It seems like we're trying something new with Ruby almost every day now.

* Last week both grandma's tried to feed Ruby her very first so-called solid food. So-called because it was very watery avocado. Ruby was most interested in sticking her hand in the bowl. Since then we've tried watery oatmeal and applesauce. She's not really interested and spits most of it out. The few times that she does swallow the food she gags and makes a face. We'll keep on trying every few days, but there's no rush, so take your time little Ruby! In the meantime she has thrown herself with full enthusiasm into her 6-month growth spurt and has been drinking a ton every few hours since yesterday.

* As promised a picture of her new carrier. We don't carry her on our back very often yet though, because it's still a tad cold and so much cozier to have her partially under our coat on the front.

* Finally, grandma Pat bought Ruby a bouncy chair. She loves it and we love being able to leave her there unsupervised while we do other stuff. She is perfecting her up and down bouncing beautifully.

Besides Ruby's 6-month growth spurt, Ruby seems to have changed again in the last few days. It's so subtle, but so there and awesome to see. For one she is talking a ton more. She screeches. She says things like "meeee" and "baaaa". And she seems older suddenly. Hard to describe what that means, but it's like she's getting more and more organized, in her body, in her place in this world, our apartment, the coffeeshop that she visits almost daily. She has more focus, is more driven. As long as your huge toothless and mostly silent grin doesn't change, keep on growing my little Ruby.

Mamie Maaike left yesterday and Ruby has been asking for her constantly since. She looks at me and she looks at David and seems to be saying, what happened, where did mamie go? Because Ruby loved hanging out with her mamie so much, Marsha and Ruby are thinking that a trip to France might be called for late spring.

-- Marsha