Halloween and Lots of words

Happy Halloween!! We went trick-or-treating this past weekend. Ruby was the cutest little lady bug ever!! She didn't last very long, but it was great while it lasted.

Also, from a few weeks ago...
Ruby is talking so much and she has a few sets of flashcards that she loves to look at, spread around her room and dump out of a bucket. Here she shows us a few of her favorites!!

Dancing and Tricks

Here is Ruby "freedom dancer" Sladek and some of her best moves! Happy 4th of July!

A few clips from last week, too...Ruby is showing so much personality these days and trying to mimic much of what we do. So we've taught her a few tricks. 8-)

She is up to 6 words, "Daddy", "doggie", "buh-bye", "happy" (we've been practicing for her bday), "hi", and "ball"!!

Making Friends

Ruby is getting along really well with our dogs, Benny & Pedro - especially when its dinnertime or as in this case, she's passing out snacks. It will be so fun to see them all playing together in the coming years!

Ruby is also walking everywhere! She likes to carry things around with her and she loves the camera, so there's a nice close-up in this clip. She's very funny and we're having so much fun together. She makes me laugh all the time and has started cracking herself up, too!

She's walking!!

It's been a busy few weeks in the life of Ruby Sladek....
























She had her 9 month check-up on Tuesday and all is well... weight - 18lbs (25%), height - 27in (25%), head (90%).

We did find out that she's a bit anemic so we've added some Texas BBQ to her diet! Just kidding!

Speaking of eating steak, Ruby has 4 new teeth on the top!

And.....

The biggest news is that she's walking!!! We've counted up to 30+ steps and she's really getting the hang of it fast. It's been a challenge to get her on video, so here's a super short clip from yesterday morning.

Johnny Jumper and Jocelyn's Bday Party!

Ruby is loving her Johnny Jumper these days! Here's a short clip of her bouncing away. (you might want to turn down the volume on your computer becuase my Mama/Baby talk is a little silly and loud)

Also this weekend we drove to San Antonio to attend Jocelyn Doty's 2nd birthday. She is the daughter of one of Robert's best friends and a real cutie! Here's a few photos...

Ruby and Jocelyn saying hello!

"Testing the waters" - she never made it much farther inside 8-)

She really loved the swing!

Ruby's Dedication

A few weeks ago, we dedicated Ruby to the Lord at our church (First Evangelical Free). Robert read a thoughtful and loving prayer that he wrote (see below) and all of our family were there for support. It was a wonderful service and a very special morning!

Heavenly Father,

We thank you so much for the gift of Ruby Evelyn. She is such a blessing to us, and we are so grateful that You have brought her into our lives. Please guide Jaime and me as we raise this special girl. Give us courage and wisdom as we travel down the road of parenthood, and help us to show Ruby Your love in our lives and in our marriage, so that she may know Your heart and grow into a Godly woman. We are so thankful for our families, and we are so appreciative of their love and support as we raise Ruby.

We know that we are truly blessed by the people You have placed in our lives, and we pray that You surround Ruby with people who will bring her closer to You. Thank You for entrusting us with our precious daughter, and let Your will be done in her life, Lord.

In Your Son's Name we pray, Amen.

She's a mover and a shaker!

That's what Robert has been saying about Ruby for sometime now, but she's really showing off these days. In just the last few weeks, she's gone from sitting to crawling to pulling herself up and she's not even 6 months old yet. Its exciting but at the same time we have to follow her around keeping our hands about 2 inches away! Its exhausting just thinking about it!

Here's a video of her pulling herself up on her exercise saucer (always the independent thinker - she likes to play on the outside now instead of the inside). Sorry you have to turn your head to the side, I can't figure out how to turn the video.

Here are a few pics after she's pulled herself up...

And getting brave with just one hand...