I am a founding member and president of NAPO (Natalie Against Pet Ownership) is an understatement. I grew up on a farm surrounded by animals. Animals in the house make me nervous (sorry homeowners with pets) because I know what messes animals make - similar to children. So of course, God gave me a child who loves animals. When we are out, I let her talk to and pet animals because I don't want my dislike of animals to influence her. My parents have outside animals and Ruth loved playing with them. She would just hug and hug the kitty. I love the expression on the cat's face.

This is my friend Kara and her son Eston. He is nine months older than Ruth but seemed ages older. We had great weather that day and the kids played outside blowing bubbles and playing with balls. Remember, it is a farm and farm equipment is what you see in the background - along with my mother's English inspired garden.

These pictures were taken at the lodge where we stayed while Memommy (my mother) was at her library meeting. I had purchased Ruth this cute little tutu for cheap and she enjoyed wearing it around the hotel room. It has been in her closet ever since.

For my dancer friends, don't you love the parallel attitude in second. Pretty good form, I think. Knee and toes seem to be in the same line. However, she learned this move watching Daddy and this was during a phase when she thought standing on one leg was the coolest trick. That, sadly, has now passed. How quickly they move on to new tricks.

Ruth and the Apple

2009-09-03T10:41:00.002-04:00

To answer your questions, yes, Ruth eats apples just like in the picture. Brian will start it for her and then she goes to town. She still spits out the peeling, or rather hands it to whatever parent is closest. In fact, she gets mad if you try to cut it up for her. She wants to be like daddy.

However, she will instruct us to "cut it" on whatever meat we put on the high chair, even though the pieces are quiet small already.

Be Thankful

2009-09-03T10:21:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I ranted about Sears. Today I read this from my sorority sister, Debbie. I know we all can get stressed and be thankful for wonderful things. This is not meant to be a sob story. I am just so proud of my friend Debbie (by the way, Sooners, her husband is a die hard Sooner fan - born and raised in Arkansas). This is from their Caring Bridge website.

"September 3rd the dayone year ago that I took Adam to Dr. McNabb for his 3 year old Well Child Check-Up. (Adam was excited to see McNabb because Dr. McNabb is 'sweat to me') September 3rd, the day that has changed our lives forever.

I have such vivid memories:

* Dr. McNabb and every other Doc in the practice coming in to examine Adam
* Being told we need to go to Children's ER, they were expecting us
* Calling Mark at work, telling him to come home - but not telling him why
* The single tear down Alyson's face when she saw the CBC report McNabb sent with us to take to Children's
* The parade of Docs in the ER at Children's, each older than the last
* Being admitted for "tests" at 2:00am by a lovely nurse named Krystal
* The bone marrow aspiration, I was not strong enough to watch Adam through this, I curled up next to Mark's leg on the floor and cried
* Making the unthinkable phone calls to friends and family, Adam has cancer

It was real for me that day, something was amuch with my baby. I though it would be easier by now, I hoped we would be old hat at this and our abnormal, new normal would be easy. It was supposed to be easier by now. Don't get me wrong it is easier in some respects; no more middle of the night runs to Children's for fever, no more seriously ill child, no more intense everyday isolation. What has replaced those difficult times are now the semi-regular struggle to have Adam take whatever oral daily med, drug interactions, and the reality that his Friday chemo makes him feel horrible every weekend all weekend. We hurt for our baby because there isn't a thing we can do to make it better no matter how much we want to.

Those who have said that this world is a cold, cruel place don't know the world I live in. We have experienced so much giving and so much love over the last year. God has surrounded us with enough family, friens and medical professionals to support us through a very rough time in life. He has not let us down but equipped us to make this very difficult walk.

So today I declare my New Year. I have taken the day off from work and hope that Adam wakes fever free and feeling good so we can spend some quality time at the zoo with Grandma. Today truly brings about a new year that is more significant that the calendar year - a year of life. My New Year - New Life resolution is to cherish each moment as it is and not want for someting different. To cherish the fact that Adam wants me to hold and snuggle him rather than focus on the fact that the chemo makes him feel so rotten that he wants to be helf.

Here's to a New Year!

Debbie"

Sears and Nap Time

2009-09-02T15:05:00.002-04:00

Really, Ruth? After almost 18 months of life you still have to throw a fit at nap time? I am updating the blog, trying to get my frustration out before (or IF) the repairman from Sears ever shows up to our house to fix our less than two month old microwave.

This summer our old microwave, the one that came with the house, died. It was no surprise. I am sure it had been here the life of the house which is about 11 years if I remember correctly. It had been giving us clues for about six months that it was making arrangements for its final days. We bought a Kenmore, against both of our better instincts. The reason: everything else in the kitchen is a Kenmore so another Kenmore will match. But after the trouble we had with our fridge, multiple trouble, I had my doubts.

And now here we are, less than two months later and Saturday morning the microwave went out. And to make matters worse, Sears (fill in your favorite cuss word ever) gives us a time of 8am to 5pm of when they will be here. It is now 3pm, Ruth and I had to cancel our appointment today at Mother's Club and still no Sears man has called When I called Sears and got someone who I am sure was sitting at a desk in another country to ask if they could give me a more specific time, I was told "no" and that she would have the repairman call me. That was over two hours ago. Still no call.

Even though my father-in-law worked for Sears until early retirement, I think he wouldn't mind me saying this next statement: I HATE SEARS!!!!!! I will not shop there or at K-Mart and will gladly tell them why, if they had the customer service to listen or care.

Customer Service, if you are wondering, is something that existed in the old days when companies felt they owed their consumers a quality product with quality service. Now, companies want your money without having to deal with you.

I am off my soapbox.

Our Busy Saturday

2009-09-02T14:51:00.010-04:00

Since Brian now works a "normal" work week (which in our area, due to traffic means leaving the house before 6:30 and getting home around 6:30), we have very busy weekends. And since this is the first year I have not had to Nutcracker (I have missed football Saturdays for five years!) rehearsals on Saturdays, we are living up on the weekends.

This past Saturday we had a birthday party at the Center for Puppetry Arts and then went to a park to hear our church's orchestra play. Ruth loved it. I have one picture twice but can't get it to remove today.

Look at the bicep.

What girl doesn't love hitting her own face with a balloon. I think she must have seen the movie "I Heart Huckabees" (this movie, by the way, is not talking about the former Gov. of Arkansas).

The best seat in the house.

"I think the trumpet section was a little off key."

Our family!

A glimpse of Ruth for Halloween

2009-08-30T15:42:00.002-04:00

Since Ruth loves to make fish sounds, we have decided that she should be a fish for Halloween. And we found this great costume (with the tags still on it!!!!) at a second hand store.

And I am getting to post so many pictures because the computer system that Brian has installed is super fast!

Ruth in her big girl clothes

2009-08-30T15:35:00.003-04:00

Ruth in her room wearing her big girl (2T) polo shirt. She loves playing with puzzles and thinks it is funny when Daddy jumps.

Ruth the Artist

2009-08-30T15:29:00.002-04:00

On this day, August 13, I was doing something very quickly and left Ruth to her own devices only feet away from me. When I looked down, this is what I saw: Ruth and her stage make-up artist rendition of Ruth as Cat.

2009-08-30T15:22:00.003-04:00

These two pictures are from August 4th. I thought Ruth looked so cute in her hair bow. You can see she agrees with me. The next picture is after lunch. Apparently it was a fruit day. I think by the looks of it maybe blueberries.

More Savannah and Tybee Island Pictures

2009-08-30T15:18:00.004-04:00

Pictures From Savannah, Finally

2009-08-30T14:52:00.010-04:00

No particular order.

Ballet is not for the lighthearted

2009-08-28T15:06:00.002-04:00

As I write this, my sweet child is napping away. She had a great morning with Mrs. Leigh Ann and is now probably dreaming about the entire can of chicken noodle soup that she ate. Yes, an entire can.

I had my Friday morning Dance Pedagogy (teaching students how to be teachers) class at KSU and decided to stay and take the company ballet class. Let me just say that it kicked my fat, out of shape, pregnant butt. But this class would have been hard even in my best days of dance. The class was fast paced and the barre was a killer (we repeated everything and then did the other side and then got to stop). But I did the hour long barre and two exercises in center. When we started plies (the first exercises, bending the knees), I wanted to cry because it felt good to be around dancers and chat and hear the beautiful music. But by fondu (slow, melting of the legs and extending them and then repeating it on tip toe), I wanted to cry because my fat, out of shape, pregnant body couldn't control the melting quality and my legs refused to go about 65 degrees and I had to stop and rest because I was so tired. And let's not even talk about how the pelvis wasn't under my center. The sweet college kids told me that I looked great. Of course, many of these same kids are students of mine so you can't take too many compliments too seriously. At least I moved a little.

And now my legs, back (lower and upper) and butt are exhausted and beginning to rebel in pain. I wonder if I will be able to walk tomorrow?

It doesn't help that Ruth is still waking up in the night. We have given up on the one nap a day. When she only gets one nap (like yesterday) she wakes up often in the night. Brian and I were up with her between 2:30 and 3:30 am and we didn't go back to sleep ourselves until after 5am and then up again at 6am to start the day. I guess Ruth is just keeping us in shape for the new baby.

Cute

2009-08-25T10:17:00.002-04:00

Ruth is very advanced verbally. Now, I have a friend who has twins who are were jumping with feet off the ground at 15 months (this usually doesn't happen until 2 years old). I have another friend whose daughter is making motor sounds when she plays with toys. Ruth does not do these things. Ruth talks.

If you saw Ruth out of the house you wouldn't hear her say many words. But at the house it is crazy how many things she says and how clear they are. We had some friends over for dinner the other night and they could understand every thing Ruth said (or rather demanded that we do).

This is what happened this morning. I put a shirt on Ruth that she doesn't usually wear very often because it is big. Ruth looked at the flowers on the bottom and said, "cute". She then proceed to say "mirror" which means "listen, you personal taxi of mine, take me to the mirror - Now!" I asked her if she wanted to look in the mirror to see how cute she looked. She answered by saying yes. So I carted her little, vain butt to the bathroom mirror so she could see the baby in the mirror. But this time, rather than just smiling at the baby, she pronounced, "I cute."

You have got to be kidding. This little girl who is not even 18 months old is already touting how cute she is. We have ruined her and we did it in just a little over a year. But Brian pointed out that it was good that she used the word "I" and that it must mean she knows that the baby in the mirror is her. I am not to sure. This same kid also says hi to her paci, her milk, and other strange things and said "bye -bye" to the light on the stairway as we were leaving this morning.

Go figure.

