Ruby Updates

Cousins Ethan and Abbey, plus Aunt Susan and Uncle Kenneth, came a-knocking last weekend. We didn't have the camera out much, but Ruby showed off her growing fondness for high chairs at nearby Tom's for breakfast. There were some grabbing issues, but fortunately the police (behind) didn't have to intervene.

Ruby's now in daycare on nearby Flatbush Ave, and quickly making friends. We notice she now rocks slightly to music, likes to hand half-chewed pieces of nectarine. George, the son of the owner there, told us, 'You are very lucky parents.' Probably no bo*el movements that day. Here she is in play time with new pals.

A couple weeks ago, Ruby had her debut with something called 'N-A-T-U-R-E.' Actually we walked around our 'back yard,' Brooklyn Botanical Garden across the street and had some time to sit and stare at grass.

i am little

Fun! (With a Headband!)

It's San Francisco!

Let's recap Ruby's travels:

* Ruby was born in New York
* Ruby's been to New Jersey
* Ruby's been to Oklahoma
* Ruby's been to Pennsylvania
* And now Ruby's been to California

Check those off the list.

Last week, Mai and Ruby flew to San Francisco. "She slept 20 minutes the whole way, just looking at people and laughing, flirting." She got to meet Uncle Vinh and Aunt Anna in Mountain View, then camped out in downtown San Francisco where she got to meet Chip, Zoe, Wendy and Michele. And some guys playing guitars in Golden Gate Park.

Someone Swims

Some new vocabulary has been kicked around 135 Eastern Parkway: 'the arc of pillows.' Ruby's a fond sitter, plopping legs forward and sitting with a few toys to play with, but occasional falls has led to a semi-circle of couch pillows around her. Every now and then softening her sudden lack of balance.

Meanwhile, Ruby had a first last weekend: her first swim and her first bout of hives of sorts. We went to Quogue to visit friends Amy, Adam, Lauren, Ben, Oliver, Owen, Bea, Lila, Emily and Hank -- a big group. The Saturday was perfect swimming weather. And we did.

The hives came after an accidental taste of tomato -- and went away after 20 minutes.

Ruby Turns, Ruby Twists

We drove north of NYC to check out some river towns this weekend -- nice -- and had a pull-over-at-toll-gate changing on the slow ride back. Ruby's increasingly grabby, a real multi-tasker. Sees one thing, grabs while looking at another. Crawling seems increasingly like a matter of days away, not weeks. Meanwhile she's often pretty giggly.

Ruby Eats

Ruby's slowly graduating from milk to solids -- beginning with little pieces of avocado and nectarine and occasionally watermelon. She's getting used to it. And apparently, see end of the following, wants to play the drums.