Ruthie’s fifth month home!

Five months home!! This month had its share of ups and downs. 

We endured nearly three weeks of a soft food diet. We all did this together as Ruth was extremely jealous if we were eating something she couldn’t have. This included no forks. We ate spaghetti with spoons. It was an adventure. 

We went running several times at the rail trail. I was sick with a head cold which made it rather difficult to do all the things I normally do. Mamas shouldn’t be allowed to get sick. 

As Ruthie recovered from her surgery she was extra snuggly and I was able to rock her to sleep several times. As much as I would have loved for her to never need to go through surgery it was a really special time of bonding for us. 

I may have missed the first two years of her life and never rocked newborn Ruthie to sleep, but I am doing my best to make up for it. 

These two are as inseparable as ever. Caroline would really like Ruthie to share her bed. We’ll put that off as long as possible. 

Ruthie enjoyed her first Lampeter Fair and milkshakes. You can’t be a Lancaster girl without going to the fair. She missed the Solanco Parade as she was having surgery that day but we look forward to taking her next year. 

She was very proud of this chip clip that she won at the fair. 

The fall isn’t complete without going on some tractor rides around the yard. 

Fun with sisters!

Ruthie often yells “mom, Mom, Mooom, MOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM” while I’m driving. When I glance back usually she is holding hands with these two sisters. *I was the passenger when I took this photo on the way to church.*

Ruthie was a trooper through a busy month of soccer four times a week between Abbey and Maggie. 

Running at the rail trail again!

Two pony tails! They look so cute but she doesn’t leave them in long. 

Loved our soft tacos on National Taco Day!

Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games. Here she is crying because I had to grind up her meatball while on the soft food diet. 

After-dinner books with daddy are the best. 

Red neck swimming in our retention basin with some frogs. 

Sister snuggles under a beautiful blanket made by Trent’s Aunt Joyce. 

Ruthie and her cousin Matteo. We had the joy of taking him with us one morning as we ran errands. Ruth is a year older than Matteo, to give you an idea of just how small she really is. 

Adorable, hand-holding cousins. 

Ruthie loved this hat we found at Party City. 

I thought she would like this barrel train ride at our church’s 300th anniversary celebration. 

I was wrong. 

Ruthie learned how to use a straw this month! This may not seem like a big deal, but for a child with cleft palate it’s a big accomplishment. 

As you can see, she is proud of herself! Learning to form a suction was a big deal and we made a huge fuss over her. She absolutely loves using a straw!

And anytime she eats some of my favorite foods I have this huge amount of pride and love wash over me. Here she is eating beans, meat and cheese casserole with a big pile of sour cream. 

Wednesday nights we spend with Trent’s parents and brother. It’s always a relaxing evening for me. Ruth is playing with a yo-yo with Uncle Troy. 

Gorgeous evenings at soccer practice. 

Playing with fuzzy caterpillars. 

It’s a rare treat for some people to know their extended family. These four girls are third cousins and they had so much fun together. 

Birthday party for cousin, Gavin. Most of these kids are cousins but there are a few friends mixed in there. 

She was very compassionate when Abbey sprained her ankle. 

Could there be anything more fun than flying down the driveway into the retention basin in this car? She submits that there is not!

Most of the children were thrilled to have caught this possum even if they were hoping for a squirrel. 

Ruthie has been doing more creative play this month. She has enjoyed taking care of these babies at Grandpa and Grandma Hess’s. 

Typical Wednesday night. 

Again, a sweet, compassionate heart towards the ill. This time it was Maggie with pink eye and then some viral infection. 

Her blood condition has a tendency to make it difficult for her to overcome illness so it’s important we shield her as much as possible to sick kids. Obviously that’s hard to do in a big family. However, I’m grateful we don’t have to put her in daycare and that we homeschool so (normally) our older kids stay quite healthy during the school year. 

Happy five months home, Ruthie V.!

We had to work really hard this month to get a good picture as she was a wiggly worm!

Oh, and almost most importantly, Ruthie potty trained this month! She is amazing! As long as there is a bathroom nearby I take her everywhere we go in underwear. She still wears a diaper for nap and overnight, but I’m totally impressed. None of our other kids potty trained easily or well. Ruth was amazing. Such a gift to this mama! 

 We are eager to get her evaluated for speech therapy in November. Our lives are busier, nosier, livlier, more compassionate, and all around better because Ruth is in it. We love you baby girl. So much!