Ruby Hope McKee Starling

Ruby is a big sister!

Herbert "Herbie" Wayne McKee Starling

September 26, 2011  at 11:31am

7lbs 10 oz

20.25 inches

He did have the cord wrapped around him.  So there were some scary moments and I was given oxygen and so was Herbie right after birth.  Had we  not been through Ruby's birth we might not have been so worried.  Or maybe we would have been more worried. 

He definitely has Chris's brow and nose.

As usual Ruby wouldn't hold still for a picture!

Herbie and I came home yesterday, both of us are doing well.  Ruby has given Herbie many kisses.  She also likes to tell me o give him "Mommy hugs" when he is upset.  Herbie hates diaper changes so while he's screaming Ruby is crying "Mommy Hugs" over and over.  she's already looking out for him.

Today was the big day.  We drove an hour outside of Austin so Ruby could ride Thomas.  She was so excited yesterday.  She told everyone we saw "Ride Thomas!".  Thankfully she managed to fall asleep on time last night.  Also thankfully, we reserved tickets on the 10:10 am train.  Thomas doesn't have AC and our highs are still over 100. 

We saw Thomas pull into the station.  We waved to Thomas.  Ruby's patience was tested while we waited to get "ON THOMAS".  She was so excited.  The excitement got to be a bit much and she just sat down on the ground as were trying to climb into our train car.  After a short little melt down we settled into our seats.  It was a 25 minute out and back  ride.   They also had music and an an arts and crafts tent.  We all got temporary Thomas tattoos and stamps. Ruby did not like getting the tattoo.  The volunteer used a wet cotton ball on her arm just like the Nurse does before a shot.  Once she realized she wasn't getting a shot she was OK.  For the rest of the day she would look very concerned at her Thomas tattoo.

Ruby really thought we were going to Sodor.  She kept asking for the "Castle".  She was also very worried about Thomas getting jelly all over, one her favorite Thomas stories involves another train, Gordon, getting jelly all over.  We also walked over to see Sir Topham Hatt, but Ruby was more interested in the HEB across the street.  Ruby loves our grocery store.

We were all so tired from the adventure and the heat that everyone took a three hour nap when got home.

Ruby fell asleep last night at 6pm.  We were prepared for her to still be a bit sick today.  She proved us wrong.  At 4am she sat up in bed and said, "Thomas! Play! Light ON!"  She then proceeded to talk  a mile a minute until nap time at 1pm.  For breakfast she ate a whole toaster waffle and most of a breakfast taco. 

I think it's safe to say that the stomach bug is on it's way out.

Ruby has picked up a stomach bug.  We're on day three of it and hopefully it'll be over soon.  We have tickets to ride Thomas The Train on Sunday. 

She's settled in on the couch with her favorite blanket, bears, and zebra.  We've got all the Thomas, Good Night Gorilla, Elmo, and Toy Story she wants.  Thanks to streaming Netflix.

Next week for the first time in her entire life Ruby will have no Medical or Therapy appointments.  Crazy!  We were discharged from Occupational Therapy this morning.

Take that CDH and ECMO. 

Ruby had her first day at All Austin Co-op on Tuesday.  It was a half day (1.5 hours) and parents stayed the whole time.  Ruby pretty much ignored me and explored the classroom and playground.  We think she's really going to like it.  Here she is on her first day of preschool.

Our big news this week is that Ruby has been discharged from Speech Therapy.  She has been in speech therapy since she began trying to eat to by mouth way back in the NICU.  Finally her eating has gotten good enough for us to be discharged.   We have been Chelsea at Little Tesoros at least once a week since Ruby Ruby was 5 months old.  Ruby LOVES her.  We will all miss Chelsea.  As with everyone else who has helped Ruby we are really glad we don't have to see Chelsea anymore.   Ruby still has Occupational Therapy every other week.  We will most likely be done with OT by the holidays.

The high today was 91.  First time in 80 days that it's been below 100.  In the last week we've had highs near 110.  It was amazing to be outside.  The whole city came out of hiding.  We had brunch outside at Central Market.  Ruby played on the playground.  Then this evening we went to see the Cows at The Arboretum for dinner.  We've spent more time outdoors today than we have in 3 months. 

As Ruby says " I walk'n"   Which usually means she wants to go for walk in the direction she wants to go.  It's awfully hard to get her go any other direction.

The little boy really took Ruby.  He followed her around the whole time we were there.

MOO!

While we are very happy that the weather finally broke and we were able to enjoy the day outside.  A large part of Central Texas is on fire.  Large wildfires are burning within 15 miles of our home.  We hope all our friends who have had to evacuate have found a safe place to stay until they are allowed back home.

We took Ruby in this morning for a weight check and flu shot.  She routinely asks for Dr. Dan and Dr. Jones.  She gets out her Doctor Bag and wants to look in our ears and listen to hearts.  All while talking about her Pediatricians.  She will occasionally ask to go to CHOP.  Ruby took the flu shot like a champ.  She got two well deserved stickers afterwards, Thomas (of course) and a duck.

The not so good news is that she has only gained 7 ounces in the last 5 months.  Her Doctor wasn't too concerned as she said "She looks great.  I can see she looks great."  Ruby has gotten taller so she is growing.  Plus she is very very active.  She's been eating very well.  So, as long as she keep growing and eating her Doctor isn't too concerned.  We'll see how her pulmonologist here in Austin feels in November when we see him.  For now she is doing great and we're not worried. 

Our fall schedule is finally starting to take place.  All activities and routines won't be in full force for another couple weeks.  The new preschool doesn't start for another week, which is harder on me than on Ruby.  We are slightly concerned that she will only have a couple weeks at the new school before the baby comes.  Her new teacher came for a home visit this week and Ruby really took to her.  Ruby grabbed her hand and showed her all of her Thomas and Friends trains.

We found out today that Thomas is coming to Burnet, TX.  A town about an hour away.  We got tickets for all three of to ride on Thomas in a couple weeks.  She is going to be so excited.

Here's a picture of Chris and Ruby building train tracks.  Ruby loves for Thomas to go thru tunnels, we use oatmeal containers cut in half.  She also loves for Thomas to go across "beams".  Her love and gymnastics and trains have been combined.

We haven't had any eating ice cream while wearing a crown pictures in a while. She insisted on wearing the crown upside down.