Hogs and Hokies

As I sit in the hotel room watching my husband's beloved Hokies fight for the chance to play in the ACC, Ruth sleeps in her travel crib. Brian had to work in Warner-Robbins this weekend and so, rather than stay at the house for three very long days by myself, Ruth and I came down with him.

Yesterday Ruth slept through most of the Razorback game and I did take a nap during the third quarter but we saw the all important end. Let's hope today turns out as well.

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving with just us this year. I cooked my first Thanksgiving meal and Brian said it turned out good. We played with Ruth in the yard after lunch and then put up our Christmas tree that night. We decided at dinner to drive to Warner-Robbins Thursday night after Ruth's bath so we wouldn't have to get up so early Friday morning and fight black Friday traffic. I am glad we did. I have never seen so many cars on the road down here like I did when I took Brian to the store. Forget about trying to find a parking spot - he got dropped off at the door.

We open (and close) Nutcracker in two weeks and I may let Ruth watch a rehearsal one night for her first Nutcracker experience.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

With ears like these, it is no wonder her hearing is so good!!!!

Splish Splash I Was Taking A Bath

It is late again, so here are some cute pictures of Ruth at Grandma and Papa's house in Virginia.

I'm crawling on my hand and knees!!!! (Some of the time)

Ruth started army crawling mid October, actually while we were at Coker College in South Carolina (in the hotel with Daddy). This morning she took three steps on her hands and knees before falling into the crib and crying. Well, it is a start, right?

We got our cds of the photo shoot from October so expect to see a lot of pictures of Ruth. Brian also bought me my Christmas present early which is an awesome camera and we have been playing with that as well.

My First Haircut

Here is some video footage of Ruth's first haircut. I am too tired tonight to write anymore.

Ruth and Emory Eye Clinic

I did not believe that Ruth had vision problems until I saw my friend Erika's baby. I could tell right away that there was a difference between the two. Still, Ruth has such seemingly normal vision and so many of you have put Ruth on your church group's prayer list that I told Brian a month ago I would not be surprised that if when we went to the retina specialist at Emory and were told that Ruth does not have ocular albinism I would not be surprised.

But surprised we both were when that is exactly what we were told today.

We took Ruth today to see a retina specialist at Emory, one of the top ten hospitals for ophthalmology in the country. Ruth was given a test today where electrodes were attached to her head (man, she screamed). Ruth was shown a series of flashing lights and the electrodes measured how the light was viewed. Then, we saw a very nice retina specialist. Dr. Yan told us that while Ruth had some lack of pigment on the sides of her retina, she did not feel that Ruth had ocular albinism, or if she does, it was VERY slight. (Remember, albinism is a spectrum disorder). Brian and I just sat there dumbfounded while Ruth climbed all over us talking away to whomever was in earshot.

Dr. Yan did say that since Ruth has nystagmus (moving of the eye) we needed to see another doctor. Dr. Yan is such a specialist of the retina that she does not feel comfortable discussing nystagmus. Brian and I have not had the time to do much research on this but we know that nystagmus could be something as simple as weak eye muscles to something as serious as a brain tumor. Again, we are speechless. We got back to Emory on December 4th to see the other doctor. This means we do not need genetic testing.

We still believe that Ruth has vision issues. It could be something as simple as being near sighted. We don't know. But we are focusing on the blessing and miracle that Ruth has been cleared of ocular albinsim by the leading retina specialist in the state!!!!

Praise God!!!! Thank you all for your prayers. While many days I would be so stressed that I would just sit and watch Ruth, many, many, many days I would have an odd sense of peace about Ruth and her future. I contribute this to those of you covering us in prayer. Now, if I can just submit every area of my life to this same peace. It is so humbling.

Some of you knew that Ruth decided last week she wasn't going to eat from the bottle. She is eating somewhat better (although now she is waking up in the night and staying up - Brian and I got 3.5 hours of sleep last night) She looks like she may have lost a little weight but is still going strong crawling and climbing over everything and everyone in her path. So far, nothing will keep her away from my dance magazines and Brian's This Old House. Thank you again for remembering us. Praise the Lord!

