Ruby had a great day today, and so did we. For the first time in the 36 days since she was born, she was able to leave her bed and be held by her parents. After rounds this morning Ruby's surgeon came by and asked if we'd been able to pick her up yet. When we said no, she said, "Chris, get your camera ready!" At first, Ruby was a little scared of being picked up (and we were a little scared of picking her up too!) :
But she quickly realized that her mommy was holding her and she became very content and fell into a very peaceful sleep:
Even dad got to hold her:
As if that wasn't enough, Ruby got rid of her salem tube, which is the tube that goes down her nose to her stomach to pump out liquids and keep it decompressed while it was up against her lungs. But since her hernia is repaired and she's now pooping, we switched to a much smaller nasal-gastric feeding tube. We also got to start feeding her through the tube today. She can't have any of her mom's milk yet because it could make the fluid in her chest worse. So we're giving her Monogen formula until she's no longer having fluid come out of her chest tube. Right now, she's only geting 5cc of formula every 3 hours until we're sure her tummy is happy with the new food. Ruby seems happy about it!
I think it's very
I think it's very appropriate that you're wearing your Ann was a Rogue shirt, Holly. Ruby is clearly a Rogue, hanging in there and fighting, giving it her all. Tell her to keep up the good work!
PRICELESS!!! All the pics
PRICELESS!!!
All the pics show smiles! they are awesome!
how I missed this all weekend, I don't know. But it's great to see!
--kim
So that made me cry! I just
So that made me cry! I just got back from being out of town and couldn't wait to check on Ruby. How wonderful that she's making such progress - and that you were able to hold her! I can only imagine how wonderful that felt!
Continued prayers,
Pam
Your smiles say it all! Oh
Your smiles say it all!
Oh happy day!
Marie
Tears came to my eyes when I
Tears came to my eyes when I saw the pictures. What a wonderful moment. We are soo happy for you, Ruby is such a special little girl. She's been through so much and it's great to see her recovering well from her surgery. Well done you three!
We hope that she will tolerate the formula well and that she will be able to take mummy's milk soon.
Wonderful News! We hope
Wonderful News! We hope this continues today, tomorrow, the next day, month... You are due for some happy days! Your baby is beautiful. xox Meredith & Andy
What an amazing milestone!!
What an amazing milestone!! I'm so wildly happy for all of you. Big day, indeed.
Hang tough Ruby, you're doing awesome!
Wow! How wonderful! Yaah
Wow! How wonderful! Yaah Ruby!!!
Ahhhh. Warm fuzzies and big
Ahhhh. Warm fuzzies and big smiles. Yay!!!
Dude. Sweet. I've not wanted
Dude. Sweet.
I've not wanted to say it yet, but I totally woulda hated on not being able to hold her. It woudlda been worse that an extra month of preg. b/c she's Right There. Definately worse that if Mom grounded you from your computer by taking away the power cord...esp. since you couldn't just ride your bike over to Brian T.'s house and borrow his spare, you ole rascal. All that patience is starting to pay off, you two. You're going to discover time and again that there are upper reaches on the Happy Meter that you didn't know existed before.
Congratulations, Bro. If I could get you in arms length, I'd be hugging on ya, like it or not.
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!! I have CHILLS I am SO EXCITED for you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a wonderful wonderful day, I can't even express the joy I feel for you three. WAY TO GO RUBY!!!! And wow wow wow....Holly and Chris....all our love to you all!!
Tami, Chuck and Aisling
Those pictures made me cry.
Those pictures made me cry. I am so happy for you two and for Ruby! Love, Natalie
Congratulations! What an
Congratulations! What an amazing day for all of you! You won't be able to put her down now! Go Ruby!!
Karla
Braden's Mom
I'm crying I'm so happy! Go
I'm crying I'm so happy! Go RUBY! I'm so, so, so happy! She looks so good!
Congratulations Mom and
Congratulations Mom and Dad-What a dream come true for your family! I just keep scrolling back and forth at the pictures. Ruby looks so good! Her color looks different, her face shape looks different. She just looks so good. (She's been beautiful the whole time, but she just looks so healthy, maybe more calm?) I'm so happy for you all. Love and hugs and kisses all around, Sarah
Yay!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, I bet you
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I bet you guys have been anticipating this for so long. I can't imagine how hard it was to not be able to hold her.
I am so happy for you all! :)
Awesome!
Lots of love,
Missy, Larry and Anthony
I'm so happy for you guys!
I'm so happy for you guys! What a big day for you all!!
Jen
What a wonderful day!!! I
What a wonderful day!!! I cried when I read that you guys finally got to hold your beautiful little girl!! I have been hoping this day would come for so long! Keep up the awesome work Ruby!! We can't wait to see you back here!
Snuggle bunny! EVERYBODY
Snuggle bunny! EVERYBODY looks contented and another milestone reached too. Keep it up and thanks so much for the posts.
Happy news!!! So happy you
Happy news!!! So happy you got to cuddle with your precious Ruby. LOVE the pictures!!! I hope Ruby continues to have good days. Praying for Ruby!
Keep smiling Chris and Holly - Tracy, Ian's mom
Oh, what a happy day! I am
Oh, what a happy day! I am all smiles for you. She's just looking so good, and sounds like she's doing well. I can't wait to see y'all tomorrow. Love and hugs from IA. :)
Oh! Congratulations!! I'm so
Oh! Congratulations!! I'm so happy about how well she's doing. Ruby is a strong and beautiful baby. She's just like her parents. :)
Love from STL,
Jenn
I am so excited to hear you
I am so excited to hear you got to hold Ruby. The girls at the pool ask often about you (Holly) and Ruby. Oh, we finally got rain in Austin today! So, it's been a very good all around!
Yippee!! That's just
Yippee!! That's just fabulous! We are so happy to see you all looking so much better!
Keep on kicking butt Ruby!!
So, so happy for all 3 of
So, so happy for all 3 of you! These pictures are priceless! There is nothing better in this world than holding your baby for the first time.