Ruby Hope McKee Starling

We have been so busy this week.  This is the first chance I've gotten to sit down and write a post.  We've been so busy getting ready for the holidays.  Which basically means I've been baking up a storm. 

We are also starting to plan a family vacation to Oregon in May.  Instead of running the Austin Marathon in February I'm going to run the Eugene Marathon in May.  That way we can go as family for a much needed vacation. 

Ruby is doing so well.  We are continuing to introduce new foods and work on weaning her off the NG tube.  She is also getting closer and to crawling everyday.  She is VERY determined to get the cats or toys that are out of her reach.  Most of the time she ends up just rolling to get what she wants.  She also loves to stand and bounce.  She can't do it unsupported, but that's OK for now.

Ruby is learning some words, too.  They don't sound like much, but she says things again and again at the appropriate times.  She says Mama or Ma.  She attempts to say Ella, but really it's just the same two syllable squeal regardless which cat just walked by.  She's say Da sometimes.  She will also say Hi.  Her signs are getting better.  She definitely understands eat, drink, more, all done, milk, play, bye, and outside.  The only one she really does for us is milk.  Her version of all done involves throwing the spoon or bottle on the floor and giving us the stink eye look.  She's also had to start learning some tough life lessons, like you can't always have everything you want.  She will cry if we take something away from her before she's done with it.  She loves to suck on the end of her nose sucker thingy.  Which is really disgusting if you ask me.

We did find out that Ruby recieved one of the recalled H1N1 vaccinations.  It was her second shot.  According to her pulmonologist, it's not that big of a deal.  Tests are showing that the vaccine is still works, just not as well.  We keep her pretty isolated and we feel can't do much more than we are already doing.  Her doctors agree.  So, we're just going to continue on the way we have been.  Regaurdless it wasn't a phone call that I wanted to get.

Here are some pictures from this week.