Ruth,

Today my little girl you are 8 months old. It's unbelievable just how much you have grown, and just how fast! You were 8 lbs and 19 1/2 inches at birth, 10 lbs 4 oz and 21 1/2 inches at 1 month, 11 lbs 15 oz and 22 1/4 inches at 2 months, and 15 lbs ans 7 oz and 25 3/4 inches at 5 1/2 months. At your doctors appointment a couple of weeks ago, you were up to 16 lbs 12 oz and 26 inches long.

You are getting around now. There has been a time or two that you have coordinated your knees and hands to crawl a step or two, but for the most part you lay on your stomach, stretch out your legs and push with the tips of your toes, then you stretch out your arms, and grab with your fingers and pull and wiggle yourself toward whatever toy you are trying to get. Since you are heavier than Britt was at this age, I'm not surprised too much that you are crawling or pulling up on the furniture yet, but I doubt it'll be long. You still like to rock on your hands and knees and often look like you'll be taking off after Britt, as you laugh and smile.

You are still an incredibly happy child. You got your first pop on the leg a few nights ago from Daddy for misbehaving, I told him you are still too small to know better. Most of the time, I can look stern and say no, and you immediately stop and get teary eyed. Sometimes if Britt is getting fussed at and he's near you in the floor you assume we are fussing at you and cry. It's so pitiful.

You are up to eating twice a day, two servings of cereal, one of fruit, and one of vegetables. You like applesauce and squash best, and the only thing you really dislike is green beans. You chew on absolutely everything from toys to Britt's hair when he lays in your lap. We aren't regularly giving you a sippy cup with juice yet, but while Grandmother and Granddaddy were here you seemed to all of a sudden make a connection with it. You don't hold it up very well on your own, but when it's up you sure have figured out how to suck that thing down. You still have no teeth, so I guess I'm crazy. Who knows when you'll get them. I thought my allergies were acting up over the weekend, but I guess I had a cold, because you've had a bit of one yesterday and today. That's another first.

People continue to be surprised by how easy going you are. You will sit in the floor and just watch people, and when you catch their eye, oh how you grin. You are only fussy about 6 in the evening when Daddy and I are working on supper and different things. You love to be held and cuddled. You nestle up against my neck and suck on your thumb, and sing your sleepy song. You love to talk to your Daddy, and especially enjoy laughing and babbling at Britt whenever he pays you the slightest attention.

We love you so very much,

Momma

I like the slides at the park. About the only think I like more than the slides is the swings. Momma usually carries me and Ruth down to the park about once a week while Daddy is at school. Sometimes we get some lunch first and eat at the park too. It's our chance to get out of the house during the week. Momma hates to be cooped up at home all the time. I wonder if chickens hate to be cooped up?

Anyway, while Grendy and Grandmomer was here, we went down to the park. I got to show them all the swings and the slides. I've also been very persuasive in getting people to go down the slides with me. Momma even got proof on the video camera. Also, while Grumps and Ahna were here, we went to the park. In addition to getting people to go down the slides with me, Grumps and Ahna brought me some very fun bubbles to go in my Easter basket. I'm not sure who had more fun with that Grumps or me. I chased bubbles all over the park, and I was wore out. We had to go home and drink some juice after that. Then Grumps and Ahna took naps while I played upstairs. I've had a good time with all of our company.

Several of you may know that Gary bought a moped when we first moved to Gainesville. He had the idea that he could ride it to school and that way I would have a car when I needed one. Even though it was a good idea, it didn't really pan out so well. He rode it most of the summer and part of the fall, but I just didn't feel good about him on it, and he felt like we were a little to far away from campus for him to be able to make it through the traffic safely. We've been meaning to sell it, but we just haven't gotten around to it. Gary posted it on craigslist back a few weeks ago, and has been talking to a girl who has decided to buy it.

So of course, yesterday Gary was riding it around one last time to make sure everything worked alright, and of course Britt wanted a ride. So Gary carried him on a few loops around the parking lot. Britt of course, LOVED it and didn't want to quit riding. Gary told me if I wanted on it, this was my last chance. I might have ridden with him, but I had no interest in trying to drive it myself. Since there was no one to watch Britt if I got on with him, I just watched them ride. I can already tell Britt is going to be like Nicholas trying to go faster and faster, pulling stupid stunts on his bicycle and then losing teeth. I recall one particularly spectacular wreak, when I went to get Mother because I was sure he was either dead or had broken something. Within an hour he was at it again.

