Today was Ruby's 2-week birthday!
Here's a picture of the happy family:
Ruby got moved to a new room today (note the Yellow walls). We were pretty worried about this, but the move went very smoothly, especially considering how much machinery had to be rolled down the hallway while still connected to her. The new room is a bit more cozy, quieter, and is next to the other ECMO baby in the NICU. The nifty blue armband I'm sporting on my left wrist isn't my admission pass to ACL (Austin City Limits Music Festival). It's my NICU armband. Each parent gets one, and when Holly was a patient, I got one with her name on it too. We decided to take it as a good sign that they felt Ruby was stable enough to be moved, since CDH babies are generally so unstable that they will do their surgery right there in the NICU.
I believe someone had asked about Ruby's personality. She's probably best described as stubborn and rambunctious. She's beginning to get a reputation among the nurses for being active and difficult to sedate. For her move today, they lined up extra-large doses of morphine, Versed (midazolam) and Pavulon (pancuronium), so she could be moved without getting upset. Pavulon is a powerful paralytic agent, which they use so babies won't squirm while they're working on them. They assembled an army of nurses, doctors, and specialists to move Ruby, injected the drugs to knock her out and waited for it to take effect. And waited. And waited. After a while they decided it should start to take effect soon so they might as well move her. But they said she was awake and kicking her feet, looking around and wiggling her fingers for the entire trip, and seemed to enjoy the change of scenery. She didn't act the least bit upset. She then proceeded to stay away for the next 4 hours, blowing bubbles, kicking her feet and grabbing things with her hands. I dare say all the drugs just made her more active.
Otherwise, she's very interested in her surroundings and enjoys being touched and talked to. She realizes that the tubes and junk on her aren't supposed to be there and she'll grab at them sometimes. She likes us to rest our hand on her head and to let her hold one of our fingers. She also likes it when you hold your hand up for her to kick and push her feet against. I need to get some more pictures and video of her when she's awake. It's always so entertaining that I forget to take pictures.
Here's a new photo from today:
Congratulations on your new
Congratulations on your new abode, Ruby! You should receive a special "card" in the mail very soon from your friends and family at DMi. It will go very nicely on your new yellow walls! Sending love and finger squeezes.
~Lauri
Thanks for sharing about her
Thanks for sharing about her personality...I love her feisty spirit. I'm so glad the move went well. Happy 2 week birthday, Ruby....you are much loved.
Great family picture. :)
Love,
Tami, Chuck, and Aisling
Happy birthday, Ruby! You
Happy birthday, Ruby! You are a beautiful little girl. Thanks, Holly and Chris, for posting the family photo. It's beautiful.
Natalie
That's a great family photo.
That's a great family photo. She's so sweet! Sarah
Hi Holly and Chris and
Hi Holly and Chris and Ruby,
Just wanting you all to know that my neighbor Linda Younger is dedicating her 5K walk for March of Dimes to Ruby on Sunday. Love the Texas dirt story...I think that document looks like it should suffice for a Texas passport should we decide to secede.
Marie
Happy 2 weeks Ruby!! LOVE
Happy 2 weeks Ruby!! LOVE the new pictures! That is great she handled a move on ECMO...what a tough little girl. Praying Ruby has a good weekend.
Thinking of you, Tracy - Ian's mom
Sounds like she's quite the
Sounds like she's quite the piston! My kinda girl.
So happy to hear that she
So happy to hear that she was stable enough to be moved. I'm sure you just love it when she is awake and interacting with you, and how great that you're able to touch her and hold her little hand.
Happy Birthday little Ruby! Keep up the good fight!
Pam
Yellow. Wow. Everything
Yellow. Wow. Everything I'd ever read said babies cry more in yellow rooms....
Sounds like she's got enough fight in her to take on Apollo Creed, James Lang, and Balboa in the same ring at once. You better add "Eye of the Tiger" to the Ruby soundtrack.
Also sounds like if she ends up at one of Those parties she will be disapointed when nothing has any effect and her wayward years won't be very wayward.
Keep up the good fight!
And buy her some miniature Craftman's...sounds like she's good with her hands, she might as well have good tools.
Much love from the Okies!
Hey Guys, I love the
Hey Guys,
I love the pictures, how cute she looks! Im glad to hear she was stable enough to move! That is one tough little cookie u have there, u will have your hands full!
HUGS,
Joanna&Fil
I am loving the yellow walls
I am loving the yellow walls in your new digs, Ruby! I think you get that stubborn thing from your mommy (but that's one of the things we all love about her, so we love it about you, too). Great pictures, Holly and Chris! I am so glad you are getting to be with her and that she is tolerating being touched and all. Love you guys, Amy
She really is beautful, you
She really is beautful, you guys-- I can see the family resemblence..
Happy 2 week birthday, Ruby!
Happy 2 week birthday, Ruby! The new room looks nice. :)
Keeping you in our thoughts.
Lots of love.
Missy, Larry and Anthony