December 29, 2006

Month Twelve

Dear Ruby,

I’m writing this from your mom’s old bedroom in St. George as we’ve been spending the Holidays with her family this past week. I just put you down for the night and am hoping to get some writing done before I fall asleep. You see Ruby, you keep us good and tired these days with your early risin’ and your unwillingness to nap during the daytime. Hopefully the clickin’ of my typing won’t wake you up.

Two weeks ago on December 14 your Aunt Suzanne gave birth to a baby boy cousin named Tennyson. I mention this for a couple of reasons. The first being that Tennyson is gigantic weighing in at 10.5 lbs and nearly 23 inches long at birth. Like your mom, Aunt Suz was completely unmedicated during his delivery which I believe is noteworthy as it perfectly demonstrates how strong-willed and determined the women are from whom you descend. Your Grandma Julie is a ministering angel who I’ve rarely seen have a selfish thought or action. I’m beginning to see your mother become more like her every day. Not to put any pressure on you, but you really are blessed to have such a legacy. I hope you take some time in your life to study the lives of your pioneer ancestors as there are hundreds of stories that may inspire you.

The second reason I mention this is that the birth of Lord Chunkymeister™ has thrown me into a state of reflection as it was a year ago that we welcomed you into this world. I’ve spent time over the last few days reading these monthly updates I’ve written and am amazed at how much I have already forgotten. I am so glad that I made the time to write. Some months were incredibly difficult to find the time, but in retrospect I am so glad that I made the sacrifice. I also hope that you benefit from these updates as I’m sure that we’ll have some typical father daughter spats over the years and I would hope that when times get tough you’d read these and get a sense for how much I love you. Ruby, I’m crazy about you and cherish every moment I get to be with you. I had no idea that I could love this much.

Probably the first thing worth mentioning is how much you talk. Every morning it seems that we wake up to your babble just going nonstop. Your vocabulary is growing and now you say: “dad”, “mom”, “ball”, “hat”, “go”, “up”, “uh-oh” and “hi”. Initially we didn’t think that you knew what these words meant, but you use them in context when they should be used. We also hear you try to say words and copy what we say. You don’t get very far into the word, but you usually get the beginning phonetic. I like to say the alphabet with you and have you try to repeat each letter after I have pronounced it. You start out doing very well, but by the time I say “D” you go off on “Dada” and I never get you back.

You’re growing more and more independent each day. It’s rare that we feed you as you shake your head when we try. Meal times are messy times as your hands are smothered with compressed food which eventually makes it’s way to your ever-expanding head of hair. Also it’s quite common to see bits of this and that when we’re changing your clothes or diaper. Really we do try to keep you clean, but there is only so much we can do. We pick our battles and would rather have a full baby than a clean baby.

This past month has been hard on your sleep schedule as our calendar has been full of social engagements. We’ve kept you up much later than we should, but it’s hard to bail from a party when you’re catching up with old friends and family. As soon as the Holidays are over we promise to get you back on track. Hopefully the damage isn’t already done.

Maybe it’s this lack of a consistent sleep schedule, but we’ve noticed that you are beginning to be a little bit more cranky and defiant. No longer can we take things away from you as you are so attatched to them. You point at things from across the room and make a fuss until you get them. One of your top teeth is beginning to break through, so maybe that’s got you down too. Or maybe you’re frustrated that you’re not walking yet, despite how long you’ve been able to stand and pull yourself up.

It’s been exciting preparing for your first Christmas. Your mom and I have had several discussions about how we want to spend this holiday and what we want you to learn from it. Consequently this has forced us into establishing our own unique family traditions. I’d list them here, but most are to be kept in the family vault as they need to have a sense of anonymity in order to be special. I’ll just leave it at that.

You’ve spent a lot of time with your cousins from both sides of the family. My brother Greg and his family drove from Seattle with their three kids: Eliza, Thomas and Amelia. Sadly we only had a few hours to spend with them as we had to leave for St. George where your Aunt Robin and her family have flown in from South Dakota. Your Faldmo cousins Ashley, Isaac, Abby, Maggie Dru and Sammy John have smothered you with affection. Your Hurst cousins are also here where Lyndon has taught you how to defend yourself, Chloe has taught you all things princess and Ethan has shown you that playin’ the cello is what the cool kids do.

On Christmas Eve we had a reading of Luke 2, with Grandpa Ross taking the role of orator. Being the youngest, you won the coveted baby Jesus spot with Ashley as Mary and Isaac as Joseph. Chloe, Maggie and Sam were angles, Lyndon was a shepherd and Ethan breathed life into the wise man, despite his lack of either frankincense or myrrh.

On Christmas day we woke up to the sounds of Falmo kids making a fuss over what Santa had brought them. We ran downstairs to find out what Santa had left for you, which wasn’t much as Santa had already visited our home in Salt Lake a few days earlier where he left you a bunch of toys and clothes. In St. George he left you a deluxe Red Flyer wagon with a canopy, hideaway seats and cup holders. I’m sure we’ll spend many hours exploring Liberty Park in that thing.

The following day you got to see your first movie thanks to your Aunt Nicole, who rented out a theater where a ton of your second cousins and other kids watched the newly made Charlottes Web. You lasted a bit longer than I thought you would as you got cranky about two-thirds of the way through it. We pulled up stakes and got you home so you could take a nap.

On your parents anniversary (the 28th) the three of us drove up to Zion National Park for the afternoon. It was a beautiful day as there was a fresh layer of snow capping the gigantic peaks with blue skies overhead. It was a bit chilly, but we had you good and wrapped as we took our little hike on a paved trail. I hope we return there often as it is so refreshing to be there to partake of so much beauty. Your mom is a perfect tour guide who knows the ins and the outs of the Park. I hope that someday you will know it as well as she does.

For your birthday party we are going to go swimming and then return back to Grandma & Grandpa’s house where we’ll eat cake and open presents. We are also planning on having another party for you and your little friends at our home in Salt Lake next Saturday, followed by another party on Sunday with the Campbell’s. Three parties for one little girl. I guess that you’re pretty special and like, totally in demand.

Well Ruby, I’m having a hard time staying awake and this is probably getting pretty long-winded by now. I just want you to know that I love being your father. If it’s true that we choose our parents, then I am flattered that you chose me (or maybe you really chose your mom and I just happened to be at the right place at the right time). You bring so much joy to my life. I love hearing your babble and your little laugh and seeing your face light up when I walk through the door just about kills me every time.

So. Where has this year gone? I just can't believe that you've gone from this, to this, to this.

Love,
Daddy

Posted by patatomic at December 29, 2006 09:34 PM

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December 29, 2006

Month Twelve

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