Ruby Hope McKee Starling

I STILL can't post pictures.  Sorry guys.  Chris has been really busy with work stuff.

We've had a busy week this week.  On Tuesday Ruby and I went to Mama's and crawlers yoga class.  It was basically 20 toddlers running around while the Mom's tried to do yoga.  It was so much fun.  We are definitely going back.  Then yesterday we went The Blanton Museum of Art.  They have Montessori exhibit.  We spent 1.5 hours playing with wooden blocks, shapes, and pushing benches around.  We've also been continueing with our swimming lessons. 

Rubys is getting closer and closer to walking.  She's started standing unassisted for 2-3 seconds.  She so proud of her self when she does it.  She gets so excited and starts clapping her hands which makes her loose her balance.

We had a her 16 month check up on Wednesday.  She's actually 15 3/4 months, but scheduling wise it worked out.  Now for the numbers:

Height  29 in.  (8%)

Weight  17lbs 12ounces  (1%)

Head Circ  45.8 cm (40%)

We are back on the charts weight wise!  Just barely but we are.

We also got her stool sample tests back they were both normal.  Ruby's stools have returned to normal also.  It appears that she just had a little bug.  It's so worrisome when she gets any little bug.  We don't want her to loose weight.

We've got a full day planned for today.  Errands, PT, and the park.  Chris and I have a date tonight!

I've been a bad blogger the past few weeks.  I'm sorry, apparently Ruby isn't the only one with some health problems.  I've been having extreme fatigue and a few other problems.  It's prompted some blood work.  We're hoping it's just anemia and maybe my thyroid.  Wouldn't be so nice to just take a pill and feel better? I had forgotten what it's like to get poked and prodded.  While we were trying to get pregnant and then during my pregnancy with Ruby I went through a lot of tests and blood draws.  Nothing compared to what Ruby has been through, but still a lot of needles. 

Ruby is going and growing.  From the time she wakes up until she pretty much falls over from exhaustion for a nap she is going.  As can see this what happens when I try to take a shower.  I knew she was to quite.  At first I enjoying my shower without having to answer "Wazzat" 50 times.  Then I realized it was to quiet.

We've been dealing with a couple weeks of loose stools.  We've sent in some stool samples to test for bacteria and parasites.  We even switched her the BRAT diet and back to pediasure for a few days, but nothing has seemed to help.  We've since gone back to feeding her normally because she can't afford to loose any weight.  Really that's the most stressful thing about all of this.  We really don't want her to go into cold and flu season as under weight as she is.  I was hoping she'd at least be on the charts.  I know they are averages.  That doesn't really make me feel better and frankly I'm tired of hearing it.  Eating issues are part of the long term problems that CDH kids have.  It's huge problem for various reasons.  Much more of a problem than a healthy baby who is a little under weight.  Ruby burns so many more calories than the normal 15 month old just breathing.  We are all doing everything we can including her.  The loose stools have just been one more hurdle for her.

She is a very happy and curious 1almost 16 month old.  For that we are very thankful.  She has started bringing us books and putting them our laps saying "EAD! EAD!"  She wants to hold the book up like in story time while she sits cross legged in our laps.  It is quiet possibly one of the cutest things I've seen.

(It appears pictures are still not uploading to the server.  I will add them back in as soon as Chris fixes the problem.)

Ruby is holding steady at 17lbs 12 ounces.  We are trying everything.  The new formula doesn't really seem to be making that big of a difference.  We're trying to stay positive, but seems as though we're headed towards appetite stimulants.

Ruby is LOVING summer.  When we ask her if she wants to go swimming she gets really excited and starts to tell the cats bye bye.  She will try to bounce out of your arms once her swim suit is on.  She's been making lots of progress in the water.  She is more daring about walking in the water than on dry land.  She loves to blow bubbles and splash around.

Out of the water she has taken to pushing the kitchen chairs around the house.  She hasn't figured out how to maneuver them very well.  When she hits a road block she just leaves the chair and goes and get another one. 

She also loves to help in the garden.  By help I mean crawl into the garden and pick and eat the tomatoes, before I can get over to stop her.  If only tomatoes and boo balls had more fat in them.  Yesterday she even got upset when the she couldn't pull a red pepper off the plant.  I have a feeling next summer we're going to have a good little gardener on our hands.

I'll post some pictures soon.  Something is preventing me from uploading pictures.  I think the server is still having problems.