Ruby Hope McKee Starling

We left Philadelphia Thursday morning with more stuff than we came with back in February.  As you can see we had six suitcases, two of which were just for Ruby's things.  So much stuff for such a tiny little girl.

Ruby did great on the plane.  We were worried about how she would handle it.  She wasn't even phased by it.  In fact it might have helped her.  During the flight she took a whole bottle by mouth!  It was the first and only time she has taken a full feed by mouth.  Too bad we can't take 8 flights a day every day.  After she ate she fell asleep and pretty much slept the whole flight.  It seems like we might have a good little traveler on our hands.

Ruby did wake-up once we landed. Here we are at home!

So far the cats haven't really minded Ruby.  They have sniffed her and then walked away.  Infact they aren't even interested in her.  Our little black and white cat even rubbed his head on her foot today.  Ruby LOVES the cats.  She smiles whenever she sees them.  Maybe having  their pictures up in her crib did make a difference. We are still very cautious with Ruby and the cats.  Both of our cats still have their claws and we don't Ruby to get hurt.  The cats  just seem happy to have us home.

Here's Ruby seeing the inside of the house for the first time.  She looks a little surprised by it all.

On Friday we had our first appointment with the Pediatrician.  Ruby weighs 10lbs 6 ounces and 22 inches long.  The Dr. took almost an hour going over Ruby's discharge summary from the NICU and checking her out.  He said "She looks better than I expected after reading her chart."  That's our Ruby, defying the odds and looking good.  Her pediatrician told us that he would manage the reflux and general health needs.  He's going to let her pulmonologist handle the diuretic and RSV shots.  He also gave us the go ahead to see a cranio-facial plastic surgeon about the flat part of her head.  Being on ECMO has made the left part of her head flat.  While we are doing everything we can, it's becoming apparent that Ruby might have to wear a helmet.  Her pediatrician felt it would be better to start the process now rather than waiting a couple more months. We see her pulmonologist on Monday.  Other than her incision STILL draining fluid she is doing great.  I'm going to give it couple more days before I call her surgeon again. 

I will post more pictures once we are more settled.  Being away for 5 months makes for a lot of things to take care of around the house.  Add in a baby to care for and it makes for a really busy Chris and Holly.