1) Weight- Ruby has more than doubled her weight. She used to be so malnourished; she wasn't even on the growth charts. At 4 months she weighed 7 1/2 pounds and now, at 8 months she weighs 16 lbs! Even with the diet she seems to continue to grow.
2) Muscle tone- when we first brought Ruby home her hands and and feet were so clenched all the time and she arched her back a lot. Now, her hands and feet are much more relaxed.
3) Tummy Time- Ruby used to not tolerate any tummy time, especially directly on the floor. We had to use a boppy or something to support her. Now, although she doesn't love it, she tolerates several minutes of tummy time and she is pushing up enough with her hands to tip herself over.
4) Smiles- Ruby never smiled until she was 6 months old. Now, we see daily smiles!
5) Head control- This is slowly (very slowly) getting better. She still can't control her head all the time, but she is showing signs that her neck muscles are getting stronger.
6) Feeding- A month ago, it was a struggle to feed Ruby. She would gasp and sometimes it would take an hour to get her bottle down. We also had to feed her on her side. Now, Ruby eats every drop of her bottle in 15 minutes or so and we don't have to feed her on her side anymore. We think some of these issues were due to meds. It is such a relief to feed her normally!
7) Eye Contact - Ruby is doing better at looking at toys and people around her. She doesn't always have good eye contact, but she is improving and there are times I know she is looking right at me and responding.
8) Grabbing at toys- Lately we have caught Ruby with toys in her hands! This only happens when she is laying directly under toys that are hanging above her on her play mat, but the fact that she has them in her hands is exciting. She can also hold on to some toys when we put them in her hands.
9) Movement towards mouth- Ruby is starting to show signs that she wants to put things in her mouth. If we get her hands up by her mouth she will suck on them and she will try to move the bottle and pacifier to her mouth. Before, her arms were very much stuck out at her sides.
10) Leg strength- Ruby hardly ever moved her legs when we first brought her home. Now, she kicks them all the time. In the evenings, when I am holding her, she will even kick up enough to hold her own weight for short periods of time. We see her legs getting stronger all the time. This gives me hope that she will be able to walk eventually.
So-- there you have it. 10 ways Ruby has grown and made progress. I do get down about her health, but she is such a blessing and has come a long ways already. God is faithful and I need to remember that He has a plan and has chosen Ruby to be in our family. I can't imagine life without her and I am blessed that God has given her to us to take care of.
Ruby, when we first met her in Sept:
Ruby can sit up in her bumbo, with some help:
We are trying tummy time on an exercise ball.
Like I said before, she doesn't always love tummy time :)
12 comments:
awe! she is getting more and more gorgeous in every picture! i liked this post...looking at the positive stuff in life is good! haha...reminds me of some advice i got from a certain someone last year.... :P
love you!
How wonderful!~ Ruby has come so far ( : Way to go Ruby, Mom and Dad. I just love her cheeks
She is so sweet. She has made so much progress, you are doing a great job!
She is precious, I still just want to hold her and give her a big hug :)! It is great to see how she has progressed! Love you guys!
wow! Ruby has come such a long way since you came home. It is hard to believe that you have been home for four months. Seems like just yesterday you were in Ethiopia.
I am glad that she is making progress! She is so CUTE! I can't wait to see pictures of your baby boy whenever he decides to present himself. Hopefully labor and delivery will go well;)
She is just as sweet as can be! Way to go Ruby, Mommy and Daddy!! You can tell that you are all working so hard to help Ruby progress!! So sweet!!
She is just such a beautiful little person, Kelli. I mean, her physical beauty is just striking! And it is so wonderful to see how God put her in your family, and to see the spiritual beauty she brings too! She really has come so far, and I know you must be exhausted and frustrated when those darn seizures continue! We can all trust that God is good and that His timing is perfect! Lots of Love from IA!
I loved to read all the progress! It's probably so much easier to focus on the delays. You guys are amazing and I am so in awe of not only your attitude but your constant faith and trust. Ruby is so blessed to have you, and I just know she is going to continue to bless your family in the months and years ahead. We love you guys!
That is awesome. Here hair in that med ball shot is really coming in.
Cindy and I prayed specifically for you three this morning. Now we pray that you can keep focusing on the positive things. Thanks for the list you provided!
J&C
Hi-
I just got to your site through COLE's Foundation website and I wanted to offer you some encouragement to your frustrations and improvements that you have noticed with Ruby.
Although I was not adopted, and was actually late by about a week, it took me until nine months before I could hold my head up by myself. And I had problems with muscle tone which required physical therapy for.
That was 22 years ago almost. And now I am happy and healthy as I can be. Although she might continue to have some problems throughout her life. I know I have. The good has far outweighed the bad and I wouldn't change my life thus far for anything.
Melinda
Post a Comment