Over the past month, we've been going to physical therapy sessions at the hospital where Ruby was born. She was diagnosed with torticollis (twisted neck) just after her 2 month well baby appointment. She's always looking to the left because the muscles in her neck are stronger on on the left side, than on the right. The doctor said it is probably because she didn't have a lot of room in the womb. So, she gets ultrasound heat treatment, a neck massage, and then does stretching exercises with a physical therapist 2-3 times per week. She's made lots of friends in the physical therapy department as other therapists and patients stop to see why a little baby is getting physical therapy. She smiles and coos at everyone and they say, "Ah, waiguo xiao hai." "Oh, hao ke ai!" "Ta de yen jing hen da!" "Hao piaoliang!" (Ah, a foreigner baby. Oh she's so cute! Her eyes are so big! So pretty!) It's a bit strange to have so many people looking in on your daughter's medical treatment, but I just have to remember that we're in Taiwan. Things are different here. People don't mean to be nosy or intrusive; they're just curious. They don't consider it rude to peek their head behind a curtain to see a little baby getting treatment. In fact, they consider it a friendly gesture!
On Monday we had an appointment with the rehabilitation doctor. He said her torticollis is getting better, but she still needs to do physical therapy for a while longer. Scheduling the appointments around feedings, naps, and school responsibilities has been a big pain, but we're making it work. Guess we'll be seeing our friends in the physical therapy department some more!
The neck issue really doesn't bother Ruby at all! She's really a happy little girl and loves to smile and "talk" to herself, or anyone who is around. Yesterday she was playing on her little play mat gym and while she was on her back, she scooted all around the mat, and even scooted herself off the mat. Today she rolled from her back to her front - and then didn't know what to do! She scared herself! She still isn't a big fan of being on her tummy, so when she rolled onto her tummy by herself, she was kind of upset about it. We let her try to roll to her back again, but rescued her after she became pretty frustrated. Then she was all smiles again.
This has become the Ruby blog. Ah well ... gotta remember these days. They won't last long. Here are some pics from this week.
 |
| She loves playing with her O ball! |
 |
| Sound asleep - growing! |
 |
| Happy after a bath! |
 |
| We can't get enough of this smile! |