Grandmother and Granddaddy had to leave first thing Saturday morning, but we were able to spend the entire weekend with Gary's parents and grandparents. They were all alot of help while juggling the kids, especially before Gary arrived. The kids did really well. Ruth is getting to the age that I can't sit her on the bench next to Britt during services because they get into mischief together. Britt grins at her and she babbles back. Ruth is playing with a toy, and Britt steals it. Britt drinks his cup, and the whole time Ruth is protesting and trying to get it for herself. It's amusing.

Britt did really well except for Saturday afternoon. I suppose he had just finally had enough of sitting on the bench. He went out three times during song service and once more during preaching - for throwing song books, shredding a roll on the bench, rediscovering and shredding a roll on the bench, and then refusing to get quiet. He was tired and it was a long weekend out of the routine, which always does Britt in. But after the last time (and the real key, Daddy locating a cup of milk) he settled down.

My favorite sermon from the weekend was Bro. Philip Conley who preached on the old paths. He used the verse in a way that I had never considered before. Jeremiah 6:16 "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Bro. Philip told us that the old paths were those enduring things that God ordained before the foundation of the world. He told us that the key to the first is that first we must stand. There are many ways that we can go, many ways and places that we can be, first we must stop and then see where we are, before we can determine if we are where we should be. After we stand and see, then we must ask others. We cannot just go off on our own, but in the multitude of many councilors is wisdom. When we stand and see we must inquire of those who already know the way. When any one will not council and ask of others they run the risk of straying. After all of that, if we will walk in those paths then we get the rest of God. This isn't a sit down and do nothing rest, but rather he stressed, it is the rest we get from laboring in the kingdom of God. The type of rest Christ talks about when he tells us to take his yoke upon us for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

It was a great weekend of good preaching and good time with the family. One thing that I was finally able to do was get a generational picture four generations of Cunningham men. Oh were they hysterical. Making faces, complaining and joking the entire time. It was a much needed weekend away.

Granddaddy wooled the little boy a time or two, but Britt most especially loved giving him "running hugs." He would start running from a cross the room and tackle Granddaddy on the couch with a hug, giggle, and then go at it again. He loved showing Granddaddy all of his tools and his rocking horse, of course the little boy doesn't understand that Granddaddy made that rocking horse, but one day he'll get it.

We went to Memaw and Mister's house during Daddy's spring break. While they all worked, I played with Memaw, and Britt played with sticks...

Do you like my new big boy underwear? My favorite pair has a tractor on them, and some have cars, and others have dinosaurs, and this pair has a horse on it. I like carrying them around better than wearing them, but I'm getting use to them. Momma says I'm going to be a big boy and learn to use the toilet like Daddy. I have no clue what that means, but I get to wear underwear and flush the toilet alot, which I love to do.

Over Gary's spring break we went down to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City. We went on two different days and had such a good time. On Monday they had the lamb show. Amanda wanted the kids to all come up, she helps with the show. they have a pee-wee showmanship catagory where 3-5 year olds can practice showing someone else's lamb in the show. So, we carried Brystal up there to meet James and Heather. Brystal showed a black, short legged lamb, and did great. She loved it. Britt mostly just loved petting all the sheep. After the sheep we walked around and ate with James and Heather and the kids had a good time playing with each other. Then they watched our two kids while we went into the Clint Black concert. We had a great time.

We also went back on Wednesday to see the steer show. It was really interesting. I hadn't been to one before, and would have liked to have seen the auction too, but maybe next year. I could have kicked myself for failing to bring along the camera that night, because Britt was in rare form. There was a roller coaster right outside of the steer tent and as the cars would climb higher and higher and he would get more and more excited until he reached fever pitch, and then down they would plunge and he would squeal with delight. I would ask him, "Are you watching? Are you watching?" Even about the 20th time we sat there watching he was still just as delighted. It's a moment I hope I never forget.