Ruby Can Ride A Bike!

The last time we wrote was back on October 1, 2012! These past three and a half months have flown by. We had a wonderful Christmas, our first where Ruby and Molly were both old enough to understand what's going on; well, Molly was mostly just completely enamored with Christmas decorations. Ruby is still walking around shouting, "Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!" every once in a while.

 

The Weeks' and Denisons

Booth and Weeks kids

During the past three months we've moved (hopefully the last time for a while!), I started a new job, and Ruby's getting ready to start at her new school soon. Speaking of her new school, we should emphasize what a big deal this is, since it is largely as a result of her out-pacing the program! In fact, about a month ago Ruby underwent a number of cognitive assessments with the school district and passed all of them with flying colors. And get this: Ruby's speech is now completely age appropriate! We are finding ourselves amused and amazed all the time at the things she is saying, the stories she is telling, and the ideas she is expressing. You'll find a couple of nice songs below. Music to our ears! This is what we all prayed for. :)



For example, the other day Melissa asked, "Ruby, are you telling the truth?" to which Ruby replied,"I didn't tell a library." Another funny observation of Ruby's was when she took note of a woman with very dark, dramatic, drawn-on eyebrows. As she pointed at the woman, Ruby asked Melissa, "Mom, that lady a kitty cat?" When Melissa realized what she was talking about, she quickly whispered, "No, Ruby, she's not a kitty cat. Come on, we gotta go." Then Ruby looked right at the lady and said, "Meow! Bye-bye kitty cat!" Apparently her mom was unconvincing. :)

Physically, she's doing a great job. She continues to have some struggles with her right hand and arm, but she's accomplishing some incredible goals. Some examples are her ability to climb ladders at the playground, swing from horizontal bars, ride bikes (both tricycles and training wheels), and she's even managing to do large buttons by herself, which is quite the accomplishment. One of the videos below shows Ruby using her right hand and the Pincer grasp to eat Cheerios. Also, apparently jumping is an ability that is often lost with brain injuries like Ruby's. Not only can Ruby jump, but her physical therapist told Melissa today that Ruby actually jumps quite a bit better than most kids her age. How about that!?

Stabilizing the paper with her right hand as she colors

Finally, about two months ago we started a new anti-seizure medication because her seizures were still not completely under control. So far the new one seems to be working pretty well. We are just continuing to hope that she can remain seizure free for a two year span so that she doesn't have to be on any medications anymore. They have all kinds of bad side effects. This new one requires Ruby to have her blood drawn every couple of weeks. Believe it or not, this is not as bad as it might seem. Melissa's got it down to a science and Ruby is as brave as you could ever expect a 3-year-old to be, or anyone for that matter! Ruby is truly amazing.

God is good.