She’s here! Ruth Meredith Hillenbrand Abdalla was born on August 19th at 9:30pm! She weighed 7lb 10oz and is so cute. We call her Ruthie. Mom had quite a labor and delivery. When she went in to the hospital, Mom and Dad knew it was going to be a long day, so they brought me along. I watched movies and napped and played with Mom and Dad for most of the day. I even took laps around the unit with Mom to move her labor along. They had planned on me going over to Dt and Opa’s house for the delivery, but I stayed and Dt came to the hospital instead.
While Mom was really laboring and ready to push, I went up to her bed and said, “Mom, you ok? You getting my baby sister out now?” She said yes and so I said, “Okay, Mom,” and went back to my seat to finish my movie. Dt took me out of the room for the actual delivery, but I returned just afterward and saw my brand new sister! I said, “Awwww” and gave her a kiss. Daddy, as always, was a big support to Mom during labor and delivery. Aunt Dorthe also helped Mom through her labor and delivery and was so soothing for her. My cousin Mary McGraw was in the room for Ruthie’s birth. That was special for my Mom because she was able to see Mary’s birth 16 years ago!
The day following Ruthie’s birth, Daddy brought me back to the hospital. I was really excited to see my new baby. I was very gentle with her. When we were able to bring her home to our new house, it was all decorated! Aunt Meg and Mary decorated it like crazy with new baby things! There were balloons and streamers and gifts! They even decorated my daffodil room and gave me presents for being the big sister!
Mom and Dad say that I am a very good big sister. I am going to have to agree. I love Ruthie so much. One day, my Dad was changing my diaper in my room and I heard Ruthie crying in the other room. I said, “I’m coming Ruthie! You want Emma? Don’t cry, Ruthie.” I ran in to the room and began to rub her head and sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” She liked that a lot.
As soon as I wake up from a nap or from the night I first ask for Ruthie. I am very protective of her. One time when we took her to the doctor, Mom let me sit up on the table with Ruthie. The doctor began examining her and I said; “Don’t do that to my baby Ruthie. She doesn’t like that. She’s my baby.” When they took her to be weighed, I cried and said, “I want my Ruthie back!”
When Ruthie was just 2 weeks old, we visited Sittoo and Giddoo in Cleveland. We had a wonderful time with them. My Auntie Bethy and my cousins Michael and Daniel, as well as my Auntie Suzie, were also visiting. We got to go to this terrific amusement park for little kids called Kiddie Park. Wow! What a blast! Ruthie was also churched that visit at St. Elias. That means she was processed in to church for the first time by Fr. Youssef and was presented to God. It was very special. She will be baptized in November.
We returned home from Cleveland and took it easy at home for a while. I am enthralled with my new playroom. I particularly enjoy drawing on my easel from Uncle Matty and playing with my kitchen. When people come to visit at my new house, I immediately take them up to my daffodil room and show them all around. For fun I still ask my parents to animate my dolls and other things. I now ask them to even speak for Ruthie. I like to pretend to speak with her because I can’t wait for her to grow and really talk!
Mom and Dad got me crayons for the bathtub and I absolutely love to practice writing my letters and drawing pictures while I bathe.
I love to pretend. Often I will say, “Mom, I want to talk to Tigger. Talk for him Mom?” Then she will speak for Tigger. I act completely differently when Mom or Dad is speaking for one of the characters I love. I even show off for them and giggle and act silly.
Sometimes I get down on my back, put my hands behind my head, stare up at the ceiling and say, “Wow! Look at the moon and stars, Dad. Aren’t they beautiful? Wanna look at the stars with me, Dad?” My Dad is so cool. He helps me to jump really high on their bed. I LOVE to jump on Mom and Dad’s bed.
One funny story is that Mom and Dad and I were in Toys R Us to pick something up. I immediately spotted the laptop computers, pulled a pink one off of the shelf and sat down. I was enthralled because I have said that I would like a computer like my Daddy’s and this was it! When Mom and Dad told me it was time to leave, I took the computer by the handle and started walking. They told me that I could not have the computer unless I was ready to give up using my nini (pacifier). Oh boy. I wasn’t sure about this deal, but I REALLY wanted this laptop. We finally agreed that we would go home and I would take a rest and if I could go to sleep without my nini, we would come back to the store and buy the laptop. We brought the computer up to the counter and asked the lady to hold it until I returned after my nap. Well, by the time I got home and up to bed I was pretty tired. I decided that my nini was still very important to me and wasn’t ready to give it up. A couple of days later Dad, Mom and I were on the highway and were passing behind the strip mall where Toys R Us was located. I said, “Look, that’s where my computer is. Hi computer! I’m coming to get you tomorrow!” Dad and Mom couldn’t believe that I recognized that store from the highway. I still haven’t gotten my computer because I am still working on giving up my nini.
Let’s talk about Ruthie again. She is so tiny and cute. I always say to Mom, “Aw, Mom, she is so ‘tinesy’ and 'tinesy.’” I don’t ask to hold her and I don’t ever try to pick her up or anything, which really surprises my parents, I think. I just like to look at her.
I could go on and on, but I’ll sign off for this month. Thanks for visiting!