Eat It, Just Eat It

Weird Al must have been singing to Ruth when he remade Michael Jackson's song. Little Ruth is not taking the bottle. A week and a half ago Ruth and I went back to her GI doctor, Dr. Patel. You may remember from another post that we were cleared not to go back. Ruth was eating six to eight ounces five times a day for a total of 31- 34 ounces a day. But this past week she slowed down a little. I took her to the doctor on Thursday (just the pediatrician) and was told she was fine but to watch her over the weekend. Thursday she only ate 22 ounces and then Friday was only 12 and Saturday was only 10.5. Needless to say, I am stressed. Brian was out of town some last week and I did not handle the stress of Ruth not eating well. I have promised Brian that for the next seven days I will defer to him and if he says not to be stressed, I am going to trust him. But it will be hard. I will be calling the doctor again on Monday.

We have tried giving her milk in a several different kinds of sippy cups and an open cup. The kid will not have it. We have tried different formula. She will take watered down juice but just a little. She is eating food fine but she still needs milk and liquid. I am losing my mind and have been in quite a panic. To make matters worse, we had to take me to urgent care Saturday morning. I had intense pain in my abdominal and pelvic region. Come to find out, I have a bladder infection and am full of crap. Yes, literally. Now, I know that this may be too much information for some of you and others will appreciate the irony. So, I am on a liquid diet for two days (although Brian did let me cheat last night) and on some really horrible tasting medication. I have been so worried about Ruth and it turns out I have not been drinking enough either.

So if you will please remember Ruth and her eating in your prayer time, I would so appreciate it. Also, we met a little four month old girl named Jessie at the doctor last week who has sleep apeana. She stops breathing when she gets in a deep sleep. Her poor mother stays up at night to watch her sleep and is not getting any sleep herself. Please remember them as well.

Here is a picture from Halloween with our favorite bagger at Kroger, Mr. Robert.

Our Weekend, no catchy title

On Saturday we went to an albinism parents' meeting at the Center for the Visually Impaired. Our speaker was a high school student with albinism who is legally blind (20/600) and a state bowling champion!! Other parents there also had preschoolers or young elementary students. A couple of kids had ocular albinism like Ruth. Our little family then spent some time in Atlantic Station and enjoyed lunch and the city atmosphere.

Saturday night the Target pharmacists got together at a Dave and Buster's for a little fun. Ms. Leigh Ann was out of town with her family enjoying the weekend but our friend Ms. Amanda Owen agreed to keep Ruth. I must admit that I was nervous having someone new keep Ruth at bedtime but both seemed to survive the night. Brian and I really appreciate Ms. Amanda for giving us a night to be people and not parents. I kicked Brian's butt at shooting hoops and skee ball (getting my first hole in the 100 a couple of times). It was a great night.

Sunday we got to have lunch with Phillip and Carolyn (I hope I spelled your names right) from church. They are an older than us couple that we have come to know. We enjoyed getting to visit with them and hear about their kids and grandkids. And thanks again for the great pancakes!!!!

Sunday afternoon we were so excited to see our friends Candice and Andrew and Caroline. Caroline has grown so much!! She was walking around and even played with Ruth like she was teasing her with a toy. Ruth loved it. I got to talk to Candice about parenting like we used to (I miss you!!!) and Brian and Andy played Wii Sports. I don't know who won those games. I like to protect the innocent.

I know, still no pictures but soon. We should have our CDs from the seven month shoot and although the link is in another entry, we will put up some pictures here.

Bye Bye Love

Today Ruth had a check-up with her GI doctor, Dr. Patel. First, Dr. Patel is very nice, young and funny. While he is pleasant looking, he isn't as good looking as another mother said he was. Still, since he doesn't give Ruth shots or make her cry, it is an easier visit to see him than her pediatrician. We got the all clear and don't have to see him again. Ruth now weighs 16.15 and is eating well. Yeah Ruth!!!

But the neatest thing happened today. I have been picking up Ruth's hand when we leave and saying bye-bye and waving her hand side to side. Today, I picked up her hand and said "bye-bye" as Dr. Patel was saying his good-byes to us. He started to open and shut his hand (like other people have done to her, including us) and Ruth opened and shut her hand back at him!!!! She waved bye-bye today! Ruth has been opening and shutting her hand for quite some time now and often just stares at it, but she has never done it during a bye-bye session. Today was the first time. Dr. Patel was very excited about it too. Just to make sure it wasn't an accident, we practiced it at home with Daddy and Ruth performed again, twice. Good job, Ruth!

Three top teeth are in but it looks like maybe two more are on the way. Ruth still has a runny nose and blows snot bubbles when she laughs. Gross, I know, but cute. She has given me a runny nose and sore throat. That's the news from the Berry house. Enjoy the beautiful leaves - get outside.