Accident

2009-08-25T07:28:00.002-04:00

Brian has been trying to teach Ruth to put her hand up to her mouth when she says "uh oh". Last night at dinner Ruth dropped something on the floor and looked at us like she was in trouble (because, hey, let's face it, usually she is). But it was clearly an accident so I said to her, "It's okay. It was an accident." A few minutes later Brian had given Ruth a big piece of chicken to gnaw on and she purposefully threw the chicken on the floor. Immediately, she put her hand to her mouth and said "Ax-ca-dent!" We couldn't help but laugh.

If it's not one kid it's another

2009-08-19T07:53:00.002-04:00

Monday morning Ruth woke us up at 2:30am and kept us up until after 4am. Last night Grayson woke me up kicking me at 4am, and I did not go back to sleep.

Brian has disconnected the desk top and I have yet to learn the new space age way to upload photos to the new wireless device. I promise, photos coming soon.

What a Week

2009-08-17T07:12:00.002-04:00

It has been several days since I have updated the blog. Since then, my dad has been in the hospital pretty much the entire time with a kind of tick fever. And apparently he is being pretty mean, partly due to the drugs they are giving him. Brian and I had a much needed date and we had guests in for the weekend.

Late Friday night my friend from graduate school, Erika, and her family came in for a great visit. She has a four year old little boy, who Ruth just loved, and a little girl one month younger than Ruth. The girls had opposing nap schedules and really only got to play together a little on Saturday but shared a most amusing bath time. Her husband Matt and Brian enjoyed playing guitar hero on Saturday night after her son Ashur let them play something besides car races.

It is always nice to catch up with someone who "knew you when" and Erika always has such great insight and it is fun to talk to someone about ballet that has "lived to tell about it". Brian is great at listening and giving advice, but I don't know if he has ever done a successful pirouette. And Erika has.

I have some great photos that I will try to upload soon. Stay tuned.

No teaching ballet for me

2009-08-12T13:33:00.002-04:00

Well, I taught last night at the church and it was tough. The girls were nice but it was so hard for me to teach since I have been off and am so much bigger than I was with Ruth.

But today I talked with the director and I will not be teaching there anymore. I am sad that I won't be teaching ballet at all this year but it is better to have a full break than have a bad experience. I am not saying the church would have been a bad experience but teaching when you don't feel good all the time isn't the most fun. I am going to continue at KSU since it is a lecture class.

Ruth and I went to a free music class a the library this morning and she really seemed to enjoy herself. Yet again Ruth wakes up when I am updating the blog.

Friday in Savannah

2009-08-11T10:08:00.002-04:00

I will see how much I get to write before Ruth wakes up from her morning nap. I just sweep the kitchen and need to rest.

On Friday, Brian went to the career fair to interview pharmacy students. Ruth and I took the shuttle to a little mom and pop restaurant for breakfast. We decided to walk the 7 or so blocks back to the hotel. We stopped at Forysth Park and took pictures of the fountain. Ruth does not like to pose for pictures but did enjoy saying hi to the many, many dogs we saw. Apparently, everyone who lives in Savannah feels it is important to have a dog and to walk it before the heat gets too thick.

After our photo shoot, Ruth took a nap. When she woke up we had just enough time to play in the pool before checking out of the hotel at noon. We walked a few blocks to a tea room for lunch. You would think a tea room open for lunch in Savannah would have sweet tea. No, they didn't. They had unsweet tea and would bring you this syrup to sweetened it yourself at the table. We all know that if you sweeten tea after it has cooled it never tastes the same. Also, if I am in Savannah I expect some of the best sweet tea that I don't have to make myself. The food was nothing special either.

I pushed Ruth in the stroller through "antique" shops in the historic district. Most of the shops were not true antiques. It was very, very hot and I finally told Ruth that we would go back and wait for Daddy in the hotel lobby. We had an hour to wait but thankfully at that very moment he contacted me to let me know he was on the way back to the hotel. Yeah!

We left Savannah and went to Tybee Island, Ruth slept on the way and Brian and I pulled over for a snack. We checked into our room, ordered pizza and took a walk on the beach. We were really staying on the river side of the island and not the ocean. This was fine. The water was dirty but the small waves were great to swim in on Saturday morning. I was able to lay down in the water holding myself up by my arms and feel weightless without being hit by waves.

But that is Saturday's story that I will relay later.

No Sleep at this house

2009-08-10T04:51:00.002-04:00

Ruth has been waking up and crying every few minutes since 3am. We put her down a little late, almost 9pm. She woke up the first time at midnight but went back to sleep soon after I went in to give her a paci. Then she woke up at 3am. Brian went to help her. Ten minutes later or so I went in when she started crying again. Then I went in again 30 or so minutes later and just got her out of bed to hold her. She sat straight up inmy arms and pointed to the big bed in her room and said "there". I just brought her to bed with us. Brian went downstairs (after having Ruth sleep part of the night with us each night in Savannah, he wasn't in favor of doing this at home and went downstairs to work on the computer since he was wide awake). After close to an hour of Ruth still not sleeping, I put her back in bed and we have been suffering her crying every 10 minutes or so. It is hard. I know she just wants to be held and I really want to go in and hold her and snuggle. But if I do that, then every night will be this same thing and before you know it Brian and I will be sleeping with Ruth instead of each other.

During that hour that Ruth and I were in bed together, it was nice. A couple of times she crawled up on me, as much as she can with my belly that looks like I am seven months pregnant, and snuggle into me and start to drift off to sleep. I would have let her too. I was enjoying her soft, warm, little body, but Ihave heartburn so bad and have had it for hours. I don't know if the heartburn is tearing my insides apart or if Grayso is pressing up against my ribs but I have some pretty bad pain right where my ribs start to separate. I don't think it is Grayson because he shouldn't be big enough yet.

How will I make it to December?

Back to Work

2009-08-09T16:21:00.002-04:00

I have been forgetting to tell you that I am starting work on Tuesday at a new studio, of sorts. My non-compete contract expired on July 17 and I really have been more focused on being pregnant, a mom and a wife (unfortunately, in that order) and am now just getting around to posting about the new job.

I was offered a job at another studio in the county in the spring but decided to turn it down. I am really burned out on the studio experience and wanted something new. I had contacted a church with a dance ministry in early April and it worked out that they offered me a job. I will be teaching three classes for them on Tuesday nights. They have over 620 students, most of them little kids, of course. I am teaching 12 year olds and up. Their focus is to honor God with dance. Yes, I will be teaching ballet technique. But unlike studios where the purpose is to make money, the dance ministry's purpose is to spread the word of God. I am really looking forward to the experience. I truly enjoyed working for a Christian based studio three years ago and hope to rekindle my love of teaching and ballet in this setting. I did take a pay cut but am more than happy to do it for a better working environment. I have had very little income this summer, and we have done just fine. I will be teaching at KSU in the fall as well. This "studio" job is really for me to get out of the house and be me and to rediscover my love of ballet.

Let's just hope that I am not disappointed. Then I might have to start my own grocery shopping business!!!

Savannah is no Charleston

2009-08-09T16:08:00.003-04:00

We just got back from Savannah and Tybee Island. As the title says, Savannah, which is often touted as a larger Charleston, is no Charleston. Not indeed.

On Thursday we drove down to Savannah. Ruth was quite fussy on the drive down taking only a 30minute nap in the car. But, once we got there she was okay. We checked into a hotel called "The Mansion" across from the park wit the big fountain that is always in pictures associated with Savannah. The park was undergoing quite a bit of construction so the view wasn't the best. We then suffered, and I do mean suffered, the heat and took a horse and buggy tour ride. We did this in Charleston as well. The tour guide in Charleston was awesome and the amount of history we learned in Charleston and the amount of Charleston we got to see far exceed the quality of the tour ride in Savannah. Savannah's many green spaces or squares were nice. (In one of them the Forest Gump park bench scenes were filmed). But the houses in Savannah do not look near as rich or repaired as Charleston. And we also had some Yankees on the tour ride who asked some very stupid questions. For example: the tour guide told us that Savannah has burned three times. The Yankee lady wanted to know how the houses burned if they were brick. First, these were not the original houses. Second, we have all seen brick houses that have burned. And third, didn't she think that maybe the fires spread by the rooftops and then consumed the interior of the house? It was hot and we were in no humor to listen to such questions.

After our ride, Ruth went to sleep in the room. When she woke up it was time for Brian to go to dinner with his team and Ruth and I had a big girl date together. The hotel drove us down to River Street. I had in mind a nice dinner. I should have stayed in the historic district and paid extra to eat at a little restaurant by a park. That would have been more the experience I was after. But Ruth and I went down to the very tourist and very busy River Street. We did get to watch huge cargo ships as they came up the Savannah River. She liked that. We had a greasy dinner in a loud restaurant and listened to some street musicians. We then walked home, yes, by street light, over 3/4 of a mile. When I called for a ride I was told it would be 20 - 25 minutes. I decided I would walk and met them. And it was fine most of the way. But I did start to get nervous the closer we got to the hotel and the fewer people that were out on the street. I was in heeled sandals and a skirt. Ruth was in the stroller. I had called the hotel and told them I was walking. About four blocks away the bell boy met us and escorted us the rest of the way there. How nice.

I will write of our Friday and weekend adventures later. So glad to be home.

Up close with Ruth

2009-08-05T16:07:00.002-04:00

Another horsey video..up close

Ride a Little Horsey

2009-08-05T14:35:00.003-04:00

This metal horse has been riden by my sisters (including me) and all my nieces and nephews. And now by Ruth.

Hot, Hot, Hot

2009-08-05T09:15:00.002-04:00

We have been so fortunate to have good weather this summer during the month of July. Even when we were in Arkansas the weather was mild. However, this week the weather has decided to rear its summer head and today will be the second day we have had over 90 degrees in weeks. And today we are not going to have any air conditioning.

We are having our vents cleaned today. And this company won't be here until 10am. When I expressed my concern over how hot the house would be, the lady on the other end didn't seem to care. Apparently, although they schedule these appointments, they don't schedule at the customer's convenience. I guess they figure the cable company can get away with it so they can too. Ruth and I will have to be here today while this event is happening. Ruth is going to be upset. She hates the vacuum cleaner so imagine how upset she will be with men in our house and the vents covered up like the scene in ET when the house is engulfed in plastic. Further, how much fun is it going to be to be pregnant in all this heat. I don't know how the ladies before AC did it. I am hoping to put water in the blow up pool we have but it is supposed to rain today, but stay hot at the same time.

Ruth has added some new words to her repertory. The first is wonderful: help. She will say "help, help" when she needs help. This is great. I now know she needs help and is willing to accept it. The second is "read". She will bring me a book and say "read" but she usually doesn't stay around for me to finish the book. She used to sit still for books but now is usually off running to get something else after a few pages. The last word I will share with you is "dang". Yes, she learned this from me. She will say dang when something goes wrong. Very funny. However, she will also say dang and giggle and giggle and bait me to say it too. We just look at each other and laugh and say dang to each other for minutes. Brian doesn't think this is as half as funny as Ruth and I do.

