You are at such a special age, not a baby anymore, you toddle about the house making your opinions known and asserting your knee-high authority. I used to joke that you were a second baby dream come true because you joined our family as seamlessly as possible. I still think you have a natural calmness about you, but it isn't passive, you are strong willed and self assured, that has become abundantly clear.
I want to remember this time in our life and capture as much of your personality and spirit as I can. Your hair is straight up untameable which I love. It is getting long, and sticks up all over, and gets in your eyes, and I have no idea what to do with but it doesn't even matter. You are walking, quickly and confidently, so much more confidently than you were 2 months ago, but you still have enough wobble that Daddy and I can't help but smile when you come barreling down the hallway. Like a little drunk person who has arrived in the kitchen with such haste so as not to miss the snacks. And you are usually on the lookout for snacks. You have the world's greatest toddler hands, chubby and soft, and clinging to any piece of the world you get your hands on. Nothing is held by you gently or carelessly, each thing you make contact with is held in a tight death grip that results in us, your adult parents, having to exert honest effort to unhand the open markers (why do you love opening the markers so much?) and forks and tiny toys we know you are inevitably going to stick in your mouth.
You don't talk yet, but you sing! You sing "Into the Unknown" from Frozen and it's so spot on and inviting that it makes the rest of us sing along with you. One night I was laying in bed with you to help you fall asleep, when I started drifting off, and then the noise that roused me back awake was your soft voice trying to sing the words "Into the Unknown", and I couldn't believe it. But then weeks passed and I didn't hear it again, so I convinced myself I had actually just dreamt it until I finally heard it again clear as day! And then Daddy heard it to! And now you do it dozens of times a day and there is no mistaking that tune. Along with singing you get SO excited when you see the Disney logo for Disney+ which enrages Daddy, because capitalism, but warms my heart tremendously because I already know you and your sister are going to make such fantastic Disney memories together.
Even though you are bigger than your sister was at this age, you still let us rock you to sleep for every nap and every bedtime. Your Dad and I know this can't last forever, that some day, one that probably isn't that far away, you may be too big, too old, or too independent to fall asleep wrapped up in our arms. So for now we savor it. How you drift off, your eyes fluttering slowly until they land closed to carry you away to the safe space of your dreams. Your precious little hands, squishy with baby purity, but full of so much bursting potential. You hand usually lands on my chest, you reaching for me and being met with the warmth and safety of your mother. It won't always look like this. You wrapped in a blanket and contained within my two arms. Someday you will reach for me in other ways, when you need advice, or comfort, or camaraderie, or reassurance, or to remember what it's like to be small and shielded from everything the world could possibly throw at you. I promise I will always keep my arms open and waiting for you. A spot against my chest primed for your head to rest and empty itself of all the concerns you will come to know. As you sink deeper into your sleep, you grow so sweaty, your hair curling and becoming matted. You don't wake though.
You hate when we aren't all together, which is funny because this is probably the smallest house we will live in. 1000 sq feet means it isn't possible to be out of shouting distance from you. Still when I go into my office and leave you on the other side it is instant devastation from you. Bathroom breaks, quick trips to the kitchen, you make it clear that you do not want to be left behind. As if we could possibly forget you, our sweet Ruby Jo, our sunshine on the cloudiest of days. Though I admit while you love us and want to be near your family, you also don't want to miss the chance to head into the kitchen. You see yourself as such a big girl - wedging yourself into the fridge the minute it opens so you can point to all the foods you want (usually a guacamole and a hummus cup from the bottom right drawer, or berries of any shape, size, and color). You have also recently freed yourself from the highchair, screaming and fussing the minute we tried to put you in it, but sitting happily at the kitchen table in one of the big chairs. Although, you haven't quite realized that crawling on top of the table and dancing during dinner is not cool - even if it is SO adorable.
You are affectionate in all the best ways. You give us the sweetest baby hugs which involve leaning against us with all your weight and placing your head down onto us. It is so sweet, and our very own Ruby hack is the frown challenge. Anytime we ask for a hug and you toddle away, a little frown brings you racing back to cheer us up. You have love overflowing from you, and you share your sunshine in so many delightful ways. Offering your snacks to us, patting Rosie on the back or the head when she is in a bad mood. Your smile flashes its way into our lives almost every time someone makes eye contact with you, as if you're saying, it's so good to see you, I didn't know when it would happen again but I won't let a moment pass without telling you how you make me feel. You may not talk but you communicate. Trying to make us laugh with your "ghost" impression that you learned from Rosie, peekaboo - where's Ruby??, and your newfound shrug complete with exaggerated "I don't know" hand motions.
You are our light and joy and even when you are shrieking because we have done something to upset you, we couldn't be more thankful that you are ours.
Some snapshots from quarantine:
On our walks you either fall asleep or insist on walking, in this picture you fell asleep "driving" and sitting completely upright.
