after surgery...

Before...(above and 2 pics below)

and after surgery...with a sweet smile.

What a beautiful miracle. Ryder's surgery went so well. The surgeon came in our pre-op room and said, "you know, I was thinking about Ryder last night...and this surgery, I just don't feel right doing the whole surgery." He went on about how he feels that Ryder is to young for the major surgery (screws and metal plates in hips to redirect the growth direction of hip) He said again I just kept thinking about it last night, and I feel we should just do the adductors (cut part of his tendons in hip area).
He decided that they would put Ryder under, do some x-rays, and make the final decision of what surgery to do. Dr Segal decided after the X-ray that he would try the simple cutting of the adductors. He made a small incision on inner leg, and cut a pretty good amount of the adductors. Immediately Ryder's hips went right into place....meaning they could avoid the big nasty painful surgery for now! woo-hoo!!!
We have to do special stretches in order to keep his hips this way...but throughout the next few years they will grow out of place again because of his stiffness from cerebral palsy....but at that time his body will be stronger and able to handle such a HUGE surgery.
What a beautiful blessing that the Dr went with those feelings he had and switched up the surgery plan....We know this all happened because of all the fasting, prayers and much faith.
So instead of a 4 hour surgery, it was a 30 minute surgery...and instead of staying in the hospital a week....Ryder is home and healing!!! He will be in a ton pain for a few days. He has to wear a huge triangular brace on his bottom half of body for 2 weeks (he cant move).....but much better then all summer long wearing that thing!!!!!!
About 7:30 tonight he was fussy with pain so we had to drug him up. We will be giving him heavy pain meds for at least a few days....because as you can imagine getting your tendons cut in the hip area is VERY painful. Greg and I quickly learned tonight that it take 2 just to change his diaper and try to keep minimal pain from moving his legs....so sad : (
Ryder goes into the Dr for post-op appt in a few weeks to get the stitches cut out, and to make sure he is healing right.
We are just so grateful for Heavenly Father blessing us with such a beautiful miracle. The power of prayer definitely works : ) Truly a miracle.

Thank you for all your prayers!!!

Ryder's little buddy, Dallin, got a special service award with Mesa Public School District. (you can see Dallin get this award, with Ryder by his side starting at the 17:54 on the link below) Dallin is Ryder's favorite friend. Dallin is such a sweet little boy. We are so grateful the Hansen's have raised such a wonderful child. This is a clip that shows a little bit of the bond these two little guys have...so sweet.

Watch how Ryder watches the lady doing sign language and he copies her! haha...then he spots mom and dad and points at us...hilarious.

http://www.edtv99.org/video/8548
or....www.edtv99.org (look at on demand, live events, exceptional student service awards 2011)

Ryder got bumped up on the surgery. May 23 he is having double hip surgery. He is excited that Dr Segal is fixing the pain in his legs. We are happy that he is getting the surgery to fix some issues...but also so nervous!!! This is the first real big surgery for him...and we always hate when he has to be put under. We're trying to focus on the positive though! :) we will try to keep the blog updated as much as possible!
Also no visitors for Ryder while in the hospital. In order for him to get out quicker and heal quicker it is best for no visitors. Ryder does love surprises, balloons, cards, pictures...etc. So if you feel the need, send them our way and he'll get them! He'd love them!!! You should see his face when he gets mail with his name on it!!!
Thanks for everything! Please continue to keep our sweet little guy in your prayers : )

So got word today that Ryder's surgery is all the way in August!!! (Ruby's first birthday, 8/8/11) Why so far away you are probably thinking??? Because the DR's summer is BOOKED! He only does surgery once a week. Ryder's surgery takes approx 4 hours, so it is difficult to squeeze him into that already booked schedule. I am in the process of contacting DR to let him know that Ryder is in so much pain from his hips. Ryder daily will cry or complain that his "legs" hurt....his legs "scissor" or cross over almost constantly now..he hates standing...the weight on hips hurt him. It's getting worse daily, so I HATE to see him wait all the way until August for the surgery. We will see what happens! I am bugging them though : )
We will keep you all posted..if the date changes (HOPEFULLY!) I will post!