Tomorrow we are going to Savannah for the weekend. Brian has a career fair for Target that he has to do and we are going with him. The first night we are staying at this very nice hotel across the street from the famous park. Ruth and I, if Ruth is willing, of course, are going to have a photo shoot Thursday night. Brian will be at his dinner. I would love to get some shots of Ruth playing in the park, but since Ruth is very attached to me and even more so when she sees a camera, I doubt it will occur.

On Friday afternoon we are switching hotels and staying on Tybee Island. We have a one bedroom rental at a "yacht club" for cheaper than a hotel room. It is right on the ocean!! I am very excited. We will beach in the morning and kiddie pool in the afternoon after Ruth's nap.

The vent cleaning people are here. Let's hope Ruth gets her nap out this morning and let's hope this doesn't take 5 -6 hours like they projected!!!

Stories About Ruth to Pass the Time

2009-08-04T05:56:00.002-04:00

I woke up at 5am when Brian got out of bed to head to the gym. I feel sick this morning so to get my mind off of it, I am updating the blog, hoping Ruth will sleep until 6:30 am.

Last Wednesday when we (Ruth and I) were in the grocery store, once she finished her cookie she decided that she wanted to walk and push the cart instead of ride in the car in front of the cart. She did pretty well only derailing from the path at the butter where she decided every brand needed to be moved over one place to the right. Then, when we were in the frozen food isle with freezers on both sides of us, Ruth decided that she would show me how she could run and ran down the isle shouting "running!" pumping her arms just like a track star. It as pretty funny but hard to catch her.

Since we have returned from Arkansas, Ruth has pretty much become my kid. Before our trip, when Brian would come home from "wurk" she would cry until he picked her up and then be attached to him all night. Now, she is more balanced even wanting me some of the time.

Let me give you an example of one of our recent conversations. Yesterday as I fixed her lunch Ruth peeped around the corner and began this interaction:
"Hi, mommy!"
"Hi, Ruth."
"Hi, mommy!"
"Hi, Ruth."
"Hi, momeeeeeee!"
"Hi, Ruthieeeeeeee."

This continued about 6 - 8 more times.

Well, Ruth has now cried and is awake. She is sitting very calmly next to me but who knows how long that will last.

And The Correct Answer to the Poll

2009-07-30T15:33:00.002-04:00

It was lunchtime for Ruth and me, snack time for Daddy. I had a sinus/tired headache. The skies were barely holding back the rain fore casted for today. Our appointment was set for 11 est, but we weren't called back until 11:30am.

Brian saw the gender first. I still can't tell what is what on an ultrasound. The tech had to show me the area about five times before I understood. And no wonder, I don't have those parts. That's right, those of you who voted for a boy have the satisfaction of knowing you were right.

I thought I was prepared for a boy but I was not. I was shocked. I had thought we would have two little girls climbing into bed with us on stormy nights and wearing look alike dresses. But now Ruth will have a boy to boss around and they won't have to share clothes. Brian's first words upon finding out we were having a boy were, "Yes! I don't have to paint the room!"

After the ultrasound we were supposed to see a doctor but they were so backed up that they said they would see us in 4 weeks. Ruth and I went with Brian down to a store in Atlanta to deliver a pizza for winning some contest. While there, we bought a few boy onesies and swaddling blankets that were on clearance. I needed to have something blue to look at to start to become attached to a boy. To Grayson. (Have you realized that if he shortens his name it will be Gray Berry? yes, we realize that but are naming him that anyway.)

Sorry we couldn't call everybody. Brian is home for the rest of the day and we are going to enjoy family downtime.

Bedtime for Ruth

2009-07-29T21:08:00.002-04:00

Since returning home, we have let Ruth stay up a little later trying to ease her back to her normal bedtime. In Arkansas I let her stay up later, and since it was an hour earlier, that was really late when you thought of it in eastern standard time. Tonight she had a little bit of trouble going to sleep so I sat in the floor next to her crib for awhile. She relaxed and put her hand out to touch me. For ten nights we shared slept in the same bed. I would get so mad at her when she wanted to play instead of go to sleep. But in the morning I was awakened each day with a little voice saying "hi" and a small wave. In the night I was kicked in the back and head butted and everything else. I think Ruth misses sleeping with me and that is why she has trouble going to sleep. The truth be told, I kinda miss sleeping with her too.

Tomorrow is the big reveal of the gender of our baby - if the baby cooperates. Ruth almost didn't when it was her turn. For those of you that have met Ruth, you are probably not surprised by this fact. Ruth is very much a "I do what I want" girl. And today she has wanted to have fun. And we have.

I was so afraid that I would be spanking her left and right when we returned but Ruth has been very agreeable and playful and even, hold your breath, mindful. She was quite the charmer for our friends Kathy and Amanda Stone who dropped by to say hello and give us the most beautiful butterfly lawn ornament. Thank you, Stones.

We called my mom today to say hi since Ruth was asking for her. I could hear the sadness in her voice. After having Ruth with her for eleven days, I am sure the house is empty. Ruth really loved her time there playing with the kitty and Tippy (the dog - by the way, these animals are outside animals and very dirty) and mooing at the cows and twitting with the birds. She enjoyed swimming in the kiddie pool naked and basically getting her way. And I am glad she did.

I was so ready to come home and be in my house with my husband. We had a good visit but by Friday I was tired. I so wish our families lived close enough so they could visit for the afternoon and Ruth could go stay the night with them. But wishing for things that will never happen will only bring sadness.

This is a long post but I have to comment on finding out the gender. If we have a girl I will have two little girls. They can share clothes and wear hand-me-downs. I know what to do with a girl and you don't get "wet" when changing a diaper. But if I have a boy he will get blue toile pillows. Raising a boy scares me. So many people say that boys are mamma's boys. But that term to me means he is a pansy and weak. (No, I don't think all these mothers have weak, pansy sons.) But if I have a son who turns out to be a strong, sensitive, caring man like Brian, then I will be proud to say that I raised that man. If only I can do that.

Thanks for reading this sappy post. It must be the extra tiredness from traveling and the heat getting to me.

Last Day to Vote

2009-07-29T08:04:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to vote if you haven't already. We find out tomorrow (!!!) what we are having.

There is No Place Like Home....Even if you live in a traffic overloaded and too many people place....

2009-07-28T17:32:00.003-04:00

at least home is where your husband is.

Ruth and I just got back. We have eaten, put Ruth down for a nap and I have had a shower. Now time to watch some of "our shows" on hulu.

I will update tomorrow and check your blogs then.

One Week Down, three Days to go

2009-07-25T07:24:00.002-04:00

Ruth and I have been in Arkansas for a week now. The camp is over and I am officially half way done with my pregnancy. I look forward to the day I can say I have delivered. Not that I am ready to care for two people who don't listen to me, but I am ready to be done with the constantly feeling bad and/or hungry.

Tomorrow we are going with Memommy (my mother) to her workshop in Mountain View to stay at a "resort". Now, for those of you familiar with Mountain View, Arkansas, you will find this very funny. Mountain View is a small town (larger than Sidney) and not the resort type of town. But there will be a pool and the weather has turned hot again so the pool will be waiting for us.

We fly home onTuesday and, while the visit has been nice, I am so ready to be home. I am ready to sleep without a 16 1/2 month old pushing me in the back. I am ready to enforce rules like "you eat meals in the high chair or you don't eat" and "the paci is for naptime only".

This child is so spoiled it will take a month to get any sort of rule following back in her.

Rain, rain and no swimming for Ruth

2009-07-22T07:33:00.002-04:00

We had rain all day yesterday. In fact, the weather has been very cool the entire time we have been here in Arkansas. Mom said they have had cool weather for over a week. Over the weekend, the weather was sunny and felt just like football weather. Mom had purchased a plastic kiddie pool for Ruth to use this week. Poor kid has only gotten to use it once and not for very long at that.

I am really enjoying the camp. The community college is fairly new so the buildings are fresh and clean. All the people are so friendly and the camp is very low stress. I also enjoy driving to work and seeing lots of trees and grass, cows in fields and open land and rolling hills. I know that if I were to move my family here that we would be bored soon and miss Target and having a grocery store around the corner, many restaurants to choose from, and the energy that comes from a city. But the country life has much to offer as well and having lived in both sometimes makes me very sad because I always miss the other when I am in one. I think it was Thomas Wolfe who said you can never go home again. But one can dream.

Coming to you from Kids College

2009-07-20T13:21:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! It is my lunch break at Kids College, the camp where I am teaching this week in Batesville, AR at University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.

In my first class today (crafts) I had a kid throw up some red liquid item. Great. There I was trying to divert attention of the other 14 kids and clean up after the vomit kid while calming her all the while not throwing up myself. I don't know how my mother did it for five kids. I really, really, really dread when Ruth starts getting sick.

This afternoon I have a theatre and a dance class.

I am sure Ruth is getting spoiled by my parents rigth as I write this. Oh well. Since we don't have any family anywhere close to us, she might as well enjoy it while she gets it.

Until next time....

Are you There?

2009-07-18T18:34:00.002-04:00

This is a test to see if we are able to post. You never know with dial-up.

Ruth and I are now in Arkansas. So far she has played with the toys Memommy bought for her (and will enjoy the kiddie pool tomorrow), enjoyed the dog and cat, and rode a 4 wheeler - against my will.

Oh, life on the farm.

Ruth and Mommy Take a Trip

2009-07-17T20:08:00.002-04:00

Although it sounds like we are having separate vacations this year, I assure you we are not.

Ruth and I are flying to Arkansas tomorrow for 10 days. I know Brian and Ruth were in Virginia last weekend. Their trip was to give me a weekend alone to be me before the next baby arrives and sucks more life out of me - I mean, brings me more joy. The trip to Arkansas is longer because I don't work and because I am working in Arkansas. I found a kids college camp to teach (one craft class, one theatre class and one dance class) M - F. Memommy and Granddaddy will have Ruth to themselves while I am at work. We extended our trip to go with Memommy to a conference in the metropolis of Mountain View to stay at a "resort" and swim.

Ruth and I have left Brian a list of things to do while we are gone, including get good sleep. I may not be able to post while we are gone so I wanted to give everyone a head's up as to where we are.

2009-07-16T07:46:00.002-04:00

This is the only video Brian shot that shows any of his family. What can I say, he is a proud daddy.

This is Ruth with her MawMaw in Virginia.

