Laughing

Ruby's adjusted age is 3 months today! Yay! I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with their loved ones. We spent the day with my Mom and sisters, and although I was feeling sick and didn't get to enjoy the food as I would have liked, I did have a nice time watching movies and relaxing all day... Ruby had a great time, and was being quite talkative and was having fun reading her favorite book called First Words.



I mentioned previously that Ruby had started laughing, something I had really been looking forward to! She had given the occasional giggle, usually when getting changed or washed up... But then, all of the sudden, last night Ruby was just laughing and laughing at her Dad talking to her. It was the cutest thing I've ever heard! Thankfully the camera was near by and we managed to catch it.

So here it is! Ruby really laughing for the first time =)

Back to Work

I started back to work on Monday, and I can't believe how quickly that 20 weeks went by! I can't lie, it was hard. I was worried about Ruby all day and felt totally distracted. When I picked her up that afternoon, she was mid meltdown, which made me feel completely horrible. That's only the second time I've seen her in tears =( She had been fine the rest of the day, but even so, I wasn't sure I could leave her again. Thankfully we had Tuesday at home together to recover.

Today went much better though! I actually got some work done, and Ruby had a normal day with my Aunt Barbara, and was all smiles when I came to pick her up after work. I know there will be good days and bad. And I know that we both just need to adjust to this new schedule. I am really lucky that my Aunt is able to watch her, and that things will just keep getting better as they get to know each other more and more. In the meantime, I am so grateful that Ruby is with family and that I am to work part time while we both get used to things...

As an added bonus, Ruby laughed today! And let me tell you, nothing can make your heart melt quite like the first time your baby really laughs =) Something to truly be thankful for!

I hope everyone has a great holiday tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving...

Smile Watch

Getting pictures of Ruby smiling has been a little like trying to capture the Loch Ness Monster =) We have some luck lately so I wanted to share!

4 Month Check Up

Ruby and I went to see her pediatrician for her 4 month check up. She is over 10 and half pounds and about 22 inches. This puts her on the chart for a 4 month old, without having to adjust for her age! This means that technically, she is "caught up" for growth, which is just amazing for a preemie born at 32 weeks! Hooray Ruby!

Developmentally she is right on target with smiling, babbling, trying to roll, tracking, turning towards voices, etc. That's always nice to hear. In the next two months we can look forward to rolling over, grabbing objects, and actual laughing. Good times!

We then again discussed the Synagis shots for RSV. I know many preemie moms fight hard to get appoved for these, but after doing my own research I just wasn't feeling good about it. Preemies born before 32 weeks are automatically approved, but those between 32 and 34 weeks must meet criteria. After meeting with Ruby's pulmonologist we confirmed that she has NO lung disease. And since she will not be going to daycare, does not have siblings that may expose her, and does not live with smokers, she has absolutely NO risk factors. So no Synagis shots for Ruby! Instead we will keep up with breastfeeding and lots of hand washing to keep her well this winter. I was happy to hear that my pediatrician and I were on the same page.

Ruby did have to get vaccinations/boosters today. She did cry, but only until I swooped her up and held her close. Poor thing, I feel so bad for her! So we spent most of the day cuddling and napping. Which I have to say, was lovely...

Christmas already?

I got Ruby her first Christmas present! Target has 25th anniversary Cabbage Patch Preemies, and I couldn't help myself.

4 months old

Ruby is 4 months old today. I can't believe it. I am trying to savor every moment I have with her. She's taken to beating up her toys, likes to watch CNN, and just the other day she shed her first tear! (which made me want to cry too!) At the end of the month I'll be returning to work part time, and I'm doing my best not to dwell on it now. I can be sad later. For now I'm just trying to love her as much as I can and make the most of it...

Another step

I took Ruby to her pulmonologist appointment today and we are officially off the monitor! Yippee! This means we no longer need to visit the pulmonologist and will just be dealing with Ruby's pediatrician. We are still dealing with her reflux, but it no longer poses a hazard as far as respiration goes...

Ruby is now just over 10 pounds, which is in the 10th percentile for her adjusted age of 2 months. This is great news too =)

Ruby will go to her 4 month check up next week, so we'll see what the next step will be as far as dealing with her reflux issues. Generally she doesn't seemed to be bothered by it at all, but the past few days she's had some feeding issues. I'm still unsure what the deal is, but I'm hoping she's better by her appointment!

Blogging For Prematurity

November is National Prematurity Awareness Month! For more information please visit the March of Dimes Website which is the leading nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health, dedicated to preventing birth defects, premature births, and infant mortality.



Did you know that November is Prematurity Awareness Month? Did you realize that 1 in 8 babies in the US is born premature? Join me and the other parents, NICU staff members and friends who are working together to educate the public about the impact of prematurity by Blogging for Prematurity Awareness.

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