First...I guess Ryder's surgery can happen anytime with about only a weeks notice...so we'll see when that is! I'm so nervous waiting for the letter w surgery date.
Next, I was so blessed to meet this wonderful family in the waiting room before Ryder's appointment with his Ortho surgeon. The kid was about 7 he also had a sister about 3 years younger (like Ruby and Ryder). This boy was SO much like Ryder...smart as can be! he was so sweet! He looked at my mom and then Ryder and said, "does he talk?" my mom said "Yes he does." then told Ryder to say hi...it took a lot to get ryder to say hi to this kid (ryder is so shy!) finally he said hi....
anyways it was so cute...but the best was the mom and I exchanged info...and it ends up her son just had this surgery this winter that Ryder is having. She sent me a message and I'm going to share it...
I am so grateful God blesses me with such great people at perfect times. When we found out Ryder had CP, a woman I talked to that was a parent of special needs kids told me this...and I will ALWAYS remember. "Heavenly Father will always provide a way to get through our trials in life. Heavenly Father will always provide a way to get through what we face with raising these special Spirit children." Can I just say she wasn't kidding. We always are blessed with such wonderful people in our life, and the blessings we see are beautiful. Anyways here is some of her email....(oh and she talks about HAB, thats the service through the state that someone comes in and helps the child meet goals, and helps teach self help skills..its for kids that are severe....but sadly Ryder was DENIED completely because of s state workers stupid mistakes..and now we are fighting to get it for Ryder....esp after this email I got from this great new friend.)

"I am pretty sure Ryder is having the same procedure that our son had, our son also had his adductor tendon's released, because they were so tight and the botox wasn't helping as much, so Dr. Segal decided to cut the adductors. It is a very intense surgery and recovery, but it was well worth it for our son. I would also talk to your DDD caseworker to asked to have more hours put in for HAB and possible attendant care because after the surgery most of what I had to do with our son took two people. The recovery was much more extensive that I expected and I was so thankful to have a provider there to help me during the day!! Especially having to care for my daughter as well...

I was also very nervous about the procedure, but it really helped our son and all of what he had to endure was very tough for him and for the family, but I do think it was worth it!

Please feel free to ask me any questions.

The Procedure is intense and it will be alot on you as a parent, but you were given Ryder because you are an incredible mother! Always remember not eveyone has the ability to do what you do everyday!! You are a very special MOM and you need to remember that!!"

Today was a rough day. Ryder saw his wonderful Orthopedic Surgeon today, Dr Segal. I thought the appointment would go the same as usual....we go in get x-rays and get told all looks ok...and then we go on our way....but that is not what happened.
Ryder had X rays done (as usual every 6 months) the DR came into the room and asked me to step out with him so I could see the Xrays....I could tell he was bummed out. We got to his computer screen and I could clearly see something was wrong with Ryders hips....It was kinda confusing in words but basically due to Ryders high tone in his lower part of body his hip sockets are trying pop out the back of socket.
Lately Ryder has complained that his hips hurt, and his legs "scissor" (cross over each other)...and also his left leg only opens at 20%. (very bad)
Ryder has to have double hip surgery...and soon! Dr Segal said he doesn't like having to do this surgery on kids Ryders age...but sadly it has to happen this way. The surgery is going to be intense...(he said kids with spinal surgeries recover quicker then with this surgery). Ryder will regress with anything physically he does now...this surgery once again is very hard on the patient/child.
From what I understand is they go into the hip....cut into the bone....put in a metal plate...and also cut some tendons in the hip area. After I find out the exact name of surgery and more info I'll post a link with info.
Recovery in hospital is about a week...and 6 weeks at home... 6 months later they go back into the hips and take out the plates.

We are very sad about this...it is something we knew would eventually happen...but not so soon
: (

We will keep you all posted on whats going on.

Ruby pictures from yesterday : ) my oh my, shes growing fast!

Phoenix Zoo...



Ruby in January.
Jared's wedding at Mesa Temple....Greg, Jared, Bryon....
Reception....

temple...Jared and Ryder....
and more reception...






It has been FOREVER. Sorry to all.

Here is a quick update....

Ruby is growing fast. She has been crawling for a week now....and into everything! esp anything that Ryder has. I constantly hear "mom take her away please."
We have to make barrier thru middle of room to keep her off of him. Even though she is bugging him all the time he is still so sweet to her. He really is the SWEETEST child I have ever seen. We are so blessed to have his special spirit in our family.
Ruby is also beginning to talk... these are her words... her first word was "hi!" then "pway" (play) she says that whenever she sees the guitars...haha.
The words that I hear most are "mama baba" aka mom, bottle!...and also dada...when she sees greg. She is learning pretty quickly. I always tell Ryder he is teaching her SO much! and he just smiles, all proud of himself.



Kira also was recently called to serve in Young Womens...and she LOVES it. It is her dream calling...and is everything she hoped it'd be!
Greg is still as busy as ever...school full time, work full time, doing dirtbike wheels on side, and playing in bands. The band part is a great vent for him with all he does!
That is us since November : )