Ruth and her Favorite Toy

2009-07-14T20:12:00.002-04:00

Laughing

2009-07-14T10:44:00.004-04:00

Bubbles

2009-07-14T10:17:00.002-04:00

Home at Last

2009-07-12T20:08:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all who lifted Ruth and Brian up in prayer. They arrived home around 4pm EST on Sunday. I ran out to met them and Ruth rubbed noses with me immediately. She then proceed to look at me and laugh while she had one hand on each of my arms.

However, when we got inside Ruth was more interested in her toys and books. After touching each one of her "big" toys several times and starting and then stopping several books, she was ready for Daddy again. I was no longer a prize to her.

I think Daddy and daughter really enjoyed the road trip together. There is talk of making this an annual event. Maybe in a couple of years he can take both of them......

Rest and Last Minute Worry

2009-07-11T20:25:00.002-04:00

Today I really enjoyed myself. I cleaned and worked out and watched a movie and took a long bubble bath.

Then when I called to say night night to Ruth, Brian told me the news. Ruth was already asleep and when I asked why he hadn't called me so I could say good night to her, he said he had been under the truck for the past hour. To make a long story shorter, suspecting trouble with the truck Brian went ahead and took it to Virginia and looked at it today. The trouble: a hole somewhere underneath that is leaking oil. Now I am so worried about them on the long trip back. My fear is that they will be stranded somewhere in the heat or worse, the truck will have an accident due to gears locking up or an axle dislocating. (That shows how little I know about auto repair and only being able to put pieces of what Brian said together.)

So if you read this before Sunday late, please pray that they get home safe. I am very worried.

Picture of the Day

2009-07-10T17:21:00.002-04:00

This was the picture Brian sent to me today. Ruth was on the way to the pool with her Grandma. Brian was nice enough to tell me that she had sunscreen on all over her body.

By the look of interest on Ruth's face, she might follow in her daddy's footsteps as a drug dealer.

I just got back from a movie and solo shopping at Target. Baby Berry two is still making me sick in the morning and feeling bad during the day if I don't feed the monster - I mean growing baby. I called Ruth a monster while pregnant to my students and we all know her temperament can be just that if she doesn't get her way. Maybe if I don't call this next one a monster....

My belly is starting to feel tight and at the moment there is a knot like feeling around my belly button. We told Ruth that there was a baby in my belly and now she will pull up my shirt and say, "hi, baby."

The pros to having the house to yourself: you can leave whatever you want wherever you want and eat when and what you want.
The cons to having the house to yourself: you don't eat as healthy as you do when you are making sure your family is eating right and you miss your family like crazy.

Two more days of freedom....

Picture from the Road

2009-07-09T16:29:00.002-04:00

This picture was sent to me from Brian's phone. He took it while they were stopped for lunch somewhere on I-40 or I-81.

I miss my Ruth. The house is so quiet. And strangely, everything is where I left it.

Alone, alone, alone

2009-07-09T08:24:00.002-04:00

Brian and Ruth just left for a four day weekend in Virginia with Brian's family. I had told Brian back in May that I wanted a weekend before the next baby comes by myself to be me. To clean, to sew, to do whatever or nothing. But now that the weekend is here, I must admit I am looking at the next four days as a sentence rather than as a reprieve. As Brian was loading Ruth into the truck everything inside me said, "Tell him to wait. To give you 30 minutes to shower and throw clothes in a bag." At that very moment Brian asked if I had changed my mind and wanted to go. But the voice that escaped my mouth said, "No, I have things I need to get done."

This is the first time I have been away from Ruth for more than a few hours. I have been looking forward to this weekend for some time. But how can someone want to be away from the sweet, precious, funny Ruth? I am also scared that something will happen to her without me watching her. It isn't that I don't trust her father, although he isn't as cautious as I am with her. It is just that I can't control what happens. Of course, thinking I control anything while she is in my sight is also silly. But still.....

Please remember them in your prayers. It is long six hour drive without a baby. And anyone who knows Ruth knows the fits she can throw. Also, if you haven't voted yet, but sure to vote. July 30 will be here before we know it. Now if only Sunday would be here quickly.

Happy 4th of July (also known as Independence Day)

2009-07-04T20:28:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday we went down to visit our friends Connie and David in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of them while we were there, but we did get to eat Connie's great cooking and see the FSU trapeze circus. Yes, FSU has their own student circus. It was pretty good.

Today we celebrated the 4th, or as Brian keeps reminding me, Independence Day, less elaborately than last year. To see pictures of last year's adventure, go back in the posts to this time last year. Since I am pregnant and still getting sick, hot weather is not my friend. Ruth is cutting her last two eye teeth and has been moody and not an eater this week, and Brian has a sore throat and the voice of Barry White. We decided to be very low key and just made the day up as we went.

We started the day at a Farmer's Market in downtown Canton. It was pretty small, but Ruth did get to blow bubbles on the square. After a siesta and a traditional lunch, we decided to go see the parade at 6pm back in downtown Canton. We were able to park on the street and pull out Brian's sleeping bag of the truck and watch the parade from the back of the truck. Since we didn't know we would be able to park on the street, practically part of the parade, we did not plan well. Picnic food would have been great. Instead, we celebrated the 4th (excuse me, Independence Day) by eating take out from a Mexican restaurant that we had been planning to eat until we found out we could park on the street. Some people eat apple pie and homemade ice cream; we ate Mexican fare. We just celebrated another one of our country's tradition, the tradition of immigration.

We then skipped fireworks (apparently the thing to do in Georgia is to set them off in parking lots - how unAmerica and unfun is that. Asphalt does not sound comfortable or romantic) and came home and let Ruth watch us light sparklers. Ruth would not have been able to stay awake for fireworks anyway. Maybe another year.

I hope everyone celebrated freedom in her own special way. As Brian reminded me many times today, in a few years this holiday could be the 4th of July, a holiday celebrating America the Socialist country. (you knew I would have to say it sometime).

Baby Names

2009-07-03T11:20:00.002-04:00

I think I have finally decided that I could be a mother to a boy - although it will be difficult. But since once we find out what we are having the other baby name we have picked will be forgotten, I thought I would share the names with you. This baby will probably be our last since we are both 34 years old.

We named Ruth after two grandmothers and wanted to name this next baby after family as well. Ruth was named after Ruthel (who we called Jenny). Jenny was not a blood relative but was my sisters and my babysitter and became a member of the family. We spent holidays with them and shared lives with each other. I think I speak for all my sisters when I say that Jenny was the best cook ever and we miss her dearly. Ruth's middle name is Helen and that was Brian's grandmother. Neither Brian nor I got to meet each other's grandmother, but he has described her as the most caring and kind woman.

For a girl: Priscilla Grace. Since Ruth is a family name and a biblical name and I have a biblical name in the family, if the next child is a girl, she will be named Priscilla. (We will NOT call her Prissy for short so don't even go there.) Priscilla was my maternal grandmother. We used to drive to Kansas to visit her when I was little. When she moved close by she was much older and had a stroke. I remember her skin being very soft. But the quality like best about her is that she said what she thought and was a very independent person. She was a single mother during the 50's and travelled all over the country. Grace is after Brian and his grandfather. Brian's middle name is Grayson but his paternal grandfather was named Gracen. By naming this girl Grace we honor both Brian's grandfather and Brian. Everyone who knows Brian knows that he is pretty much awesome. Again, Brian and I did not met each other's grandparent. I will have Brian write about his grandfather to give him credit.

For a boy: Grayson Jeffery. Grayson, of course, after Brian. Since there aren't many male names in my family we turned once again to a member of my extended "wish they had been" family. Jeffery, of Jeff, was my best friend from Kindergarten through high school. Although we went to different colleges and thus made new friends who did not know the other, we remained close until his untimely death in February 2006, only a few months before Brian and I were married. Brian did not get to meet Jeff. Jeff was a true friend who supported me and was probably the first person my age to be honest about marriage and tell me it was hard. I remember so stupidly telling him it didn't have to be. How many times I wish I could tell him he was right and let him laugh at me!!!

So there are the names. When you have taught children it can be hard to find names. I have never taught a Ruth (or Ruthie) or Grayson and only one Priscilla so these names are safe.

Ruth is teething her last two eye teeth so I need to encourage her to drink her milk since she is not eating well this week.

Pictures from our trip to Arkansas in May

2009-07-01T13:43:00.006-04:00

Before Ruth and I go back in July, I thought I needed to post our pictures from our May trip.
We have a picture of me when I was four or five in the field with these flowers (weeds).

Ruth wanted to sit in his lap - I did not stage this picture.

Good Morning, This is your 4am wake up call

2009-07-01T06:49:00.002-04:00

Ruth woke up around 4am crying. Brian went to check on her and she calmed down just long enough for us to get comfortable and then cried again. This time I got up and again, she calmed down just to the point where we started to drift off to sleep. At 5:08am I told Brian I had had enough and just to get her out of bed. Besides, I was feeling sick and his alarm was about to go off so he could go to the gym.

After much crying, I was finally able to calm Ruth down enough to eat some breakfast in bed. When Brian left I entertained Ruth with books and then the most magical toy ever: the computer. If Ruth is fussy there is usually one thing that I can do to get her to calm down when all else has failed and that is looking at pictures, or better yet, videos of herself.

Once we stopped watching videos from this blog I took her to Alec and Emma's page to watch them dance and play with balls. And then we went to hulu.com and watched babies laughing and dancing and then turnd to Elmo for comfort. Now that she has her fix, she is playing with another one of her favorite toys on the floor: my bra.

Contrary to Ruth's belief, Dewayne Wade is NOT her Father

2009-06-30T09:50:00.002-04:00

Ruth is big into pointing out things she recognizes and either making the sound the object makes (if an animal) or naming the object (such as a light)

When we returned from my doctor's appointment this morning I gave Ruth a snack of goldfish crackers to eat. She pointed to the fish on the package and started making the fish sound (bop bop bop - like air bubbles popping). I said, "That's right, a fish." She then pointed to the picture of Dewayne Wade, a black basketball player, on the package (it is goldfish and basketballs cheese crackers) and said, "Daddy!" I tried to assure her that Dewayne Wade was not her father but she would not hear it.

I guess she thinks all men are labeled 'daddy'.

She then pointed to the basketball and said "bubble." She names all round objects (bubbles, balls, the big red ball outside of Target) bubbles. Well, you can't win them all.

And I would pick Brian Berry over Dewayne Wade to be my baby's daddy any and every day of the week. No offense, Dewayne.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

2009-06-29T09:15:00.003-04:00

When Charles Dickens penned that opening line of his famous Tale of Two Cities he was talking about London and Paris during the time of the French Revolution (if my memory serves me correctly). However, I think he must also have known the life of a parent during the toddler years.

