Our Little Roo is Now Two

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!!!!!

Yesterday we celebrated Ruby's 2nd birthday. It was such a fun celebration and I am convinced she knew the day was about her. She had a lot of fun playing with her cousins, opening presents and eating 'Ruby-O's' that her brother gave her for a gift. She was very good about sharing them as well and shoving them by the handful in our mouths. And thanks to the girls she was able to sport 4 different outfits during a 3 hour party!! Every time they brought her back to the living room she was in a different outfit! Girls!!! Ruby enjoyed opening the gifts and was surprisingly good at it. I cannot imagine they got too many presents in the orphanage. I would like to say she enjoyed her big piece of cake with lots of frosting, but I decided I didn't want to be up all night with her and an upset tummy so she just had two scoops of coconut whipped cream (dairy and soy free). She seemed to enjoy it ok, but is not too fond of sweet things yet.

Last week we took Ruby camping for the first time. It was our annual week long trip to Fort Wilderness in northern WI. She absolutely loved the dirt and sand, as well as the beach. She would sit and dig for hours if we let her. Of course she loved the playground as well...so much that she fell asleep in the swing because she did not want to get out!

Ruby was very popular at the camp. Everywhere we went everyone crowded around her....especially the little girls. They think she is a real live doll! One little girl in the camp loved to feed Ruby and rub her head. She would come and climb on Steve's lap just to get closer to Ruby.

Ruby's GI system did not like the food at Fort. She had several episodes of diarrhea for the first few days before we decided to go back to rice, bread, noodles and of course 'yum yum buns' -her favorite snack from China.

Ruby enjoyed playing with the other children, but would love on our friend Jace the most-no surprise as he is so handsome. Jace became a big brother while at camp so had a little practice in handling little ones before he went home to his new brother.

This photo was taken one early morning on the dock before the sun burned off the fog. I just love the expression on her face. She is so fascinated by everything, it is so neat to watch her explore.





















Ruby is doing physical and occupational therapy weekly. She is doing better with her balance and safety awareness. She is warming up to the therapists and doing more sensory activities upon request and some coaxing.  Her vocabulary is expanding too. She is using some signs accurately and using them to request things. She speaks about 10 words, some clearer than others but they are consistent to what she needs/wants.

We had a follow up visit with the GI team at Children's Hospital. She continues to be at 11.5 pounds.  She pulled out her feeding tube 2 days after being home. We chose not to have another one put in and just see how she does. She is drinking much better so no need for the tube as we were just using it for liquids. They did not have any answers and did not offer any allergy or food sensitivity testing. They wanted to start her on another medication saying they think her stomach is stiff and that's why she is not absorbing food and wanted me to try soy milk. We are doing neither as I do not agree with the plan and we have decided to go down another avenue. I spent last week at camp learning from my wonderful friends, some that have had significant GI issues in the past. They all recommend taking Ruby to a holistic doctor and get allergy/sensitivity testing. That is going to be our next route and I already have an appointment. We need to find out what is causing all this trouble and then maybe she will start gaining weight!

Her size definitely does not stop her. She continues to be so full of joy and fun to be with. As I look back through our pictures of her, I realize how we don't have too many of her smiling because she is constantly moving and it's hard to catch her beautiful smile on camera. She is learning new things everyday and loves having three siblings to spoil her. Ruby will be very sad when they go back to school. Me too!!

We will continue to love on our sweet little girl because after all....... All things grow with love!!!!
We pray you are all doing well and thank you again for all your support!!

Love, The Olsons