Mamazen: 43 months old

My dear sweet Ruby,

You are now 43 months old. I know I say this every month, but HOW DOES this happen so fast? Before I know it you're going to be FOUR. Oh I can't think about that, so why don't we think about this past month?

Now that the holidays are behind us, you've resumed school 3x a week and you're loving it more each day. you love all of the physical sensory input you get at school, jumping, climbing, rolling around with your friends and teachers. There isn't a day goes by that I don't hear about you doing or trying something new. Your friends love you, and are so happy to see you when you arrive at school each day. This is something that fills my heart with complete joy.

You're still thriving in speech therapy, you've really connected with Erica and love going to 'play' at her office each week. I am learning a lot about how to help you find the words I know are in your head, and remind your lips how to say them. It's a challenge for both of us, but we're working on it.

More than ever you're such a love. You kiss your teachers and friends goodbye at school, and of course you love kissing Max and Shoghi. It seems you are always ready with a kiss whenever I ask for one and lately it's always followed with "I love you!" or if I say I love you first, you reply "toooooo!" It warms my heart to it's deepest depths.

Today the sun came out, and we spent some glorious time on the back porch and in the dirt, and you were in Ruby heaven.

Barefoot, outside in PJs. That's my girl! (and yes, it's January!)

Sidewalk chalk, ah how we missed using you outside! (instead of on the walls, or the kitchen table, but never the chalkboard toddler table...)

You have an inherent ability to remind me to look for and listen to things I may not see or hear in my normal busy way. You'll hear a plane, even though the sky is filled with clouds, or you'll hear the birds chirping and you'll tell me all about it, and I'll remember to stop and notice more of the world around me.

The moon! You saw the crescent moon in the sky and were enchanted by it.

Your eyes are the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen. Somedays we'll be playing and you'll press your nose up against mine and I'll think I just might get lost in the deliciousness of your peepers. You're also very into the anticipation of some of the games we play. Your favorite toy this week is a big box that was filled with some supplies for my office. You've filled it with pillows, stuffed animals and dolls and have decorated it with crayons and sticker and pretty much made it YOUR office. All day long you ask "In the box!?" and I drop you in the box and you'll play happily for undetermined amounts of time. I might be in the kitchen or cleaning the bathroom and I'll peek in on you... and if I catch your eye you'll giggle like there is no tomorrow. It's even better if I slink away, and pop back after a few minutes. Oh lordy, that laughter.

Somedays when you're away at school, by the time I pick you up, I'll miss your face so much I almost can't get there fast enough. The feel of your sweet body waking up next to mine, your hand reaching under the blanket to hold mine when you wake up at night, the heavy feel of your head on my shoulder when you drift back to sleep. These are moments I cherish.

Ruby, you are the light of my life. I know every mother out there thinks the sun rises and sets on the sweet head of their child but I know there ain't no sunshine when she's gone.

All of my love, Mama