Ruth has yet to turn 16 months old, far from the terrible twos you read about in scary magazines like Parent and American Baby, yet Ruth is showing us that being a parent of a toddler is both the best of times and the worst of times. Today we say that every cloud has a silver lining. Ruth is one big thunderstorm cloud with a huge, beautiful silver lining.

As Ruth learns more and more words Brian and I expect her to use these words all the time. However, Ruth will say "drink" one minute and the next just grunt pointing to something in the direction of her cup or our cup or the door, we can't really tell. I can ask her to go get the green blanket off the leather chair and she will fetch it for me. Then I can tell her to pick up a toy and she cries and puts her head down as if the assignment is going to cause her great pain. She will entertain herself quite well going from toy to toy, climbing on furniture, going through bags. At other times she is quite fussy for no apparent reason. Her fits are the worst thing on the planet. But her smiles and laughs and leg kisses and nose rubs and giggles and playing chase and hugs and talking are the best things on the planet.

I think Charles Dickens knew that without hard times one cannot truly appreciate the good times. That, in fact, during the worst of times we will also find the best of times in our lives.

So today, during your Paris times know that the London times are coming. And you won't even have to cross a channel to find them.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, uh, I mean check the blog....

2009-06-24T12:20:00.004-04:00

More beach videos!!! These are from the Saturday we were in Charleston. I can't tell you enough how much Ruth loved the water. Right now I am watching her take the clothes I just folded and left on the floor in front of the dryer and throw them back in the basket. The best laid plans of mice and men....

Voting Time

2009-06-23T09:08:00.002-04:00

On July 30 we will discover the gender of our new baby. Since this is every one's favorite question, I thought we would poll to see what people think. To make it fair to out of town/state folks, here is a run down of the pregnancy:

Ruth: I gained weight mostly in my belly, and it was huge. I was sick for 16 weeks and wanted to eat carbos (rice) all the time. (This really isn't that much different from my normal life). The thought of grease made me sick. Lots of heartburn, trouble sleeping and general displeasure. Had energy.

This baby: Gaining weight in belly and other places (probably due to not teaching ballet, though). Not as sick but it seems to be getting worse rather than better as I approach the 16 week mark this Friday. Potatoes and watermelon are my food of choice. McDonald's' hash browns seems to help (the greasier the better). Some heartburn (3rd trimester is the kicker, however), sleeping fine, bathroom more often. No energy (due to Ruth and heat, I think).

So vote!!! My old favorite ballet class voted with Ruth and the winners were given Baby Ruth candy bars (those who picked a girl) and those who voted for a boy were given another kind of candy bar (minis, of course). This time the winners will be given the satisfaction of knowing they won. And you really can't beat that. Also, I would love to know who is voting so write a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

2009-06-19T14:46:00.003-04:00

Happy Father's Day!!

2009-06-18T22:24:00.003-04:00

I seldom feel compelled to post to Ruth's blog but when I am I should take it seriously enough to actually do it (not like taking out the trash or mowing the lawn).

I remember, quite vividly, saying that I would never get married. I was still in school and couldn't imagine not having the freedom that I had then.
Excuse me while I go to the mirror to laugh in my own face.

I can also remember making the transition to wanting to be married....but never having kids. Who would want that? Kids were loud, annoying, hungry beasts that relied on their parents for every little thing. Why would I want to be the source of life for someone who takes everything from you but your soul? That's crazy talk! I only need to wipe one bottom in my house.

When I got out of school and into a profession I began to think that maybe having kids wouldn't be so bad. It seemed like the natural progression of life. The first social promotion from being single to married naturally leads us to the second promotion of having kids. Who doesn't like to get promoted? Only in this case your income goes DOWN with each subsequent promotion.

Now I find myself with Natalie and Ruth. Two of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. And He has given me some good ones.

I have had the pleasure of working some form of official job since I was 16 (thanks Mom and Dad - seriously). Nearly 20 years in the workforce and I can say without hesitation that having children is harder than any job I have ever had (except maybe turning socks - ask me about it when you have some time). To be fair, it pays way better. As Ruth grows and discovers new things each day I am amazed. It pains me to think that I may forget these moments one day as we reminisce about her childhood or that I may miss them all together. These days, this time, are more precious than any metal or jewel and I can't collect them fast enough. This blog is our way of sharing that joy with you and saving it for ourselves.
Each day begins the same. We choose how it ends. I encourage you to live each day with a purpose and never lose sight of the precious things in your life.

As Father's Day approaches I should be working it in my favor. I get one day a year that I can be lazy without being irresponsible. That I can eat whatever I want without being a glutton. It is my New Years, Thanksgiving, and Fat Tuesday all rolled into one. Instead, I look at my wife and my daughter....and I am just lucky to have made it to the celebration.

Have a great Father's Day!! Celebrate it just like Americans celebrate all holidays...eat, drink, and maybe set off some fireworks. No matter what, celebrate with those who make it possible....your kids.
-BB

Ruh touching sand for the first time - crossing the dunes

2009-06-17T13:52:00.003-04:00

The Beach Part 4

2009-06-15T21:24:00.002-04:00

Back to the narrative......

After visiting The Battery, Brian, Ruth, Matt, Jocelyn and I went to lunch. We ate at a little Mexican restaurant close to their house which was very good and very inexpensive. Ruth was tired and hot and showed her behind big time. She also made a huge mess. Then it was back to the house where Ruth and I took a delicious, two hour nap.

When Susan got home, we all drove to Folly Beach where her grandmother has a beach house. This house was newly constructed on the lot where their old house stood. The house was so beautiful. Her grandmother was adopted and raised by alchoholic parents, married an alchoholic and then divorced him and raised her two kids on her own while working her way up in Thorton Oil from a secretary to her current position, executive vice-president. So for those who say that America does not provide opportunities and reason that government hand-outs are the only way they can make it probably haven't tried getting a job (or at least haven't turned over all rocks).

But again, I digress.

This is when we took Ruth down on the beach for her first exposure to the sand and surf. The lighting would have been perfect for pictures, but we did video instead. We walked down the beach about a half a mile to eat at a newly renovated Holiday Inn. The food was great, the atmosphere was great and the girls were well behaved, probably tired from walking most of the way. We sent the boys and the girls back with a head start while Susan and I stayed behind to pay the bill. We caught up with them on the beach and played just a little longer before heading home for the night.

On Saturday, Matt had to work. He is a golf pro at a resort. Susan, Jocelyn, Brian, Ruth and I made the trip to Folly Island where Susan's twin sister Katherine and her husband Justin met us for a day playing on the beach. We were able to put the girls down for a nap in the beach house after lunch. When they woke up, we played a little longer and then headed for home.

Susan's parents kept two very tired girls for us Saturday night so the six of us (Susan/Matt, Katherine/Justin and Brian and me) could get dressed up and go to downtown Charleston for dinner. It was a nice evening out with friends.

On Sunday we drove home. It was a great weekend with friends. Brian and I feel so lucky to have the Cardwell sisters and their families in our lives. And I think Ruth has made a lifelong friend.

Beach Part 3

2009-06-15T13:33:00.004-04:00

Ruth following after Jocelyn. Whatever Jocelyn did Ruth did. When they played in the sand, Ruth watched Jocelyn put sand on her legs, Ruth put sand on her legs. When Jocelyn used her shovel to put sand in the bucket, Ruth used her shovel to put sand in her bucket. Very cute.

Ruth taking a stroll down the beach alone. I love the little shadow.

The little girls making sure no one is watching before they try to escape.

A rare still moment for Ruth.

The Beach Part 2

2009-06-15T09:18:00.008-04:00

Ruth asleep at the end of the carriage ride. Notice how hot she is.

Ruth and Daddy at The Battery in Charleston. Ruth is not happy. She wants to run around like Jocie.

Jocie and her daddy, Matt.

The girls sharing a moment after watching a squirrel climb a tree.
Jocie has been splashing water, and Ruth is happy for the cool down it provided.

Ruth on Saturday walking in the surf. She loved the freedom she had. This kid knows no fear and would have walked straight out in the ocean had we let her. Shoot, she is waking up so I will post more later.

The Beach Part 1

2009-06-14T20:20:00.002-04:00

Brian is uploading the pictures to the computer overnight so this blog will be informative only.

We left Thursday morning to go to Charleston to visit my friend Susan and her family. Susan's daughter Jocelyn is 26 months old, and I had yet to met her. I felt it was time we made the trip. I must say that Ruth and Jocie (as her Australian father Matt called her) played very well with each other. In fact, Brian and I discussed today how Ruth seems like an older kid today and is even saying more understandable words. (Tonight she said "bath time" and took her diaper off and carried it with her to the bathroom.

We got there Thursday afternoon and played in the backyard on Jocie's swing set. Ruth even sat in a big girl swing and let Daddy push her. Susan made a great dinner. However, after a day of traveling in the heat, eating fast food and dealing with a fussy baby in the car, my stomach revolted and I got sick. As Susan bathed the girls, I threw up in trash can while my husband was probably rolling his eyes and Susan's husband rushed to get me water and a wet cloth. Susan calmed explained to her daughter (since she was asking what that sound was) that "Ms. Natalie is coughing." I was in so much pain that I asked Brian to take me to the hospital. Matt lead us to an urgent care that closed for the evening. On the way back home, we stopped at Target for Brian to run in and get me some supplies while Matt stood outside with me, probably scared out of his wits since he kept asking if I had had that same pain with Ruth. (I was also moaning like I was in labor. I learned in my birth class with Ruth that moaning was a good way to manage pain and I have used that technique ever since).

Around 10:30pm I finally felt good enough to go to sleep and was fine the rest of the weekend. On Friday, Susan had to work so Matt took us downtown and we took a carriage ride of the city. We learned so many interesting historical facts of Charleston. Ruth slept through the ride. Jocelyn did great until about the last 15 minutes when she announced that she was done. It was so very hot. Thankfully the carriage was covered, and we had ice water with us. Brian, ever the good dad (and despite the rolling of the eyes as I expelled everything from my system, a good husband) held Ruth throughout the ride covering her from the sun when we made turns and the shade didn't cover her. He also fanned her with my hat and brushed her wet hair out of her face.

Well, that takes us up to Friday morning. My sweet (and really very good caretaker) husband has joined me in bed to watch a show on hulu (a website - we forgot to tape one while we were gone). I will post more tomorrow during Ruth's nap and hopefully get some pictures up soon.

Happy Anniversary To Us

2009-06-10T09:36:00.003-04:00

Three years ago today Brian and I were married in my little country church in Arkansas. And to my sweet husband who makes me oatmeal and brings it to me in bed every morning, I would marry you again (even sans oatmeal).

