4 / 11 / 2004
We've been home for 2 1/2 weeks now. Ruby is settling in pretty well. The first week was rough. She had a cold and another ear infection when we got home. This kept her from sleeping well which of course meant we didn't sleep well either. We were zombies. Fortunately, we got to the doctor the first Monday and got her going on another round of antibiotics. This started working right away, and she started feeling better and sleeping! We were all relived. We're hoping that sleeping through the night will happen soon. On the evening of April 9th, Ruby learned to walk unassisted. We're in real trouble now!
Below is an entry of accomplishments that Mom typed up on the computer on April 7th. This list, of course, is ever changing so will quickly be out-of-date. It's been so hectic. Where is the time to keep updating Ruby’s website or otherwise document all of our little gem’s “firsts” at home as a family?! Things are starting to “normalize” in that Ruby is feeling better and beginning a more regular nighttime sleeping routine. She’s a spitfire who keeps us on the move. She has accomplished, or learned to do, many things during our week+ in China and the two weeks at home. This is just the short list:
- Maintains an interest in some of her books, especially those with authentic animal pictures and interesting, or furry, textures.
- Rolls over from her back to her tummy to her back again.
- Walks all over while holding our fingers.
- Can stand up from a sitting position (most of the time).
- Crawls a little.
- Can take 3-5 steps toward Mom or Dad without holding our fingers for support. This makes her very proud. Applause are appreciated!
- Can almost sleep through the night. She might cry a few times throughout the night, but it often comforted by back rubbing or patting and a “shhhh” from Mom or Dad. Night terrors are still an issue. It’s difficult to not be able to console her during those times, but we’re hopeful that she doesn’t have much memory when she wakes up. Naps aren't yet happening in the way that we expect (hope) they will soon.
- Tolerate baths in her inflatable tub. She seems curious about the water and likes to have cups and a baby wash cloth in hand. She doesn’t yet like it, but she also doesn’t seem to hate it. Washing her head is still a challenge. She has a bath about every other day.
- Dances by twisting her upper body back and forth. Nearly everything she does is cute, but this is adorable!
- “Pretend” eats and feeds Mom with her play fork, spoon and bowl.
- Sparks up at the sight of Ernie or Lu Lu, her kitties. They seem to have a real interest in her too. Ernie looks to her to drop food and Lu Lu absconds with her toys. They hang around near her much of the time. Ruby gets very excited about them.
- Loves cereal (Grape Nuts flakes or Cheerios) with soy milk. She is quickly becoming a picky eater and needs some real coaxing to eat other than cereal most of the time. She still likes bananas and noodles especially, but big girl cereal takes the prize right now. We’re keeping the formula going for a while to be sure she gets enough iron.
- Seems to like her crib. She enjoys her Dreamscape Soother and knows how it turn it on and off and on and off…
- Goes down for naps with an African CD called Tuku Music playing while dancing softly in Mom’s arms. The artist is Oliver Mtukudzi.
- Gives Mom and Dad hugs with neck nuzzle. Occasionally will give a kiss but with no pucker. It probably only looks like a kiss to Mom & Dad.
- Hugs her stuffed animals and the fuzzy animals in her textured books.
- Says “done” in sign language before getting out of her highchair, although we don’t always allow her to be done without a few more bites. More bites don't always happen.
- Waves "hello" and "bye-bye" and shakes her head “no” a lot. The “no” shake doesn’t fake Mom & Dad out any longer. She will rarely nod “yes”, but it has happened.
- Chews on most things she can get into her mouth. She has 8 teeth and is in the midst of major teething time. Some days she drools profusely.
- Says “moo” with prompting at the sight of a cow picture.
- Loves peek-a-boo in the highchair or at play.
- Although she’s not a highly ticklish girl, we do get a big giggle with the right sound effects and mannerisms.
- Has continued to love her shoes and socks. While she is not fond of changing her clothes (or diaper) she is always eager to put on her socks and shoes.
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left: "maybe I should help clean up the mess I'm making" below left: "Yes, I am this cute!" below right: "Moms got me" |
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| above: "Dad trying to get me to nap" above right: "what trouble should I get into next" right: "What do you mean this remote doesn't have bite control"
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above left: "Mom, let me show you how this works" above: "Sally and Ted from Texas sent me some cool stuff!" left: "Mom likes for me to help with laundry"
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| above: "I'm liking my baths more and more each day! My
inflatable tub is helping to build my bathing confidence. Mom tries to
trick me into thinking it's really playtime." above right: "Why does Dad try to take so many pictures" right: "See you next time" |
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