By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:23 EST, 21 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:23 EST, 21 November 2012 . When Ruby Love Lambright was born more than three months premature, she weighed just 1.6 pounds and fitted into her mother's hand. Now the tiny bundle from Minneapolis has inspired a massive outpouring of goodwill as strangers have donated thousands towards her steep medical bills after hearing of her battle. After her mother, Lauren Lambright, went into labor at just 25 weeks on July 4, the tiny baby spent four months in the NICU and underwent heart surgery, blood transfusions and eye exams. Scroll down for video . Tiny: Lauren Lambright holds her tiny baby daughter Ruby whom she had at just 25 weeks . And throughout the family's struggles, Ruby earned her middle name. 'Love,' Mrs Lambright told Kare11. 'We just loved her so much. We never loved anything so much in our . entire life, so it became her middle name. I think Ruby is the best definition I can think of of a miracle.' But over her treatments, medical bills exceeded $10,000, which her parents said they are struggling to pay, according to their Facebook page and fundraising page. Yet when Tiffany Kokal, founded of Red Velvet Moments Photography, learned of Ruby's story, she sprung into action, realising she could use her skills to benefit the family. 'When I met them they are fun, outgoing happy people,' Kokal, who first met Lambright at her old job at a dentist's. 'For such a sad thing to go through their spirits never seem down.' Delicate: Ruby Love Lambright weighed just 1.6 pounds when she was born three months early . Newborn: Ruby, who is pictured right with her father Travis, underwent heart surgery and blood transfusions . Fighter: She is now 7 pounds but her parents face medical bills exceeding $10,000 for her treatment . Kokal, who has taken heart-melting photographs of the baby girl, offered free Christmas portraits over two days and simply asked that families donated to the Lambrights in exchange. She explained her idea on Facebook - and could barely keep up with the number of families who wanted to help. 'I'm receiving more than I have ever . received all of my Christmas life. Having done this and it makes me want . to give more,' Kokal told Kare11. Travis Lambright, Ruby's father, added of the generosity: 'It's just flooring, mind boggling.' After the hundreds of dollars the family . has raised themselves, Kokal added $2,000 to the pot. And, as the word . of the photographer's kindness spreads, other strangers are digging . deep. Kindness of a stranger: To raise funds, photographer Tiffany Kokal offered free portraits for donations . Joy: Strangers donated more than $2,000 to the Lambrights, who are pictured in the NICU . Mini: When she was born, Ruby was so small that she fitted into her mother's hand . 'We certainly never thought of asking for help on Facebook but we are so overjoyed people would ask us to do so,' the family wrote on Facebook. 'Lauren has been forced to be out of work a . lot longer than we ever anticipated to care for Ruby and we have been . trying to cut back everywhere we can. Travis works hard to provide but with the unexpected expenses rolling in it can be hard to make it all work. 'There are a few areas of need and you can choose to support us in anyway that tugs at your heart because we appreciate any little bit of help we get so very much!' Ruby is still using a breathing monitor but now weighs more than seven pounds. With dad: Ruby's parents expressed their shock at the generosity of strangers to help pay their bills . Safe: They said they are looking forward to recounting the story to Ruby when she is older . The Lambrights said that they can't wait to recount the story to Ruby when she is old enough, to show her how special she is. 'I realized that I want her to know that I believe she is a gift and not just a gift but the BEST gift in the whole wide world,' Lauren wrote of Ruby in an entry on her CaringBridge site. 'This whole experience has shown me just how fragile her life is and I am looking forward to every dirty diaper and sleepless night because I will be with her and she will be with me and that is just absolutely amazing!' See below for video .
Ruby Love Lambright underwent life-saving treatments after she was born 3 months early - and her parents were left with bills exceeding $10,000 .
Local photographer heard of their plight and offered free portraits to families if they would donate to the cause .
Raised more than $2,000 and inspired even more strangers to donate .