Ruth and Baby 2

2009-06-09T16:10:00.002-04:00

Well, Friday was a stressful day to say the least.

My doctor no longer has a tech who is certified to do the 13 week ultrasound so we were sent to Atlanta. Brian and I do not like Atlanta for many reasons. The office that we were scheduled to go to apparently does not communicate well. My doctor's office had to refer me and then the new office scheduled me an appointment without telling me. The only way I knew I had one was to call. They had scheduled me during the time I had another doctor's appointment so I rescheduled, or so I thought.

My little family walked into to the office at 9:20 for my 9:30 appointment. We had fought traffic and finding a place to park to only be told that I had missed my appointment on Tuesday and that they could work me in two hours later. They did not care that it was their fault. I am not sure they believed me. At any rate, Brian, who had taken the morning off from work and now had to take the day, was none too happy. After several phone calls to my office where the nurse told Brian one thing and me another (she didn't see something on the chart until I insisted that it was there..it was), both Brian and I were very stressed with the situation, one another and the fact that unless something changes, our experience on Friday is going to become common place when socialized medicine becomes law. (For you Obama supporters, you realize that he said in Egypt that America is not a Christian nation, declared it to be the largest Muslim country in the world and then got onto Israel for fighting over land. Read the writing on the wall, people. And socialism is the first step. Next, communism and then no Christian rights whatsoever.) But I digress. Where was I? Oh, yes, Brian and I were very stressed and upset over the lack of customer service that exists in the world.

We finally got to have the ultrasound and the tech was very detached. It was not the nice, warm ultrasounds we get in our little burb. (Let's review: cities bad, socialism bad, customer service good, but apparently not cool). The baby is very low risk for downs' and for the other thing they checked. So at least we got good news.

Now some stories about Ruth. She has put two words together. On Saturday, Brian was staffing and Ruth and I took him lunch. While we waited at the counter for him to close for lunch, a customer needed help finding something on the floor As Brian walked away, Ruth said, "My daddy yadada blah mangioiuaod." (or some such string of words) But she did say "my daddy".

For months now I would ask Ruth who loved Ruth and then say "I do" in a fun voice. On Saturday afternoon I asked Ruth the same question but before I could answer Ruth said "I dooooooo!" She has answered this question many times with various voices and length of do's. I am sure this cute little thing will fall by the side like so many others.

Finally, we have learned that Ruth loves to hear stories about herself. She can be throwing a fit, but when I start to tell Brian about something Ruth has done, she gets quiet, listens and smiles. Needless to say we have used this technique to quiet down quite a few fits recently.

I leave you with this. Over the course of the past two days I watched the 1942 best movie "Mrs. Miniver" again. I watched it in high school and loved it and loved it equally as much this time. If you want a simple plot, pretty scenes and the reminder that people can be good, polite and pure, I recommend this movie. It will make you want to take a stroll in the English countryside and have a spot of tea.

13 Week Ultrasound

2009-06-09T16:05:00.002-04:00

The Week of Doctor's Appointments

2009-06-04T11:57:00.002-04:00

Monday was the only day a member of our family has not graced a waiting room of a doctor's office this week.

On Tuesday, Ruth and I went swimming with our friends Candice (mommy) and Caroline (almost 2 year old). Candice is expecting in November so we had fun talking about our experiences. The girls loved splashing in the water.

That afternoon I took a baby who had not had an afternoon nap with me to my doctor's appointment. She actually did very well. Brian didn't get to make it to this appointment. All we did was listen to the heart beat and talk to the doctor for less than five minutes.

Wednesday was Ruth's six month check up at Emory Eye Clinic. We are on a every six month check up just to make sure nothing is changing with her eyes. Although we can't know for sure, the doctor projected that Ruth can see 20/30 or 20/40, which is MUCH BETTER than we were old originally by that horrible doctor last summer. Needless to say, we have switched doctor's to a more positive one (one who allows us to ask questions and answers our questions). Brian and I were saying yesterday that it is a good thing we can't remember that horrible doctor's name because we would bad mouth him to everyone. If anyone lives in our area and is looking for an eye doctor for your child, we will tell you which practice to avoid.

Today, Ruth had her 15 month check up and shots. She has screamed most of the morning about something or other. I am glad she is finally down for a nap and hope she sleeps awhile so I will want to be around her when she wakes up. I tell you, sometimes I just need a break. And today is one of those days.

Tomorrow we go for my ultrasound. I will be 13 weeks tomorrow and done with the first trimester. With Ruth, we had this ultrasound done at 12 weeks and in my doctor's office and was told that she was going to be a girl. However, that tech no longer works there so we have been outsourced for this gig. I hope the tech tomorrow has as much experience as Ruth's tech did and can give us some insight to what the gender will be. I would like to start preparing for this baby.

Thank goodness for the rain we are getting today. And thank goodness babies need naps.

Blocks

2009-06-01T15:37:00.003-04:00

This video is from May 2 when my sister and mother were here for a visit.

Ruth is repeating a lot of words today. This means we have to be careful what we say. For example, this afternoon I was carrying Ruth around looking for my phone and said "oh crap". Ruth said, "oh crap".

Great. My child the wordsmith.

Easter Video

2009-06-01T14:43:00.002-04:00

This video was taken at Ruth's school the week before Easter. It amazes me how much she has grown up in the past two months.

Today has been a strange day for Ruth. Brian joined a gym with a pool and I have a free visitor's pass for two weeks. Ruth and I were there at 8am this morning. I dropped her off at the kids' care and I went swimming. I mostly did ballet in the pool. It was great to move around and get some exercise. I wasn't sick at all this morning!!

After a quick stop at the grocery store (Ruth did sleep on the way), I put Ruth down for nap. She sang to herself for about 20 minutes and then finally slept for an hour. This afternoon I put her down for her nap and she sang to herself for 45 minutes before I finally caved and got her out of the crib. Now, after playing and snack, I am trying to get her to sleep again. I can hear her singing in there. Will this kid ever sleep today? I will take the singing any day over the screaming she used to do.

Enjoy the video.

Ruth's Adventures

2009-05-30T15:10:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I took Ruth over to my friend Tammy's pool. Ruth loves the water. She had a great time splashing around the pool even though she was shivering most of the time.

Our day today started with a stop at a yard sale where we got Ruth a Raggedy Anne doll. After a quick stop at the bank, we then ate at the new Chick-fil-A and saw the big cow and got a balloon for Ruth. We then took Ruth to a miniature animal petting zoo at a local farm. Ruth loved this!! She was all about petting the goats and sheep and rabbits. She did a great job at feeding them too. Brian instructed her how to do it one time, and Ruth was off and running. She fed the rabbits inside the fence but fed the goats through the fence. It was funny to watch her reach in the pail and get a piece of bread and then put the bread to the goats' mouths and watch their tongues lick her fingers. She did this again and again.

The best part of the trip was the pony ride. Ruth sat on the pony and held onto the pommel just like a big kid. (Don't worry, Mom, Brian held onto to Ruth and walked beside her). Ruth just giggled and giggled.

Our day ended with a stop at Target to buy Ruth a little pool for the back deck. Since we don't have access to a pool, we thought this would be a good solution for those hot evenings when Ruth gets fussy. It was a great day.

Our Trip to Arkansas

2009-05-22T09:36:00.003-04:00

No pictures yet.

Ruth and I flew to Memphis on Saturday. My parents drove over to pick us up and took us back on Wednesday. We had a good trip. Ruth learned to say "kitty" and did so in a very high voice. She loved my mother's cat, and anytime we were outside she would call for the cat to come to her. Ruth also enjoyed seeing the cows in the field. I didn't get any pictures of her with the cows but she laughed when they mooed. I still can't get her to say moo though.

Everything was so green due to the rain they have had. The weather reminded me of when Brian and I were in Maine on our honeymoon. Cool mornings turning into warm afternoons surrounded by sunlight. I let Ruth run around in the yard smelling flowers and chasing the cat. The first thing Brian said about Ruth when he picked us up was that she looked older - probably due to the sun exposure she received. She was certainly spoiled by my parents.

After surviving eleven weeks of pregnancy without getting sick, this morning I lost my breakfast. I have been queasy for almost two weeks but this morning it got the better of me. Ruth and I happened to be in the kitchen when it happened. Thank goodness for garbage disposals. The event scared Ruth. I don't know who made more noise, Ruth crying or me.

One last thing about Ruth. For the past six weeks or so Ruth has a new way to show someone she cares: she rubs noses. She does this frequently. When we were in Arkansas Ruth and I had to sleep together. She would toss and turn and get up and rub noses with me for 30 to 45 minutes each night. I guess she was so happy she wasn't sleeping alone.

Quick Story

2009-05-13T20:45:00.002-04:00

First, I am done with naming every blog after a song. It was good while it lasted.

The other day while Ruth and I had our afternoon snack, I was watching a baby story show on TV. Now, I don't normally watch these shows but nothing else was on and the woman was having triplets. As she talked about how she was worried about her one year old (yes, a one year old with triplets being born in a week), she started to cry. This go around I have been more hungry and more emotional. I started to cry as well. Ruth had finished her snack and had put the paci she brought from the crib in her mouth. As my crying continued, Ruth removed the paci from her mouth and tried to put it in my mouth. After all, a good paci can cure anything.

This is not the first time she has done this. It just amazes me how these little kids can process information and be so compassionate. If only we could all be this way. I guess that is why Jesus said that we should all be like children. (paraphrase)

Sweet Home Alabama

2009-05-10T14:27:00.002-04:00

Alabama is not my home. It has never been my home. It has never been Brian's home. However, every time I go to Alabama I am struck by how pretty it is and how country the people sound.

We just got back from Montgomery, Alabama. I attended the South East Regional Dance America festival (SERBA). The last festival I attended was in 1998 in Little Rock of the South West region. As much has changed that has stayed the same. Beautiful teenage dancers with ballet bodies you seen on professional stages. Great classes and performances that ranged from okay to amazing.

I wanted to attend the festival this year for two reasons. One, I would like to guest teach and/or choreograph for ballet schools and festival is a great time to make contacts. The second reason is that I wanted to be renewed. And renewed I was. I watched five different teachers teach, and they all said the very same things I said. There was one teacher I watched that faced some of the same problems I have had to face for the past five years: a jazz class next door that was playing its "music" so loud that the ballet kids could barely hear the pianist. The teachers emphasized the same things I do and gave many of the same corrections I do. It made me realize that I really do know my stuff!!! After being told so many times that how I teach is not right, it was so refreshing to see what I teach and HOW I teach get results. The students listened and responded to this teaching. These dancers clearly came from schools that wanted to train dancers and not just collect a paycheck.

I also took notes. I have felt that I have been teaching in a rut lately and the classes I took reminded me of things that I just to teach three, four and five years ago. I also got some great ideas for new combinations.

