Ruby Hope McKee Starling

This is Ruby's "I'm only smiling so you'll take the picture and leave me alone" smile.  We've had a good week at our house.  Ruby's eating has picked up a bit as long as it's avocado, oatmeal, peas, or sweet potatoes. Anything else including the bottle is a battle.   I'm amazed at how much she loves avocado.  She bounces in her chair and licks her lips when I give it to her.  I've been making most of her baby food this week.  The food processor is working over time!  I've got plenty of pears and avocado ready to go in the freezer.  She seems to like the homemade pears better than the jarred ones.

I have a feeling today is going to be a long and loud day.  While we were in Philadelphia awaiting Ruby's arrival, two really bad hail storms hit our house.  I guess no one told the weatherman that we weren't home and that our daughter was going to be born really sick.  As a result we need a new roof.  With the recent rain we've even had some leaks.  Not fun.  The roofers showed up at 7:15 this morning and got started right away.  Ruby is amazed by the sounds and has been staring at the roof all morning.  I have a feeling naps might not happen today.  I see a long walk in our future.  We do have a play date this afternoon, so that will get us out for a bit.  I even got up early and baked two dozen muffins for the roofers.  I figured warm muffins might put me on their good side.  It can't hurt right?  I did let Chris have 3 or  4 of the muffins.  The cats on the other hand are not too pleased with the roofers.

We have a check-up with the Cranio-facial Surgeon on Tuesday morning.   We are really hoping they will tell us Ruby doesn't need a helmet.  Chris and I have been working really hard with her on tummy time and stretching.  She's had so many things taped to her in her short life.  I hate to make endure one more thing uncomfortable thing.  I think her looks much better and hopefully the Doctor will too.

We've been battling a really bad case of diaper rash the past couple weeks.  It started when we tried to change her formula and she got diarrhea. Finally yesterday I resorted to disposable diapers, triple paste, and middle of the night diaper changes. We can only use water based creams with the cloth diapers. None of our usual tricks have been working.  Usually if her bottom looks a little red we just have some naked baby time and it clears it up.  This time that didn't work.  We even tried the NICU trick of using the 3M barrier stuff we use to protect her face from the duoderm and that didn't work.  It got to the point that she would cry as soon as her diaper was dirty.  Ruby doesn't cry, so when she does we know it's bad.  It's looking better this morning, but not great.  I'm afriad she might have some yeast growing, too.  I've been holding off calling the pediatrician.  Mostly becasue I hate to bring her in just for diaper rash and expose her to other sick kids.  Maybe he can perscribe something over the phone.  I'm still not used to dealing with normal baby things.  Sometimes Chris and I have a hard time thinking things like diaper rash are a big deal.  Then it gets to the point that Ruby's uncomfortable and we realize that diaper rash should be a big deal.  It's kinda funny how we still haven't switched gears.  I'm beginning to wonder if we ever will.

We've got a busy weekend full of birthday parties, running, and friends ahead of us this weekend.  I promise lots of pictures!