Rua - 9 months stats and medical updates

We had Rua's 9 month check-up yesterday and here is how she measured up:

Weight: 16.13 lbs         26th %tile

Length:  27inches         26th %tile

Head:     17 inches        31 %tile

She only had to get one shot but you would have thought it was ten by how much she cried! Poor thing. We came home and she crashed for the next 4 hours.

She has had lots of doctors appointments this month, visiting a geneticist, getting an ultrasound, xrays in addition to our monthly OT visit, all in preparation for our upcoming visit to the Orthopedic surgeon next week, who we haven't seen since she was 3 months old. 

The geneticist was a simple visit, she visited with us and observed her and told us it was obvious there was no other syndrome connected with Rua's ectrodactyly. Which was great news! We already figured that was the case because in every way she is the picture of a normal, healthy baby. The geneticist ordered the ultrasound because kidney problems often are associated with ectrodactyly, but that came back normal.

The OT has been a monthly visit, mostly to work on her left hand that has one bent finger She has had so far four splints made, all with the purpose to help straighten out that finger to make it more functional. She wears the splint at night, which has made for some hard nights, especially with the current splint. This splint keeps the arm straight so she can't bend it and chew on the splint. The problem is, that is also the arm with the thumb she sucks. So there goes hermethod of self-soothing. Needless to say, there are several nights where she is already cranky enough and there is no way I am attempting to put that thing on which only causes more stress and tears. 

One more week and we will have a better idea of the doctors plan and recommendations for any treatment or possible surgeries. In the meantime, she is sure using what she has just fine. Has that pincer grasp down pat, grabs and hold onto anything and everything, and has no problem standing on those cute feet of hers. So who knows, maybe they won't do anything.

Letter to Rua - 9 months

July 5, 2015

Dearest Rua,

Happy 9 months beautiful girl! You sure aren't looking so much like a baby these days. You are getting so big and so wriggly and full of energy.

                         

Some things from this past month:

• You've perfected your tummy crawl and in just the last couple of days you have started to do more of a regular crawl
• You can pull yourself back up to a sitting position from crawling.
• You are constantly pulling yourself up to stand on anything you can get your little hands on. Even if it's something 5 inches from the ground, you sure try! And each time you are successful, you break out into your beautiful smile.

• You now have 8 teeth.
• You love music and bounce up and down to any music that plays. You especially like me to sing songs like Wheels on the Bus, Popcorn popping that have movements

• You get so excited when we talk to Dad on the phone and his picture pops up.
• You chew on anything, including Abby's shoes

• You love to be outside. You get so happy when we go to the playground. We ran past one today in the stroller and you got so excited and I felt bad because we weren't stopping. You sure did too, and let me know it!

Love this picture, could look at this all day, that smile is so infectious!

• You also have so much fun at the beach in the sand. You think the sand tastes good too.

• You are sooo attached to me. I can't leave the room without you crying and trying to crawl towards me. Oh and if I even dare try to use the bathroom or shower, you are one mad baby.
• You are slightly more interested in books. At least, you enjoy turning the pages. But that's about all you want to do with them. 
• You have started pulling books off of shelves and making big book messes, so I guess that's one more thing you like to do with them. :)
• Whenever you get within arms reach of any other person, you go straight for their hair and try to grab it. Abby especially falls victim to your hair pulls.

• You still love to eat, and even look for any remaining crumbs in your bib.

• You are babbling a lot more. Mostly da-da-da.
• You recognize your name

Time is going so fast, every day is so busy and its hard to just keep up with you! But it's so much fun too. So grateful for you, beautiful Rua.

Love always,

Your Mamma

Fourth of July 2015

We had a very simple Fourth this year. Pancake breakfast at church in the morning, followed by a drive to Fontana to spend the afternoon and evening with my family. We had to leave before the firework fun started, which made Abby a little sad, but thankfully it turned out great because we were able to watch parts of different shows from a distance as we droves down the freeway. And without the noise, so Rua slept through it all! :) Next year though, we'll take Abby to a proper show.

And of course, we took some pictures of our girls.