And now about Ruth: Ruth and Brian went with and played in the hotel most of the time. Brian is truly a great, supportive husband. He took care of Ruth and met me for food whenever it was it. I skipped the last class and performance Friday night to have a family night. On one of our lunch time walks we found this little park by the river and next door to the minor league baseball stadium that had a fountain made for kids to run around in and get wet. So we put Ruth in it. She LOVED it. It was hot outside and although we had a swimming suit in the hotel room, we just let her play in her clothes. (Boy, was that diaper full!!!) When it was time to go back, we changed her diaper and put Brian's outer tee shirt on her. We also learned that she loves the pool.

Although the trip was great, I am so happy to be home. I have been hungry quite often and feel sick after I eat almost every time. Yes, we are expecting with a due date of December 11. The first date we were give was December 17 but the computer was measuring earlier so they changed it. I guess this means a scan tron final for my class at KSU this fall!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.

Merry Christmas....32 Weeks early

2009-05-06T16:27:00.004-04:00

smaller version, more clear:

I'm Walkin', Yes Indeed I'm Talkin'

2009-05-04T08:29:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the long delay. KSU (my place of employment) semester is ending and with that comes finals and papers and math (to figure out the grades). In addition, my mother and sister Malory came over to visit this weekend. Malory really came to the home show in Atlanta but most of her time was spent spoiling Ruth.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Ruth is walking and walking quite well. I will post videos and pictures soon but I wanted to log on so faithful readers wouldn't think we had left the country or contracted swine flu. Here is a cute story to tide you over:

Wednesday was Ruth's last day at school. Since my semester is ending I can't really justify sending her to school if I am at home. But we are reconsidering since she seemed to really enjoy it and is such a big girl at school. Wednesday afternoon she kept hold up a number one with her hand and twisting her wrist so the finger looks like it is saying "no, no, no". I finally realized what song she must be singing in her head: No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. When Brian and I pieced together the song - it took us both to remember all the words- Ruth just beamed from ear to ear and would twist that little finger at the line "momma called the doctor and the doctor said....." Very, very cute.

In other news, my tenure at the studio where I have worked for the past five years is finally over. If you remember, I resigned in September but wanted to honor my contract and finish out the year. The studio decided that with only one week left that they could handle the last week. This comes as a great relief since I am so busy with KSU and our little family is preparing to go out of town to attend the South East Regional Dance America conference. This is a wonderful ballet festival for serious pre-professional ballet studios. I attended when I danced with Ballet Arkansas and am very excited to go and watch classes and performances of ballet. Just ballet. I hope to be revived and remember why I fell in love with ballet in the first place. I feel that my studio days have taken away my edge in the profession. It certainly took me a few weeks to get back into teaching a serious ballet class for KSU this semester. The dancers there seem to really want to improve and listen to each other respectfully and listen to instructors. It has been a pleasant experience.

I am taking Ruth back to the doctor again for her ear infection. She has been on three rounds of medicine and she doesn't seem to be getting better.

Hope all is well. Keep your eye on the sky this week. (That was the Berry family safety officer speaking)

Slip Sliding Away

2009-04-20T08:44:00.003-04:00

This video was shot on February 7, the first day we took Ruth to a slide. I started this blog on Thursday but had to cancel it and try again today. We have really busy weekends since Brian works mostly Monday through Friday, like "normal" people.

What prompted me to share this video (besides the fact that I have been meaning to since February) was that last Wednesday at our visit to Center for the Visually Impaired, Ms. Casey took Ruth to the playground. She first put Ruth on a small slide to see how she would do. Once we took her shoes off so she could really slide, Ruth loved it. Then I suggested we take her to the bigger slide, with three humps in it. Ms. Casey was worried that Ruth wouldn't be able to handle it for fear. I assured her that Ruth could. Ruth LOVED the slide. She kept asking (in her way by throwing her arms up in the direction of the top of the slide) to go again and again and laughing. It was great fun.

Ruth has also gotten really good at hugs. She has always been a good snuggler, when it is her idea. But now, the hugs she gives are so tight that sometimes we aren't sure if she is trying to hug us or kill us. Her little arms met behind our necks and she squeezes so hard and makes these little sounds like hhhmmmmmmm. She also pats us on the back, which is the main clue that she is giving us hugs. She really is a precious big girl.

Elmo gotta get on up, get down, get up

2009-04-13T08:46:00.004-04:00

These videos were taken Feb. 27. It is amazing to me how much Ruth's hair has grown since then. She is in need of another haircut. Although it is not on the video, when she hears the Elmo song (or when we sing it) she will start doing jazz hands. Yes, dancer friends, actual jazz hands. Better than some of my former students. I guess we can say she is officially walking. She took 11 steps the first week of March and then pretty much decided that crawling was better. But last week she started walking more and this weekend she walked all over the house, falling down some but then getting right back up and walking some more.

On Saturday we drove up to Berry College in search of a pretty place to have our family pictures taken in a couple of weeks. The weather was chilly and the skies were overcast. It made for perfect photo conditions. We took some and will post them soon. Sunday was Ruth's first Easter at church. If you will remember, last year Easter was much earlier. In fact, Ruth was two weeks old on Easter last year and we did not go to church. The rest of the day was spent keeping Ruth out of things and listening to her whine. I will say that when this poor kid is off her schedule and doesn't get what she wants, she can be quite unpleasant. We did take her outside with sidewalk chalk and had fun on the sunny afternoon.

On another note, I have been named the official safety officer for the Berry house. I gave myself this title on Friday evening when my husband came home right before the storm hit and proceed to go about his day not paying any attention to the impending tornadoes. The sirens did go off and we did go to the basement but other than some hail, rain and wind, I don't think anything drastic happened. Please remember that I lived in Norman, OK for three years and was in an actual tornado in Little Rock. I know how to be prepared. For those of you who have never lived in Oklahoma, the weather people outside of OKC are pretty much worthless when it comes to storms, and this includes the Weather Channel. I so miss Gary England and the CBS weather team in OKC. I would literally get up in the middle of the night and turn on the TV only to hear Gary say, "It is only wind, go back to bed." And I would because that is how much I trusted Gary England. When you hear the weather people here say, "We aren't sure if this is a tornado or not," you know you are on your own. Thank goodness I am this family's safety officer and not Brian.

Brian has promised to get me a sash before the next storm hits.

2009-04-10T09:16:00.003-04:00

As I keep my eyes on the weather, I thought I would take this time to update the blog. This video was taken the same day of the bike helmet practice in the video below. We tried to get proof of Ruth's eating. She went through this phase for awhile that when she would throw food off her plate, she would slap her own hand and then cry (yes, we had done this to her. If you are someone who does not believe in paddling, please do not preach to me about time out and other methods. We did not hit her hard, very lightly on the hand. We both believe in paddling and I am sure Ruth will get her fair share when she is older. Besides, it is biblical to paddle. I have heard sermons on it. However there are rules to when and how to paddle.)

We tried to capture the self punishment but I think we missed it. Ruth seems to know when the camera is filming. She used to eat peas and pears and peaches and other foods. Then she dropped veggies but I could still get her to get pears and peaches. Now, she will eat meat, cheese and carbos. Let's just say that my child will not be winning any Atkins Nutrition Awards.

2009-04-10T08:52:00.003-04:00

I am uploading a video while I watch the clouds build out the office window. We are expecting storms today and I can see that today is going to be a stressful day for me. At least I come by it honestly. My father is very scared of storms. I remember as a child when I shared a room with my sister Malory, on stormy nights she would put our shoes at the edge of the bed on the floor so that "in the middle of the night when we have to go to the cellar, our shoes will be right here for us." I have Ruth in the crib taking her morning nap right now, a little early, just so she can get some sleep in before we have to dash to the basement. It has started to rain now. If I thought this was going to be a calm, rainy day, I would love it. But since storms are predicted and I am sure we have all seen the damaging tornado in Mena, AR, I will probably be watchful all day. Ruth and I had planned to go shopping today, and I was really looking forward to it. But with this threat of bad weather, I decided on best plan of action was to stay put at home.

This video was taken the week prior to the big bike accident (see earlier posts). Enjoy.

Trapped in the Office

2009-04-05T13:38:00.003-04:00

The title of today's post is not a title of a song, but actually the truth about my life at the moment.

Brian's father, brother and nine year old nephew came into town late Friday night to help Brian remodel the master bath. What this means is that we have not had water in our master bath since Friday morning (Brian took out the sinks and disconnected the toliet) and that our house is a mess. Let me say that again: our house is a MESS. Any remodel project, no matter how small, tears up the whole house. In addition to this, Ruth is not sleeping in her crib since the guest bed is located in the nursery. (We didn't want to give up our office) Ruth is sleeping in the pack and play in the office. She also is not wanting to nap so, after 30 minutes of fussing, she has finally gone to sleep and I am at the computer, stuck. If I leave the room, I am afraid she will wake up and then were will I be?

But this gives me time to update the blog and then work on my lecture for class on Tuesday.

I have learned a few things this weekend: my husband really, really hates to paint, Ruth needs her schedule, and I am not cut out to parent or babysit a boy.

We primed the bathroom during Ruth's nap on Friday (no vistors yet so she slept in her crib). Then after she was in bed we painted the bathroom. We had picked out paint that we thougth was going to look like a cool cucumber, like a spa. But instead, it looked like a clown had sneezed. Way too minty. So Saturday, we (and I mean Brian and his brother) painted again. This time we choose a green we knew we liked, one shade lighter than our dining room. Perfect.

As far a me not being a mom for a boy, this is not new news to me. But this apparently was for Brian. I guess Brian had seen me with my nephews. When they were little (Before Brian), I would play with them and love on them and when they were bad, I got on to them or sent them to my sister. It was fine. They yelled, I yelled back. Now that they are old, they pretty much get on my nerves all the time. They are 14 and care mostly about video games and being loud and the center of attention. When the whole family is around, it is just too much. Now Brian's nephew is similar in that he wants to either watch TV or play video games all the time. But at nine he is still pretty quiet and well behaved. However, the constant motion that is a nine year old boy and the video games and cartoons were enough to make Brian realize that I have no idea what to do with a little boy. Plus, since Christian is Brian's nephew and I am relatively new to the family (remember, his family lives six hours away) Christian is not the type of boy to let me, a practical stranger, love on him the way I used to force kisses on my nephews at nine.

To everyone that says "boys are easier to raise than girls," I say what I have always said: phisha. I think that is in the mind of the beholder. Personally, I think raising anyone or anything is hard. I can't get Ruth to eat a bite if she doesn't want to eat. I am sure it isn't different with a boy.

