HAT!

Jeff has taught Ruby that anything can be a 'hat'. Sometimes Ruby puts things on her head, like bowls and blankets, as part of her creative play. Jeff found out that if she is holding anything and he says, "HAT!" she will put it on her head. I like this plastic bowl as a hat - it looks like a bowler hat:

Ruby also really has fun walking in our shoes. She has more fun when we help her, but sometimes she tries on her own. As much as I like to think that Ruby walking in my shoes allows her to see life from my perspective, I don't think it really changes her point of view.

Jeff started playing a game with Ruby that he calls "flip." He picks Ruby up and kind of flips her forward or backward. She really loves it and always wants him to keep doing it after he stops.

Occasionally I will see a child that is older than Ruby by months or years and they do something that is really cute. I catch myself saying or thinking, "I can't wait for Ruby to grow up!" I said that today and one of my co-workers told me, "You should really enjoy this stage though; don't be in a hurry for her to grow up." I don't actually want her to grow up faster. I really DO enjoy this stage, but I also really look forward to all of the stages to come. I look forward to the day that we can have an actual conversation. I am excited to teach her how to make cookies and tie her shoes. And for now I am completely enjoying Ruby just as she is - at this cuter than cute toddler stage.