Dear Ruthie

Dear Ruthie,

Two years ago we welcomed you into the world, after much anticipation about whether you were a boy or a girl! When we went into the hospital to have you we still didn't have a girl name picked out. We were down to Rose or Ruth but as soon as we saw you we knew you were our Ruthie! You have been such a wonderful addition to our family and you bring us immense joy. You have a BIG smile and a BIG heart and you also have recently developed a BIG two year old attitude (you love to say no and no mama)!
Ruthie one of my favorite memories of you is when we brought you home from the hospital, We set you on the floor in your carrier. Your big sisters gathered around and your eyes just lit up! You were so, so happy to be part of the world and part of our family. You were very aware of your sisters from day one and you have always wanted to be right in the middle of what they are doing.
One thing I know Ruthie is that no one will ever be able to tell you that you can't do something. "Can't" just isn't a part of your vocabulary. If you can't reach something you figure out what furniture or toy you can rearrange and stand on to get it. When you couldn't get outside you learned to crawl through the doggy door. You are so determined and so independent. I loved watching you learn to walk. Every night after dinner you would get down from the table and practice walking in the den. You didn't do it much any other time of the day and you never wanted us to help you but every day you walked a little better and you learned on your own and you were so proud when you finally became a walker!
This year was a big year for you. You learned to walk and talk. (It's now very hard to believe that only a year ago you hardly talked and in fact didn't make much noise at all!) You were diagnosed with a peanut allergy and we're pretty sure you have a citrus allergy too. You went from a little baby who just sat in my lap quietly to a toddler who is affectionately  known as Taz or the Tornado around our house! You moved into the big girl room this year which you've LOVED (the rest of us not as much since the child who once went quietly to bed every night now parties late into the night). Both of your sisters now go to school 5 days a week and you miss them so much when they're gone.
The biggest change for you this year is that you became a big sister! I was so worried about how you would handle the transition because we'd always treated you like the baby but you did amazingly well. From the day "PP" or "P" was born you have treated him like he's your own personal baby. You are so sweet to him and overall you are surprisingly gentle. You spent the first month of his life following him around with his blanket and pacifier which was so cute! You still bring me his pacifier if you find it laying around in the house. I just know that you and "P" are going to be big buddies and I can't wait to see what kind of adventures you will have together. I can't tell you how happy it makes  me to see how much you love your brother.
Ruthie you love to sing and dance. Your favorite song right now is Holy, Holy, Holy. You like to read books. You loved the pool this summer. You adore swinging. You love going to My Gym. You love to play with your sisters' toys (you don't need to play with baby toys because you are NOT a baby).  You love babies and other children. If there's a baby anywhere in the vicinity you will find them, point them out to me at the top of your lungs, and you want to pat their feet. You spend a lot of time fighting with your sisters over toys but do pretty well sharing with other children. You want to be a big kid so badly. Everyday when we drop Ellie off you go into the class, answer the question of the day, and "sign in". You're pretty sure that you can do anything the big girls can do and you get so mad if people tell you that you're too little.
You have an infectious smile and paired with your curls people just fall in love with you. You are so, so friendly and you say hi to everyone and you love to give hugs. When we left your last allergist appointment we were around the corner checking out and I heard the allergist tell his resident that kids like you remind him of the reason he went into pediatrics. You are just full of joy.
Ruthie I hope that you always believe that you can do ANYTHING and never let anyone tell you that you "can't". You are the epitome of the Shakespeare quote "though she be but little she is fierce".  I hope you keep on smiling because you light up the room when you smile. I hope that you always take on life head on and at full speed. I know that there are big things in store for you sweet girl and I can't wait to see you tackle life and all its ups and downs. Most of all Ruthie I hope you remember that no matter what hurdles life throws at you, your family are your biggest cheerleaders and we love you no matter what. You have sisters who are your fiercest protectors and you have a brother who I'm pretty sure will be your constant companion and partner in crime and you have a mommy who loves you forever and a daddy who's heart melts everyday when you come running to meet him at the door and give him a big hug and kiss.
We love you Roo Roo and can't wait to see what 2 has in store for you!
 Love.
Mom


1 year old



Newborn