In short, do not push your ideas about girls being more difficult than boys. (Or your ideas on giving birth with or without drugs, but that is for another day) Maybe girl A was harder than girl B but boy C is harder than girl A. I think a lot of it stems from society's stereotypes. And if stereotypes aren't cool for races, then they shouldn't be cool for genders.

I am off my soap box. I am sure you ALL want Ruth to sleep in her crib tomorrow!!!!

Fever

2009-03-31T09:32:00.002-04:00

We had to take Ruth to the doctor yesterday and she has an ear infection in one ear. She never really seemed sick except for fever one day last week and a runny nose and runny eyes. In addition, I came down sick yesterday.

I had felt bad starting around lunch but around 4pm I decided we would go on a walk. (No work due to picture week). When we got back from the walk I started to feel horrible. I was cold to the core and just felt awful. But Ruth was great playing a great deal on her own. Brian got home at 7:30 and I was in bed by 8:30, although I woke up several times in the night with body aches. This morning I caught myself kissing Ruth's eye, so I guess that is how I got sick. It became a habit for me to kiss her eyes and pray a short prayer when we first learned about her vision issue.

This morning I just feel so tired and sore. Ruth is doing great and just went down in her crib. She is really such a fun kid. She is saying okay now and it is very cute. She took 11 steps about two weeks ago but stills seems to enjoy crawling. She will walk a few steps at a time and thinks it is very funny.

I need to take this time while she is asleep to clean up a little. Everything is taking so much longer today since I still feel weak. I have to go to work today and I don't want the house to be such a disaster for Ms. Leigh Ann.

Mr. Sandman, Send Me A Dream

2009-03-27T16:45:00.002-04:00

That was our thoughts last night when Ruth woke up shortly before 2am and would not go back to sleep when Brian put the paci in her mouth. I went in to rub her forehead and realized she was very hot. So I got her out of the crib and called to Brian to come and help. We stripped her down to her diaper and took her temperature under the arm. The way that child screamed you would have thought that we were part of the Others (from Lost) and were asking her to give us intel that would lead to the capture of her friends. She had a fever of 103 (once we added a degree). So we gave her medicine, changed her diaper and I tried to sleep with her in the big bed in her room. No luck. After an hour I put her back in the crib where she seemed to drift off and I got back in bed thinking I would never get back to sleep. Just as my eyes started to close and my mind started to forget all that had to be done today, Ruth cried out again. I got up with her and then Brian did and then I don't remembe what happened. I know I woke up several times thinking I would roll over on her (even though she was not in bed with us).

Needless to say I have been too exhausted to do anything that really needed to get done besides buy groceries. And tomorrow will be very busy with us shopping for new facuets in the morning, me attending a show in the afternoon and then the normal dinner and bath routine at night. Whew!!! In fact, Brian is at the gym right now and while I should be cleaning and/or working out myself, I am just lying in bed writing to you all enjoying the fact that Ruth is asleep.

Wipe Out

2009-03-22T17:56:00.002-04:00

This is the most awesome video ever. Period.

Pictures from Natalie

2009-03-16T16:11:00.001-04:00

204 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly

Takin' Care of Business

2009-03-16T10:57:00.002-04:00

Okay, I am trying something new. As poor little Ruth sleeps (I had to go pick her up from Mom's Morning Out because she had a low grade fever - due to teething, she is cutting molars - well, they said I didn't have to get her but I did anyway. Plus, I found out this morning I have to have a root canal. How about that, Mom, for a run-on, grammatically incorrect sentence?), I am trying to upload pictures to Shutterfly to share.

Below you will see a link to Shutterfly. I hope it works. I am currently uploading over 100 pictures on the desktop while I update the blog on the laptop (in bed, we got little sleep at the Berry house last night). Currently, I see only 27 pictures have made the upload. Hopefully, if you click on the link later you will get to see all the pictures. They range from her actual birthday (celebrating with ladies at our favorite Regions Bank branch and eating cake with Daddy) to her birthday party to Sunday morning with Maw Maw and Paw Paw to her one year appointment with our favorite doctor, Dr. Ruth Brown. Dr. Brown tells us every time that she and Ruth have the same name and we are like, that's one reason we chose you as our doctor within the practice.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I am in a better mood, if you can't tell. I love rainy days. And although I had dreams of going to the bookstore and losing myself in stacks of books and drinking some good hot coffee while Ruth was at MMO, this is pretty nice too. Besides, hot and cold hurts my tooth too much to drink coffee anyway.

Pictures from Natalie

2009-03-16T10:56:00.001-04:00

27 pictures
View Album at Shutterfly

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

2009-03-16T06:52:00.005-04:00

Oh my stars!!! My students would know what this means. It means I am unhappy with something. And today it is still the picking eating and the addition of not sleeping.

Ruth used to (and I stress the used to) sleep through the night. Then she started going through a phase where she would wake up and one of us would have to put the paci in her mouth again and she would go back to sleep. Then she added waking up earlier. Last night she woke up at midnight and refused to go back to sleep.

We break all the rules of so called parenting books. We fed her at 12:45am, and I slept with her the rest of the night. Using the word slept is actually exaggerating. More like I shared a bed with her while she tossed and turned and cried out throughout the night.

As far as eating, she has again accepted fruits and cheese. Saturday she did okay on chicken. I don't think she has had a vegetable in days and will not drink milk out of the sippy cup. This is no big surprise. The sippy cup is always on the tray and she always throws it off the tray. She will drink water out of the cup throughout the day if it is around her. But I can't have her drinking milk all day because it will go bad and then won't I be messing up her eating cycle?

Brian and I are at a loss. Partly because we are so tired. This is when it would be so nice to have grandparents live close by so we could send Ruth for the night. But alas, we don't.

On a happier note, Ruth did take two steps on Thursday by herself and four on Friday. She also has become more adventurous in trying to walk although we have only seen two steps together since Friday. At least we can say we got to see her first steps. (We told all child care givers not to tell us if they saw her walking!!)

Well, I hear Ruth fussing as Brian tries to get her to eat. You would think that if she wakes up at 6:15am she is hungry. Not the case. She just wants to be around other people and pull at their face, hair, clothes, whatever she can get in her little hands.

Here are some pictures from the birthday party. I will attach more later.

Ring Around the Rosy

2009-03-13T07:28:00.002-04:00

Around and around I go. I feel sometimes like Ruth is on a cycle that I can't break. First, please know that I love my child. But she is slowing stealing our life.

Ruth wakes up every morning around 6:15am. We tried doing what a friend whose baby sleeps until 8am and is content said to do: let her cry and eventually she will get the hint. We tried that for almost two weeks. We would go in, pat her back, put the paci in her mouth and let her cry. She would calm down when we were in the room but as soon as we left, she would throw the paci out of her mouth and cry her head off until 7am when we would pick her up. The only thing that it accomplished was to make Brian and me very mad in the morning and start our day out mad at her, each other and the world and to teach us that Ruth wins again. So now we get up at 6:15am every day and just try to make it through the day not thinking about sleep.

Second, Ruth is currently refusing to eat with the spoon. Now for followers of this blog you know this is a reoccurring theme for us. Every since we couldn't breast feed and she lost weight, feeding has been a source of stress and pressure. In fact, when we went to the doctor this week for her year check up we were told that she doesn't weigh enough to sit forward facing yet. So even though she is long enough and almost too long for the chair, she doesn't weigh enough so she has to continue in the infant care seat.

Ruth also is not really caring for the bottle. At the doctor's office they were very stern with us when they said that by 15 months she needed to be off the bottle. How the heck am I supposed to get that to happen? She will drink out of a sippy but not enough, she is not eating food and most of the self feeding food she is throwing on the ground. Now, she used to love to feed herself and would eat all kinds of things but now it is a fight to get her to eat anything!!! Both my mother and Brian's mother basically said the same thing: don't force her. If we don't, she will not eat!!!! My mother said she will eat when she's hungry. Brian and I do not want to create a child who eats whenever she feels like it. We want her to eat three meals a day (AT MEAL TIME) and two to three snacks a day. In fact, you would think that waking up at 6:15am would mean she is hungry. Nope, she usually doesn't want the bottle then either other than to have a sip.

I am losing my mind. And, I can clean a room and one hour later it looks like a tornado has hit it. Ruth is now screaming because I will not let her play in the trash behind the desk. In fact, she is literally throwing toys around pitching a fit.

Thank goodness I have sewing class today to get a little creative break from this madness. Does anyone child act like this because everyone at church talks about how great their child is sleeping HOURS a day and giving them no problem. Ruth can't be the only kid with a mind of her own.

Ruth's Blog

We Have Moved!!!!

A Great Day to Be a Hog and a Hokie

We Need a New Name

Two Funny Stories

Our First Emergency Room Visit

We are Okay!

Game Day

Rain Rain Go Away

In Memory

Today

Ruth practicing her "jumping"

Daddy and Ruth being Daddy and Ruth

Video from Savannah in early August

The Adventures of Ruth

Hormones Talking

Pictures from Arkansas in July

Ruth and the Apple

Be Thankful

Sears and Nap Time

Our Busy Saturday

A glimpse of Ruth for Halloween

Ruth in her big girl clothes

Ruth the Artist

More Savannah and Tybee Island Pictures

Pictures From Savannah, Finally

Ballet is not for the lighthearted

Cute

Accident

If it's not one kid it's another

What a Week

No teaching ballet for me

Friday in Savannah

No Sleep at this house

Back to Work

Savannah is no Charleston

Up close with Ruth

Ride a Little Horsey

Hot, Hot, Hot

Stories About Ruth to Pass the Time

And The Correct Answer to the Poll

Bedtime for Ruth

Last Day to Vote

There is No Place Like Home....Even if you live in a traffic overloaded and too many people place....

One Week Down, three Days to go

Rain, rain and no swimming for Ruth

Coming to you from Kids College

Are you There?

Ruth and Mommy Take a Trip

Ruth and her Favorite Toy

Laughing

Bubbles

Home at Last

Rest and Last Minute Worry

Picture of the Day

Picture from the Road

Alone, alone, alone

Happy 4th of July (also known as Independence Day)

Baby Names

Pictures from our trip to Arkansas in May

Good Morning, This is your 4am wake up call

Contrary to Ruth's belief, Dewayne Wade is NOT her Father

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, uh, I mean check the blog....

Voting Time

More Beach Videos (We have many!!)

Happy Father's Day!!

More Ruth and the Beach Videos

Ruh touching sand for the first time - crossing the dunes

The Beach Part 4

Beach Part 3

The Beach Part 2

The Beach Part 1

Happy Anniversary To Us

Ruth and Baby 2

13 Week Ultrasound

The Week of Doctor's Appointments

Blocks

Easter Video

Ruth's Adventures