Here She Is!

Reuben's newest cousin:

Jillian Lynnette Pettersson

Happy 4 Month Birthday!

Each month Reuben has learned new things and so have we! Here's the highlights from mom's perspective:
1). Reuben has learned to look for mirrors because he loves to look at himself. When he finds himself he smiles a big gummy grin and is so excited that we have started calling mirror gazing "doing a little baby crack"--we aren't sure if it is legal, but everyone at our house is addicted.
2). Reuben has learned to grab toys and other objects, including hair and eyeglasses. The first time he did it, he was confused and quite frankly, a little scared--but he has stuck with it and now loves to hold his toys (Jaque the Peacock is a favorite).
3). Reuben has discovered the dogs. Bartlet and Kitty will never have the leisurely life they once enjoyed! Its just a matter of time before Reuben is mobile and then... watch out puppies!
4). Reuben's momma and dad started calling him the BLACK-HOLE OF CUTENESS this month because he sucks us into his orbit and we loose minutes, hours and well, you get the picture...

The third month was by far our most fun and we cannot wait to see what month four brings!

Welcome to the World Baby Girl

Reuben spent the afternoon at the hospital and has a brand spankin' new baby cousin, YAY!

Here's the specifics for the beautiful baby girl

Name (to be determined... stay tuned)
Weight 7 lbs 9 oz
Height 18 inches
Born Sunday, November 2nd at 5:23 PM

Congratulations, Aunt Hayley, Uncle Adam and Cousin Lacey

Pictures to follow... soon!

Socially Skilled

Reuben’s momma firmly believes that everyone needs essential skills--especially, academic and social competencies. And, if she had to prioritize those 2 skill groups, she would reluctantly admit that although good academic ability gives an individual access to more options and choices (good), social competencies are the MOST important skills needed to live a happy life (even better).

The hard part for me and Reuben's dad is answering this question, “how does a parent help their child become socially smart?” We think about this question A LOT. We read to him nightly because research shows that this builds academic potential and we plan to help him in any way possible to build his academic skills as he grows up--But, we especially want to help our son live up to his middle name (Friendly) and live a happy life.

On this topic of teaching your children to be socially smart, I want to give some credit to Reuben’s Uncle Matt and Aunt Angi because clearly they are teaching social skills in their home and the following little anecdote demonstrates this fact: Yesterday me, Reuben, and Cousin Jamin were getting ready for a walk. I was holding the Reubster and struggling to get his stroller out of the car. Jamin, who is 4 years old, noticed me struggling and said, “Hollie, I can sit down on the sidewalk and hold Reuben for you!”

This thing that Jamin did was commendable on many levels and may be inappropriately viewed as simple, here's 3 reasons why it demonstrates complex skill in the social arena:

1). He came up with a workable solution to a socially presented problem within acceptable social parameters—he knows we do not let him hold the baby unless he is sitting down and at 4 years old, he is probably too little to get the stroller out of the car himself,
2). He anticipated another person’s needs and acted—a skill many people 10 times his age are not fluent with, and
3). He was gracious—when I thanked him profusely and told him he was really smart he just smiled and asked if we were going to walk “fast or slow?”

We hope Reuben grows up to be socially smart like his cousins. Feel free to give us your advice on this issue of essential skills for growing boys.

Reuben's First Snow

Here's Reuben and his dad on the front porch admiring early snow. Reuben's Grandma Sharon asked "where is his coat?"-- we say, "good question, his parents must be idiots!"

Grandfathers

Reuben's parents think that grandparents are a VERY IMPORTANT part of childrens' lives. Reuben is named after his maternal Great Great Grandfather, Reuben Davis, who lived with his Poppy Bus' family for 9 years when his Poppy was a little boy. Reuben's first funeral was this week for a dear family friend's grandfather, who was a "Super Grandpa" and Reuben has 4 living grandfathers, Poppy Bus, Poppa Wilson, Great Grandpa Glen and Great Grandpa Vontz.

Reuben's Poppy Bus is not feeling well this week, which makes everyone at our house sad. Multiple Sclerosis is not a kind disease, but we are thankful for every good day that Poppy has and wanted to share this fun picture, taken on a very good day:


Reuben met his Great Grandpa Glen on his momma's side last week and we took this happy picture:


Here is a very fun picture of Reuben and his Poppa Wilson taken when Reuben was just 3 weeks old:


Next month Reuben will travel to Colorado to meet his Great Grandpa Vontz--we will be sure to post a picture!

Bedtime Ritual

While she hates to admit this--Reuben's dad was right, Where the Red Fern Grows was a very sad book to read before bed. In addition to making Reuben's mom cry, there was an unsavory part of the book where the local bully gets fatally wounded and as bad luck would have it, the bully was named Reuben... So, we took a break and only read short board books for a while. However, this week, Reuben's dad started a new book, Shane by Jack Schaefer, which according to the front cover is "the unforgettable novel about a boy's love and a gunman's struggle to escape his past"

Take Care ANGIE M.

Reuben heard that one of his favorite people had a nasty fall and even broke a rib. He is wishing her a speedy recovery!

Making it Easy to be a Parent

This is how Reuben wakes up EVERY DAY! He is a happy little guy and we are thankful for him EVERY DAY!

Parental Guilt

This week has been an eventful one for the Reubster:

1). On Sunday, his momma was cutting his finger nails. She was using specially purchased baby nail clippers that came with this fabulous description "Product Description: Innovative safe-grip design, with stop edge and side guards for security and comfort. Secure grip for the parent, protects baby's fingers. From birth." and she cut his little thumb. It was HORRIBLE! He cried and it bled and now, 5 days later, mom still feels HORRIBLE!

2). On Tuesday, Reuben's baby school teacher (Ms. Cheryl) called with the news that he had a "low grade fever"--so Reuben's momma and dad took him to the pediatrician. He has an ear infection and requires medication... Reuben's dad feels HORRIBLE because he is the one who brought a pesky cold home and infected the family, or so he thinks.

3). In addition to giving people HUGE gummy smiles, this week--Reuben has started to giggle and laugh. The sad part is Reub's momma forgot to write down the date of his first social smile... lesson learned... write things down because new parent brains are not very good at remembering dates.

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY TOMORROW--LITTLE MAN!

Again, this picture was blurred for family viewing.... or Mom needs to learn how to take a photo that is actually in focus... geez!