Swinging

Rutherford has been wearing his new Elmo hat - he looks so cute in it! Neddie was playing with it when we were swinging at the park :)

Fun time at music class

Rutherford loves going to his Kindermusik class. We did a make-up class yesterday and there was like 14 little bubbas! (Our class usually has 3-5.) Rutherford had a great time.

He especially loves storytime:

And scarves are always fun:

Swimmin

Hot at the Ranch today, Rutherford took a dip :)

Zsu Zsu

When Rutherford wants to be picked up, he says "zsu zsu?" (Sounds like Zsa Zsa but with a "u.") It came about because when he would act like he wanted me to pick him up, I'd look down and ask him: "Do you want me to carry you?" So it's like "carry you" = "zsu zsu" in Rutherford speak.

He has been extra cuddly due to being sick the past few days and I have been soaking up all the zsu zsus.

Talker

Rutherford is learning so many new words so quickly, it's kind of amazing. I couldn't tell you how many words he knows now, it's definitely hundreds. He's even started to string words together or two- and three-word sentences, like "Papa home!" or "Go to class." He gets lots of compliments on his great speech skills :)

I recently gave him some Ovaltine and he LOOOOVED it. I limit it to about once or twice a week, a treat, but he definitely asks for it a lot! He can say "chocolate milk" very well. He seriously sucks it down in about two minutes.

R also loves basketball! We played a bit at the park (although the hoops were way up high), and he runs around the court saying "bak-et-ball!" and "hoooop!" At the Ranch my parents got him his very own R-sized  hoop:

Rutherford still hasn't had a haircut, and I'm loving his adorable hair! He gets these cute curls on the sides and he looks like such a beautiful little Gerber baby. I love my sweet son so much and love spending every day with him. (And Ned, too.) :)

Baby Friends Valentine's Party!

This evening R hosted two baby friends, Penelope and Ryder, in the playroom for snacks, coloring and lots of playing. Rutherford has been getting his two canine teeth (plus another tooth on the bottom) over the past week and has not been a happy camper. I feel so bad for him! Well, the party got him in a great mood and once he warmed up he had a fun time with everyone. Ryder and Penelope both made ADORABLE handmade Valentines (R gave out bubbles), and we have such pretty artwork to admire from our baby friends! Here's some pics and a short video of R and Penelope playing hide-n-seek.

 Penelope and Rutherford getting the party started.

Ryder stuffing balls into the microwave and letting them pour out all at once.

 R playing ball with Nathan.

 R high-fiving Ryder.

 Penelope and Rutherford playing hide-n-seek!

 P had hearts on her tights!

The aftermath.

Fruit Slide

R has a little play structure at the Ranch, and he invented a game with it. He picks up fruit in the front yard - limes and tangelos, mainly - and drops them into a little bucket. Then he rolls the fruit down the slide. Hours of entertainment.