Week 8: 11-27-2011 Update

Figure 1. From left to right: Ruby, Mom, Brother David, Cousin JJ

This week was a very busy one, with Thanksgiving day being the main highlight. Ruby was allowed to leave the hospital on pass twice, on Thanksgiving and then again on Sunday (as usual). Thanksgiving day was certainly my most memorable Thanksgiving ever; I would venture to say that this was the case for most of us. We spent the first half of the day at Griffith Park where Ruby and her cousin JJ enjoyed both a train and pony ride. Ruby was not hesitant about the train ride at all this time and was brave enough to sit next to Mom instead of on her lap (see Figure 1).

Next it was onto the ponies on whom, after a brief encounter, Ruby decided she must ride (see 1st Video). Yes, this happened before her ride. She was undeterred!

It gets better. We bought a ticket, with Ruby very excited all the while, and walked up to choose a pony. After a brief discussion with the pony whisperer (actually just some kid in a blue shirt), a very wise father sent his crippled little girl off on pony-back by herself. "She'll be fine holding on with one hand" he said. Before I knew it, off she went looking very cute and very grown up.

She was strapped onto the pony, of course, but Ruby's balance was good. She even mustered a little kick with the right leg.  :)

Thanksgiving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House with our family was great. Grandma Cathie, Grandma Donna, Great Grandma Deanna, and Aunt Michelle all brought food and drinks to accompany a Thanksgiving dinner served by volunteers. Needless to say, we have a lot to be thankful for.

 

A special thanks is due to Papa David for his thorough documentation of this wonderful day.  ;)

Ruby also loves all of the Christmas decorations that are out all around the hospital.

Ruby and Mama dwarfed by
the huge tree in the playground.

Ruby and Mama by the Christmas tree outside Ruby's room.

I am very thankful for a new word that Ruby learned recently. On Thanksgiving day Ruby said "Dada" for the first time, which is nice because I was getting pretty tired of being called "Mama" all the time.  :) It is fascinating to see her re-develop. I have said many times that this process is like an accelerated version of her development since she was born. When a new word comes out, it is sudden - it's as if a switch was just flipped or a wire reconnected. I simply asked her, as I had many times before, "is my name 'Mama'?" to which she happily replied, "nooo". "Is my name . . . Grandma?" Again she said, "nooo." "What's my name?" I said. She gave me one of her stinker grins and said, "Dada!" And all of a sudden it came out as clear as day. After that she usually can repeat the word with no problem at all. Ruby's coordination also continues to improve and walking falls are getting more and more rare. Below is a video of Ruby playing at the hospital playground. While she is moving the right arm more, she has to be very motivated (or bribed . . . whatever you want to call it) to use the right hand for anything. We're sure that it will come with time.