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 14:23 EST, 21 November 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 14:23 EST, 21 November 2012 . When Ruby Love Lambright was born more than three months premature, she weighed just 1.6 pounds and fitted into her mother's hand. Now the tiny bundle from Minneapolis has inspired a massive outpouring of goodwill as strangers have donated thousands towards her steep medical bills after hearing of her battle. After her mother, Lauren Lambright, went into labor at just 25 weeks on July 4, the tiny baby spent four months in the NICU and underwent heart surgery, blood transfusions and eye exams. Scroll down for video . Tiny: Lauren Lambright holds her tiny baby daughter Ruby whom she had at just 25 weeks . And throughout the family's struggles, Ruby earned her middle name. 'Love,' Mrs Lambright told Kare11. 'We just loved her so much. We never loved anything so much in our . entire life, so it became her middle name. I think Ruby is the best definition I can think of of a miracle.' But over her treatments, medical bills exceeded $10,000, which her parents said they are struggling to pay, according to their Facebook page and fundraising page. Yet when Tiffany Kokal, founded of Red Velvet Moments Photography, learned of Ruby's story, she sprung into action, realising she could use her skills to benefit the family. 'When I met them they are fun, outgoing happy people,' Kokal, who first met Lambright at her old job at a dentist's. 'For such a sad thing to go through their spirits never seem down.' Delicate: Ruby Love Lambright weighed just 1.6 pounds when she was born three months early . Newborn: Ruby, who is pictured right with her father Travis, underwent heart surgery and blood transfusions . Fighter: She is now 7 pounds but her parents face medical bills exceeding $10,000 for her treatment . Kokal, who has taken heart-melting photographs of the baby girl, offered free Christmas portraits over two days and simply asked that families donated to the Lambrights in exchange. She explained her idea on Facebook - and could barely keep up with the number of families who wanted to help. 'I'm receiving more than I have ever . received all of my Christmas life. Having done this and it makes me want . to give more,' Kokal told Kare11. Travis Lambright, Ruby's father, added of the generosity: 'It's just flooring, mind boggling.' After the hundreds of dollars the family . has raised themselves, Kokal added $2,000 to the pot. And, as the word . of the photographer's kindness spreads, other strangers are digging . deep. Kindness of a stranger: To raise funds, photographer Tiffany Kokal offered free portraits for donations . Joy: Strangers donated more than $2,000 to the Lambrights, who are pictured in the NICU . Mini: When she was born, Ruby was so small that she fitted into her mother's hand . 'We certainly never thought of asking for help on Facebook but we are so overjoyed people would ask us to do so,' the family wrote on Facebook. 'Lauren has been forced to be out of work a . lot longer than we ever anticipated to care for Ruby and we have been . trying to cut back everywhere we can. Travis works hard to provide but with the unexpected expenses rolling in it can be hard to make it all work. 'There are a few areas of need and you can choose to support us in anyway that tugs at your heart because we appreciate any little bit of help we get so very much!' Ruby is still using a breathing monitor but now weighs more than seven pounds. With dad: Ruby's parents expressed their shock at the generosity of strangers to help pay their bills . Safe: They said they are looking forward to recounting the story to Ruby when she is older . The Lambrights said that they can't wait to recount the story to Ruby when she is old enough, to show her how special she is. 'I realized that I want her to know that I believe she is a gift and not just a gift but the BEST gift in the whole wide world,' Lauren wrote of Ruby in an entry on her CaringBridge site. 'This whole experience has shown me just how fragile her life is and I am looking forward to every dirty diaper and sleepless night because I will be with her and she will be with me and that is just absolutely amazing!' See below for video .
November 2012 . When Ruby Love Lambright was born more than three months premature, she weighed bills exceeded $10,000, which her parents said months early . Newborn: Ruby, who is pictured exceeding $10,000 for her treatment . Kokal, who the number of families who wanted to help. 'I'm photographer Tiffany Kokal offered free portraits $2,000 to the Lambrights, who are pictured in the strangers to help pay their bills . Safe: They